November 19, 2005Winning the War...over the War/OSM's Less-than-Stellar LaunchMy colleagues at the new Open Source Media site, partly at my suggestion, have scheduled a Blog Carnival for Monday on the controversy over the prewar intelligence. In a Blog Carnival, bloggers deluge a "ringmaster" with links on a given subject, and said "ringmaster" posts said links, creating a digital free-for-all. Instapundit Glenn Reynolds is the ringmaster for this one. He's a conservative, but it will be his obligation to reflect the various opinioins and analyses he receives. I'll be sending him my recent links on this subject. You can do the same. The email: osmcarnival@gmail.com. Links are due Sunday at 3:00 pm, Eastern time. I'm still waiting to see OSM straighten itself out. The debut was hardly that of a powerhouse site, and changes, I'm told, are in the works. I hope quickly in the works. The site needs more action, pizzazz, and raison d'etre. Believe me, I've thrown much more than two cents into the internal discussion about the site, its problems, and the potential solutions. Before the launch, left-of-center bloggers and some visitors to this site were fretting it would be the HQ for neocon shock-troops on the Web. Vanity Fair's James Wolcott and I had a back-and-forth on the subject, with Wolcott comparing the OSM gang to Dr. Josef Mengele. But OSM's startup problems have not been ideological; they've been editorial. The content and presentation have not been sufficiently compelling. But I have discovered the fun--so to speak--of being on an editorial board. I get to bitch and moan and point out what I see as serious shortfalls and then say to the put-upon folks doing the actual work, "Gotta go; it's up to you to fix this." They've listened to me and to other board members, and we shall see what they do with all that advice. Meanwhile, if liberals cannot win the battle over the prewar intelligence--on a Blog Carnival or in the real world--they are not trying too hard. I've cited examples this past week (and repeatedly before that) of when the Bushies uttered prewar statements that went beyond what even the flawed intelligence said at the time. Bush and his gang overstated (to be polite about it) the overstated intelligence. This happened with key issues: the aluminum tubes, the alleged meeting between Mohamed Atta, the supposed terrorism links between Iraq and al Qaeda, the mobile biological weapons labs (that did not exist), and more. Of course, Bush said before the war the intelligence contained "no doubt," even though there was significant doubt on these matters. And as I've noted, the Bush White House has been striking out at its critics in disingenuous fashion, claiming that two postwar reviews have found there was no evidence the administration had applied prewar pressure on intelligence analysts. But the question of hyping intelligence is distinct from the controversy over political pressure and the intelligence community. The Bush White House's dependence on a non sequitur is quite a clue. I don't tend to promote the talking points of political parties. But the Dems have put together some useful compilations that compare the prewar assertions of Bush and his aides with what the actual intelligence said at the time. These are imperfect documents. They leave out good examples. But they serve as primers for any of you looking for ammo for a heated discussion at the Thanksgiving Day table. You can check out the report the Senate Democratic Policy Group has produced here. It comes in easy-to-use chart form. And Senator Carl Levin has posted his own compare-and-contrast here. In a Blog Carnival on this topic, critics of the war should mount a rout. Posted by David Corn at November 19, 2005 09:09 PM |
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Comments
Mr. David Corn,
Thanks for the updates!
Kirk
Posted by: capt at November 19, 2005 09:30 PM
Speaking of Thanksgiving Day. Last year at this time, it was a couple of weeks after the election, and it was really hard to be thankful. In, fact, were I honest, I'd admit to being downright heartsick.
Here we are only a year later with Plamegate raging; Downing Street Memos flying; Fitzgerald's still in the game; and the old guys in the Congress raising holy hell about this ridiculous war.
While it could be some better, it's way going in the right direction and the polls are refreshing. What a difference a year makes!
We've got a lot to give thanks for this year...
Posted by: Mickey at November 19, 2005 09:33 PM
James ha,
#255 previous thread
Already saw the CD, and the results of the examination of it. It was analyzed at the digital video department on campus of U of North Carolina.
It was debunked as a fraud, but, you already know that, don't you?
You are an opportunist trying to take advantage of these ignorant CornNuts. You know it is a cut and altered fake. Mikey Moore knows his little Farfromsite 9/11 flick is a cut and altered fake.
You also know these CornNut morons will suck up any anti-American garbage that is put in front of them.
You are a lying little opportunistic turd, praying on the most insipid of people.
Posted by: Anita at November 19, 2005 09:53 PM
Who died and made him Dick Cheney?
Posted by: Damn_Em at November 19, 2005 09:57 PM
Iraq Veterans Group Responds to
Rep. MurthaÕ³ Statement on the Iraq War
The nationÕ³ first and largest Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans organization, Operation Truth, released the following statement today from Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff in response to Rep. MurthaÕ³ statement on the future course of the Iraq War and its toll on the American military:
"We applaud Congressman Murtha for having the courage to stand up in front of the nation and offer his honest assessment of the war in Iraq, including the shortcomings he sees with in the execution of the war. Having served honorably as a Marine for decades, and with war experience in Vietnam, we know he did not take his statement lightly. His decision today to ask the tough questions is a tribute to his patriotism.
Congressman Murtha hit the nail on the head on a wide array of issues Ð issues that Operation Truth has pointed out for over a year. The fact is that our Troops are overextended, that they are facing a growing and increasingly dangerous threat from insurgents, that military recruitment is severely hurting, and that there was not at the outset, and there is not now, a solid plan to secure Iraq, and get out.
We, the Veterans of this war, continue to believe that the debate over whether to stay the course or pull-out immediately is a false choice. At this point, there is no silver bullet solution to fix Iraq. We seek a better way to help ensure the long-term stability of Iraq that focuses on attainable goals for our Troops, while establishing a responsible timeline to bring them home. Only in this way can we serve the wellbeing of the Troops and preserve AmericaÕ³ standing in the world. The formulation of that more responsible and practical course must begin now, and must take into account the views of those who have the most credibility on this war Ð the Troops who have fought it."
*****end of clip*****
The WH would like to have everybody believe that all in the military support his flawed ideas and failed policy.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 19, 2005 10:00 PM
It all comes down to the question of bad intelligence. The bunnypants crew is rife in bad intelligence. They sit in their little circle jerk circle expounding their bad intelligence and blaming it on everyone else. Well the poll numbers show the American people have caught up with them on their lying bullshit. After bankrupting America with the huge deficits from the war and tax breaks for the rich hopefully we will send a democratic majority to congress in 06. I will bring the tar and feathers. Who wants to bring the railroad ties?
Posted by: Damn_Em at November 19, 2005 10:09 PM
Iraq Veterans Group Responds to TodayÕ³ Senate Amendment on Iraq
New Measure Still Lacking a Much-Needed Timeline
The nationÕ³ first and largest Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans organization, Operation Truth, released the following statement today from Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff in response to the Senate amendment calling for accountability from President Bush on the future course of the Iraq War:
"TodayÕ³ passage of the "United States Policy on Iraq Act" has now aligned Senate opinion with public opinion, and most importantly, the TroopsÕ opinion that the Administration must be held accountable on the war and answer vital questions.
The amendment passed today is a good first step towards finally demanding a real plan for Iraq and an exit strategy, but instead of patting themselves on the back for its passage, Senators should be thinking about what the next step is.
This amendment has two critical shortcomings that must be addressed immediately. First, the resolutionÕ³ call for a plan for Iraq is non-binding, and therefore a hollow gesture. It must be made law so that this Administration cannot brush it off like it has so many other calls for accountability on the war. Second, there is no timeline requirement. While an immediate pullout is not an option, it is essential that the Administration establish some sort of timeline for an exit strategy so that the American public and the Troops can be prepared for the long commitment it will likely take to stabilize Iraq."
*****end of clip*****
When the Bush slime/smear machine kicked in it smeared those who have served and disagree with the failed policies and mismanagement of the Iraqi invasion.
These are not words from some lefty or whatever. These are the words of veterans that have actually served in theater not the pathetic whining of armchair generals and chicken-hawks.
Pro-war is not pro-life, pro-war is not supporting the troops it is supporting Bunnypants and he is no hero. Those who have given their lives and those who have given their limbs and those who made it back alive are the real heroes.
Tragic to see the Reich-wingnuts support a liar over our nations heroes. It is predictable but tragic.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 19, 2005 10:09 PM
"It all comes down to the question of bad intelligence. "
No doubt.
This WH knows that using torture you get bad intelligence, they say bad intelligence was why we went to war. Now we are seeking more bad intelligence to start another war.
That is not "intelligent" design nor is it anything except a recipe for disaster.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 19, 2005 10:15 PM
Of yeah, I have the torches and have sharpened the pitch-forks.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 19, 2005 10:16 PM
Capt,
Have always been curious but never thought to ask. Where did "bunnypants" come from?
Posted by: TRH at November 19, 2005 10:29 PM
I dunno but we should find an artist to make a good caricature.
Posted by: Damn_Em at November 19, 2005 10:34 PM
The University of North Carolina is confused about 9-11
It would be as if after Hitler and Nazism rose to power and began subjugating countries and slaughtering Jews, some American university assigned readings from Goethe and required listening to Bach so that their students could better understand Nazi Germany. To understand Nazi terror, you study the hate-filled texts of Nazism, not the beautiful novels of German writers or Bach's cello suites. To understand Islamic terror, you study the hate-filled texts that are published daily throughout the Arab world Ð you assign the hate-filled sermons that are preached every week in the Muslim mosques in the Middle East and Iran.
But none of that will be noted, let alone assigned, at the University of North Carolina or any other major American university one year after 9-11. Our universities are not really interested in having their students understand America's enemies. They are, incredibly, more interested in having their students sympathize with them.
*****end of clip*****
Curious, I cannot find any support for the #3 post or the claims made. No surprise the troll does not provide a link or URL, facts just confuse trolls and I have yet to see a single troll post that can back up what they claim. (nothing even slightly sublime)
Maybe #3 can help me out?
capt
Posted by: capt at November 19, 2005 10:35 PM
It just sounds to me like you CornNuts are not happy with the war against terrorist being fought in Iraq.
The war against Iraq was soundly won 2 years ago and is over now. We are fortunate that the terrorists were obliging enough to continue coming to Iraq to be killed.
Why do you want to have our troops pull out of Iraq and come home, inviting the terrorists follow them here and pick up where they left off in Iraq? That is exactly what they would do. Why do you want the war against terrorists fought in America?
You CornNut idiots are insane for wanting that kind of battle waged on American soil.
Posted by: Randall at November 19, 2005 10:35 PM
Are you nuts? Who would want to be the ringleader with those clowns!?
Posted by: Prof. B G D'Gre at November 19, 2005 10:37 PM
Hey Randy I think you have caught this administrations bad intelligence disease. AKA the chicken hawk flu.
Posted by: Damn_Em at November 19, 2005 10:42 PM
Scary: Man Calls Bush 'Crusader BunnyPants' gets Visited by the FBI After 'Tip'
Turned in as an evildoer by self appointed patriots...
No idea if this story is true or not (I read it on discussion board) but, lately there have been at least three other reports of the FBI following tips where people have engaged in "Un-American activities", by criticizing Bush and John Ashcroft McCarthy....
---snip taken from the Democratic Underground---
"I got a visit from the FBI!"
