October 25, 2005
Waiting for Indictments and the Spin/Bush's New Line?/Cheney OKs Torture/The Lesson of Rosa Parks
As the significant news about Dick Cheney reverberates (see the item below), the indictment(s) watch continues. Once indictments come--if they do come--expect the White House/Republican/conservative spin machine to hit new heights of gyrations. But as the spinners spin--and try to dismiss any charges related to perjury or obstruction of justice--keep in mind what former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh (who served in the cabinet of Bush the First) said on Sunday on CNN:
If there's false testimony given or there's an attempt to corrupt any of the witnesses or evidence that is presented to the grand jury, that's a very serious offense because it undermines the integrity of the whole rule of law and investigatory process.
The story about Scooter Libby's notes does change the picture. Often a person charged with providing false testimony to the grand jury says in defense that he or she simply made an unintended mistake and that he or she had no reason to lie or not be forthcoming about the matter at hand. The revelation about Libby's notes--that they show Libby learned of Valerie Wilson's employment at the CIA from Dick Cheney--suggests Libby had a damn good motive to mislead Patrick Fitzgerald's grand jury: to keep Cheney out of the picture. If this is what happened--or what Fitzgerald believes happened--Fitzgerald will certainly be interested in determining what, if anything, Cheney knew about Libby's testimony.
Last week, I reported that a former government official with friends in the White House said that one of his White House pals had reported that Bush officials feared that Libby would be indicted and that Cheney would be implicated by Fitzgerald's indictments. Today, it's easier to imagine how Cheney will be implicated.
******
A SLIGHT SHIFT IN SPIN? A British journalist called to ask me who would have to make a statement if indictments were handed down. Fitzgerald? The persons indicted? The White House? I assume Fitzgerald would release some sort of statement. Would he hold a press conference and take questions? He is not obligated to do so. No one indicted has to say anything, and any arraignment would not occur immediately. (See the DeLay case.) The lawyers for the people charged will probably issue statements attacking the indictments and proclaiming the innocence of their clients. As for the White House, press secretary Scott McClellan will have to say something. Ever since the leak scandal became a hot story that involved Karl Rove, McClellan and Bush have stuck to a carefully crafted line: we will not comment on the matter because we don't want to "prejudge the investigation." What will they say now? Here's my guess: "We will not comment on the indictments or anything related to them because we do not want to prejudge the trial."
******
NOW THAT'S SETTING AN EXAMPLE. The Washington Post was scooped on the Libby notes story by the Times, but it does have an important front-page piece on Cheney today. The paper is reporting that Cheney has been pushing to exempt the CIA from a proposed law that prohibits US forces from treating anyone detained in a cruel or inhumane fashion. This anti-torture provision was championed by Senator John McCain, and the Senate passed it by a 90-to-9 slam-dunk vote. One point of the measure was to show the world that the United States, even as it faces an evil enemy, will abide by norms of decency. But that goal would be totally shot if the Bush administration essentially says, Our military is not allowed to engage in torture and cruel practices, but our CIA can. If there is a CIA exemption, Congress may as well not bother. Which is probably Cheney's aim.
******
THANK YOU, SISTER ROSA. That's how the Neville Brothers once put it. As the world pays tribute to civil rights champion Rosa Parks, who died last night, it's important to remember that her gallant stand--that is, her refusal to stand--on that Montgomery bus in 1956 was not a spur-of-the-moment action. Civil rights activists had long planned such an action as part of a strategy to spark a protest against segregation. Parks had even spent time at the Highlander Center, a sort of Harvard University for social justice activists. She became a hero and a legend not due to serendipity--or a case of tired feet on one particular day--but because she and other activists had devised (after much conversation and argument) a sophisticated plan of action. The plan worked. Parks' action triggered a bus boycott that captured the attention of the nation and that yielded a civil rights leader named Martin Luther King Jr. The lesson: organize, organize, organize--and be smart about it.
Posted by David Corn at October 25, 2005 12:50 PM
Comments
Mr. David Corn,
ANOTHER great post with a bunch of good stuff!
"The lesson: organize, organize, organize--and be smart about it."
Thank you, and again for all of your work.
Kirk
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 01:00 PM
First off, please be aware, this nation owes a great deal to people such as Rosa Parks . Rosa Parks please rest in peace. Plus Rosa Parks THANK YOU.
The matter at hand .........
I honestly dig the notion that WAR is
A racket. A Marine named Smedley Butler said so. I did some research on my own and found it to be true. My name is at Number 102 on the petition at www.warisaracket.org ; I do believe I have achieved encouraging at least ONE person ( a Captain ) to put the name to the list. THANK YOU CAPTAIN . Please, everyone, seriously consider doing it.
www. warisaracket.org
Because war IS a racket.
www.warisaracket.org
------- Timothy the Petition Guy
Posted Oct. 25 , 2005
Posted by: Timothy Petition at October 25, 2005 01:07 PM
Once again, you synthesize the issues of the day, Mr. Corn.
We shall all miss Rosa Parks and will not forget what she stood for and meant to the nation.
As for Libby. Let the legal system work.
