DEMOCRACY NOW Showcase:
Thursday, October 2nd, 2003
Former CIA Agent Lashes Out at White House For Blowing Colleague’s Cover
From the interview:
LARRY JOHNSON: "....instead of focusing on the substance of the issue what is underway we continue to see Scott McClellan engage in this to suggest that because of some political beliefs by ambassador Wilson that that discredits the substance of his report.
Unfortunately, that is what has become typical of politics. We saw it under the Clinton administration and now we're seeing it under the Bush administration. George Bush promised a new tone in town and got the same old note..."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
AMY GOODMAN: "Larry Johnson to say the least, this is a political firestorm. You're a Republican. Why are you speaking out?"
LARRY JOHNSON: "There's right and wrong in this. I was disgusted by a lot of things I saw happening under the Clinton administration, and I expected a new tone and new direction. Instead we're getting a level of thuggery with -- the White House continues to do it.
What's unfortunate, when I say White House I mean Scott McClellan by raising questions about Joe Wilson's political affiliation. It's not relevant The simple question is, who revealed the name of his wife and compromised her cover status; and why are they attacking Joe Wilson for bringing the news that was available also in other sources which told them that that report that the President based his State of the Union message on was erroneous; and that there was in fact no credible evidence that Iraq was trying to obtain nuclear material. That was used as a pretext for war. That's wrong.."
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SEE THE REPLY TO AMY GOODMAN'S QUESTION:
AMY GOODMAN: " Larry Johnson, it was interesting to watch the Vice President, Dick Cheney, on “Meet the Press” with Tim Russert a couple of weeks ago, because when he was asked about Joe Wilson he said, I never met Joe Wilson, I don't know Joe Wilson.
We did a piece called “Does a Felon Rove the White House” I did with fellow producer Jeremy Scahill.
Looking at what Cheney said, he then went on to say when Russert told him, “Well he was sent by the C.I.A. “ he said, “Who sent him?” clearly raising this question of his wife, I think is the suggestion.
But what about Dick Cheney going to the C.I.A. with Scooter Libby, his top aide, I believe Scooter Libby went, "Washington Post" reported, many times perhaps close to 20, the Vice President went a number of times as well during the period after Joe Wilson gave his report. He says he never heard about this, which is quite hard to believe considering the unprecedented nature of his visits as well as Scooter Libby's. Do you think they have anything to do with this?............................................"
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This is what our nation needs:
"The People Speak: America Debates Its Role in the World"
See article about the organization's positive effect on American community here.
Related article by Swanee Hunt of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government here.
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TELECASTS OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES/ONE HOUR EACH/ ONE ON ONE BEGINNING OCT 13:
Speaking of the Harvard Kennedy School, the Institute of Politics at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government will host a series of one-on-one, hour-long, live forums with the Presidential candidates. MSNBC will produce and telecast each forum as part of its program "Hardball: Battle for the White House."
See article.
All the Democratic candidates have been invited to participate. Currently, the following candidates and dates are confirmed.
Oct. 13 - Sen. John Edwards
Oct. 20 - Sen. John Kerry
Oct. 27 - Rev. Al Sharpton
Nov. 3 - Rep. Dick Gephardt
Nov. 10 - Sen. Bob Graham
Nov. 17 - Former U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand Carol Moseley Braun
This is a Must-Read:
Has Bush Become a Threat to the Ruling Elite?
Who Got Us Into This Mess and Why?
By SAUL LANDAU
Readers, I do not want you to miss this article.
In my humble opinion, truer words about the current state of the Bush administration were never spoken.
The only part in which I tend to disagree is the possibility of the entrance of one Hillary Clinton into this race. I don't believe you'll see that happen.
"....the Bush Administration, now faced with its first serious opposition from Congress members and editorial writers from leading newspapers, no longer speaks with one clear, albeit simplistic voice..."
Kazakhs: Let's talk about succession
By Sergei Blagov
Asia Times
**Corruption Probe Involving US Oil in Kazakhstan**
Greed in America:
This is what happens when good oil men go bad.
