ThinkFast: February 15, 2007
ThinkFast: February 15, 2007
“The U.S. Central Command’s war plan for invading Iraq postulated in August 2002 that the U.S. would have only 5,000 troops left in Iraq as of December 2006,” according to newly released documents. “Completely unrealistic assumptions about a post-Saddam Iraq permeate these war plans,” said an official from the National Security Archive, which obtained the documents.
The Los Angeles Times examines whether the Iranian Quds Forces, accused of smuggling weapons to Shiite forces in Iraq, are controlled by the Iranian government. The conclusion: “Experts aren’t sure.”
Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) will today outline his plan to begin ending the war in Iraq “by stopping the deployment of troops from units that have been badly degraded by four years of combat.” Murtha’s legislation will require that U.S. troops who have already served be granted adequate time at home before redeploying, and that “any troops sent to Iraq must be…deemed fully trained and equipped under existing military standards.”
State Farm, which insures one out of every three Mississippi homes, has decided to “stop writing new home and commercial policies throughout Mississippi,” which “could prompt other insurers to retreat further from the Katrina-battered region.”
“Lobbyists eager to revive the practice of taking staffers out for a few beers” are encouraged by a House memo that states that even under new ethics rules, lawmakers and staff can accept “food or refreshments of a nominal value offered other than as part of a meal.” “Happy hours are OK again,” said one corporate source.
Scooter Libby’s defense team rested after giving a “stripped-down version of their case.” Defense attorneys did not present the “testimony of their proposed final witnesses” because the presiding judge ruled it “would be unfair to allow such testimony because Libby had decided not to testify and could not be cross-examined.”
The 25-count indictment disclosed yesterday against defense contractor Brent Wilkes shows he obtained a stream of Pentagon contracts “by providing then-Rep. Cunningham with cash and other bribes valued at more than $700,000,” including “two prostitutes for the lawmaker on Aug. 15 and 16, 2003, at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel in Hawaii.” “Pursuant to Cunningham’s request,” the indictment states, “Wilkes arranged for the Congressman to get a different prostitute for the second evening.”
“UK aid agency Oxfam has warned a new humanitarian catastrophe, like that in Darfur, could happen in Chad if ethnic conflict is not brought under control. … More than 120,000 Chadians have so far been forced from their homes in brutal inter-ethnic attacks that bear all the hallmarks of the violence seen across the border in Sudan.”
And finally: Papa Bear’s new favorite ice cream? Ben & Jerry’s unveiled “Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream,” a new ice cream flavor that promises customers the “sweet taste of liberty in your mouth.” “I’m not afraid to say it. Dessert has a well-known liberal agenda,” Colbert said. “What I hope to do with this ice cream is bring some balance back to the freezer case.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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“The U.S. Central Command’s war plan for invading Iraq postulated in August 2002 that the U.S. would have only 5,000 troops left in Iraq as of December 2006,†according to newly released documents. “Completely unrealistic assumptions about a post-Saddam Iraq permeate these war plans,†said an official from the National Security Archive, which obtained the documents.
Management Magic 101: a PowerPoint expert is better than a thousand accountants.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:22 am“Wilkes arranged for the Congressman to get a different prostitute for the second evening.â€
February 15th, 2007 at 9:24 amWas the 2nd prostitute Duncan Hunter?
We need to connect the dots to this assclown. Not only is he dangerous as a candidate, he spews BS in daily drivel about how great wingnuts are. Maybe Dukester can shed some light on this.
“Happy hours are OK again,†said one corporate source.
It is not like a bribe or something…
February 15th, 2007 at 9:28 am“I’m not afraid to say it. Dessert has a well-known liberal agenda,†Colbert said. “What I hope to do with this ice cream is bring some balance back to the freezer case.â€
Sweet, creamy, cool, yummy — Yes, I would say all of those are liberal qualities. :)
February 15th, 2007 at 9:28 amThe 25-count indictment disclosed yesterday against defense contractor Brent Wilkes shows he obtained a stream of Pentagon contracts “by providing then-Rep. Cunningham with cash and other bribes valued at more than $700,000,†including “two prostitutes for the lawmaker on Aug. 15 and 16, 2003, at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel in Hawaii.†“Pursuant to Cunningham’s request,†the indictment states, “Wilkes arranged for the Congressman to get a different prostitute for the second evening.â€
Honor and integrity restored!!!
