ThinkFast: March 16, 2007
ThinkFast: March 16, 2007
67 percent: Number of Americans who believe President Bush should not pardon Scooter Libby, opposed to just 21 percent who believe he should.
Although Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s confession “may have effectively signed his own death warrant,” his statements might actually help other suspects. “Mohammed took credit for so many different terrorist plots that others could use his testimony in their own defense strategy.”
A bill granting Washington, D.C. “its first full-fledged seat in the House of Representatives passed the Judiciary Committee yesterday, clearing the final hurdle before a vote by the entire House, expected next week.” The legislation “faces an uphill battle” in the Senate.
“Buried in the $124 billion House version of the wartime supplemental appropriation is an order to the Defense Department to release a report on the April 2004 death in Afghanistan of Army Spc. Patrick Tillman,” whose death by friendly fire Army leaders tried to cover up.
Yesterday, the “House Appropriations Committee unanimously approved a measure that barred the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center.”
New report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that this “winter was the warmest on record worldwide.”
“A review of existing computer climate models suggests that global warming could transform the North Pole into an ice-free expanse of ocean at the end of each summer by 2100, scientists reported today.” The lead author of the review even said that their estimate “may be conservative.”
John McKay, one of the purged U.S. Attorneys, yesterday “called for an investigation of the Justice Department’s handling of the firings. McKay said that at very least, there should be an investigation by the DoJ’s Inspector General, but if that was opposed, a special prosecutor should be appointed.”
And finally: “In an emergency measure” Thursday night, the Cocoa Beach City Commission in Florida “banned indoor furniture from the beach, after what they said were rowdy weekend parties around sofas.” “I think we just need to raise the bar a little bit, and this is a way we’re going to start to do it,” said Commissioner Kevin Pruett.
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
“67 percent: Number of Americans who believe President Bush should not pardon Scooter Libby, opposed to just 21 percent who believe he should.”
“Liberal” NBC’s Andrea Mitchell says that according to her math this means the majority of Americans approve of a Libby pardon.
Thanks for being honest and not toeing the Bush/Rove line Mrs. Greenspin.
-GSD
March 16th, 2007 at 9:07 amRegarding the “confession” of KLM — I don’t believe it for one minute. In fact, I don’t believe one word that comes from the administration or its spokespeople.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:10 amThere is so much news going on that is good for the liberal agenda that all I can say is “Have a beautiful day”. Valerie Plame is gong to testify today, also?
March 16th, 2007 at 9:12 am3210
March 16th, 2007 at 9:13 amCaption : 5 Evil People
March 16th, 2007 at 9:14 am#1- We all know NBC is considered The Major Whore Network. I would like to see NBC suffer for thier unprofessional news practice.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:15 amIt looks like The Dawn of the Living Dead, Part 2.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:17 amFor some reason that pic reminds me of Resevoir Dogs.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:21 amDennis Kucinich appears to be the only Presidential Candidate not afraid to say “Impeachment” on the floor of the House.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich: “Impeachment May Well Be the Only Remedy” March 15, 2007
This House cannot avoid its Constitutionally authorized responsibility to restrain the abuse of Executive power. The Administration has been preparing for an aggressive war against Iran. There is no solid, direct evidence that Iran has the intention of attacking the United States or its allies.
The US is a signatory to the UN Charter, a constituent treaty among the nations of the world. Article II, Section 4 of the UN Charter states, “all members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. . .” Even the threat of a war of aggression is illegal.
Article VI of the US Constitution makes such treaties the Supreme Law of the Land. This Administration, has openly threatened aggression against Iran in violation of the US Constitution and the UN Charter.
This week the House Appropriations committee removed language from the Iraq war funding bill requiring the Administration, under Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11 of the Constitution, to seek permission before it launched an attack against Iran.
Since war with Iran is an option of this Administration and since such war is patently illegal, then impeachment may well be the only remedy which remains to stop a war of aggression against Iran.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:22 amGood God, looks like a casting call for Cocoon and Nightmare on Elm St all wrapped into one.
Do you think these people have really grasped just how loathed, unpopular and ill-regarded they have become?
-GSD
March 16th, 2007 at 9:24 amKhalid Sheikh Mohammed’s confession “may have effectively signed his own death warrant,†[as] his statements might actually help other suspects.
I sincerely doubt it. If you read the transcript, you’ll note how easily the Presiding Judge at the Hearing excluded all of Mohammed’s proffered witnesses.
Mohammed’s “confession” could be excluded from other hearings as “irrelevant.”