Posted by: Joe Tully at October 25, 2005 01:12 PM
Timothy Petition,
There are many who read this board and many here will sign everything with which they agree.
Chances are a few to several will read and sign. Not all will post about what they sign as a matter of privacy and such.
I have not heard from others but I can say with some certainty that others have signed.
Alway good to encourage more.
capt
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 01:16 PM
ROSA PARKS 1913-2005
Mother of The Movement, Soul Sista, Super Woman, Our Queen. Love Ya'
Posted by: bro.tex at October 25, 2005 01:28 PM
Operation Truth's Honor the Fallen Campaign
2000 American Troops have now been killed in Iraq, but for over two years, our newspapers have failed to adequately honor the sacrifice of America 's servicemembers. Putting the names of the fallen on page A14 is an insult to America 's Troops and to the families of the fallen, and is yet another example of poor media coverage of the war.
For several months, Operation Truth has listed the names of our fallen servicemembers on its first page and we ask that our nation's newpapers do the same. Help us accomplish this critical first step in honoring our fallen servicemembers.
(Are you a newspaper that has decided to publish casualty reports on your front page? Please let us know by sending a message to media@optruth.org!)
Our fallen servicemembers have paid the ultimate price, but there are also many other issues that face our troops and veterans, such as inadequate funding to take care of our wounded Servicemembers at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and inadequate equipment. Please read more about these issues here on operationtruth.com.
*****end of clip*****
Please, read what is offered on the operationtruth.com website.
If we held a funeral every day for five years we would not be able to bury 2,000 souls.
When I hear grim statistics and body counts I always imagine how long it would take to actually bury the dead. I imagine the number and how much land would be covered with headstones. 2,000? That would be more than an acre. A very sad stone garden too large by one for 2,000 families. Far too many by any measure.
capt
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 01:31 PM
Just imagine, if Kerry had won, we would have missed out on the daily drama of who and when is Fitzgerald going to indict. It would be of academic interest, but it would be old news. Would we even be pursuing this investigation?
Watch for Presidential Pardons. It's his ace in the hole.
Posted by: Tuba Les at October 25, 2005 01:38 PM
Here in Illinois, Fitzgerald generally holds a news conference to announce political indictments. This being Illinois, he's held quite a few news conferences.
Posted by: RAM at October 25, 2005 01:47 PM
Officialy we have lost more soldiers in the four years of this war than we did in the first four years of the Viet Nam war. Great going shrubbie, you are a total asshole!! Let's bring the soldiers home they are needed here much more.
Posted by: What the F**k at October 25, 2005 01:49 PM
American Soldiers
2,241 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan for Bush's evil lies.
American soldiers who have been killed in Iraq is one shy of 2,000.
Posted by: Gerald at October 25, 2005 02:00 PM
On this thread, American servicemen get "HONORED" when they die, and demeaned when they fight for our country. Any idea how many die during training? How does the left honor ALL servicemen and women?
This tearful left bemoaning is a disgustful front for the anti-war and anti-bush tribes.
Posted by: murad at October 25, 2005 02:08 PM
I go to two sources to update me on the number of killed American soldiers. Both sources say that the number is 1,999.
Posted by: Gerald at October 25, 2005 02:09 PM
Yeah, Murine,
We should be dancing in the streets for every dead american soldier... We should shower Bush with flowers and chocolates for getting our children, their fathers and mothers and tens of thousands of others killed for absolutely nothing...
I'm off to hug some really big trees...
-T
Posted by: Hajji at October 25, 2005 02:12 PM
lewrockwell.com has several good articles for October 25, 2000.
Posted by: Gerald at October 25, 2005 02:13 PM
On this thread, American servicemen get "HONORED" when they SERVE, and demeaned by the neocons when they fight for our country or follow orders.
Wake up you numbskull!
capt
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 02:15 PM
Go to operationtruth.com
Oh nevermind. You are too stoopid to waste another keystroke, you give conservatives a bad name by being dishonest and dishonorable.
Nobody one this board has ever demeaned a servicemember. 2,000 are dead, how vainglorious for you in your armchair.
Murad you are a bigger fool than words could ever say.
Posted by: Tim L at October 25, 2005 02:20 PM
Scowcroft
An article on antiwar.com says that 2,000 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq.
Posted by: Gerald at October 25, 2005 02:20 PM
Poor Hajji,
You need to go back to your ESL class. Where did I say that tears should not be shed for the dead servicmen or that they should not be honored?
Let me repeat! It is the LEFT who are dishonoring the servicemen by demeaning them when they live, and then, for obvious political reasons, rallying around their deaths.
SHAME ON THE LEFT!
Posted by: murad at October 25, 2005 02:23 PM
Withdraw Miers
WithdrawMiers.org has been established to urge the withdrawal of Harriet Miers from consideration as a nominee for Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court.
WithdrawMiers.org will serve as a clearinghouse for information related to the nomination along with tools for leaders, activist groups, and the general public to contact U.S. Senators and the White House to express the shared belief that Ms. MiersÕ nomination should be withdrawn.
