ThinkFast: December 10, 2007
ThinkFast: December 10, 2007
Operatives within the CIA’s clandestine service were reportedly turned down when they asked former Director George Tenet for permission to destroy the torture tapes.
Several former CIA colleagues describe Jose Rodriguez as “a cautious operator who probably would have ensured that top CIA managers knew of the plan” to destroy the torture tapes. One former official said Rodriguez was concerned that midlevel officers would get in trouble despite the fact “they were carrying out the direction from higher-ups.”
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-DE) yesterday called on the Justice Department to appoint a “Special Counsel to investigate the CIA’s destruction of videotapes that included the interrogation of terrorism suspects.”
A year after being involved in a partisan purge by the Bush administration, most of the fired U.S. attorneys “have landed on their feet, in law partnerships or private-sector jobs where their compensation dwarfs government pay. Some carry scars from the experience. Six of the attorneys marked the anniversary of their firings at a private dinner in San Diego 10 days ago, where they toasted one another for persevering.”
Army leaders are pushing to shorten tour lengths for active-duty soldiers in Iraq back to 12 months by summer, though senior commanders in Baghdad appear reluctant to commit to a change. In April, Defense Secretary Robert Gates extended tours to 15 months to enable the “surge.”
The Washington Post reports, “Even as House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer has joined in steps to clean up pork-barrel spending, the Maryland congressman has tucked $96 million worth of pet projects into next year’s federal budget, including $450,000 for a campaign donor’s foundation.”
China and the United States, the world’s top two polluters, “say they are not ready to commit to mandatory caps on greenhouse gases.” At the U.N. climate talks in Bali, the United States has instead indicated that it will “come up with its own plan.”
The New York Times writes, “Congressional leaders, who have disappointed frequently this year, have done it again. This time, the House leadership has failed to find a way to get a bipartisan law against hate crimes passed and signed into law.”
“The United States is rife with racial discrimination and the authorities have an ‘abysmal’ record on promoting equality, according to a report by a coalition of 250 civic groups published on Monday. The report says U.S. minorities “face discrimination in a range of areas including voting, policing and education.”
And finally: Appearing on NPR’s quiz show “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me” over the weekend, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino revealed one of her most stressful moments on the job. During a White House briefing, a reporter referred to the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Perino “panicked a bit” because she didn’t “know about” it. “It had to do with Cuba and missiles, I’m pretty sure,” she said. When she told her husband about the incident, he simply said, “Oh, Dana.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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“Several former CIA colleagues describe Jose Rodriguez as “a cautious operator who probably would have ensured that top CIA managers new of the plan†to destroy the torture tapes. One former official said Rodriguez was concerned that midlevel officers would get in trouble despite the fact “they were carrying out the direction from higher-ups.â€
I think we should make some new tapes using Jose Rodriguez as the subject.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:06 amBrit PM to Troops: ‘Your Iraq War Is Over’
December 10th, 2007 at 9:10 amI think we should make a new tape of the “higher ups”. That might uncover some “actionable information”…
December 10th, 2007 at 9:10 amGroundhog Day by Craig Murray
I fear I have entered a time warp. Gordon Brown is in Basra announcing that we are going to reduce our troops pointlessly occupying its airport to 2,500. He hasn’t been there and made that announcement for almost three months, since he tried to steal the thunder of the Conservative party conference. Indeed that is at least seven different times this announcement has been made over eight months.
We have also taken Musa Qala from the Taliban. That is the fourth time “coalition forces” have done that since 2001. I wonder if we’ll do it again next year?
All just became clear. Sky News gave out the headline “As Gordon Brown touched down in Afghanistan, NATO announced they had just taken a strategic Taliban headquarters.” We bombed the town – that’s the way to win hearts and minds. If we kill enough Afghan civilians they’ll love us eventually, no doubt. I expect we’ll manage to hold the town at least until Gordon has left, so that was worth several deaths, including of at least one British soldier.
http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/
December 10th, 2007 at 9:11 amNow we know why Pelosi took impeachment off the table:
That “table†is being used to waterboard an innocent brown person. And Nancy knew it. There’s no room for impeachment on it. Besides, all your papers would get wet.
Nancy Pelosi must be removed from office and brought up on charges.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:12 amOh Dana. That pretty much says it all. Lying is so much easier if you have an empty head. They probably can convince her anything is true.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:15 amThe Washington Post reports, “Even as House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer has joined in steps to clean up pork-barrel spending, the Maryland congressman has tucked $96 million worth of pet projects into next year’s federal budget, including $450,000 for a campaign donor’s foundation.â€
A Politician is a politician, regardless of Party.
We’ve become a one party system, using the ‘other’ party as political fodder to excuse your own behavior. Steny is a politician first, a Democrat second. So is Nancy. So is Harry.
America needs change, not experience.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:17 amAt the U.N. climate talks in Bali, the United States has instead indicated that it will “come up with its own plan.â€
Which will include the words “voluntary reductions”, I’m sure.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:17 amChina’s Sinopec has signed a $2 billion deal with Iran amid US efforts to discourage international firms from investing in the country.
“The initial estimation of the cost of the project to develop the huge Yadavaran oil field is about 2.0 billion dollars and the final cost of the project will be decided after the offering of the tenders,” Iran’s Oil Minister Gholam-Hossein Nozari said.
China has so far opposed the US drive for more sanctions against Iran, which is Beijing’s third-largest supplier of crude oil and also a main trade partner.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=34358§ionid=351020103
December 10th, 2007 at 9:18 amThis is simple: Subpoena Jose Rodriguez, under oath, and ask him who gave the directive to destroy the tapes. Then we’ll discover just how far up the food chain the order to destroy evidence goes; in fact, whether we find that it goes to the top or not, the buck stops at the desk of el presidente – or does it? Maybe that’s the rub here: we don’t really have a prez.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:19 amChina would like to say thanks to the US for the money
December 10th, 2007 at 9:19 amThe oil will all flow the other direction thanks to bush the plonker
December 10th, 2007 at 9:20 amOf course Dana didn’t know about the Cuban missile crisis. The number one job skill Bush looks for is loyalty, followed closely by the ability to lie.
No need for competence in this administration.
PS. Stuck my head in here this weekend. Is it always filled with Nazi wannabes and complete and utter BS from trolls?
December 10th, 2007 at 9:20 amZimzone: Clearly the adage “familiarity breeds contempt” applies to our government officials who have been in congress so long that they’re “in bed” with special interest groups. What we definitely DO NOT NEED right now is a president who has ties to special interests which makes Obama look pretty good right now.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:20 am8, Menehune,
We also had the infamous Larry Craig representing America’s interests.
