Sen. Reed: White House Blocking Petraeus From Pursuing ‘New Direction’ In Iraq
Sen. Reed: White House Blocking Petraeus From Pursuing ‘New Direction’ In Iraq
Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, has repeatedly said that the United States must wait until September to assess the success of the President’s escalation policy in Iraq. Last month, Petraeus said it was “premature right now” to discuss the way forward in Iraq.
But yesterday on C-SPAN, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), who recently returned from a trip to Iraq, suggested that those comments aren’t Petraeus’s real views. Rather, he is shilling for the administration. “I got the impression from Gen. Petraeus that he wasn’t waiting” until September to reassess the Iraq policy. “Now he might be overruled by people in the White House and, you know, wait until September. But he seemed very eager to come forward as quickly as possible with a new direction and policy.” Watch it:
The Bush administration has consistently used Petraeus as a “political prop,” as Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) has noted. Bush has mentioned Petraeus “at least 150 times this year in his speeches, interviews and news conferences.” In May, the White House used Petraeus as a PR flack to promote its war czar.
Today the Washington Post notes that some members of the military are worried that “the general is being set up by the Bush administration as a scapegoat if conditions in Iraq fail to improve. ‘The danger is that Petraeus will now be painted as failing to live up to expectations and become the fall guy for the administration,’ one retired four-star officer said.”
Transcript:
REED: That’s one report I think that bears on this debate. The second, as you point out, is the benchmark reports coming out of Iraq, which shows, on the surface, mixed progress. But when you probe beneath, the real critical issues — very little or no progress at all on the political issues. The legal actions by the Iraqi government to redistribute oil profits, to incorporate more of the Sunni community into the government, no progress at all.
And I was there last week, and the prospect of anything changing over the next several weeks or months, certainly through September, is very bleak indeed. So we’re ready, I think, for a vote on the policy. I don’t think we have to wait.
I got the impression from Gen. Petraeus that he wasn’t waiting. Now he might be overruled by people in the White House and, you know, wait until September. But he seemed very eager to come forward as quickly as possible with a new direction and policy.
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Let’s wait and see what the generals have to say about this.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:03 pmIn the Washington Post today, Dan Froomkin offered readers a preview of the fate that awaits General David Petraeus at the hands of President Bush. Petraeus should prepare for his designated role as Bush’s Iraq fall-guy come September because, as Froomkin noted, “he has a tendency to celebrate his generals when they’re providing him political cover — then stick a knife in their backs when they’re no longer of any use to him.” And as I wrote last December, outsourcing responsibility - and blame - has been President Bush’s m.o. since his ill-fated Iraq invasion in 2003.
For the details, see:
July 16th, 2007 at 8:05 pm“Petraeus and Bush’s Coming Iraq Blame Game.”
Look for the next stooge to be set-up for view in the next 3 weeks or so, they’ll trot out a new darling boy-general to perpetuate the eternal conflict/occupation…
July 16th, 2007 at 8:10 pma bit off topic… heard minutes ago on rachel maddow:
FOR SALE on eBay
A Solution to the War in Iraq
I am offering the winning bidder the solution to the war in Iraq. This is not a flippant or facetious offer. There will be no joke forwarded to you if you are the winning bidder. If you are the high bidder, I will send you a viable solution to the conflict in which we are currently engaged. I am a Military Intelligence officer in the United States Army with an extensive background in the Middle East. I speak the language and understand the culture, history, and religion, well enough to construct a fair, honorable, and successful plan.
[…]
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ A-Solution-to-the-War-in-Iraq_W0QQitemZ150141399174QQihZ005QQcategoryZ50341QQcmdZViewItem
what a man…
July 16th, 2007 at 8:13 pmoutsourcing responsibility - and blame - has been President Bush’s m.o. since his ill-fated first eight months in office.
Why would a Bush policy need a scapegoat, when they all work so well?
July 16th, 2007 at 8:13 pmMaybe we should wait to hear what Petraeus has to say, instead of caring about this dude’s “impressions”!
July 16th, 2007 at 8:14 pmIt’s time for this White House to be shut down via impeachment proceedings. They’re steamrolling everyone in their path to achieving their agenda, despite the wishes of the people. It’s getting very twisted these days and will probably get worse if they aren’t stopped.
Congress has only one card left in the game: the impeachment card. Failing that, this democracy will be hijacked - no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:14 pmIraq is in a horrible multi-sectarian civil war, and there will be plenty of more Iraq civilian carnage, which may accelerate temporality as a result of troop redeployment. That is indeed unfortunate, but it is inevitable.
It is unjust to ask our troops to sacrifice and stand between several warring factions. Their presence and the reckless surge will only produce temporary results. The current tactical focus. — the surge, patrol Baghdad, to create political stability– is beyond absurd. This is a fools errand of attempting to create stability for a government that does not function and is controlled by groups that do not really want stability—they want to slaughter and exile their enemies.
The military should immediately focus and foster in a proactive way the inevitable— de facto partition and the end of modern “Iraqâ€. Partition and force regional stability through various alliances, including intense diplomatic engagement with Iran and Turkey.
Bush as Commander and Chief, should have the judgment, wisdom, dignity and sense of duty to do all that he can to get the soldiers out of harms way. Unfortunately, it is more important for him to avoid having to admit a horrible blunder, even at the expense of many more American casualties.
The worst Commander and Chief ever— so indifferent to the lives of his troops.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:14 pmSounds like General Petraeus may need to start hitting the want ads…
July 16th, 2007 at 8:14 pmBesides, this “surge” is on overtime; more of a bad thing simply means more deaths and more destruction and much, much more of a bad thing. Waiting will only result in more criminal deaths of our soldiers. More war crimes for these thugs to be tried for???