February 15th, 2007 at 9:30 amA vote against Murtha’s bill will be a vote against supporting the troops. Damn, those Democrats are clever.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:35 amLibby’s toast… Bush may pardon him, but will Bush pardon Cheney? Can a puppet president pardon the shadow president?
February 15th, 2007 at 9:36 amMore than 120,000 Chadians have so far been forced from their homes in brutal inter-ethnic attacks that bear all the hallmarks of the violence seen across the border in Sudan.â€
Now this is my question. We all see the disastrous consequences in some parts of Africa, but we never go back and see why do these war lords and generals have heavy weaponry in the first place. Which country is selling weapons to this dictators and military leaders? Why the “free world” doesnt talk about it? Why it is always assumed that those sub-humans cant get along and they just like to kill each other? Then, when this happens, the oh so good white man can make business dividing the continent, extracting diamonds, getting oil almost for free, selling weapons and slaves. No, the white man doesnt do anything wrong, we just provide them with weapons in case of SELF DEFENCE. Yeah, sure.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:37 amHey, Zoo…how youve been?
February 15th, 2007 at 9:40 amHallmarks of Fascism: Big Insurance, Big Pharma, Big Oil
They’re all in Bush’s pocket. The only thing one gets when purchasing “insurance” is the “illusion of coverage” – when catastrophe strikes, they hie it outta there with all of your premiums and you are left with zilcho! That’s the name of the scam called “insurance” in this country.
It’s a scam – taking your hard-earned dollars for years and then shafting you when you need it.
THE only thing this “illusion” gives us is the feeling of security during the interim of the payment of premiums. “The sensation of security” as you write those outrageous premium checks….”the illusion of security” between the time you believe you are covered and the time the catastrophe strikes. It’s become nothing more than “wishful thinking” or “delusion” as the case may realistically be.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:44 am#6 You got it! Finally, the Dems are reading from the Rethugs bible!
February 15th, 2007 at 9:44 am#8 Why do you think we are not going after N. Korea who is wagging their WMD’s in our faces? Could the answer have something to do with them not having the natural resource called “OIL”?????
February 15th, 2007 at 9:45 am5,000 troops by Dec 2006. Yeah, they’re only 140,000 off. But hey, war is tough business, so is clearing brush, and reading childrens books.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:47 amAnd since State Farm can so blatently admit that they are nothing but a mere “insurance scam” by leaving the people high and dry, then they need to be put out of business for corrupt business practices. In fact, one would be better off putting their money under a mattress and having it available when catastrophe strikes. I think the people need to stop purchasing insurance so we “smoke out” these insurance scammers, big time! Then The People can reconstruct the insurance industry and bring it back to what it once was – dependable, reliable, reputable, and not “on the take” with Fascism.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:48 amHey, Zoo…how youve been?
Comment by Juan C
Still trying to get over the flu, how are you?
February 15th, 2007 at 9:49 am“Pursuant to Cunningham’s request,†the indictment states, “Wilkes arranged for the Congressman to get a different prostitute for the second evening.â€
The congressman prefers his hookers to be a little less…um…female.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:50 amTough chore for Dubya to read “My Pet Goat” while people died, isn’t it?
February 15th, 2007 at 9:51 amTough business to sleep like a baby at night while parents of our troops haven’t slept a wink since their family members were deployed….tough business to smirk and joke about war in your press conferences….tough business to realize that this prez is laughing in our faces in stating that there would be 5,000 troops by Dec. 2006 – another pimp job on the american public. One more lie! What did the Rethugs keep chanting?? 4 more years?? Well, that means “1460 more lies” as a new one keeps surfacing with each passing day….ho hum….(yawn) …. one more big fibber today…what’ll it be?
CHimpy is about to talk about Afghanistan. 5 and a half years later and we’re still fighting the Taliban. We took down Nazi Germany faster. Oh, and no Osama BIn Laden. Pretty much everything Bush has undertaken has been a complete and utter failure. Unless your one of the ceos in the war profiteers club. Then everything is grand.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:53 amKerry telegraphed the reality in an interview yesterday…
The question was posed – “Do you agree with Senator Clinton that the President MUST seek and receive the authority of Congress prior to taking any action against Iran?”
