U.S. Troops Given Misleading, Inaccurate Bios Of Democratic Lawmakers Visiting Iraq
U.S. Troops Given Misleading, Inaccurate Bios Of Democratic Lawmakers Visiting Iraq
This morning, the Washington Post has a story on how lawmakers are being “slimed in the Green Zone” when they travel to Iraq for congressional delegation trips. Reps. James Moran (D-VA), Jon Porter (R-NV), and Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) recently returned from such a trip. While there, Tauscher and Moran noticed sheets of paper that “seemed to be everywhere” in the Green Zone, “distributed to Iraqi officials, U.S. officials and uniformed military of no particular rank.”
The sheets of papers were short, thumbnail biographies of the two lawmakers. ThinkProgress has obtained copies of the bios for Moran and Tauscher. Instead of receiving the official bios readily available on the congressional websites, the U.S. troops were given new ones that cherry-pick the representatives’ “most incendiary” statements:
The bios also either ignore or completely misrepresent the lawmakers’ records. The Washington Post notes:
Under “latest Iraq vote,” Tauscher’s bio noted that she had voted in favor of legislation requiring the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq within 120 days of the bill’s enactment.
She did vote that way — in May. On Aug. 2, Tauscher voted in favor of her own bill, which mandates that troops be granted a leave from combat at least as long as their last combat deployment before being shipped back to Iraq. That vote might have been a little too popular with the soldiers she was meeting, Tauscher said.
Moran’s bio says that he “[v]oted NO on legislation requiring the withdrawal of U S troops from Iraq within 120 days of the bill’s enactment.” In reality, Moran voted “yes.” He also voted for Tauscher’s dwell-time legislation.
When Porter learned about his colleagues’ rap sheets, he stated, “I had never seen that in the past. That’s new. Now I want to see what they’re saying about me.”
ThinkProgress spoke with one of the delegation’s military escorts, Maj. Toby Patterson, who said that he didn’t know who made the bios or why they were created in the first place. He added that his office, the Marine Corps liaison for the U.S. House of Representatives, usually just uses lawmakers’ readily-available bios off of congressionalquarterly.com.
UPDATE: ThinkProgress has confirmed that the bios are prepared by the Strategic Effects (STRATEFF) office of MNF-I.
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As if this is anything different than what is posted on ThinkProgress EVERY day?
August 31st, 2007 at 9:48 amAs if this is anything different than what is posted on ThinkProgress EVERY day?
Comment by Jake D. — August 31, 2007 @ 9:48 am
Want to provide some proof with that rant sandwich?
August 31st, 2007 at 9:51 amThe powers that be told us to do this. We don’t want no truth tellers over in Iraq telling our soldiers what we dont want them to know. If you want to tell the truth, do it some place in the South Pacific. NOT here or in Iraq!
August 31st, 2007 at 9:51 amThe right lies through their teeth and they are corrupting our military like they have corrupted Congress with sickos like Larry Craig, Mark Foley, and Diaperman Vitter.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:51 am“As if this is anything different than what is posted on ThinkProgress EVERY day?
Comment by Jake D. — August 31, 2007 @ 9:48 am”
There is a HUGE difference Flaky Jake…….
One is a LIE and the other is the TRUTH!!!!
Of course YOU don’t know which one is the truth, and will consider these flyers as being the truth……
August 31st, 2007 at 9:52 amWhat else is new? Is anyone surprised?
August 31st, 2007 at 9:52 amSounds like a borderline Hatch Act violation to me…
August 31st, 2007 at 9:53 amMust be the same folks that provided the Tillman family with the information on their dead son. The Repigs have NO SHAME!!! But we have known that for a LOOOONG time!
August 31st, 2007 at 9:53 amDeath by Powerpoint
August 31st, 2007 at 9:54 amI wonder if this would be an accurate bio:
“Harry Reid shows how utterly pathetic and feckless he is through his rapidly softening stance on the war.”
Heh, the dem-controlled houses are rapidly devolving into a circus.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:56 amSee, it’s the pukes who think the soldiers are stupid. Stupid enough to buy their lies. Use the soldiers as political pawns to further their deadly agenda.
Despicable! Our soldiers are wise to the games, chickenhawks! Bring them home!
August 31st, 2007 at 9:56 amWhy do you people automatically blame ‘the right’?? So much unnecessary hatred.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:56 amIf the military intelligence had the desire to find out who is printing the
August 31st, 2007 at 9:57 ambroadsheets it would be an easy task since all modern color printers
leave a unique secret watermark:
http://www.eff.org/Privacy/printers/list.php
http://www.tgdaily.com/ 2005/ 10/ 19/ eff-decodes-printertrackingdots/
Bring them home!
Yes Harry Reid, bring them home. Or not…whatever you prefer day to day.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:58 amThe propaganda is everywhere. This administration will go down in history as the greatest propaganda machine in the history of our country.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:59 amHmmm — it looks like the troops are being given their own version of a dog and pony show. But I don’t understand. This administration has been all about not destroying the troops’ morale with negativity and not engaging in talk that would undermine their mission.
So why shove propaganda at the soldiers telling them that lawmakers back home have no support for what they’re doing? Especially when bios are tweaked to paint them that way?
This makes no sense, unless the Bush administration has a habit of saying one thing and doing another.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:59 amSure, upside00. Just in the previous thread, ThinkProgress listed David Dreier as a DEFEATOCRAT!!!
August 31st, 2007 at 10:00 am“printing” them is one thing…
what needs known is, who WROTE those bios…
and how many others?
shouldn’t be too hard to find that out… isn’t there an actual
August 31st, 2007 at 10:00 ampropoganda office for iraq?
…
Unbelievable. Just when you think this administration can’t sink any lower, they’re caught lying to our troops about the very people who are most interested in getting them out of harm’s way.