July 16th, 2007 at 8:15 pmBush has never accepted responsibilty for anything. Of course the generals, Iran, Iraq, al-Qaeda, the weak dems, the MSM, the American people, Clinton and bugs bunny. As a matter of fact it is everyone’s fault except the decider’s.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:16 pmGeneral Betray-us agreed to be Bush’s new poodle and fall guy so he knows precisely what he’s doing. He agreed to be part of the “deceitful plan” to further scam the people.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:16 pmHmmm…. I think the WH has used up its quota of scape goats many years ago. The buck stops with the President and Vice President, whether they like it or not. History will surely judge them quite harshly, but accurately.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:17 pmFools on the Hill: I have a good url for you regarding the crimes of the Bush Boys over the decades and you’re right - none of 41’s offspring has ever done anything but scam the public and take zero responsibility for doing so.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:17 pmBush will start a war with Iran before admitting mistakes/taking responsibility (perpetrating war crimes) in Iraq. Congress, you’re on notice…
July 16th, 2007 at 8:22 pm” But he seemed very eager to come forward as quickly as possible.”
I’m gonna guess that’s putting it lightly.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:22 pmFANTASTIC, AND ABOUT TIME !
July 16th, 2007 at 8:25 pmSorry, General, but you’re not the deciderer.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:33 pm#
Maybe we should wait to hear what Petraeus has to say, instead of caring about this dude’s “impressionsâ€!
Comment by Mr. President — July 16, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
Okay, but you have to agree to leave TP until Sept.. Deal?
July 16th, 2007 at 8:43 pmComment by Godzilla — July 16, 2007 @ 8:43 pm
Nice.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:47 pmAnd in other news, gunman tries to kill Democratic Gov of Colorado…
And who would be psycho enough to do that??
Could it be one of them GOP’ers?
Nah they love peace, and good will to men.
I think I’ll vomit now.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:49 pmAnd who would be psycho enough to do that??
Could it be one of them GOP’ers?
Comment by Godzilla
The dude walked in and declared
July 16th, 2007 at 8:54 pm“I am the Emperor, and I am taking over…”
(George Bush impersonator?)
I’m fine if he wants to go in a new direction as long as that direction is OUT!
General Betrayus has made his pact with the devil and he isn’t going to come out with anything that Bush doesn’t approve first. He is not that honorable of a man. If he was, he wouldn’t have taken the job in the first place. He would have told Bush “you know George, you can’t keep firing Generals who don’t agree with your strategy. You have to start listening to what your Generals are telling you. That’s what you are telling the American public you are doing “listening to the generals on the ground”, now, let’s really do it, listen.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:55 pmMaybe we should wait to hear what Petraeus has to say, instead of caring about this dude’s “impressionsâ€!
Comment by Mr. President
The General has already said there will be nothing new in his September report.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:55 pmThe General has already said there will be nothing new in his September report.
Comment by Zooey
aside from his resignation.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:59 pmaside from his resignation.
Comment by willyloman
That would be acceptable. :)
July 16th, 2007 at 9:02 pmpursuing a ‘new direction’…like getting the hell out of there!
July 16th, 2007 at 9:03 pmOT, but did anyone hear on Olbermann that the Democrats are considering INHERENT CONTEMPT charges on Harriet Miers?! I don’t know if they’ll do it, but at least they’re talking about it.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:07 pmWhat Gen Petraeus does or say will not change the fact that both Iraqi and American soldiers are dying each day in this war. while I agree that the withdrawal of American troops would do nothing except accelerate the rapid disintegration of Iraq.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:09 pmOT, but did anyone hear on Olbermann that the Democrats are considering INHERENT CONTEMPT charges on Harriet Miers?! I don’t know if they’ll do it, but at least they’re talking about it.
Comment by midwestblue — July 16, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
I heard someone here say that contempt charges were going to be filed this week. But this is not a story that the media covers, so I don’t know if this is true.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:09 pmOT, but did anyone hear on Olbermann that the Democrats are considering INHERENT CONTEMPT charges on Harriet Miers?! I don’t know if they’ll do it, but at least they’re talking about it.
Comment by midwestblue
The problem is they keep “considering” all kinds of stuff. And then they consider some more stuff.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:09 pmBush rejected any blame for the chaos that ensued in Iraq after the March 2003 invasion. So whose fault was it? Bush pointed the finger at Gen. Tommy Franks, the Central Command chief at the time. “My primary question to General Franks was, do you have what it takes to succeed? And do you have what it takes to succeed after you succeed in removing Saddam Hussein? And his answer was, yes,” Bush said.
That’s the same Tommy Franks to whom Bush awarded a Medal of Freedom in 2004.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:10 pmI’m going to consider willy’s last post for a while.
I’ll get back to you on it, promise.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:11 pmWhat Gen Petraeus does or say will not change the fact that both Iraqi and American soldiers are dying each day in this war. while I agree that the withdrawal of American troops would do nothing except accelerate the rapid disintegration of Iraq.
Comment by Will to Power — July 16, 2007 @ 9:09 pm
—————————————————————————–
I’m glad you aren’t as deluded as some of these Lefties who think that a troop withdrawal would help the Iraqis!
July 16th, 2007 at 9:15 pmI did it again….Mr. President tried to post that we were “fabricating evidence” so I zapped him again.
This could become a habit.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:15 pmHey Mr. P! Wanna read some “fabricated evidence in this thread?
July 16th, 2007 at 9:17 pmYou come back now, ya hear?
July 16th, 2007 at 9:19 pmComment by willyloman — July 16, 2007 @ 9:15 pm
Calling us Fascists for typing!
July 16th, 2007 at 9:19 pmwho did?
July 16th, 2007 at 9:19 pmWhat’s wrong willyloman?
Was the FASCIST remark to close for comfort?
Better silence the truth-teller!!!
Right willy?
July 16th, 2007 at 9:20 pmMr. President thinks that if you expose the truth, that makes you a facist. i’m not sure, but he says he’e going to UT in a year or two.
From that statement, I’d say he’s not quite ready
July 16th, 2007 at 9:21 pmyou are screwed up little boy, aren’t you?
what part of the “truth teller” insulted that Soldier by pretending to be his fallen friend?
What part of the “truth teller” made up “hip-hop” names and went off on a racist rant for an hour?
get out of here, child. you’re sick.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:23 pm#
Vitter is a TRAITOR coxucker PUNK who likes to be butt-plugged and spanked.