Nice, huh? Imhofe was ‘busy’, so Mr. Craig took his balls to Bali.
This served two purposes; Larry could escape the heat in Idaho, but use his powers of denial to proxy for the Bushlickers.
If Senator Craig has any strengths at all, it would certainly be his power of denial.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:21 amRodriguez was said by CIA sources to be concerned that if the tapes were obtained by Congress or the courts and leaked to the press, they could be used by jihadists as anti-American propaganda and could lead to targeting of the CIA officers depicted administering waterboarding and other coercive techniques.
Hey, wait a minute. I thought that we didn’t torture. That’s what Bush has been telling us.
It looks like they are going to throw this Rodriguez guy under the bus. I can buy that Tenant told them not to do it because it wasn’t done under his watch. I don’t buy that Porter Goss told them not to do it. I don’t think that someone like Rodriguez would do something that drastic without the knowledge of the Director of the CIA.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:21 amOur motto needs to be: Change Trumps Experience! The obstructionist GOPhers and the spineless dems in congress are in gridlock at the expense of the people and the rule of law in this country.
The time for change is NOW!
December 10th, 2007 at 9:21 amWhat did you miss? How about the speach given by Sean Penn last Saturday? It was quite on point on a number of issues. You can read the transcript here:
http://tpzoo.wordpress.com/2007/12/09/piano-wire-puppeteers-the-constitution-media-dennis-kucinich/
December 10th, 2007 at 9:21 amI find it difficult to believe that A) Dana Perino wasn’t paying attention during her high school history classes when the Cuban Missile Crisis was being covered, and that B) because of our current relationship (non-relationship) with Cuba, an event of that magnitude concerning Cuba isn’t on the radar of the press secretary.
I suspect that today’s press secretary is only expected to be a loyal mouthpiece, and not required to have any actual knowledge beyond what is programmed into her by Bush and Cheney. Hmmm…I wonder if Dubya has heard of the Cuban Missile Crisis? Of course, it DID take place during his lifetime, whereas it didn’t for Perino.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:21 amCIA photos ’show UK Guantanamo detainee was tortured’
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article3239372.ece
December 10th, 2007 at 9:22 amRodriguez was concerned that midlevel officers would get in trouble despite the fact “they were carrying out the direction from higher-ups.â€
One question:
How higher up?
December 10th, 2007 at 9:22 amBrit PM to Troops: ‘Your Iraq War Is Over’
Comment by Anjuna Laguna
Wrong. It would be “Your occupation of Iraq is over”. Iraq is not now nor has ever been a war. It was an invasion and then an occupation of a sovereign nation.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:22 amWhat we definitely DO NOT NEED right now is a president who has ties to special interests which makes Obama look pretty good right now.
Comment by Veritas — December 10, 2007 @ 9:20 am
Or Edwards.
Hopefully the voters of Iowa and New Hampshire will see through Hillary’s pack of triangulation and lies and vote for Obama or Edwards. (Or Kucinich, but I’ve no hope on that score.)
December 10th, 2007 at 9:24 am#20 Thanks for the link. As we were saying, there is plenty of evidence of us breaking the Geneva conventions on torture. Bush may mistakenly believe that destruction of “some” of the tapes will get his a$$ off the grill but we know how resourceful human beings can be and there are other tapes which will surface, no doubt.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:24 amIt was an invasion and then an occupation of a sovereign nation.
Comment by bilbobaggins — December 10, 2007 @ 9:22 am
Yeah, and how did all our oil get under their sand, again? ;-)
December 10th, 2007 at 9:24 amWhich will include the words “voluntary reductionsâ€, I’m sure.
Comment by Menehune — December 10, 2007 @ 9:17 am
Which will not actually be reductions, but just a decrease in the rate of increasing pollution…
December 10th, 2007 at 9:25 amDuring a White House briefing, a reporter referred to the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Perino “panicked a bit†because she didn’t “know about†it. “It had to do with Cuba and missiles, I’m pretty sure,†she said. When she told her husband about the incident, he simply said, “Oh, Dana.â€
You clipped the quote, TP! He said, “Oh, Dana, you fit right in among the incompetent fascist twits that occupy that White House. With all of the transparent lies that you tell on behalf of your corrupt boss, how do you sleep at night?”
December 10th, 2007 at 9:25 amNancy Pelosi must be removed from office and brought up on charges.
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda
If Nancy Pelosi did know about and approve the waterboarding, I agree that she should be removed from office. What exactly do you want her charged with? Not disclosing state secrets? They are bound by rules of Congress not to release any information they hear in these types of briefings. The people who should be brought up on charges are the Bush Administration lackeys who leaked the information.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:25 amFrosty: I like Edwards, too – and Kucinich but, unfortunately, I don’t believe either of them are “electable” individuals. They’d make fab veeps or members of a cabinet though. I think, like Hillary’s vote for Iraq, Edwards’ vote is the sticky wicket for him.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:25 amDoes Dana know that ‘Chicken of the Sea’ has no real chicken in it? Maybe she can sing….
December 10th, 2007 at 9:25 amSix of the attorneys marked the anniversary of their firings at a private dinner in San Diego 10 days ago, where they toasted one another for persevering.â€
Alberto Gonzales was the keynote speaker at the event, praising all of the ex-USA Attorneys for ‘outstanding loyalty under an Attorney General who prided himself on fair & honest job evaluations’.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:27 am/snark
Red Pill: Your answer lies in the most recent press conference and the ghostly shadows around Dana’s eyes! It’s become apparent to her that she is the “scapegoat du jour” of the Bush Crime Cabal and she’s in reaction. She’s stumbling over her words, lacks historical knowledge for reference (as evidenced by the Bay of Pigs gaffe) and will either have a breakdown in public soon or will disappear from public view.
She’s obviously overextended her useful life to this gang of thugs and is losing credibility faster than she is losing sleep.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:28 amto appoint a “Special Counsel to investigate the CIA’s destruction of videotapes that included the interrogation of terrorism suspects.â€
Don’t hold your breath on that one. I am quite sure that Mulkasey took his oath to the President and not to the Constitution. Therefore he won’t appoint a special council because he will feel the need to protect the Bush Crime Family.
Every time a Republiscum troll says “Clinton did it too”, remind them that Clinton allowed his AG to appoint a special council to investigate himself. Remind them about Ken Starr who investigated everything about Clinton including what he ate for breakfast 20 years ago.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:28 amLike Mukasey and Petreus, Dana Perino is a quintessential “Bush scapegoat”.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:29 amA year after being involved in a partisan purge by the Bush administration, most of the fired U.S. attorneys “have landed on their feet,
- – - -
Well thank god. I mean I wouldn’t want to see a bunch of scum sucking Republican attorneys not have an opportunity to ply their trade. . . .
