New documents have been obtained under the FOIA proving that George Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and the remaining cast of Chickenhawks on Ice began planning and coordinating for the immediate invasion of Iraq on the day OF 9/11.
This is certainly not a new revelation since Richard Clarke, former Sr. Counter-Terrorism Director and National Security Council counter-terrorism advisor for Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton and GW Bush states is his book Against All Enemies
that the entire Sr. Core of the Bush Administration started pushing to invade Iraq and topple Saddam Hussein from the first meeting post the 9/11 attacks.
Now however there is documented proof from the handwritten notes of Dept. of Defense Staffer, Stephen Cambone taken during briefing meetings with Donald Rumsfeld. Read more...
outragedmoderates.org: DoD Staffer's Notes from 9/11 Obtained Under Freedom Of Intormation Act
Tags: Iraq, War, Bush, White House, Terror
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This is certainly not a new revelation since Richard Clarke, former Sr. Counter-Terrorism Director and National Security Council counter-terrorism advisor for Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton and GW Bush states is his book Against All Enemies
that the entire Sr. Core of the Bush Administration started pushing to invade Iraq and topple Saddam Hussein from the first meeting post the 9/11 attacks.Now however there is documented proof from the handwritten notes of Dept. of Defense Staffer, Stephen Cambone taken during briefing meetings with Donald Rumsfeld. Read more...
outragedmoderates.org: DoD Staffer's Notes from 9/11 Obtained Under Freedom Of Intormation Act
Tags: Iraq, War, Bush, White House, Terror
Ad: Find thousands of freelance writing and editing jobs...fresh jobs daily. Kickstart your writing career for just $2.95. Click here
Why would Bush and Co. support the sale of US Ports to the Middle East?
| Published Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Nate.
All day I've been listening to the full compliment of fast-response policy pundits, waxing intelligent with the cable network's starting line-up of bellicose bloviators, demonstrate their awesome grasp of all the the intricate details and relevant facts surrounding this issue by uttering such enlightened statements as, "It appears the Adminstration may be a little tone-deaf, politically when expressing support for this sale". Holy Mental Flatulence Batman! A little tone deaf...? Helen Keller is cracking deaf jokes in her grave about the idiots we have running our country right now.
Bad cliche's aside, I'm curious why no one is wondering why the administration immediately launched so spirited a defense and counter-offensive in an effort to prevent this deal from being derailed. It was barely 24 hours of escalating gas-baggery from the Ministtry of Infotainment before ol' "Dead or Alive" Dubya pulled out his Perazzi, 28-Guage veto stamp and started beating the shrubs in search of Congressional Quail.
That's some heavy artillery when you consider that for five years past, all that's been needed to drop this flock of farm-raised, Congressional poultry from flight was a loud "BOO" from Rove or Cheney.
"But the President wasn't personally involved in the process of approving the sale of these ports. He was largely unaware of it until it became a big news story today" crowed Dan Bartlett...
REALLY...?
If Bush and the administration are so detached from this process, how come this article says the President appointed a Sr. Executive from Dubai Ports World as America's new Director of Maritime Transportation, reporting directly to the SecTrans, not three weeks ago?
Here's a 'bigger-picture' question for you? Why are middle-eastern, government-owned companies like DP World buying and running U.S. Ports while American-owned companies like SSA Marine have been contracted to run the Umm Qasr port in Iraq?
I find it deliciously ironic listening to conservatives who are genuinely surprised to learn the extent to which Bush and company have their hands (and heads) up the middle easts' robe. Perhaps now they're wondering if they should have actually watched Farenheit 9/11 before branding Michael Moore as a lying, traiterous dog--worthy only of 'patriotic' spit and 'flag-draped' contempt.
UPDATE: Keith Olbermann mentioned it on his show today. Here's the video. Lou Dobbs goes after the source of the problem. The very secretive CFIUS review committee in this video.
Tags: Dubai, Bush, Corruption, UAE
Some personal matters and a little necessary traveling have kept me away from my blog for two days. I'll try and post something substantial tonight and then again on Tuesday. By Wednesday I'll be back tackling multiple issues, the hottest of which will revolve on these key current events.
Loweset Military Pay Raise in 12 Years
Sale of control of Six US Ports to Dubai company in the United Arab Emirates
Finally to everyone else reading this, its time to get this party started. It's time to get organized and take this fight to Washington. There are many 'grass' fires starting to turn into powerful action committees. New campaigns that are gaining steam and force. Time to join in the battle. Here's a new PAC everyone needs to check out comprised of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. News has it that Paul Hackett will now be joining their advisory board alongside Gen. Wesley Clark.
I'll write a little more tonight and I'll be back in full-force by Wednesday. Until then, aloha people.
-Nate
A terrific seven-part series of short videos hilighting voices of dissent against war.
-WARNING- some of them contain strong images.
JUSTICE POETICA
Tags: Gitmo, Guantanamo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Terror, War, Abu Ghraib, Poetry
From News Roundup: "U.S. Catches Iraqi `death Squad` in Action
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. military has confirmed rumors of Iraqi police death squads after stopping a uniformed squad of 22 officers about to execute a Sunni Muslim.
'We have found one of the death squads. They are part of the police force,' U.S. Maj. Gen. Joseph Peterson told the Chicago Tribune.
Peterson said the Interior Ministry traffic policemen were arrested in late January at an Iraqi army checkpoint in northern Baghdad and when asked what they were doing, said they were taking a prisoner away for execution.
'The amazing thing is ... they tell you exactly what they`re going to do,' Peterson said.
He said four of the men were being held at Baghdad`s Abu Ghraib prison in U.S. custody and the other 18 were in another jail, the BBC reported.
On Monday, the bodies of four unidentified men were found in Baghdad. They had been handcuffed, blindfolded and shot in the head, the BBC said.
Iraq`s Interior Ministry has launched an investigation into the death squads, the report said."
