Think Progress

Clarke On Iraq War Architects: ‘We Shouldn’t Let These People Back Into Polite Society’»

Noting that “prominent Democrats” had ruled out impeachment, MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann asked former counterterrorism adviser Richard Clarke on his show last night, what “remedy” there could be for the lies and misinformation highlighted in the new Senate Intelligence Committee reports on the Bush administration’s misuse of pre-war Iraq intelligence.

“Someone should have to pay in some way for the decisions that they made to mislead the American people,” said Clarke. He suggested that “some sort of truth and reconciliation commission” might be appropriate because, he said, we can’t “let these people back into polite society”:

CLARKE: Well, there may be some other kind of remedy. There may be some sort of truth and reconciliation commission process that’s been tried in other countries, South Africa, Salvador and what not, where if you come forward and admit that you were in error or admit that you lied, admit that you did something, then you’re forgiven. Otherwise, you are censured in some way.

Now, I just don’t think we can let these people back into polite society and give them jobs on university boards and corporate boards and just let them pretend that nothing ever happened when there are 4,000 Americans dead and 25,000 Americans grieviously wounded, and they’ll carry those wounds and suffer all the rest of their lives.

Watch it:

Screenshot

Unfortunately, as Clarke hints, most of the architects of the Iraq war are still fully embraced by “polite society.”

Some, like President Bush and Vice President Cheney, are still working in the White House. But for many of those who left, “the neocon welfare system” has been generous:

- Last fall, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was named a “distinguished visiting fellow” at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where he focuses on “issues pertaining to ideology and terror.”

- After a controversial tenure as the president of the World Bank, former Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz is a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank.

- Richard Perle, the chairman of Defense Policy Board during the run up to the Iraq war, also landed on the payroll of the American Enterprise Institute, where he is a resident fellow.

Despite their re-emergence into “polite society,” these war architects have largely refused to admit that they lied. In fact, some, like former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Doug Feith, insist that the American people only feel misled about Iraq because “they misremember a lot.”

Digg It!

Transcript:

OLBERMANN: Democrats, prominent Democrats said today that impeachment was not a remedy to this, but can anyone argue with a straight face, post-Lewinsky that these lies, the blood and treasure that they cost us, don’t deserve some kind of remedy. And is there some other kind of remedy?

CLARKE: Well, there may be some other kind of remedy. There may be some sort of truth and reconciliation commission process that’s been tried in other countries, South Africa, Salvador and what not, where if you come forward and admit that you were in error or admit that you lied, admit that you did something, then you’re forgiven. Otherwise, you are censured in some way. Now, I just don’t think we can let these people back into polite society and give them jobs on university boards and corporate boards and just let them pretend that nothing ever happened when there are 4,000 Americans dead and 25,000 Americans grieviously wounded, and they’ll carry those wounds and suffer all the rest of their lives. Someone should have to pay in some way for the decisions that they made to mislead the American people.

OLBERMANN: Speaking of coming forward, I was wondering if there would be an opportunity to raise this issue with you because he’s so, he was so connected to you in a different context when your first criticisms became known around 2004 before the election, what — in a weird way, is Scott McClellan’s book kind of the passage way from this being a theoretical discussion to almost a text book saying how they managed to sell us this garbage?

CLARKE: Well, Scott McClellan’s book is further proof. It sort of the other end of this big Senate Intelligence report. But Scott, also, is asking for forgiveness. You know, he asked me, after he left your program and I bumped into him, literally coming through the revolving door in a hotel. Metaphorically, no really, he was coming through a revolving door and he asked me to forgive him and I think we do have to forgive people who ask for forgiveness. You know, the 9/11 families forgave me my inadequacies in dealing with al Qaeda and I greatly appreciated that. We do need to forgive people, but first they have to admit they lied.




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80 Responses to “Clarke On Iraq War Architects: ‘We Shouldn’t Let These People Back Into Polite Society’”

  1. sacopenapa Says:

    Some should be behind bars a long time ago and others should be waiting for execution for WAR CRIMES! That is… if the US ever get serious about regaining its international credibility.


  2. ralph the wonder llama Says:

    Don’t worry, Mr. Clarke — they won’t be allowed back into polite society. They’ll go into the Media. They’ll become pundits.