December 10th, 2007 at 9:29 amSteny is a politician first, a Democrat second. So is Nancy. So is Harry.
Comment by Zimzone
Don’t you mean a politician first, a corporate boot-licker second, and a kleptocrat third? I guess you can’t be 1 without being 2 and 3 as well. The party distinction has become largely irrelevant these days.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:29 amBilbo: You KNOW that the appointment of Mukasey (a bush cronie) was precisely in alignment with what is occurring right now. Clearly, Gonzo had lost all credibility and he needed a new scapegoat.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:29 amVeritas: I think the Left has forgiven Edwards his vote for the war, he just lacks Hillary’s political machine (and money, which of course, is part of the problem with her…)
At any rate, he’s said his vote was a mistake and I like his proposed policies so *I’ve* no problem with him.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:31 amThe Washington Post reports, “Even as House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer has joined in steps to clean up pork-barrel spending, the Maryland congressman has tucked $96 million worth of pet projects into next year’s federal budget, including $450,000 for a campaign donor’s foundation.â€
You know, rather than singling out Steny Hoyer, how about a list of the top pork-barrel spenders. My bet is that they are mostly Republiscums. The WP seems to be hell bent to slime the Democrats these days. I guess they got a trip to the wood shed by the Bushies.
Besides, the fact of the matter is that if a Senator doesn’t bring some federal dollars into their state, they will not be re-elected the next time. They campaign on “look what I did for our state”.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:31 amdim wit: Landing on their feet is one thing – still maintaining their repuke allegiance when they have been screwed is another entirely. Frankly, I don’t see how they are not in violation of the ethics of their profession if you ask me.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:32 amSo Rodriguez had the tapes destroyed because he was worried they might fall into the wrong hands?
Following THAT logic, we should immediately destroy ALL classified information in our government, because we obviously don’t have any satisfactory way of safeguarding it.
No, I don’t buy this BS. It’s obvious that the tapes were destroyed because they were evidence of some type of wrongdoing.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:32 amCuban Missile Crisis, and Perino “panicked a bit†because she didn’t “know about†it
- – - -
Well if Bush surrounds himself with people even more stupid than himself, maybe he’ll start to look smarter.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:33 amThe New York Times writes, “Congressional leaders, who have disappointed frequently this year, have done it again. This time, the House leadership has failed to find a way to get a bipartisan law against hate crimes passed and signed into law.â€
Well, it looks like the Bushies took the NYT to the wood shed too. They appear to be sliming the Democrats too. The lack of a hate crime law should not be laid at the feet of “congressional leaders”. It should be laid at the feet of the “up or down vote” obstructionist Republiscums.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:34 amfrosty cupcake: Other than his error in judgment for which he’s apologized profusely, I like John Edwards, too – in fact, until I began to scrutinize Obama more closely, Edwards would have been my first choice. He certainly still has a chance in the primaries. The fact that he doesn’t have Hillary’s “machine” is a plus in my book.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:34 amIt should be laid at the feet of the “up or down vote†obstructionist Republiscums.
Comment by bilbobaggins — December 10, 2007 @ 9:34 am
I thought the same thing when I read that.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:34 amDuring a White House briefing, a reporter referred to the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Perino “panicked a bit†because she didn’t “know about†it. “It had to do with Cuba and missiles, I’m pretty sure,†she said. When she told her husband about the incident, he simply said, “Oh, Dana.â€
I guess Barbie Perino flunked high school history.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:35 amThe fact that he doesn’t have Hillary’s “machine†is a plus in my book.
Comment by Veritas — December 10, 2007 @ 9:34 am
:D
Me, too. And yeah, I’d be quite happy to see Obama get the nomination, although I know less of his proposed policies. What do you like about him?
December 10th, 2007 at 9:36 amAt least Dana Purina didn’t think the ‘Cuban missile crisis’ had something to do with Clinton…
December 10th, 2007 at 9:37 am“I guess Barbie Perino flunked high school history.”
I’d guess she bought a passing grade.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:37 amZimzone @ 31- Good one. Alberto Gonzales, lying sack o’ crap ex-AG showing up to lie yet again. If he’d really been there the skid marks would have trailed down the block from his being tossed out on his ass.
Gonzo’s gonna need a good team of attorneys to protect himself in the coming shitstorm caused by the USA political purge. Unka KKKarl ditto. Didn’t they both already lawyer up?
December 10th, 2007 at 9:38 amBilbo: It may be possible that the entire country is disgusted with the dems for NOT doing the next right thing – bringing impeachment back to the table as well as continuing to fund Bush’s “blood for oil” war in Iraq. These are unforgiveable if you ask me. You know the “shoot the messenger” scenario: The dems promised us they would accomplish these two priorities for the votes of the people in the midterms; on both counts, they appear to have forgotten (or lied) what they’ve promised. THIS is the main reason for their unpopularity.
Surely, everyone knows the sleaze factor inherent in Republicans today and it’s become a synonym for Republicanism; however, what’s perhaps even worse in the estimation of some is for another group (dems) to come to the people making promises to change things and then to renege totally on these promises.
The Repukes never promised anything but lies and corruption; the Dems promised the reverse and have accomplished neither making them look like hypocrites at this point.
This is the rationale behind the huge number of Reg. Dems moving their affiliation to Independent.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:38 amI do love the way the trolls love to bash the dems when it’s clear that the dems are unpopular because they have not quashed the high level of criminality of the Repukes. It’s comical actually. I don’t believe that the troll or your average republican actually realize how ridiculous this blabber actually is – they’re indicting themselves AND the repukes when they make these assertions.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:40 amWow, CHL citing Al-Jazeera. I think my cerebellum just blew up.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:44 am“Army leaders are pushing to shorten tour lengths for active-duty soldiers in Iraq back to 12 months by summer, though senior commanders in Baghdad appear reluctant to commit to a change.”
This would be good news if it happens, even though I would prefer to see some real withdrawals. If tour lengths go back to 12 months, it would lend even more credence to the position that things are truly “getting better” and recent reductions in violence aren’t just anomalies.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:45 amDana Perino: “[The Cuban Missile Crisis] had to do with Cuba and missiles, I’m pretty sureâ€
Funny, with all the talk coming out of the White House about nuclear holocausts etc, you’d think these clowns would have some familiarity with when that fear was much closer to home.