The eldest daughter of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has told the Russian media that her father's opponents "could relax" for the next decade. However, she has become increasingly high-profile in terms of Kazakh domestic politics..
Excerpts:
".....in recent months talk of succession has gained new momentum, being somewhat fueled by an ongoing criminal investigation in New York into alleged kickbacks to top Kazakh officials as part of oil deals between the government and Western oil majors.
In June, a former US oil executive, J Bryan Williams, pleaded guilty to charges of tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud the US government in connection with a deal to develop Kazakhstan's energy sector. Williams, a lawyer, aided Mobil's oil operations in Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union, including Kazakhstan. The guilty plea of Williams is helping to refocus attention on a bribery case involving unnamed Kazakh officials and merchant banker James Giffen........."
~~~~~
....Giffen, who is chairman of the New York-based Mercator Corp, was arraigned on March 31 on two counts of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. According to the indictment, Giffen allegedly funneled $78 million in fees from a deal between Mobil Oil Corp and the Kazakh government to two bank accounts controlled by top Kazakh officials. The indictment does not name the Kazakh leaders.
The Giffen indictment is part of a wider US corruption probe that is examining the dealings of oil conglomerates in Kazakhstan. Giffen reportedly served as an adviser to Nazarbayev, and had close ties with Kazakh Oil Minister Nurlan Balgymbayev.
Therefore, Nazarbayev is now understood to be seeking to position his daughter as his successor, allowing him the option of quickly departing office if developments in the graft probe made it expedient to do so. Dynastic succession would also secure life-long immunity from prosecution for Nazarbayev..."
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Companion article: Ex-Mobil executive gets prison in Kazakhstan case
"...He [Williams] said that after the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, he realized that, if he had been killed, his family would have been left to deal with the result of his crimes.
"It would have been a huge mess," he said, explaining that he then hired tax lawyers to help resolve the problem. But the government had already begun its investigation..."
This is why Howard Dean is successful on the road to
President of the United States in 2004-
He understands and in many ways,
has created "the new rules"
A very interesting case made by Joan Vennochi of the Boston Globe.
The new rules of political rhetoric
By Joan Vennochi, 10/2/2003
Boston Globe
Excerpt:
"...Candidates like Schwarzenegger, Romney, and former Vermont governor Howard Dean are bypassing the traditional political constituencies and cutting right to the chase, the general voting population. They are banking on their gut feeling that American voters are sick to their stomachs of the same old rhetoric, the same old jargon, the same old broken promises.
Much of the Democratic presidential field is stuck in the old rhetoric, jargon and symbolism. Missouri congressman Richard Gephardt and Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts are up in arms over the notion that a Democrat -- specifically, Howard Dean -- once said something to the effect that Medicare is poorly run. They are so incensed they are trying to crucify him politically in Iowa and New Hampshire by comparing him with Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House who remains the devil incarnate to old-fashioned liberals.
Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut is also outraged by Dean's suggestion that Mideast peace negotiations might take an actual turn toward peace if the United States isn't automatically on Israel's side in every "negotiation." Then there is all the vying for endorsements from labor unions, women's organizations, and failed politicians like Gary Hart. Within the context of Democratic primary politics, it is heavy pressure, and Dean is clearly trying to placate the interest groups who hold enormous sway in the process. Every time he does, he weakens his campaign argument to the general voting population...."
'Slime and Defend'
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: October 3, 2003
NY Times
Bottom line...Bush knew about the inexcusable leaks 11 weeks ago.
What did he do?
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
"....as long as the media were willing to let the story lie — which, with a few honorable exceptions, like David Corn at The Nation and Knut Royce and Timothy Phelps at Newsday, they were — he didn't think this outrage required any action..."
And Cheney of course, went out on Meet The Press and pretended he'd never heard of Joseph Wilson.
***AS IF!***
It's no wonder a solid majority of Americans no longer have confidence in these so-called "leaders".
They display very few positive elements of good character when times get tough.
When they're caught in their web of lies, they make an outer-transformation to the sludge they really are under the surface.