And evidentiary rulings cannot be appealed under the Military Commissions Act, no matter what Exley says to the contrary. (Exley is no lawyer)
March 16th, 2007 at 9:24 am…and there’s that patented Darth Cheney scowl.…and there’s KKKarl Rove ever lurking in the background, plotting his next evil deed
March 16th, 2007 at 9:27 amWho’s the guy in the beige suit? I recongmize the other four.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:27 amimpeachment may well be the only remedy which remains to stop a war of aggression against Iran.
Comment by Larry from C — March 16, 2007 @ 9:22 am
Perhaps you’re right. Tecumsah’s Curse would still leave Cheney in Power.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:30 amthe guy in the beige suit is Dan Bartlett : Counselor to Chimpy.
which really means he reads Chimpy his bedtime story.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:31 amDoes out there know when this photo was taken and under what circumstances? Eerie as hell. Which is where all 5 will end up.
I love that : Dawn of the Living Dead , Part 2
March 16th, 2007 at 9:34 amWho can believe Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s confession? He took full credit for every terrorist attack in the last 15 or so years it seemed. About the only thing he didn’t confess to was being Osama bin Laden himself. But this gives rise to the lack of effectiveness of torture. What part are you to believe. If there is doubt about any of it it casts doubt on the entirety of it.
Make no mistake, this is a terrible man. He will get what he deserves. But his word should not be used to convict others. Not on the basis of anything I have heard. Is there any wonder that after more than 4 years not a single trial of Gitmo prisoners has been held. The evidence has been so contaminated as to be useless.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:48 amTake a long, close look at out leadership, America. (Photo above)
Now, look again.
Are these the people you want shaping our children’s future?
Only the Chimp & Seedy Gonzales are missing. Seedy Gonzales may be taking the picture, because Chimps don’t operate cameras, but it’s time for these darksiders to go. Way past time, in fact.
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:50 am#8 Comment by klyde — March 16, 2007 @ 9:21 am
If my memory is correct, weren’t they all dead at the end of Reservoir Dogs?
March 16th, 2007 at 9:53 amThe Tillman case reminds me of a case in Britain where a “friendly fire” incident by a US pilot was deemed an illegal act. The US was asked to provide information and they did but with a couople of pages blacked out due to “security concerns”. But they assured everyone that everything was done right.(yeah…ok)
I tried linking to the BBC story but TP is blocking it. If you want to see the story its there on the front page in “Other top stories”
March 16th, 2007 at 10:05 amDallasNE sez:
Indeed…KSM’s “confession” is patently incredible…as is has no credibility whatsoever. Plus, this “confession” contradicts the “bin Laden confession video” which was circulated mere months after the 9/11 attacks, firmly establishing OBL as this nation’s official bogeyman. Who are we supposed to believe, given the fact that this administration has made a career out of lying to the American people?
March 16th, 2007 at 10:08 amdlet,
Below is the story you are talking about. I read it as well.
Here
March 16th, 2007 at 10:10 amAlthough Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s confession “may have effectively signed his own death warrant,†his statements might actually help other suspects. “Mohammed took credit for so many different terrorist plots that others could use his testimony in their own defense strategy.â€
It’s great how confessions under torture work, isn’t?
New report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that this “winter was the warmest on record worldwide.â€
“A review of existing computer climate models suggests that global warming could transform the North Pole into an ice-free expanse of ocean at the end of each summer by 2100, scientists reported today.†The lead author of the review even said that their estimate “may be conservative.â€
But Global Warming doesn’t exist, right trolls?
March 16th, 2007 at 10:12 amAlthough Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s confession “may have effectively signed his own death warrant,†his statements might actually help other suspects. “Mohammed took credit for so many different terrorist plots that others could use his testimony in their own defense strategy.â€
This administration isn’t interested in actually getting convictions for terrorists in courts of law…after all, it is now within Chimpy’s power to just label anyone he doesn’t like an ‘enemy combatant’ and hold them indefinitely…no pesky ‘trial’ required.
No, the only reason for KSM’s “confession” was to inject us with a fresh dose of fear, to keep us in line, to reassure us that the administration is still ‘fighting terror’, and to distract us from the scandal du jour.
March 16th, 2007 at 10:13 amKhalid Sheikh Mohammed, meet Scooter Libby. Now discuss how each of you feel as being the fall guy for the Bush administration.
March 16th, 2007 at 10:14 am“But Global Warming doesn’t exist, right trolls?”