This website was created by a growing coalition of advocates and other individuals that believe the best interests of the country and the Supreme Court would be served by the withdrawal of Ms. Miers.
*****end of clip*****
Never fails, the GOPhers always end up eating their own.
capt
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 02:23 PM
Some Republicans Say Bush Fundraiser Hurts Cause
President Spoke At Reagan Library
October 22, 2005
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. -- President George W. Bush has left California, but not soon enough for some Republicans.
Some members of the state GOP are upset that he attended a million-dollar Republican National Committee fundraiser on Thursday. They said that the appearance was badly timed with California's special election, which is only weeks away.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is trying to court independents and Democrats to support four measures on the state ballot and those groups typically don't support Bush.
On Friday, Bush spoke at the grand opening for a pavilion housing Air Force One at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley. He compared the war against terrorism to Ronald Reagan's battle against communism and vowed the United States would prevail over Islamic extremists.
He participated in a wreath-laying at the grave of the revered Republican president and basked in warm wishes from former first lady Nancy Reagan.
Schwarzenegger was invited to the ceremonies but said a busy schedule kept him from attending
*****end of clip*****
A busy schedule? HA!
The California State GOPhers treat monkey-boy like a leper? It just gets better and better! You know they are in deep trouble when fundraisers go bad and "hurt the cause."
I imagine Bunnypants will not be able to go on a speaking tour after he resigns, he cannot string two syllables together without making stuff up or mangling the message.
Maybe screened audiences will cheer him on as he expresses his special brand of scatology? HA!
capt
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 02:42 PM
That's bull-scatology not Jazz scat but you know what I mean.
HA!
capt
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 02:44 PM
#18
What?
I dishonor the horsesh*t leadership you fool.
Posted by: Jeanne at October 25, 2005 02:47 PM
We are in trouble now. The Bush White House is getting sophisticated.
-------
Bushies take aim at probe
BY KENNETH R. BAZINET
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON - President Bush's damage-control handlers are plotting a sophisticated war room offensive to fight back against possible indictments in the CIA leak probe.
Trying to change the subject yesterday, Bush announced a new Federal Reserve chairman and convened his cabinet to signal business as usual at his beleaguered White House.
Behind the scenes, however, Team Bush was finalizing its campaign to discredit and undermine special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's conclusions, sources told the Daily News.
The White House strategy is counting on major help from GOP allies and neocon commentators who turned on Bush for naming Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court and are now looking for redemption with a miffed President.
An emerging theme in the Bush war room is arguing that his top political aide, Karl Rove, simply got tripped up on his recollections of whom he talked to and what he told them when questioned about the outing of CIA spy Valerie Plame. He shouldn't be indicted simply because of contradictory grand jury testimony, a source said.
----------
Simply tripped up. Ok. Whatever you say. I believe you. We all believe you.
Posted by: Jeanne at October 25, 2005 02:52 PM
Ray McGovern was onto Cheney's role LONG go
He said today: "As long ago as July 14, 2003, we recommended to the president that he request Cheney's resignation -- and we didn't know the half of it. Not only was Cheney a leading cheerleader for the war, but he may have had a hand in manufacturing as well as exaggerating the evidence needed to deceive Congress."
Posted by: micki at October 25, 2005 02:55 PM
That kind of malarkey might have worked when his numbers were high, I think Dummypants is just kicking a dead horse at this point.
Time will tell, the observation that "GOP allies and neocon commentators who turned on Bush for naming Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court and are now looking for redemption with a miffed President." seems obvious but I think it will become much more profound in the coming days.
The pathetic MSM are already slapping each other on the back for asking a few questions. They think they have some credibility capital and may have a little with some people, not me.
An interesting week, this week is indeed.
capt
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 03:01 PM
Murad you are a bigger fool than words could ever say. Tim L.
!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at October 25, 2005 03:18 PM
IT'S THE DECEPTION and THE LIES...
Melvin Goodman, a former CIA and State Department analyst, who is a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy and director of the Center's National Security Project said today, "It's central to understand, this isn't about leaks and sources. This is about how the administration deceived us into war."
Goodman is the author of the book "Bush League Diplomacy: How the Neoconservatives Are Putting the World at Risk."
Posted by: micki at October 25, 2005 03:26 PM
To me, I see this whole mess is WAY bigger as far as damage to the WH. No matter who or how, the recent exposure is not, in the end, just about Plame it is about Kerry, OÕNeil, Clarke, Lindsay, Shinseki, and every other person the illegal enterprise of first class smear-mongers have attacked since day one.
Nobody could argue the fact that the mechanism of slime that has been set on, like attack dogs, any and everybody that challenges or impedes the rise of their super-star started well before the whisper campaign against McCain. These amoral jerks invented push-polling and have refined the slime/smear to high art.
Fiztgeralds indictments, when they come, will be a non-issue. They can fight the charges or seek a pardon so this might all be a sly symbol of the continued rule in totality by Bush and a preemptive endorsement of a preemptive action to continue his (and PNACÕs) perpetual war.