As Paul Krugman aptly states:
".... the true test of patriotism isn't whether you are willing to wave the flag, or agree with whatever the president says. It's whether you are willing to take risks and make sacrifices, including political sacrifices, for the sake of your country. This episode is a test for Mr. Bush and his inner circle: a true patriot wouldn't hesitate about doing the right thing in the Plame affair, whatever the political costs.
Mr. Bush is failing that test."
~~~
As I commented just yesterday, "A determination to live sustained, proud, cold, and hard lies will never translate to consensus...within or without these United States.
This, ultimately, is the failure of the Bush presidency."
Al Gore back in the news
Mr. Gore is close to striking a deal to acquire Newsworld International, a tiny cable network owned by Vivendi Universal.
Gore and his backers want to turn the digital channel into a liberal-leaning network. His partners include ex-Democratic fund-raiser Joel Hyatt and media investment banker Steve Rattner, who's said to be lining up financing.
Let's hope it happens...and soon.
We surely could use a sane network.
New on the Web: FRONT LINE VOICES
Whether you agree with the soldiers' varied opinions or you don't, you may get a glimpse of their reality....and I think they, above all, deserve a good listen.
"....Are American soldiers still dying? Yep, about one a day from my outfit, the 4th Infantry Division, most in accidents, but dead is dead.
If we are doing all this for the Iraqis, why are they shooting at us?"
"...I've already talked the weapons of mass destruction thing to death - bottom line, who cares? This country was one big conventional weapons ammo dump anyway.. We have probably destroyed more weapons and ammo in the last 30 days than the U.S. Army has ever fired in the last 30 years (remember, this is a country the size of Texas), so drop the WMD argument as the reason we came here. If we find it great if we don't, so what?..."
From a letter entitled "Our Real Motivator" by:
ERIC RYDBOM
MAJOR, ENGINEER
Deputy Division Engineer
4th Infantry Division
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**I sense a hope to control the tone of what is said on the site...it seems to basically be a
"give us some good-news"website. It seems to be based upon an inherent distrust in the media, which always gives one cautionary pause when weighing the possibility of censorship.
Bear this in mind...but do not close your mind. Read the organization's mission statement below and decide for yourself:**
Front Line Voices Introduction
Since, as the saying goes, perception is nine-tenths of reality, those who control what we learn about the war in Iraq and other conflicts have an immense power. They can spin a victory into a failure, and a perceived failure in the fight against tyranny can only strengthen the resolve of tyrants.
It has increasingly been the complaint of many troops that the picture that the media is painting of the progress in the War on Terror is far from reality. The mission of this site is to get out the full story by posting first-hand accounts as written by men and women who have actually been to Iraq and Afghanistan. There is no editing or commentary by those who run this site, and we will print any letter or story submitted by a legitimate source who has served overseas. Our only goal is to offer you the opportunity to read these stories and to find out what the reality is.
The Kuwait Story--
A fellow blogger wonders the same thing I have been asking....
from the "fast eddie's bullet" blog 10-02-03:
Fast Eddie asks:
"I wonder why...
... the neo-con administration isn't blasting this all over the front pages?"
Kuwait foils smuggling of chemicals, bio warheads from Iraq
"Kuwaiti security authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle $60 million worth of chemical weapons and biological warheads from Iraq to an unnamed European country, a Kuwaiti newspaper said on Wednesday..."
He goes on to say:
"Hmmm, perhaps when there are actual FACTS they will, until then the Hindustan Times will have to be the groundbreaker. Oh wait a minute... this scoop, probably the most important piece of information since the issue of UN Resolution 1441, isn't even on their front page. May I repeat... hmmmm..."
It makes you wonder, eh?
If you're still feeling gullible, swallow this one:
Coalition Couldn't Have Given U.N. Inspectors More Time, British Official Says
By Michael McDonough Associated Press Writer
"If we allowed more time, we were simply allowing more time for deceptions and defiance by the Saddam regime," Jack Straw told British Broadcasting Corp. radio. "Gradually, the resolve of the international community to deal with this matter would have died down. "
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Sure Jack Straw.