No wonder the military tends to vote Republican..with the near-total control over information that this administration can (and evidently does) wield over the troops, how can they possibly make an informed decision?
August 31st, 2007 at 10:00 amWhy do you people automatically blame ‘the right’?? So much unnecessary hatred.
Comment by François — August 31, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Because the civilian administration of the Pentagon who arranges CODELs consists of partisan political appointees. Hence, “the right.”
August 31st, 2007 at 10:01 amThese flyers could have been an “innocent mistake” as well . . .
August 31st, 2007 at 10:02 amYou people are absurd, and just as bad as any hardcore Conservative you so desperately hate. Your strategy and philosophy seems to be blame everything on the right. Something bad happened? Oh, it was those damn ‘repukes’ (real clever). Something good happened? Thank goodness those democrats are around!
August 31st, 2007 at 10:02 am“Why do you people automatically blame ‘the right’?? So much unnecessary hatred.
Comment by François”
So you think it was someone from the left that distributed those misleading bios? I disagree with you. The hatred is necessary. It is necessary because as long as we sit back and ignore all the lying and hypocracy heaped on us by the right, this country sinks further and further into a fascist state and our beloved constitution is shredded.
We need the hatred to fuel the fires of change. I will admit it, I hate each and every one of you reptard idiots who think nothing about trashing our constitution, our rule of law and our military.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:03 am“Why do you people automatically blame ‘the right’?? So much unnecessary hatred.”
Comment by François — August 31, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Frankie-
August 31st, 2007 at 10:03 amMaybe it’s their horrendous track record. A seemingly uncontrolable penchance for misleading, war mongering and feeding the war machine for the sole benefit of their big business buddies? Do you honestly think the Right gived a sh@t about Iraqi civilians, the troops or peace? The strategy of this Administration is to move the goal posts and stall, stall, stall. When that doesn’t work (nothing they’ve tried so far has) just make up your own facts. THAT’s why we blame the right!
#11
Why do you people automatically blame ‘the right’?? So much unnecessary hatred.
Comment by François — August 31, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Did you just awaken from a decade long coma Francois? If that’s not the case then you have to be either kidding, or you’re the stupidest a$$klown to troll this site in a long, long time.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:03 amYou guys are certainly right — Think Progress NEVER “cherry-picks the ‘most incendiary’ statements” ever ; )
August 31st, 2007 at 10:03 amGee, Frances. What do you think happened? It was some Democratic group working out of Baghdad that printed lies about their own representatives? How did that happen?
August 31st, 2007 at 10:03 amAnyway you look at it, democrats are still the party of defeat.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:04 amNowhere in the fliers does it mention Dems attempts at improving conditions at Walter Reid or blocked attempts by the right to give our soldiers a raise and more time between re-deployments.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:05 am“These flyers could have been an “innocent mistake†as well . . .
Comment by Jake D.”
That is without a doubt the most inane comment I have ever read on this site. Sure, it was an “innocent mistake” that someone distributed fliers that only mentioned the votes that the Bush Administration thought would upset the troops.
Jake, if you really are 75, somehow your intelligence never progressed beyond the level of a 12 year old. It must be tough being you.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:05 amFrançois sez:
Because we’ve found that this corrupt and criminal administration is guilty of so many misdeeds, that it’s less time-consuming to simply assume guilt of any subsequent malfeasances, and confirm the details later.
Saves a lot of time, and, sadly, it hasn’t missed yet.
“Anger” would be more accurate, and as for “unnecessary”, you couldn’t be more wrong. This criminal junta that has hijacked our government is everything the founding Fathers fought so hard to liberate us from. If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:06 amJake: “They never report the good news.” Want some cheese with that whine?
August 31st, 2007 at 10:06 amDeceit, misdirection, dirty tricks, yup, the Administration’s living down to my expectations. Once more this Administration proves, the buck stops somewhere else. They can’t accept the fact that they failed the troops and the nation, so somebody else has to take the blame. The truly sad thing is that no matter how it gets twisted, the truth will come out eventually. This is just one more example of George W’s legacy of failure. Hopefully he’ll stop trying to top himself, but that’s just a hope.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:08 amImpeach Bush and Cheney and Save the Constitution.
Hahah, that sure got you guys going!
It doesn’t matter the topic, anything bad that happens is the rights fault. I’m a liberal, but I can see that not everything is caused by conservatives. Most of these democrats in office are just as full of shit, but because they’re ‘on your side’ you’ll see past that and have faith in them. Politicians are just that, politicians, and nothing more. Take them for what they are.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:08 amDo you honestly think the Right gived a sh@t about Iraqi civilians, the troops or peace?
Right, and we are supposed to “honestly” believe the lefties do?
Youre the ones willing to run like hell from Iraq and leave the Iraqis to a civil war managed from Iran, that is your latest talking point is it not, that we need to get out of the middle of the Iraqi civil war?
Iraqis are simply convenient political tools for the left, obviously, since you never EVER bother to mention Afghanistan and our occupation of that country.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:10 amGood point, Francois — that is why I am registered Independent.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:10 amYou people are absurd, and just as bad as any hardcore Conservative you so desperately hate. Your strategy and philosophy seems to be blame everything on the right. Something bad happened? Oh, it was those damn ‘repukes’ (real clever). Something good happened? Thank goodness those democrats are around!
Comment by François — August 31, 2007 @ 10:02 am
Frenchy, you’re a shit.
Anyway you look at it, democrats are still the party of defeat.
Comment by veritas — August 31, 2007 @ 10:04 am
Thanks for ‘06, and for ‘08, ‘10, ‘12, ‘14, ‘16, ‘18, and far into the future. the GOP is done, we’re holding the funeral 1/09/08. The world will celebrate its liberation from the modern-day Nazi party, and await the trials at the Hague for war crimes and crimes against humanity, engaged in by the Bush crime syndicate.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:10 amSure, upside00. Just in the previous thread, ThinkProgress listed David Dreier as a DEFEATOCRAT!!!