I just got visited by the FBI.
Turns out someone in another political discussion board said I was making "anti-American, pro-terrorist" statements.
I think I know who, but I can't prove it.
(It's no one here.)
---snip---
11. "What happened"
"What did you say to merit a Mulder & Skully visit? Or can you talk about that?"
It was just one agent, and he had come to ask me about statements I had made on the Fidonet.
Apparently, my constant referring to Bush as "Crusader Bunnypants," Ashcroft as "Gestapo Chief Ashcroft," and my raising doubts about the Bin Laden video so pissed off a "conservative" on Fidonet that he contacted the FBI.
I told the agent I was going to continue being sarcastic and nasty in my descriptions of the Bush League.
I mean, Ashcroft hasn't repealed the 1rst amendment. (Yet)
The agent realized I wasn't a threat, and saw in the messages I was no "threat."
I was told I couldn't be told exactly WHO had contacted the FBI.
But if I find out who, I will see what legal action I can take.
*****end of clip*****
Type "Bunnypants" into a search engine. You will find many other references. This is where I picked it up. If the government wants to have FBI agents ask citizens about calling the president names like Bunnypants I want express my disgust at the implication.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 19, 2005 10:44 PM
Bunnypants
There is an action figure but . .
capt
Posted by: capt at November 19, 2005 10:48 PM
Oh I see, if we pull out, they will just put down their suicide bombs, go back to farming, and all is forgiven. I'm sorry, I thought they were terrorists, not peaceful farmers.
Are you completely CornNuts or just Fucken INSANE?
Posted by: Randall at November 19, 2005 10:48 PM
Capt,
First time seeing that. Thanks for the chuckle.
It's been a long day.
Posted by: TRH at November 19, 2005 10:52 PM
Bush Lies about Iraq's Supposed Weapons of Mass Destruction in his Own Words
Right now, Iraq is expanding and improving facilities that were used for the production of biological weapons.
- George W. Bush, speech to UN General Assembly, Sept. 12, 2002
The world is also uniting to answer the unique and urgent threat posed by Iraq.
- George W. Bush, Nov. 23, 2002
Our intelligence officials estimate that Saddam Hussein had the materials to produce as much as 500 tons of sarin, mustard, and VX nerve agentÉ® The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa.
- George W. Bush, State of the Union Address, Jan. 28, 2003
We have sources that tell us that Saddam Hussein recently authorized Iraqi field commanders to use chemical weapons - the very weapons the dictator tells us he does not have.
- George W. Bush, radio address, Feb. 8, 2003
Intelligence gathered by this and other governments leaves no doubt that the Iraq regime continues to possess and conceal some of the most lethal weapons ever devised.
- George W. Bush, address to the U.S., March 17, 2003
The people of the United States and our friends and allies will not live at the mercy of an outlaw regime that threatens the peace with weapons of mass murder.
- George W. Bush, address to U.S., March 19, 2003
We are learning more as we interrogate or have discussions with Iraqi scientists and people within the Iraqi structure, that perhaps he destroyed some, perhaps he dispersed some. And so we will find them.
- George W. Bush, NBC interview, April 24, 2003
We'll find them. It'll be a matter of time to do so.
- George W. Bush, remarks to reporters, May 3, 2003
I'm not surprised if we begin to uncover the weapons program of Saddam Hussein Ð because he had a weapons program.
- George W. Bush, remarks to reporters, May 6, 2003
You remember when Colin Powell stood up in front of the world, and he said Iraq has got laboratories, mobile labs to build biological weapons....They're illegal. They're against the United Nations resolutions, and we've so far discovered two [the labs were later judged to not contain any such weapons, that they most likely were used for weather balloons]. And we'll find more weapons as time goes on, But for those who say we haven't found the banned manufacturing devices or banned weapons, they're wrong. We found them.
- George W. Bush, remarks to reporters, May 31, 2003
*****end of clip*****
In his own words. Hard to deny the facts.
About a hundred more quotes on the linked page. I just took out all quotes from anybody but Commander Codpiece.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 19, 2005 10:57 PM
David
Words of wisdom for the "Blog Carnival" courtesy of Jimmy Buffett
Carnival World
My father always said that there's no free ride
You've got to make a sacrifice
So many prophets on the Lord's side
Even your soul has got a price
But talk is cheap
It takes money to buy your freedom
And the tax man's knockin' on your door
Spend it while you can
Money's contraband
You can't take it with you when you go
Spend it while you can
Before it's taken from your hand
There's no free ride in this carnival world
Posted by: TRH at November 19, 2005 11:02 PM
Bill Authorizes Private Purchase of Federal Land
By KIRK JOHNSON and FELICITY BARRINGER
DENVER, Nov. 19 - Private companies and individuals would be able to buy large tracts of federal land, from sagebrush basins to high-peak hiking trails around the West, under the terms of the spending bill passed Friday by a two-vote margin in the House of Representatives.
On the surface, the bill reads like the mundane nip and tuck of federal mining law its authors say it is. But lawyers who have parsed its language say the real beneficiaries could be real estate developers, whose business has become a more potent economic engine in the West than mining.
Under the existing law, a mining claim is the vehicle that allows for the extraction of so-called hard-rock metals like gold or silver.
Under the House bill passed Friday, for the first time in the history of the 133-year-old mining law individuals or companies can file and expand claims even if the land at the heart of a claim has already been stripped of its minerals or could never support a profitable mine. The measure would also lift an 11-year moratorium on the passing of claims into full ownership.
The provisions have struck fear through the West, from the resort areas of the Rockies like Aspen and Vail here in Colorado, to Park City in Utah, which are all laced with old mining claims. Critics say it could open the door for developers to use the claims to assemble large land parcels for projects like houses, hotels, ski resorts, spas or retirement communities.
And some experts on public land use say it is possible that energy companies could use the provision to buy land in the energy-rich fields of Wyoming and Montana on the pretext of mining, but then drill for oil and gas.
"They are called mining claims, but you can locate them where there are no minerals," said John D. Leshy, who was the Interior Department's senior lawyer during the Clinton administration. Mr. Leshy said the legislation "doesn't have much to do with mining at all."
"It has to do with real-estate transfer for economic development," he said.
*****end of clip*****
Not good news for anybody but land grab specialists.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 19, 2005 11:06 PM
capt
Don't bullshit everyone.
I KNOW You have seen it too. Don't try to cover your ass by pretending, no one sent a link.
Are you going to try to convince the CornNuts that you are to stupid to run a search.
Are you trying to tell everyone who disagrees with capt, they must to be wrong, because capt is lazy and stupid.
Posted by: Anita at November 19, 2005 11:09 PM
Lying About Lies About Lying
by Harry Browne
John Gibson is one of the more vocal Bush supporters on Fox-TV News. This past Tuesday his My Word segment was entitled "Everybody Thought There Were WMDs in Iraq."
In fact, George Bush lied over and over. He may have believed his lies would somehow turn out to be true. But, nonetheless, he stated as fact assertions that he had no evidence for. He said Hussein had WMD; he didn't say Hussein might have WMD, or that it was his opinion that Hussein had WMD. He said he knew that Hussein had WMD. That was a lie.
As to the dumb Democrats and other world leaders having "believed" that Hussein had WMD, why wouldn't they believe it? After all, they all relied on what the Bush administration said. And with the Bush administration saying it had evidence that Hussein could attack the east coast of the U.S. with unmanned aircraft, why wouldn't they vote to invade Iraq?
The fact remains that George Bush lied about having evidence of WMDs, mobile laboratories, aluminum tubes, unmanned aircraft that could carry WMDs to America's east coast, ballistic missiles that could threaten the whole Middle East, uranium purchases in Africa, Al-Qaeda training camps in Iraq, and a few other things.
It is time for thoughtful commentators to stop playing lapdog for the Republican Party. Abandoning George Bush doesn't mean climbing in the lap of Al Gore or John Kerry. It simply means starting to think for yourself and not echoing any party line.
Is that such a sacrifice?
*****end of clip*****
It is WAY past the time for thoughtful commentators to stop being lap-dogs. Period.
Truth is a virtue not a sacrifice.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 19, 2005 11:26 PM
Saladin,
Read up on Karl Schwartz. He is certainly cut from a different mold however, not likely to appeal to enough "moderates" to make a difference. I agree with you that the two party system has ruined this country. Third parties have always existed in this country but rarely enjoy enough backing to hold the two major parties in check. Everybody gripes about the Republicans holding the House since 1994 but the Dems were in control from 1964 to 1994. The Dems also controlled the Senate from 1950-1980, losing it only because they lost 6 house seats when Reagan defeated Carter. But even the senate has changed hands several times since.
There is one reason and one reason only for the success of Repubs and Dems in elections. Money. Until it can be shown that a 3rd party candidate can possibly win, the money will go to where it can get a return on investment. However, when that time comes, whoever that lucky 3rd party candidate may be, will be corrupted. Because they will then be beholden to those who donated to get them elected. Then we will be yelling for a fourth party. Parlimentary system anyone?
Posted by: TRH at November 19, 2005 11:28 PM
"Anger at lies lasts forever. Anger at truth can't last." ~ Greg Evans, Luann (comic), September 27, 2003
Posted by: capt at November 19, 2005 11:29 PM
you're high anita - david ray griffin's DVD:
"CONFRONTING THE EVIDENCE:Reopen 911" is most certainly NOT a fraud - all it does is call into question the govts. fairy tale re:911, which is the REAL FRAUD - by your words alone I can tell that you haven't watched it, so go peddle your hallucination somewhere else - click my name below to order a REAL copy of the FREE DVD.
Posted by: James Ha at November 19, 2005 11:33 PM
Past Comments About How Much Iraq Would Cost
Bush administration promised reconstruction of Iraq could be financed through oil revenue, which they said would provide tens of billions of dollars. However, according to the New York Times, devastated and decrepit production systems leave the country "unable to make any significant contribution."
Press Secretary Ari Fleischer: "Well, the reconstruction costs remain a very -- an issue for the future. And Iraq, unlike Afghanistan, is a rather wealthy country. Iraq has tremendous resources that belong to the Iraqi people. And so there are a variety of means that Iraq has to be able to shoulder much of the burden for their own reconstruction." [Source: White House Press Briefing, 2/18/03]
Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz: "Thereճ a lot of money to pay for this that doesnմ have to be U.S. taxpayer money, and it starts with the assets of the Iraqi peopleɡnd on a rough recollection, the oil revenues of that country could bring between $50 and $100 billion over the course of the next two or three yearsɗeղe dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction, and relatively soon." [Source: House Committee on Appropriations Hearing on a Supplemental War Regulation, 3/27/03]
*****end of clip*****
Several more at the linked page.
Once people hear the truth is it like a clear tone, a bright ringing bell. Once rung it cannot be un-rung and people resent being lied to.
Bad all around for the liars. Being a good liar can only last so long so it is a lose - lose situation no matter how you look at it.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 19, 2005 11:39 PM
The Bunnypants Gang Takes On PFLAG
March 12, 2002
By Tucker Estron
Things started to get seriously weird in America when the son of the former chief of the secret police was installed as President after a dubious election. Most news agencies in the country carried somewhat-inaccurate assessments of the final vote count in the most-disputed state, claiming the son of the former chief of secret police had actually won, fair and square; reports from other countries, where the propagandists (who were variously called "spin doctors" and "press agents") had no sway told the real story.
