Hersh: U.S. Funds Being Secretly Funneled To Violent Al Qaeda-Linked Groups
Hersh: U.S. Funds Being Secretly Funneled To Violent Al Qaeda-Linked Groups
New Yorker columnist Sy Hersh says the “single most explosive” element of his latest article involves an effort by the Bush administration to stem the growth of Shiite influence in the Middle East (specifically the Iranian government and Hezbollah in Lebanon) by funding violent Sunni groups.
Hersh says the U.S. has been “pumping money, a great deal of money, without congressional authority, without any congressional oversight” for covert operations in the Middle East where it wants to “stop the Shiite spread or the Shiite influence.” Hersh says these funds have ended up in the hands of “three Sunni jihadist groups” who are “connected to al Qaeda” but “want to take on Hezbollah.”
Hersh summed up his scoop in stark terms: “We are simply in a situation where this president is really taking his notion of executive privilege to the absolute limit here, running covert operations, using money that was not authorized by Congress, supporting groups indirectly that are involved with the same people that did 9/11.” Watch it:
Hersh added, “All of this should be investigated by Congress, by the way, and I trust it will be. In my talking to membership — members there, they are very upset that they know nothing about this. And they have great many suspicions.”
Transcript:
BLITZER: Near the end of your article, you have this explosive point in there about John Negroponte, who is now going to be the deputy secretary of state, as opposed to the head of U.S. intelligence.
You write this: “I was subsequently told by the two government consultants and the former senior intelligence officials that the echoes of Iran-Contra were a factor in Negroponte’s decision to resign from the National Intelligence directorship and accept the position of deputy secretary of state.”
Explain what you were hearing, because that is obviously a very explosive charge.
HERSH: Yes. It is probably the single most explosive, if you will, or depressing — or distressing sort of thing I discovered in the last few months, which is simply this. This administration has made a policy change, a decision that they are going to put all of the pressure they can on the Shiites, that is the Shiite regime in Iran, the Shiite — and they are also doing everything they can to stop Hezbollah — which is Shiite, the Hezbollah organization from getting any control or any more of a political foothold in Lebanon.
So they essentially, I quote the — I saw Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah, and he described it this way, as “fitna (ph),” the Arab word for “civil war.” As far as he is concerned, we are interested in recreating what is happening in Iraq in Lebanon, that is Sunni versus Shia. And in looking into that story, and I saw him in December, I found this. That we have been pumping money, a great deal of money, without congressional authority, without any congressional oversight, Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia is putting up some of this money, for covert operations in many areas of the Middle East where we think that the — we want to stop the Shiite spread or the Shiite influence.
They call it the “Shiite Crescent.” And a lot of this money, and I can’t tell you with absolute certainty how — exactly when and how, but this money has gotten into the hands — among other places, in Lebanon, into the hands of three — at least three jihadist groups. There are three Sunni jihadist groups whose main claim to fame inside Lebanon right now is that they are very tough. These are people connected to al Qaeda who want to take on Hezbollah. So this government, at the minimum, we may not directly be funneling money to them, but we certainly know that these groups exist.
My government, which arrests al Qaeda every place it can find them and send — some of them are n Guantanamo and other places, is sitting back while the Lebanese government we support, the government of Prime Minister Siniora, is providing arms and sustenance to three jihadist groups whose sole function, seems to me and to the people that talk to me in our government, to be there in case there is a real shoot-’em-up with Hezbollah and we really get into some sort of serious major conflict between the Sunni government and Hezbollah, which is largely Shia, who are basically — or as you know, there is a coalition headed by Hezbollah that is challenging the government right now, demonstrations, sit-ins.
There has been some violence. So America, my country, without telling Congress, using funds not appropriated, I don’t know where, by my sources believe much of the money obviously came from Iraq where there is all kinds of piles of loose money, pools of cash that could be used for covert operations.
All of this should be investigated by Congress, by the way, and I trust it will be. In my talking to membership — members there, they are very upset that they know nothing about this. And they have great many suspicions.
We are simply in a situation where this president is really taking his notion of executive privilege to the absolute limit here, running covert operations, using money that was not authorized by Congress, supporting groups indirectly that are involved with the same people that did 9/11, and we should be arresting these people rather than looking the other way…
BLITZER: And your bottom line, Sy…
HERSH: … and could lead to a real mess…
BLITZER: Your bottom line is that Negroponte was aware of this, obviously, and he wanted to distance himself from it? That is why he decided to give up that position and take the number two job at the State Department?
HERSH: He — that is one of the reasons, I was told. Negroponte also was not in tune with Cheney. There was a lot of complaints about him because he was seen as much of a stickler, too ethical for some of the operations the Pentagon wants to run.
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Finally, we get the good stuff… If Bush survives this, he can survive anything.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:30 pmCan’t wait. Come on Democrats, get a Congressional investigation on the rails. Let’s peek behind Hersh’s curtains and see what we find.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:31 pmwow
February 25th, 2007 at 3:31 pmThe civil war in Iraq will end when the Sunnis and the Shi’ites realize that they are being played against each other by the U.S. and Israel.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:34 pmNo wonder BushCo is not concerned with OBL. He’s probably still on the payroll.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:35 pmWe’ll fund them there so we don’t have to… wait, can I do that over?
February 25th, 2007 at 3:36 pmIran will be The first war with NO QUARTER for 400 years seeing as America refuse to accept the geneva conventions
February 25th, 2007 at 3:37 pmLet’s think – Democrats in Congress will investigate… NOT. At most, we’re going to get Iran-Contra redux: blame an establishment policy gone wrong (then: funding terror against Nicaruaga; now: funding terror against Shiites) on a small group of people, declare everything a “mistake”, keep on as before.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:37 pmOf course the US is funding extremists to take on Hezbollah – one may recall the use of car bombs by groups tied to Israel and the US in Beirut in the 80s. It’s nothing new. Any investigation we get will have one main job: to make sure US militarism and imperialism aren’t undermined by embarrassing revelations.
I think there’s a real problem when Negroponte is too ethical for the operations being run.
Impeach the bastards.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:37 pmFebruary 25th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
When does impeachment start???
February 25th, 2007 at 3:38 pm“We’ll fund them there so we don’t have to fund anti-terrorism and security programs, police or first responders here.”
February 25th, 2007 at 3:38 pmSo, the Bush administration is playing them against each other. Figures.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:39 pmBesides us, it seems the Saudis (Bush’s oil buddies) and Israelis benefit the most from this. Wow that’s shocking.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:40 pmIran will be The first war with NO QUARTER for 400 years seeing as America refuse to accept the geneva conventions
Comment by Tobey Tall
You are right, Tobey.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:40 pmJust to make it clear: the problem – for Negroponte and members of Congress – is likely not the funding of extremists. It’s that they do it without congressional involvement. Certainly funding designed to get Lebanese civilians killed is not something Congress would ever object to.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:41 pmThe problem with playing both ends against the middle is that we are in the middle.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:49 pm“Americans are paying our own people to kill each other,” a local tribal chief told IPS. “This is very nasty revenge.”
“We cannot let the blood of our sons which Americans spilled in this holy city go in vain,” a 35-year-old teacher from Fallujah told IPS. Like most others, he did not want to give his name.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:51 pmProof, Seymour…proof.
February 25th, 2007 at 3:53 pmFrankenstein 2.0 … errr… 911 2.0 here we come. Keep making the same mistakes over and over and over and over and … christ…
February 25th, 2007 at 3:56 pmProof, Seymour…proof.
Comment by valiant venus
Pfffttt….
That’s rich — coming from you.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:00 pmLotta talk … but what are people actually doing to hold this big-eared tyrant accountable?
February 25th, 2007 at 4:05 pmwell they don’t call it the bushliar-criminal regime for nothing.
Exposing powerful corrupt criminals in high places is very dangerous. The New Yorker ought to be giving serious consideration to funding extensive body guard details for Hersh…and NO small airplanes!!!
February 25th, 2007 at 4:06 pm.
Didn’t you get the memo, Seymour? Al Qaeda are our friends again. We’ll give them money and weapons so they can kill the Shiites. Then when they get too powerful and scary again, we’ll start giving money and weapons to the Shiites so they can kill al Qaeda. And the whole time, right-wing pundits and brainless trolls will bounce from one side to the other like ping-pong balls, alternately hating and loving whoever it is the administration tells them to on that particular day. Don’t try to make sense of it. You can’t.