Comment by Jake D. — August 31, 2007 @ 10:00 am
And your point is …..? They corrected it when they found out it was wrong. Besides, that guy was an a$$Wipe, so they didn;t do that on purpose, like all the “mistakes” made at Faux identifying all the (R) perverts and slimeballs (D). Better pick a better argument than that one, Jake.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:10 amIf you can’t make the distinction, why post here? You need to find something mindless to do - you’re well suited for it.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:10 amIt doesn’t matter the topic, anything bad that happens is the rights fault. I’m a liberal, but I can see that not everything is caused by conservatives. Most of these democrats in office are just as full of shit, but because they’re ‘on your side’ you’ll see past that and have faith in them. Politicians are just that, politicians, and nothing more. Take them for what they are.
Comment by François — August 31, 2007 @ 10:08 am
You’re not a liberal, Frenchy. You’re a shit, as I pointed out above.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:12 amFrançois
When flyers are spread around troops barracks falsifying the voting records of Democrats in order to make them look bad, damn straight we blame the right.
Of course, common sense may not be your strong suit.
Oh, and while we are on the subject, isn’t it interesting that one of the lies designed to discredit these Democrats has to do with troop withdrawals?
August 31st, 2007 at 10:12 amThanks for ‘06, and for ‘08, ‘10, ‘12, ‘14, ‘16, ‘18, and far into the future. the GOP is done, we’re holding the funeral 1/09/08.
Comment by ronjazz — August 31, 2007 @ 10:10 am
January 9th of next year? Is that the new Michigan primary date or what?
August 31st, 2007 at 10:13 amI’m a liberal
Comment by François — August 31, 2007 @ 10:08 am
I don’t believe you.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:13 amIt seems EVERYTHING these un-American, right-wing corporate puppets do is supported by lies and distortions of the truth. I’m just amazed at all the gullible morons that still buy into all of it- without question.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:14 amI see mr. p is name-jacking again, this time with veritas. Wish he/she would get a new schtick, this one is getting old.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:14 amFrancois, is it acceptable to you that there is an effort within the Green Zone to spread lies about the very representatives that are taking the hardest look at Iraq?
Should all “good” liberals just accept this as how the other side plays and that’s that?
It’s no making of a mountain out of a moehill. It’s confronting lies whenever they happen.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:14 amI’m “a shit”? haha, more like THE shit! Oh damn frenchy! I sure told you!
Deny it all you want, what I said was true. You’ll follow the democrats no matter what the issue. Keep following hughjazz, you sheep.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:15 amI’m a liberal, but I can see that not everything is caused by conservatives. Most of these democrats in office are just as full of shit, but because they’re ‘on your side’ you’ll see past that and have faith in them. Politicians are just that, politicians, and nothing more. Take them for what they are.
Comment by François — August 31, 2007 @ 10:08 am
You’re right - Democrats are just as much to blame as Republicans for the partisanship and dirty politicking that has become the discourse in Washington. I’ll grant you that. But when an executive branch agency in a Republican administration does something particularly slimy like this, it’s perfectly logical to place the lion’s share of the blame on the right, isn’t it?
August 31st, 2007 at 10:16 amupside00:
You asked a question, and I gave you just the MOST RECENT example. If you really think that Think Progress does not “cherry-pick” the most incindiary parts and “spin” the rest, them no amount of links to that will convince you otherwise.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:16 amFrançois sez:
I’d point out that your statement is inaccurate in regards to myself, but I’m sure you would then claim that your statement wasn’t directed at me personally, but at the nebulous mass of TP liberals.
I’m going to preemptively call bullshit on that one. If you have a beef with people here vilifying the right while simultaneously praising the left, be specific. Name names…preferably someone who’s available to debate you on the topic. Otherwise, your assertions are so much hot air.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:16 am“Francois” a liberal? Hah! Probably goes to right-wing web sites using that French name and riles them up there claiming to be a liberal. I’ll bet this person gets some weird kick out of riling people up wherever he goes.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:17 amYou guys are certainly right — Think Progress NEVER “cherry-picks the ‘most incendiary’ statements†ever ; )
Comment by Jake D. — August 31, 2007 @ 10:03 am
The Center for American Progress is a private political action organization. It has and is entitled to an agenda.
The federal government and the military are not private political organizations. So if they are smearing publicly elected officials to sway the troops’ opinion, that would be illegal and immoral.
Apples to oranges. Dumbass.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:17 amWe used to have a better class of trolls around here.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:17 amThanks for ‘06, and for ‘08, ‘10, ‘12, ‘14, ‘16, ‘18, and far into the future. the GOP is done, we’re holding the funeral 1/09/08.
Hehe, youre forgetting who the DFL nominee will be next year, Hillary Clinton and her 50% disapproval rating.
The most polarizing figure in the DFL will put herself on the ticket and drive away just about everybody, including democrats on this very site who arent willing to admit it.
You dont have to like it, you do have to accept it.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:18 amWe used to have a better class of trolls around here.
Comment by troqua — August 31, 2007 @ 10:17 am
I know what you mean, the libs who come here now are vacuous and inane, not like the old days.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:19 amHah, I don’t care if you believe me or not; I couldn’t care less! I’m liberal, have been a strong opponent of bush and his war before it started. Shit, I was against going into Afghanistan.
Is it OK that ‘propaganda’ is being spread? Absolutely not. My point is, that most people here are either so extreme left that they’ll blame all bad things on the right, or they’re so extreme right that they’ll blame everything on the left. It’s absurd, and unrealistic to live and think that way. Yes, the bush administration is terrible, and they’ve handled this war in a terrible way. But come on, open your eyes and see that both the democrats you love so much, and the republicans you hate are responsible.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:21 am“I’m a liberal, but I can see that not everything is caused by conservatives.”