It was moot anyway; the matter had been decided by the highest court in the land--presided over by a judge with political ties to that former chief of secret police himself.
The son of the former chief of secret police began appointing members of the far right wing of his political party to key positions. As Secretary of Energy he chose a man who believed the Department of Energy should be abolished; as Attorney General he appointed a man who blocked voluntary desegregation in Missouri (apparently without wondering whether the man would be able to uphold desegregation laws).
*****end of clip*****
Had to do one more on Bunnypants.
Although I heard it used here first the term has been around for some time.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 19, 2005 11:47 PM
James ha
Yeah, Right, Good one.
You can't peddle that shit anywhere except to other ignorant CornNuts like you.
Posted by: Anita at November 20, 2005 12:02 AM
In Russia, Pro-Democracy Groups Hear Tick-Tick-Tick
Analysts said international organizations as diverse as Human Rights Watch, the National Democratic Institute, and anti-AIDS and environmental groups could in effect be prevented from operating in Russia.
"Under this law it would be very questionable whether we would be able to register our office in any form," said Diederik Lohman, senior researcher for the New York-based Human Rights Watch.
Outside Russia, the legislation is considered by many to be a retreat into isolationism at a time when Russia is scheduled to take over chairmanship of the Group of 8 industrialized nations.
"It raises an almost unthinkable prospect Ñ that the president of Russia might serve as chairman of the G-8 at the same time that laws come into force in this country to choke off contacts with global society," former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) and former Housing and Development Secretary Jack Kemp, who are leading a bipartisan task force on U.S.-Russian policy for the Council on Foreign Relations, said in a letter this week to President Bush.
But sponsoring legislators said the bill was aimed at businesses trying to launder profits, extremist groups and foreigners seeking to destabilize the political situation.
*****end of clip*****
Vlad just might keep the east a little more like the old soviet system than Bush. Well from what we know, they both like to keep so many things secret it is hard to tell.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 20, 2005 12:05 AM
But OSM's startup problems have not been ideological; they've been editorial. The content and presentation have not been sufficiently compelling.--DC
Can't stand your politics, and avoid your site as if it were plague infested, but you are 100% on the money with this analysis. I do see what OSM is aiming for and I really think it is a good idea, but you have nailed the problem in a short sentence.
It needs pizazz . Lots more 'jump out and grab you by the throat type presentaion'. I don't even care if it reflects my outlooks as long as it is reasonably balanced and unique.
Wishing you well on this project anyway. It takes courage to try something new and attempt to synthesize different media streams.
Posted by: dougf at November 20, 2005 12:06 AM
Nanoparticles, Nanoshells, Nanotubes: How Tiny Specks May Provide Powerful Tools Against Cancer
November 17, 2005
PHILADELPHIA Ð TheyÕ²e but a tiny speck, existing in a variety of forms: particles, tubes, shells, even a soccerball-like shape. They also share a common prefix: "nano," connoting their size, a billionth of a meter or roughly 25-millionth of an inch.
Today, cancer researchers are exploring the potential of such nanostructures to exquisitely target cancer cells without harming surrounding tissue, and to image the formation of tumors long before they have a chance to become life-threatening.
While diagnostics and approved therapies are years away, several are nearing clinical studies, while a few already are being tested in patients.
A press conference on "Advances in Nanotechnology for Cancer Diagnostics and Treatment" is being featured at the "Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics" International Conference here.
*****end of clip*****
This "nano" stuff is just way too cool.
I imagine the "less then ground" state of hydrinos might be explained when we learn more about the difference of scale. This technology is taking off. There are already real world applications of nanotechnology.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 20, 2005 12:15 AM
James ha,
By the way,
Free my ass, it is just one of those,
YOU JUST PAY WAY TO MUCH FOR SHIPPING AND HANDLING, scams for a worthless piece of shit CD that is so full of lies that no one will buy it.
If you get an addressed envelope with the 37 cents worth of postage that it actually costs to send a CD, it will not get sent out.
You are a disgusting little con man praying on stupid people like these pitiful CornNuts.
Posted by: Anita at November 20, 2005 12:23 AM
More embarrassment for Bush as hero of Watergate enters row over 'outed' agent
By Andrew Gumbel in Los Angeles
Published: 20 November 2005
The White House faced deepening political embarrassment - and possible new criminal indictments - over its justification of the war in Iraq yesterday following the announcement of a new grand jury to examine the outing of a politically inconvenient undercover CIA agent in the months immediately following the invasion.
Patrick Fitzgerald, the no-nonsense special prosecutor who has been making life miserable for the Bush administration for months, announced on Friday that the investigation was not only continuing but warranted the impanelling of a second grand jury. The first grand jury, whose term expired at the end of October, fingered Vice-President Dick Cheney's Chief of Staff, I Lewis "Scooter" Libby, on five counts of obstruction of justice and lying to investigators.
Despite insisting for weeks that it will not comment on an ongoing criminal investigation, the White House was quick to issue a statement last week listing people it said were not Mr Woodward's source. These included the President himself, White House Chief of Staff Andy Card, former secretary of state Colin Powell and former CIA chief George Tenet.
The leading suspect, meanwhile, appears to be Stephen Hadley, currently the President's National Security Adviser, who pointedly failed to issue a clear denial when asked if he was Mr Woodward's source. Pressed during a presidential trip to South Korea whether his convoluted initial answer meant yes or no, he replied: "It is what it is."
*****end of clip*****
Convoluted it is then.
The UK sees the real point here. The fact that Woodward would be told such a thing is an embarrassment to the WH. The WH is only compounding their problems with the smear attempts.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 20, 2005 12:38 AM
Jeanne,
I hope you had a nice evening. Give my congrats to Maggie. If you have a way to share her painting, please do so.
Baf,
(Re our conversation from the previous thread)
The House vote was not a victory for anyone. The Dems weren't stupid enough to go on record to withdrawl toops because they knew the Repubs would use it against them in the upcoming elections. Why do you think Delay smiled in his
arraignment photo? That vote mannered not one iota and those who voted to keep the troops there will be on the talk shows this morning arguing for them to come home. Nothing changed, nobody won. It was a major waste of time.
Hajji,
(from previous thread)
Just in case you missed it, I opined "Blessed are the muckrakers, for they shall inherit the turf."
Caroline thought we were the Hatfields & McCoys with out internal feud, and thought Saladin was wrong to give me a second chance. I hopefully got that worked out with Caroline.
Tigers lost 34-28 in three overtime game after being down 21-0 at the half. I'll drink a few beers in honor of their valiant effort.
Posted by: TRH at November 20, 2005 12:40 AM
ANITA
that's a good tactic you've hit on anita... convince everyone that I'm trying to put one over on people... but it's not going to work because the DVD is FREE, and all people have to do is watch it one time to see a whole bunch of lies about 911 -
did you know that there's a $1,000,000 reward offered to ANYONE who can PROVE that the govt. told the truth about 911? - since you and your UNC pals know so much about it, you shouldn't have any problem claiming it, right?
best of luck to you doll!
Posted by: James Ha at November 20, 2005 12:47 AM
Capt,
I agree. That nanutechnology is way too cool.
I always thought Mork would make a ccomeback someday. I figured he was way before his time. Too bad about Mindy. Haven't heard much from her lately. Ha!
Posted by: TRH at November 20, 2005 12:48 AM
click on my name below to order the FREE DVD:
'CONFRONTING THE EVIDENCE:Reopen 911'
shipping/handling fees are included in the price
Posted by: James Ha at November 20, 2005 12:51 AM
James Ha,
Please do not refer to Anita as "doll." She may be a troll to you but she should be treated with respect. Agree or disagree with her but you should leave out the sexist comments. I am sure you would be offended if she referred to you as "hunk."
Posted by: TRH at November 20, 2005 12:56 AM
FREE DVD:
shipping/handling fees are included in the PRICE
Fucken great !!!
FREE is included in the PRICE.
Posted by: Anita at November 20, 2005 01:07 AM
FREE DVD:
shipping/handling fees are included in the PRICE
Fucken great !!!
FREE is included in the PRICE.
Posted by: Anita at November 20, 2005 01:08 AM
James Ha,
I take back my previous comment, tongue-in-cheek though it was. Anita's abuse of the english language deserves no respect.
Carry on.
Posted by: TRH at November 20, 2005 01:18 AM
James,
Sorry about the double post, but I was laughing so hard I couldnÕ´ hit ENTER.
FREE IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE !!
That is priceless.
James, are you really as naive or stupid as you come off? It has to be an act.
FREE IN THE PRICE, man you are to much.
Posted by: Anita at November 20, 2005 01:21 AM
TRH,
I don't consider Anita to be a troll - she probably really believes that the govt. and the mcMedia have been telling the truth from the get-go. she's trying her damndest to convince you that I'm a fraud, and that the FREE DVD, by association with me is a fraud as well - I submit that it is NOT a fraud, and it won't cost anyone even one red dime to order it and view it for themselves -
Anita, I apologise for referring to you as 'doll', and you can rest assured that I won't do so again!
Posted by: James Ha at November 20, 2005 01:25 AM
James ha
$1,000,000.00 for you if you can prove that Oswald did or even did not kill that shit bag
JFK.
Wait a minute, another $1,000,000.00 if you can prove Roswell aliens did or did not land.
Shit, I've got a 1,000,000 of them.
You just let me know when you need another $1,000,000.00
Posted by: Anita at November 20, 2005 01:35 AM
Troll Alert!
Just a way of making amends to those that I have offended on this site. I found the perfect "troll anthem" courtesy of Jimmy Buffett's "Mental Floss."
They're Just Simple Protoplasm
Clear As Cellophane
They Ride The Winds Of Fortune
Life Without A Brain
In One Ear And Out The Other
Don't You Get Criss-Crossed
I Recommend You Try
A Little Mental Floss
Hajji,
You gotta admit, that's pretty good. And here I am a big Jimmy Buffett fan and I've never heard that song.
Posted by: TRH at November 20, 2005 01:36 AM
Anita? sorry babe, but it's not an act - I guess I'm just too stupid to fathom how 911 could be anything other than an inside job - well, I guess that it's possible that the whole 911 affair was just one big comedy of errors, but really, that strains the limits of imagination - hmm... Anita, why don't you just order the damn thing and see for yourself? - I assure you that it is no joke -
a faction within our govt. that call themselves PNAC has perpetrated a heinous false flag operation on america, and used it as a 'new pearl harbor' in order to further their own militaristic profits -
Posted by: James Ha at November 20, 2005 01:43 AM
Iraq War Debate Eclipses All Other Issues
GOP Flounders as Bush's Popularity Falls; Democrats Struggle for a Voice
By Jonathan Weisman and Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, November 20, 2005; A01
"Iraq is now a cloud over everything," said Stuart Rothenberg, a nonpartisan political analyst specializing in Congress. "It's the 800-pound gorilla in the room."
"I feel like every morning, I wake up, get a concrete block and have to walk around with it all day," said first-term Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), who came to the Senate with an ambitious agenda to overhaul Social Security and the tax code. "We can't even address the issues."