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. military has confirmed rumors of Iraqi police death squads after stopping a uniformed squad of 22 officers about to execute a Sunni Muslim.
'We have found one of the death squads. They are part of the police force,' U.S. Maj. Gen. Joseph Peterson told the Chicago Tribune.
Peterson said the Interior Ministry traffic policemen were arrested in late January at an Iraqi army checkpoint in northern Baghdad and when asked what they were doing, said they were taking a prisoner away for execution.
'The amazing thing is ... they tell you exactly what they`re going to do,' Peterson said.
He said four of the men were being held at Baghdad`s Abu Ghraib prison in U.S. custody and the other 18 were in another jail, the BBC reported.
On Monday, the bodies of four unidentified men were found in Baghdad. They had been handcuffed, blindfolded and shot in the head, the BBC said.
Iraq`s Interior Ministry has launched an investigation into the death squads, the report said."
As hard as it may be to believe, Cheney appears to be in even deeper shit than just having reecently shot a senior citizen. Can anyone say, "Fitz!"Gonzales Withholding Plame Emails By Jason Leopold
Tags: Cheney, CIA, Plame
There are New Abu Ghraib Photos released today that the US Government has been fighting to keep secret in a court case with the ACLU...(more)
Hat-tip to:
Sans-culotte.org and Raw Story
Abu Ghraib
Torture
Hat-tip to:Sans-culotte.org and Raw Story
Abu Ghraib
Torture
CNN runs the headline "Cheney prays for hunt victim"... What the FUCK? 
Here's a screen shot from my Google home page, news center. Tell me if you can't spot the organizations that shill for the right...
Here's a screen shot from my Google home page, news center. Tell me if you can't spot the organizations that shill for the right...
Just thought I'd revisit a GITF Classic until I'm done with my Iran series.
Democrats accuse Cheney, Bush of 'troubling' secrecy - Nation/Politics - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper
Don't you get sick of our current Democratic "Leaders" always being "troubled" by things? Everyting is always "very troubling" to and they're constantly "concerned" by various "troubling things"...
When is one of these nitwits going to stand up and scream, "BULLSHIT DICK!... You SHOT a guy in the face and now YOU ARE LYING about it!"
Which of our chickenshit Senators is going to borrow a pair of balls from someone and start hurling Fireballs at these snake-crooked, oil-baron, arms-dealing, death-merchant, black-hearted, bastard pieces of shit?
Don't you get sick of our current Democratic "Leaders" always being "troubled" by things? Everyting is always "very troubling" to and they're constantly "concerned" by various "troubling things"...
When is one of these nitwits going to stand up and scream, "BULLSHIT DICK!... You SHOT a guy in the face and now YOU ARE LYING about it!"
Which of our chickenshit Senators is going to borrow a pair of balls from someone and start hurling Fireballs at these snake-crooked, oil-baron, arms-dealing, death-merchant, black-hearted, bastard pieces of shit?
From The Poetry Man...
SHAKEDOWN We the people should shake `em all down!
Jangle the walls of Liberty! Sing!
Shake the foundations of Freedom Town!
Clatter and rattle the West Wing!
Plunge the Pentagon to its soiled, imperial knees!
Thunder clap and smack all of DC!
Humble all fat cats on Wall Street!
Senate! Congress! The courts! All three!
Let `em know we've had enough of complicity!
Grab their electorate! Give a hardy squeeze!
Shove back with almighty vengeance!
Show them, we, the people, still believe!
TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK FROM THESE THIEVES!
SHAKEDOWN We the people should shake `em all down!
Jangle the walls of Liberty! Sing!
Shake the foundations of Freedom Town!
Clatter and rattle the West Wing!
Plunge the Pentagon to its soiled, imperial knees!
Thunder clap and smack all of DC!
Humble all fat cats on Wall Street!
Senate! Congress! The courts! All three!
Let `em know we've had enough of complicity!
Grab their electorate! Give a hardy squeeze!
Shove back with almighty vengeance!
Show them, we, the people, still believe!
TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK FROM THESE THIEVES!
For a little while during the 2004 elections, I got excited about the candidacy of Gen. Wesley Clark (ret.) and I was supporting him during much of the Democratic primary race. He's the former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO (my vote for coolest job title ever!). He's a former republican-turned-Proud Democrat. I only started to drift away from the General's campaign when it felt like he was letting to many ex-Clinton talking-heads handle him and 'smooth him out' or 'take away the rough edges'.
Damn it! The sharp edges and outspoken passion about common sense issues was what I LIKED best! It's what sparked the initial brush-fire of grass-roots support. Then the idiot handlers managed to convince him he needed to become a candidate and stop being a LEADER! What morons. And a shame he was so new to the 'political game' that he didn't know to beat them back with sticks.
After his unsuccessful candidacy, Gen. Clark formed his own Political Action Committee and is still actively involved in foreign policy and domestic policy initiatives and most notably; Veterans issues. As shown in this recent email I received from him. Veterans and and Active Duty Service members... Pay Attention!
Dear Nate,
I was proud to join House Leaders Nancy Pelosi, Ike Skelton,
Lane Evans, and John Salazar last year on Capitol Hill to unveil
the new GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century, legislation
designed to improve benefits for our soldiers and their families
today, while providing long overdue benefits for our veterans
and military retirees.
We recognized that something needed to be done to eliminate
the "widow's tax," which penalizes the survivors of those killed
in combat by reducing the benefits to which they are entitled.
Unfortunately, the one-party Congress has chosen to pursue
their own agenda -- focusing on making the tax cuts for the
wealthiest Americans permanent. As for the "widow's tax?" An
amendment to repeal it was removed from the latest defense
authorization bill by the Republican Congressional leadership.
It's just wrong, and it's bad for military
readiness. This is not the time for politics. This
is not the time for special interest haggling and pork barrel
politics. If we are going to maintain the best volunteer,
professional army in the world, we must provide soldiers with
the peace of mind that comes from knowing the rest of us will
take up for their families if they are killed. How can we
expect good, qualified people to remain in military service? It
is our duty, as a grateful nation, to stand up for our veterans
and their families.