But still, with Dana Perino’s powers of deduction evidently alive and well, I look forward to her explanation of the Star Wars program.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:46 am#52 – Comment by cold_hard_left — December 10, 2007 @ 9:38 am
I wonder how long it will remain out of Taliban control this time around?
I guess the “coalition of the billing” has too much to do in Iraq to ensure that the Taliban remains out of Afghanistan permanently.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:46 amI agree that she should be removed from office. What exactly do you want her charged with? Not disclosing state secrets?
Comment by bilbobaggins — December 10, 2007 @ 9:25 am
She should’ve resigned and made the information public. By staying silent she’s an accessory to these crimes. Its no different than you or I knowing about a bank robbery and not stepping forward to tell law enforcement what we know. Especially if we know about the robbery when it was in its planning stages, as Pelosi was with this crime.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:47 amooops, prior article shoulda started with Washington -..
December 10th, 2007 at 9:47 amBut you get the drift…
Veritas @ 40- from the LAT article link above:
“John McKay, the former U.S. attorney in Seattle…is now a professor at Seattle University law school, where he has written a law review article that makes a case for bringing criminal charges against Gonzales and other officials on suspicion of lying to Congress and the public about the firings…”
Truthout.org write up on this:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/111607A.shtml
December 10th, 2007 at 9:48 amFrosty Cupcake: The main thing I like about Obama is that he has no “blood” on his hands in any of this. He’s clean to the core and there is nothing he has to hide or make excuses for. He’s fresh and non establishment, unlike Hillary or Giuliani. He’s willing to explore diplomatic avenues with our detractors which, as we’ve experienced in Iraq, may be the ONLY method of reaching some level of coexistence and peace – again, something which Hillary poo-poo’d during one of the debates. He has the legal background (teaches law and is an attorney) which is critical to the resurrection of our Constitution which has been bastardized and crapped upon by the Bush Cabal – along with our Bill of Rights, Habeas Corpus, etc. We will need a legal expert to undo the damage of the Bush Administration and right this sinking ship.
In actuality, just about every democratic candidate would be far superior to any republican candidate at this point. I think that much depends on whom the dems select as theirs. If it’s Hillary, I believe that from the ranks of the nearing 40% Indy’s will come a heavyweight so I’m keeping my options open.
I’m still not sold on Obama, however, but he’s looking more presidential and electable at this point than any of the rest. I love Biden’s candor, for instance, but is he electable? I love Kucinich’s vision for peace – but is he electable? There needs to be a transition between this high level of lawlessness in our nation and the corruption and the prospect for “peace”, I believe and that may be whom this nation is looking for right now.
Jury’s still out with the I’s because they believe that Gore or Bloomberg will run as an Indy.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:49 am#62 – Thanks – great link! And it couldn’t happen to a more worthy liar!
December 10th, 2007 at 9:50 amPS. Stuck my head in here this weekend. Is it always filled with Nazi wannabes and complete and utter BS from trolls?
Comment by Frosty Cupcake — December 10, 2007 @ 9:20 am
Yes. Which is why I rarely come in here on the weekends.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:50 amComment by Frosty Cupcake — December 10, 2007 @ 9:20 am
Yeah, Bert was a real muppet, let’s torture every brown person we find, and sooner or later, a real beheader will get theirs…!
December 10th, 2007 at 9:52 ami get to read my mom’s time magazines when she’s finished…
found a part of this article especially significant:
The Eden Project is simultaneously futuristic and organic, and it’s not hard to see why Brits voted it their favorite new building of the past 20 years. Similar efforts in the U.S., however, have been received less rapturously.[...]
But the surprising success of Eden is also a sign of how green concerns have become a daily part of British life. London broadsheets follow global-warming news the way their tabloid counterparts cover soccer and missing British children. The country’s growing environmental industries were worth more than $50 billion in 2005, a figure expected to grow to $94 billion by 2015. And politicians on both sides of the aisle compete to look greener.
[...]
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1686834,00.html
“environmental industries”… what a great idea!!!
December 10th, 2007 at 9:55 am(snark) (duh)
CHL, crowing about the “too little, too late” standards kept by the rightard machine. Grasping at air.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:58 amShe should’ve resigned and made the information public. By staying silent she’s an accessory to these crimes. Its no different than you or I knowing about a bank robbery and not stepping forward to tell law enforcement what we know. Especially if we know about the robbery when it was in its planning stages, as Pelosi was with this crime.
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda
Then you should be advocating prosecuting everyone in the room, not just Nancy Pelosi. This informational session was attended by both Democrats and Republiscums. They all bear the blame. Why don’t you want the Bush Admin leaker prosecuted too? They are the ones who broke the story. And not so that we would know the truth, but to embarrass the Democrats.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:58 amThere’s always been something “shady” about Nancy Pelosi, in my opinion. There’s always been something in my gut (personal bull$hit detector) about that woman. When she announced immediately that impeachment was off the table, my patriotic “red flags” went up full mast.
Could it be that Nancy has so many skeletons in her closet of horrors that she’d already been silenced? Was it evidence unearthed by Bush’s illegal domestic spy program? Or was it that Nancy was breaking the laws of this country somehow herself?
I believe that we are now getting an intimate first glimpse of why Pelosi has disregarded her oath of office vis-a-vis impeachment. She probably knew that if she had put it on the table way back when it was clear that high crimes had been committed, she would have been immediately outed for her complicity in the waterboarding along with other things like employing illegal aliens and who knows what else??
I also believe that Nancy Pelosi is petrified to bring about impeachment of Bush because Cheney would then take over – and if impeachment is accomplished against both Bush and Cheney, then SHE would take over. Nancy is a very weak female role model who lacks finesse and comprehension of the myriad problems facing this country. Nancy Pelosi is one dimensional and, as we’ve seen, easily bullied. I think Pelosi is downright petrified at the prospect of being commander in chief which may be some of the reason why she’s frightened about impeachment.
Maybe for this reason alone, Nancy Pelosi needs to immediately step down? Maybe for this reason alone, Nancy Pelosi needs to be replaced as Speaker of the House. If so, who would be next in line?
December 10th, 2007 at 9:58 amWell if Bush surrounds himself with people even more stupid than himself, maybe he’ll start to look smarter.
Comment by dim wit
Hey, how do you know, Bush knows something about the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Afghan troops Monday retook the town of Musa Qala which had been captured by Taliban rebels 10 months ago and become a key insurgent base, the NATO-led force said.
Comment by cold_hard_left
Good. We need Rambo V.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:58 amCHL has done a good job of pointing out the abject failures of the Bush cabal, via Al Jazeera, no less! Look out, there, CHL, your koolaid will be cut off!