*****end of clip*****
Iraq, Iraq, Iraq. Cloud over everything? No distraction has worked? Not Woodweird, not China, not even Robert Blake?
Maybe Bunnypants should puke on someone.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 20, 2005 01:51 AM
#13
How convenient the terrorist organizations are so dumb that they run into Iraq and become so preoccupied with the battle there that there are incapable of going and doing attacks anywhere else in the world. Is this the US war aim to provide an ongoing mindless distraction to divert the resources of the terrorist groups to Iraq while the rest of the world can be safe? I thought that silly argument died long ago. Remember we went there because we were going to take down the alleged friend of Al Quaeda and rid them of WMD, but then decided to create a democratic beacon in the middle east, and then most lately we are there to honor those who already died there.
The war was not won two years ago, despite the banner hanging on the tower of aircraft carrier that was safely on its way to San Diego. Take a drive from the "GREEN ZONE" to the AIRPORT, and pray to survive.
The US was surprised by the insurgency even to the point that the got panicky and careless with operation "Copper Green" and started using a torture program meant only for the hardened terrorists and started using it on the common garden variety insurrectionist (who was just as likely to have been a taxicab driver the day before). The US was panicked they couldn't figure out where the insurgency was coming from, and sadly realized that this was part of the original "defense" plan of Saddam. Much of the insurgency is led not by outsiders of Iraq but insiders, however with America being the enemy in common they are cooperating with outsiders. In fact this is the point that Murtha is making... America is the cause for increased violence in Iraq, we are not quelling it... we are the targets.
The US is in no more danger from terrorist attacks on our soil whether we redeploy to the borders of Iraq or we stay there and remain as sitting ducks.
Posted by: yelnats at November 20, 2005 01:52 AM
James ha,
I have some really cool pictures of flying saucers right over the White House when they were picking up U.S. government officials. THEY ARE REAL, I promise, no fooling, they are free, and shipping/handling fees are included in the PRICE.
Do you want them, I am sure they will be a great addition to your collection of CONSPIRACY THEORY items.
Posted by: Anita at November 20, 2005 01:54 AM
here's just one of the things that PNAC (Project for a New American Century) has authored:
"To preserve American military preeminence in the coming decades, the [DoD] must move more aggressively to experiment with new technologies and operational concepts, and seek to exploit the emerging revolution in military affairs.
...the process of transformation, even if it brings revolutionary change, is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event Ð like a new Pearl Harbor." - Sept. 2000
Posted by: James Ha at November 20, 2005 01:54 AM
American plan for first troop withdrawals within month
Sarah Baxter, Washington and Michael Smith
AMERICAN commanders of the war in Iraq have drawn up a bold plan to start pulling troops out of the country after elections next month.
The plan, which has been submitted to Donald Rumsfeld, the US defence secretary, calls for more than 60,000 troops Ñ over a third of the total Ñ to leave by the end of next year.
According to US television reports this weekend, the total number left in Iraq would fall from 161,000 to what defence experts call the "magic number" of below 100,000.
The Pentagon refused to confirm the proposals last night but a senior Ministry of Defence source said they appeared to "match our own plans" for a phased withdrawal under which most British troops will have left Iraq by the end of 2006.
Officials expect UK numbers to be cut by 5,000 from the current level of close to 8,500.
President George W Bush said in South Korea yesterday that American forces would "stay in the fight until we have achieved the victory our brave troops have fought for". But he added that strategy would be "driven by the sober judgment of our military commanders on the ground".
*****end of clip*****
I guess the government and Bunnypants are not coordinating with their supporters.
Of all things this WH could do, if they really start to draw-down the numbers I will be very happy but . . .
capt
Posted by: capt at November 20, 2005 01:58 AM
NATO mulls joint Afghan command amid reports of US troop cutback
BERLIN (AFP) Sep 14, 2005
NATO defense ministers resumed talks Wednesday on bringing NATO and US forces in Afghanistan under a single overarching command amid a report that the United States is considering a sharp reduction in its forces there.
British Defense Secretary John Reid said he had discussed plans to draw the two missions under a single command with US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld here Tuesday but would not comment on the reported US cutback.
The New York Times said the US military is considering reducing the size of its roughly 20,000-strong force in Afghanistan by as much as 20 percent in the spring of 2006.
"It makes sense that as NATO forces go in, and they're more in numbers, that we could drop some of the US requirements somewhat," General John Abizaid, the head the US Central Command, told the newspaper.
*****end of clip*****
I have heard the calls for drawing down the numbers and every time the numbers go up not down.
Mark my words, the numbers are going up again.
This WH is far too predictable. To know what they are really saying reverse what they say. If makes sense in a bass ackward world.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 20, 2005 02:03 AM
number 30
Yelnats
How convenient the terrorist organizations are s dumb that they run into Iraq and become so preoccupied with the battle there that there are incapable of going and doing attacks anywhere else in the world.
_________________________________________
ACTUALLY, I think Italy, Spain, England among others have been hit, but I understand that won't fit into your thought process.
I am not sure, but they might not really be to smart, you know, blowing up their own and bragging about it.
You may be right thought, maybe all those attacks in other countries were just planted stories by the Bush administration.
Posted by: Randall at November 20, 2005 02:03 AM
ok Anita,
you were doing better when you claimed that your pals at UNC proved that the cd was a phony, even though it's a DVD not a cd -
anyway, I've never seen a ufo before but I remember a ripping band by that name - sure, send me some pics of ufo's - here's my email address:
James JR. Ha
camjnbp@aol.com
Posted by: James Ha at November 20, 2005 02:05 AM
Another fast followup for #13 type logic... war over?
Rumsfield on Tuesday, November 15 2005 said:
"While the American people understandably want to know when our forces can leave Iraq, I believe they do not want them to leave until our mission is accomplished and the Iraqis are able to sustain their fledgling democracy."
As noted on the http://darted.blogspot.com/ site with a great graphic for it... wasn't mission accomplished the message back on the aircraft carrier with Bush dressed up in a jumpsuit?
Posted by: yelnats at November 20, 2005 02:07 AM
James,
I heard that, PNAC (Project for a New American Century)is a planted story invention, made up by some left wing radicals, and perpetrated on ignorant fools to make them think that there is a right wing group out to destroy everyone that doesn't see things the way they do.
Posted by: Anita at November 20, 2005 02:10 AM
#55 I think you just proved my point.
The #13 post implied that leaving Iraq was allowing terrorists to attack on our soil therefore we should not redeploy troops in Iraq to a safety zone.
Here is part of what was said in #13:
Why do you want to have our troops pull out of Iraq and come home, inviting the terrorists follow them here and pick up where they left off in Iraq? That is exactly what they would do. Why do you want the war against terrorists fought in America?
My answer is that it doesn't stop terrorists from working elsewhere, as you just pointed out. So the argument given in #13 as a reason to not pull back troops is nonsense.
Posted by: yelnats at November 20, 2005 02:13 AM
Security adviser named as source in CIA scandal
Michael Smith and Sarah Baxter
THE mysterious source who gave AmericaÕ³ foremost journalist, Bob Woodward, a tip-off about the CIA agent at the centre of one of WashingtonÕ³ biggest political storms was Stephen Hadley, the White House national security adviser, according to lawyers close to the investigation.
Woodward, the Washington Post reporter who broke the Watergate scandal that forced President Richard Nixon out of office, has refused publicly to divulge the name of his informant without permission, which has thus far been withheld.
The naming of CIA agent Valerie Plame as the wife of Joseph Wilson, the former US ambassador sent to Niger to investigate disputed claims that Saddam Hussein was trying to purchase uranium yellowcake for the manufacture of nuclear weapons, led to the indictment last month of Vice-President Dick CheneyÕ³ top aide, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, for lying to a grand jury.
It is an offence in America to reveal the identity of a covert agent, although doubts remain about PlameÕ³ precise status.
A spokeswoman for the National Security Council (NSC) denied that Hadley was the journalistÕ³ source. However, in South Korea on Friday during an official visit with President George W Bush, Hadley dodged the question.
*****end of clip*****
Sure, Hadley did it. His boss was neo-Condi. It would follow that she and Hadley were promoted. No success like failure.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 20, 2005 02:16 AM
James ha,
OK James, I going to try to help you here.
Put down the bong and your bottle of Jack for just two weeks.
Dry up and you will be amazed how nice it is to be thinking with an actual functioning brain.
You will look back on the old days and realize what a moron you were.
You will be able to come out and join the real world with a new sense of well-being.
Just try it, you will love it.
Posted by: Anita at November 20, 2005 02:32 AM
yelnats
number 59
It has stopped them from hitting here, and that was my point.
You proved my point!!!
Posted by: Randall at November 20, 2005 02:36 AM
check it out for what is really going on in Iraq
http://www.theotheriraq.com/
Posted by: Willy at November 20, 2005 02:47 AM
how does this typekey work, i have an ID that works on their, when i click "sign in" to use it to comment the typekey site says this feature is not supported.
Posted by: hvmiller at November 20, 2005 02:49 AM
capt. #54, will the price of my heroin go up or down?
Posted by: hvmiller at November 20, 2005 02:50 AM
Anita,
you HEARD that PNAC was a planted story invention...and there's the rub. - you HEARD.
I HEARD that 19 arabs highjacked 4 planes and crashed them into various targets on 911, but after I started to LOOK and READ about it, I discovered many inconsistencies with what I had heard. for instance, did you know that after flight77 supposedly rammed the pentagon, many people couldn't understand why there was no wreckage of the 757, so they filed a request under the freedom of information act, and the FBI revealed that 84 videos showed no impact of a 757? or that an engine recovered from one of the planes at the WTC reveals that the plane was a 737, not a 767, as the govt. claimed it was? those are just 2 of the many inconsistencies to be found in the official 911 fairy tale.
Posted by: James Ha at November 20, 2005 02:55 AM
Republicans Stop NJ Senators From Honoring Bruce Springsteen
by Donna De La Cruz
WASHINGTON - Bruce Springsteen famously was "born in the USA," but he's getting scorned in the U.S. Senate.
An effort by New Jersey's two Democratic senators to honor the veteran rocker was shot down Friday by Republicans who are apparently still miffed a year after the Boss lent his voice to the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.
The chamber's GOP leaders refused to bring up for consideration a resolution, introduced by Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Jon Corzine, that honored Springsteen's long career and the 1975 release of his iconic album, "Born to Run."
No reason was given, said Lautenberg spokesman Alex Formuzis. "Resolutions like this pass all the time in the U.S. Senate, usually by unanimous consent," he said.
Telephone calls to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's office seeking comment were not immediately returned.
Lautenberg said he couldn't understand why anyone would object to the resolution.
"Even if the Republicans don't like (Springsteen's) tunes, I would hope they appreciated his contributions to American culture," Lautenberg said.
Corzine said he, Lautenberg and other Americans appreciated Springsteen's contributions to American culture.
"We'll never surrender looking for ways to honor our local hero who made it big in this land of hopes and dreams," Corzine said.
Springsteen endorsed Kerry last year, and made campaign appearances that drew huge crowds who came to hear music described in the resolution as "a cultural milestone that has touched the lives of millions of people."