I want to share with you the story of Dan Shea, a member of
our WesPAC community. Dan's brother, Lt. Col. Kevin Shea, was
killed in Falluja on September 14, 2004. Like many soldiers,
Kevin believed the government would take care of his wife Amy
and their two children if anything should happen to him. But
because of the "widow's tax," this is not the case.
A widow of a service member killed in the line of duty is
supported by the survivors' plan paid by the Department of
Defense and a dependent's compensation paid by the Department of
Veterans Affairs. But under the current law, the payment from
the Defense Department is reduced dollar for dollar by the
Veterans Administration's payment: The "widow's tax."
I invite you to read Dan's op-ed in today's New York
Times on how the "widow's tax" is hurting his
family.
I leave you with Dan's own words from the conclusion of his
op-ed:
"If President Bush really wants to honor the men and women
fighting this war -- and dying like my brother -- then he
should call on Congress to eliminate the "widow's tax." It's the
least he can do."
Sincerely,
Wes Clark
If you are active duty military or a Veteran of the US Military, then this life-long warrior is fighting for You and Your Family! Go support WesPAC!
Nate
VeteranClark
WesPAC
The video below has been circulating around the internet recently and is used as some sort of justification for war by Bush defenders and supporters of the Iraq war. I debated even posting it here because it made me somewhat nauseous to watch. It's a compilation designed to illustrate how evil the terrorists are and therefore how justified we are for being there and turning Iraq into a war-torn wasteland, straight out of Dante's Inferno.
It makes me sick to think that this type of video actually works as a propaganda and recruiting tool in our modern national society. When did blood-lust and a thirst for absolute dominion at the expense of any shred of morality or humility become the norm? When did the hazy and elusive yet omnipresent fear of middle-eastern 'boogey men' dictate how our nation and our culture are to be defined in this new millenium?
This video panders to the lowest in all Americans. It promotes hatred and rage. It incites the basest instincts in human nature to tap into deep reservoirs of fear in the populace. It justifies the darkest form of rape and mass-murder of thousands as retrobution for the actions of a few (or even a few hundred). It creates a posture and mentality that leads to the type of despicable actions I discussed yesterday surrounding the video of British troops beating Iraqi teens, nearly to death.
Does the sight of planes crashing into skycrapers or the thought of a few thousand innocent lives snuffed in a single tragic event now provide us with carte' blanche freedom to visit horror and reign fiery hell upon whatever country, culture or society we choose? When did these become our values? When did the baby boomers decide that this is how our time in history will be defined. Death and Destruction... Lust and Hatred... Greed and Power... Absent Morality... These traits DO NOT define true Americans!
So why do we continue to allow our government to define our Great Nation this way? Think about it before you click the 'Play' button.
Nate
There's a great poem by The Poetry Man in the comments. Have a read, leave your comment.
Iraq
Video
War
Veteran
Peace
It makes me sick to think that this type of video actually works as a propaganda and recruiting tool in our modern national society. When did blood-lust and a thirst for absolute dominion at the expense of any shred of morality or humility become the norm? When did the hazy and elusive yet omnipresent fear of middle-eastern 'boogey men' dictate how our nation and our culture are to be defined in this new millenium?
This video panders to the lowest in all Americans. It promotes hatred and rage. It incites the basest instincts in human nature to tap into deep reservoirs of fear in the populace. It justifies the darkest form of rape and mass-murder of thousands as retrobution for the actions of a few (or even a few hundred). It creates a posture and mentality that leads to the type of despicable actions I discussed yesterday surrounding the video of British troops beating Iraqi teens, nearly to death.
Does the sight of planes crashing into skycrapers or the thought of a few thousand innocent lives snuffed in a single tragic event now provide us with carte' blanche freedom to visit horror and reign fiery hell upon whatever country, culture or society we choose? When did these become our values? When did the baby boomers decide that this is how our time in history will be defined. Death and Destruction... Lust and Hatred... Greed and Power... Absent Morality... These traits DO NOT define true Americans!
So why do we continue to allow our government to define our Great Nation this way? Think about it before you click the 'Play' button.
Nate
There's a great poem by The Poetry Man in the comments. Have a read, leave your comment.
Iraq
Video
War
Veteran
Peace
Props to YouTube!
This is a kick
Update: A few people have told me that the video is spotty and slow to load. Try playing it then quickly pausing it while you surf the rest of the site for a bit. It will pre-load while it's pausing. Don't click any links though or it will navigate away from the page where the movie's loading.
This is a kick
Update: A few people have told me that the video is spotty and slow to load. Try playing it then quickly pausing it while you surf the rest of the site for a bit. It will pre-load while it's pausing. Don't click any links though or it will navigate away from the page where the movie's loading.
This link is to a Waikiki webcam. You got about an hour of sunshine left on it.
It appears the new narrative the spin doctors are trying to push with Cheney's shooting is... "It's really not that bad!"
I watched Anderson Cooper on CNN and they did a complete re-enactment of shooting distances with the same kind of shotgun and birdshot and tried to show how getting shot from 30 yards away is not that bad.
HE GOT SHOT WITH A DAMN SHOTGUN!
He's almost 80 years old and he's in the hospital with a face and neck torn all to shit from Birdshot and CNN's new meme is, "It's really not all that bad!"
Can these people become bigger Whores?
What the fuck? over
Nate
I watched Anderson Cooper on CNN and they did a complete re-enactment of shooting distances with the same kind of shotgun and birdshot and tried to show how getting shot from 30 yards away is not that bad.
HE GOT SHOT WITH A DAMN SHOTGUN!
He's almost 80 years old and he's in the hospital with a face and neck torn all to shit from Birdshot and CNN's new meme is, "It's really not all that bad!"
Can these people become bigger Whores?