December 10th, 2007 at 9:59 amBilbo: In all fairness, yes, everyone who was made aware of these illegal torture techniques shares culpability and complicity; however, when the Speaker of the House tables impeachment which runs contradictory to her oath of office, then her complicity becomes akin to “blackmail” or greater culpability due to her unique position in the House.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:00 amvia Al Jazeera, no less! Look out, there, CHL, your koolaid will be cut off!
Comment by Lefty Patriot
Yeah, I was wondering why the trolls use the media arm of Islam terrorism as a news source?
December 10th, 2007 at 10:02 amYeah, I was wondering why the trolls use the media arm of Islam terrorism as a news source?
Comment by Juan C. — December 10, 2007 @ 10:02 am
hey, if you’re drowning, you clutch at anything that floats. CHL is very practiced at clutching at turds, generally of his own making.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:04 amVeritas:
Yeah, I liked Obama’s answer on the “Would you nuke a site, knowing there would be civilian casualties if It meant a chance to get OBL?” Of course, to the corporate news it was the wrong answer, but I thought he was thoughtful and rational. I had a completely different take on it than CNN.
What a shocker.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:05 amIf so, who would be next in line?
Comment by Veritas — December 10, 2007 @ 9:58 am
At the time, her chief competition for the Speaker position was, I believe, Steny Hoyer.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:07 amSo now two puppets are in favor of the BushAlMaliki ‘enduring colony’ plan.
Marvelous. Sounds like a treaty kind of deal, so take it to Congress.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:07 am[During a White House briefing, a reporter referred to the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Perino “panicked a bit†because she didn’t “know about†it. ] On the shoulders of pygmies . . .
December 10th, 2007 at 10:16 amThen you should be advocating prosecuting everyone in the room, not just Nancy Pelosi.
Comment by bilbobaggins — December 10, 2007 @ 9:58 am
I’m focused on Pelosi this morning. But yes, I want all of them prosecuted.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:16 amHere’s an interesting poll on consumer confidence just out…
RBC CASH Index conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs
Data are from surveys of 1,000 adults nationwide. (methodology)
CASH INDEX (Jan. 2002 = 100)
12/5/07 65.9
In the last five years this number has slipped by almost a third…
Heckuva Job, Chympie!
December 10th, 2007 at 10:19 amOoops, howza bout more than a third!
December 10th, 2007 at 10:20 amMath, I barely knows ya…
Perino: ‘How come nobody told me Castro had built Nuclear missiles? I mean, like, that’s big news. I had no idea Castro knew how to build Nukes. Has he sold them to Iran, too?’
December 10th, 2007 at 10:21 amA panel was convened to examine the success of aid programs to Africa:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/RCP_PDF/Africa%20Transcript%20120407.pdf
Only 51% of those surveyed after the panel’s debate felt that existing aid programs to Africa should continue to be funded as they are.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:23 amThen you should be advocating prosecuting everyone in the room, not just Nancy Pelosi.
Comment by bilbobaggins — December 10, 2007 @ 9:58 am
Nancy Pelosi is the stopper in the bathtub prevening us from draining the filthy water. If we could get her out of office we might get impeachment back on the table. If you haven’t read Glenn Greenwald today you should.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/09/5720/
December 10th, 2007 at 10:26 amWe have also taken Musa Qala from the Taliban. That is the fourth time “coalition forces†have done that since 2001. I wonder if we’ll do it again next year?
craigMurray.co.uk
December 10th, 2007 at 10:28 amCheck this real redneck on video
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=778_1197065662
December 10th, 2007 at 10:34 amDidn’t someone once say they are no coincidences? So which is the more significant of the twin scandals roiling britches in Washington? Either one of which would lead to impeachment proceedings in a nation of laws
December 10th, 2007 at 10:37 amBilbobaggins, you might want to go to Salon.com and read Glenn Greenwald’s comments on Harman, Rockefeller, Pelosi, et, al. Here’s an excerpt:
“Here is the central purpose of the Select Committee on Intelligence — the primary reason it exists, as stated by the resolution which created the Committee:
‘It is further the purpose of this resolution to provide vigilant legislative oversight over the intelligence activities of the United States to assure that such activities are in conformity with the Constitution and laws of the United States.’
The idea that they can’t do anything once learning of lawbreaking is the very opposite of the Committee’s core purpose. But, of course, they were not and are not powerless to act. They simply chose not to act.”
His columns from yesterday and today really opened my eyes.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:39 amMaybe she can sing….
Comment by m1c — December 10, 2007 @ 9:25 am
At a recent barbeque, Ms Perino was heard to remark, “I had no idea buffalo could fly…”
December 10th, 2007 at 10:40 amWhat did we miss?
_______________________________
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7119473.stm
Prostitution ordeal of Iraqi girls
With their bright neon signs and glitzy decor, dozens of nightclubs line the streets of the Maraba district in the Syrian capital Damascus.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:42 amIt’s here that men come from far and wide – car number plates are not just from Syria but Iraq and Saudi Arabia – to watch young women dancing.
Most of the dancers are teenagers and many of them are Iraqi refugees.
They dance for the cash which gets tossed onto the stage.
The dancers are surrounded by bodyguards, to stop them being touched by the men. But the guards also arrange for their charges to be paid for sex with members of the audience.
Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees have moved to Syria and Jordan during the past four years, escaping the violence and instability that followed the US-led toppling of Saddam Hussein.
Women supporting families face the greatest challenge.
The Syrian authorities and aid agencies do not know the exact numbers, but many of the women say they have little choice but to work in places like Maraba.[. . .]
Ah, Jason Hitler has arrived to push his racist notions. No need, Jason, we all know you’re an animal.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:46 amNancy Pelosi is the stopper in the bathtub prevening us from draining the filthy water. Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda — December 10, 2007 @ 10:26 am
I seem to recall a phrase “drain the swamp” ???
December 10th, 2007 at 10:47 amI do find the timing of the WaPo article curious. Here’s BruschCo, totally embroiled in yet another fiasco of their own making, and suddenly this little sh*tbomb gets dropped out of a clear blue sky.
Would not the info about who was briefed, and when, be double-top secret?
Geez, Pat Tillman’s death and the AG scandal were covered by EP. Who leaked this? And why right now? Did someone associated w/ the WH AGAIN break the law, to take the heat off of Herr Brusch?
This doesn’t excuse Pelosi and others who went along w/ it.
And of course, this article raises 2 more valid questions. It says the CIA quit using waterboarding as an interrogation technique in 2005. Why? Did they decide it just wasn’t producing useful intel after all? Were they worried about the legality?
