This Newsweek article lays it on the line: it looks like Bush and the DOJ are about to get bitch-slapped by the U.S. Supreme Court, and they know it. The overall administration argument of the Padilla case, as well as the GITMO cases, is that "we are in a time of war, and because of that, we — as a … Read More
Torture Training
From the NY Times LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 8 — Reversing itself, the Army said Tuesday that a G.I. was discharged partly because of a head injury he suffered while posing as an uncooperative detainee during a training exercise at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The Army had previously said Specialist Sean Baker’s medical discharge in April was unrelated to the injury he … Read More
The Torture Memo – A First Stab
I’ll throw my hat into the legal analysis ring, although you can (or will) find good analyses here and here as well. UPDATE: A very fine first draft critique by University of Miami law professor Michael Froomkin can be found here. I say "very fine" because it mirrors my comments, plus a few more . . . and is better … Read More
A Tale Of Two Headlines
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
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
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
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
New York Times Embarrassed By Its Lack Of Rigorous Reporting
I know many on the right like to paint the New York Times as ultra-liberal, but today’s editorial in the NYT — which borders on an apology — points out just how the NYT failed its readers by being too accepting of many of the claims being made by the White House about Iraq. In most cases, what we reported … Read More
More Abu Ghraib Photos
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
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
“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?
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
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
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
Now THIS is interesting . . .
First the background . . . This document is part of Bush’s military records — specifically, it is the document which records that Bush was suspended from flight status for failure to show up for an annual physical examination. Interestingly, below the entry for Bush is another entry for another pilot, also removed from flight status (on the same day), … Read More