I presume you are the same Jack Straw who stressed his embarrassment at not finding WMDs in Iraq in the months after the attack upon Iraq?
If we allowed more time, you're saying that Hussein would have deceived us more?
Do you mean more than you and Colin Powell deceived us at the UN with all those WMD ghost stories?
More than your Blair and our Bush spoke of 45 minutes to doom and yellowcake from Niger?
Hey, Jack Straw--Are you saying it would have been better for resolve to have been lost at the UN instead of what actually occurred...losing total respect for your nation and ours in the UN-based international community?
See: "Annan rejects US plan for Iraqi transition-issues stinging rebuke"
I mean, it's fine to have resolve.
David Kay has resolve to spare, but he hasn't come up with one frigging weapon of mass destruction.
What have YOU found, Jack Straw?
And where is Saddam Hussein today, for all your "we couldn't waits"?
Hello?????
Criminal Sunni Gang Attacks Shiites in the Powderkeg known as Pakistan
Or, as simple George W Bush might simply say,
"The Terrorists Attack the Terrorists"
Bus Carrying Shiite Space Agency Employees Attacked in Southern Pakistan, Five Killed.
By Afzal Nadeem Associated Press Writer
Published: Oct 3, 2003
As you can see, Muslim extremist turmoil is no different in Pakistan than in Iraq.
And THESE folks are the ones making up the supporting troops we're requesting in Iraq?
Is it me...or is anyone else a little shaky on this?
Feeling threatened on 9-25-03,
rump-pimpled draft-dodger Rush Limbaugh
said of General Wesley Clark:
"Note that Clark.. is looking at this like bombing that passenger train and the Chinese embassy during the Kosovo campaign from 15,000 feet; he doesn't want to incur any damage so he's going to have his lackeys do the grunt work."
Typical run-of-the-mouth, run-of-the-mill garbage as we've come to expect from this non-gentleman.
GW Bush's opinion of Rush? "Rush is a great American," the president said.
Yet, ask GW Bush what he thinks of another critic's honesty and greatness....
"But, you know, I don't think we're serving our nation well by allowing the discourse to become so uncivil that people say — use words that they shouldn't be using."
GW Bush speaking about Ted Kennedy
*HYPOCRISY CHECK!!!!*
The only "greatness" about Rush is his great ability to squeeze out uncivil bullshit about people he doesn't agree with day in/day out....and never gives an opportunity for a balanced view.
Hey, I'm not always so civil myself, so here goes...
Rush--you totally suck as a human being!
House Democrats Score a Victory in Dispute Over Overtime Pay
~~~
Bush shows contempt for middle class with business-favoring veto threat
"....The Labor Department says the proposed rules would require overtime - pay equal to 1 1/2 times the hourly rate - for as many as 1.3 million additional low-income workers when they work more than 40 hours per week. Democrats support this expansion, which raises a 28-year-old ceiling under which overtime must be paid from $8,060 per year to $22,100 per year.
But Democrats and unions say at least 8 million white-collar workers now required to get overtime would lose it due to new definitions of jobs that would be exempt from the extra pay. .."
"...The administration, said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California, "overreached on this because they went into suburbia" in defining the workers who could be affected by the new rules...."
"....President Bush has threatened to veto the spending bill if it includes the prohibition on the overtime changes, which are strongly backed by business groups...."
**We can see who matters most to Bush.
There's no other conclusion that can be drawn except to say that
he's a cad with contempt for middle class workers.
Period.**
From the Howard Dean Weblog: New Bridge' represents everything that is wrong with the Bush administration'
"...Joseph Allbaugh--who, with Karl Rove and Karen Hughes, comprised Bush's 'iron triangle' of handlers--has founded a new firm, New Bridge Strategies, with a number of other Republican cronies. This firm represents everything that is wrong with the Bush administration--and why change is so desperately needed in Washington.
Joe Allbaugh was the Chief of Staff for then-Governor George W. Bush and the campaign manager for the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign. Until recently, he was the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Now he and two of the most prominent Republican lobbyists in Washington, along with other veterans of the Reagan and Bush years, have started this firm with the openly stated purpose of using their close ties to the Bush administration to help companies earn lucrative contracts in the reconstruction of Iraq...."
