Friday, July 27, 2007
So Gonzo...
Abu must be feeling the heat... Meuller completely contradicts the AG's testimony. Now, remember Gonzalez is the highest law official in the land, he presides over our Justice system, he is a liar. What does that say about this country, what does this project to the world, what does this say about our administration?
TPM-Muckraker has the definitive breakdown/timeline for this escallating scandal.
I suggest you read it, gentle reader, before the spin begins and Tony Snow equates it to a storm in a tea cup or some such other trifling.
TPM-Muckraker has the definitive breakdown/timeline for this escallating scandal.
I suggest you read it, gentle reader, before the spin begins and Tony Snow equates it to a storm in a tea cup or some such other trifling.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Friedo...
Gonzalez has become practically synonomous with lying, so why should his most recent visit to the Hill have been anything different. The difference this time is that documentation exists that immediately refutes his sworn testimony of this week and poses some other interesting dilemas for this most abject of figures.
If, as he has stated for the record and under oath, he was not there to 'discuss' the TSP (Terrorist Surveillance Program) but some other intelligence program, what was that 'other' program. That the evidence suggests he was there to extend the life of the program then he clearly lied. If he was, indeed, there to discuss another program, would that be the same program Ashcroft, Comey and Meuller were willing to resign over because of its inherent illegality?
We know of two programs, the TSP and this other program that the highest law enforcement officials in the land had, under advisement, determined was so illegal that they were willing to resign en-mass before giving countenance to its use.
There may have been a third program or a fourth or fifth, who knows but we are aware, at this time, of only two. One which the FBI and DOJ were still uncomfortable with and the other one that they had deemed completely illegal.
Were Card and Gonzales at Ashcrofts bedside to argue the merits of extending the TSP or were they there to argue the legallity of spying on Americans communicating within the US, without warrants and without just cause.
I can't believe it was the latter... Fredo, you're fried!
If, as he has stated for the record and under oath, he was not there to 'discuss' the TSP (Terrorist Surveillance Program) but some other intelligence program, what was that 'other' program. That the evidence suggests he was there to extend the life of the program then he clearly lied. If he was, indeed, there to discuss another program, would that be the same program Ashcroft, Comey and Meuller were willing to resign over because of its inherent illegality?
We know of two programs, the TSP and this other program that the highest law enforcement officials in the land had, under advisement, determined was so illegal that they were willing to resign en-mass before giving countenance to its use.
There may have been a third program or a fourth or fifth, who knows but we are aware, at this time, of only two. One which the FBI and DOJ were still uncomfortable with and the other one that they had deemed completely illegal.
Were Card and Gonzales at Ashcrofts bedside to argue the merits of extending the TSP or were they there to argue the legallity of spying on Americans communicating within the US, without warrants and without just cause.
I can't believe it was the latter... Fredo, you're fried!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Friends Of Our Enemies
Musharaf has made such a pigs ear of his personal War on Terror, it makes you wonder if he got his graduate degree in Military Fiascos from Bush U or maybe Cheney Poly or The Rumsfeld Institute or sumpin'.
There are so many key phrases in the article that I urge you, dear reader, to read the whole thing, my personal favorite:
...Musharraf insisted yesterday that the vote would go ahead and dismissed speculation he would declare a state of emergency. He also claimed that al-Qa'ida was on the run.
By their own admission, al qaida controls large swathes of the border states nestled between Pakistan and Afghanistan, they are in an all out fight with a Pakistani Army that actually refuses to go into certain areas for fear of mass slaughter, there have been continual suicide attacks, bombings and assassinations over the past few weeks that have killed up to 241 persons. Seems to me al qaida is making it almost impossible for Musharaf to exert any conventional government pressure on these states and yet we are to believe that al qaida is on the run.
Maybe Musharaf got his HS Diploma from the Lieberman School for The Criminally Imbecilic.
Has to be something like that...
There are so many key phrases in the article that I urge you, dear reader, to read the whole thing, my personal favorite:
...Musharraf insisted yesterday that the vote would go ahead and dismissed speculation he would declare a state of emergency. He also claimed that al-Qa'ida was on the run.