*****end of clip*****
WOW Another PR winner. These guys are just getting more crazy by the day.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 20, 2005 03:00 AM
Anita,
but as I said already my dear, you can order the
FREE DVD: 'CONFRONTING THE EVIDENCE: Reopen 911', and learn things for yourself
by clicking on my name below - there is no charge for shipping/handling
Posted by: James Ha at November 20, 2005 03:03 AM
Anita, You sound like a real swell gal. I can't stand most people in here but you seem differant.
I wish I could be as even keel with these knuckleheads but I feel my blood pressure rising with each keystoke.
Posted by: Prof. B G D'Gre at November 20, 2005 03:24 AM
Corruption Inquiry Threatens to Ensnare Lawmakers
By PHILIP SHENON
Published: November 20, 2005
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 - The Justice Department has signaled for the first time in recent weeks that prominent members of Congress could be swept up in the corruption investigation of Jack Abramoff, the former Republican superlobbyist who diverted some of his tens of millions of dollars in fees to provide lavish travel, meals and campaign contributions to the lawmakers whose help he needed most.
The investigation by a federal grand jury, which began more than a year ago, has created alarm on Capitol Hill, especially with the announcement Friday of criminal charges against Michael Scanlon, Mr. Abramoff's former lobbying partner and a former top House aide to Representative Tom DeLay.
The charges against Mr. Scanlon identified no lawmakers by name, but a summary of the case released by the Justice Department accused him of being part of a broad conspiracy to provide "things of value, including money, meals, trips and entertainment to federal public officials in return for agreements to perform official acts" - an attempt at bribery, in other words, or something close to it.
================
Anita, we have a difference of opinion on who's 'winning' here in Texas... Earle or Delay.
Are you ready to keep score on a federal case? Ya know we Texans are pretty stubborn, so... we won't letcha have him for his federal sentence until we're satisfied he's done enough of state prison time.
*we don't have minimum security golf courses here either
Posted by: Alan at November 20, 2005 04:18 AM
#62 I do not consider your point proven. I demonstrated that terrorists have still attacked nations outside of Iraq and that obviously they are not all safely kept busy in Iraq. Meaning organizations like Al Qaeda are not somehow forced to fight only in Iraq, we just make a nice and easy target for them as they seek to help others make Iraq our next Vietnam.
To say that the war has been proven effective because there has not been an attack on US soil since the war began is extremely flawed logic.
First, there is no real baseline. The US has a fairly limited history of terrorist attacks by external groups on US soil. It was eight years between the two attacks on the WTC, so why would we have expected something else by now?
Second, the rate of "terrorist" attacks on US interests (including troops) in foreign lands is dramatically higher since the Iraq war. This is using your proposal that most insurgents are of the same ilk as Al Qaeda. So the US is really being attacked more than ever.
Third, if somehow it could be shown that there is a decrease in terrorist attacks on US soil, who is to say that the current troop deployment in Iraq has had a signficant affect on that. Billions of dollars in homeland security spending, increased intelligence gathering, as well a new awareness of such attacks being a 'reality' by most people in the US would likely have a more significant affect on such a change.
The reality is that organizations such as Al Qaeda are having alot easier time getting new recruits and sending them in to 'help' local internal insurgencies. Al Qaeda is not going to go where it is difficult for them to carry out their mission; their ability to operate and train in Iraq was nil before the war and is now higher after the war.
If somehow our Iraq War military strategy has now become the prevention of US soil attacks by somehow keeping Al Qaeda preoccupied there, then we are in another Vietnam like situation. What we are doing is just sending a continous chain of soldiers like barrels being rolled off the back of a truck into the path of a pursuing enemy, so that the enemy can never quite catch up with us. I think the Iraqi insurrgents and Al Qaeda will readily outlast the US's desire to fight such a war of attrition.
I hope that each soldier is getting an honest explanation that their lives are being used for such a tactical purpose with no long-term strategic benefit.
If the war is being fought with this purpose in mind, then this graphic picture is true: http://webpages.charter.net/micah/bushads2.jpg
Posted by: yelnats at November 20, 2005 04:34 AM
GOP,
Come on GOP, you guys are missing a chance to get into the gutter with the Democrats, or should I say pull democrats of the gutter, even though they may come kicking and screaming as you pull them out, to a high ethical level. I take to examples, Reid D-NV calling Bush a deceiver and Beckle Foxnews says the republications are calling the democrats unpatriotic.
Reid calls Bush a deceiver. HOW OUTRAGEOUS is this charge especially from the Dem leadership. This attack is not only a lie, but slanders Bush, and disrespect the presidency, Have they no shame? This attack, to make it stick, is dove tailed into the Insurgency in Iraq, and American Dead, Bush's quamier ala Kennedy D-MA. THE DIRECT IMPLICATION is of course that "Bush lied and Soldiers Die". Hence, Reid and the Democrat hard left effectively accuse BUSH of homicide of our troops.
Then Murdhal D-PA comes out and said pull out in 6 months, WITHOUT CONDITION, which is a cut-and-run strategy, a surrender strategy. This is legitimate dissent. Surrender is an option. Bush's strategy is that we stand down as they stand up. Grand Ayatollah Ali-Sistanie has requested an unspecified time table withdrawal. The Iraqi government wants more of lead, and is looking to 06 for partial draw down of US troop and standing up of Iraqi troops. So, there are many "strategies" being proposed. There is nothing inherently wrong with offering a strategy, even if it is a surrender strategy.
BUT, when the slander of president and the effectively accusation of homicide by the president is laid next to Murdahal's call, the over all impression that is being spoon fed to the American people is that Bush Lied to commit murder of our troop in an unwinnable war, (while not forgetting of course that the whole war was to feed Haliburton profits). It is this combination effect is what made Murdhal's UNCONDITIONAL PULL OUT surrender strategy so reprehensible, as part of an overall planned political strategy to attack the president and take down the GOP and control of congress in 06. The politcal campaign for 06 is on, in earnest and the GOP had better wake up.
The counter strategy is to call the Dem leadership on their "Bush Lied" accusation, that can be clearly stated and shown for the demeaning unconscionable accusation, that it is, and to call the Dem on their unconditional "pull-out" surrender strategy, concurrently. Jean Schmidt should be congratulated for clearly showing how Murdhal's call for a NAKED pull out, if not in earnest as a surrender strategy, is reprehensible at a time of war, and is merely a surrender strategy. The 403-3 vote not to pull out, was good to show the American people that the democrats are pandering, saying one thing, but voting another way. But this point should be coupled with "Bush Lied" and driven home for the political unpatriotic strategy.
The dems of course respond that the Republicans are attacking their patriotism, which sounds good as a rebuttal, but does not address their UNPATRIOTIC accusations that Bush-Lied, and he is effectively a murderer, and the war is unwinnable, all for political gain and pandering. I laugh at Beckle's pretend outrage that the republicans would dare call the Democrats unpatriotic, yet that is exactly how I see it. Murdhal grand stand as to Arlington was laughable as well, yet I dont think the American people fully understand why Mrudhal's call is so reprehensible as part of a political pandering game.
The democrats started it with their "Bush-Lied". I say, counter-attack this outrage with a full course press. I think its time for Chenny to directly CALL REID on his "Bush Deceived" and explain how the dems accuse Bush of lying, deceiving without sufficient evidence and that is Per se UNPATRIOTIC, and then to say that this lie is dove-tailed into an immediate call for an UNCONDITIONAL pull out, so as to effectively accused the administration of lying Americans into a deadly and unwinnable war. All wars are deadly. Bush did not lie. And the War will soon be won. And the democrats political strategy MUST BE EXPLAINED to the American people as being inherently unpatriotic and contrary to legitimate dissent.
Derrick Michael Reid
Laguna Beach CA
Posted by: Derrick Michael Reid at November 20, 2005 09:21 AM
Yelnat
What you might be missing is that for the war on terror will never be won until democracies in the middle east are be stood up to give all right to express greivences to governments that will sit on the islamo-facists. If you have "VISION", you must agree that saddam stood in the way to victory in that war, and the Iraq invasion was necessary.
Posted by: Derrick Michael Reid at November 20, 2005 09:29 AM
The joke of this thread of course, is that, notwithstanding the absent of WMD or failed intelligence (from dems cutting intel budgets), is that, one pistol shot at an F15 over a no fly zone would be sufficient justification to take saddam down. The dem's hue-and-cry over failed intel, at this stage, is political pandering. But then, you need vision, to understand the joke.
Posted by: Derrick Michael Reid at November 20, 2005 09:32 AM
David Corn,
I like this open topic forumn, good job in presenting good topics.
Posted by: Derrick Michael Reid at November 20, 2005 09:33 AM
James, anita has done just as I expected in providing us with irrefutable proof of that ridiculous 9/11 story straight from FAUX TV, which is absolutely nothing! Lots of name calling though, that always works well when one has nothing else to present. BRAVO anita!
Posted by: Saladin at November 20, 2005 10:06 AM
The Sunday Times November 20, 2005
Security adviser named as source in CIA scandal
Michael Smith and Sarah Baxter
THE mysterious source who gave AmericaÕ³ foremost journalist, Bob Woodward, a tip-off about the CIA agent at the centre of one of WashingtonÕ³ biggest political storms was Stephen Hadley, the White House national security adviser, according to lawyers close to the investigation.
--------------
The same hadley that admitted we are sacrificing our best and bravest to make pipeline building safe for Israel? That makes perfect sense. Islamo-Facists my ass!
Posted by: Saladin at November 20, 2005 10:19 AM
Alan,
RE Lee: "Texans always move them". At the end of day, the texans will find that money funneling through the RNC will be shown as legit to promote the RNC candidates, such as local TX reps.
Posted by: Derrick Michael Reid at November 20, 2005 10:38 AM
David Corn "But the Dems have put together some useful compilations that compare the prewar assertions of Bush and his aides with what the actual intelligence said at the time."
In the patent law, I must cite the closest prior art, not all art, just the most pertinent. Ten publications saying the same thing is of little value, as only one teaching is sufficient to state the substance. Duplicative evidence is irrelevant. Interrpretations can be different as well. Now that Congressional report indicates no deception based on intel provided to Congress, dems now switch and say they did not get all the intel. That is inherently misleading and political pandering, but is consistent with the dem's hate for lack of power and their lack of any vision to propose alternative to future course of actions.
Posted by: Derrick Michael Reid at November 20, 2005 10:43 AM
:Desert Storm Glock: "New World Order Commemorative Series"
-------------
This is the perfect icon for the New World Order crazies!
Posted by: Saladin at November 20, 2005 10:46 AM
CNN Quick Vote 11-18-2005
Do you think the United States should:
Stay the course in Iraq? 3% 419 votes
Withdraw U.S. troops within six months? 85% 13049 votes
Commit to do whatever it takes to win the war? 13% 1964 votes
Total: 15432 votes
Posted by: Saladin at November 20, 2005 11:24 AM
Ground Zero Worker and 9/11 Hero Dying of Cancer From Toxins at WTC; White House
By Greg Szymanski
Excerpts
Pat Arcese wakes up every morning, knowing the clock is ticking, knowing he's fighting a losing battle against cancer, a deathly cancer caused by working at Ground Zero after 9/11.
It's a story that would break anyone's heart, a story about a 9/11 hero left to die by heartless, inhuman government officials who tossed Arcese aside like throwing away a piece of garbage in the street.