Comment by François — August 31, 2007 @ 10:08 am
Frankie-
August 31st, 2007 at 10:23 amWhat, in the last six years have the Dems done that could possibly compare to the wanton misuse of power, degradation of human rights, obstructionism and politicization of EVERY branch of government? Anything?
Agreed, all politicians want their share of the pie and more but you can’t compare “business as usual” with what these slobs have done to our country. Waisted surplus, biggest debt of any administration, DEEP corruption at every level from voter caging, the DOJ, unwarrented attack on country that posed no threat, while IGNORING the true terror of al queda, a stacked Supreme Court that cares more about overturning progress made to protect the average citizen to the benefit of big business.
Just a few examples but I see what you mean, the Dems are just as bad. NOT!
You guys are certainly right — Think Progress NEVER “cherry-picks the ‘most incendiary’ statements†ever ; )
Comment by Jake D Fake — August 31, 2007 @ 10:03 am
For the Record, you are certainly right - You would NEVER “cut and paste” someone else’s war record, ver batim, ever ;-)
August 31st, 2007 at 10:23 amFrançois
Most of us have expressed major disgust with the Democrats over their caving into the right on the Iraq war, and over their caving in on FISA.
Further, if you look at the breakdown of Congress’ polling stats you will find there isn’t much difference between the left and the right on how highly they don’t approve of Congress.
Of course, keep the blinders on, keep on claiming that liberals blame everything on the Conservatives and never, ever question the idea that maybe, just maybe, the party that held absolute power over America for six years should maybe, just maybe be held accountable for the shit they have caused.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:25 amoh, im sure it was just a couple of bad apples!
August 31st, 2007 at 10:25 amWe used to have a better class of trolls around here.
Comment by troqua — August 31, 2007 @ 10:17 am
I don’t remember ratwing trolls as being anything but low-class, gullible, profane morons. I must have missed something.
take Jake, for example. Doesn’t know the difference between a commercial, political website and the US government. Pretty f*cking stupid.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:25 amWhen flyers are spread around troops barracks falsifying the voting records of Democrats in order to make them look bad, damn straight we blame the right.
Sure, why not blame the right? Its not like you actually KNOW who distributed the flyers so just pick the most convenient target and pin it on them.
Could have been a disgruntled soldier who didnt like the idea of running from the fight, a man who could be a democrat or republican but identifies himself as a soldier before a political affiliation.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:25 amNo one here “loves” the democrats. We simply accept them as the lesser evil.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:26 am(If I inappropriately spoke for any true liberals, I apologize)
I don’t understand the disagreement. These bios are clearly biased against the Dems, showing as negative a picture as possible. Who could be motivated to produce such bios? Would the Dems themselves write them to harm their cause? Does that make sense? If not the Dems then who? Did the Iraqis make this up? I understand the point that this site tends to only report stuff that makes the Reps look bad but this isn’t a good thread to be making that stand. Often when a Dem goes to Iraq they’re condemned for making the trip. Couple that attitude with leaflets like this & you can’t help but conclude that the Reps are using propaganda with the Iraqis & troops.
btw, the Reps keep saying that opposition to the war harms the troops and then they go and plaster the country with evidence of opposition to the war by these Dems. Sounds hypocritical to me. Go figure.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:27 amopen your eyes and see that both the democrats you love so much, and the republicans you hate are responsible.
Comment by François — August 31, 2007 @ 10:21 am
Nice generalization. the left had nothing to do with the matter at hand. The matter at hand is rightwing, antiAmerican propaganda in a “war” zone. Your holier-than-thou phoniness doesn’t wash when you conflate irrelevant topics. Like I said, you’re a shit. Merde, capiche?
August 31st, 2007 at 10:28 amYou’re right TripMaster, that wasn’t directed at you, hughjazz is one example that I’ve seen in my short time here. Her name is so memorable that I’ve remembered her, but the others are just another person spewing the same old thing over and over. I’ve actually read your posts the past few days Trip and I agree with a lot of what you say; doesn’t change the way I feel about most of these people around here though. I’m liberal, but I’m disgusted with many of the extremists here.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:28 amI’m shocked, shocked, I tell you! During Clinton’s presidency Armed Forces radio played hours of the fat boy blasting Bill talk radio bull daily which was balanced by less than five minutes of Jim Hightower.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:29 amFrancois,
I would venture to say that many of the legitimate posters here would enjoy actual debate on the events of the past 6 years. But when someone comes here with the intent of inciting they will be attacked. This is what unfortunately happens with most threads.
Instead of a discussion on the topic itself, it becomes a cutdown contest.
The topic of this thread is someone has made a concerted effort to spread lies about our congressmen/women inside the green zone in Iraq. A decision was made to create and produce these lies and spread them to where the concentrated political minds of Iraq are as well as a sizable portion of our military.
Some people think they need to lie to get what they want and fear losing what they have. All the more on why I will stand up against this.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:30 amtake Jake, for example. Doesn’t know the difference between a commercial, political website and the US government. Pretty f*cking stupid.
Comment by ronjazz — August 31, 2007
I was being snarky and overly generous. Jake is usually spewing over on TPM. Maybe he got banned and now we’re stuck with him again.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:30 amI think you mean I’m a piece of shit, not simply ‘a shit’.. or I’m the shit. But a shit doesn’t work.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:30 amTime to find out who “authored” these slime sheets. No doubt it goes right to the top! This is outrageous tactics by an administration full of corruption, twisted truth, and outright lies. Sickening!
Wake Up, people! These thugs have one full year to destroy this country. Wake up and move for impeachment. They are an embarrassment to the american people.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:31 amI’m liberal, but I’m disgusted with many of the extremists here.
Comment by François — August 31, 2007 @ 10:28 am
And guess what, you, or anyone else can actually post here, without registering.