Paraphrasing his telling response:
“Of course the President must obtain the approval of Congress before taking any action against Iran, except in the case of a response to an attack against us or in pursuit of terrorists crossing from Iraq into Iran.”
So there you have it. Telegraphed big as day. The PRETEXT IS PREORDAINED. Either there will be a case of purported “HOT PURSUIT” or there will be a false flag attack against US the likes of which will be so devastating as to warrant immediate reprisal.
Kerry just gave his approval for the Rockefeller/CFR Nuclear attack on Iran.
Prepare to lose an aircraft carrier with 5,000 men.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:55 amChimpey has become a laughingstock and “yesterday’s news” – another ho-hum press conference full of doubletalk and “what I mean is”…..(what a trite expression that is!). Who cares what Chimpey thinks any longer? He’s become totally irrelevant and a lameduck. Once the campaign spin begins, he’ll be running to duck all of the new allegations, findings, etc. He’ll be holed up in Crawford for a year when the $hit hits the fan!
February 15th, 2007 at 9:57 amOsama Bin Bush?
February 15th, 2007 at 9:57 amThe tragedy of this war in Iraq is that the brains who put this war package together have no clue or idea about the Middle East ,past and present ;and they will continue to make one goof after the other.
Now the same group (Neocons,religious fanatics who see the MIDDLE EAST WARS AS END OF TIME) are all calling for another round with Iran.
All predictions will not lead to anything but more destructions.
Sooner or later America will leave the area…an area that survived thousands of years…saw all kind of wars, religious and others,saw invaders of all kind,saw civilizations rise and blown to dust.
An area that saw invaders from the east and the west.
One thing will happen for sure ,is we will leave Iraq,and as a result of this war…Iran will be the bigger sister to Iraq..helping Iraq,defending Iraq…The Shiate brothers never in their history saw a better future with the rise of Shiate power…this war made it possible….
February 15th, 2007 at 9:58 am#18 Does this statement resonate in terms of 911 at all??? Connect the dots…..Kerry is putting it all right out there for ‘ya, folks….connect the dots….and see the how and why of 911…..and see how that instant connection between Iran and AQ actually began.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:58 amTerrarists, extremisssts, 9/11, over there, blah, blah, blah,
February 15th, 2007 at 10:11 amBUSH – SHUT THE F&*K UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
does this qualify as nominal value — from the wapo article on goodies provided to the dukestir by his wilkes/foggo buddies:
A visit to the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas and a $4,043 meal there.
February 15th, 2007 at 10:19 amThe planners of Iraq war predicted that we will have only 5000 troops by 2006. Now , we are in 2007 and the President still talking about securing Baghdad…!!.
The planners told us that the Iraq war will pay for itself because Iraq has the oil resources to pay for it.and it will be no more than 30 billions.
Now we are exceeding 450 billions and the dollar tap still pouring more dollars to this war…..The President asked today for more money..for the troops….
The planners talked about prosperous Iraq…But what we have now is a country that is in civil war…unemployment over 55%. a country that has no means to stand on its feet. A country that lost over 650,000 people,and over 3.8 million refugees…
The planners are looking eastward to Iran….and that can be another unpredictable devastating conflict to all in the area and beyond.,
February 15th, 2007 at 10:21 amAsked yesterday about the fact that many of America’s allies are involved in major trade deals with Iran, the president shrugged and said, “Money trumps peace sometimes.”
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7408301
February 15th, 2007 at 10:34 amFine, Zoo. Take care, please.
February 15th, 2007 at 10:36 amdiane rheim has a show about n korea and the junta’s failure. guys from the right wing of the cia and the left wing of the cia explaining how the boy king screwed up.
February 15th, 2007 at 10:46 am#19 ace
Paraphrasing his telling response:
“Of course the President must obtain the approval of Congress before taking any action against Iran, except in the case of a response to an attack against us or in pursuit of terrorists crossing from Iraq into Iran.â€
Even the former CIA officials who don’t think there’s a plan to invade Iran think that it may happen just because we have the conditions set for an ‘incident’ to occur. Congress needs to find a way to prevent that.