Ot are they lying about that too? And continuing to use it. We’re not just headed down a slippery slope these days. We’ve gone off the cliff and we’re in free fall.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:49 amThe Syrian authorities and aid agencies do not know the exact numbers, but many of the women say they have little choice but to work in places like Maraba.[. . .]
Comment by barfly — December 10, 2007 @ 10:42 am
Careful, barfly… you’ll makes C_H_L’s head implode.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:54 amAs I said earlier the reason Pelosi took impeachment off the table is obvious.
That table is being used to waterboard an innocent brown man.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:54 amComment by cold_hard_left — December 10, 2007 @ 11:00 am
Since you want to make a bif deal out of this, let’s put it right there where folks will see it.
NBC Rejects Pro-War Spot Due To Site Link
by Wayne Friedman, Monday, Dec 10, 2007 8:00 AM ET
ADVOCACY TV ADVERTISING WAS STOPPED in its tracks again by a major TV network.
NBC rejected a seemingly harmless advertising message by a group called Freedom Watch, which essentially expressed thanks to the troops in Iraq. The ads are also scheduled to run on CNN and Fox News Channel, as well as print versions in newspapers, including The New York Times.
NBC said it declined to air the ad because it refers to the group’s Web site, which made the spot too overtly political–a position that NBC and other networks have consistently taken for many years. NBC asked the organization to delete the Web site so the ad could run. Freedom Watch refused.
The Freedom Watch group, which is a pro-Bush Administration, pro-Iraqi War group, knew it was walking a tightrope. Freedom Watch President Brad Blakeman told the Associated Press: “Anybody in the world who would look at this ad would come away with nothing other than we should be thankful for their service.”
The mention of the Web site on the ad pushed the TV spot into what is known as advocacy advertising. It is routine for networks to reject advertising messages that deal with political controversies.
NBC previously rejected a Freedom Watch ad that addressed funding for the troops.
So, um, what’s your burning hot point?
December 10th, 2007 at 11:03 amThanking our troops is not a political statement – it is a patriotic one.â€
http://www.freedomswatch.org/ Edit/ Blog/ tabid/ 83/ articleType/ ArticleView/ articleId/ 45/ Default.aspx
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 10, 2007 @ 11:00 am
Too bad they won’t thank the troops by supporting them with arms, armor, time off, or honoring the dead ones. They’ll thank them with political propaganda, and by making sure more of them die for oil profits. How very Republican of them. Of course, NBC is merely the front for war profiteers, no surprise they caved, even after making the right decision initially. That call from the VP’s office…
December 10th, 2007 at 11:05 amCLH celebrates treason, refuses to support the troops, and applauds as his country and constitution is destroyed. We know where the good goosestepper is coming from, every time. Another in the insane, extreme 20%. Another America-hater.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:07 am“AP reports this morning NBC has decided to reverse its previous course and run the Freedom’s Watch holiday ads in support of the troops.”
They also changed their ad criteria to stop Fleisher’s protestations. This is all because their website bashes liberals and anyone who disagrees with them. Hardly just “thanking the troops,” it advocates political policy, while rhetorically attacking it’s perceived enemies.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:08 amWhat did we miss __________
From ABC News:
A Houston, Texas woman says she was gang-raped by Halliburton/KBR coworkers in Baghdad, and the company and the U.S. government are covering up the incident.
Jamie Leigh Jones, now 22, says that after she was raped by multiple men at a KBR camp in the Green Zone, the company put her under guard in a shipping container with a bed and warned her that if she left Iraq for medical treatment, she’d be out of a job.
“Don’t plan on working back in Iraq. There won’t be a position here, and there won’t be a position in Houston,” Jones says she was told…..
Poe says his office contacted the State Department, which quickly dispatched agents from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to Jones’ camp, where they rescued her from the container.
According to her lawsuit, Jones was raped by “several attackers who first drugged her, then repeatedly raped and injured her, both physically and emotionally.”
Jones told ABCNews.com that an examination by Army doctors showed she had been raped “both vaginally and anally,” but that the rape kit disappeared after it was handed over to KBR security officers….
Over two years later, the Justice Department has brought no criminal charges in the matter. In fact, ABC News could not confirm any federal agency was investigating the case….
December 10th, 2007 at 11:13 amI know many are disgusted that impeachment is off the table, But face it right now they could catch every member of the administration with a smoking gun on tape with full public knowledge of the crimes etc… and with the partisan nature of the government there is no way anyone on the republican side of the aisle would have the courage to vote yes on impeachment. Any vote would be split nearly on party lines with Joe L voting no of course. The result would be 100 years of Republicans crowing about the dems partisan attempt to impeach that failed. No matter what impeachment is a no win situation for the dems right now.
I guess what I am sayign is that unless you can guarantee either the president or vice president is impeached, then there is not point in doing to. Additionally who says that Bush or Dirty Dick would abide by the results of an impeachment that went against them?
December 10th, 2007 at 11:15 amPrevious post from americablog, here’s another from Joe Sudbay
In the excellent book, “The One Percent Doctrine,” author Ron Suskind gave us the background on Abu Zubaydah, the guy the CIA was torturing in those now destroyed tapes. Here’s how the Washington Post’s review of Suskind’s book describes him:
Abu Zubaydah, his captors discovered, turned out to be mentally ill and nothing like the pivotal figure they supposed him to be. CIA and FBI analysts, poring over a diary he kept for more than a decade, found entries “in the voice of three people: Hani 1, Hani 2, and Hani 3″ — a boy, a young man and a middle-aged alter ego. All three recorded in numbing detail “what people ate, or wore, or trifling things they said.” Dan Coleman, then the FBI’s top al-Qaeda analyst, told a senior bureau official, “This guy is insane, certifiable, split personality.”
Abu Zubaydah also appeared to know nothing about terrorist operations; rather, he was al-Qaeda’s go-to guy for minor logistics — travel for wives and children and the like. That judgment was “echoed at the top of CIA and was, of course, briefed to the President and Vice President,” Suskind writes. And yet somehow, in a speech delivered two weeks later, President Bush portrayed Abu Zubaydah as “one of the top operatives plotting and planning death and destruction on the United States.” And over the months to come, under White House and Justice Department direction, the CIA would make him its first test subject for harsh interrogation techniques.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:16 amFrom CHL’s Wapo article:
Fourth, our strategy in fighting the Long War must address Iran. Much has been made this week of the intelligence judgments that Iran has stopped its weapons program. No matter what, Iran must not be permitted to become a nuclear power. All options should be exhausted before we use military force, but force, nonetheless, should never be off the table. Diplomatic efforts — from a position of strength, both regionally and globally — must be used to engage our friends and coerce our enemies to apply pressure on the Iranian regime.
