Cheney Makes Me Sick

Ken AshfordBush & Co., IraqLeave a Comment

Why do many people think that Iraq may have had something to do with 9/11? Cheney provided the answer today. It’s the media’s fault! That’s right. According to Cheney, the anti-Bush liberal media has been making an argument for war against Iraq that the White House never made. THEN, in the same press conference, Cheney goes on to suggest that, … Read More

Today’s WH Press Gaggle

Ken AshfordBush & Co., Iraq, War on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

Q Can I ask about Vice President Cheney, because yesterday he repeated what is a very controversial claim. He said that Saddam Hussein had long-established ties with al Qaeda. Does the President believe that Saddam Hussein had long-established ties with al Qaeda? MR. McCLELLAN: We certainly talked about the ties with terrorism between the — between the regime that was … Read More

Shock & Awe Report Card

Ken AshfordIraqLeave a Comment

Yes, the "Shock and Awe" campaign that opened the Iraqi War was shocking and awesome. But according to this, it was also not very successful. Not only did ALL the airstrikes miss their mark, but they resulted in "significant civilian casualties". What’s to blame? Bad intel. What else?

A Tale Of Two Headlines

Ken AshfordHistory, Iraq1 Comment

Veterans Dismiss Comparisons with Iraq – MSNBC, June 2, 2004; 7:48 a.m. E.T. . . . Yet, as a handful of U.S. veterans from the Normandy invasion explained, there are few parallels between the two undertakings. As far as they are concerned, World War II represented a unique era because of the very real, palpable, and all-encompassing threat posed by … Read More

Cheneyburtongate

Ken AshfordBush & Co., Corporate Greed, IraqLeave a Comment

Cheney has stated that he has had no role or influence in the government’s award of no-competitive-bid contracts to Halliburton. As Time and CNN are reporting, a March 5, 2003 e-mail puts those comments into question. The email is "an internal Pentagon e-mail from an Army Corps of Engineers official to another Pentagon employee". As the story says: The e-mail … Read More

Cheney Is A Lying Liar

Ken AshfordBush & Co., Corporate Greed, IraqLeave a Comment

Hat tip to Lizard Queen for catching this recent news item: WASHINGTON (AFP) – A Pentagon e-mail said Vice President Dick Cheney coordinated a huge Halliburton government contract for Iraq, despite Cheney’s denial of interest in the company he ran until 2000. The March 5, 2003 e-mail, from an Army Corps of Engineers official, said that top Pentagon official Douglas … Read More

Rush On Armed Forces Radio

Ken AshfordIraq, Right Wing Punditry/IdiocyLeave a Comment

Before I rant, a smattering of statistics: Number of USO tours done by Al Franken: 4Number of USO tours done by Rush Limbaugh: 0 Number of well-received USO tours done by Al Franken: 4Number of well-received USO tours done by Rush Limbaugh: 0 Just thought I would throw it out there. You know, for perspective. So here’s one question — … Read More

More Abu Ghraib Photos

Ken AshfordIraqLeave a Comment

Some have justified the abuses at Abu Ghraib, claiming that it was necessary for interrogation purposes, and if we can get information that saves ONE American soldier’s life, it was worth it blah blah blah . . . This guy is dead. He died while in U.S. custody at Abu Ghraib. What information was Army Spc. Sabrina Harmon of the … Read More

U.S. Reportedly Kills 40 Iraqis at Party

Ken AshfordIraqLeave a Comment

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A U.S. helicopter fired on a wedding party early Wednesday in western Iraq, killing more than 40 people, Iraqi officials said. The U.S. military said it could not confirm the report and was investigating. Dr. Salah al-Ani, who works at a hospital in Ramadi, put the death toll at 45. Associated Press Television News obtained videotape showing … Read More

Quote of the Day

Ken AshfordIraqLeave a Comment

“Treat them with humanity, and let them have no reason to Complain of our Copying the brutal example of the British army in their Treatment of our unfortunate brethren.” – George Washington. Yes, that George Washington, speaking to the officer he placed in charge of 211 prisoners taken at Princeton. Any right wingnut care to attack his patriotism? (P.S. After … Read More

Vindication?

Ken AshfordIraqLeave a Comment

The press is reporting on the discovery (and detonation) of a roadside bomb discovered in Iraq, which released a “small quantity” of sarin gas. The gas temporarily bothered two American soldiers, and (presumably) put them off their lunch. But that’s about it. Clearly relieved to finally have some "happy" news to crow about, the right-wing blogosphere is all over this, … Read More

It Gets Worse For Bush

Ken AshfordIraqLeave a Comment

As most of you probably know, Sy Hersh at The New Yorker has placed blame for the Abu Ghraib scandal directly at the feet of Rumsfeld. But this independent Newsweek investigation brings it directly to the Oval Office. The money quote: But a NEWSWEEK investigation shows that, as a means of pre-empting a repeat of 9/11, Bush, along with Defense … Read More

Bush to Seek Another $25B for Iraq War

Ken AshfordIraqLeave a Comment

As reported here. As the story reports, this request for additional funds is a "retreat from the White House’s earlier plans not to seek such money until after the November elections. " In my view, the request for more money — and the apparent necessity of asking for it now instead of after the elections — forces Bush to admit … Read More