  3. StratRat Says:

    Frankly, we are left with relying on history to write the story on these traitors. Money trumps everything in this world and that will never change. All is forgiven if you can put a dollar in my pocket. We are truly a nation of whores.


  4. Abu Ben Hussein Leporello Says:

    The illusion that Bush et al will Ever deny their perfection is just that, an illusion. Impeachment for Cheney, then Bush is, was and always will be the correct solution. The Lunatics have taken over the Asylum. They reject our reality and substitute their own. A good old-fashioned Impeachment is just the medicine needed to bring them back to reality.
    Impeach Cheney and Bush and Save the Constitution! Congress should do it, just because they really care!


  5. kdoug Says:

    “These people” should be tried and convicted for the murder of innocent Iraqi’s and the death and dismemberment of American soldiers. Period.


  6. Uncle Ho Says:

    ALL, repeat, ALL Iraq war architects are by definition under the Nuremberg tribunal rulings ARE WAR CRIMINALS.

    ARREST, PROSECUTE, EXECUTE!


  7. Leftside Annie Says:

    Clarke On Iraq War Architects: ‘We Shouldn’t Let These People Back Into Polite Society’

    Hear-freaking-hear!!!!!!!!!


  8. konchster Says:

    Clarke hit the nail on the head The neocon support network has honored them with lucrative positions where they lurk till the next president with their bent is elected Beware the Ides of January 2009 and the return of Insane McCain


  9. Marie Says:

    Not “let in to polite society” — does that mean he believes they should be in prison, as we all do?
    But what happened to the criminals of the Iran-Contra affair? Last I heard, Ollie North was a Fox pundit. Poindexter is in the Bush administration. Weinberger and Abrams were pardoned by Bushie.

    There is no recent history of punishment for war criminals in this country, so why should the corrupt cabal of GWB have any worries?


  10. Zimzone Says:

    The more time that passes, the more the general public knows.

    This will continue and, perhaps with McLelland ‘outing’ some of the information, may actually gain speed.

    Be patient. 1-20-09 is the end of this error. President Obama will back efforts to determine the truth. Censure, shame and even jail time will be in these NeoCons’ future.

    We won’t forget.

    We wont’ back down.

    Freedom is much too important to America than to let extreme profiteers and religious whackos hijack it forever.


  11. paleolib Says:

    I agree with Clarke’s idea but at this point including AEI within the term “polite society” is a major stretch. The neocon taint is going to take a long time to air out of that place. Stanford is a different story although the Hoover Institute has always had its share of cranks. No matter where they go, we need to make sure this crew is beyond rehabilitation so we don’t have Bush era criminals popping up in subsequent (shudder) Republican administrations a la Cheney and Rummy surviving Nixon’s fall.


  12. Steaming Pile Says:

    #1, #5: This would be the only way we could ever stop this - to indict, try, convict, and sentence the perpetrators to appropriate prison terms. If Bush tries to shield himself from repercussions by pardoning a whole bunch of people like his father did, we will have to focus all our attention on Bush.

    The biggest mistake ever made in the Clinton administration was to not pursue Bush41 on his possible involvement with Iran/Contra. Weinberger and all the others got pardons, the issue just vanished, and the perps went right back into the system as “fellows” at neocon “think” tanks, “journalists” at conservative media outlets like Fox News, and so on. A generation from now, when we all forgot what they did, they’ll emerge again as judicial appointees, cabinet officers in the next Republican administration, Vice President of the United States, and so on. We cannot let this happen again.


  13. Chocolate Jesus Says:

    yeah, unless these alot of these dudes spend alot of time in jail or get the needle, nothing is going to change. they are just going to hibernate during decent administrations and rise again when corrupt administration rear thier ugly head. some of them need to be made examples of by the legal system.


  14. blogenfreude Says:

    I have blogged on an issue similar to this about a thousand times - to wit:
    I have a question I’d love to ask the Joe Kleins, Tom Friedmans, and Paul Bermans of the world:

    You have made lots of money spouting your pro-Iraq-War wankery. Have you given any cash to the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi families whose relatives you helped kill and whose lives you helped destroy?

    I wonder what the answer would be?