And on a related note, at the same time as we’re threatening to attack Iran, we’re elevating the status of Chalabi, whom we’ve already caught funneling intelligence to Iran.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:07 pmComment by valiant venus — February 25, 2007 @ 3:53 pm
You first, oh Valiant one. Prove Mr. Hersch is wrong. After all, Bush constantly tasks his opponents with proving a negative. If you cannot prove Mr. Hersh is wrong, then he must be right.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:09 pmOceania is at war with the Shiites. Oceania has always been at war with the Shiites.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:10 pmThe shiites (Iran) are a constant threat to Israel. The sunnis (Saudi Arabia) are a constant threat to America. And the American policy is to keep funding the sunnis? And this is helping Israel I can see that… but… what about American national security interests? Sorry Israel but that is a one sided deal. A different answer is needed that addresses both of our concerns AND one that does not result in genocide against the arabs.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:11 pmSunnis have always been against occupation
Therefore the americans created the Ministry of Internal Affairs that are made up of Shiites that go round drilling holes into Sunnis Brains with electric drills trying to get information
The Sunnis now blow up the Shiites as well as Americans
Removing Saddam was a Big mistake, Iraq is made up of mainly tribal regions or as Bush would like to say Sovereign Entities that are tribal or as we know “Tribal Sovereignties” As the rules of Divide and Conquer go “its easier to accept a foreign force than a neighbour” So until Iraqis Realise this and America keeps paying large sums of money to stuff your neighbour – This is why Bush cannot leave – Iraq will be at peace
Iraq is turning this into an advantage , If All Iraqis shot Americans then the Americans could shoot any Iraqi Now If America does not recognise its enemy (Sunni Or Shiite) It dont know who to shoot at ?????? The idiots in Congress Have not worked this out yet
February 25th, 2007 at 4:14 pmThats strange… how did some truth get into the mainstream news? Someone dropped the ball. Time to ramp up the anna-nicole britney meltdown distraction stories.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:17 pmIt’s called PEACE. Iran offered that answer in 2003, but Bush rejected it. “Sometimes, profit trumps….peace. heh”
The game being played right now is total global domination. It’s the only game the super-wealthy can play that excites them: causing other people to die so they can amass more power, more wealth, and control more people.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:22 pm.
Comment by BUSH IS OVER — February 25, 2007 @ 3:38 pm
thanks!…
repeat often… and pass it on!
February 25th, 2007 at 4:25 pm.
indirectly flowing money to sunni insurgents? iran-contra-tastic!
February 25th, 2007 at 4:29 pm#19 valiant venus
Proof, Seymour…proof.
When did you start requiring proof? I’m sure Hersh is going to provide something a little more substantial than what Cheney and the OSP gave us to justify invading Iraq.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:43 pmPerhaps we can send Ollie North to Iraq and he can secretly meet with the insurgents and give them missiles, cakes and bibles.
-GSD
February 25th, 2007 at 4:45 pmindirectly flowing money to sunni insurgents?
I also see The suicide bombers half the time are handcuffed to the stearing wheels their cars
This was a Old IRA trick where you threaten to rape and kill the bombers family if he does not blow himself up – most people would sacrifice themselfs for their children – and to be on the safe side the bombers car is followed until detonation
And on the other side is the Internal Ministry (sponsored by the Americans) to drill holes into Sunnis brains for information
Tick for Tack – Keep the country in turmoil to justify Staying – Occupation is fueling the violence why else would 91% of Sunnis who make up 15% of the population be in favour of America leaving – Do they seem scared of the Shiite majority if not then the violence will quell once America leave
February 25th, 2007 at 4:45 pmHersh added, “All of this should be investigated by Congress, by the way, and I trust it will be.
i do too… but, all the people need to keep pressure on congress to
do it NOW…
In my talking to membership — members there, they are very upset that they know nothing about this. And they have great many suspicions.â€
SUSPICIONS !?!?!…
…or is that political-eggshell-walking speek?…
whatever… THANK YOU, SY HERSH!
February 25th, 2007 at 4:47 pm.
Phone Call (iverheard lately)
Mr.B: Hi Vladimir, how’s it going. Hem, well, we didn’t get along so nicely lately, I know, but, but, well I’d ask you a favour.
Mr.P: What’s wrong George?
Mr.B: You know, those journalists … well the point is. Where can we get some of that handy polonium stuff?
Mr.P: So, George, well they are a nasty lot all those wisecracking, nosy, journalists. Now, if you go see, some of your friends in nucular facilities (he, he no punt intended) ~~~~~~~~just a small amount you know~~~~~~
sarcasm off
Take care Sy Hersh, we will still be needing you more than ever.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:52 pmLet me get this: Bill gets persecuted and impeached for a blowjob. BushChimpError violates the Constitution over and over, lies, invades sovereign nations, gets the army into a quagmire, keeps a royal court of groupthinkers and yes men/women, uses signing statements to shred the power of the people vested in the Congress, funds terrorist activities, violates the Geneva Convention and international laws…etc etc at nausean…and…???
My friends, This country is in deep shit and getting deeper by the day…something radically wrong here…if something must be done to eliminate this dangerous cabal from the face of the earth.
Down with the Junta ! Arrest them and hang them all !
February 25th, 2007 at 4:57 pmAll of the good political points have been made already, so can I jut say that Sy can ramble a bit? I was reading the transcript and listening to the video at the same time and couldn’t anticipate at all exactly what he was trying to say.
February 25th, 2007 at 5:00 pmWars against Iraq and Iran are part of a larger US strategy that would eventually include conflict with Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, Ritter says. Why? A main reason is that the US wants to dictate the growth of China and India.
Congress has given Bush a green light to strike Iran, “and he is going to do so.” Scott Ritter speech here:
February 25th, 2007 at 5:03 pmhttp://www.ichblog.eu/content/view/154/47
One wonders if part of the money given Al Qaeda might involve a small tactical nuke to be used judiciously as an excuse to retaliate by making Tehran itself a smoking radioactive crater?
Not that Cheneyburton would run a false flag operation or anything…
February 25th, 2007 at 5:04 pmLet me get this: Bill gets persecuted and impeached for a blowjob. BushChimpError violates the Constitution over and over, lies, invades sovereign nations, gets the army into a quagmire, keeps a royal court of groupthinkers and yes men/women, uses signing statements to shred the power of the people vested in the Congress, funds terrorist activities, violates the Geneva Convention and international laws…etc etc at nausean…and…???
My friends, This country is in deep shit and getting deeper by the day…something radically wrong here…if something must be done to eliminate this dangerous cabal from the face of the earth.
Down with the Junta ! Arrest them and hang them all !
Comment by angryvietnamveteran — February 25, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
WELCOME TO MY 7 YEAR OUTRAGE!!!
IT’S THE CORPORATIONS…CORPORATE MEDIA…FOLLOW THE MONEY!!!
WE ARE PH*CKED!!!
February 25th, 2007 at 5:16 pmSy Hersh is a great journalist of the old school. Unlike the Reich Wingnuts on FOX and elsewhere, he still has ethics.
I trust him more than I trust anything coming out of FOX News. If FOX News said the sun was shining, I would go look out the window.
February 25th, 2007 at 5:16 pmFor the 4th straight year…al queda’s employee of the month is the Bush Administration
February 25th, 2007 at 5:26 pmI would bet the bank that it isn’t the WH as much as it is Cheney. I just finished reading “Vice” by Lou Dubose and Jake Bernstein. What a powerful and disturbing read.. I am absolutely stunned. I knew Cheney had a lot of power and was the force behind a lot, but I had no idea to the extent.
February 25th, 2007 at 5:48 pmI wondered how had we got to this point and now I believe I understand.
It’s Cheney. He is one very scary guy, and I can’t believe nobody has tried to stop any of this yet.
Jenny G,
Have you seen “Dark Side” on Frontline? Scary shit, right there. I think you can watch it on the PBS website.
February 25th, 2007 at 6:08 pmTime to spark up and watch Lawrence of Arabia again and then Syriana.
LB
February 25th, 2007 at 6:13 pm#33 – Cheney and Bush presented numerous reasons (with available inteligence) to invade Iraq – the fact you choose not to believe the arguments is your choice. Perhaps Seymour presented evidence – but if so, I wonder why TP didn’t provide.
February 25th, 2007 at 6:28 pmActually, Bill didn’t get impeached for a blowjob – (knowing Hillary, his transgression might be understandable.) His problem wasn’t keeping his fly zipped – it was lying under oath when his mouth was open.