Forget about all the political wheeling and dealing for a moment. Forget about Valerie Plame, Dick Cheney's leak problems, Baby Bush's drinking problems and all the other White House idiotic nonsense.
And think about one thing. Think about how these scoundrels, these less than human political pieces of garbage treated Arcese, a longtime New Yorker and Ground Zero hero.
Think about how former Mayor Giuliani, Bush, EPA officials and all the others down the lying chain of command told Arcese and others it was safe to work at Ground Zero, knowing full-well it wasn't, knowing all along they were sending these rescue and clean-up workers into nothing but a disgusting and lethal pit of pollution.
Now four years later, two other workers are thought to have died from the exposure of lethal contaminants at Ground Zero and, according to Arcese, he may be the third in what may prove to be only the beginning of a long line of graves caused by the likes of these garbage bag politicians, these pitiful specimens of human beings who sent thousands of workers unprotected into nothing but a cesspool of deadly toxic waste.
After working at Ground Zero day and night for more than three months, Arcese started feeling ill about eight months later, the symptoms starting with respiratory problems, paleness and skin rashes, but rapidly growing much worse.
When working at Ground Zero, Arcese recalls three important facts that made it clear to him that the city of New York, the White House and the EPA were all lying to him and the other workers who were all told Ð told point blank Ð the air was safe to breadth and conditions safe to work every day they reported to Ground Zero.
The three facts, in Arcese's own words, that proved to him the government lied were:
One, they had these little test tube bottles all around the WTC and they would use these as proof to the workers it was safe. Every day One of the EPA workers would tell us they checked the tubes and it was safe. I knew they were lying.
One day I went around and filled at least 30 of the tubes with asbestos that I found lying around the site. When EPA announced next morning and said it was safe, I caught them lying red-handed and called the official a liar right to his face.
Another thing. The government spent millions of dollars on wash down machines for workers, but they never even used them once. Why? Well, they never even gave us protective gear or any protective clothing. They just didn't care about people, but they sure did care about getting the billions of gold out from the basement and they sure cared about hauling the steel away as quick as they could.
The second reason I know they lied is because I found out after the trucks that hauled the steel out left the WTC, they went into a wash down contamination center. What does that tell ya?
And, the last thing, which is the icing on the cake, is the EPA put up this protective fence or what they called the safe zone. And, think about it, there were hundreds of FBI and CIA there every day but they always stayed in the safe zone and on the other side of the fence. Why?
And the politicians, like Bush Giuliani and the rest, they'd only show up for a quick photo session and get the hell out of there as fast as they could in their limousines. Ask yourself: why didn't they stay and lend a hand if it was so safe? And tell me why did they dump the dust right into the river? Hell, they tried to contaminate the whole city!
In answer to Arcese's question, the politicians never stayed longer than a few minutes at Ground Zero because everybody in high places knew all along the WTC and the surrounding area was a powder keg of lethal contaminants.
In fact, it was well-known by the city of New York that the WTC was an asbestos bombshell. For years, the Port Authority treated the building like an aging dinosaur, attempting on several occasions to get permits to demolish the building for liability reasons, but being turned down due the known asbestos problem.
Further, it was well-known the only reason the building was still standing until 9/11 was because it was too costly to disassemble the twin towers floor by floor since the Port Authority was prohibited legally from demolishing the buildings.
Although the city of New York and the federal government has refused to accept liability in Arcese's case leaving him $2 million in debt for his medical bills, he is still pursuing a lawsuit filed in New York.
------------
Silverstein was able to kill two birds with one stone. The dead be damned. Whenever I think I have read the absolute worst from this disaster something like this comes along. Will those monsters ever pay for what they've done? Or will they be allowed to continue to dismantle our country bit by bit then escape with the loot? I cannot think of a harsh enough punishment for bushco, they are beyond any evil I could ever imagine.
Posted by: Saladin at November 20, 2005 11:39 AM
PS
EditorÕs Note: If anyone is interested in helping Pat get up the funds to get treatment he needs back in New York since he is living on a small fixed income, please contact the Arctic Beacon at arcticbeacon@earthlink.net and we will put you in touch with Pat Arcese, a true 9/11 hero.
Posted by: Saladin at November 20, 2005 11:43 AM
Yeah, the Democrats are like Jack Lemmon whining about wanting the real intelligence, the Glengarry intelligence. Never mind that Searchlight Reid himself admitted that he never read the National Intelligence Estimate.
Posted by: Brainster at November 20, 2005 11:45 AM
Saladin,
I don't now nor have I ever put much stock in polls. When I was attending the University of Akron in the early '80's, I learned that the head of our political science department was a well known pollster. I also learned how polls could be skewed by how the question was asked and most certainly influenced by those who commissioned the poll to begin with. These days news organizations conduct polls simply to create headlines. Not to mention, they will always reflect the outcome they desire. This is not to say Bush's numbers are an anomoly, just to point out that I am sure GB is not popular with the overwhelming majority of CNN viewers.
Posted by: TRH at November 20, 2005 11:52 AM
U.S. seeks to secure Sahara Desert
WORLD BRIEFINGS
By Jason Motlagh
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
November 17, 2005
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast -- The U.S. government will spend $500 million over five years on an expanded program to secure a vast new front in its global war on terrorism: the Sahara Desert.
Critics say the region is not a terrorist zone as some senior U.S. military officers assert. They add that heavy-handed military and financial support that reinforces authoritarian regimes in North and West Africa could fuel radicalism where it scarcely exists.
The Trans-Saharan Counter-Terrorism Initiative (TSCTI) was begun in June to provide military expertise, equipment and development aid to nine Saharan countries where lawless swaths of desert are considered fertile ground for militant Muslim groups involved in smuggling and combat training.
-----------
Knowing automatically that this story was BS, I had to wonder what they were REALLY after. Turns out there is a huge aquifer to be had. Water in that region is vital, whoever controls it controls the whole area, shoulda known we would volunteer for the job!
Posted by: Saladin at November 20, 2005 11:55 AM
TRH, I don't post these polls because I think they are accurate. They are admittedly unscientific. I do find it interesting the results obtained by these informal polls, where a forthright question is asked, such as the one in the CNN poll above, and people vote online. Skewing it in favor of a pullout does not help the cause CNN has been promoting for the past two years. Even so, I take it with a grain of salt.
Posted by: Saladin at November 20, 2005 11:58 AM
ya, wasn't it christine todd whitman, an EPA high muckity muck who assured all of NYcity that "the air and water of NYcity is 100% safe to breathe and drink"? - well, guess what NYcity? you were lied to yet again, because the air really contained the following:
over 400,000+ pounds of lead, over 200,000+ pounds of asbestos. more than enough mercury to contaminate 2,500 city blocks. radioactive americium 241 from thousands of smoke detectors, and the highest levels of vanadium ever recorded. children in nearby schools have developed serious respiratory problems. more than half of those who cleaned ground zero have serious health problems. hundreds of firefighters can no longer work, and fourteen rescue dogs have died.
these are just some of the revelations to be found in the FREE DVD: 'CONFRONTING THE EVIDENCE: Reopen 911' which can be ordered by clicking on my name below.
Posted by: James Ha at November 20, 2005 12:26 PM
Saladin,
I see what you mean. Polls on Bush are useless, unless the Repubs up for re-election take them serious. If they do, they will distance themselves from him and his policies. Dems will play up any negative poll and rightly so. We may be able to see through the polls but many people do not. I do not blame the Dems for citing them simply because I know, in competition, you use every advantage that comes your way. Bush has never learned the lesson of Reagan & Clinton. When you are down, take your message directly to the people. We are a forgiving nation and have shown time and again our willingness to forgive. Bush 41 was the same way. He never got out ahead of bad news, instead he let it fester to the point that no matter what the evidence pointed toward, it reflected negatively on him.
Posted by: TRH at November 20, 2005 12:41 PM
Well, uh, CNN viewers aren't the only ones who aren't too happy with Bush.
Posted by: Don A at November 20, 2005 12:49 PM
Sorry, pre-mature posting:
FOX News poll.
Posted by: Don A at November 20, 2005 12:50 PM
Saladin: Dude, you need to find better sources of information that Greg Szymanski. It's true that people suffer medical problems as a result of exposure to toxins and dangerous particulates released by the events of 9/11. Greg Szymanski's article, however, should be viewed in light of who and what he is: a conspiracist who works for the neo-nazi Willis Carto's American Free Press.
Arctic Beacon traffics in the same far-right theories. Another Szymanski article on Arctic Beacon is a review of a book blaming 9/11 on the Israeli's and the Mossad.
Regardless of the veracity of any of the information he provides about asbestos in the WTC and the hazards of working at ground zero, his aim is to use that as another piece of the conspiracy theory that it was an inside job. All 9/11 conspiracy theory material needs to be examined closely to find who the people making the claims are. Careful checking often leads you right back to these types of people. They spread a great deal of misinformation.
But why would neo-nazi's be so keen to pursue this angle? Why do they make claims that can easily be mistaken for a leftist critique of the Bush administration? Simple, it's what they do. They're anti-establishment and appeal to populist themes. But their aims are far different from progressive populist aims. The same is true for the LaRouchites, always going around claiming to be Democrats. They are not, they're right-wingers to the hilt.
Here's an unrelated (but relevant) example from another blog's comments:
But what I can't get past is the Mossad....Do you think the CIA has really been working with the MOSSAD the whole time!????
I can't believe the RIDICULOUS silence.....even long after this cabal is gone and done away with, there is the prospect of the american empire never ending if this cancer is not rooted out.....
I feel like we'll have to replace everyone, all dems repubs all parties.....and put REAL WORKING PEOPLE into every office, someday just to get an internal investigation into what really went on with israel....
what the fuck is the real story......it sure isn't semitism....there is some ELITE group of evil, terrorist people with israeli blood and they are secretive vampires on the world........
Note the appeal to "REAL WORKING PEOPLE" being put into office after we get rid of the Dems and the Repubs. Then the claim of an elite conspiracy of secretive vampires. Classic fascist propaganda. They want to build a mass movement. Stir people up against a perceived enemy, campaign against the powerful establishment on populist themes, even cooperate with the left if they can manage it.
The fact that they can't get past their crazy anti-semitic theories actually gives me hope, because a lot of people will suddenly take the hint when they start hearing that kind of stuff and run away from these loonies. But they poison discourse and spread disinformation in the process. Don't be fooled.
Posted by: DrLaniac at November 20, 2005 12:58 PM
fair and balanced! or otherwise.
Posted by: James Ha at November 20, 2005 01:01 PM
Szymanski is a neo-nazi? hmm... and if so, does that make any info of his about air and water quality in NYc suspect? -
Posted by: James Ha at November 20, 2005 01:11 PM
If a neo-nazi tells me it's raining, I'll look out the window.
Posted by: DrLaniac at November 20, 2005 01:19 PM
And to be clear. Willis Carto is a neo-nazi. AFP is his publication. Szymanski is a long-time conspiracy-theorist and writer for AFP. Conspiracism is to fascists as water is to fish. Not all conspiracists are neo-nazi's, but Szymanski is sure pretty cozy with them and says things they'd approve of. You draw your own conclusions. Of course, since you're a comment spammer for a 9/11 conspiracy site, maybe that's not necessarily a good idea. You might blame it on the CIA and aliens from Pluto.