  15. GeeDubs Says:

    ‘Polite society’ will be welcoming all of them when they bend over after dropping the soap in the prison shower.


  16. katy Says:

    i only wished clark had been more forceful with his statement…
    he seemed to be too reticent for such an idea…

    but, THANK YOU, richard clark!


  17. Zimzone Says:

    Don’t forget that Keith O. is the reason Clark gets to voice his opinion.

    I listen to Hannity about 30 seconds a week, just get a good, hard belly laugh. Yesterday he had Dick Morris on, telling us all how Obama can’t be trusted, no one ‘really’ knows him & Africans are dancing in the streets about his victory.

    This is the same Dick Morris who used to be a Dem, was caught with a hooker, sucking her toes and owes the IRS $1.5 million.

    WELL! With a background like that, Dick must be right, eh?
    /snark


  18. robbez_92107 Says:

    I don’t think these people were ever a part of polite society in the first place, so how could we let them BACK?


  19. Tweedster Says:

    rogers Says:

    Hey, atleast he resighned before iraq, and really atleast meaningfully criticized.

    Maybe his book atleast has some credibility…

    Seems to be a dig against McClellan who is telling us stuff many of us already knew or suspected. Can you say what you mean rogers? This topic doesn’t involve math, or ratios, or any numbers whatsoever, so I expect a coherent response. Please?


  20. Tweedster Says:

    robbez_92107 Says:

    I don’t think these people were ever a part of polite society in the first place, so how could we let them BACK?

    Not sure what Clarke means by polite society, but my definition of it literally IS the circle these rich, greedy and murderous bossturds run in. All of them, looking down from their ivory towers…disgusting.


  21. Wayne Says:


    rogers Says:

    Hey, atleast he resighned before iraq, and really atleast meaningfully criticized.

    Maybe his book atleast has some credibility…

    Clarke has more credibility in his pinkie than you ever will in your whole moronic life.
    Clarke can also spell as well as create a whole coherent sentence, something you have definite issues with.


  22. spencers mom Says:

    No wonder the U.S. has not joined the International Criminal Court, which was formed July 1, 2002, and is a “permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.”

    It can only prosecute crimes where the accused is a national of a member state, or where the crime(s) is/are committed within a member state OR if the crime(s) is/are referred by the U.N. Security Council.

    BushCo - so very good at covering their tracks.

    PEACE


  23. Wayne A. Schneider Says:

    Last fall, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was named a “distinguished visiting fellow” at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where he focuses on “issues pertaining to ideology and terror.”

    Ideology and terror. Aren’t they one and the same thing to Rumsfeld?


  24. Tweedster Says:

    rogers Says:

    Tweedster Says:

    Lets see..bush approval rating about %70 when he resighned april 2003.

    Atleast he wasn’t just going with the flow as an oppurtunist, beating long-dead horses…

    True, but does that really invalidate McClellan’s book? Which, by the way, was introduced (off-topic) by your insinuations?

    What’s your take on what Clarke is saying Rogers? That’s what I’m interested in.


  25. po Says:

    Re: “Some, like President Bush and Vice President Cheney, are still working in the White House.” Yeah, imagine that. And impeachment still is off the table. Why is that? Id’ really like to know. Because, you let these dumb f#*#s off, and the next group will do them one better. Lies are lies and if you’re going to send the rest of us to jail / prison (we are prison nation, it seems) for smoking weed or paying a prostitute, you should at least have to serve some time for abusing your office and flat out lying to get the nation to go to war wit.

    The only real silver lining here is that it appears those stupid neocons were actually taken in by the Iranians and convinced to do Iran’s dirty work for them. Heck of a job, Cheney. Heck of a job.


  26. Saint Augustine Says:

    I swear the asininity of republicans today is amazing. Looking at the content, grammer and spelling of trolls here is similar to the Republican Congressmen and Senators who talk Democrat in place of Democratic. I think we need to do asome DNA testing of republicans to see if they are really mutations and/or drug-kool-aid testing to see what they are taking.

    If the tests are negative then I think they are doing it on purpose. I will call them Republiscums when they misuse democratic!