Evil Spaniard, the rigthies are onto the global warming thing now. What they are holding on to is that they don’t believe humans have caused it nor do they believe that there is anything humans can do about it.
March 16th, 2007 at 10:17 amJust so Obama gets some press.
I think it is good to see a politician with a sense of humor, and not one playing on hate and fear..
March 16th, 2007 at 10:18 am#26 Comment by Yikes — March 16, 2007 @ 10:17 am
Yes, I know. They’ve been fighting the same existance of GW until it was indefensible (altough some of the most thick skulled around here don’t believe in it yet), and now are moving the goal posts to keep not taking any action, for the idiotic motive that “it will damage our bussiness’ productivity”.
I didn’t heard them when thousands of toy makers gone bankrupt when videogames took their bussiness share.
March 16th, 2007 at 10:31 amI found this observation piece by one of the editors of the weekly in my area. It really hit me hard. Thought I would share.
http://www.boiseweekly.com/ gyrobase/ Content?oid=oid%3A217839
March 16th, 2007 at 10:46 amI guess Brownback is supporting the dear General’s homophic comments. Question is, how can one seriously make such a statement wearing a tie like that! hahah
We need more republicans, especially ones running for office, to pipe up like this - it basically points out to the moderates why the hell they don’t want to be associated with them.
Thanks Republicants! Here’s some more rope…
March 16th, 2007 at 10:52 amKSM “Confessed” To Attacking Bank Founded After His Arrest
Fallacy of testimony exposed as story blows up in Pentagon’s face
Prison Planet | March 16, 2007
Paul Joseph Watson
Khalid Shaikh Mohammed’s alleged confession testimony has been thoroughly discredited after it emerged that one of the targets he identified, the Plaza Bank, was not founded until 2006, four years after the alleged Al-Qaeda mastermind’s arrest.
In his confession, KSM claims, “I was responsible for planning, training, surveying, and financing for the New (or Second) Wave of attacks against the following skyscrapers after 9/11: …Plaza Bank, Washington state.”
KSM was arrested in March 2003. According to the Plaza Bank’s website , the organization was founded in early 2006, making it impossible for KSM to have even known of the bank’s existence before 2003, never mind plotted against it.
Skepticism about the legitimacy of KSM’s confession has gushed forth from all quarters, leaving the credibility of the Pentagon and the process of military tribunals in ruins and provoking additional questions about why the alleged Al-Qaeda mastermind admitted to involvement in such a vast range of plots.
After media commentators across the spectrum, from Time Magazine to Matt Lauer and even Rosie O’Donnell were openly cynical of the accuracy of KSM’s testimony, officials speaking on condition of anonymity admitted that the claims were exaggerated, but still insist KSM’s responsibility for 9/11, “from A to Z” is genuine.
Former CIA field officer Robert Baer also expressed his doubts , questioning “What the Pentagon’s objective really is in releasing the transcript of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s confession.”
“On the face of it, KSM, as he is known inside the government, comes across as boasting, at times mentally unstable. It’s also clear he is making things up. I’m told by people involved in the investigation that KSM was present during Wall Street Journal correspondent Danny Pearl’s execution but was in fact not the person who killed him. There exists videotape footage of the execution that minimizes KSM’s role. And if KSM did indeed exaggerate his role in the Pearl murder, it raises the question of just what else he has exaggerated, or outright fabricated,” writes Baer.
The Internet leader in activist media - Prison Planet.tv . Thousands of special reports, videos, MP3’s, interviews, conferences, speeches, events, documentary films, books and more - all for just 15 cents a day! Click here to subscribe! Find out the true story behind government sponsored terror, 7/7, Gladio and 9/11, get Terror Storm!
The facet of the Pearl murder and why the establishment would want to shut the lid on the whole affair by pinning the blame on KSM is interesting in the context that in September 2006, Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf fingered Omar Sheikh as Pearl’s assassin, adding that he was an MI6 agent working for British Intelligence . In the transcript of his alleged confession, KSM cryptically discusses CIA and Mossad involvement in the Pearl execution but the text is heavily redacted.
KSM’s claim that he ran the 1993 World Trade Center bombing is also highly suspect because it also conveniently sweeps under the carpet the fact that it was the FBI who provided the terror cell with the bomb materials through their informant and ordered the bombing to go ahead.
In addition, KSM was a known CIA asset in the eighties and was used as a go between during the CIA-funded Afghan “jihad” against the occupying Soviets.
It is well established that before his mysterious arrest as the alleged mastermind behind the September 11 plot, Mohammed was granted a visa to enter the US just six weeks before the terrorist attacks in Washington and New York.