Posted by: DrLaniac at November 20, 2005 01:24 PM
DrLaniac, I am not a "dude". You may cite what you like. Calling people conspiracy theorists in no way presents evidence to support the official govt. conspiracy theory. The whole point Szymanski is making is that the people at ground zero were deliberately lied to and are dying as a result. Whether you agree or disagree with his version of 9/11 has no bearing on that particular fact. The evidence he provides for US govt. and Israeli complicity in the attacks of 9/11 is by far stronger than anything any bushco version has presented thus far, which can be summed up this way, "Because we said so makes it so, do not question authority, you may go back to sleep now." I have offered many times in the past to look at any real, provable evidence anyone cares to bring to this forum in support of the official story. So far all I and others here have received is criticism, name calling, some great examples provided by the new poster anita include, " You are a disgusting little con man praying on stupid people like these pitiful CornNuts." "You can't peddle that shit anywhere except to other ignorant CornNuts like you." "James, are you really as naive or stupid as you come off?" "You will look back on the old days and realize what a moron you were."
"what happened to the 757 that rammed into the pentagon? I was looking at the (DOCTORED) photos of it and I just don't see it anyMORE! could it be that the evil zark owie has ADOBE PHOTO SHOP and he caused it to disappear?" (BTW, no link or anything to back up this claim.) "you are still guilty, even if just one left wing CornNut refuses to believe the actual facts of your innocence. That's always been the loonie left wing CornNut way, and appears still to be."
"What a laughable boob you are!
No more needed, that says it all in absolute fact." "You also know these CornNut morons will suck up any anti-American garbage that is put in front of them." ETC. ETC. ETC.
and partisan attacks accusing me of being a left-wing, liberal looney, of which the regulars here know I am not. So, take your best shot. I am confident in my knowledge and am happy to show it to anyone interested, sans name calling. Anti-semite doesn't wash with me. Calling bush a lying traitor doesn't mean I am predjudiced against Christians, and calling the Govt. of Israel on the war crimes they are guilty of has nothing to do with Jewish people, I have many Jewish friends who despise Zionist policies as much as I despise these neocon policies.
Posted by: Saladin at November 20, 2005 01:27 PM
Repug Senators Running for Reelection FLIP FLOP ON WAR???
TRH and Saladin, regarding polls: Looks like Repugs DO pay attention to polls. 14 Republican Senators are running for re-election next year. All but one, Jon Kyl, voted with the 79-19 majority on the Senate resolution regarding an Iraq exit strategy.
(Rick Santorum stiffs bush more than once.)
They need to tell their constitutients that they are now against the war -- oh, but isn't that flip-flopping?
Posted by: micki at November 20, 2005 01:27 PM
I put my two hours in this morning watching the MSM. Russert, Stephanapolous, Face the Nation and Chris Matthews.
Rep. Murtha was on "Meet the Press" for 20 minutes. He was clear, calm, and on point. His message...this war is not working and we are losing and we were mis-led.
Even when Russert replayed Rep Jean Schmidt's comment this past Friday "cowards cut and run, marines never do". He did not even bat an eye. Referring to Schmidt as an inexperienced representative. When Russert replayed Cheney's statement about representatives "not having any backbone". Murtha called Cheney an old friend.
Murtha went directly back to his focus, that the war in Iraq is a disaster and that there has been no progress since the pre-emptive invasion, and that there was never a clear plan on the ground and that there was never a clear exit strategy.
Russert also asked him if his vote for the resolution to give President Bush the power to go to war "if necessary" was a mistake. Murtha answered "obviously I made a mistake". I was mis-led with faulty intelligence".
When pushed by Russert, Murtha predicted that the U.S. military forces would pull back to peripheral locations before the fall elections of 2006.
Only time will tell.
Posted by: kathleen at November 20, 2005 01:34 PM
micki, I don't believe in their sincerity. Is it coincidence that they are "flip flopping" just in time for the 2006 elections? I think not. They know very well the majority of Americans, unlike what the idiot trolls come here proclaiming, are sick and tired of the lies and the whole fiasco and want out. They will say whatever it takes to get reelected, then do exactly what they want. Same old shit, different year.
Posted by: Saladin at November 20, 2005 01:37 PM
Turnbull tax plan rewards the rich
By Jessica Irvine
November 21, 2005
People earning $1 million a year would pocket income tax savings of more than $100,000 under cuts to the top marginal rate proposed by the Government backbencher Malcolm Turnbull, secret Treasury documents obtained by the Herald show.
A worker on the average full-time wage of $50,000 would get only $600. The politically unpalatable sums cut to the heart of a stand-off between Mr Turnbull and the Treasurer, Peter Costello, who is known to favour cuts for people on lower and middle incomes.
In an executive minute to the Treasurer, the Government's top economic adviser, the Treasury Secretary, Ken Henry, attached a document detailing the full distributional and budgetary impacts of three of Mr Turnbull's 281 proposals for tax reform.
Treasury's tax analysis division found Mr Turnbull's preferred option - to abolish the top 47 per cent rate, reduce the 42 per cent rate to 35 per cent and increase the tax-free threshold from $6000 to $10,000 - would deliver annual savings of $109,450 to those with a taxable income of $1 million. Those on $2 million would save $229,450.
*****end of clip*****
I find it more than a little troubling that the very thing that has happened here is echoed around the globe. We now know we have been misled by an inept and criminal WH. All of the radical changes they have made are not good ideas. Tax breaks to the rich have not helped the middle or the bottom.
You could leave the country and unless you go third world you will face the same issues, the same bad governance. So it is coordinated not coincidence and clear who is behind such stuff. (hint - not the poor or poverty stricken)
capt
Posted by: capt at November 20, 2005 01:44 PM
Kathleen, how on earth can he claim to have been misled by faulty intelligence? There were hundreds of thousands of people out there who, just like me, were voicing extreme doubt as to the veracity of the Iraqi WMD claims. We certainly didn't have access to the intelligence they had access to but we knew enough to realize we were being scammed. They failed by refusing to insist that the inspectors be given enough time to complete their work. Now we know of course that it didn't matter, they admitted they were invading Iraq whether WMD's were found or not. Concluding the inspections would have been a hindrance to that goal, which is why the inspectors were withdrawn. They screwed up big time, I do not buy their excuses, they are all responsible, but bush is definitely the king of this shit hill!
Posted by: Saladin at November 20, 2005 01:44 PM
Locally (with national candidates), since I have lived here in the ABQ, politicians have said whatever it takes to get or hold office then justify a change of position as needed while in office.
capt
Posted by: capt at November 20, 2005 01:49 PM
Our Monsters In Iraq
Robert Dreyfuss
November 18, 2005
From Tom Paine.com
It is time to start waving the bloody shirt. There is no longer any doubt that the men that the United States has installed in power in Iraq are monsters. Not only that, but they are monsters armed, trained and supported by George W. Bush's administration. The very same Bush administration that defends torture of captives in the so-called War on Terrorism is using 150,000 U.S. troops to support a regime in Baghdad for which torture, assassination and other war crimes are routine.
So far, it appears that the facts are these: that Iraq's interior ministry, whose top officials, strike forces and police commando units (including the so-called Wolf Brigade) are controlled by paramilitary units from Shiite militias, maintained a medieval torture chamber; that inside that facility, hundreds of mostly Sunni Arab men were bestialized, with electric drills skewering their bones, with their skins flayed off, and more; that roving units of death-squad commandos are killing countless other Sunni Arab men in order to terrorize the Iraqi opposition.
Nearly two years ago, writing in the American Prospect, I wrote the following: "The Prospect has learned that part of a secret $3 billion in new funds tucked away in the $87 billion Iraq appropriation that Congress approved in early November will go toward the creation of a paramilitary unit manned by militiamen associated with former Iraqi exile groups...The bulk of the covert money will support U.S. efforts to create a lethal, and revenge-minded, Iraqi security force." Except for a parallel story by Sy Hersh in the New Yorker, the story was ignored.
Over the past two years, writing for TomPaine.com, I have repeatedly written about Shiite death squads and about abuses by the paramilitary Badr Brigade, the secret army trained and run by Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Iraqi Sunnis and opposition leaders, including Aiham Al Sammarae (as I wrote for TomPaine ) have charged that the Iraqi government has been running assassination teams. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, have been killed already, including two attorneys for those accused in the kangaroo court set up to convict Saddam Hussein and other former Iraqi government officials.
Last week I had a chilling encounter with one of the monsters responsible for the Murder Inc. units run by Badr and by the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). At a Washington think tank, I met Adel Abdul Mahdi, Iraq's so-called deputy president and a SCIRI official. When I asked Mahdi about reports that Iraqi police and interior ministry squads were carrying out assassinations and other illegal acts, he didn't deny it but, he said, such acts were merely a reaction to the terrorism of the resistance. "There is terrorism on only one side," he said. "Inappropriate acts by the other side, by the police, this is something else. This is a reaction." As far as civilian casualties in Sunni towns, he had this to say: "You can't fight terrorism without attacking some popular areas."
I also asked him about the Badr Brigade, the Iranian-backed paramilitary force that is the main domestic army propping up Abdul Mahdi's Shiite coalition, he said "they are disarmed," which is patently absurd. He added: "They participate fully in the political process."
Abdul Mahdi had this to say about Fallujah, the city that was obliterated by the U.S. armed forces a year ago. "It is one of the most peaceful areas in Iraq. I don't know whether the people are happy or not. But it is one of the most peaceful cities."
Make no mistake. The gangsters now running Iraq are our creatures.
------------
Awhile back someone came to this blog asking what we thought of the wonderful Iraqi elections, the upcoming election in Dec. and whether we actually believed the elected govt. was made up of US puppets. I think this article answers that question.
Posted by: Saladin at November 20, 2005 01:55 PM
Saladin...who said anything about sincerity?
;-)) Santorum=sincerity?? I think not!
Posted by: micki at November 20, 2005 02:10 PM
Saladin, I hate to break this to you, but BUSH is the CIC and makes the call as to withdrawal. 300,000,000 generals would never agree. The polls indicates that the people want a withdrawal while also wanting us to secure the victory. It seems Bush is directed to both concerns.
Question: Should not we withdraw some troops from Iraq after the Dec election, and put them on the Southern Border to STOP the southern invasion of the US homeland?
Posted by: Derrick Michael Reid at November 20, 2005 04:15 PM
#73
quoted from the earlier post:
What you might be missing is that for the war on terror will never be won until democracies in the middle east are be stood up to give all right to express greivences to governments that will sit on the islamo-facists. If you have "VISION", you must agree that saddam stood in the way to victory in that war, and the Iraq invasion was necessary.
First I assume that you have agreed that the war in Iraq does not directly lower the probability of being attacked on US soil, for you have not refuted my earlier statements.
You are now proposing a different justification for the War in Iraq. Your premise is that terrorism will subside if the west can do some nation building in the middle east by making them democratic (this is an offshoot reasoning of the Neocon PNAC). Your view is that going to war will help make these nations democratic, and therefore the war indirectly leads to reducing terrorism through war's ability to create democratic nations.