February 15th, 2007 at 10:58 amCompletely unrealistic assumptions R US
This administration’s calling card
February 15th, 2007 at 11:16 am#19 What Kerry said is truthful, from the standpoint of law. I don’t know if you can say that Kerry gave his approval for the Rockefeller/CFR attack, but it is certainly an open admission that the conditions for hatching such a plan are in position. But, hey, we knew that already. See the latest Vanity Fair article for the best appraisal we have so far concerning our long-term intentions in the Mideast.
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/03/whitehouse200703?printable=true¤tPage=all
February 15th, 2007 at 11:20 amA ‘non binding’ resolution for escalating the war by both chambers the Senate and the Congress…does not mean anything.
Bush is certain that the amount of 174 billion dollars they recently asked for will be approved by the Congress,and the money will arrive…and that’s a win for Bush.
These ‘toothless resolutions’ do not mean anything to the long list of contractors waiting in Iraq….It is the money that matters…and Democrats are going to approve the money,and that’s what Bush administration is interested in.
February 15th, 2007 at 11:27 amTo me, it seems the key factor about the war plan documents was that they wanted to START with 270,000. They actually started with the forces at the 3 month part at 165,000. 105,000 troops to bring order in the first 3 months after the invasion. The fact that this August 2002 plan projected 5,000 troops in 2006 is NOT THE STORY. This looks like a blame shift from Bush to Franks.
The REAL STORY is that CENTCOM in August 2002 planned for starting the Iraq war with 270,000 troops. And if that plan had been followed, perhaps there would only be 6,000 troops there now. More research is needed now to find out WHO cut this plan by 105,000 troops and why.
February 15th, 2007 at 11:29 amhttp://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/021407F.shtml
February 15th, 2007 at 12:16 pmUS Military Tells Jack Bauer: Cut Out the Torture Scenes … or Else!
By Andrew Buncombe
The Independent UK
Tuesday 13 February 2007
…
Human Rights First … says that since the terror attacks of September 11, the incidence of torture in television shows has soared. In 2000 there were 42 scenes of torture on prime-time US television while in 2003 there were 228.
…
Meanwhile, last year, when George Bush signed into law a piece of legislation authored by Senator John McCain to prohibit the “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment” of prisoners, the White House issued a so-called signing statement in which it insisted the ban could be ignored if the President so authorised.
…
“Lobbyists eager to revive the practice of taking staffers out for a few beers†are encouraged by a House memo that states that even under new ethics rules, lawmakers and staff can accept “food or refreshments of a nominal value offered other than as part of a meal.†“Happy hours are OK again,†said one corporate source.
No wonder those gray foxes in the Hill can’t stand five straight days per week drinking free, and must leave thursday to sleep the hangover at home.
February 15th, 2007 at 12:19 pmwhat, not a single troll comment today? i’m sorry i just got here….
(juan, stonehindge, ttt, i was back reading the CNN makes faulse Iran intel report, the thread with exley doing his best to deny U.S. and Bush atrocities; great work guys)
February 15th, 2007 at 12:40 pm#40 “great work guys”
Thanks, karlX !!
February 15th, 2007 at 12:46 pmi spoke to soon!
ex did you see my comment on the thread i just mentioned?
when does fitzgerald start investigation of Dick C?
February 15th, 2007 at 12:55 pm#42 KarlX, Yes, I saw your comment and responded. It has been posted on the CNN thread.
February 15th, 2007 at 1:14 pmDC Democrats Buy Iraq Fiasco War
15th of February 2007
by Jay Randal
The Moment the Democrats in the House and Senate authorize more funds, for the Iraq Fiasco War, then they will purchase President George Bush’s debacle!
Up till now the quagmire in Iraq has been the Dubya Regime’s responsibility, but once the Congress gives more funding, then Democrats get blame for Iraq too!
Pres. Bush, VP Cheney, and GOPers in the Congress are solely at fault for criminality in Iraq’s occupation, but Dems share the fault if they continue to fund war!
Iraq can never be completely pacified, so victory can never be achieved, nor is it achievable to hold onto the oil fields and control the flow of crude for Petrol Cartel!