February 25th, 2007 at 6:31 pmSy Hersh, You are to be COMMENDED for your FEARLESS and INSIGHTFUL research!!!!! HEY, CHIMPya and Toricola Cheney, along with Bushland Uber Allies, ISN’T AIDING THE ENEMY WITH MONETARY SUPPORT AND FUNDS AN ACT OF TREASON PUNISHABLE BY DEATH? FROG-MARCH YOURSELVES INTO GITMO AT ONCE AS ENEMY COMBATANTS, LOCK YOURSELVES UP AND AWAIT THE MILITARY TRIBUNAL, WHICH WILL GIVE YOU SCUM ALL A “FAIR” KANGAROO COURT TRIAL, FIND YOU ALL GUILTY AND SENTENCE YOU ALL TO BE EXEC
February 25th, 2007 at 6:33 pm#25 – “You first, oh Valiant one. Prove Mr. Hersch is wrong.”
I don’t have to prove anything – I did not make the assertion. But if Mr. Hersch would like to persuade people on my side of the fence, evidence would be nice.
February 25th, 2007 at 6:35 pmPerhaps Seymour presented evidence – but if so, I wonder why TP didn’t provide.
Comment by valiant venus
Faiz provided a link to the entire New Yorker article on yesterday’s Hersch thread.
Don’t bother yourself with little details.
February 25th, 2007 at 6:36 pmSy Hersh, YOU are to be COMMENDED for your FEARLESS and COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING. HEY, CHIMPya, Torticola Cheney and Bushland Uber Allies, ISN’T AIDING THE ENEMY WITH MONETARY ASSISTANCE AND FUNDING THEM HIGH TREASON AND PUNISHABLE BY DEATH? FROG-MARCH YOUR SCUM SELVES INTO GITMO RIGHT THIS MINUTE AND AWAIT YOUR “FAIR AND BALANCED” KANGAROO COURT TRIAL BY MILITARY TRIBUNAL WHICH WILL FIND YOU ALL GUILTY AND SENTENCED TO BE SHOT BY A FIRING SQUAD(like Nicolae Ceausescu), HANGED NAKED UPSIDE DOWN(like Mussolini–my favourite means of disposing of Bushies), LETHAL INJECTION(ouch!), THE ELECTRIC CHAIR(can Gannon/Guckert sit on my lap?), THE GAS CHAMBER(poison gas supplied by CHIMPya’s sphincter), or MADAME LE GUILLOTINE(the Unkindest “Cut” of ALL!)!!!!!
February 25th, 2007 at 6:45 pmTo Valient Venus…above…
Despite all the arguments that cry for impeachment of the BushChaney traitors, the best argument you can offer is about Bill’s lie about a concensual private sex affair…I repeat, If Bill’s lie about a blowjob are valid for impeachment, what, then, would be the appropriate remedy for a President and Vice President whose lies have resulted in a war that has cost the lives of hundreds of thousands?
February 25th, 2007 at 6:45 pmI say waterboard BushChaney until they lose what little mind they have. Impeachment is too good a cure for their violations against the people of the united states and the world.
I think there’s a real problem when Negroponte is too ethical for the operations being run.
February 25th, 2007 at 6:47 pmComment by Zooey
Finally catching up to TP today, and my first thought on this thread has already been said by Zooey.
We must be in some deep doo-doo if Mr. Iran/Contra is having trouble with the admin.
If you cannot prove Mr. Hersh is wrong, then he must be right.
Comment by Briseadh na Faire — February 25, 2007 @ 4:09 pm
Now, I’m no lawyer, but isn’t the burden of proof on the one making the charge?
February 25th, 2007 at 6:48 pmBnF
February 25th, 2007 at 6:56 pmThis is surely an enactment of l984.
We are playing both ends against the middle, we are aligning with one side while supporting the other side — and our guys are in the midst of it all. I am guessing the public is confused, and at best, ill-informed because the truth is nowhere. I trust Sy Hersh more than most; I hope he is wrong. He usually is not wrong — he may be premature in his predictions some times, but he is not usually wrong. They guy has been around so long, and has so many connections, it’s hard to deny his credibility, despite what a few trolls here think. They only believe what Fox orders them to think.
#56 – Robert
Read the article and tell me you’re thrilled….
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/070305fa_fact_hersh
February 25th, 2007 at 6:57 pm#56 – “Now, I’m no lawyer, but isn’t the burden of proof on the one making the charge?”
Proving once more that a legal education obtained through diploma mill correspondence schools (often seen advertised on Acme Matchbooks) generally is not socratic in approach.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:00 pmDear Angry Vet – A lie is deliberate in nature – telling incorrect information when you believe it to be true, is NOT a lie. I will gladly support the impeachment of this administration if you will support identical proceedings for Senators Kennedy, Kerry, Levin, Clinton and treason charges brought against former President Clinton, Former Veep Al Gore, former Secy of State Albtight, and former national Security Advisor, Sandy “Pants” Berger. You first.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:10 pmMUST READ! MUST READ! MUST READ! MUST READ!
General says eliminating bin Laden not priority
FORT WORTH — The Army’s highest-ranking officer and the former leader of the secretive world of Special Operations offered his thoughts on the importance of capturing or killing Osama bin Laden during a luncheon here Friday.
They’re probably not what anyone expected.
“I don’t know whether we’ll find him,” Gen. Peter Schoomaker, the Army chief of staff, said in a speech to the Rotary Club of Fort Worth. “I don’t know that it’s all that important, frankly.”
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/4578111.html
February 25th, 2007 at 7:14 pmNever said I was thrilled. I just reminded the teacher/lawyer that the prosecutor is the one that needs to provide proof of the charge.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:28 pmI just reminded the teacher/lawyer that the prosecutor is the one that needs to provide proof of the charge.
Comment by hacker bob
If just Bush would have listened to you, bob…
February 25th, 2007 at 7:31 pmNever said I was thrilled. I just reminded the teacher/lawyer that the prosecutor is the one that needs to provide proof of the charge.
Comment by hacker bob
When/if the whole thing is in court, then we’ll talk about the burden of proof. Until then, can it be proven he’s wrong?
February 25th, 2007 at 7:33 pmWhat’s wrong with this. Let’s have the Shiites and Sunnis at each other’s throat. This is great!
February 25th, 2007 at 7:40 pm“I was subsequently told by the two government consultants and the former senior intelligence officials that the echoes of Iran-Contra were a factor in Negroponte’s decision to resign from the National Intelligence directorship and accept the position of deputy secretary of state.â€
Echo’s…. drug production in afganistan is up, lots of missing billions in cash from Iraq, weapons everywhere, this is far bigger than Iran-Contra!
February 25th, 2007 at 7:40 pmI want to scream — or is it that I’m hearing a scream echoing back to us from the future? The latest Seymour Hersh story in the New Yorker has more to do with the world of Thomas Pynchon than with the world of last week’s cover kid Eustace Tilley. “A screaming comes across the sky.” Is Bush trying to bluff and threaten the Iranians into submission? Maybe. Who knows? But as we saw in the buildup to the Iraq war, the threat of force by these guys has a way of turning into the use of force. We’re rapidly approaching an apocalyptic future that has a screaming written all across the sky — unless there’s a real screaming right here, at home, on the ground.
And, no, impeachment should not be off the table. If covertly funding violent Sunni groups isn’t a high crime or misdemeanor, what is?
February 25th, 2007 at 7:42 pmComment by Zooey — February 25, 2007 @ 7:33 pm
Can it be proven he is right? Anything else is speculation. If he has a case, I EXPECT to see charges. But I have a strange prediction we won’t see charges.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:48 pmWhy is everyone so mad? This is a great strategy. Play your enemies off against each other!
February 25th, 2007 at 7:50 pmHersh: U.S. Funds Being Secretly Funneled To Violent Al Qaeda-Linked Groups
This means that BushCo is doing a very effective “covert” job of keeping these wars going and fomenting.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:54 pmComment by hacker bob — February 25, 2007 @ 7:48 pm
For just one minute, Robert, be completely in love with the prog/liberal mind-set. It’s only one minute!
Now…..think about what Sy Hersch is saying in his article….
February 25th, 2007 at 7:58 pm#46 – Thanks Zooey, and I will watch it tomorrow when I get some down time. If you haven’t read the book I mentioned, you really need to.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:11 pmIMPEACH
February 25th, 2007 at 8:11 pmCan it be proven he is right? Anything else is speculation. If he has a case, I EXPECT to see charges. But I have a strange prediction we won’t see charges.