Just like TRAITOR coxucker PUNK Bush does with Jeff Gannon…
July 16th, 2007 at 9:23 pmNobody wants you here anymore, coward. Your true self has been exposed. And you make real people sick.
You take on these stupid little names so that you can spout your hate-filled bile and not be held to account.
Well, you got busted, punk. Now get out. You are offensive to real people.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:27 pm#30–Well, Keith Olberman and Johnathon Turley were discussing it. Not contempt charges, but inherent contempt charges. First, they file contempt as a prelude to inherent contempt, as I understand it.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:29 pmI don’t know why you bother with Mr. President, the joker, etc, whatever his Nom-de-plumes of they day may be. It is very clear his only purpose is to insult, and to screw with people. If you ignore him, and the rest of the names he posts under he will shrivel up and die. He needs the attention so bad, that he is always looking to start a fight. My advice ignore him, and the rest of his rants, and he will go away.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:31 pm#30–Well, Keith Olberman and Johnathon Turley were discussing it. Not contempt charges, but inherent contempt charges. First, they file contempt as a prelude to inherent contempt, as I understand it.
Comment by midwestblue — July 16, 2007 @ 9:29 pm
Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
And wait.
And wait.
SEPTEMBER!!!!!
And wait.
And wait.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:31 pmComment by Krazny — July 16, 2007 @ 9:31 pm
But that is too simple, and it makes too much sense!!!
July 16th, 2007 at 9:32 pmthe withdrawal of American troops would do nothing except accelerate the rapid disintegration of Iraq.
I don’t agree with this assessment. There will still be some violence but I don’t see it getting terrible worse like some do. I mean, our military isn’t the one holding things together over there.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:33 pmWhy does the GOP have such low confidence in Patreas? It’s sad to think that they put him in harms way, but won’t let him say what he’s really thinking. Very unfortunate the GOP isn’t letting the commanders do their job, and win as they deem fit.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:34 pmVery unfortunate the GOP isn’t letting the commanders do their job, and win as they deem fit.
Comment by Anon
Or get out, as they deem fit.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:35 pmMy advice ignore him, and the rest of his rants, and he will go away.
Comment by Krazny — July 16, 2007 @ 9:31 pm
When willy slaps him around for a bit, Pee keeps quiet for a while.
And if he shows his face here while we’re here, we’re going after that b*st*rd!
The other trolls can be ignored, not having played a part in the maligning of a dead Soldier in the very presence of his bereaved friend, also a Soldier.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:36 pmAmerica, indeed, most of the rest of the world is sick and getting sicker. If 9/11 happened in the 1940s or 50s there would have been long lines of young men volunteering to fight. Michael Moore would have been hung for treason, and the rest of us wouldn’t be talking about this dumb crap.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:36 pmAl Queda and their cronies must be laughing. They read the news, and strengthen their resolve every time Kennedy, Murtha, Reid, Pelossi, and others open their mouths.
We’ve had no terrorist attacks since 9/11 because they will not waste their car bombs on us, no, they have something much bigger planned.
Then and only then will America unite and put this petty BS behind us. We actually need to get hit hard for this to happen and happen it will - you can take that to the bank.
Try reading foreign bloggs and news sites - open your mind.
Try google searching these two words “surgery waiting” and see how many problems there are with socialized medicine.
We actually need to get hit hard for this to happen and happen it will - you can take that to the bank…
Comment by Leo — July 16, 2007 @ 9:36 pm
GREAT POST!!!
July 16th, 2007 at 9:39 pm“I don’t know why you bother with Mr. President, the joker, etc, whatever his Nom-de-plumes of they day may be. It is very clear his only purpose is to insult, and to screw with people. If you ignore him, and the rest of the names he posts under he will shrivel up and die. He needs the attention so bad, that he is always looking to start a fight. My advice ignore him, and the rest of his rants, and he will go away.
Comment by Krazny”
Kranzy: Don’t waste your breath. I have been trying to convince people here for a while that feeding the trolls only encourages them. I have finally come to the opinion that feeding the trolls is the sole purpose for many of the posters on this board. They do not want to debate important issues, they want to bait the trolls and play with the trolls. They think it makes them special by being the one to “bring down the troll”. Problem is that it will never happen as long as people keep feeding them.
I am giving this site another couple of days. If the troll feeding continues at the current rate, I will find somewhere else to post. One recent thread had 140 posts when I read it and 71 out of the 140 were either by ONE troll or in response to the ONE troll. The troll won that bout hands down.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:41 pmGREAT GOOGLYMOOGLY!
There, aren’t I as talented as Mr. Pee Pee?
July 16th, 2007 at 9:43 pmClose, Raven, but no cigar.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:44 pmkatie
My father is retired Navy. Career Navy. A soldier came in here, and was saying that this is a messed up situation in Iraq, and he had to go back for his 4th tour of duty in Sept. he then posted a memorial to his fallen friend.
These trolls were there (as I have shown) and they couldn’t stand to hear a soldier talking about the war in a way they didn’t like.
So they disguised their names, and abused him. One by taking the name of his fallen friend.
What I am doing is not “feeding the trolls”.
I was disgusted by the dispay. Many TPers left and said they were not coming back.
You tolerate it if you want to…but not me. and not others here. That was WAY OVER THE F—ING LINE, WHAT THEY DID.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:46 pmMostly Katie my annoyance is that so many respond too the trolls, and the threads are so disrupted by one or two people. I used to post far more, but it just doesn’t seem worth it. Unless you are willing to flame someone or make an outrageous statement, you don’t get noticed.
Anyway God bless Katie, hope your night is going well.
OT: If anyone thought that Petraus was anything but the fall guy for the latest failure in Iraq, then you haven’t been paying attention. Bush at this point can do nothing but attempt to drag out this conflict until the end of his term. It would be in the best interest of the US, and the world to impeach, and return some sanity to our government.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:46 pmSorry, katy, I’m just amazed that he’s still around.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:47 pmMust be a steady source of income for him.
I’ll shut up now…. ;)
America, indeed, most of the rest of the world is sick and getting sicker. If 9/11 happened in the 1940s or 50s there would have been long lines of young men volunteering to fight. Michael Moore would have been hung for treason, and the rest of us wouldn’t be talking about this dumb crap.
