Comments on: Lott Claims Bush Would Never Declassify Intel ‘Just For Political Purposes’ http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:48:15 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Elwood http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-2/#comment-3821935 Elwood Fri, 25 May 2007 14:04:36 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3821935 Let's not forget Bush's 2001 declassification of <em>portions</em> of conversations between Israeli Prime Minister <strong>Ehud Barak</strong> and President <strong>Bill Clinton</strong>. In the declassified transcripts, Barak asks Clinton to pardon billionaire fugitive <strong>Marc Rich,</strong> who had been convicted of tax evasion. The declassification appears to have been done entirely to embarrass Clinton. Clinton then claimed that the transcripts were taken out of context, and that other exerpts would show the conversation in a more benign light. So Clinton asked that the <em>whole conversation</em> be declassified. And the Whitehouse said "no." (I have a vague recollection that the Bushies later relented, but I can't find any evidence to support it.) Let’s not forget Bush’s 2001 declassification of portions of conversations between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and President Bill Clinton. In the declassified transcripts, Barak asks Clinton to pardon billionaire fugitive Marc Rich, who had been convicted of tax evasion. The declassification appears to have been done entirely to embarrass Clinton. Clinton then claimed that the transcripts were taken out of context, and that other exerpts would show the conversation in a more benign light. So Clinton asked that the whole conversation be declassified. And the Whitehouse said “no.” (I have a vague recollection that the Bushies later relented, but I can’t find any evidence to support it.)

]]> By: flex http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-2/#comment-3820096 flex Thu, 24 May 2007 15:59:18 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3820096 "Thursday morning CBS News's Early Show criticized President Bush's latest justification for the Iraq War as being the first line of defense against al Qaeda, by citing an upcoming Senate Intelligence Committee report which states that the administration was warned before the invasion that a US presence in Iraq would actually increase terrorist influence. Analyst Paul Kurtz expanded on this criticism, saying, "Prior to our invasion of Iraq...Iraq was not a fertile ground for terrorist activity," but that now "we have a safe haven in Iraq for terrorists." The administration, says Kurtz, is trying to have it both ways. <strong>When asked directly, "Is the United States winning the war on terror?" Kurtz immediately responded, "without a doubt no" and added that "our continued engagement in Iraq is spawning more terrorist activity."</strong> time to get a real President, one who knows what they're doing. “Thursday morning CBS News’s Early Show criticized President Bush’s latest justification for the Iraq War as being the first line of defense against al Qaeda, by citing an upcoming Senate Intelligence Committee report which states that the administration was warned before the invasion that a US presence in Iraq would actually increase terrorist influence.

Analyst Paul Kurtz expanded on this criticism, saying, “Prior to our invasion of Iraq…Iraq was not a fertile ground for terrorist activity,” but that now “we have a safe haven in Iraq for terrorists.” The administration, says Kurtz, is trying to have it both ways.

When asked directly, “Is the United States winning the war on terror?” Kurtz immediately responded, “without a doubt no” and added that “our continued engagement in Iraq is spawning more terrorist activity.”

time to get a real President, one who knows what they’re doing.

]]> By: buckles http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-2/#comment-3819913 buckles Thu, 24 May 2007 14:52:03 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3819913 HA HA HA HA HA HA .... <i>everything</i> these guys do is political. I don't believe they are capable of being truthful. HA HA HA HA HA HA …. everything these guys do is political. I don’t believe they are capable of being truthful.

]]> By: labs http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-2/#comment-3819668 labs Thu, 24 May 2007 12:10:01 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3819668 oh thank you trent! we <em>know</em> just how honorable YOU are. oh thank you trent! we know just how honorable YOU are.

]]> By: Frankly, my dear, ... http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-2/#comment-3819639 Frankly, my dear, ... Thu, 24 May 2007 10:45:09 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3819639 But, you see, this plan of OBL's to make the USA the top target of attacks outside Iraq won't work as long as the US military is in Iraq. Only if US forces leave will the terrorists be able to follow them to the US because, you know, nobody over there knows where the US is and maps are so unreliable. Obviously they can't attack us over here as long as we are fighting them over there. Only if we leave Iraq will they be able to figure out where the US is. But, you see, this plan of OBL’s to make the USA the top target of attacks outside Iraq won’t work as long as the US military is in Iraq. Only if US forces leave will the terrorists be able to follow them to the US because, you know, nobody over there knows where the US is and maps are so unreliable. Obviously they can’t attack us over here as long as we are fighting them over there. Only if we leave Iraq will they be able to figure out where the US is.