What the fuck? over
Nate
Below is a Mosaic News Broadcast put together by Link.tv. I've always complained that Americans don't watch true world news so I hope to link to Mosaic regurlarly. Maybe I can get a few people to view the world through their own eyes.
"...and this baby here! Much more powerful than that wimp-ass birdshot!"
"Hey Scooter... PULL!
huehehehhheehhe"
"Hey Scooter... PULL!
huehehehhheehhe"
Campus Progres has a couple of bloggers undercover at CPAC. CPAC is the right-wing hate-fest convention going on this week that I posted about ealier this week. The featured speaker was that hate-filled bloviating SheMale known as Ann Coulter. If you ever wondered why the rest of the world hates us now, look no further than their post about Coulters speech.
Here are some highlights: "I think our motto should be post-9-11, 'raghead talks tough, raghead faces consequences.'" (This declaration prompted a boisterous ovation.) Coulter on killing Bill Clinton: (Responding to a question from a Catholic University student about her biggest moral or ethical dilemna) "There was one time I had a shot at Clinton. I thought 'Ann, that's not going to help your career.'"
Read more...
Here are some highlights: "I think our motto should be post-9-11, 'raghead talks tough, raghead faces consequences.'" (This declaration prompted a boisterous ovation.) Coulter on killing Bill Clinton: (Responding to a question from a Catholic University student about her biggest moral or ethical dilemna) "There was one time I had a shot at Clinton. I thought 'Ann, that's not going to help your career.'"
Read more...
The DailyKos has a piece up now that every active duy service member and every Veteran should read.
How any current or ex--Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman can still think that Republicans are good for the military is beyond me. These bastards are bending Veterans over and breaking it off inside of us! WHAT THE FUCK...? WAKE UP PEOPLE!
Read more...
...over
Believe in Your Mask: ImpiREALISTICALLY speaking.
Meet: The Poetry Man
I made his aquaintance online recently and his poetry is excellent. His poem today is particularly fitting in terms of my earlier post regarding that Banshee - Coulter. Ask yourself... Is this how you want History to remember the time and era that you 'lived'?
Meet: The Poetry Man
I made his aquaintance online recently and his poetry is excellent. His poem today is particularly fitting in terms of my earlier post regarding that Banshee - Coulter. Ask yourself... Is this how you want History to remember the time and era that you 'lived'?
Jack Abramoff --- The gift that keeps on giving! Here's a few highlights.
Two of the elected officials referred to in Friday's filings have been identified in published reports as Reps. Steven LaTourette, R-Ohio, and Don Young, R-Alaska. According to Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper, the two representatives wrote to the GSA in September 2002, urging the agency to give preferential treatment to groups such as Indian tribes when evaluating development proposals for the Old Post Office
In their filing, prosecutors laid out a series of contacts between Abramoff and Safavian that show the former GSA official gave inside information and advice to the lobbyist. Safavian used his personal e-mail during business hours to communicate with Abramoff several times, according to prosecutors. He also edited the draft of a letter that was probably sent under LaTourette and Young's names.
And Safavian advised Abramoff to tell his wife to use her maiden name during a meeting with GSA officials so she wouldn't draw attention to her politically connected husband's involvement in the project.
Read on...
Two of the elected officials referred to in Friday's filings have been identified in published reports as Reps. Steven LaTourette, R-Ohio, and Don Young, R-Alaska. According to Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper, the two representatives wrote to the GSA in September 2002, urging the agency to give preferential treatment to groups such as Indian tribes when evaluating development proposals for the Old Post Office
In their filing, prosecutors laid out a series of contacts between Abramoff and Safavian that show the former GSA official gave inside information and advice to the lobbyist. Safavian used his personal e-mail during business hours to communicate with Abramoff several times, according to prosecutors. He also edited the draft of a letter that was probably sent under LaTourette and Young's names.
And Safavian advised Abramoff to tell his wife to use her maiden name during a meeting with GSA officials so she wouldn't draw attention to her politically connected husband's involvement in the project.
Read on...
Apparently all the republicans who normally line up to kiss his ring (or his ass depending on their personal preference) don't quite think so...
Read more...
Read more...
Campus Progres has a couple of bloggers undercover at CPAC. CPAC is the right-wing hate-fest convention going on this week that I posted about ealier this week. The featured speaker was that hate-filled bloviating SheMale known as Ann Coulter. If you ever wondered why the rest of the world hates us now, look no further than their post about Coulters speech.
Here's some highlights: "I think our motto should be post-9-11, 'raghead talks tough, raghead faces consequences.'" (This declaration prompted a boisterous ovation.) Coulter on killing Bill Clinton: (Responding to a question from a Catholic University student about her biggest moral or ethical dilemna) "There was one time I had a shot at Clinton. I thought 'Ann, that's not going to help your career.'"
Read more...
Here's some highlights: "I think our motto should be post-9-11, 'raghead talks tough, raghead faces consequences.'" (This declaration prompted a boisterous ovation.) Coulter on killing Bill Clinton: (Responding to a question from a Catholic University student about her biggest moral or ethical dilemna) "There was one time I had a shot at Clinton. I thought 'Ann, that's not going to help your career.'"
Read more...
It's been an exciting news night and good morning and aloha to all. There are three major stories breaking today so here they are. The National Journal has a feature piece that says Scooter Libby is rolling over on Cheney and Bushco. There are so many sides to this it will be hard to keep up. Raw Story had it immediately and rest assured Jane over at FireDogLake will have some great insight as time goes on.
---
Paul R. Pillar was the national intelligence officer for the Near East and South Asia from 2000 to 2005. In other words, he is the CIA official who coordinated U.S. intelligence for ALL the Middle East until last year is now speaking out loudly against Bushco. Here's a choice excerpt:
"It has become clear that official intelligence was not relied on in making even the most significant national security decisions, that intelligence was misused publicly to justify decisions already made, that damaging ill will developed between [Bush] policymakers and intelligence officers, and that the intelligence community's own work was politicized," Pillar wrote.