But since then we had Vietnam (which Bush and Cheney avoided, Bush going AWOL from the TANG and Cheney with 5 deferments),
and the Americans that DID fight in Vietnam know that our leaders from Johnson to Nixon LIED to them, and that Bush is a WARMONGERING little COXUCKER punk TRAITOR to the USA who needs to be IMPEACHED, TRIED and JAILED for TREASON against the USA,
and that Bush should be the one HUNG FOR BEING A TRAITOR
Al Queda and their cronies must be laughing.
Yup. Most of the Al Queda in Iraq are Saudi Arabian, just like 9/11, and the Bush criminals have a LONG ASSOCIATION with the Bin Ladens and the sultan named by the Bush family: BANDAR BUSH….
Laughing that Americans are such SUCKERS to believe a TRAITOR like George W. Bush…
July 16th, 2007 at 9:47 pmYou tolerate it if you want to…but not me. and not others here. That was WAY OVER THE F—ING LINE, WHAT THEY DID.
Comment by willyloman — July 16, 2007 @ 9:46 pm
That I have to agree with.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:48 pmPart of the Progressive Problem is we are tolerant. We don’t draw a line in the sand.
Well I’m saying they stepped over it. Go read whot they said to that Soldier and then tell me what you think.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:48 pmIf 9/11 happened back in the 40’s or 50’s, the American people would have hung Cheney and his croneys up by the neck. We didn’t tollerate false flag incidences back then. Anbd we don’t take em lightly today.
You neo-cons need to crawl back into the hole you came from. There are citizen groups forming who’s function will be to rid the planet of the neo-con feces that has infesting this planet.
Comment by WW2 Vet
Amen. And TRAITOR Bush, too…
July 16th, 2007 at 9:48 pmComment by willyloman — July 16, 2007 @ 9:46 pm
The Joker’s been banned, you moron. Stop the charade!
July 16th, 2007 at 9:48 pmMany of us do understand, katie. It is a common M.O. for conservatives to berate the troops. They don’t like our brave soldiers speaking up. It just reminds them of the cowardice those conservatives are and they then realize that they could never go over there and fight for the USA.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:49 pmComment by katy — July 16, 2007 @ 9:44 pm
I’m sorry, katy and krazny.
I want to be respectful of you.
Please let me give it some thought.
If I walk away from this, it will not be because I have changed my mind that he is a vile, profoundly un-American creep.
It will only be because of people like you, and because I do not want to disrupt what otherwise is a pleasant and educational discussion of the issues.
It will probably be enough of a reminder to him of his sin to just see the names “Egreggious” and “willyloman” affixed to future posts.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:54 pmThe Joker’s been banned, you moron. Stop the charade!
Comment by Mr. President
theres your proof. you did it and you know it. You’re a sickening punk hiding behind a keyboard.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:55 pmPeople quit this place because of that offensive little coward. What he did was vile. And what? because he just hangs around blaming Joker and Umar and syaing “not me”, it’s just, let it go….
because it’s uncomfortable? Jesus.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:58 pmYou’re a sickening punk hiding behind a keyboard.
Comment by willyloman — July 16, 2007 @ 9:55 pm
—————————————————————-
No willy, my Lefty marionette, I haven’t been hiding at all.
I’ve been making you and egregg dance for me!!!
(by the way, this statement is only proof of how simple you are)
See ya later, my puppets!!!
July 16th, 2007 at 10:01 pmGREAT GOOGLYMOOGLY!
There, aren’t I as talented as Mr. Pee Pee?
Comment by Raven
Amazing! Inspired!
July 16th, 2007 at 10:01 pmBetter to demonize trolls that to demonize fallen soldiers.
Comment by Egreggious — July 16, 2007 @ 9:13 pm
Exactly!! You and Salesman need to keep responding to his trollings by repeating his shockingly disrespectful words. No one can take him as anything other than a joke….like calling C&L fascist. LGF or Redstate projection much, Mr. Pee?
Comment by robbez_92107 — July 16, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
July 16th, 2007 at 10:03 pmthank you robbez
I think the deal is, he apologizes to Tired of Fighting, and willy leaves him alone. The ball is in his court.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:06 pmOk time to stop feeding the trolls.
I’m just as guilty of it as anyone. But I will no longer respond to any of the wankers who troll this forum, tempted though I am to give them some desperately-needed education about some issues.
I hope others will join me. The trolls have taken over, and we have allowed them to. Each thread now contains five posts about the topic at hand and 100 about something a troll said five threads ago and how bad it was. This is exactly their strategy, and it seems to be working.
Well, it shall work on me no longer!
July 16th, 2007 at 10:08 pmI think the deal is, he apologizes to Tired of Fighting, and willy leaves him alone. The ball is in his court.
Comment by Egreggious
That will never happen. I promise you that.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:08 pmTired of Fighting has not retreated from this site, even though the trolls attacked him in the most disgusting way possible.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:10 pm“You tolerate it if you want to…but not me. and not others here. That was WAY OVER THE F—ING LINE, WHAT THEY DID.
Comment by willyloman ”
I totally agree with you that what happened was over the line and you made your point…again…and again…and again…and again. How many times are you going to make it before you realize that he really doesn’t care?
July 16th, 2007 at 10:13 pmEgreggious is right. He owes that man an apology. Zooey heard me last night. I was very decent to him. But what is right is right.
Now if you all just want to stop responding to him, ok. I’ll live with that. He can flutter around here, and I wont keep this up. but I ust can’t let it go on as if it’s business as usual. I can’t.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:15 pmto repeat… thank you, katie:
I totally agree with you that what happened was over the line and you made your point…again…and again…and again…and again. How many times are you going to make it before you realize that he really doesn’t care?
i’ll never understand the head into a brick wall thing…
especially from “progressives”…
time to walk the doggy…
oh! and the daily show is back from vacation!!!
thank gawd!
see yas…
July 16th, 2007 at 10:16 pmComment by Katie
I’m not doing it to make him care. I want you to care. Thats why I put all that together.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:16 pmWhat is this new direction, Mr. Reed? A repeat of the Korea pullout of 1949, and the Korea escalation of 1950?