Have you been to “Dredge”, Newsmin” or “Redstateless” ? Now, there are some fine examples of unbiased journalism and open forums!
August 31st, 2007 at 10:32 amI wouldn’t be suprised if these sheets came from a 3rd party or the private contractors. They have a huge stake in this.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:33 amDave C: Just look to Capitol Hill if you want to locate the authors of this disgustingly biased information. I would venture to guess that if one searched hard and edited the hell out of ANY Republican statements, they could do precisely the same thing.
This is dirty pool and below-the-belt tactics - two of the obviously ONLY options left to anyone supporting the Republican Party - the Party of Corruption, Pedofiles, war profiteeting, and smoke & mirrors.
They’re all sickening frauds at this point.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:33 amNo one here “loves†the democrats. We simply accept them as the lesser evil.
(If I inappropriately spoke for any true liberals, I apologize)
Comment by dim wit — August 31, 2007 @ 10:26 am
True liberals support the dems as the lesser of two evils. True libs are mostly registered as Independents, because the Democratic Party has been compromised by the Republican Party’s complete sellout to corporate interests, including the media. politicians are not people to be trusted, under any circumstances. The major difference between the Dems and the modern Nazi party GOP is that Dems can, will and do take responsibility for their problems far more often than repukes, who will sweep any perversion or theft or corruption under the rug if they can. I’ve never seen any liberal defend Jefferson’s actions, for instance, beyond the innocent until proven guilty line, but the defense here by ratwing cowards of Bus’s lies and incompetence is shrill and unending. Modern Nazis, with their Big Lie and fear-mongering. I’m glad the GOP is finally finished, and I will be glad to bury it completely.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:35 amI wonder what the Orwell Report Fliers said about Senator Wide Stance Larry Craig?
-GSD
August 31st, 2007 at 10:36 amFrancois = concern troll
August 31st, 2007 at 10:39 amI wonder what the Orwell Report Fliers said about Senator Wide Stance Larry Craig?
-GSD
Comment by GSD — August 31, 2007 @ 10:36 am
That he was a (D)???? (Just a guess.)
August 31st, 2007 at 10:40 amComment by ronjazz — August 31, 2007 @ 10:35 am
you pickin’ a fight with me?
Where’s Ringo so we can all mutually agree to hate (or dislike if that is your particular preference) him/her?
August 31st, 2007 at 10:40 amThis is clearly treasonous. Those found responsible should be punished as such.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:42 amWhat’s a concern troll?
August 31st, 2007 at 10:42 amSounds like a pretty desperate action by someone. Why would you intentionally harm troop moral, when it is already bad. I realize the need to demonize the dems by some is a knee jerk reaction, but this type of behavior is way out of line.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:43 amRegardless of the corporate status of the “non-partisan” Center for American Progress, I can still point out they do the SAME thing, right? And, whether Think Progress doing it is “illegal” probably turns on whether they are violating 501(c)(3) as well.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:43 amWow. Propaganda about Americans directed at Americans.
Sad in so many ways.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:44 amreb in NC:
“Clearly” treasonous? You’ll have to explain what exactly gave “aid and comfort” to the enemy.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:45 amFrançois sez:
From the Wikipedia entry:
August 31st, 2007 at 10:46 amFrançois
A concern troll is basically someone who claims to be a liberal, and then promptly starts slagging off liberal positions with the argument that those positions aren’t politically expedient - or that the person doing the arguing is “an extremist” if they have the least bit of a spine.
So far you look like you are a classic example of this.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:48 amyou pickin’ a fight with me?
Where’s Ringo so we can all mutually agree to hate (or dislike if that is your particular preference) him/her?
Comment by dim wit — August 31, 2007 @ 10:40 am
Hate is not the opposite of love, indifference is. Ignorant fools like Wrongo are mere farts in the wind. And I was, of course, expanding on your cogent and accurate observation from my vastly superior point of view, so that Francois might learn a little something. Fruitless, of course.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:48 amJake D.,
Betraying the country (elected officials in this case) can be portayed as a treasonous act.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:49 amJake D. sez:
Just as soon as you do the same regarding the right’s histrionics regarding Harry Reid’s recent assessment of the Iraq debacle.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:50 am“Clearly†treasonous? You’ll have to explain what exactly gave “aid and comfort†to the enemy.
Comment by Jake D. — August 31, 2007 @ 10:45 am
Demoralizing the troops by lying about their representatives is giving aid to the enemy, Jake. The enemy takes comfort in knowing that the very people that sent troops into hell are against their well-being.
You’re a simpleton, aren’t you?
August 31st, 2007 at 10:51 amOnly somewhat correct. Usually around here, I’m not supporting traditionally liberal viewpoints. Only in thread this have I let some of my true feelings show through. I’m not pretending to be a liberal so you will listen to me and then let me attempt to show you the error of your ways. That’s silly.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:51 amI just don’t like hughjazz… usually my views will be the opposite of hers, just to get her panties in a bunch.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:52 amFrançois sez:
Silly, perhaps…but effective, and it happens more than you might think.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:53 amWhy do you people automatically blame ‘the right’?? So much unnecessary hatred.
Comment by François — August 31, 2007 @ 9:56 am
I agree, mostly.
As long as people see things in terms of “left” and “right”, we will always have strife.
For the original topic… it could have been any soldier with access to a printer. There doesn’t have to be a huge “right wing conspiracy” in this case… it’s very easy for a passionate E-5, acting out of his/her own free will, to get the ball rolling. If any of you were in Iraq, would you be motivated to inform fellow soldiers of bad things republican senators have done? I suspect some of you would. I believe it’s the same thing here.
Of course, I could be wrong :-P.
~Sean
August 31st, 2007 at 10:57 amOkay, now onto the topic:
What does this really mean? Why is it particularly problematic if the Republicans lie to the soldiers on the ground over the political positions of the Republicans’ chief opposition?