Pillar's critique is one of the most severe indictments of White House actions by a former Bush official since Richard C. Clarke, a former National Security Council staff member, went public with his criticism of the administration's handling of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and its failure to deal with the terrorist threat beforehand.
It is also the first time that such a senior intelligence officer has so directly and publicly condemned the administration's handling of intelligence.
--
The final story involves breaking news about Hurricane Katrina and what the White House actually was aware of on the first night of the storm when the levees began breaking.
Can you hear it off in the distance...? That distant rumble that pulses louder like an avancing drumbeat... It's called a Reckoning!
---
Paul R. Pillar was the national intelligence officer for the Near East and South Asia from 2000 to 2005. In other words, he is the CIA official who coordinated U.S. intelligence for ALL the Middle East until last year is now speaking out loudly against Bushco. Here's a choice excerpt:
"It has become clear that official intelligence was not relied on in making even the most significant national security decisions, that intelligence was misused publicly to justify decisions already made, that damaging ill will developed between [Bush] policymakers and intelligence officers, and that the intelligence community's own work was politicized," Pillar wrote.
Pillar's critique is one of the most severe indictments of White House actions by a former Bush official since Richard C. Clarke, a former National Security Council staff member, went public with his criticism of the administration's handling of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and its failure to deal with the terrorist threat beforehand.
It is also the first time that such a senior intelligence officer has so directly and publicly condemned the administration's handling of intelligence.
--
The final story involves breaking news about Hurricane Katrina and what the White House actually was aware of on the first night of the storm when the levees began breaking.
Can you hear it off in the distance...? That distant rumble that pulses louder like an avancing drumbeat... It's called a Reckoning!
I make this challenge to all visitors to this site but especially to Geno. He's the smartest security expert I know and in my field that's saying something. Unlike me, Geno is a die-hard conservative... But like me, he is also a Veteran and a highly critical thinker. (He's just usually wrong politically :-)
Geno (and the rest of you) - I challenge you to watch this documentary of the events surrounding 9/11 and without prejudice or agenda, analyze it and see what you deduce from it. I challenge you to use your massive experience in security systems, government operations, 'special ops', systems and procedural designs and operations, strucural engineering and force/attack security prevention etc... etc... Use these skills and your critical and analytical mind and see what facts, deductions and observations you have about it.
The rest of you - apply whatever logic you are able to this analysis and then figure out what to do with what you've learned.
The next 87 minutes could turn out to be 87 of the most intense and fascinating minutes of your life...
Or not.
Nate
On Newshour yesterday Darth Cheney said the following:
"I think we’ll look back several years from now and see that 2005 was really a turning point, in the sense the progress we made…in terms of training Iraqi forces, because we’ve now got a large number of Iraqis taking the lead various places around the country from a security and military standpoint." ~PBS Newshour, 2/7/06
You will never defeat the Dark Side!
On the same day that the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman-Gen. Peter Pace said:
"Only one Iraqi army battalion is capable of fighting without U.S. help. That is the same number as in September, when U.S. commanders disclosed that the number of such highly trained battalions had dropped from three to one, prompting criticism from lawmakers.” ~AP, 2/7/06
Remember Baghdad Bob? The old Iraqi Information Minister and the crap he was saying as tanks were running over his headquarters behind him...
"I can assure you that those villains [American's and British] will recognize, will discover in appropriate time in the future how stupid they are and how they are pretending things which have never taken place." ~Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf - Former Minister of Information, Iraq
Cheney and Baghdad Bob have become one... er, wait a minute. Baghdad Bob was the one who was telling the truth? WTF? over.
"I think we’ll look back several years from now and see that 2005 was really a turning point, in the sense the progress we made…in terms of training Iraqi forces, because we’ve now got a large number of Iraqis taking the lead various places around the country from a security and military standpoint." ~PBS Newshour, 2/7/06
You will never defeat the Dark Side!
On the same day that the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman-Gen. Peter Pace said:
"Only one Iraqi army battalion is capable of fighting without U.S. help. That is the same number as in September, when U.S. commanders disclosed that the number of such highly trained battalions had dropped from three to one, prompting criticism from lawmakers.” ~AP, 2/7/06
Remember Baghdad Bob? The old Iraqi Information Minister and the crap he was saying as tanks were running over his headquarters behind him...
"I can assure you that those villains [American's and British] will recognize, will discover in appropriate time in the future how stupid they are and how they are pretending things which have never taken place." ~Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf - Former Minister of Information, Iraq
Cheney and Baghdad Bob have become one... er, wait a minute. Baghdad Bob was the one who was telling the truth? WTF? over.
By no means am I lending endorsement for 'Kerry for President 2008' by posting this, but since John Kerry seems to have plucked his head out of his ass (finally), and recently took on the 55 corrupt and morally bankrupt Repugnant Senators and the few repugnant Democrats who shoved 'Justice' Samuel Alito down our throat, I figured I'd repost it here for him. With a few comments and observations of course.
Nate,
Dick Cheney will be there. So will Rick Santorum...Phyllis Schlafly...Newt Gingrich...Ann Coulter...Republican Party Chairman Ken "The talking-points action figure" Mehlman... and Grover Norquist, a figure at the center of the Jack Abramoff Republican lobbying scandal. (aka... The 'Evil Bastard' All-Stars!)
Tomorrow, at 9:30 a.m., the gavel will drop on CPAC (Corrupt Policital Alliance for Cronyism?) 2006 - the Conservative Political Action Conference. oh that CPAC Soon a parade of Bush administration and Republican Party leaders will trek over to kiss the rings of the right-wing political operatives who work so hard to push the reckless Bush agenda through Congress - and of the right-wing agitators that stop at nothing to keep Bush-backing candidates in power.
They've got a lot to talk about. Because from excusing the incompetence of the Katrina response...to denying the illegality of warrantless domestic spying...to condoning the corruption of the DeLay/Abramoff wing of the GOP...to disguising Bush policy failures on everything from Iraq to Social Security to the botched prescription drug program...