July 16th, 2007 at 10:16 pmLooks like Zooey forgot to take her happy pills…
July 16th, 2007 at 10:17 pmYeah you guys, stop feeding the trolls, Mr. Prez is gonna end up with a repetitive stress injury defending his dumb ass.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:17 pmahhh, m12 is here. The religious bigot who hates anyone who is not Christian. Have you burned any crosses lately, m12?
July 16th, 2007 at 10:18 pmPetraeus is not the commander and chief, regardless of how hard the Snow machine tryes to cast him in that role. The General will march up to the Hill in September and deliver a typically dense military report saying that its bad, but we made some progress, and if you give the surge more time we will make more progress. It will convert no one. Republicans will say see, were making progress, only cowards would stop now and dishonor the sacrifices of our war dead. Democrats will say that there is no military solution, and that the political situation means that any gains are castles made of sand. The report will change nothing. Bush will surge till he runs out of troops and time. End result… dammed if I know.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:19 pmIt’s time for this White House to be shut down via impeachment proceedings. They’re steamrolling everyone in their path to achieving their agenda, despite the wishes of the people. It’s getting very twisted these days and will probably get worse if they aren’t stopped.
Congress has only one card left in the game: the impeachment card. Failing that, this democracy will be hijacked - no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
Comment by veritas — July 16, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
Bush (and Rove) have wanted to create a permanent Republican rule since he took office in 2001. Olbermann said it in his last Special Comment, and USA Today said it when Bush trotted out his plan to privitize social security (briefly, the plan was to show that the Repubs had a better idea for SS while the Dems didn’t, and the public would be so impressed that it’d be decades before they trusted the Dems to have a revolutionary idea). Anyway, if Bush/Cheney are not removed from office, and the vast majority of the public stands by, then they have set many precedents for future Repub administrations. The Bush administration deemed Congress irrelevant long ago; it started with the 109th Congress, who for all intents and purposes allowed him to do so. Should Congress have the votes to impeach and remove him from office, I doubt he’d go. He’s given Congress, especially the 110th, the middle finger so many times that he’d do it again if attempts were made to remove him from the WH. If the Repubs cannot have a perm. majority in all three branches of government, then the WH and perhaps the SC will just have to do. All it’s going to take are a few rigged voting machines and more voter suppression, and again if America doesn’t stand up and do something about it, we are doomed for generations to come. Perhaps the only other chance is if all the revelations of the Bush administration we’ve seen since the Dems took the majority open America’s eyes and gives them a really bad taste for a Repub president, then any election cheating can be overcome by a super majority of voters turning out to vote Dem.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:20 pmm12 has no idea about the history of those two Presidents, nor the capacity for empathy in understanding the emotion of their times…
July 16th, 2007 at 10:20 pmPushing responsibilities and dateline of redeployment is not the solution for the White House. The Bush administration has yet to recognize and admit the war in Iraq is causing more violence, terror and poverty in this world. There are more critical issues that affecting the lives of millions of americans and people world wide that our president is not taking actions against. According to the Borgen Project, it only takes $19 billion dollars annually to eradicate world hunger and poverty. However, our government has already spent more than $450 billion dollars over this fruitless war in Iraq. It is time for the Bush Administration to take a real interest in the lives of the American people as well as people who are in desperate needs around the world. Stop the lies and stop poverty now. Put away the arrogance and put the needs of the people before political gains
July 16th, 2007 at 10:21 pmHey at least Reed working towards a solution that doesn’t involve killing inocents and make our grandkids bankrupt.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:21 pmI suppose it’s a bit much to hope that a$$ will ever display an iota of humanity.
I agree with willy that it’s important that everyone be aware that he is more than just a harmless troll.
I hope anyone that chooses to respond to him will not forget his egregious [see, I do know how to spell it] sin.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:21 pmahhh, m12 is here. The religious bigot who hates anyone who is not Christian. Have you burned any crosses lately, m12?
Why don’t you ask Robert Byrd?
July 16th, 2007 at 10:23 pmWhy don’t you ask Robert Byrd?
Comment by m12
Robert Byrd disavowed his racist past. You are currently a racist bigot. Answer the question.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:25 pmm12,
Why don’t you say your goodbye’s to TP now, because you’ll be banned soon enough.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:26 pmWell, I guess the flow of witty banter is more important than holding this prick accountable.
but I guess that’s what you come here for. Me? I can’t stand to see his name after that. Or you guys joking around with him.
I’ll go somewhere where they kick his kind out in a post or two. With the rest of the TPers who left that day.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:27 pmRobert Byrd disavowed his racist past. You are currently a racist bigot. Answer the question.
Do I get 30 years as well to disavow it?
July 16th, 2007 at 10:28 pmI think I see the problem. It’s that you lefties hang on to the “old” America. The one with the Constitution in it. We live in the new, “faith based” world. We’re an empire now. The Constitution doesn’t matter anymore. We follow what the emperor says. You lefties need to get with the program.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:28 pmDo I get 30 years as well to disavow it?
Comment by m12
I see how it is — you already know you’re no better than Robert Byrd.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:29 pmI find it ironic that some still think things will escalate if we pull out, when the factions in Iraq don’t seem to be waiting for us to pull out.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:29 pmDo I get 30 years as well to disavow it?
Comment by m12 — July 16, 2007 @ 10:28 pm
——————————————
Sure!!! And even then, you don’t have to mean it!!!
July 16th, 2007 at 10:29 pmI find it ironic that some still think things will escalate if we pull out, when the factions in Iraq don’t seem to be waiting for us to pull out.
Comment by the Lone Voice of Reason — July 16, 2007 @ 10:29 pm
——————————————————————————–
I find this statement to be utterly moronic.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:30 pmI see how it is — you already know you’re no better than Robert Byrd.
Robert Byrd apparently was good enough to be a Senator for 40+ years now….I wonder if he has some rope in his desk in case Obama gets in reach of those canes.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:31 pmTroll feeding seems to be a great pastime for many of the posters here. This accomplishes nothing but degrade and divert the potential discussion of the issue. Troll mission accomplished thanks to the troll ENABLERS.