If these guys strategy was to show that a war supporter and a war protestor have now come together to support the president’s plan, they failed. All they showed was two guys who have swallowed the sos until it’s now coming out of their mouths as well.
A shared delusion. If they think invading Iran is an option, they’re nuts.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:18 am…who says that Bush or Dirty Dick would abide by the results of an impeachment that went against them?
Comment by Severus — December 10, 2007 @ 11:15 am
I’ve heard this before, by virtue of the powers they’ve vested themselves with, the declaration of martial law and state of emergency would preclude an 08 election, and begin the 2nd American Revolution.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:18 amThe people vs. Blackwater.
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 10, 2007 @ 11:13 am
Riiight… so, basically you’re saying, Brusch created this mess, and now responsible adults will have to take it off his hands and clean up his mess for him. Brilliant. You must be so proud of W.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:19 am“Vets for Freedom.”
More conservative astroturf.
These guys should go look for honest work.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:22 amAnother great article on Huffpohttp://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1210/p01s04-wome.html?page=1
Baghdad safer, but it’s a life behind walls
Mini fortified ‘green zones’ are cropping up, improving security but leaving many residents feeling penned in.
Iraqi freedom, reduced violence, residential ‘prisons’…
December 10th, 2007 at 11:25 amMaj. Gen. (Ret.) John Batiste commanded the 1st Infantry Division in Iraq from 2004 to early 2005. Lt. Pete Hegseth served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division from 2005 to 2006 and is executive director of Vets for Freedom.
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 10, 2007 @ 11:13 am
A couple of Republicans reversing their positions, who’d have thought?
Especially weak today, CHL, especially pointless. Thanks for helping to destroy the GOP, maybe America will once again be a free, liberal democracy.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:25 am/sarc on
OH OH OH – !!!
THANK YOU, COLD_HARD_LEFT!!!! I SEE THE LIGHT NOW!!! I REGRET MY HEATHEN LIBERAL “HATE-AMERICA” POINT OF VIEW!!!
George Bush is God! Iraq had nukes! The surge is totally working! We need to bomb Iran the day before yesterday!!
OH OH OH!!!
/sarc off
.
.
Feel better now, cold_hard_left? I tossed you a little cookie. Enjoy it.
Get real, buddy, you AREN’T changing ANY minds here. Your sources are suspect, your conclusions are flawed, and really, we just think you’re fullashit.
Now get lost, OK? Geesh. What an idiot.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:34 amAnd, might I add to what Leftside Annie posted, you CHL and your fellow sycophants can take your “Long War” and get lost!!!
Long War indeed. Bastards.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:42 amComment by cold_hard_left — December 10, 2007 @ 11:13 am
I read this post as a call to repeal all taxcuts and initiate a draft. The long hard war can’t be fought and won on no bid contracts the privateers. Nor can it be fought with the american public not being 100% involved.
Rationing, the draft, tax increases and a unified country that stands behind the “Long War” will be the only way to achieve what they preach.
The problem with this is all the good will the president had when we invaded Afghanistan is long gone. He has proven to be a disaster at unifying the country. Another problem is the right is under the missconception that disgust in this administration equates to a desire for our troops to fail. That is myopic and a childish conclusion. Something that Fox News has pushed.
There is a threat from extremists. There always has and always will be that threat. No rational person is blind to that. The thinking person understands this. But the thinking person also sees the destruction of this country at the hands of this inept administration.
There is a great need to have a sober and fresh look at the changing world. This administration has muddied the water and tarnished our reputation. Next election will mark a new begining for this country. It’s up to all of us to get true leaders in the white house.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:46 amCHL, you would solve these problems how if not a draft? Chest thumping alone doesn’t win battles. Enlighten me. You see the “Long War” but don’t offer any Long term solutions.
December 10th, 2007 at 12:26 pmC_H_L must be a paid front for some think tank somewhere, somebody/ies sitting in a room full of computer screens, endlessly scanning the news looking for ANYTHING that will make BruschCo/the GOP look good.
Phony!!!
December 10th, 2007 at 12:34 pmYet another Liberal calling for a return to the draft.
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 10, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
Hey Chicken Little… you love war so much, voluntarily enlist.
Sh*t, join the Navy, be nice and safe on a boat, far from “land”, and “guns”, and “bullets”… you could be Chicken of the Sea!
December 10th, 2007 at 12:36 pmChicken of the Sea. That’s a good one. I’d have a little respect for CHL if he would state more of a case but he’s lacking in the content dept.
December 10th, 2007 at 12:40 pmDuring a White House briefing, a reporter referred to the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Perino “panicked a bit†because she didn’t “know about†it.
It’s ok, Dana. That was a long, long time ago. Pretty girls don’t have to be smart.
**patting Dana’s head**
December 10th, 2007 at 12:42 pmYet another Liberal calling for a return to the draft.
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 10, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
###
These guys are vets, and some are still in Iraq
December 10th, 2007 at 12:42 pmcalling Navy enlistees “Chicken of the Sea.â€
No, he was specifically referring to YOU… Chicken of WhereEverTheF(CKYouFindYourself…
December 10th, 2007 at 12:51 pmOnly you CHL, only calling you a chicken. Not all enlistees. Just you.
Chicken.
December 10th, 2007 at 12:52 pmThis is where I laugh at CHL. He doesn’t defend his position with facts or even opinions. He attacks. Fox would be proud.
Chicken.
December 10th, 2007 at 12:53 pmA gigantic fact that you seem to constantly overlook, CHL, is that if this war was sooooo very justified and for such an obviously just cause, the Bushies would have no problem recruiting, and a draft wouldn’t be a problem.
After all, there was no problem recruiting during WWII, now, was there…?
But – this war is in NO WAY a just war. It isn’t about “freedom” and “democracy” or “liberty.” Nope.
On the contrary, it is a brutal imperial occupation of a nation that was no threat to us. No, those hapless Iraqis just happened to be sitting right on top of a giant pool of black gold that we wanted to steal. And Saddam Hussein wanted to sell his oil to other people – and in Euros, too; therefore, he became a “brutal dictator” who needed to be overthrown.
Love that reframing! Don’t you?
So – if the Bushies were to attempt to institute a draft to continue fighting their “long war” for oil — there’d be mobs swarming the White House with torches and pitchforks faster than Chimpy could say “nucular weapon.”
And frankly, I don’t think that’s such a bad thing. So yeah, put your money where your mouth is, you all-American patriot, you – support a draft, or like the others here have suggested to you: get your ass down to the nearest Army recruiting station —- or shut the fluck up.