]]> By: R U F***ing Kidding Me http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-2/#comment-3819635 R U F***ing Kidding Me Thu, 24 May 2007 09:50:58 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3819635 http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2007/05/23/selective/index.html The president's selective intelligence Can anyone explain this to us? The president won't say whether he sent his chief of staff and White House counsel to the attorney general's hospital room in order to obtain reauthorization for his warrantless wiretap program because, he claims, doing so might provide "sensitive" and "highly classified" information to the enemy. But when the president needs to drum up support for his war in Iraq and make the case that his "war on terror" is succeeding, it's fair game for him to declassify information that suggests U.S. intelligence officials know what Osama bin Laden was plotting with Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq? -- Tim Grieve http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2007/05/23/selective/index.html

The president’s selective intelligence

Can anyone explain this to us?

The president won’t say whether he sent his chief of staff and White House counsel to the attorney general’s hospital room in order to obtain reauthorization for his warrantless wiretap program because, he claims, doing so might provide “sensitive” and “highly classified” information to the enemy.

But when the president needs to drum up support for his war in Iraq and make the case that his “war on terror” is succeeding, it’s fair game for him to declassify information that suggests U.S. intelligence officials know what Osama bin Laden was plotting with Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq?

– Tim Grieve

]]> By: JPark http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-2/#comment-3819323 JPark Thu, 24 May 2007 03:10:42 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3819323 Hmm, where has Lott been for the last 6+ years? Hmm, where has Lott been for the last 6+ years?

]]> By: Karim http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-2/#comment-3819267 Karim Thu, 24 May 2007 02:40:00 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3819267 Does this senile old coot have any credibility left? Does this senile old coot have any credibility left?

]]> By: big papa http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-1/#comment-3819232 big papa Thu, 24 May 2007 02:15:13 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3819232 This MUST be serious... ...the REPULSIVESCUM trotted out... ...that good 'ol cuntfederate flag loving, racist TRAITOR... ....TRENT "we wouldn't be havin' all these problems" LOTT... ...well by Ceerackers I'm convinced! This MUST be serious…

…the REPULSIVESCUM trotted out…

…that good ‘ol cuntfederate flag loving, racist TRAITOR…

….TRENT “we wouldn’t be havin’ all these problems” LOTT…

…well by Ceerackers I’m convinced!

]]> By: flex http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-1/#comment-3819147 flex Thu, 24 May 2007 01:14:22 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3819147 "a 2005 order from Osama bin Laden instructing aides “to form a terrorist cell that would conduct attacks outside Iraq — and that the United States should be the top target.” Bush shot himself in the foot again with this stupid stunt. so what, we all know that, AND guess who we should blame for this? duh, Bush! the point is Bush made Iraq a hotbed for terrorists by ousting Saddam and not seriously hunting down Bin Laden. for those who need reminding , or those that are living in denial,<strong> IRAQ HAD NO WMD AND NO TIES TO TERRORISTS., UNTIL WE INVADED!</strong> “a 2005 order from Osama bin Laden instructing aides “to form a terrorist cell that would conduct attacks outside Iraq — and that the United States should be the top target.”

Bush shot himself in the foot again with this stupid stunt. so what, we all know that, AND guess who we should blame for this? duh, Bush!

the point is Bush made Iraq a hotbed for terrorists by ousting Saddam and not seriously hunting down Bin Laden. for those who need reminding , or those that are living in denial, IRAQ HAD NO WMD AND NO TIES TO TERRORISTS., UNTIL WE INVADED!

]]> By: R U F***ing Kidding Me http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-1/#comment-3819127 R U F***ing Kidding Me Thu, 24 May 2007 00:54:58 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3819127 what a complete load of horsesh*t !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Declassified because Bush is in trouble, with his approval ratings heading for places that not even Nixon got to. http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/009024.html How very convenient. And how very pathetic. And how will staying in Iraq for another ten years and 50,000 US deaths help the situation? From al Qaeda’s point of view any chaotic failed state would do. Why do you suppose Iraq is a chaotic failed state today? More desperation from the Bush White House as they attempt to defend the indefensible. what a complete load of horsesh*t !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Declassified because Bush is in trouble, with his approval ratings heading for places that not even Nixon got to.

http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/009024.html

How very convenient. And how very pathetic.

And how will staying in Iraq for another ten years and 50,000 US deaths help the situation? From al Qaeda’s point of view any chaotic failed state would do. Why do you suppose Iraq is a chaotic failed state today?

More desperation from the Bush White House as they attempt to defend the indefensible.