I won’t waste my time, and so I have essentially quit posting here.Now I simply scan through the posts, as it is a waste of time to wade through all the asanine troll/anti-troll commentary. ( I have found that TPMMuckraker posters stay more on topic and thereby have more productive discussions.)
July 16th, 2007 at 10:31 pmm12 listen close. Things are getting worse, not better.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:31 pmRobert Byrd apparently was good enough to be a Senator for 40+ years now….I wonder if he has some rope in his desk in case Obama gets in reach of those canes.
Comment by m12
You forget that this isn’t about Byrd, it’s about YOU. But I see you are what you are, and can’t even pretend otherwise.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:33 pmHey,
Anyone know what the KKK uses as their song; well, I guess -anthem?
July 16th, 2007 at 10:34 pmHowever, our government has already spent more than $450 billion dollars over this fruitless war in Iraq…
Comment by Mstessyrue — July 16, 2007 @ 10:21 pm
——————————————————
Well, yes. It is fruitless, now. However, we removed an evil Muslim from power and if are smart about it, we can secure Iraq for our economic and strategic interests.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:35 pmc’mon, m12 -
You should know, being a bigoted a$$hole….
July 16th, 2007 at 10:36 pmZooey,
Are you still in Portland?
How much longer?
July 16th, 2007 at 10:36 pmAngryvet, you can’t go anywhere and discuss politics without some ten cent millionare trying to act like a bigshot butting in with uninsightfull commentary.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:38 pmWell, yes. It is fruitless, now. However, we removed an evil Muslim from power and if are smart about it, we can secure Iraq for our economic and strategic interests.
Or we can cut our military budgets and surrender to the Islamic fundamentalists, inviting them to turn our cities into warzones.
Let’s do it!
July 16th, 2007 at 10:38 pmComment by angryvietnamvet — July 16, 2007 @ 10:31 pm
Welcome to our world of the past 2-3 years.
We are still human. We can only take their crap for so long - then we must strike back.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:39 pmOr we can cut our military budgets and surrender to the Islamic fundamentalists, inviting them to turn our cities into warzones.
Comment by m12 — July 16, 2007 @ 10:38 pm
Or the BEE PEOPLE!
July 16th, 2007 at 10:41 pmOr we can cut our military budgets and surrender to the Islamic fundamentalists, inviting them to turn our cities into warzones.
Let’s do it!
Comment by m12 — July 16, 2007 @ 10:38 pm
—————————————————————-
Invite them? Hell, let’s escort them as we run away, fleeing from our responsibilities in the Middle East!!!
July 16th, 2007 at 10:41 pmInvite them? Hell, let’s escort them as we run away, fleeing from our responsibilities in the Middle East!!!
Comment by Mr. President —
Sounds good. When do we start?
July 16th, 2007 at 10:43 pmA drunken AWOL coward, a five deferment coward, and a stable full of cowards who have never served think they know more about running a war than the military. These thugs must be executed.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:44 pmOr the BEE PEOPLE! - Comment by Egreggious
So this is what the Left is reduced to?
Sad.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:44 pmZooey,
Are you still in Portland?
How much longer?
Comment by Egreggious
I’m still here! I’m hoping to leave on Wednesday, but it’s not carved in stone yet. :)
July 16th, 2007 at 10:45 pmyep Oklahoma was terrible, and those whacky islamist fitting a 757 through a sixteen foot square hole in the pentagon.
Oh right, planes didn’t actually hit the towers! I bet it was the Cheney optical illusion machine!
July 16th, 2007 at 10:46 pmThe cowardly Bush is running out the clock. The piece of crap is intent on dropping his idiotically lethal policy into the lap of the next President.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:47 pmComment by Zooey — July 16, 2007 @ 10:45 pm
I’m glad you could be here.
I’d love to visit your part of the country someday. People I’ve talked to who have been there have always been impressed.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:47 pmComment by barfly — July 16, 2007 @ 10:43 pm
Immediately!!!
Call Congress, write letters, tell them you don’t want those terrorists to follow us home, you want us to give ‘em a ride!
July 16th, 2007 at 10:48 pmComment by barfly — July 16, 2007 @ 10:43 pm
The next Democrat takes office in Jan. 2009, right? Our cities will be under constant assault from Islam by Jan. 2010.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:48 pmDaryll’s over on the Vitter thread.
This should be fun.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:49 pmand those whacky islamist fitting a 757 through a sixteen foot square hole in the pentagon.
Comment by the Lone Voice of Reason — July 16, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
—————————————————————
I don’t quite follow this comment.
Care to explain???
July 16th, 2007 at 10:49 pmThe right has reduced itself to following a failed presidency that they won’t even admit to voting for in ten years, the same thing happened with Nixon.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:50 pmNo prob, Sales. I think you and Egregg (and Zooey) have responded in the most effective way to discredit these trolls. I think that they actually DO try to make a point every now and again, rather than vandalizing a thread time and time again. Once discredited and shown to be hypocrites (egad, like Dave Vitter, above, or Newt or Mark Foley or any of many others), the trolls change names and continue to try to hijack every thread. That is why exposing Rep. Vitter’s IOIYAR excuse (or Scooter’s commute) is important now and will be in 2008. It will sink in to the 26%ers, as they become 19%ers after we bomb Iran.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:50 pm“Call Congress, write letters, tell them you don’t want those terrorists to follow us home, you want us to give ‘em a ride!”
Comment by Mr. President
And we can sell them weapons, just like St. Ronny! That will do wonders for the defense contractors bottom line…
July 16th, 2007 at 10:51 pmMr. Prez now I know you aren’t interested in facts, if you need to know look it up for yourself, I’m not doing your legwork.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:51 pmSo this is what the Left is reduced to?
Sad.
Comment by Mr. President
Actually it is the right which is being rendered down into its seperate ingredients, and like the hot dog, once you know what the ingredients truly are, you will never consume (or vote) for one again.
P.S.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:51 pmYou are sounding rather more jaded over the course of the last fortnight, Mr. P, are you beginning to stuggle with burnout?