By their own admission, al qaida controls large swathes of the border states nestled between Pakistan and Afghanistan, they are in an all out fight with a Pakistani Army that actually refuses to go into certain areas for fear of mass slaughter, there have been continual suicide attacks, bombings and assassinations over the past few weeks that have killed up to 241 persons. Seems to me al qaida is making it almost impossible for Musharaf to exert any conventional government pressure on these states and yet we are to believe that al qaida is on the run.
Maybe Musharaf got his HS Diploma from the Lieberman School for The Criminally Imbecilic.
Has to be something like that...
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Let's Talk...
Mr. Bush announces a major Middle East peace conference and the response is somewhat underwhelming, all right I'm being polite, the response is laughable. Israel will not discuss, borders, Jerusalem or refugees (Palestinians). Hamas will not be invited which, considering they already declined the offer, is obfuscation of a high order. Syria may or may not come depending on the agenda and Egypt is fence-sitting as usual. That would leave Condi, Fatah and a low level Israeli delegation left to discuss what exactly, the weather?
Tony Snow, who is becoming more obtuse and deceitful with each passing second, provides the matrix necessary to understand our administrations intentions and goals with regards to this 'conference':
The White House moved to douse expectations. "I think a lot of people are inclined to try to treat this as a big peace conference. It's not," Tony Snow, the White House's press secretary, told reporters.
So what is it? It's a distraction is what it is... from this, this and this.
Tony Snow, who is becoming more obtuse and deceitful with each passing second, provides the matrix necessary to understand our administrations intentions and goals with regards to this 'conference':
The White House moved to douse expectations. "I think a lot of people are inclined to try to treat this as a big peace conference. It's not," Tony Snow, the White House's press secretary, told reporters.
So what is it? It's a distraction is what it is... from this, this and this.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Plus Ca Sea Change...
In this rather depressing summation of the events in Iraq over the last few days is the quote by Gen. Peter Pace about the 'sea change' in the security situation over the last few weeks... it is followed by a litany of explosions, executions, double crosses and mortar infractions into the Green Zone.
That the piece itself is headlined by the news that al Sadr's bloc has returned to parliament seems insignificant and trivial given the content and contradictions of the rest of the article however, al Sadr bloc returning to parliament is a big deal, they are returning for two reasons, i) make al Maliki's life even more miserable than it already is and ii) to block passage of the much vaunted and Bush favorite, oil legislation. The parliament needs a quorum, al Sadr is determined to give them one.
Upon defeat of pretty much all pending legislation al Sadr will return to the weeds laughing his turban off the whole way.
This administration has been so played.
That the piece itself is headlined by the news that al Sadr's bloc has returned to parliament seems insignificant and trivial given the content and contradictions of the rest of the article however, al Sadr bloc returning to parliament is a big deal, they are returning for two reasons, i) make al Maliki's life even more miserable than it already is and ii) to block passage of the much vaunted and Bush favorite, oil legislation. The parliament needs a quorum, al Sadr is determined to give them one.
Upon defeat of pretty much all pending legislation al Sadr will return to the weeds laughing his turban off the whole way.
This administration has been so played.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Condi... ments
So Secretary Rice breaks off from her latest shopping spree to throw cold water on the finally serious debate in Congress by spouting her usual demented bromides but, this one caught me completely off-guard considering the reports I've been reading:
Defending Baghdad's progress, Rice credited the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki with reducing sectarian divisions within Iraq's problem-plagued security forces.
"We shouldn't dismiss as inconsequential what they've achieved in this period of time: bringing security forces to the fight -- yes, security forces that still need a lot of help -- but security forces beginning to turn the tide against sectarian violence because they're acting in a less sectarian way," she told ABC.
Not only is this complete Orwellian double-speak, it is also completely unfounded and if this is al-Maliki's doing I'd be completely suprised.
The Iraqi forces are under the direct command of US forces, if any one body has exerted pressure on the sectarian elements within the Iraqi army, that body would be the US military command in Iraq not al-Maliki bunkered down in the green zone incapable of even assembling a quorum within his own parliament.