It will take the GOP and the mega-dollar corporations jumping ship before a resignation could be considered possible and no impeachment will come from even the spineless democrats.
I bet the GOP will use this process, regardless of the outcome, as a slogan for their pending 2006 landslide (against all odds and in opposition to all polls) by saying something akin to: "We cleaned house and have righted the ship of state in troubled waters."
I expect to be surprised by the complete ignorance of many Americans. Just like every other issue that has been twisted and bent completely around by hate filled manipulators that have set all time lows for the values they claim to represent.
Anything short of a firing squad for all of these slugs will be short of justice. Their acts, including taking a nation to war by choice and misrepresented by lies, are treasonous and they love to spread death and destruction under the banner of freedom and democracy they deserve to receive as good as they have given. That is what a firing squad is for, no?
Any result that has Doofus Maximus still at the helm when the dust settles is a loss for our country and the planet. This is his staff nis "people" doing his work at his command, to think he is not involved is just silly.
IMHO
capt
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 03:30 PM
We need to unify under a solid name for this whole episode. Plamegate is not good enough.
I nominate TreasonGate because it covers the tactical treason at least in principle of revealing a spy's identity as well as the bigger picture this was all being done for, which was to dupe the US into an unjustified war with biased and false testimonies.
Whatever is picked its got to telegraph the right image quickly and clearly, and be used consistently.
Other nominations? It doesn't have to end with -gate, but it surely has its benefits.
Posted by: Yelnats at October 25, 2005 03:32 PM
Robert, my thoughts exactly! Did someone slap Tim L upside the head? Or, has the DOT finally seen the light?
Posted by: Saladin at October 25, 2005 03:35 PM
Yelnats,
I agree. In my book they committed treason and it should't be forgotten. When I see that they spent their weekend at Camp David trying to figure out how to smear Fitzgerald it just makes my blood boil.
If they had put half as much energy into figuring out how to cleam up the freaking mess they made in Iraq it would have been time better spent. But they're not good at that are they?
They always stay in the arena where they are comfortable. The "smear" campaign.
Posted by: Jeanne at October 25, 2005 03:41 PM
Tucker Carlson, on MSBNC, exemplified the bushevikian personification of character, integrity, and fair play:
"...I think politically [the Bush administration] did very much the wrong thing by saying nice things about Patrick Fitzgerald some months ago "he's a man of integrity," "he's a good guy," "we have complete confidence he's going do the right thing," etc., etc. making it now almost impossible for the White House, even on background, to attack the guy....
I think they should have at least kept the option open to attack him and I just don't see they have that."
_______________________________________
Those bastards make me sick.
Posted by: micki at October 25, 2005 03:42 PM
Vigil for 2000 Killed in Iraq
This week, the number of American soldiers lost while serving in Iraq reached over 2000. While thousands of families have made the ultimate sacrifice, thousands more send their children and loved ones off to a war that seems to have no end in sight.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. we will gather for a vigil to acknowledge our fallen soldiers and reflect on the war in Iraq.
This is an opportunity for thousands of us to gather together and acknowledge the sacrifices made by over 2000 American men and women in Iraq and their families and speak out against the war.
Host your own Vigil for 2000 Killed in Iraq or sign up for an event near you.
*****end of clip*****
Please consider joining or hosting.
We need to pump up the numbers to make the right statement. How would it sound if the MSM is able to report that fewer and fewer people were taking action and voicing their concerns?
"Apathy isn't it. We can do something. So flower power didn't work. So what. We start again." ~ John Lennon (1940 - 1980)
capt
PS - the quote is in honor of the honorable Mr. Robert Schwartz.
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 03:47 PM
Yelnats, I like the sound of TREASONGATE, but I'm sorry to say I think many people don't have the foggiest idea what treason really is. But, most people know what TRAITOR means -- no one likes to be betrayed. Everyone understands what it is to betray another's trust and to not live up to one's duty or obligations.
I vote for TRAITORGATE.
Posted by: micki at October 25, 2005 03:50 PM
Saladin,
#30, I do not trust 'em. Likely a ploy?
capt
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 03:59 PM
Traitorgate!
Does sound snappy!
Now to repeat it a million times a day on Fox?
HA!
capt
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 04:04 PM
#34
according to answers.com...
traitor
One who betrays one's country, a cause, or a trust, especially one who commits treason.
treason
1. Violation of allegiance toward one's country or sovereign, especially the betrayal of one's country by waging war against it or by consciously and purposely acting to aid its enemies.
2. A betrayal of trust or confidence.
I like traitor better, too... it's inclusive of treason, it's short, flexible and to the point...
TRAITOR-GATE gets my vote.
As we get a consensus we must do our best to use it! Including David Corn :-)
Posted by: Yelnats at October 25, 2005 04:18 PM
There once was a crime known as Traitorgate
They lie, they cheat, they trick and conflate,
They insulted us all
With their arrogant gall
They better be careful of their cellmate!
_________________
(wishful thinking, I know)
Posted by: micki at October 25, 2005 04:20 PM
three votes so far...did Diebold do the counting?