  27. Arn Gunnutes Says:

    True, but does that really invalidate McClellan’s book? Which, by the way, was introduced (off-topic) by your insinuations?

    What’s your take on what Clarke is saying Rogers? That’s what I’m interested in.

    You’ll NEVER get an actual ANSWER from Roger_Roger.

    He KNOWS that Clarke and McClellan are telling the TRUTH about
    Bush’s TREASON against the USA.

    But, as a “loyal” TREASONOUS DoD psyop, his job is to LIE and OBFUSCATE the REAL message that Bush and Cheney are TRAITORS.

    http://www.iwar.org.uk/iwar/


  28. stateofthedivision Says:

    How about not inviting them back into government for round 2 with Iran? Paul Wolfowitz rejoined the State Department in a key WMD intelligence position.

    http://www.newsweek.com/id/73273


  29. Tweedster Says:

    rogers Says:

    Tweedster Says:

    What’s your take on what Clarke is saying

    about what?.about the senate-approved war?, or bush?

    I’m not making distinctions along party lines here rogers, which you seem intent on doing. Clarke is referring to the architects of the war - Bush, Cheney, Rummy, et al. AND those who didn’t care to vet the intelligence properly and voted to authorize the war. Something McCain and HRC did, and something that Obama Barack did not.

    How do you feel about those that misled the American people into an illegal war?


  30. Max-1 Says:

    .

    BushCo is a POX-Americana.

    If the American society let’s these men in the BushCo continue to seek positions of influence in our “polite society” then that “politeness” overshadows rationality. These Fascists must not be allowed to teach our future generation, their ways… Would a rational society allow a child molester teach a class of kindergarteners? A “polite” society would think of the molester’s income and future, “He has to make a living…” But a “rational” society says, “NOT a living at this!”

    .


  31. Arn Gunnutes Says:

    Tweedster Says:

    rogers Says:

    Tweedster Says:

    What’s your take on what Clarke is saying

    about what?.about the senate-approved war?, or bush?

    I’m not making distinctions along party lines here rogers, which you seem intent on doing. Clarke is referring to the architects of the war - Bush, Cheney, Rummy, et al. AND those who didn’t care to vet the intelligence properly and voted to authorize the war. Something McCain and HRC did, and something that Obama Barack did not.

    How do you feel about those that misled the American people into an illegal war?

    Again, you’ll NEVER get a REAL ANSWER.

    This TREASONOUS DoD psyop is “loyal” to the NaziFascists, NOT to the USA, as the DoD SHOULD BE.

    The WHOLE DoD is now a POLITICAL TOOL of the TREASONOUS Bushies…

    It’s NOT about “defending the USA”. It is about ABSOLUTE POWER and a PERMANENT MAJORITY.

    BETRAYUS and the rest of the “generals” who support the TRAITOR Bush are THEMSELVES TRAITORS TO THE USA.


  32. Tweedster Says:

    Arn Gunnutes Says:

    I’m just goading him Arn…I know he won’t give a real answer.


  33. Wayne Says:

    Tweedster Says:
    How do you feel about those that misled the American people into an illegal war?

    You have to keep the questions simple unless you are trying to confuse Roger completely.
    Simple as in: “Do you spit or swallow?” LOL


  34. Tweedster Says:

    rogers Says:

    Tweedster Says:

    How do you feel about those that misled the American people into an illegal war?

    your question is misleading, the public didn’t vote for the war, so i couldn’t care less who tries to spin to them one way or another as politicians…

    No it’s not misleading, there are American people overseas in Iraq who were placed into that situation by distorting intelligence and flat out lying by politicians. The soldiers were misled to conflict with Iraq because of that. Stop playing semantic games if you can handle it.


  35. Art Says:

    Well if we can’t impeach them or put them on trial, let’s do the next best thing.
    .
    They should all be shunned.


  36. Arn Gunnutes Says:

    General BETRAYUS.
    Bush BETRAYUS.
    Cheney BETRAYUS.
    Delay BETRAYUS.
    Condi BETRAYUS.
    Wolfowitz BETRAYUS.
    Perle BETRAYUS.
    LIEberman BETRAYUS.
    Mukasey BETRAYUS.