...Republican and right-wing activists have been getting a lot of practice trying to hide their incompetence, corruption and failures from the American people.
While they plot strategy, here's what we're going to do: raise the money we need to break their grip on power and drive them from office.
Contribute Today to Break Their Grip on Power
Our Break Their Grip on Power campaign (Why do they always pick such imbecilic names?) will mobilize our grassroots network and deliver a forceful message in neighborhoods across America. Coudn't it have been called the "Kick the Shit of Corrupt Bastards" campaign or something with a little more oomph?
We will use newspaper ads, radio ads and grassroots "spread the message" initiatives to define the issues of 2006 and defend Democrats who tell the truth about the real needs of the American people. (When I see them flanking out to do interviews with ever single highly read progressive blog, I'll believe that) hint hint guys!
We'll break their grip on power by changing the course of close campaigns at a moment's notice acting -- three million people strong -- to deliver unprecedented levels of grassroots help to support our candidates. (I'm down with that!)
We'll break their grip on power by pulling our candidates through to victory with our Fight Back Fund springing into action whenever one of our candidates comes under attack. (Down with that too!)
And, as Election Day approaches, we'll break their grip on power by getting out the vote for change by using the full power of the Internet to drive Democratic and independent voters to the polls - bringing to our side even many lifelong Republicans who feel betrayed by a Republican Party that long ago lost its moorings.
Contribute Today to Break Their Grip on Power (Second chance to send them money!)
When I joined courageous Democrats in the filibuster against the Alito nomination, I told you it was important to stand up for what we believe in, win or lose. Today, I want to remind you that, when it comes to the 2006 elections, we can't afford to lose. If we want to break their grip on power, winning is the only option.
Let's get it done, starting today and never turning back until the last vote is counted 270 days from now.
Sincerely,
John Kerry
Now I may of had some fun with them above and proclaimed loudly that I am NOT endorsing a run for President by John Kerry in 2008, I felt like I needed to reward and acknowledge the pair of balls he seems to have recent re-discovered so I sent them $20. If you've got it to spare, $10 isn't much to say thanks for trying to protect us from our new Supreme Court!
Nate
GITF!
Nate,
Dick Cheney will be there. So will Rick Santorum...Phyllis Schlafly...Newt Gingrich...Ann Coulter...Republican Party Chairman Ken "The talking-points action figure" Mehlman... and Grover Norquist, a figure at the center of the Jack Abramoff Republican lobbying scandal. (aka... The 'Evil Bastard' All-Stars!)
Tomorrow, at 9:30 a.m., the gavel will drop on CPAC (Corrupt Policital Alliance for Cronyism?) 2006 - the Conservative Political Action Conference. oh that CPAC Soon a parade of Bush administration and Republican Party leaders will trek over to kiss the rings of the right-wing political operatives who work so hard to push the reckless Bush agenda through Congress - and of the right-wing agitators that stop at nothing to keep Bush-backing candidates in power.
They've got a lot to talk about. Because from excusing the incompetence of the Katrina response...to denying the illegality of warrantless domestic spying...to condoning the corruption of the DeLay/Abramoff wing of the GOP...to disguising Bush policy failures on everything from Iraq to Social Security to the botched prescription drug program...
...Republican and right-wing activists have been getting a lot of practice trying to hide their incompetence, corruption and failures from the American people.
While they plot strategy, here's what we're going to do: raise the money we need to break their grip on power and drive them from office.
Contribute Today to Break Their Grip on Power
Our Break Their Grip on Power campaign (Why do they always pick such imbecilic names?) will mobilize our grassroots network and deliver a forceful message in neighborhoods across America. Coudn't it have been called the "Kick the Shit of Corrupt Bastards" campaign or something with a little more oomph?
We will use newspaper ads, radio ads and grassroots "spread the message" initiatives to define the issues of 2006 and defend Democrats who tell the truth about the real needs of the American people. (When I see them flanking out to do interviews with ever single highly read progressive blog, I'll believe that) hint hint guys!
We'll break their grip on power by changing the course of close campaigns at a moment's notice acting -- three million people strong -- to deliver unprecedented levels of grassroots help to support our candidates. (I'm down with that!)
We'll break their grip on power by pulling our candidates through to victory with our Fight Back Fund springing into action whenever one of our candidates comes under attack. (Down with that too!)
And, as Election Day approaches, we'll break their grip on power by getting out the vote for change by using the full power of the Internet to drive Democratic and independent voters to the polls - bringing to our side even many lifelong Republicans who feel betrayed by a Republican Party that long ago lost its moorings.
Contribute Today to Break Their Grip on Power (Second chance to send them money!)
When I joined courageous Democrats in the filibuster against the Alito nomination, I told you it was important to stand up for what we believe in, win or lose. Today, I want to remind you that, when it comes to the 2006 elections, we can't afford to lose. If we want to break their grip on power, winning is the only option.
Let's get it done, starting today and never turning back until the last vote is counted 270 days from now.
Sincerely,
John Kerry
Now I may of had some fun with them above and proclaimed loudly that I am NOT endorsing a run for President by John Kerry in 2008, I felt like I needed to reward and acknowledge the pair of balls he seems to have recent re-discovered so I sent them $20. If you've got it to spare, $10 isn't much to say thanks for trying to protect us from our new Supreme Court!
Nate
GITF!
I figured it was time to get the 'multi-media' side of this blog going so I'm figuring out how to use this 'Picasa' app. Cool bot!
Nate (me) doin' what I love....
Nate (me) doin' what I love....
The BBC has this posted on their front page headlines...
US evangelicals seek green laws
By Jane Little
BBC Religious Affairs correspondent
The campaign against SUVs has brought plenty of publicity...
A group of more than 80 powerful evangelical leaders have defied the Bush White House and called for federal legislation to curb global warming...