;-)
Posted by: micki at October 25, 2005 04:22 PM
We have a new drink, brewed (but not brew) by Patrick Fitzgerald it is called "Traitor-ade" like gatorade but if you are a Bunnypants supporter is has a bite and a bitter taste. If you are not a Bush supporter it goes down smooth!
HA!
capt
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 04:29 PM
the skodes in and around our govt., both left and right, have skoded us up and down from one end to the other - my choice would be skodegate, since they are skodes and have skoded - other than that, I vote for traitorgate, and hopefully if fitzgerald does his job they will all be gatorbait -
Posted by: James Ha at October 25, 2005 04:31 PM
I am with you guys - TraitorGate!
#32 And as for the bow tie boy.....what a useless piece of old dried up dung. Why doesn't he find a culvert to climb into so he can listen to his own echo?
Posted by: Jeanne at October 25, 2005 04:45 PM
(CNN) -- A majority would vote for a Democrat over President Bush if an election were held this year, according to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll released Tuesday.
I think the problem with the Dems is that they insist on running actual people as presidential candidates. If they would run a hypothetical person -- like a player to be named later -- he or she would win in a landslide.
Posted by: eggman at October 25, 2005 05:04 PM
Since it's indictment time, lets get the terminology right. Grand Jury hands up an indictment Judge hands down a decision. Sheriff says "hands up you mope; you're under arrest" Bailiff says "hands behind your back, convict, you're headed to the lock-up.
Posted by: Jim Bouman at October 25, 2005 05:05 PM
Jim,
Can't the sheriff just shoot them?
Posted by: Jeanne at October 25, 2005 05:10 PM
La Rebubblica's Scoup Confirmed
Today's exclusive report in La Repubblica reveals that Pollari met secretly in Washington on September 9, 2002, with thenЄeputy National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley. Their secret meeting came at a critical moment in the White House campaign to convince Congress and the American public that war in Iraq was necessary to prevent Saddam Hussein from developing nuclear weapons. National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones confirmed the meeting to the Prospect on Tuesday.
Pollari told the newspaper that since 2001, when he became Sismi's director, the only member of the U.S. administration he has met officially is his former CIA counterpart George Tenet. But the Italian newspaper quotes a high-ranking Italian Sismi source asserting a meeting with Hadley. La Repubblica also quotes a Bush administration official saying, "I can confirm that on September 9, 2002, General Nicolo Pollari met Stephen Hadley." ...
...Although Berlusconi's government clearly sought deniability while pushing the Niger uranium claims, the Bush White House went still further by trying to blame its citation of exaggerated and discredited Iraq WMD claims on the CIA, the very same agency that consistently discounted the Niger claims. The White House's war on the CIA and on the Wilsons --the extent of which has been revealed in recent news reports emerging from the Fitzgerald investigation -- has always had an excessive and almost hysterical quality. Why was the White House so worked up over Wilson and the Niger hoax, when there was so much evidence that the administration had based its drive for war on claims that were so thoroughly discredited from top to bottom? Why did Wilson and his CIA wife become the primary targets, when Wilson was hardly alone in pointing out that the White House should have known better about the Niger claims?
-------------
This was a long article. It is a few more pieces in the puzzle.
Posted by: Jeanne at October 25, 2005 05:16 PM
Scooter just finally woke up and smelled the coffee.
He realized that Rove and Cheney were going to put it on him, so he "found" his notes implicating Cheney.
Scooter is dead meat. The Chimp has two get-out-of-jail-free cards to give out, and his name ain't on either one.
Bob in North Dakota
Posted by: Bob in North Dakota at October 25, 2005 05:26 PM
Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage: Ambrose Bierce
=
When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle: Edmund Burke
=
The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis: Dante Alighieri
=
The world will never have lasting peace so long as men reserve for war the finest human qualities. Peace, no less than war, requires idealism and self-sacrifice and a righteous and dynamic faith: John Foster Dulles
=
Truth is not determined by majority vote: Doug Gwyn
=
Thanks ICH newsletter!
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 05:30 PM
Good quotes, Capt. They remind me to stay strong in my convictions.
------
President Bush Ignores 2,000th U.S. Fatality in Iraq During Officers' Spouses Luncheon
Washington, DC - The U.S. military today crossed a tragic, painful milestone in the war in Iraq: the death of the 2,000th American soldier there. In remarks to military spouses at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, DC, President Bush delivered yet another speech that failed to mention the mounting death toll and failed again to present a clear plan for victory in Iraq.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today marked the tragic milestone and said Americans deserve better than President Bush's failed leadership in Iraq:
"Today, our nation marks one of the saddest days of the war in Iraq, the loss of the 2,000th American soldier there. Each soldier lost on the battlefield leaves behind a family forever marked by tragedy, and scarred with grief. Their loss weighs heavily on the heart of every single American. Today, we are united in reflecting on the suffering and sacrifice of the brave men and women in uniform and their families.