This womans grasp of the situation is risible. They only put Condi out there because she is the least despised person in this entire administration and that is mainly through her perpetual twin gifts of remaining reasonably well turned out whilst remaining 'mostly' irrelevant.
Defending Baghdad's progress, Rice credited the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki with reducing sectarian divisions within Iraq's problem-plagued security forces.
"We shouldn't dismiss as inconsequential what they've achieved in this period of time: bringing security forces to the fight -- yes, security forces that still need a lot of help -- but security forces beginning to turn the tide against sectarian violence because they're acting in a less sectarian way," she told ABC.
Not only is this complete Orwellian double-speak, it is also completely unfounded and if this is al-Maliki's doing I'd be completely suprised.
The Iraqi forces are under the direct command of US forces, if any one body has exerted pressure on the sectarian elements within the Iraqi army, that body would be the US military command in Iraq not al-Maliki bunkered down in the green zone incapable of even assembling a quorum within his own parliament.
This womans grasp of the situation is risible. They only put Condi out there because she is the least despised person in this entire administration and that is mainly through her perpetual twin gifts of remaining reasonably well turned out whilst remaining 'mostly' irrelevant.
Christians And Patriots
The ignorance, intolerance and racsism of these people knows no bounds. They are neither Christian nor Patriotic merely a bunch of demented, brainwashed pissants who's philosophical, historical and theological knowledge could be contained in an egg cup.
What is the next step for these angry and deluded people? Will they start shooting at invited, non-christian guests of Congress?
The mind truly boggles at the inanity of this ilks 'message'.
What is the next step for these angry and deluded people? Will they start shooting at invited, non-christian guests of Congress?
The mind truly boggles at the inanity of this ilks 'message'.
Peeling The Onion
The first salvo's for change are being prepared for Mr. Brown's impending state visit to the US.
This will be a very different 'special relationship' with the UK leaning more and more toward it's European partners and less and less toward the Infected States of America.
Brown has no choice but to distance himself from the Blair legacy of Bush appeasement, should be an interesting month.
This will be a very different 'special relationship' with the UK leaning more and more toward it's European partners and less and less toward the Infected States of America.
Brown has no choice but to distance himself from the Blair legacy of Bush appeasement, should be an interesting month.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Diplomacy
With the Middle East a cauldron of dissaffection, war, terrorism and potential defeat for American Foreign Policy initiatives, it's comforting to know that Condi is all over it like white on rice, so to speak.
Her travel itinary for 2007 as published at the State Dept. Site:
Trips by Date
June 23-26: France (7,662 miles)
June 4: Panama (4,118 miles)
May 29 – June 1: Europe (9,775 miles)
May 13-16 Russia (9,964 miles)
May 1-4: Egypt (12,126 miles)
April 25-27:Norway (7,751miles)
March 23-27:Middle East (12,963 miles)
March 8-14: Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico (11,875 miles)
Feb. 23: Canada (910 miles)
Feb. 16-22: Middle East and Europe (12,796 miles)
Jan. 24-26: Europe (7,851 miles)
Jan. 12-19: Middle East and Europe (14,374 miles)
That would make it 8 shopping trips to Europe, South America and Canada and 4 working vacations to the Middle East followed by a further 2 quick shopping trips to Europe (just to decompress, you know how stressful the ME is!).
You know, we pay her for this.
Her travel itinary for 2007 as published at the State Dept. Site:
Trips by Date
June 23-26: France (7,662 miles)
June 4: Panama (4,118 miles)
May 29 – June 1: Europe (9,775 miles)
May 13-16 Russia (9,964 miles)
May 1-4: Egypt (12,126 miles)
April 25-27:Norway (7,751miles)
March 23-27:Middle East (12,963 miles)
March 8-14: Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico (11,875 miles)
Feb. 23: Canada (910 miles)
Feb. 16-22: Middle East and Europe (12,796 miles)
Jan. 24-26: Europe (7,851 miles)
Jan. 12-19: Middle East and Europe (14,374 miles)
That would make it 8 shopping trips to Europe, South America and Canada and 4 working vacations to the Middle East followed by a further 2 quick shopping trips to Europe (just to decompress, you know how stressful the ME is!).