]]> By: Kay http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-1/#comment-3819118 Kay Thu, 24 May 2007 00:36:13 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3819118 This Administration that kills it's own people for political gain (9/11) : are absolutely capable of anything. anything. I love my country but fear my government. We have met the enemy and he is us. This Administration that kills it’s own people for political gain (9/11) :

are absolutely capable of anything.
anything.

I love my country but fear my government.
We have met the enemy and he is us.

]]> By: Buck Fush http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-1/#comment-3819099 Buck Fush Thu, 24 May 2007 00:15:51 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3819099 Yeah MR. DILDO thinks he is witty and funny....don't lose your job bagging grocerys kid, as a comedian, well, you just aren't funny, you are the only one laughing. Hating the Repukian Mafia daily Yeah MR. DILDO thinks he is witty and funny….don’t lose your job bagging grocerys kid, as a comedian, well, you just aren’t funny, you are the only one laughing.

Hating the Repukian Mafia daily

]]> By: Willy http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-1/#comment-3819074 Willy Wed, 23 May 2007 23:53:15 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3819074 This administration believes and acts as though political purposes are the ONLY consideration for everything they do. This includes declassifying intelligence, outing undercover CIA agents and heaven only knows what else. It appears that there isn't anything they wouldn't do for political purposes, no matter how heinous, immoral or treasonous. How's those "family values", Republicans? This administration believes and acts as though political purposes are the ONLY consideration for everything they do. This includes declassifying intelligence, outing undercover CIA agents and heaven only knows what else. It appears that there isn’t anything they wouldn’t do for political purposes, no matter how heinous, immoral or treasonous.

How’s those “family values”, Republicans?

]]> By: Kay http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-1/#comment-3819036 Kay Wed, 23 May 2007 23:27:32 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3819036 Bush drags out and dusts off the Osama Bin Bush card when the light gets too close to the truth... Bush drags out and dusts off the Osama Bin Bush card when the light gets too close to the truth…

]]> By: margaret http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-1/#comment-3818955 margaret Wed, 23 May 2007 22:55:49 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3818955 Thanks for that link Alejandro! I think Jim Lobe is great and I didn't know that he had a blog! Thanks for that link Alejandro! I think Jim Lobe is great and I didn’t know that he had a blog!

]]> By: NastyDiaper http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-1/#comment-3818853 NastyDiaper Wed, 23 May 2007 22:11:54 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3818853 No? So the CW as to why we know Plame's name is false? I suppose he's antsy to investegate the actual reason for the treason. No? No?

So the CW as to why we know Plame’s name is false?

I suppose he’s antsy to investegate the actual reason for the treason.

No?

]]> By: Alejandro http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-1/#comment-3818836 Alejandro Wed, 23 May 2007 21:57:29 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3818836 OT - but neocons are meeting in the bahamas to see if they can pull off Iran: Iraq the sequel. http://www.ips.org/blog/jimlobe/?p=21 OT – but neocons are meeting in the bahamas to see if they can pull off Iran: Iraq the sequel.
http://www.ips.org/blog/jimlobe/?p=21

]]> By: kasinca http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-1/#comment-3818833 kasinca Wed, 23 May 2007 21:56:13 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3818833 Is that a rug on his head? I listened to the Goodling hearing this morning...all I can say is that there is not one person with (R) after their name that doesn't put protecting the thugs of this administration before upholding their oath of office. They all put party before country and constitution and law. The GOP is dead and they haven't had their funeral yet but they will in '08. These thugs must go down. Is that a rug on his head? I listened to the Goodling hearing this morning…all I can say is that there is not one person with (R) after their name that doesn’t put protecting the thugs of this administration before upholding their oath of office. They all put party before country and constitution and law. The GOP is dead and they haven’t had their funeral yet but they will in ‘08. These thugs must go down.

]]> By: Not Canadian Yet http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/comment-page-1/#comment-3818823 Not Canadian Yet Wed, 23 May 2007 21:49:22 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/lott-intel-declassification/#comment-3818823 Mr. Dildo (aka Clinton / Bush) Shouldn't you be molesting someone, or faking someone else's identity somewhere else? (gee, isn't the internet fun for a kid!) Henceforth, ye shall not be addressed, even mockingly, as your screenname. You shall now be addressed as <strong>Mr. Dildo.</strong> Mr. Dildo (aka Clinton / Bush)

Shouldn’t you be molesting someone, or faking someone else’s identity somewhere else? (gee, isn’t the internet fun for a kid!)

Henceforth, ye shall not be addressed, even mockingly, as your screenname. You shall now be addressed as Mr. Dildo.

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