    TRAITORS and WAR CRIMINALS in the name of the USA.
    The list goes on…


  37. Buckie Boy Says:

    Let them in to their prison cells would be more appropriate.


  38. Tweedster Says:

    rogers plays semantic games:

    your question is misleading, the public didn’t vote for the war,

    I didn’t assert the public voted for the war. They voted for some (not all) of those responsible for propagandizing the intelligence to keep up favorable public opinion ratings.


    so i couldn’t care less who tries to spin to them one way or another as politicians…

    Then why are you on a political website discussing this issue?


  39. Tweedster Says:

    rogers spins:
    so i couldn’t care less who tries to spin to them one way or another as politicians…


    Then why are you on a political website discussing this issue?

    I use the term discussing very loosely in regards to any interaction with rogers, who refuses to answers relatively direct questions.


  40. Tweedster Says:

    Art Says:

    Well if we can’t impeach them or put them on trial, let’s do the next best thing.
    .
    They should all be shunned.

    OUCH! That shun really stings!!


  41. Tweedster Says:

    Wayne Says:

    Tweedster Says:
    How do you feel about those that misled the American people into an illegal war?

    You have to keep the questions simple unless you are trying to confuse Roger completely.
    Simple as in: “Do you spit or swallow?” LOL

    No, rogers would hedge and respond by asking me to define “or”

    Sad really…


  42. Tweedster Says:

    rogers Says:

    Tweedster Says:

    twit, I answered your question…I think nothing of those who sway public opinion on a congressional issue.

    Aww rogers…you got all in a snit the other day when I claimed you were ignorant and incoherent and stupid, and now you’re calling a twit? Even after I apologized for my outburst? I must’ve really hit a nerve.

    You didn’t answer the question. You side-stepped it and changed the subject. Don’t get all agitated when you get called out for what you are clearly engaging in: semantic games and obfuscation.

    It’s Friday, why don’t relax and go shake off the devil to some faux news coverage of your dear leader doing the soft-shoe on the whitehouse steps.


  43. Tweedster Says:

    rogers distorts:

    otherwise, your whining is pontless.

    Where have I whined about anything on here other than utter failure to answer simple questions and engage in constructive discussion? Point that one out for me please.


  44. Tweedster Says:

    *other than your utter failure, rogers


  45. belac Says:

    yes whining is PONTless, as you seem to be, rogers
    Where has your bridge gone?
    Those who actually voted did not have unrestricted access to the intelligence- they had access to the intelligence that supported Bush’s position. As we learned yesterday, there was contradictory intelligence coming out of our own intelligence agencies but it did not recieve the same attention that the supporting intelligence did. Strange, no? Some have even suggested that it was buried and ignored… some like Richard Clarke who, as you so helpfully pointed out, left the administration before it was ‘cool’ to do so. I do think that those in Congress should have known better than to have trusted this Admin. but that does not excuse this Admin.’s lies… do we need to go over this everyday?


  46. Tweedster Says:

    belac Says:

    Thanks for the assist!


  47. ralph the wonder llama Says:

    The other day I was giving rogers the benefit of the doubt when I said he wasn’t have a good day trolling. It appears I was wrong, and rogers was operating at peak capacity, and still not making any sense.

    It wouldn’t be half as comical if he didn’t have such an arrogant attitude.


  48. belac Says:

    He’s become a project of mine… I hope to get him enrolled in mechanics school so he can channel all this flailing into a trade that will benefit both himself and the world at large.


  49. ralph the wonder llama Says:

    Here’s a question to ponder:

    should rogers be allowed into polite society?

    Oh, okay, so it wasn’t really a question to ponder… unless you like pondering questions like “do apples grow on telephone poles?”


  50. dbadass Says:

    you do have to sort of respect the absurd tenacity


  51. Tweedster Says:

    belac - good luck. although may i suggest something maybe a little less technical - like maybe solid waste disposal?


  52. StratRat Says:

    No matter what rogers’ king and court does, it is ok with him. Bush can do no wrong in the eyes of the uneducated troll. Bush is raping the treasury - our treasury - and he don’t care. Bush has murdered thousands of citizens and innocents, but it is ok with our troll. Bush has squandered every opportunity to unite the world behind us, but that is also ok for our troll.