You know, we pay her for this.
Over There
Our staunchest ally, historically and militarily but by no means politically anymore, reals from successive waves of 'terrorism related incidents' as pissed off arabs, some al qaeda 'inspired' others just plain old pissed off iraqis and arabist nationalist exert pressure on the newly minted Brown primacy.
The timing of all this couldn't come at a more opportune time for the PM and his parties flagging support for the 'WiI' and his nations now open hostility toward the Bush administration and it's failed policies.
I think Mr. Brown will be looking for a way out very soon, afterall one of the main pillars of the Bush doctrine was to fight them over there so we would not have to fight them over here. For the UK, much like the WMD, al qaeda-Iraq cooperation and mushroom clouds, fighting them over there rings just a little hollow when the headlines every day elude to homegrown and foreign instigated UK terror plots on the homeland.
Couple this with the increased destabilization of Southern Iraq, Basra in particular, and you have what could appear to be a coordinated attack on the British psyche and it's already waining willingness to continue to participate in this brazen sham of a war.
The fact that the real perpetrators of the crimes against civilization, that got this stupidity started in the first place, remain at-large in the hinterlands of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border has not been lost on the general populace much to the chagrin of the Serious People who through subterfuge, mendacity and propaganda lead us into a war without end with an enemy without a face in a place infested with old antagonisms and resentments we were fully ignorant of. Al qaeda took full advantage of that and reaped the wild wind. We really, really wanted bin Laden and would have condoned any costs and actions in that pursuit, what we got was Hussein and his crippled country, a civil war and a breeding ground for pan-arab hostility.
And the Bush administration wonders why nobody believes in them any more when, it's staggeringly obvious.
The timing of all this couldn't come at a more opportune time for the PM and his parties flagging support for the 'WiI' and his nations now open hostility toward the Bush administration and it's failed policies.
I think Mr. Brown will be looking for a way out very soon, afterall one of the main pillars of the Bush doctrine was to fight them over there so we would not have to fight them over here. For the UK, much like the WMD, al qaeda-Iraq cooperation and mushroom clouds, fighting them over there rings just a little hollow when the headlines every day elude to homegrown and foreign instigated UK terror plots on the homeland.
Couple this with the increased destabilization of Southern Iraq, Basra in particular, and you have what could appear to be a coordinated attack on the British psyche and it's already waining willingness to continue to participate in this brazen sham of a war.
The fact that the real perpetrators of the crimes against civilization, that got this stupidity started in the first place, remain at-large in the hinterlands of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border has not been lost on the general populace much to the chagrin of the Serious People who through subterfuge, mendacity and propaganda lead us into a war without end with an enemy without a face in a place infested with old antagonisms and resentments we were fully ignorant of. Al qaeda took full advantage of that and reaped the wild wind. We really, really wanted bin Laden and would have condoned any costs and actions in that pursuit, what we got was Hussein and his crippled country, a civil war and a breeding ground for pan-arab hostility.
And the Bush administration wonders why nobody believes in them any more when, it's staggeringly obvious.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Kurdish Delight
The Kurds appear to be deeply enamored with US sanctioned "Enhanced Interrogation" techniques, secret prisons, Gitmoesque interment and abandonment of the rule of law.
Imitation is the highest form of flattery...
Of course, those commies at Human Rights Watch are not to be trusted, too 'truthy'.
Imitation is the highest form of flattery...
Of course, those commies at Human Rights Watch are not to be trusted, too 'truthy'.
Under The Radar
Been away for a while... meanwhile, this administrations rape of our economy is unabating.
And, the special Saudi envoy to the House of Bush is having difficulty off-loading his US crash pad... (bahk)sheeesh!
The Wolfman joins the AEI... shock, not so much.
The NYT reports on the crisis in Kansas, the BBC also reports on the crisis in Kansas, compare and contrast children.
And, the special Saudi envoy to the House of Bush is having difficulty off-loading his US crash pad... (bahk)sheeesh!
The Wolfman joins the AEI... shock, not so much.
The NYT reports on the crisis in Kansas, the BBC also reports on the crisis in Kansas, compare and contrast children.
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