Comment by hacker bob
As soon as you provide evidence backing you up on why invading Iraq was not illegal I will bother taking your opinion seriously.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:26 pmSy!
Wanna bet Mr. Hirsch Meets an untimely demise, the victim of a tragic automobile accident?
February 25th, 2007 at 8:38 pmGGJ,
Again, you are making the charge.
If it were illegal, there would be charges in the Hague. There are none at this time, and the UN is now sanctioning it. It is hard to say it is illegal when the world governing body endorses it.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:38 pmIran has “enabled the IAEA to carry out the most robust inspection of any IAEA member State.”
February 25th, 2007 at 8:41 pmhttp://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sc8964.doc.htm
Comment by Zooey — February 25, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
There seemed to be a lot of those “unnamed sources” and “former Clinton staffers” in t at article.
Are you falling into the “selective outrage” croud, too? You won’t trust an unnamed Republican source, but you swallow an unnamed source that validates your ideological POV.
Imagine, just for a moment, Sy is wrong. Really, it won’t hurt.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:45 pmDespite the Bush administration’s insistence it has no plans to go to war with Iran, a Pentagon panel has been created to plan a bombing attack that could be implemented within 24 hours of getting the go-ahead from President George W. Bush, The New Yorker magazine reported in its latest issue.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:46 pmhttp://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2422219220070225
What’s wrong with having Sunnis and Shiites fighting each other.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:49 pmIf it were illegal, there would be charges in the Hague. There are none at this time, and the UN is now sanctioning it. It is hard to say it is illegal when the world governing body endorses it.
Comment by hacker bob
The laws are written. We can all read them. Iraq was illegal.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:50 pmAre you falling into the “selective outrage†croud, too? You won’t trust an unnamed Republican source, but you swallow an unnamed source that validates your ideological POV.
Imagine, just for a moment, Sy is wrong. Really, it won’t hurt.
Comment by hacker bob
The word of most republicans is shit. Who would believe a named or unnamed one?
February 25th, 2007 at 8:51 pmImagine, just for a moment, Sy is wrong. Really, it won’t hurt.
Comment by hacker bob
Believe me, Robert, I really hope he’s wrong — totally wrong.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:51 pmRe: #49
Actually Clinton did NOT lie under oath. When he said he did not have sex, he was using the prosecutor’s definition of “sex” which did NOT include what they did. That is why in the impeachment trial he was found NOT guilty.
Of course, neither the bj nor the testimony was impeachable since they had nothing to do with presidential duties or actions.
Bush, of course, has committed dozens of blatantly impeachable offenses resulting in the deaths of 658,000+ human beings, harm to our national security, and the loss of Trillions of dollars. Reagan and GHWB did in Iran-Contra and GHWB did in Iraqgate.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:52 pmWhat’s wrong with having Sunnis and Shiites fighting each other.
Comment by The Penguin
What was wrong with North and South Vietnamese fighting each other?
America was took sides.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:52 pmCaptainVideo,
February 25th, 2007 at 9:10 pmAl-Qaida and Iran are both allies you fool! That’s why Bin Laden’s son is in Iran? I say we should instigate a fight between the 2. Have suicide bombers hit each other.
If this report is true, that’s cool!
Need more proof we are living “1984″?
The WH website evidently has been busy scrubbing links to interviews and perhaps other public appearances by top officials. The operation has proceeded somewhat unevenly, though aggressively. Pretty clearly the WH wants to make it much harder to research the administration’s past pronouncements, especially unscripted ones, and especially those pertaining to Iraq.
February 25th, 2007 at 9:19 pmAl-Qaida and Iran are both allies you fool! That’s why Bin Laden’s son is in Iran? I say we should instigate a fight between the 2. Have suicide bombers hit each other.
If this report is true, that’s cool! Comment by The Penguin
Except they don’t usually hit each other but innocent bystanders.
How many articles have you seen where a radical blew up another radical that had a bomb tied to their chest?
They wouldn’t need colleges, clubs and markets then would they?
While your idea, on the surface, seems logical, it isn’t.
February 25th, 2007 at 9:37 pmBush is funneling money to the “evildoers”, the “enemies of freedom”, the jihadis who want to dominate the world, establish an Islamic Caliphate, and makes us all dhimmis.
February 25th, 2007 at 9:39 pmWell, Mecca could always be ….
absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
help your enemy’s foes
claim you do not want war
February 25th, 2007 at 9:42 pminsist that you are peaceful
.
God of the Universe says
help your enemy’s foes
claim you do not want war
insist that you are peaceful –Uspace.
Thats dumb.
If the God of the universe is the father of all planets, and man, then you are all his children.
It is you, mankind, in his blind stupidity, that thinks he know what God is and that the universal God would have enemies.
Your like a bunch of bickering idiotic children who won’t shut up and stop fighting.
February 25th, 2007 at 9:53 pmComment by valiant venus — February 25, 2007 @ 6:35 pm
Ah, but he did provide evidence. You merely refuse to see it as such.
February 25th, 2007 at 9:54 pmBush is funneling money to the “evildoersâ€, the “enemies of freedomâ€, the jihadis who want to dominate the world, establish an Islamic Caliphate, and makes us all
February 25th, 2007 at 9:58 pmdhimmistheocratic extremists.Comment by tpblog
Comment by hacker bob — February 25, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
Not necessarily. And since Bush went to War by insisting that Saddam prove a negative; Bush is beating the war drums insisting Iran prove a negative, it seems only right that those who support Bush live up to the same burden of proof.
Here, Vince is saying there is no evidence to support Hersch’s claims. Therefore Vince must prove a lack of evidence to support Hersch’s claims. If Vince cannot prove a lack of evidence, then we must accept Hersch’s claims as true.
February 25th, 2007 at 9:59 pmhttp://www.newsmine.org
Over 10,000 articles and documents for exposing and uncovering.
February 25th, 2007 at 10:05 pmBut if Mr. Hersch would like to persuade people on my side of the fence, evidence would be nice. Comment by valiant venus
Like what? the Apocalypse? yellowcake? WMD? mushroom clouds?
That kind of evidence?
The fact is you don’t need persuading, just some politico hack to cater to your sky is falling imagination and waa laa! it becomes truthiness!
February 25th, 2007 at 10:06 pmRuben, Ruben, Ruben….
It is an absurd thought.
absurd thought -
February 25th, 2007 at 10:07 pmGod of the Universe says
stop drinking the kool-aid
.
Never said I was thrilled. I just reminded the teacher/lawyer that the prosecutor is the one that needs to provide proof of the charge.
Comment by hacker bob
Remember that Bob, the day before the US starts bombing Iran.
February 25th, 2007 at 10:11 pmTerrytheTurtle,
Well, look who drops back to earth. Long time no see. :)
February 25th, 2007 at 10:14 pmEvening Zoo – I was in a secure undisclosed location…. :)
February 25th, 2007 at 10:17 pmit is an absurd thought.
absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
stop drinking the kool-aid
No, thats not absurd.
Absurd thougt would be surviving six months stranded in a lifeboat only to be run over by the coast guard cutter searching for you.
February 25th, 2007 at 10:22 pmTerrytheTurtle,
OMG, you’ve been spending your time off with “Dick.”
February 25th, 2007 at 10:23 pmWho did you piss off?
Nope, don’t think Dick and I could occupy the same room at the same time for long, someone would get hurt.
On topic, anyone surprised that the US supports Sunni extremist groups? Not me – the only thing that is consistent is the lack of pressure or equivalence applied to the dictatorial Saudi regime.
And here’s Robert Fisk on the British move to Afghanistan:
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/fisk/article2303021.ece
Street price of smack lower than ever, Afghanistan breaking opium records year after year, Taliban in control of Helmand province – mission accomplished.
February 25th, 2007 at 10:32 pmLook….
None of this can be really all that surprising. The “powers that be” in the administration have come to consensus that they don’t want the Shiite majority to be unchecked. If it is not checked, Iran will be perceived as having to much influence. [Note that if we really believed in a democratic republic, we would have already ackowledged that the Shia majority will obviously mean that Iran has more influence in Iraq than before the invasion.]
It’s part of the divide and conquer strategy that has been pointed out by others here- exploit the sectarian thing to keep any real government from being strong.
Keep in mind that the whole support of the Ba’aths was intended to do the same thing under Hussein. It is the standard MO for CIA to support some group that can subjugate the majority, but be beholden to US govt/corporate interests.