They are trying to subvert the one aspect of the government which absolutely has to remain neutral, or you risk a dictatorship.
So long as the troops are politically neutral, they cannot be used to directly impose a government on the American people. Once that neutrality has been erased via such propaganda, then all bets are off.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:00 amGood propaganda costs a lot…mostly the lives of Americans. The inSURGEncy is going well.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:01 amThe NERVE?? Including “incendiary statements” actually said by public servants? What?? The statement were falsely attributed?? Were they never made?? Were those statements just cheap political pandering for leftard constituents (never meant for public consumption)? Phonies…….
August 31st, 2007 at 11:02 amSean,
Of course you could be right. But there is a lot of legwork involved in weeding thru a Bio and then distorting it. There is no indication of how long this has gone on. Odds are it is larger than a disgruntled grunt.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:03 amThe continuing politicization of our military by this jerk-off administration. Remember in the early days of the war? Each U.S Marine in Iraq was sent a pamphlet entitled “A Christian’s Duty” in which they were asked to make a daily prayer for George Bush and fill out a prayer sheet and send it to the White House where they pledged their allegiance not to the United States but to Bush and his political staff, with such daily subjects as I will “pray that the President and his advisers will be strong and courageous to do what is right regardless of critics” (i.e. “I will not only obey orders but I will support the political decisions of the President”).
http://www.abc.net.au/ news/ newsitems/ 200303/ s819685.htm
August 31st, 2007 at 11:05 am#61 Yes, Josh kicked Jake’s ass outta TPM!
Everyone was glad as hell he did. There is work to be done and a child like Jake needs to be locked away with a box of dull crayons and [lenty of sharp-edged paper to color on. We have much to fix and these trolls are
more like gnats trying to distract us. Keep up the focus and crank up the action.
I actually wish they would spout their noise openly in public - nothing better than verbally cutting down a fool in front of his/her own peers.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:05 amAnyone else NOT on the “Ignore List” for resorting to personal attacks when I don’t and/or refusing to answer my questions when I answered all of their questions?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:06 amYes, Frances is a concern troll. The strategy makes me think RNC (picking a French name was a stupid giveaway). I expect to see more of this kind of thing as Republican strategists are forced to go further underground, along with the “Ron Paul is a progressive” strategy for dividing Democratic voters. The GOP can no longer assemble anything resembling a majority. With only 1/3 of the country backing them, they have to divide and confuse the opposition to have any chance at all.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:09 am#
Good point, Francois — that is why I am registered Independent.
Comment by Jake D. — August 31, 2007 @ 10:10 am
You’re registered as an Independent only because you lack the courage of your convictions. You’ve never expressed a single opinion here that wasn’t lockstep with the Far Right, so quacking about your “independence” is just noise, Jake.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:10 amAnonTip:
I’m not banned, as I just posted on TPM: http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004044.php#comments
August 31st, 2007 at 11:10 amJake D.,
Your self imposed ignore list is a great example of the hands over the ears mentality of the Bush Administration.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:11 amIT kind of says a lot about the Republicans’ “Success” over the last six years, that trolls like Jake, who never cease trying to defend the Republicans and who agree with their every action, are ashamed to admit that they are Republicans on a anonymous forum populated by people they don’t even like.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:13 amAnyone else?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:14 amFor anyone NOT on the “Ignore List†(the only way to get on said List would be resorting to personal attacks when I don’t and/or refusing to answer my questions when I answered all of your questions), I disagreed with the Bush and the Republicans on campaign finance reform since it clearly violates the First Amendment — let me know if you want to discuss that or further disagreements — if not, I would be happy to discuss the TOPIC!!!
August 31st, 2007 at 11:18 amAnyone else NOT on the “Ignore List†for resorting to personal attacks when I don’t and/or refusing to answer my questions when I answered all of their questions?
Comment by Jake D.Military Fake — August 31, 2007 @ 11:06 am
Ummmm, please provide examples of some refusing to answer questions when you answered all of theirs? Specific examples, please, with links.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:19 amOtherwise, you’re just spouting hot air. Meaningless hot air!
Jake D. sez:
Translation: Anyone else (that I’m not yet too afraid of to engage)?
No, Shakey, it looks like everyone here is on The List (â„¢). So, you work is done here. Kindly bugger off.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:19 amHelen notes, “Francois, is it acceptable to you that there is an effort within the Green Zone to spread lies about the very representatives that are taking the hardest look at Iraq?”
Were the attributed statements false? (Pssst…the hands over the eyes thing make it difficult to look for info…)
August 31st, 2007 at 11:20 amJake D. sez:
Liar.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:20 amLets not underestimate our troops, folks. To the extent the quotes on these sheets represent truly progressive positions that really support the troops (i.e., bring them home ASAP), don’t you think most of the troops would support those positions? After all, they are the ones on the ground there, and I would think most of them actually would like to come home.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:22 ammighty aphrodite
Having problems with your reading comprehension?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:22 amTo me, this sounds like a PAO (Public Affairs Officer) or a Protocol Officer that decided to enter their own view of things. They are the ones tasked with distributing info on visiting dignitaries, after all.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:23 amhacker bob
Then the PAO should be court martialed.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:24 amJake the Liar,
I will ignore you if you ignore me.
Deal?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:24 amThen the PAO should be court martialed.
Comment by Bruce Gorton — August 31, 2007 @ 11:24 am
While I disagree with their action, under what Article (charge) of the UCMJ would you charge them?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:26 amThe most effective deceit is to tell truths, but only the parts of the whole truth that suit your purpose, and then to arrange these selected truths in such a way that the reader (or listener) will come to the desired conclusion.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:27 amAnd say… is it patriotic for the military to undercut congress?
Bob Hack and Bruce G. - “This sounds like”?????? “PAO should be court martialed”????? While you’re busy leaping to conclusions, make sure the the libtard safety net is in place…….