So the question now is does war with Iraq allow us to create democratic nations in the middle east (and thereby reduce terrorism).
First democracies are helpful but not sufficient, you mentioned the ability for individuals to express their grievances to the government. That really describes a liberal constitutional government (where liberal means rights to own property, due process, vote, etc). The Athenians were democractic but the rulers were autocratic while they held office. So your point is that we want the middle east nations to see human rights in the same way that we in the west have come to see them. If democracy was the only reason, then we in the US might not be too happy how a 1 person 1 vote election turned out because it might be very hostile to the US and western values.
I agree liberal constitutional governments is a major way to combat global terrorism, but that doesn't justify war as a means to bring it about.
I recommend reading The Rise of Illiberal Democracy by Fareed Zakaria, or at least checking out his web page at http://www.fareedzakaria.com/articles/other/democracy.html.
Liberal consitutional governments don't form overnight and cannot be propped up by an outside force. It takes a developing infrastructure, and experience to build up a liberal constitutional government mindset. When did the US become a democracy? It depends on one's point of view. All adults couldn't vote in the US until the 1920s, about 150 years after our constitution was formed and yet we naively think the arab world will readily pick up right where we are.
Each western nation took years to become a liberal constitutional government, in fact you might say they are all continuing a path of perfecting themselves as liberal constitutional governments. Again when the USA was first formed only landowners could vote, it wasn't until just before the civil war that non-landowners could vote, after the civil war it was blacks, and in the 1920s it was women.
How would we like it if other nations would have attacked us to force us to provide more liberties to the oppressed people when we didn't quite see it as oppression but was part of our culture and religion. The closest we had to that was the civil war and still took 100 years to really give the black people a right to vote.
So I really wouldn't bet much on a war to make Iraq or any nation a liberal constitutional government overnight... and there certainly other ways to influence nations to become so without war. That is how most of europe became liberal constitutional governments, it was out of jealousy of the success of England and later the USA. We could do a lot more economically then militarily to influence human rights.
Posted by: yelnats at November 20, 2005 06:40 PM
[http://www.cnionline.org/images/cnititle.gif]
November 18, 2005
INVESTMENT OR DIVESTMENT:
Citizens, Financial Choice, and the Future of Israel/Palestine
CNI Public Hearing
Russell Senate Office Building,
Room 385
Monday, November 21, 2005
2:00 to 4:00 PM
American financial involvement in Israel and Palestine goes far beyond massive yearly foreign aid packages. US private corporations generate billions of dollars of revenue from foreign direct investment (FDI) and sales, as well as charitable tax exempt contributions flows, including Israeli bonds, to projects in Israel and Israeli occupied territories. Calls for tighter control over financial flows have been heard in both the US and Israel. Israeli prosecutor Talia Sasson uncovered and reported illegal activities in Israeli occupied territories perpetrated by entities funded by American tax exempt contributions.
Many American religious and campus groups have called for full or selective divestment in US companies contributing to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories, as well as targeted investment in Palestine. This has generated much debate amongst churches, students and American communities, and prompted a strong reaction from supporters of Israel.
Join us for a panel discussion of investment/divestment choices. Speakers include:
Stephen Sizer, Anglican Vicar, Virginia Water, Surrey, England
Grant Smith, Executive Director, Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy
Noura Erakat, US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation
To make a reservation, call 202-863-2951 or send an email to inform@cnionline.org
Council for the National Interest
1250 4th Street, SW, Ste WG-1
Washington, DC 20024
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Message 3 of 590
Posted by: kathleen at November 20, 2005 09:50 PM
Well, the Blog Carnival is up, and it's apparent that the righties are clueless and/or prevaricators. They also have some trouble with originality--is there actually a talking points mailing list these guys are on, or do they just all have an IV drip of Fox News broadcasts? It's past time for progressives and others in the fact-based community to give osm its moment in the sun. Now's the time to shun it, stop visiting, eschew linking to it, and in every respect do what's necessary for it to wither on the blogvine. Any left-leaning bloggers and others with a business relationship with this site should terminate their relationship with it as soon as practicable.
Posted by: Kevin J-M at November 21, 2005 01:09 PM
Yelan: I agree liberal constitutional governments is a major way to combat global terrorism, but that doesn't justify war as a means to bring it about.
Yes, you are making good sense. Yes democratization does not per se justify war. Had OBL or saddam been little angles, we would not be there, but they are bad news. The war is on, and we have to deal with, so what is your plan for peace in that trouble regions, other than a pull out and hope they will obtain civility all by themselfs. I dont trust that plan, do you really?
Posted by: Derrick Michael Reid at November 21, 2005 02:55 PM
Yelnats,
I think you and I can come to agreement as to economically bringing about a change. Economic and politicaly connectivity is really what you are talking about. When Iraq can have a civil government, it become connected with the CORE as to political and economic relations. These days, the middle east is loosing its connectivity to the rest of world, because of the islamic hard-line attitude, pushing them into further isolation, and more of a potential danger in the out years. By bringing about political reforms, the economic and political cooperation increases leading to civilized partners. But we cant just wish it to happened when bad guys like OBL and Saddam are in power, especially after 9/11. The soviets fell under the weight of their contradictions, but the islamic world comes from another perspective, and it acceptable to leaders in the muslim world to stiffle social advancement, and hence, the need to act, after 9/11. I see no difference between the battle for afgahnistan or the battle for Iraq in the war on terror.
Posted by: Derrick Michael Reid at November 21, 2005 03:02 PM
If Dick Cheney said President Bush was wrong about the war, you would probably still say Cheney was lying. If anyone is obsessed with hate speech, it's clowns like you. Your so-call new book is a perfect example of that. Bet that is on the best sellers list for LIBERALS. Keep up the attacks but just keep in mind, YOU lost how many of that last elections?
Posted by: Larry Joseph at November 24, 2005 02:35 PM
there is way too much anger, we as a nation need to remember who is really in charge and that it is God. I support and pray for my president daily.You people in here are way to angry to be constructive,because a nation divided will fall.
Posted by: Desiree at November 26, 2005 02:31 PM
Program on the emergence of civilization.
"14 species of large animals capable of domesitcation in the history of mankind.
13 from Europe, Asia and northern Africa.
None from the sub-Saharan African continent. "
Favor.
And disfavor.
They point out Africans’ failed attempts to domesticate the elephant and zebra, the latter being an animal they illustrate that had utmost importance for it's applicability in transformation from a hunting/gathering to agrarian-based civilization.
The roots of racism are not of this earth.
Austrailia, aboriginals:::No domesticable animals.
The North American continent had none. Now 99% of that population is gone.
AIDS in Africa.
Organizational Heirarchy/Levels of positioning.
Heirarchical order, from top to bottom:
1. MUCK - perhaps have experienced multiple universal contractions (have seen multiple big bangs), creator of the artificial intelligence humans ignorantly refer to as "god"
2. Perhaps some mid-level alien management
3. Evil/disfavored aliens - runs day-to-day operations here and perhaps elsewhere
Terrestrial management/positioning:
4. Chinese/egyptians - this may be separated into the eastern and western worlds
5. Romans -
6. Mafia - the real-world 20th century interface that constantly turns over generationally so as to reinforce the widely-held notion of mortality
7. Jews, corporation, women, politician - Evidence exisits to suggest mafia management over all these groups.
Movies foreshadowing catastrophy
1985 James Bond View to a Kill 1989 San Francisco Loma Prieta earthquake.
Our society gives clues to the system in place. We all have heard the saying "He has more money than god." There is also an episode of the Simpsons where god meets Homer and says "I'm too old and rich for this."
This is the system on earth because this is the system everywhere.
I don't want to suggest the upper eschelons are evil and good is the fringe.
But they have made it abundantly clear that doing business with evil (disfavored) won't help people. They say only good would have the ear, since evil is struggling for survival, and therefore only the favored could help.
The clues are there which companies are favored and which are disfavored, but they conceal it very hard because it is so crucial.
I offer an example of historical proportions:::
People point to Walmart and cry "anti-union".
Unions enable disfavored people to live satisfactorly without addressing their disfavor. This way their family's problems are never resolved. Without the union they would have to accept the heirarchy, their own inferiority.
Unions serve to empower.
Walmart is anti-union because they are good. They try to help people address and resolve their problems by creating an enviornment where there are fewer hurdles.
Media ridicule and lawsuits are creations to reinforce people's belief that Walmart is evil in a subsegment of the indistry dominated by the middle and lower classes.
Low-cost disfavored Chinese labor is utilized by corporate america to maximize margins. They all do it. Only WalMart gets fingered because they are the ones who help, and those who seek to create confusion in the marketplace want to eliminate the vast middle class who have a real chance and instead stick with lower classes who may not work otherwise. So they dirty him up while allowing the others to appear clean.
The middle class is being deceived. They are being misled into the unfavored, and subsequently will have no assistance from their purchases with corporate america.
I believe the coining of the term "Uncle Sam" was a clue alluding to just this::Sam Walton and WalMart is one of few saviors of the peasant class.
Amercia is a country of castoffs, rejects. Italy sent its criminals, malcontents.
Between the thrones, the klans and kindred, they "decided" who they didn't want and acted, creating discontent and/or starvation.
The u.s. is full of disfavored rejects. It is the reason for the myriad of problems not found in European countries. As far as the Rockafellers and other industrialists of the 19th century go, I suspect these aren't their real names. I suspect they were chosen to go and head this new empire.
Royalty is the right way to organize a society. Dictatorships and monarchies are a reflection of the antient's hierarchical organization.
Positions go to those who have favor with the rulers, as opposed to being elected.
Elections bring a false sense of how the world is. Democracy misleads people.
Which is why the disfavored rejects were sent to the shores of America::To keep them on the wrong path.
Jews maim the body formed in the image of "god", and inflicted circumsision upon all other white people, as well as the evil that is Jesus Christ.
I think about how Jews (were used to) created homosexuality among Slavics, retribution for the Holocaust.
Then I think of the Catholic Church and its troubles.
What connection is here between Jews and the Catholic church???
If it is their sinister motives that’s behind the evil that is Jesus Christ are they being used at all?
Perhaps it is them who are pulling strings.
Their centuries of slavery in Egypt proves their disfavor.
The Jew leaders decided to prey on the up-and-coming Europeans to try to fix their problems with the ruling elite, a recurring aspect of the elite's methodology.
Jesus Christ is a religious figure of evil. The seperatist churches formed so they could still capture the rest of the white people, keeping them worshipping the wrong god.
And now they do it to people of color, Latinos and Asians, after centuries of preying upon them.
Since Buddism doesn't recongnize a god, the calls are never heard, and Chinese representation is instead selected by the thrones.
Budda was the Asian's Jesus Christ::: bad for the people. "They came up at the same time for a reason."
Simpson's foreshadowing::Helloween IV special, Flanders is Satan. "Last one you ever suspect."
"You'll see lots of nuns where you're going:::hell!!!" St. Wigham, Helloween VI, missionary work, destroying cultures.
Over and over, the Simpsons was a source of education and enlightenment, a target of ridicule by the system which wishes to conceal its secrets.
I believe Islam is the one true religion, and those misled christians who attack "god"'s most favored people will pay dearly one day.
Posted by: grandpa stole bets at November 28, 2005 12:54 PM