Not a new approach and Sunni doesn’t necessarily mean Al Quaeda. Hell, they call anything Al Quaeda these days. Groups that were previously insurgents against Saddam, groups previously aligned with Kurds, Democrats…..whomever.
February 25th, 2007 at 10:34 pmNEWS FLASH!
INCONVENIENT TRUTH just won the OSCAR!
February 25th, 2007 at 10:40 pm.
Er, Al Gore won an Oscar?
February 25th, 2007 at 10:43 pmNEWS FLASH!
INCONVENIENT TRUTH just won the OSCAR!
.
Comment by katy — February 25, 2007 @ 10:40 pm
McCarthy was right – they are all America-hating pinkos! /sarcasm off
February 25th, 2007 at 10:44 pmFitz would love to talk to Sy!Plamegate dovetails nicely with Irancontragate, with them same cast of characters(Abrams/Cheney/OSP…)!
February 25th, 2007 at 10:45 pmCheney and Bush presented numerous reasons (with available inteligence) to invade Iraq – the fact you choose not to believe the arguments is your choice. Perhaps Seymour presented evidence – but if so, I wonder why TP didn’t provide.
Are you retarded? Every one of those “reasons” have been proven wrong. But you still hang onto them. You are a tool.
February 25th, 2007 at 10:45 pmBut if Mr. Hersch would like to persuade people on my side of the fence, evidence would be nice. Comment by valiant venus
You still believe Hussein was behind 9-11. Proof to you is…ethereal.
February 25th, 2007 at 10:47 pm#106 – katy,
February 25th, 2007 at 10:48 pmAt least W won’t win the Nobel Peace Prize. He and Rush have been nominated by outside support groups, you know. I wonder noone has put up Cheney yet.
…or perhaps subjective.
February 25th, 2007 at 10:48 pmabsurd thought -
February 25th, 2007 at 10:50 pmGod of the Universe says
Ruben is very smart
.
Comment by hacker bob — February 25, 2007 @ 7:28 pm
But the charge has been proven, according to Bush’s evidentiary standards as provided for by law in the Military Commissions Act of 2006. Or did you somehow miss the passage of that bill and its signing into law.
February 25th, 2007 at 11:02 pm[...] 50 MB download, about 3-5 minute delay with minimum 2 Mbit connection, not recommended for dial-up. Think Progress has a Flash excerpt that will play [...]
February 25th, 2007 at 11:05 pmre: # 105 Eargy Earp is right. That is why the CIA put Saddam in power in the late 1960’s. That is why the Reagan-Bush administration strongly supported him throughout the 1980’s. That is why we did not do regime change in spring of 1991 when it would have been quite easy.
Never believe what any government says are the reasons for what it does. Always look at what they do and use reason.
February 25th, 2007 at 11:06 pmHe has already been proven right. He has stated his evidence, based on classified information. It is now up to you to prove him wrong.
Or do you want to wait for bombs to drop on Iran, followed by Iranian missles to rain down on your fellow soldiers in the Green Zone first?
Is Vegas giving odds on whether or not Iran will sink an aircraft carrier? Battleship? Cruiser?
What are the odds of you surviving another deployment to the Middle East, bob?
February 25th, 2007 at 11:08 pmComment by hacker bob — February 25, 2007 @ 8:38 pm
Quit repeating a lie, bob. I’ve already shown you that your claim is false. Yet you repeat it, without links (because there are none).
February 25th, 2007 at 11:09 pmComment by Marie — February 25, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
It figures.
February 25th, 2007 at 11:13 pmSounds like the ideal candidate to balance Shiite power in the region would be Saddam. Now where is that rascal?
February 25th, 2007 at 11:29 pmThere is only one way to save democracy…..Americans should realize that they no more have a democratic government……
February 25th, 2007 at 11:32 pmAnd impeachment is the only solution out of this mess.
February 25th, 2007 at 11:37 pm#117 – An unnamed source close to you reports your failure in Criminal Law and Procedure. (Whew! Glad you won’t be handling real clients on trial for their lives!)
February 25th, 2007 at 11:40 pmNote to BnF – It is not up to the defense to prove anything. And Herschs’ number of unnamed sources, coupled with his obvious bias, could be construed as reasonable doubt. Of course, you would have to be a reasonable person to develop a “reasonable doubt”.
February 25th, 2007 at 11:43 pmHagette really doesn’t pay attention, does she?
Poor thing.
February 25th, 2007 at 11:45 pmabsurd thought -
February 25th, 2007 at 11:53 pmGod of the Universe says
make your enemy attack
.
VV,
You obviously haven’t read the standards of proof and evidentiary rules for Bush’s Military Commissions.
And my transcript trumps your unnamed source, as I have written proof that I passed both classes, as well as the California State Bar.
Here’s a simple question for your “unnamed source.” What rights were violated by the government in the Padilla case?
February 25th, 2007 at 11:53 pm#124 Actually, Hersh would be the defense since you are the one demanding answers. Prove it, prosecution. By the way, you fail Criminal Law and Procedure.
February 25th, 2007 at 11:54 pmJPark, Hersch’s testimony would be admissible hearsay in a Military Commission. The defense cannot even ask how he obtained his hearsay testimony, whether or not coersion was used, etc. The panel of judges makes the determination regarding Hersch’s credibility, weighted against whatever evidence the defense puts forth challenging Hersch’s testimony. Thus far, no evidence has been put forth to challenge Hersch’s statements.
Under a Military Commission Trial, evidentiary findings by the tribunal cannot be appealed, and the defendant may be sentenced to death.
So, under the standards signed into law by Bush, these trolls lose their arguments. They have failed to put forth any evidence to support their claims.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:02 am#129 Very true. It is good to be the prosecutor in this day and age. The defense has a bit of a…disadvantage.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:07 amJPark – Where did you attend achool – with Al Gore? “What’s down is up? What’s up is down?”
February 26th, 2007 at 12:14 amHersch is making the accusation – it is up to him to provide the evidence. Unnamed sources require corroboration. Thus BnF is proven once again, to be a rookie bar card holder in search of common sense and practical skills. But they’ll love you in the “human rights” and “social just-us” arenas – there, every conspiracy becomes fact and every rumor, fodder.
I don’t believe your transcript “story”, “counselor”. You offer it as proof your law degree was not obtained at the Acme Matchbook School of Law.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:20 amBefore you could use “the Google”, you were asking the accused to prove his innocence. What did you do – miss those classes in Law School when they discussed “THE LAW”?
JPark – Where did you attend achool – with Al Gore? “What’s down is up? What’s up is down?†Comment by valiant venus — February 26, 2007 @ 12:14 am
A better question, is why didn’t you stay in school? Dum bass.
But they’ll love you in the “human rights†and “social just-us†arenas – there, every conspiracy becomes fact and every rumor, fodder. Comment by valiant venus — February 26, 2007 @ 12:14 am
A fool that ridicules social justice, is the same fool that wants to take it away from others, and whines when they can’t oppress them, or anyone ‘taxes’ them! You’re a hypocrite, you twiggish little freak.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:22 amI don’t believe your transcript “storyâ€, “counselorâ€. You offer it as proof your law degree was not obtained at the Acme Matchbook School of Law. Before you could use “the Googleâ€, you were asking the accused to prove his innocence. What did you do – miss those classes in Law School when they discussed “THE LAWâ€? Comment by valiant venus — February 26, 2007 @ 12:20 am
Just because you’ve been outed as a 23 year old Anorexic commodities trader from San Diego, you assume others aren’t credentialed? Listen Ann C*nter, just because you’re a fraud, doesn’t mean everyone else is.
Freak.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:23 amWhat did you do – miss those classes in Law School when they discussed “THE LAWâ€?
Comment by valiant venus
Still pretending to be a lawyer, Hagette? Bad habits die hard, don’t they?
Tell us again how oil is organic, and so are humans — so we’ll all be a-ok.
Here, have a nice tall glass of arsenic…..it’s organic.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:24 amZooette – Still pretending to be a mom? ANY fledgling lawyer who asks the accused to prove their innocence should not be allowed in court – unless they are intent on taking notes and filling the water pitchers.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:31 amZooette – Still pretending to be a mom? Comment by valiant venus — February 26, 2007 @ 12:31 am
Hagette, you’re the dirty lying wh*re that was unmasked.