"Sadly, in delivering yet another speech about the war in Iraq that lacked a clear plan for victory, President Bush failed to mention the tragic milestone we mark today. This is not the type of leadership that the brave men and women serving in Iraq and their loved ones here at home expect or deserve from the Commander in Chief. Now, even though we have lost 2,000 servicemen and women and spent more than $218 billion over the last two years, just 800 Iraqi troops have been fully trained. The need for a clear plan for victory in Iraq cound not be more apparent.
"Democrats believe Americans, particularly Americans serving our nation in the armed forces, deserve leaders who honor their sacrifice by making sure that our armed forces are never sent to war without a clear plan for victory and without the resources to carry out that strategy. That is why Democrats are unwavering in our commitment to pressing President Bush for a clear plan for victory in Iraq. We will honor the service and sacrifices of our soldiers by continuing that effort."
Posted by: Jeanne at October 25, 2005 05:39 PM
I think that the Dems could come back. To be sure, the message will have to be clear and a good alternative to the Republican message. Remember, 47,000,000 didn't vote for this guy. That's not to mention the others who didn't vote at all. You have to have faith. The Republicans are imploding right now. This is the time to go in for the kill.
Posted by: Joe Tully at October 25, 2005 05:44 PM
Capt,
I got a good joke for you.
Did you hear about the post office having to cancel its commemorative issue honoring lawyers? It seems that it was too confusing--people didn't know which side of the stamp to spit on.
Taking Lawyer Jokes Seriously
Posted by: Jeanne at October 25, 2005 05:44 PM
Well, well. bert@sbate.com
Posted by: bert@sbate.com at October 25, 2005 05:53 PM
Fitzgerald has decided to seek indictments, those near inquiry say
Jason Leopold and John Byrne
Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has decided to seek indictments in the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson and has submitted at least one to the grand jury, those close to the investigation tell RAW STORY.
Fitzgerald will seek at least two indictments, the sources say. They note that it remains to be seen whether the grand jury will approve the charges.
Those familiar with the case state that Fitzgerald may not seek indictments that assert officials leaked Plame's name illegally. Rather, they say that he will focus charges in the arena of lying to investigators. The sources said, however, they wouldn't rule out charges of conspiracy.
***************
Capt. First time I've seen the Honorable placed in front of my name...I like the sound of it, but.......
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at October 25, 2005 06:09 PM
October 25, 2005
Indictments Coming Tomorrow; Targets Received Letters Today
An uber-insider source has just reported the following to TWN:
1. 1-5 indictments are being issued. The source feels that it will be towards the higher end.
2. The targets of indictment have already received their letters.
3. The indictments will be sealed indictments and "filed" tomorrow.
4. A press conference is being scheduled for Thursday.
The shoe is dropping.
More soon.
-- Steve Clemons
************
No dancing, we hit 2000 dead.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at October 25, 2005 06:15 PM
WHAT WILL BRIT HUME OF FUX NEWS SAY ABOUT THE 2,000 U.S. MILITARY DEATHS IN IRAQ? HE HAS A HISTORY OF TRIVIALIZING DEATH
On Oct 13, 2005, Hume said of U.S. deaths in Iraq, "by historic standards, these casualties are negligible." (Is ANY death of a US soldier "negligible?) On August 24, 2005, Hume said, "By historic standards, military standards, these casualties in Iraq are quite low."
On August 4, 2005, the day after 18 U.S. troops were killed in combat, Hume stated that "of course, by historical standards, these casualties, even after this attack this week, are minor, I mean, militarily minor."
On September 7, 2004, Hume asked a retired army general, after the U.S. death toll passed the 1,000 mark: "The question is, how important a milestone is this? Is it militarily significant or psychologically important, both, neither?"
On August 26, 2003, Hume used a *tortured* mathematical formula to *prove* that U.S. casualties were not a big deal:
"277 U.S. soldiers have now died in Iraq, which means that statistically speaking U.S. soldiers have less of a chance of dying from all causes in Iraq than citizens have of being murdered in California, which is roughly the same geographical size. The most recent statistics indicate California has more than 2,300 homicides each year, which means about 6.6 murders each day. Meanwhile, U.S. troops have been in Iraq for 160 days, which means they're incurring about 1.7 deaths, including illness and accidents each day."
On September 8, 2003, Hume said to WaPo's Howard Kurtz that, "Admittedly it was a crude comparison, but it was illustrative of something."
Posted by: micki at October 25, 2005 06:21 PM
Brit will recommend buying stocks in coffins.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at October 25, 2005 06:25 PM
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy
The War in Iraq
Senate Floor
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at October 25, 2005 06:28 PM
Somebody needs to shove a large sock in Brit's mouth. Perferably still holding the foot.
Posted by: Jeanne at October 25, 2005 06:30 PM
For some comic relief
I need a laugh, because I'm getting a sinking feeling.
Posted by: micki at October 25, 2005 06:31 PM
Funny.
Remember how the White House had their little "planning meeting" last week-end at Camp David?
If you go to the other sites they are just full of trolls bashing Fitzgerald and muddying the waters. LAME!
Posted by: Jeanne at October 25, 2005 06:49 PM
Can anyone explain to me why in our country it took 2/3 the vote to APPROVE of our constitution, but in Iraq it take 2/3 of the vote to DISAPPROVE of the constitution?