August 31st, 2007 at 11:27 amFor the record, upside00, neo troll, François, snuhwolf, A Patriot Acting, veritas, Leporello, margaret, reb in NC, Sean, outside trader, mighty aphrodite, AnonTip, and tballou are NOT on the “Ignore List”.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:28 amIf Senator Craig visited Iraq now, would the troops be provided with a copy of his police report and guilty plea?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:30 am“no one” knows who made the bios.
“no one” knows who fired the 9 US Attorneys
‘no one” knows who had protestors arrested at Bush loyalty rallies…
The party of “personal responsibility”?
No, the Rapeublicans are the party of TREASON and SCAPEGOATING…
August 31st, 2007 at 11:30 amComment by mighty aphrodite — August 31, 2007 @ 11:27 am
While I hate to have to address you:
Who (in you vast experience) is responsible for briefing on visitors?
And I am anything but a Liberal. I am just able to look for, and occasionally find, truth.
Crawl away now.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:31 amHave I made The List yet?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:32 am“While I disagree with their action, under what Article (charge) of the UCMJ would you charge them?”
Comment by hacker bob
Aren’t there rules against political advocacy? The person who compiled these was committing de facto political advocacy, wasn’t he? By posting negative, factually incorrect info?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:33 am“Have I made The List yet?”
Comment by troqua
It’s all a sham. Jake answers others on the list directly when it serves his purpose. I’m a charter member, and he’s answered me directly, after putting me on his intellectually-fraudulent list. He claims to be a lawyer, yet can’t muster the integrity to maintain a “list” he himself created. Ma is a better fake lawyer…
August 31st, 2007 at 11:37 amhacker bob
Article 107. False official statements.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:37 amJake D. sez:
Funny how none of them are clamoring to “discuss the TOPIC” with you, isn’t it?^_^
Perhaps they’d like to know how to get on The List â„¢ as well. Don’t worry, it’s easy, kids. Just ask Jake a question he doesn’t want to answer, and press him on it. That’s all it takes.
Alternatively, you simply petition Jake to leave you the hell alone (I.E.: add you to The List â„¢), but that’s kinda like beating a video game with cheat codes, vs. doing it honestly. You’ll appreciate being on The List â„¢ more if you work for it. ^_^
August 31st, 2007 at 11:37 amIn response to #11:
In Francois’ world (somewhat similar to Fox world) it isn’t fair to blame the ones responsible.
In Francois’ world out raged indignation over injustice = hate
In Francois’ world it is acceptable to publish lies, hate and fear as tools of propaganda and corporate supremacy.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:38 amBush’s MASTER Satan needs to call this azzhole HOME.
Mr. Satan, if you want to SMASH HIS FACE IN every MINUTE for ETERNITY, go right ahead.
He’s YOUR boy.
I am sure you are PROUD of his EVIL.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:41 amWhile I disagree with their action, under what Article (charge) of the UCMJ would you charge them?
Comment by hacker bob
maybe:
August 31st, 2007 at 11:41 amARTICLE 107:
Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent to deceive, signs any false record, return, regulation, order, or other official document, knowing it to be false, or makes any other false official statement knowing it to be false, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
Article 107. False official statements.
Comment by Bruce Gorton — August 31, 2007 @ 11:37 am
907. ART. 107. FALSE STATEMENTS
Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent to deceive, signs any false record, return, regulation, order, or other official document, knowing it to be false, or makes any other false official statement knowing it to be false, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
But is it an official document or is it a “courtesy sheet”? Again, we are BOTH speculating.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:41 amIt can’t be all that difficult to trace this back to the perpetrator(s). That is a lot of paper and a lot of printing.
But then the perpetrator(s) and their supervisors, and the supervisors of the supervisors, etc etc should be prosecuted for defamation and libel…. or treason… whichever is appropriate.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:42 amHacker Bob.
Article 88—Contempt towards an official also counts.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:42 amHello Mighty,
Did you read the above topic? Because this is directly from above. “Moran’s bio says that he “[v]oted NO on legislation requiring the withdrawal of U S troops from Iraq within 120 days of the bill’s enactment.†In reality, Moran voted “yes.†He also voted for Tauscher’s dwell-time legislation.”
And here’s your question complete with snideyness. ” Were the attributed statements false? (Pssst…the hands over the eyes thing make it difficult to look for info…)”
The simple answer is yes they are false. You can read and see that when someone votes one way on a bill but it’s spread to others that the same person voted another way it’s a false statement. AKA a lie.
Your Pssst comment is a reflection of your own ignorance. Now try and show some intelligence when defending liars.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:43 amTroops to Frank J : Quit using our sacrifice to bolster your feelings of ina dequacy.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:45 amSo, our “leadership” (civilian or military) distributes lies and misrepresentations about elected representatives to our armed forces. Not only does this parallel the deceit of the Bush administration in lying us into and keeping us in this war, it shows utter contempt for the men and women serving in the military.
This is dirty partisanship, despicable and shameful. But what else can we count on from the Bush administration?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:45 amComment by Bruce Gorton — August 31, 2007 @ 11:42 am
I was about to say the same thing, I just wanted to re-read the Article before opening my mouth.
That one would fly better than 107 because it does not matter if the document was official or not, just that it was public.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:45 amArticle 88—Contempt towards an official also counts.