The statement marks the first time that leading evangelicals have taken up the green issue. And it has caused splits within the religious right.
Now they're environmentalists? WTF? over.
Nate
GITF
US evangelicals seek green laws
By Jane Little
BBC Religious Affairs correspondent
The campaign against SUVs has brought plenty of publicity...
A group of more than 80 powerful evangelical leaders have defied the Bush White House and called for federal legislation to curb global warming...
The statement marks the first time that leading evangelicals have taken up the green issue. And it has caused splits within the religious right.
Now they're environmentalists? WTF? over.
Nate
GITF
We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security.
-Dwight David Eisenhower, U.S. general and 34th president (1890-1969)
His farewell address to the Nation here. Certainly worth a listen if you've never seen it.
-Dwight David Eisenhower, U.S. general and 34th president (1890-1969)
His farewell address to the Nation here. Certainly worth a listen if you've never seen it.
Here it is 04:00 HST and I'm not going to get to sleep for another few hours. My mind will still be racing having just watched the movie "BattleGround - 21 Days on the Empire's Edge". It is difficult to describe just how powerful this movie is. There is no way to spin it... No way to marginalize it... No way to feel good 'cheery' or 'flippant' about it...
And no way to escape the raw naked truth that every single American citizen, white/black, young/old, rich/poor should be MADE to watch it in it's entirety. It's currently playing on Showtime and if you're lucky enough to have Showtime on Demand, it's currently available for instant download to your TV.
Nate
GITF
And no way to escape the raw naked truth that every single American citizen, white/black, young/old, rich/poor should be MADE to watch it in it's entirety. It's currently playing on Showtime and if you're lucky enough to have Showtime on Demand, it's currently available for instant download to your TV.
Nate
GITF
Mr. Roberts served in President Reagan’s Treasury Department and has been a Chair for the
We have reached a point where the Bush administration is determined to totally eclipse the people. Bewitched by neoconservatives and lustful for power, the Bush administration and the Republican Party are aligning themselves firmly against the American people. Their first victims, of course, were the true conservatives. Having eliminated internal opposition, the Bush administration is now using blackmail obtained through illegal spying on American citizens to silence the media and the opposition party.
Before flinching at my assertion of blackmail, ask yourself why President Bush refuses to obey the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The purpose of the FISA court is to ensure that administrations do not spy for partisan political reasons. The warrant requirement is to ensure that a panel of independent federal judges hears a legitimate reason for the spying, thus protecting a president from the temptation to abuse the powers of government. The only reason for the Bush administration to evade the court is that the Bush administration had no legitimate reasons for its spying. This should be obvious even to a naïf.
And a few more thoughts to chew on...
The TV networks mimic Fox News' faux patriotism. Anyone who depends on print, TV, or right-wing talk radio media is totally misinformed. The Bush administration has achieved a de facto Ministry of Propaganda.
The years of illegal spying have given the Bush administration power over the media and the opposition. Journalists and Democratic politicians don't want to have their adulterous affairs broadcast over television or to see their favorite online porn sites revealed in headlines in the local press with their names attached. Only people willing to risk such disclosures can stand up for the country.
Homeland Security and the Patriot Act are not our protectors. They undermine our protection by trashing the Constitution and the civil liberties it guarantees. Those with a tyrannical turn of mind have always used fear and hysteria to overcome obstacles to their power and to gain new means of silencing opposition.
Click here for the full article
Nate - GITF!
On this night to remember Coretta Scott King. A Mother and Wife! A warrior for peace and a poet in war--who stood for the very best in all Americans.
Here's a comment from my new friend 'Sphinx'. A woman of true power herself. It's re-posted from Crooks & Liars. She's great and I hope she'll be contributing to this blog regularly soon.
It slays me that Martin Luther King's real legacy has been sold out by those that had him killed, our government. His final messages were about eradicating poverty and anti-war. They weren't all lovey-dovey like the media and their controllers want us to think.
Malcolm X should be honored as well and it sickens me that he is not. I just finished his autobiography and I cannot recommend it enough. His daughter who spoke at Coretta King's funeral was a witness to his assassination.
Thank you, you ASSHOLE, high-heeled, panty-hose wearing, sicko--J. Edgar Hoover for spying on Americans and setting such a sickening precedent. I don't feel any happiness or peace tonight. I feel outrage for what was so cruely and intentionally stolen from us. ~sphinx 02.07.06 - 10:13 pm
The 'Force' of the Sisterhood is strong in this one! Stay tuned...
Nate
Get In Their Face!
Here's a comment from my new friend 'Sphinx'. A woman of true power herself. It's re-posted from Crooks & Liars. She's great and I hope she'll be contributing to this blog regularly soon.
It slays me that Martin Luther King's real legacy has been sold out by those that had him killed, our government. His final messages were about eradicating poverty and anti-war. They weren't all lovey-dovey like the media and their controllers want us to think.
Malcolm X should be honored as well and it sickens me that he is not. I just finished his autobiography and I cannot recommend it enough. His daughter who spoke at Coretta King's funeral was a witness to his assassination.
Thank you, you ASSHOLE, high-heeled, panty-hose wearing, sicko--J. Edgar Hoover for spying on Americans and setting such a sickening precedent. I don't feel any happiness or peace tonight. I feel outrage for what was so cruely and intentionally stolen from us. ~sphinx 02.07.06 - 10:13 pm
The 'Force' of the Sisterhood is strong in this one! Stay tuned...
Nate
Get In Their Face!
For those who call themselves Christians... For those who profess a love for Jesus or any belief in God I ask you to do me a favor: Read this post and see if it makes you think. I was raised Catholic myself and now I tend to practice more 'Spirituality' than 'Religion'. See if this terrific article causes you to ask any questions of your own faith in the institution of 'Religion'. All I ask is that you be honest to yourself.
"Just enough Religion in the world..."
Nate
Get In Their Face!
"Just enough Religion in the world..."
Nate
Get In Their Face!