ANY fledgling lawyer who asks the accused to prove their innocence should not be allowed in court – unless they are intent on taking notes and filling the water pitchers. Comment by valiant venus — February 26, 2007 @ 12:31 am
So you also think Bush and Gonzales don’t belong in court? I agree. And neither do you, you fcuking wh*re.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:34 amJason/Ryanne/btruthful – you’ve “unmasked” no one. But on you, a mask might be an improvement. Mom is pulling out the Palmolive for your dirty mouth and typing fingers. Ick!
Ciao!
February 26th, 2007 at 12:43 amOh, now the trolls want proof. Didn’t need any in 02 or 03. Cheney’s concocted bullshit was enough proof for you clowns to invade Iraq. What’s hard to believe is that Iraq posed some dire threat to the U.S. What’s not hard to believe is Bush and his PNAC masters would go to war with Iran to further their quest for empire regardless of cost, common sense, or public opinion. Suit up pricks, they’re gonna need alot of cannon fodder for Iran.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:46 amComment by valiant venus — February 26, 2007 @ 12:20 am
Now you’re just being stupid. Read the Military Commissions Act of 2006 for yourself. The government brings the charges and proves its case with hearsay evidence.
Here, Hersch brought the charges and proved his case with hearsay evidence.
It’s good enough for Bush to convict and execute someone.
Since you support Bush, play by his rules. Prove Hersch wrong.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:48 amZooette – Still pretending to be a mom? ANY fledgling lawyer who asks the accused to prove their innocence should not be allowed in court – unless they are intent on taking notes and filling the water pitchers.
Comment by valiant venus
You are the proven liar here, Hag. You have no credibility on any issue.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:48 amVV, your Rune today:
Wynn: Joy: Reversed.
Wynn reversed indicates a problem between people, changes that bring unhappiness, and a warning to look at possibly troubling situations. Expect unhappy situations at home and work. There is an indication of unfaithful or unscrupulous love or business partners.
Looks like you still haven’t changed.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:52 amBnF – Funny, you didn’t remember to mention Military Commissions Act UNTIL bob pointed out to you the implausibility of your “prove a negative” statement. Give it up….goood Googling on your part, though!
February 26th, 2007 at 12:53 amWonder’n the pipes in the iternets I found this horibal and hatefull place of me the presadent! I am the decider and I decidered to make all you go to Irack’s or prison for say’n meen things about me and my freends. I know whuts best for you and I have deciddeded after god told me that you cant have those elctrobic tubes any mor be cuz I am the decidar. Carl an I have decidid that we will envad IRan’s and I will hav a BarbiQ think’n about it. I will cook beef you pig loving hippis. Carl told me that I Rans was the evalist of evil umpires an that they make the US states of Americas credit score go down so we must attact! Dont you all remembar 911 and Saddam and you peple probly lick that well now hes hung and me and Carl had a BarbiQ and I cocked BEEF!!!! So ther.
George W. Bush – The Presadent
February 26th, 2007 at 2:22 amBnF – Funny, you didn’t remember to mention Military Commissions Act UNTIL bob pointed out to you the implausibility of your “prove a negative†statement. Give it up….goood Googling on your part, though!
Comment by valiant venus — February 26, 2007 @ 12:53 am
Funny you ignored that the Bush administration has yet to charge thousands of people with a crime they supposedly committed. They haven’t been proven guilty, yet they’re in prison.
That would make you a hypocrite, Anorexia girl. I suggest you google ‘fool’, I bet your myspace page comes up!!!!
February 26th, 2007 at 2:27 amFront Page Korean papers
http://english.ohmynews.com/
Bush’s Impeachable Offenses, Part 1
Bush’s Impeachable Offenses, Part 2
Bush’s Impeachable Offenses, Part 3
Bush’s Impeachable Offenses, Part 4 – Today just out
The rest of the planet agree with these findings
February 26th, 2007 at 4:04 amGeorge Bush has gone psychotic, in my opinion. Watch him next time he’s on television making a speech. Check out the look in his eyes, the facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice. He’s not here anymore. He’s left this reality behind.
You can call him insane and that means nothing. Sociopath, psychopath, whatever you want. There is no medical condition defined as insanity. There are recognized conditions like schizoprenia, manic depression, or a whole range of different personality disorders, but nothing called “insanity”. Specifically, I think George has suffered a psychotic snap and he’s gone.
This if true, of course, is a terrifying state of affairs, because, yes, a “madman” is in the White House, “Dr Strangelove” come true. This is the most frightening thing I’ve seen in my lifetime. We are in so much danger right now.
February 26th, 2007 at 4:53 amWhile the Bushies are playing monkey in the middle with the Sunnis and Shiites, the Brits are pulling their assets out of Iraq… and sending them to Afghanistan where, by all accounts, the shit is about to hit the fan.
Spring may see a flowering of all manner of horrible events… possibly (probably?) right here at home.
Hersch’s scenario is quite consistent with Bushco’s unstoppable (because we haven’t the will to stop him) incompetence: He’s fighting the wrong war at the wrong time in the wrong place in a manner that has the monkey (us) getting shot at by all sides.
And we allow it to continue.
Idiots, all of us.
February 26th, 2007 at 5:52 amAmerican presidents funding terrorists and supporting oppressive governments yet again … is anyone actually suprised?
Can we impeach yet?!
February 26th, 2007 at 6:27 am[...] the Iranian government and Hezbollah in Lebanon) by funding violent Sunni groups.” See Think Progress, Taylor Marsh on the “New Sunni-Shiite Cold War,” and Talk Left on what it calls [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 6:28 amValiant Penus sounds like the Mighty Aphromites new persona after he/she/shem got outed as the skinny meth addicted metal head they are. They seem to have picked up a “law for dummies” book and are bantying about base legal terms now. Valiant Penus are you a lawyer too?
Lets face it, the idea that these delusional idiots running the US would sell arms to anyone they thought would be of any help is so easy to beleive it almost doesnt need any proof. They armed Hussien. They armed what would one day become the Taliban. A subsidiary of Cheney’s pet company sold nuclear technology to Iran. (give em weapons them bomb em for havin em). Dubya comes from a long line of war profiteers, grandpappy profited from the Nazi war machine.
These guys have the foresight of a single celled organism. Make frankensteins, then build more frankensteins to fight them when those turn against you. Rinse, wash, repeat.
February 26th, 2007 at 6:39 amZooette – Still pretending to be a mom? ANY fledgling lawyer who asks the accused to prove their innocence should not be allowed in court -
Hey Valiant Penus Aphrodite… stop displacing your warped fantasies of false personas onto others… do you hold people accused of being Al Queda to the same assumption of innocence as the one you so astutely described above? Or does any allegation involving Al Queda = guilty in your warped mind? Your meth addled ilk who hijacked this country have done EVERYTHING in their power to prevent thier actions and accusations from being subjected to judicial, congressional, or any other sort of public strutiny. “We know where the weapons are”, “we know without a doubt that saddam hussien has WMD.” “saddam has links to al queda”
Its ok to make up fairy tales to take us to war, as long as its not under oath, right? If you put these vampires under oath they would burst into flames.. if your dear daddy darth dick had nothing to hide, why didnt he take the stand in defense of his dear ally Scooter? Why, because the man would perjure himself faster than the word perjure can be said aloud…
After all, the only ones who have anything to hide are the guilty ones, right?
February 26th, 2007 at 6:51 amI suppose you think Fitzgerald is some liberal partisan hack huh? After all, he went to a LIBERAL ARTS school for his undergrad.. all the proof of liberal bias you need, huh?
[...] Think Progress has a CNN interview with Sy Hersh, who elaborates on a point from his recent New Yorker article. In the administration’s zeal to counter Iran and associated Shia groups, they are covertly funneling money to Al Qaeda-linked jihadist groups in Lebanon: This administration has made a policy change, a decision that they are going to put all of the pressure they can on the Shiites, that is the Shiite regime in Iran, the Shiite — and they are also doing everything they can to stop Hezbollah — which is Shiite, the Hezbollah organization from getting any control or any more of a political foothold in Lebanon. [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 7:27 am[...] Watch Video [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 7:36 amPretty much proof Bushists facilitated 9/11.
February 26th, 2007 at 8:29 amumm.. isnt that what we did with Usama? Yea that worked out real well.
February 26th, 2007 at 10:43 amTime for Regime Change in the White House. Bush and Cheney have divorced themselves from the American people and are off in their own warmongering world. They represent a grave danger to the safety and security of the entire world and should be REMOVED FROM OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.
February 26th, 2007 at 10:45 amIn this perfect democracy, Scalia Thomas et. al. will wrest the Oscar from Al Gore’s hand and give it to the jackass.