Best white lie of the day: Money not criterion to send Pak troops to Iraq
Press Trust of India
Islamabad, October 2
"...Pakistan on Thursday said its decision to send troops to Iraq was not in any way "associated" with receiving money from the United States.
"Pakistan is a prestigious country. The issue of sending troops to Iraq is not associated with money", Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri told BBC Radio...."
**What he doesn't tell you is how much Musharraf's cooperation has netted him in IMF and World Bank $ billions $ and U.S.loan write-offs.**
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Meanwhile, a good part of the Pakistani public may not be in agreement with their government:
"....recently, General Musharraf has further angered Muslims in general and Pakistanis in particular by suggesting that Muslim states should consider granting diplomatic recognition to Israel and sending troops to Iraq for peacekeeping..."
Musharraf may be finding himself in an increasingly dangerous political bind.
~~~~~~~~
Look at what occurred today involving Pakistani troops:
12 Al-Qaeda suspects killed in gunfight with Pakistan troops
~~~~~~~
"...In a sudden move, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and Assistant Secretary Christina Rocca have put off their visit to Pakistan..."
"...The visit had assumed significance amidst reports that the US was stepping up pressure
on Pakistan to deploy troops in Iraq.
It is believed that the American officials were being sent to ask Pakistan to follow up on the assurance given by Musharraf during the Camp David summit..."
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Did you know?
If you watch FOX news, you probably haven't heard what's happening in Kashmir
....all FOX news has nauseatingly talked about today is Arnold Schwarzenegger's slutty/sleazy past and Kobe Bryant's sordid case.
Droll....to think that is what is important to us Americans.
Droll indeed. Sheesh....
In this volatile part of the world:
"...Five dead, 25 injured in Kashmir violence:
An Indian policeman was killed and 24 people including 10 policemen were wounded after two grenade attacks by suspected Islamic militants in Indian-administered Kashmir, police said..."
~~~~~~~~
Not to mention....
Pakistan Test-Fires Nuclear-Capable Missile
By Munir Ahmad Associated Press Writer
Published: Oct 3, 2003
Kuwait foils smuggling of chemicals, bio warheads from Iraq
"..Kuwaiti security authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle $60 million worth of chemical weapons and biological warheads from Iraq to an unnamed European country.."
Kudos to Kuwait!
This 'unnamed European country' will have a hell of lot of explaining to do....
It sounds like America may have a brand spankin' new European enemy....
this is a story to watch...
I'll bet the Bush adminstration hopes it will take the Plame-outing heat off of them in the media.
They should get on their knees and kiss Kuwait.
"....the suspects had been watched by security since they arrived in Kuwait and were arrested "in due time"...
At least the intelligence in SOME country is respected and WORKS RELIABLY.....
perhaps America and Great Britain have a lot to learn from Kuwait.
Speaking of European countries, here's a simple update on France:
US text on Iraq at UN does not address our wishes: France
Agence France-Presse
United Nations, October 2
A revised US draft resolution on Iraq at the United Nations "does not address our wishes," French UN ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere said on Thursday..."
"I enjoy watching FOX NEWS and I think every country
should have their own Al-Jazeera."
Jon Stewart
Instant Replay:
See Bill Moyers' July interview with Jon Stewart
Cheney's Wyoming is hurting.
Can you say "Blue State"?
...Or will this 69/28 Republican state ignorantly blame
Democratic governor Freudenthal
for the worst job outlook in a decade?
Shades of California?
State's Jobless claims reach 10-year high
CASPER (AP) -- Wyoming's unemployment insurance claims reached a 10-year high in fiscal 2003, a state report said.
Can you say "Blue West"?
"....In 2000, George W. Bush carried most of the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains states. His victories in these states reflect the gradual shift toward Republicans in all of these rural-dominated regions since 1980.
Don't be surprised if Republicans have peaked in the West. Western Republicans face the same problem Democrats have faced since the Reagan Revolution – their core ideology no longer fits their traditional base..."