December 10th, 2007 at 1:24 pmNeeded:
December 10th, 2007 at 1:26 pmThe Army needs YOU –>
chickenhawk trolls who believe in the goodness of this war. May have to actually fight.
No bedwetters.
CHL = Can’t Handle Logic
December 10th, 2007 at 1:30 pmYet another Liberal insulting the troops, calling Navy enlistees “Chicken of the Sea.â€
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 10, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Reading comprehension problems to boot, I see.
Naw… that reference was just… for… you…
(Whattafuookinnitwit…)
December 10th, 2007 at 1:32 pmor shut the flock up.
Comment by Leftside Annie — December 10, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
c_h_l also forgets that until he got caught lying so many times and turned out to be so enormously inept, Brusch had a 90% popularity rating. Geez, c_h_l, what happened to the 60 PLUS % who jumped ship?
Flock off, Chickensh*t…
December 10th, 2007 at 1:35 pmI’m another lefty, calling for a ban on c_h_l .
December 10th, 2007 at 2:22 pmA draft is needed if we are to meet objective number 5 from your earlier post CHL.
Fifth, our military capabilities need to match our national strategy. Our military is stretched thin and will be hard-pressed to maintain its current cycle of deployments. At this critical juncture, we cannot afford to be weak. Numbers and capacity matter.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) John Batiste commanded the 1st Infantry Division in Iraq from 2004 to early 2005. Lt. Pete Hegseth served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division from 2005 to 2006 and is executive director of Vets for Freedom.
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 10, 2007 @ 11:13 am
Here are two Generals that you respect. These two are stating increased troop levels and funding is needed to accomplish the victory in the “Long War”. Are you disagreeing with the General’s CHL?
December 10th, 2007 at 2:27 pmAgain: Our military is stretched thin and will be hard-pressed to maintain its current cycle of deployments. At this critical juncture, we cannot afford to be weak. Numbers and capacity matter.
Why stretch our military to the breaking point? Why not show the support it i requesting and initiate a draft along with the proper funding?
CHL are you eating words now? Or have you just ignored your own cut and paste job?
December 10th, 2007 at 2:29 pm138 – who’s ranting now? who’s failing to make any sense? It’s you bro, and you’re getting reported for it.
Democracy works like this – -the rest of us posters vote, and because we outnumber you, you shut up and go away, or get banned, and then we carry on without ever thinking of you again.
It’s awesome.
December 10th, 2007 at 2:37 pmLibs can’t stand anyone that doesn’t march in lockstep to their doom and gloom.
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 10, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
We should all be more like chl. Don’t worry, be happy! Big Daddy Bush will take of all of everyone*.
*his “base,” no one else.
Gee chl, I wish I were one of the “base,” like you!
December 10th, 2007 at 2:57 pmWhat did we miss?
_____________________
From Crooks and Liars:
Bomb Kills Iraq Police Chief
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and SINAN SALAHEDDIN – 1 day ago
BAGHDAD (AP) — A roadside bomb struck a convoy carrying the police chief of a predominantly Shiite province south of Baghdad on Sunday, killing him and two of his bodyguards, authorities said.
Defense Minister Abdul-Qader al-Obeidi said preparations had begun for a military operation in Diyala, a province northeast of Baghdad that on Friday saw more than 20 people killed in two suicide bombings.
“If we succeed in controlling areas of Diyala close to Baghdad, the rate of incidents in Baghdad decreases by 95 percent,” he told The Associated Press. The area has seen numerous attacks in recent weeks, as militants flee for more remote regions to escape the security campaign in the capital.
“We believe there will be a secure, stable Diyala in months to come,” said Rear Adm. Gregory Smith, a chief U.S. military spokesman.
The explosion Sunday in Hillah, about 60 miles south of Baghdad, struck a convoy carrying the police chief of Babil province, Brig. Gen. Qais al-Maamouri, and two guards, officials said. Fearing more violence, police imposed an indefinite curfew and the streets quickly emptied.
Local authorities acknowledged militia fighters could be behind the assasination but said the primary suspect was al-Qaida in Iraq, which maintains a strong presence in the northern half of the province that includes towns in the so-called “triangle of death” south of the capital. [. . . ]
December 10th, 2007 at 3:10 pmWhat did we miss?
_____________________
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071210/ap_on_bi_ge/conrad_black
Conrad Black gets 6 1/2 years in prison
By MIKE ROBINSON, Associated Press Writer
24 minutes ago
CHICAGO – Former newspaper mogul Conrad Black on Monday was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison, the lightest punishment he faced for swindling shareholders in his Hollinger International media empire out of millions of dollars to support his lavish lifestyle.
Leading prosecutor Eric H. Sussman told the judge he did not question Black’s accomplishments but that “Mr. Black stands here today convicted of stealing money from the company he founded and of obstructing the course of justice.”
Unlike a bank robber who steals from strangers, “Mr. Black stole money from people he did know … he stole money from people who put their trust in him,” said Sussman, who added that Black continues to insist he did nothing wrong and “will continue with this conduct again if given the chance.”
December 10th, 2007 at 3:30 pm“No draft is needed now.”
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 10, 2007 @ 2:19 pm
I assume then, that you are against any invasion of Iran, since we have no combat units left?
Or are you naive enough to think that they will just roll over and do whatever we ask of them if we just bomb them from the air without a ground invasion follow-up?
December 10th, 2007 at 4:17 pmWhat did we miss?
——————————————
Oh, nothing new… like the Democrats planning on caving on the War yet again:
Budget Makers Plan Tradeoff for War Funds
By CARL HULSE
Congressional leaders plan to provide President Bush with unfettered money for the Iraq war in exchange for new spending on popular domestic programs.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/08/washington/08spend.html?th&emc=th
Can anyone say yet another “blank check”? Principles? What principles?
December 10th, 2007 at 4:19 pmYet another Liberal calling for a return to the draft.
Comment by cold_hard_left — December 10, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
I don’t see liberals calling for a return to the draft as much as observing that if we invade all the countries the right-wing wants to invade, we need to find the personnel to do it somehow. There aren’t enough volunteers and our stop-loss policy is only exhausting the ones we have.
Merely pointing out the obvious doesn’t state a position one way or the other.
December 10th, 2007 at 4:21 pm“The surge is working and no draft is necessary.”
Yay, the surge is working!
Now is the time to start redeploying our troops home ASAP, before someone in Washington gets some goof-a$$ idea about invading Iran.
What did we miss?
____________________
Tim Tebow, quarterback for the University of Florida Gators, was awarded the Heisman Trophy this weekend:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=3147187
December 10th, 2007 at 10:26 pm