Regarding the upcoming Iraqi elections and likelihood that most Iraqis won’t be able to vote in them, an anonymous White House official said this yesterday: "I would . . . really encourage people not to focus on numbers, which in themselves don’t have any meaning, but to look on the outcome and to look at the government that will be … Read More
Homeland Security For Sale
Not surprisingly (to most of us), it is now becoming apparent that 9/11 was viewed by many Republicans as simply a way to make money for those with connections. No, I’m not talking about Halliburton (although they certainly fit the bill). I’m talking about this: WASHINGTON – As the Homeland Security Department was starting up, Secretary Tom Ridge twice stayed … Read More
WMD Hunt Ends
We were right and they were wrong.
LALALALALALALALALALALALA (I can’t hear you)!
The right wingers over at The Corner are being willfully ignorant about torture. World O’Crap explains it all for you wonderfully.
The Torture General and the Commander-in-Chief Override
To me, the most troubling thing about Gonzales is not his understanding (or lack thereof) on the "legal" use of torture, but his apparent lack of understanding on the powers of the Presidency. One thing is for sure: what ever "torture" is — and I am willing to concede that we can have open debates about that — the President … Read More
Desparate Yet?
Matt Yglesius is right to point this out: The recent acts of terrorism, such as the bombing of the U.N. headquarters and the mosque in Najaf, show a couple of things. First, that Iraq is still a dangerous place. They also show, I think, the desperation — the desperation of the adversaries that we face. We’re actively engaged in rooting … Read More
Eight Questions (Plus One)
In an attempt to foster "brutally honest conversation" among hawks, Kevin Drum has 8 questions for Iraq war supporters (and in reality, it is more than eight. I suspect many hawks will dismiss these questions as "rhetorical", but I don’t think they are. Any takers? I would also appreciate links if you know of blogs who take on Kevin’s questions. … Read More
White House Distances Itself From Realities of War
I can only imagine what it must be like to receive a letter from the government stating that your son/daughter has been killed in combat. But . . . it’s a necessary aspect of war. Still . . . is it too much to ask of the President that he NOT sign these letter with a green felt-tip marker? Is … Read More
So WHY Did We Invade Iraq in Response to 9/11?
"Because Iraq had WMDs and posed a serious threat." We now know they didn’t. "Because Iraq had significant operational ties to Al Qaeda." We now know they didn’t. "Because a democratic Iraq will spread democracy in the region in order to combat Islamofascism." Oh, okay. That makes sense, I guess. Wait a second. No so fast, sparky: WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 … Read More
“Moral Values” Embarrassment Watch II (Torture Edition)
From Atrios: I just heard a report on NPR about a group of Chinese Muslims who have been in Guantanmo [sic]. We’ve decided that they’re no longer a threat. The Chinese government wants us to hand them over so they can try them on terrorism charges. We don’t want to hand them over because… yes, you know it’s coming… The … Read More
And How is Generalissimo Franco??
Arafat is dead and in a coma. Well, either way, he’s not making too many plans.
Pentagon Against Bush?
I think Josh Marshall is on to something when he writes: This evening, Wingerdom is all aflutter about what they now see as the New York Times-CBS-IAEA international anti-Bush conspiracy. But they might do better to focus their anxieties elsewhere. Like at the Pentagon, for instance. Who over there is trying to stick it to the president? Look at two … Read More
Bush Doesn’t Understand The Nature of The Terrorist Threat
It’s odd. Bush says that Kerry is failing to comprehend the war on terrorism. It’s odd, I say, because Bush’s own people, are saying (implicitly anyway) that it is Bush who doesn’t get it. The Bush Administration seems to think that the way to defeat terrorism is by decapitating the leadership of al Qaeda. Capture or kill those AQ leaders … Read More
Hiding Facts From The American People
Why doesn’t the Administration want you to read this CIA report until after election day?
God Sent Mixed Messages
We all know He speaks to Bush, and we all know He speaks to Pat Robertson. So why was He telling Bush one thing about the War in Iraq, and telling Pat Robertson something else: "I mean, the Lord told me it was going to be A, a disaster, and B, messy," Robertson said. "I warned [President Bush] about casualties." … Read More