Comment by Bruce Gorton
True
ART. 88 - CONTEMPT TOWARD OFFICIALS
August 31st, 2007 at 11:46 amAny commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
Comment by Wayne — August 31, 2007 @ 11:41 am
While I know what you are saying, the matter comes down to whether or not that document was considered official or not. As I said, 88 would be the easier route.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:47 amHe claims to be a lawyer, yet can’t muster the integrity to maintain a “list†he himself created. Ma is a better fake lawyer…
Comment by barfly — August 31, 2007
I can’t even tell you how many conservatives I’ve met on forums and chat who claim to be lawyers - along with claiming to be Independents, not Republicans. It’s such a funny way to try to pump up one’s credibility, but I guess it makes sense to them.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:49 amAnd IF it was the PAO or PO then one would be hard pressed to scream “It’s the Bush Admins fault” since the PAO and PO are usually a Lt. or Capt. Essentially a nobody in the grand scheme of things.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:51 amAs I said, 88 would be the easier route.
Comment by hacker bob
true, 88 would, since the libel/slander could be considered contempt.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:55 amhacker bob
It could, of course, also be a civilian contractor - they have a lot to lose if America ever gets its act together on war profiteering link.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:58 amWhy do you people automatically blame ‘the right’?? So much unnecessary hatred.
Comment by François
you’re kidding.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:03 pmright.
right??
And IF it was the PAO or PO then one would be hard pressed to scream “It’s the Bush Admins fault†since the PAO and PO are usually a Lt. or Capt. Essentially a nobody in the grand scheme of things.
Comment by hacker bob
Bush probably had nothing personally to do with it, true.
It is hard to believe a PO would risk their neck like that trying to slander a member of Congress, but obviously someone did.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:04 pmSomeone set out to deliberately misinform the Soldiers and slander members of Congress.
true, 88 would, since the libel/slander could be considered contempt.
Comment by Wayne — August 31, 2007 @ 11:55 am
Even if the statement had been 100% accurate, they could still get charged with Art. 88.
The cases of the two Marines are different, slightly. Maj. Shane Sellers, the serving officer, was given a “letter of caution” — a mild form of punishment — for calling Clinton an “adulterous liar” in an article in Navy Times, an independent weekly. (Adultery is a criminal offense under military law if it jeopardizes discipline and good order; conviction can result in dishonorable discharge.)
Before anyone says anything:
It is a matter of record that Bill Clinton did have an affair and that he did lie about it. That is all I am pointing out. Maj. Sellers did not lie and was still punished (but not severly).
August 31st, 2007 at 12:05 pmComment by Wayne — August 31, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
I agree, that is would be extremly stupid. We also do not know that is the case, I am just speculating after years of sitting in Staff positions.
——————————————————————————————
Bruce G,
You are also right, that could be the case. Thanks for the link.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:08 pmIt’s called a codel and do these Dhimmicrat maggots believe they can vote and say stupid gibberish about the war without it being public information? I shouldn’t use “maggot” too loosely as this thread is festering with TP regulars who fit that classification perfectly.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:11 pmTRILLIONS OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK
test
test
August 31st, 2007 at 12:22 pmI think that the military is hoping that, like some “liberal” reporters , these legislators will be kidnapped and or shot by “insurgents” or at least by Blackwater thugs disguised as insurgents
August 31st, 2007 at 12:27 pmI shouldn’t use “maggot†too loosely as this thread is festering with TP regulars who fit that classification perfectly.
Comment by daveinboca
“maggot” was my Seargent’s term of endearment to us when I was in basic, so why would that bother me?
Since you definately have a reading disability and missed the point that the info sheets were in fact incorrect and non factual, the rest of your post is silly.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:29 pmBasically DaveinBoca feels the lies or okay, as long as they push forward the failed conservative agenda. Life must be very easy for you Dave, get your opinion from Rush, no thinking needed.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:29 pm“Francois”, I’m sure you’re joking - first with the Frenchy name and then the “so much unnecessary hatred” . . .
August 31st, 2007 at 12:31 pmAhem. First, calling someone an “adulterous liar” is not tantamount to quoting someone else’s words, verbaitum from , say, the Congressional record. Really. Is the problem that the Congress members want to say “How dare you quote me!” Would Warner in Virginia say the same now that Webb was elected? How dare you record what I actually say!!!!
I advocate the word for word correct recitation of what congressmembers say. If they want to put it in context, let them. (note: I do not advocate the use of cut up quotes , i.e. ” So I …..said…..death……..to….[t]he….kittens……[y]es.”)
Would you seek to prohibit such use of quotes (as in Iraq) when your congressman/woman attends a convention of persons like-minded to yourself and the congressperson has made explicit comments that directly relate to your group? Or would that be divisive lies? [or are we to have a quasi-religious reverence for our elected leaders - all glory, laud and honor…… provided they agree with us….?????][Just askin!]
August 31st, 2007 at 12:31 pmAh ha!!! a misstatement about a preliminary procedural vote should render invalid the direct quotes!!! [even if the direct quotes are , um, well, accurate. But they are motivated by “bad” thoughts - ones that I don’t necessarily agree with , so fruit of the poisonous tree and all that. Thank god we can stop the lies! Even the true ones!
August 31st, 2007 at 12:34 pmComment by Californio — August 31, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
This isn’t a case of using selective quotes. One of the Bios was filled with outright lies. A very different case IMO. Using selective quotes is one of the oldest tricks in the political book. It doesn’t make it okay, but it is what it is.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:34 pmComment by Californio — August 31, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
We were discussing Art. 88 of the UCMJ and I pointed out that if your flat out lie about someone protected by the Article or even tell the unpleasant truth about someone protected by the Article you can still be punished under the Article.
Personally, I would like the truth to be told and I would also not like to see people punished for telling the truth.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:35 pmBetrayus should be held accountable for those “briefings”, and maybe he can get “W” to lend him his printin’ press. Let him answer to that in his report to congress. I don’t think he has the balls to circumvent his Cumm.and.’r in thief ‘r enny other he’s answerable too. Ain’t it grand that these Military Minds can cater and caudal to these White House cowards.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:45 pmDhimmicrat maggots
Comment by daveinboca — August 31, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Ha! That’s cute, coming from a member of the Republican al-Qa’ida.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:49 pm