February 26th, 2007 at 10:52 am[...] to al Qaeda” but “want to take on Hezbollah.” — Connected to what?! — Hersh: U.S. Funds Being Secretly Funneled To Violent Al Qaeda-Linked Groups — Ummmm, what?! — No Comments [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 11:01 am#19 valiant venus
Proof, Seymour…proof.
Common sense tells humankind that we doubt only in times of suspicion. I will not begin doubting that I exist or that I am not dreaming at the moment. Centuries of bad philosophy should teach us to stay clear of bad metaphysics. What ulterior motives could Hersch have for putting himself in such a dangerous position? You do not doubt those who have less to gain than to lose.
February 26th, 2007 at 11:02 am[...] Video here [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 11:04 amRE #149 “George Bush has gone psychotic, in my opinion…” …Sorry if this comment is only tangentially related…but:
Very frightening thought…but even more is the idea of the crazy chimp being declared unable to exercise his duties and having another certified, and even more dangerous imperialist fascist as Commander in Chief.
Time to impeach Chaney and before a vice president is selected and approved by Congress have the crazy chimp committed (certainly without Chaney whispering in his ear he will quickly crackup), in which case I think we would wind up with a President Pelosi…
….Well, one can always dream…
February 26th, 2007 at 11:11 amDAMN!
…bi’ness is GOOOOD…
-Bushiva and L’il Dick-
“Equal opportunity arms dealers”
February 26th, 2007 at 11:56 amWhat we should be doing is going door to door, by voter registration lists. If your name pops up as a registered republican, you should be arrested on the spot, for treason.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:03 pmThe missing point that Hersch’s article brings up is the apparent likelihood that the Bush White House is also responsible for propping up the “terrorist” sunni forces in Iraq in order to make a civil war out of a war of colonial conquest. Abu Musab Al Zarqawi lost a leg and later died in a US bombing raid early in the war. Then he shows up, or someone who looks like him shows up in western Iraq, flush with cash, and eager to do whatever is necessary to prolong the occupation and get the Iraqis to fight each other and publicly pin the blame on himself and Al Qaida for prolonging the occupation and getting the Iraqis to fight each other. That’s the trouble with secret societies: you never know who’s really in charge.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:04 pm[...] is the link to the story. So folks, we are now arming the same basic groups that attacked us on [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 12:35 pmThe MSM better listen to Sy b/c he has been on the money with all of his reporting about this administration. He was he first to report about the White House Iraq Group and their “stove-piping” of intelligence and biased interpretations of the raw intelligence. The man has been right and no one has been listening.
February 26th, 2007 at 1:24 pmHersh has been right all along. He was the first to report about the White House Iraq Group and their “stove-piping” of intelligence and their agenda to go to war with Iraq.
February 26th, 2007 at 1:28 pmComment by curious — February 26, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
Real patriotic of you. If others have adifferent political POV, then kill them.
I think they did that in Germany once. In the 30’s I believe it was.
February 26th, 2007 at 1:36 pmI’m calling my congressmen NOW! Call you congress critters and DEMAND an investigation. OUTRAGEOUS!
February 26th, 2007 at 1:54 pm[...] they are very upset that they know nothing about this. And they have great many suspicions.” Think Progress » Hersh: U.S. Funds Being Secretly Funneled To Violent Al Qaeda-Linked Groups Jesus, they never fucking learn do they? How was Osama created again? Fucking short term [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 2:27 pm[...] of the hat to ThinkProgress for getting this up and out. While millions watched the Oscars, Jewish American Pulitzer Prize [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 2:35 pmIn May of 2001 I remember reading a piece on the U.S. paying Osama Bin Laden either 30 or 50 million dollars. I thought it was odd at the time since the Taliban had taken over Afghanistan and we are paying for a losing battle. Then along comes 9/11 and who is the finger pointed at?Never mind the glaring Israeli elephant of a connection. Suddenly everything becomes classified and even the Saudis said to release all info. What we got was a carefully corregraphed propoganda and the facts be damned. Why would the U.S. supplying insurgents with weapons be surprising? We never secured Iraqi ammo dumps, we ‘lost’ shipments of tens of thousands of weapons (along with billions in cash), the ‘administration’ ignores the military unless it totally agrees with them and the whole mess just keeps sinking deeper into a morass. “Terror” is up seven fold since 9/11 and Bush takes all his instructions from neocons and Israeli Zionists. We are pointing the finger at Iran for ’supplying’ weapons to insurgents while we are doing the exact same thing!!!!!! SNAFU and a big clusterf**k!!!
February 26th, 2007 at 2:59 pm[...] Seymour Hersh is reporting that the Bush administration is funneling money to al-Qaeda backed groups in Iraq [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 3:02 pmI called my congressman, Dan Boren, and gave him the link to this article. His office was VERY interested in this story. I think they already had received word but were interested their constituents were already calling them on it.
By the way, doesn’t this mean the Bush Administration are funding terrorists and doesn’t it make Bush/Cheney and friends, “enemy combatants?” Doesn’t that mean they are to be shipped off to Guantanamo with NO RIGHTS for legal recourse?
February 26th, 2007 at 3:20 pmComment #175…I believe the US was paying that money in May of ‘01 to the Taliban, not OBL.
February 26th, 2007 at 3:26 pmIf the burden of proof is on Sy for this explosive news as the bushites say, why is it that the burden of proof falls on Iran and not on the USA for the case of uranium enrichment… Who is the accuser here?
February 26th, 2007 at 5:07 pmClearly double standards. Bush has lied and still has offered no proof of the Al Queda involvement in the 911 events, same for the Irak WDMs. Rice claimed on tv soon after 911 that we would be supplied the proof, and still the FBI has not placed to this day OBL as the chief perpetrator in the face that it still has no proof of it. The burden of proof is as always used to advance militaristic foreign policies in these cases.
Power attracts the very sort of people that should not have it.
February 26th, 2007 at 6:25 pmSo, al-Queida will hold off, or has been holding off, on further
attacks as long as we help them fight Hezbullah and the Shia.
The enemy of my enemy……
It is foggy, but things are shaping up to where Israel, Saudi Arabia,
and Osama all want us to attack Iran and the Shia.
So we will have to support the Lebanese govt as well ? We
already give Israel billions every year in both cash and weapons
systems.
Where will all the money come from ?
Has anyone given a second thought about how many trillions of
dollars this is costing the American middle class taxpayer ?
It is clear now that Bush should not have invaded Iraq and let
February 26th, 2007 at 8:27 pmSaddam worry about Iran and the Shia, which he was doing
just nicely before we took him out. What a jerk Bush is.
[...] Seymour Hersh explains the real meaning of “spreading democracy” in the region. [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 8:32 pm[...] Hersh appeared on the Situation Room to talk about his latest piece, mentioned here. This is some of what Seymour Hersh [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 9:10 pmSo, who are the remaining 20-something Americans who actually supprot Bush? The rich? It seems that he, Cheney, and the rest of their crime family can do anything they want, anytime they want, and now matter HOW MUCH WE COMPLAIN about it, we are powerless sitting ducks. Opinions, even radio-voiced, is obviously NOT going to change this. So then, what kind of action DOES institute the type of change that will once again make me PROUD change to be an American? Don’t get me wrong…I love to live in my country. But is the Bush crime family really any more worthy than Hussein himself? What is scray is that there is a ton of shit that is going on…HORRIBLE things conducted by American officials…that we don’t even know about! But we can express opinions 24 hours per day and that alone will not stop the Bush administration. So my question is….what will? I never voted for Bush or Cheney since day 1. But when I think…how do we stop these people….I wish I knew the asnwer!
February 26th, 2007 at 9:26 pmA
February 26th, 2007 at 9:44 pmAs to proof – I would like to point out a strong and provable pattern of lies, deceit, coverups, graft, money-laundering, military service avoidance, slime politics, avoidance of truth to Congress of the American people, oil seeking empire-building – the list seems to go on endlessly with this Administration, clear back to Iran/Contra and before…….what kind of proof are you looking for? Another 9/11 perhaps? Another cover-up and lie-ridden B.S. fest brought to you by your loving Government! Of course, if you wave a flag and thump a Bible, you MUST be honest and true!!!! I have a flag and many Bibles and I still say Bullshit!!!!! But it’s all moot at this point – unless Congress grows some balls, we will be invading Iran in the next couple of months. How are they going to convince the Muslim world that attacking a 3rd Muslim country ISN”T an attack on Islam? Even if it is really about the oil (does anyone with a brain doubt that now?) it will still end up pissing off hundreds of millions of Muslims – that CAN’T be good for the world. Or us.