Here's a picture of George and Laura Bush at Corretta Scott King's funeral. The Rev. Joseph Lowery, who co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Martin Luther King Jr. was one of several speakers (including ex-President's Carter and Clinton) who brought up such facts as J. Edgar Hoovers' illegal wire-tapping of MLK jr. References were made to the incompetent response to hurricane Katrina, the war in Iraq.
Kate O'Bitch-Beirne - Author of the hardcover garbage, Women who make the world worse is apparently of the mind that Corretta Scott King was one of those women making the world 'Worse'. She was just on Tweety's Fuzzball show blasting Rev. Lowery and the ex-Presidents for being so "Political" at a solemn event like a funeral.
Hmmm. Let's see shall we! Coretta Scott King was an anti-war activist, check! Coretta Scott King was ILLEGALLY wire-tapped by her own government in an effort to break up their marriage, check! Coretta Scott King constantly railed against the Government for taking actions that were harmful to the African-American community and spoke out frequently against policies and actions of our government that were patently unfair to the black community, check! (Can we say Hurricane Katrina?)
Personally I think this picture is worth a thousand words. If it takes dragging Bush's sorry ass out of his little West-Wing bubble where everyone tells him what he wants to hear--to a highly charged event like this in order to get him a dose of some Truth--then Amen! Even in death, Corretta's spirit got to attack 'the System' which she fought so hard against in life.
Rest in Peace Corretta. You've touched so many and WE WILL help carry your torch!
Nate
Get In Their Face!
Update: Crooks & Liars has the video!
Digby adds his take!
Kate O'Bitch-Beirne - Author of the hardcover garbage, Women who make the world worse is apparently of the mind that Corretta Scott King was one of those women making the world 'Worse'. She was just on Tweety's Fuzzball show blasting Rev. Lowery and the ex-Presidents for being so "Political" at a solemn event like a funeral.
Hmmm. Let's see shall we! Coretta Scott King was an anti-war activist, check! Coretta Scott King was ILLEGALLY wire-tapped by her own government in an effort to break up their marriage, check! Coretta Scott King constantly railed against the Government for taking actions that were harmful to the African-American community and spoke out frequently against policies and actions of our government that were patently unfair to the black community, check! (Can we say Hurricane Katrina?)
Personally I think this picture is worth a thousand words. If it takes dragging Bush's sorry ass out of his little West-Wing bubble where everyone tells him what he wants to hear--to a highly charged event like this in order to get him a dose of some Truth--then Amen! Even in death, Corretta's spirit got to attack 'the System' which she fought so hard against in life.
Rest in Peace Corretta. You've touched so many and WE WILL help carry your torch!
Nate
Get In Their Face!
Update: Crooks & Liars has the video!
Digby adds his take!
Record Sales of Sleeping Pills are causing worries… It would certainly help me understand why
Nate - Get In Their Face!
He volunteers to testify to Judiciary Committee. Me thinks the man who was the President of the
Nate
Not the “I” Word, Not Gonna Say It. JurrasicPork has another great post up. Time to add him to my links list. It's time people stop being afraid of the word Inflation. The traditional media are spinning hard not to let the word get used in common air-time nomenclature because they know they'll wind up as accomoplices when the full activities of this administration are made public.
Update: I originally posted this with the 'Inflation' as 'Impeach'. I seem to have the Impeach word on the brain a lot lately and mighta' had me a Freudian slip.
Update: I originally posted this with the 'Inflation' as 'Impeach'. I seem to have the Impeach word on the brain a lot lately and mighta' had me a Freudian slip.
Jane and the gang over at FDL are covering every aspect of the NSA hearings with great analysis and translation of all the 'crook-speak' occuring. Not Under Oath I might add! The cowards aren't even subtle about protecting each other from much-deserved procecution as all their deeds become known. And they WILL become known!
Her coverage is ongoing and she's already at installment Five.
Nate
Her coverage is ongoing and she's already at installment Five.
Nate
The always concise and outspoken Digby says a mouthful about our 55 Republican Senators. I challenge anyone to argue his assertion. Who amongst our Nation can still argue FOR these clowns? The limp and impotent hate and greed-filled OLD men! (And young girl... (Rick Santorum)
Get In Their Face By Email!
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GITF THEATER
- ROBERT NEWMAN - HISTORY OF OIL!
Simply one of the best movie/standup/lesson/documentaries I have ever seen. Robert is a brilliant and commanding presence and this is simply a MUST SEE piece - IRAQ FOR SALE - THE WAR PROFITEERS
Another spectacular documentary by Robert Greenwald. War is big business and evil men are getting filthy rich off the blood and sacrifice of our heroes - THE SECRET GOVERNMENT!
The ninety minute PBS Special with Bill Moyers about America's shadow government - Originally aired on PBS in 1987 - VOTERGATE!
Great documentary about the state of our election system in America - Full Version - PEACE, PROPAGANDA AND THE PROMISED LAND
Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land provides a striking comparison of U.S. and international media coverage of the crisis in the Middle East, zeroing in on how structural distortions in U.S. coverage have reinforced false perceptions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - SIR, NO SIR!
An awesome movie giving an unvarnished look at the underground G.I. Movements around the world that ended the Vietnam War - Full Version - WAR MADE EASY
War Made Easy reaches into the Orwellian memory hole to expose a 50-year pattern of government deception and media spin that has dragged the United States into one war after another from Vietnam to Iraq - Full Version - THE BIG BUY!
Comp movie and dissection of how Tom Delay raped the U.S. Congress - Full Version - IRAQ: THE HIDDEN STORY!
An excellent documentary about what the world's media is NOT showing you in Iraq - THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED!
An excellent and inside look at the attempted coup of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez in 2003 - IRAQ'S MISSING BILLIONS!
A powerful documentary that aired on British TV about one major heist in the middle of what will likely go down as one of the worst crimes of this Century - ENRON - SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM!
What a story of hubris and greed
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