    Our troll sees himself as the spokesperson for Bush in the blogosphere. Believe me troll, Bush could swing a dead cat and find a better communicator than you.

    Why don’t the trolls go fight the good fight in Iraq?


  53. Tweedster Says:

    Ralph astutely points out:

    It wouldn’t be half as comical if he didn’t have such an arrogant attitude

    I know, it always brings a smile when he gets on his high chair, err, horse.


  54. ralph the wonder llama Says:

    dbadass Says:
    you do have to sort of respect the absurd tenacity

    Excellent point. There’s a lesson here for all of us; there may indeed be something to admire about each and every human being. With some people you just have to look a little harder, that’s all.

    And maybe lower your standards a bit.


  55. Tweedster Says:

    Oh man, it looks like I’m waiting for moderation…rogers, did you flag me?

    tsk tsk


  56. Tweedster Says:

    ralph, belac, dbad - thanks for the laughs!

    I’m out of here for now…have fun stomping out troll fires!


  57. upside99 Says:

    Have you all noticed how the troll traffic and actual meaningful discussion has dropped off the cliff? Me thinks it has to do with a certain lack of ammunition and most likely extreme embarrassment in continuing to defend the indefensible.


  58. belac Says:

    rogers, we only want to help… you’re better than this- the RNC doesn’t love you, turn back before it’s too late.


  59. nanlichi Says:

    upside99,

    It’s Friday. Fridays are notoriously troll free zones. I don’t know whether the money runs out, or if there aren’t enough braindeads to cover all shifts, but I have noticed that Fridays are relatively troll-less.


  60. upside99 Says:

    nanlichi,

    But it seems to have slowed down over the past week or so, not just here but on Huff and other sites as well. Maybe they are truly running on empty.


  61. upside99 Says:

    Or, as Darth has said, “They are in the final throes of troll Jihad”.


  62. nanlichi Says:

    upside99,

    I agree with you and have noticed the same thing. Maybe, just maybe some of them are moving past the denial stage and into acceptance. Maybe Scotty had more impact than I originally thought. It’s one thing to have upside99 call you a dumfck for believing Bush’s lies, it’s another to hear that from what used to be a credible source.

    I think that 25% poll that rogers tried to piss on earlier may drop even further.


  63. upside99 Says:

    nanlichi,

    All points well taken, and I think as Obama starts going head to (empty) skull with Johnny Boy, the differentiation will become even more obvious. This will be like watching a gun fight where McSame brought his trusty pocket knife.


  64. nanlichi Says:

    I feel sorry for McCain, poor old coot has the mannerisms and delivery of one of the first robot toys that came out in the early 60’s.

    I asked a good friend who has been living in Barcelona for the last 5 years what Europeans thought of Obama and she said that he is generating as much enthusiasm over there as he is here.

    My sons, 23 and 21 and their friends are engaged and energized like I haven’t seen for years. This is going to be a royal ass kicking. I just hope Obama doesn’t stop when Johnny taps out.

    I am outa here. Pleasure to know you guys, vicarious as it is.


  65. lefttown Says:

    I like Richard Clarke, and I admire him tremendously. That said, I DON’T like his idea of a “Truth and Reconciliation Committee,” as he discussed it on KO. That idea is a nonstarter, in my opinion.
    It seems to me that all it entails is a bunch of politically-appointed “Grand Poobahs” sit at a table, Bush and Cheney come before them and confess their crimes, and they tell them they’re forgiven.
    Torture. Millions of innocent Iraqis dead. A country in ruins, our economy in ruins, jobs gone, our Constitution shredded, 4000 American soldiers dead, many soldier’s lives in shambles, and our standing in the world gone.
    And they say: “We’re sorry.” and the bigshots say: “That’s okay.”?!!!
    Sorry, Mr. Clarke. Not good enough by a long shot.


  66. Carly Corday Says:

    We the People can bestow a rich dukedom and a couple of lavish earldoms on the future “Lord” Richard Cheney come 2009, it’s only right. Petreaus can be Archbishop of Flatterbury with extensive vinyards, lands, and serfs. It’s the way things are [STILL] done. Oh, yes, it is. And we like it. Obviously!