The British tried to hold onto the oil fields in Iraq, and they failed twice, but PM Tony Blair believed that BP would get a share of Iraq’s oil by fooling Bush to invade!
Rep. Dennis Kucinich has the most logical plan to get the US troops out of Iraq, by using the 70 billion that has been approved to pull out, so Dems must end war!
( Jay Randal, political activist and writer in Georgia, USA.)
PS > Here are the FAX numbers for Sen. Harry Reid: 1-202-224-7327 in DC and 1-702-388-5030 in Nevada; and for Rep. Nancy Pelosi: 1-202-225-8259 in DC and 1-415-861-1670 in California. Send them letters by FAX and demand that they end funding for Iraq Fiasco War.
February 15th, 2007 at 1:14 pmThanks, karlX !!
Comment by Exley
Trust Exley to take undeserved credit; it’s what he does best!
February 15th, 2007 at 1:14 pmHere is the DC FAX number for Rep. Dennis Kucinich: 1-202-225-5745. Send him FAX letters that you agree with his plan to use existing allocated funds for Iraq to pull all the troops out, ASAP, so in about 6 months time.
February 15th, 2007 at 1:28 pmNo offense to sober red necks.
Comment by Spudge_Boy —
None Taken.
February 15th, 2007 at 1:44 pmLike a good neighbor State Farm bails?
Coincidentally (not related to this), I’m dumping them for Amica. But I’ll just write them and tell them I’m dumping them because of this since I’m pissed about it. :-)
Collecting money for years and years and years, then when you need it, where did it go??? Uber-salaries and bonuses! Better get the gubment to dish out some corporate welfare!
UGH.
February 15th, 2007 at 2:08 pm#48
no margaritas today, bob?
February 15th, 2007 at 2:11 pmhttp://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=55&ItemID=12131
bob, you might find this article on the u.n. interesting…
February 15th, 2007 at 2:18 pmComment by karlX
Thnks for the link. I did a quick skim of it an will read it more when I get home tonight. One thing I can see tht it says it, basicall the UN is a failed organization and has been since the very begining.
Also, maybe the Security Councel should be Fiji, Tahiti, Iceland, Greenland, and Madagascar.
February 15th, 2007 at 3:09 pmi’m personally a big supporter of the U.N.; despite all its problems;
i think the u.n. also serves as a great place to document the belligerency and rogue state attitude of the u.s.
February 15th, 2007 at 3:33 pmI’d like to know why State Farm is bailing out on the ENTIRE state. I can see not wanting to subsidize folks living on land only 5-10 feet above sea level, but want to know whether state regs are forcing them to deny the whole state of Mississippi.
February 15th, 2007 at 4:00 pmWhy don’t they hit this ship and its crew with a tactical nuke? No oil spill and the radiation would be confined to the Antarctic. I know that such a move would be considered as cruel by The whaling countries, but I am fed up with their policy of killing sentient beings for “research”.
February 15th, 2007 at 6:51 pmSo now Bushland Uber Allies is criticizing itself. Thank You National Security Archive, for saying something Americans KNEW LONG AGO!
February 15th, 2007 at 8:14 pmIf these so-called experts aren’t sure, THEY DON’T DESERVE TO BE CALLED EXPERTS and SHOULD BE CLEANING TOILETS INSTEAD!!!!!
BULLY, John Murtha! That’s a GREAT PLAN and Fair as well!
Talk about LOUSY NO-GOOD RAT-FINKS–Oh yes, that’s insurance shysters to a T(urd)!
I would like to take these “Happy Hour” lobbyists out for a drink–would they like ARSENIC AND OLD LACE(tm) or HEMLOCK?
Did Libby’s shysters present a STRIPPED-DOWN Libby as well–THAT WOULD BE A GRUESOME SIGHT INDEED!!!!!
Ah yes, Wilkes…a whore monger to all and a depraved creep that will have THE BOOK THROWN AT HIS SORRY CARCASE!!!!!
So instead of a “hanging chad” we will see MANY MASS HANGINGS IN Chad because of Bushland Uber Allies’ LACK OF EMPATHY AND WILLINGNESS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ATROCITY!!!!!
Good Ol’ Stephen Colbert has his finger UP the pulse of America!!!!!