Besides I’m not laughing with you, I’m laughing at you.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:52 pmComment by barfly — July 16, 2007 @ 10:51 pm
We might as well jihad for them too, right?
July 16th, 2007 at 10:53 pm“The next Democrat takes office in Jan. 2009, right? Our cities will be under constant assault from Islam by Jan. 2010.”
Comment by m12
Well, since REAGAN SOLD WEAPONS TO THEM, what’s the big deal about that?
July 16th, 2007 at 10:53 pmWell, since REAGAN SOLD WEAPONS TO THEM, what’s the big deal about that?
If Reagan selling them weapons was so bad, why didn’t Clinton send the troops to get them back?
July 16th, 2007 at 10:53 pmYou are sounding rather more jaded over the course of the last fortnight, Mr. P, are you beginning to stuggle with burnout?
Comment by Raven — July 16, 2007 @ 10:51 pm
———————————————–
What? With the whole egregg and willyloman being my puppets thing?
They are blaming me for the work of “The Joker” (who incidentally, has already been banned).
July 16th, 2007 at 10:55 pmbarfly, this m12 guy is living in bazarro world, we’ll have our troops home by then protecting our borders, where they can actually stop domestic terrorism. What a cook, he’s as crazy as those religius whackos thinking he can predict the future. Talk about a guy who hates americans, wishing we get attacked as punishment for having a dem in office.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:58 pmForgive them their confusion, Mr. Pee, Mr. President is The Joker in “the reality based world.”
July 16th, 2007 at 10:58 pm“If Reagan selling them weapons was so bad, why didn’t Clinton send the troops to get them back?”
Comment by m12
Because they used them in the Iran/Iraq war. You remember, the war that conservatives used to paint Saddam as a brutal killer - neglecting to mention that they armed him?
July 16th, 2007 at 10:59 pmWayne, (and m12, you’ll probably get a kick out of this too)
I hope you didn’t get that info from “ace.” His hidden American concentration camps theory was debunked last night:
July 16th, 2007 at 10:59 pmhttp://thinkprogress.org/ 2007/ 07/ 15/ wh-reassures-necons-were-staying-with-the-surge/ #comment-3938384
barfly, this m12 guy is living in bazarro world, we’ll have our troops home by then protecting our borders, where they can actually stop domestic terrorism. What a cook, he’s as crazy as those religius whackos thinking he can predict the future. Talk about a guy who hates americans, wishing we get attacked as punishment for having a dem in office.
Protecting our borders? The Democrats are taking money away from fences and land mines on our southern border and sending money to ethanol farmers and unions!
July 16th, 2007 at 11:00 pmYeah they believe titanium alloy will vaporize, and they call us conspiracy theorist.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:00 pmThe Democrats are taking money away from fences and land mines on our southern border and sending money to ethanol farmers and unions!
Comment by m12 —
So much worse than building highways to nowhere on taxpayers’ dime…
July 16th, 2007 at 11:02 pmI said you aren’t interested in facts, sorry I left out logic too.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:03 pmProtecting our borders? The Democrats are taking money away from fences and land mines on our southern border and sending money to ethanol farmers and unions!
Comment by m12 — July 16, 2007
LOL
July 16th, 2007 at 11:04 pmIf only this poster would proof read his own writings, he could avoid the mouthful of shoe-leather.
Antiwar Ron Paul Rakes in Military Donations?
Quarterly Reports Indicate Paul Raised More From Military Than Other Republicans:
Congressman Ron Paul has defined his Republican presidential candidacy with a staunchly critical stance on the Iraq war, saying during the June 5 debate in New Hampshire, for example, that it was a “mistake to go and a mistake to stay.”
Paul has often reiterated his views that US security has been worsened by its military presence in Iraq, and that Bush’s pre-emptive war doctrine represented one of his administration’s greatest moral failings.
One might think such criticism of the war and the Commander-in-Chief’s leadership would make Paul a pariah to the military community, however, the latest figures indicate the antiwar Republican is receiving more donations from employees of the US military than any other Republican candidate.
The Presidential campaigns just released their quarterly campaign finance reports, leaving much of the mainstream media remarking on Paul’s surge in online donations from his healthy Internet following, though the $2.3 million he raised still has him trailing far behind the front runners.
But a closer look at the reports reveals a less obvious but more remarkable development–the antiwar Republican received nearly 50% of the money donated by employees of the US military.
The site that crunched the numbers on the quarterly reports did not count donations coming from the US Marine Corps, which adds $1600 to the total of $15,825 total they report McCain raised from employees of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Veterans Administration. That failure slightly alters the conclusions they draw on the totals, since Paul received no money from Marines. Even so, the overall percentages indicate that the underdog candidate, whose overall fund raising cache is dwarfed by the leading pack of candidates, has appealed to segments of the military community.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:04 pmFrom Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (19 Sep 2003)):
2. n. An individual who chronically trolls in sense 1; regularly posts specious arguments, flames or personal attacks to a newsgroup, discussion list, or in email for no other purpose than to annoy someone or disrupt a discussion. Trolls are recognizable by the fact that they have no real interest in learning about the topic at hand - they simply want to utter flame bait. Like the ugly creatures they are named after, they exhibit no redeeming characteristics, and as such, they are recognized as a lower form of life on the net, as in, “Oh, ignore him, he’s just a troll.” Compare kook.
SEE also, for more detailed discussion on trolls:
http://www.tpmcafe.com/ blog/ troll_patrol/ 2007/ jul/ 14/ troll_patrol_replaces_trolls4jake#comment
July 16th, 2007 at 11:04 pmAh… the conspiracy libs, always good for a laugh!
July 16th, 2007 at 11:04 pmBecause they used them in the Iran/Iraq war. You remember, the war that conservatives used to paint Saddam as a brutal killer - neglecting to mention that they armed him?
All the more reason not to wait until Iran creates a nuclear device.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:06 pmm12 just keep following the status quo, you’ll soon be the life of the party. Tell me, since you believe everything you’re told, do you believe Oswald killed Kennedy too? You’re not keeping up.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:06 pmAngry they don’t annoy me believe me I’m laughing my butt off, I know the type. Big heads and big egos, neither will get them anywhere.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:08 pmAh… the conspiracy libs, always good for a laugh!