Is this standard apart of their law?
Shows how much they really care about "democracy".
Posted by: ripple at October 25, 2005 06:51 PM
We had a very somber dinner as we heard that 2,000 American soldiers had been killed in Iraq. Tomorrow is a day of vigil for these dead American soldiers. For me it will be a day of prayer and fasting. May God save a our terrorist nation that has shown a depraved indifference toward our killing and torture of His children, our brothers and sisters in God.
Posted by: Gerald at October 25, 2005 07:04 PM
#59 micki, Cheney and Libby look good in prison bar stripes. Once in prison they will need to bend over frequently as someone jams their assholes with flesh or other paraphernalia. Cheney bend over! Libby bend over! Sounds good, very good!!!
Posted by: Gerald at October 25, 2005 07:24 PM
Your Christian President
Posted by: Gerald at October 25, 2005 07:29 PM
TRAITORGATE
Support Rep. J. Nadler, then there will be TRAITORGATE.
Posted by: Don Smith at October 25, 2005 07:30 PM
Here's MY favorite photo
Posted by: Carol at October 25, 2005 07:38 PM
2,000 soldiers dead in Iraq. Let Condi have her ten years and the numbers will surely match Viet Nam. God bless them and their families.
And God Bless Rosa Parks for not standing up for her principles. She has set an example for us all.
Dick Cheney in September 2003 "I don't know Joe Wilson, I have never met Joe Wilson... I don't know who sent Joe Wilson. He never sent a report when he came back". This was 3 months after he told Scooter Libby about Plame.
I've always been reminded of someone when I see Cheney. I just remembered who. Spiro Agnew.
Seeing him in character in Mickis post #58 makes my day complete.
Traitergate works for me. It works for those on this blog. I'm sure the MSM will find something that sticks.
In 1973 I was under indictment for failure to comply with some sort of US Code having to do with the president sending me some sort of order to be a soldier. I was the last one drafted. Everyone said I was crazy, including my lawyer. I disagreed, in fact I said that most of Nixons cabinet and staff would go down smokin, end up in jail and be disgraced. I walked and they did not.
That's how I feel today. No matter how cocky they are, they do not own everyone.
All the power and mad schemes of mad men in power end up in a box buried beneath six feet of dirt, and there is no way out for them. Where's Stalin and Hitler and Nixon and Hoffa and Fitzsimmons today? With their friends in hell.
Just heard - a nanosecond is not the fastest measure of time. The fastest measure of time is how long it takes a republican in conversation with a democrat to bring the blame to Bill Clinton. Kelly on air america.
Posted by: geof01 at October 25, 2005 07:41 PM
carol, I like that.
ripple #61. I thought about that today. We don't have an equal rights amendment because of those requirements, but 5 judges will overturn Roe vs Wade.
I think they had so many yes overvotes (more votes than voters) in some provinces in Iraq that they just moved enough over to the one province to make it look close. You saw the photos of US helicopters moving the boxes.
Posted by: geof01 at October 25, 2005 07:47 PM
Nattering naybobs of negativity!
Posted by: capt at October 25, 2005 08:01 PM
Currently there are 460 events planned in 49 states and counting...
Check to see if there is an event in your area tomorrow.
On Wednesday, October 26, people will gather in communities across the U.S. to mark the death of the 2,000th reported U.S. military death in Iraq and to say that the country's pro-peace majority by stopping the dollars that are funding the war.?
Posted by: micki at October 25, 2005 08:47 PM
You guys, 2000 is what they're copping to, I'm willing to bet it's a lot more than that. Brian Harring has this to report: "U.S. Military Personnel who died in German hospitals or en route to German hospitals have not previously been counted. They total about 6,210 as of 1 January, 2005. The ongoing, underreporting of the dead in Iraq, is not accurate. The DoD is deliberately reducing the figures. A review of many foreign news sites show that actual deaths are far higher than the newly reduced ones. Iraqi civilian casualties are never reported but International Red Cross, Red Crescent and UN figures indicate that as of 1 January 2005, the numbers are just under 100,000."
micki, my feelings were sinking when I knew they had stolen yet another election, and kerry walked away as if nothing untoward had happened.
You can't believe ANYTHING that they say.
Posted by: Saladin at October 25, 2005 10:02 PM
I will not identify myself. I have two relatives who are doctors at Landstuhl, one is a surgeon. Even though they are bush supporters (they are military officers), they have told family members that the numbers of wounded and dead from Iraq and Afghanistan are inaccurate.
Posted by: relative obscurity at October 25, 2005 11:35 PM
Democracy Now was explosive today.
It's about war. ItÕ³ about lying to go to war. I cannot imagine what could be a more serious charge than misusing intelligence data and evidence to go to war. But this is what we're dealing with.
And this is what Patrick Fitzgerald, who is the hero in all of this, understands. He knows it's more than leaks and sources. So what Patrick Fitzgerald has had to do is the work that should have been done by the Senate Intelligence Committee. This is what the Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Pat Roberts from Kansas, should have been doing.