Other questions that have arisen concerning the testimony revolve around KSM’s Americanized use of the English language, including the term “A to Z,” which many see as a form of slang that befits tabloid headlines more than it does the vernacular of radical Muslim extremists.
A CNN online poll shows that a massive 74% disbelieve all of the claims made by KSM and BBC respondents were equally cynical.
Think Progress makes the point that KSM’s comments on torture and any potential reference to the fact that he was tortured himself are redacted in the transcript.
The upshot of all this is that the much vaunted KSM confession, which seems to have been intentionally inflated so the book could be closed on a number of nebulous plots cited by the Bush administration as justification for its policies, has blown up in the establishment’s face and only succeeded in detracting credibility from the government’s official 9/11 story and the mythical war on terror.
March 16th, 2007 at 11:05 am#30 Republicans have lost the independent voters in a big way, but they don’t seem to realize it from the way they are behaving. I predict heavy GOP losses in 2008. Only then will the party wake up and smell the coffee. Then there will be the mother of all purges, in which anyone and everyone that got too close to the Bush gang has to go. It will take them a decade or more to rebuild the party.
March 16th, 2007 at 11:07 am#30
Perhaps someone could arrange a social visit for Brownback and the general at the Cheney home. I’m still waiting for Lynne’s pronouncement that “General Pace is a bad man!”
March 16th, 2007 at 11:27 amI found this observation piece by one of the editors of the weekly in my area. It really hit me hard. Thought I would share.
http://www.boiseweekly.com/ gyrobase/ Content?oid=oid%3A217839
Comment by Bluedahlia
Wow, Bluedahlia. That’s a disturbing article.
March 16th, 2007 at 11:29 amRep. Dennis Kucinich: “Impeachment May Well Be the Only Remedy†March 15, 2007
He keeps this up and he may get the nomination.
March 16th, 2007 at 11:34 amBush isn’t in the picture because they don’t let him attend the important meetings.
March 16th, 2007 at 11:41 amHe keeps whining and saying I’m bored, when do we get lunch, this is too hard, I need my mommy, where’s Laura to rub my feet, can I have a toy…
A thorough investigation was carried out and was conducted to the same standards as would be used for the death of a U.S. soldier in a friendly fire incident, the U.S. Department of Defense said in an e-mailed statement
They didn’t cooperate and then they make this comment. For once somebody’s telling the truth. They do nothing for our troops so why would they care about other countries. Horses asses.
March 16th, 2007 at 11:46 amWhat they are holding on to is that they don’t believe humans have caused it nor do they believe that there is anything humans can do about it.
Comment by Yikes — March 16, 2007 @ 10:17 am
Now they just throw their hands up in the air and wait for the Rapture. Because all those macho, war mongering neocons can’t handle energy efficiency or the slightest sacrifice.
It’s too hard, my Pepsi is warm, this parking space is too far from the door, this shopping bag is too heavy, I’m hot, I’m cold, I can’t walk to the mail box…so macho.
March 16th, 2007 at 11:52 amIt’s too hard, my Pepsi is warm, this parking space is too far from the door, this shopping bag is too heavy, I’m hot, I’m cold, I can’t walk to the mail box…so macho.
Comment by shane
Yep, black or white thinking. “We didn’t do it!” “We’re doomed!”
My fundie bro-in-law actually said to me one time, “How do you know what to do everyday without Jesus in your life? How do you keep from going insane?”
At that point I pretty much decided not to challenge him too much. Too fragile. Yikes.
March 16th, 2007 at 12:02 pmCaption contest entry: The five horsemen of the Apocalypse?
March 16th, 2007 at 12:31 pmRegarding KSM, I recall a line from Reservoir Dogs (Chris Penn, RIP): “If you torture this guy enough, he’ll tell you he started the Great Chicago Fire. But that don’t exactly make it f***in so!”
March 16th, 2007 at 12:32 pmBnF is incorrect. Evidentiary rulings of the trial judge are reviewable by the appellate authorities (military and civilain) under the Military Commissions Act.
March 16th, 2007 at 1:32 pmComment by Zooey — March 16, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
I have a neocon brother inlaw but at least he’s not a fundamentalist. I dodged that bullet.
March 16th, 2007 at 2:13 pmApparently Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM) has also confessed to tempting Jesus while he was nailed to the cross. Black humor aside, the story of KSM raises a number of troubling issues.