  67. Carly Corday Says:

    lefttown, I agree with you 100%, would agree 101% except that there is no earthly chance these f**k*rs will come forth and admit their crimes! I’d be thrilled to even see Richard Clarke’s notion of retribution come true. Bush will retire to his ranch, his self-stroking delusions, his rocking chair and his grandkids. Cheney will retire richer than God–he already has, in essense. He spent the anniversary of MISSION ACCOMPLISHED on a yacht owned by the Sultan of Oman. Here on earth, Cheney IS God. That will last him until he dies. Wonder how many heart transplants he’s had, and are the doctors getting the hearts from young, living people yet? That will come, if it hasn’t. Nothing in fiction can touch the pass we have come to here and now, in Reality.


  68. piniella Says:

    Rumsfeld was also honored by the Claremont Institute. On Nov. 17, he was given the Winston Churchill Statesmenship Award.
    The followers of Leo Strauss are especially fond of Churchill.


  69. green Says:

    Actually they can all be tried for first degree murder for all the American deaths and injuries. Unfortunately, they cannot be tried for all the deaths and suffering they caused to the Iraqi people. Bu$h, Cheney, Rice and Rummy - especially Bu$h (the buck stops here) can and should be tried in any American state or district court upon his departure from OUR White House. With hope, President Obama will enter into the International World Court - and then the rest of the world can also decide what to do to these terrorists.


  70. job6879 Says:

    “4,000 Americans dead and 25,000 Americans grieviously wounded, and”

    Yes, a horrible tragedy.

    However, I am never able to understand why the Iraqi
    civilian death and wounded toll is never mentioned by
    people outraged at this crime.

    Perhaps they are not worth mentioning because they are
    not considered human beings.

    If they were considered human, with feelings and families
    just like Americans, perhaps this invasion would never
    have happened even if Iraq did have WMD.


  71. green Says:

    job6879 Says:

    I agree completely. We still do not know the exact number of Iraqi deaths and injuries. Some say over 100,000 and some say over half a million. All because of lies - and intentional lies at that. This is why charges of 1st degree murder must be initiated in US courts - and someday the Hague. This has been the most shameful period in recent history. It makes me sick!



  72. theswan Says:

    Frankly, Richard Clarke is just being too nice. Overt criminals deserve lots of jail time. Being that the US has a reputation for jailing small time offenders for lengthy periods, I see no reason to keep the likes of this administration’s criminals free to do as they please.
    Fair justice is the only remedy, and lengthy jail stays seem appropiate for these people.
    Sadamm was ruthless and deserving and so are Bush and his henchmen.


  73. pak9009 Says:

    The biggest myth perpetuated by the media is that we live in a participatory democratic republic with a two party system. Its a good cop bad cop show for the masses performed by Corporate whores. Congress does not give a rat’s ass about the Constitution or the lives of the American people. It’s reached the point where they don’t even try to hide the fact anymore ie Rockefellars statement. These neocons should be tried as war criminals and when found guilty they should suffer the same fate as Saddam.


  74. ernieson Says:

    Not only no longer should they be in polite society, but no longer should they be in any society. Where are the vigilantes? The wheels of justice will not work to give the evil ones the treatment they deserve.


  75. LumpyDunky Says:

    Well, sadly as with ALL politics, everything will get swept nice and neatly under the rug and the American Sheeple will be white washed. Never fails.

    JT
    Online Privacy when it Counts


  76. marlow Says:

    Should Obama win, chimpy will leave two things behind. A blanket pardon for his entire staff, and WWW III in the Middle-East. He will take with him all the presidential records from RR, Bush I, and his own administration. That’s what we’ll need to deal with.


  77. Cleanthes Says:

    Coming here from Winds of Change, so perhaps I err in commenting..

    This has all happened before; and it will happen again. Iraq often sits at the locus of trouble.

    By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

    We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

    For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

    How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land?

    If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

    If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

    Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

    O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

    Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.


  78. Lusmu Says:

    More about the architects and their intelligence gathering:

    “Did Iranian agents dupe Pentagon officials?”
    http://www.mcclatchydc.com/257/story/40080.html


  79. ArtZ Says:

    Tweedster Says:

    OUCH! That shun really stings!!
    That was my point exactly, Tweedster.


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