To what degree was a forgery or a fabrication used in the case to go to war? And we know there was a forgery used in the President's State of the Union message in January 2003. The Senate wouldn't look at this. The Democratic Party wouldn't look at this evidence. The print media has dismissed it. But thank goodness for Patrick Fitzgerald, who is a tough, hard-nosed independent prosecutor, special prosecutor, who to me behaves like a junkyard dog, which is what you want from someone at this level. And I think he's going to get to the bottom of this. I'm very confident of that.
---------
This guy, Melvin Goodman, goes on and on. He won't let up on the Bush Administration. He closes the coffin and carefully nails it shut.
I just don't think the people like Goodman are going to let the Bush administration smear Fitzgerald. There are too many people out there who were career diplomats and career military and career government workers who were forced out or left because of this administration and they are not going to let this administration touch Fitzgerald.
Posted by: Jeanne at October 26, 2005 12:19 AM
#72
The Bush adminstration is doing a great disservice to all in the military and in particular to the fallen soldier and marine and sailor when they don't accurately portray the numbers. I would hate to be one of the numbers that didn't count.
The bush administration doesn't care.
They committed crimes against humanity when they lied to start a war in Iraq. I hope they are tried in international court. Let them face the world they have snubbed.
Posted by: Jeanne at October 26, 2005 12:27 AM
So, nobody denigrates our service men and women on this thread? HEAR IS A JEANNE POST FROM ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO:
A senior United Nations official has accused US-led coalition troops of depriving Iraqi civilians of food and water in breach of humanitarian law.
Human rights investigator Jean Ziegler said they had driven people out of insurgent strongholds that were about to be attacked by cutting supplies.
Mr Ziegler, a Swiss-born sociologist, said such tactics were in breach of international law.
A US military spokesman in Baghdad denied the allegations.
"A drama is taking place in total silence in Iraq, where the coalition's occupying forces are using hunger and deprivation of water as a weapon of war against the civilian population," Mr Ziegler told a press conference in Geneva.
He said coalition forces were using "starvation of civilians as a method of warfare."
"This is a flagrant violation of international law," he added.
-------------
Oh yeah, the war is going soooo well. We are liberating these people. They love us.
There are so many reported stories on this particular subject that to deny it is to deny me my ability to read and discern news. I can go to Dahr Jamail and find the same stories. There was an Iraqi reporter that remained behind during one of the sieges. It was reported day after day in the BBC site I believe. Democracy Now has reported it.
THE AL QAEDA PROPAGANDA MACHINE IS ALIVE AND WELL AND THE CORNIES ON THIS BLOG ARE VERY WILLING TO CARRY IT AS HONEST REPORTING - IT WILL BELIEVE THE TERRORIST THUGS OVER THE US MILITARY ON ANY GIVEN DAY! BUT NOW IT CRIES FOR THE DEAD SERVICEMEN - PHONEY DISGUSTING POLITICAL CRAP.
Posted by: murad at October 26, 2005 12:56 AM
Take it easy murad, you don't need to defend people with big guns and killer instincts.
The war is a lie.
If a soldier is incapable of understanding that, then they will continue to serve because they love their country so much that it's impossible for them to believe they are pawns. NATIONALISM is still alive, no worries for the military-industiral-corporate complex.
If a soldier knows it's a lie, and feels their presence is wrong, then they should own up to their ethics and go AWOL.
No matter how you look at it, the damage is done.
Judgement comes, don't worry yourself so much.
Posted by: ripple at October 26, 2005 01:37 AM
I think the service men and women respect your position, and might consider you naive but hold that opinion to themselves. Maybe you should presume that they are smart and know a lie when they see it. I know from experience that most of them are very smart, very wise, and very capable of knowing if they are pawns or not. Most have been or are in this war, and know better than us what is actually going on.
Posted by: murad at October 26, 2005 02:07 AM
#72 --- please clarify...
inaccurate in what way? and to what degree? and what would be your relatives reason to believe they have gotten to be innaccurate... incompetency, ignorance or maliciousness?
Posted by: yelnats at October 26, 2005 02:50 AM
#77 you share a high confidence in the military but they are made of humans, and also like any institution they can have their blindspots
my experience of the military is far more mixed and like in most places, alot of them want to do (and do) a good job but they cannot solve what they do not control. they do not control the objectives and direction by which they are being managed from washington. it is very hard to hold to a higher standard than their leaders. they are becoming increasingly frustrated and don't know where to turn in a war that they cannot win
so assuming what you say is true and that they are highly intelligent and noble beyond comparison, they were sent into a winless situation beyond their control. or as other adages say, its a good ladder its just leaning against the wrong wall, or good managers/execution can't overcome poor leadership/direction.
Posted by: yelnats at October 26, 2005 03:01 AM
#79
Amen.
Posted by: Jeanne at October 26, 2005 10:36 AM
You're doing a great work here. I enjoyed visiting here very much. Thanks! my parents didnt told me about it: http://www.adobe.com , my parents didnt told me about it , thins that excited you at 14
Posted by: Gregory Williams at November 6, 2005 06:26 AM