March 16th, 2007 at 3:46 pmIn the first place torture is profoundly immoral and is never acceptable under any circumstances. The actual purposes of torture are primarily twofold:
1) To create an atmosphere of psychological oppression and intimidation, in order to maintain the power of a totalitarian or authoritarian regime.
2) To generate false confessions and ultimately propaganda in order to control and confuse the populace
Torture has nothing to do with creating useful intelligence. Anyone who claims otherwise is either sadly misinformed or is attempting to obfuscate the issue, otherwise known as lying through your teeth. In addition, the torture of Jose Padilla to the point of insanity, using the techniques developed by Allen Dulles’s MK-ULTRA mind control program, is another disgusting crime committed by the Bush Crime Family (BCF) (credit to Mike Malloy for the use of this phrase). (See link here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/ commentisfree/ story/ 0,,2019580,00.html )
I believe even more sinister issues are afoot here. Since the 1980’s massive amounts of money, perhaps as much as $40 billion, have been funneled to the Taliban and the mujaheddin, including Al Qaeda, by the Saudis and the CIA using Pakistani’s ISI (secret service) as an intermediary. This support continues to this day. KSM is a member of the ISI. (Link here: http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/ timeline.jsp?timeline=complete_911_timeline&geopolitics_and_9/ 11=isi )
Torturing him means that any statements that he makes in court are inadmissible and undermines the credibility of any assertions he makes regarding these dark connections between the BCF and the ISI/KSM. LondonYank has an excellent post at Daily Kos entitled, “The REAL Reason for Secret Tribunals?â€, where he makes this point in an extremely thorough manner. (Link here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/9/18/82548/4524 )
Nicely said, glutalgia.
March 16th, 2007 at 4:11 pm100% of Americans BELIEVE CHIMPya Bush SHOULD NOT PARDON HIMSELF, THOUGH HE IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING PARDONING BOTH HIMSELF and Torticola Cheney BY PRACTICING THE ACT BEFORE A MIRROR AND TELLING Karl Miss PIggy Rove “Don’t worry, Turd Blossom–Ya aren’t an elected official like Dick and me.” Rove: “Neither were you, George–you and Cheney were SELECTED, remember?”
March 16th, 2007 at 11:46 pmKANGAROO-COURT TO THE RESCUE! KANGAROO-COURT TO THE RESCUE! “Sorry–none of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s statements may be used as evidence by the other defendants–THESE ARE ALL UNADMISSABLE ACCORDING TO CAPTAIN KANGAROO-COURT RULES”!!!!
OBSTRUCTIONIST repugnant-repub rightwingnut crank fudge-pachyderms in the SENATE WILL BE REMOVED in 2008 SO THEY CANNOT BLOCK THE LAWS WHICH MUST BE PASSED IN THE SENATE WHEN THEY SAIL THROUGH SO EASILY IN THE HOUSE–A GREATER MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS ARE NEEDED TO OVERWHELM THESE OBSTRUCTIONIST SEWER-RAT PIECES OF HYENA-SHIT!!!!!
“You’re IN the ARMY now, YOU’RE not HIDING BEHIND a cow! Our FIRE is OH SO FRIENDLY, So if YA GET HIT WE’LL HIDE THE FACT, THIS IS OUR WAY OF SHOWING “TACT”, YOU’RE IN THE ARMY NOW!!!!!”
We don’t have to CLOSE Walter Reed, JUST GET RID OF THE F*CK-UPS WHO TREATED VETERANS SO SHABBILY AND WITHOUT HUMANITY!!!!!
THIS WINTER WAS SO WARM, THEY WERE SELLING ESKIMO PIES(tm) TO ESKIMOS AND POLAR BEARS WERE WEARING SUNGLASSES AND SUNNING THEMSELVES AND RELAXING IN BEACH CHAIRS!!!!!
THANKS TO GLOBAL WARMING TRANSFORMING THE NORTH POLE, POLAR BEARS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK FOR NEW JOBS, LIKE PITCHMEN FOR COCA-COLA(tm)–OH THAT’S RIGHT–THEY’RE ALREADY DOING THAT!!!!!
There should INDEED be an INVESTIGATION of the IN-Justice Dept. and its CRIMINAL HEAD, Inquisitor General Alberto VO5 Gonzales, WHO SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RESIGN OR BE FIRED AS A TOTALLY CORRUPT AND INCOMPETENT FOOL!!!!!
By “rowdy weekend parties” DO YOU MEAN COPULATING COUPLES ON THE SOFAS ON THE BEACH?