February 26th, 2007 at 9:52 pm[...] Hersh: Bush Funneling Money to al Qaeda-Related Groups ThinkProgress.com Sunday 25 February 2007 New Yorker columnist Sy Hersh says the "single most explosive" element of his latest article involves an effort by the Bush administration to stem the growth of Shiite influence in the Middle East (specifically the Iranian government and Hezbollah in Lebanon) by funding violent Sunni groups. Hersh says the U.S. has been "pumping money, a great deal of money, without congressional authority, without any congressional oversight" for covert operations in the Middle East where it wants to "stop the Shiite spread or the Shiite influence." Hersh says these funds have ended up in the hands of "three Sunni jihadist groups" who are "connected to al Qaeda" but "want to take on Hezbollah." I’m getting shades of Iran-Contra here. Let the apologist’s begin. Who will be our first Bush apologist to step up and defend the schrub? __________________ " War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today," -John F. Kennedy [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 10:34 pm[...] ThinkProgress.org 2/26/07 [...]
February 27th, 2007 at 7:26 amBut it was Bush and his neohebs who took out the only equalizer against the Iranians wasnt it with Saddam?
February 27th, 2007 at 7:39 amSaddam was Reagans pal and was given all the WMD in the 80s and billions in weapons to beat back the Persians and now here comes the Bush girlyboy cheerleader silver spoon cokhead drunk liar spoiled rotten draft dodger punk selectee thanks to Daddy and Baker who screws the planet up.
When will Bush be arrested and turned over the jihad? Forget impeachment. Bush aint worth it. Arrest this destroyed of planet earth with his heoheb puppeteers and murderer and maimer of millions and waster of 100s of trillions.
Turn him over the Muslim world and watch him beg and scream and cry offering sacrifice America just for his worthless squalid life.
They should cut off his arms and legs and send him back to Daddy and Laura after parading this stump in front of the Muslim world.
Bush needs to get a taste of what he has created and the massive infliction o destruction death and injury while he lives like a spoiled rotten brat king and rides his bike oblivious to the world he scrwed up.
When we told Bush to support the troops, we meant our soldiers, not our enemies. If this is true, I can’t for the life of me imagine what definition of treason these actions do not fit.
February 27th, 2007 at 11:35 amDIRTY AMERICAN BIGOT!!! WE ARE THE BEST BIGOTS IN THE WORLD!!
February 27th, 2007 at 12:05 pmBush & Co. funds Sunni fighters killing Americans–WOW! And he is such a compassionate conservative American!
Saudi Arabia gave Cheney & Bush instructions last November when Prince Saud told Cheney that they would not accept/permit the US withdrawal from Iraq. Thus George felt the “urge to surge” and now roadblocks are opened to Saudi trucks filled with money and munitions to be delivered to Sunni fighters.
If any Republican or Democratic House/Senate member continues to support the US occupation of Iraq longer than 90 more days, they should be removed from office and tried for treason for knowingly allowing Bush and Cheney to stay in office because they have certainly committed high crimes and misdemeanors in violation of our Constitution as well as treason!
If Congress does not act as a single unit to stop King George and Vice Dick, jihadist terror attacks will continue worldwide–it already has increased 35% since we invaded Iraq. See MIPT-RAND’s database on terror at http://terrorismknowledgebase.org
February 27th, 2007 at 1:19 pm[...] actually they sort of did offer to. But whatever. Anyone who supports Al Qaeda deserves whatever they get. Bolstered by money from record opium crops and safe havens in [...]
February 27th, 2007 at 2:18 pm“Civil war” isn’t the correct translation of the word “Fitnah”. The closest English meaning I can think of for “fitnah” is “insinuation by a third party in the most aggresive form”.
February 27th, 2007 at 8:16 pm[...] Hersh added, “All of this should be investigated by Congress, by the way, and I trust it will be. In my talking to membership – members there, they are very upset that they know nothing about this. And they have great many suspicions.” MORE [...]
February 28th, 2007 at 1:34 amIn case anyone has forgotten…as my Dad always said, it all goes back to the “Golden Rule”…which is “The man with the gold MAKES the rules.” To which I add…”and everyone else suffers!”
February 28th, 2007 at 7:17 amGet a life, morans.
February 28th, 2007 at 9:15 amIf a tree falls in the forest, does anyone hear it? This story somehow just evaporated.
February 28th, 2007 at 9:55 amI wish Hersh would confine his reporting to Britney and Paris. The important stuff. Tell us what we want to know, not what we need to know.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:03 amLet’s remember that Nancy P . the head of the Democractic Party said that the inpeachment agenda is not on the table . I wonder if she knew about this mess .
February 28th, 2007 at 1:08 pmThis entire Bush Regime should be sent to Guantanmo for all the crimes
that were and still are being committed under its watch . Congress must
show that they are competent in checking the Fascist agenda of the Bush Regime. They must restore the Check and Balance system of the Legislative and Judiciary branches of government that has been usurped
by the Executive Branch . The American Public must awake out of the seemingly eternal sleep that we are in . True Freedom comes with a price .
Are we willing to pay that price . We can’t keep saying YHWH bless America
and sit and do nothing when someone like Bush has us headed for the wall
at 200 MPH .
[...] Full Interview – Watch the video: [...]
February 28th, 2007 at 4:06 pmThis article and the comments following, prove one irrefutable fact , , , this great nation of ours is in one hell-of-a-mess!
February 28th, 2007 at 11:01 pmThanks to King George and his Knights of the Black Table.
[...] to New Yorker columnist Seymour Hersh… Hersh says the U.S. has been “pumping money, a great deal of money, without congressional [...]
March 1st, 2007 at 9:23 pm[...] Are Bush & Cheney secretly funding al Qaeda-linked groups? Wouldn’t that be just like “validating the al [...]
March 3rd, 2007 at 8:52 am[...] the Middle East. Hersh: U.S. Funds Being Secretly Funneled To Violent Al Qaeda-Linked Groups Think Progress » Hersh: U.S. Funds Being Secretly Funneled To Violent Al Qaeda-Linked Groups [...]
March 3rd, 2007 at 10:58 am[...] least 10 years out for nuclear bomb 7. Posse Comitatus 8. Bush planned Lebanon War months before 9. Funding Terrorists 10. The Iran War has already [...]
March 5th, 2007 at 2:41 pmnegroponte TOO ETHICAL?! WHAAA?!
March 6th, 2007 at 3:29 am[...] Hersh: U.S. Funds Being Secretly Funneled To Violent Al Qaeda-Linked Groups [...]
March 7th, 2007 at 1:42 amI don’t like the war in Iraq, but I won’t ever forget 911 and our country was invaded and attacked by terrorists, those of the muslim pursuasion. Iraq would not allow the UN in to check for weapons of mass destruction, whether they were there or not, it presented a threat! The Iraqi government also tortured the kurds and hundreds of thousands of thier own people. When is it enough? When there are 6 million tortured and dead? Unfortunately, there are many places genocide and torture are going on and I would support my country going in and fighting for the freedom of anyone. It seems like some people forget how we felt after 911 and the crisis that ensued. I wanted the US to defend itself and supported the invasion of Iraq. I blame other countries for not supporting the effort because when they need help we are always there. Quit blaming Bush, it took a nation to go to war, we are all Americans and should support out troops! Stop your bitching and come up with a solution to stop terrorism! Maybe a sit down chat? Realilty bites, but terrrorists don’t respond to fireside chats, they are hell bent on a mission to destroy the West! Thier beliefs are warped and decidedly violent. Can you change that with a democrat in office?
March 17th, 2007 at 11:48 pmThe same government officials who swore to us that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq were the same ones who told us who had hijacked the four planes on 9/11 and that Osama bin Laden was responsible.
So why does anyone believe the official government lies about 9/11? HELLO???
Which government statements should we ever trust from now on?
March 19th, 2007 at 3:00 pm[...] 5 issue of the New Yorker and Hersh appeared on Wolf Blitzer’s, The Situation Room (click here to see an excerpt) at the end of [...]
March 19th, 2007 at 8:31 pm[...] Hersh: U.S. Funds Being Secretly Funneled To Violent Al Qaeda-Linked Groups [...]
March 24th, 2007 at 1:08 am[...] Hersh: U.S. Funds Being Secretly Funneled To Violent Al Qaeda-Linked Groups [...]
April 6th, 2007 at 1:03 am