Yep. I have never seen a liberal mention where 77 went exactly; betcha they think its parked in the Hawaiian Islands or something.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:09 pmSo, Mr. Voice of Reason, where is Flight 77, if it did not crash into the pentagon?
Comment by m12 —
Someone who didn’t know that his workers’ compensation graph also included health plans for employers might think twice before attacking others’ theories. Or did you forget that boneheaded mistake you made?
July 16th, 2007 at 11:09 pmm12 just keep following the status quo, you’ll soon be the life of the party. Tell me, since you believe everything you’re told, do you believe Oswald killed Kennedy too? You’re not keeping up.
Yep, on orders from Lyndon Johnson.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:10 pmLone Voice…. Thanks for the feedback on my post regarding trolling….I read it as a sarcastic comment on my posting…thanks/
July 16th, 2007 at 11:10 pmSomeone who didn’t know that his workers’ compensation graph also included health plans for employers might think twice before attacking others’ theories. Or did you forget that boneheaded mistake you made?
I didn’t make any mistake of the sort. You just operate under the assertion that the wealthy aren’t people.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:10 pmYep. I have never seen a liberal mention where 77 went exactly; betcha they think its parked in the Hawaiian Islands or something.
Comment by m12
Nope. It’s parked in the same hanger as Saddam’s wmd’s.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:11 pmOT, but Jon Stewart just used my line.
http://thinkprogress.org/ 2007/ 07/ 12/ a-decision-worthy-of-fox-news/ - comment 4
I want a t-shirt.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:11 pmwhere is Flight 77, if it did not crash into the pentagon?
Comment by m12 — July 16, 2007 @ 11:04 pm
—————————————————–
It was sucked into the super secret magically Vortex!!!
July 16th, 2007 at 11:11 pmNope. It’s parked in the same hanger as Saddam’s wmd’s.
So now you are suggesting that flight 77 never existed?
July 16th, 2007 at 11:12 pmThat’s funny, let’s get our boys killed to keep from getting our boys killed. No matter what, with our big oil needs we still habve to deal over there. We seem to not be following the principle of the fox.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:12 pmIt wasn’t meant to be Angry, I appreciate your research, I’m just saying what I’m saying.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:13 pmIt was sucked into the super secret magically Vortex!!!
Maybe it got eaten up by Cheney’s hurricane creator in the Gulf?
Didn’t you hear? The Vice President is soon going to launch another hurricane at all the Dem strongholds in Florida!
July 16th, 2007 at 11:13 pmThat’s funny, let’s get our boys killed to keep from getting our boys killed. No matter what, with our big oil needs we still habve to deal over there. We seem to not be following the principle of the fox.
Comment by the Lone Voice of Reason — July 16, 2007 @ 11:12 pm
———————————————————————-
No. Let’s finish what we started and secure the area so as not to create another Radical Islamic breeding ground!
July 16th, 2007 at 11:15 pmSo, LVR, has your research told us where 77 disappeared to?
July 16th, 2007 at 11:15 pmI didn’t make any mistake of the sort. You just operate under the assertion that the wealthy aren’t people.
Comment by m12
Predictably, you throw up a strawman. Must I post the exchange, to prove you wrong? You put up a graph supposedly to show that employee compensation wasn’t out of whack, and when I pointed out that employers’ health plans were included in the graph, you didn’t post anything to rebut me - just fell back on the same weak talking points.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:15 pmDidn’t you hear? The Vice President is soon going to launch another hurricane at all the Dem strongholds in Florida!
Comment by m12 — July 16, 2007 @ 11:13 pm
—————————————————————
Oh, of course! Cheney has that hurrican machine! That did it, just like he and Bush caused Katrina!
LOL!!!
July 16th, 2007 at 11:17 pm“So, LVR, has your research told us where 77 disappeared to?”
Comment by m12 —
And your research rebutting my points? C’mon, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:17 pmPost whatever you like, barfly.
Oh, and CEOs are employees, not employers.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:17 pmSo now you are suggesting that flight 77 never existed?
Comment by m12
Weak strawman.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:18 pmYou believe the biggest conspiracy that’s obvious. If they want to convince me, they should release the surveilence tapes from the nearby businesses that they confiscated, simple as that.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:18 pmSo where is 77, barfly?
July 16th, 2007 at 11:18 pmComment by the Lone Voice of Reason — July 16, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
So at the very most you are entitled to be skeptical (in the original sense of the word). You do not have any grounds to assert a conspiracy theory.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:20 pmWhere is the blackbox?
July 16th, 2007 at 11:20 pmYou believe the biggest conspiracy that’s obvious. If they want to convince me, they should release the surveilence tapes from the nearby businesses that they confiscated, simple as that.
And all you have to do is tell everyone where the plane went. Never mind that the muslims proved their ability to hijack 3 other times that day….
July 16th, 2007 at 11:20 pmSo where is 77, barfly?
Comment by m12
Where’s the WMD?
July 16th, 2007 at 11:20 pmU.S. Intel Officer: Al Qaeda Leadership Allowed To Operate Freely:
A U.S. intelligence official last week testified to Congress that he believes the Bush administration is allowing the leadership of Al Qaeda to operate freely in Pakistan and is choosing not to disrupt its activities.
Demanding to know why the U.S. has not taken more decisive action against a known enemy, Tom Fingar of the office of the Director of National Intelligence told a Congressional hearing:
“It’s not that we lack the ability to go into that space, but we have chosen not to do so without the permission of the Pakistani government.”
“The U.S. has provided $5.6 billion in coalition support funds to Pakistan over the past five years, with zero accountability,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy, D-Pa., at the hearing.
“Why is Pakistan still being paid these large sums of money, even after publicly declaring that it is significantly cutting back patrols in the most important border area?” he asked.
Fingar’s claims are supported by the recent revelation that a secret military operation in early 2005 to capture senior members of Al Qaeda in Pakistan’s tribal areas