The Fulcrum
Friday, October 03, 2003
Fox's Faux Facts
You just knew it was so, but go check out the poll results posted by Atrios about where people who believe false things get their news.
Priceless.
Priceless.
Must Reads for Friday
Two Op-Ed pieces in the New York Times today that should be read (actually, one is a re-read...):
The first is "The Legacy of Blackhawk Down." A great, first-hand account of the background activities of the story most of us know from the soldiers' point of view. Kenneth Cain - who was a young U.N. human rights officer in Mogudishu lays out some lessons that weren't learned about how to do nation building. A great read.
The second is a reprint of Joe Wilson's July 6th piece laying out the facts about the Iraq-Niger yellowcake hoax - and his belief that his facts were twisted in Bush's SOTU. For those who missed it the first time, or who haven't gone back to read it again; take the time. Get the facts - including that he worked under both Repugs and Dems in the past and appears to be anything but a partisan hack.
And in a way, these two are linked. Because we didn't learn from some past experiences - or didn't learn well - the war that we got into because Wilson's findings were ignored has left us with a nation building job that we really don't understand how to do.
One of my favorite, if overused, quotes is "those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
The first is "The Legacy of Blackhawk Down." A great, first-hand account of the background activities of the story most of us know from the soldiers' point of view. Kenneth Cain - who was a young U.N. human rights officer in Mogudishu lays out some lessons that weren't learned about how to do nation building. A great read.
The second is a reprint of Joe Wilson's July 6th piece laying out the facts about the Iraq-Niger yellowcake hoax - and his belief that his facts were twisted in Bush's SOTU. For those who missed it the first time, or who haven't gone back to read it again; take the time. Get the facts - including that he worked under both Repugs and Dems in the past and appears to be anything but a partisan hack.
And in a way, these two are linked. Because we didn't learn from some past experiences - or didn't learn well - the war that we got into because Wilson's findings were ignored has left us with a nation building job that we really don't understand how to do.
One of my favorite, if overused, quotes is "those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Thursday, October 02, 2003
Why Clark?
If you've read my previous posts on Wes Clark here and here, you know that I've come around to liking him and supporting him. In fact, I need to get something up in my links over there...
Anyway, Josh over at Talking Points Memo posted an interview with Clark. It confirms the sense I got from Clark. He really lays out some impressive progressive ideas sharpened through a lense of a soldier's life - which is not ever easy, either physically, emotionally or economically.
Go read the interview. Think it over. You'll be impressed.
Anyway, Josh over at Talking Points Memo posted an interview with Clark. It confirms the sense I got from Clark. He really lays out some impressive progressive ideas sharpened through a lense of a soldier's life - which is not ever easy, either physically, emotionally or economically.
Go read the interview. Think it over. You'll be impressed.
Sleight of Hand?
These two grafs from the Wall Street Journal (no link because you need a subscription) may indicate how the White House intends to defuse the current mess over Plame-gate:
By widening the investigation, Justice is likely hoping to redirect public and press attention from the White House - specifically from Shrub and Rove.
This may be an easier way to get through this than the North Korea angle (see last post).
"The Justice Department probe into who leaked an intelligence officer's identity reaches beyond the White House, but remains focused on possible government sources rather than their media contacts.
Justice Department officials plan to notify employees of the Defense and State departments to preserve any documents relating to the wife of former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, and the Central Intelligence Agency already has been asked to do so, officials said.
By widening the investigation, Justice is likely hoping to redirect public and press attention from the White House - specifically from Shrub and Rove.
This may be an easier way to get through this than the North Korea angle (see last post).
Bush Too Busy to Notice North Korea Making WMD
While the Bush administration was busy "sexing up" the intel on Iraq's weapons programs and retaliating against Joe Wilson for not supporting those claims, Kim Jong Il was busy reprocessing 8,000 nuclear fuel rods into high-grade uranium.
Now while the CIA has been saying North Korea is likely to have one or two nuclear warheads, the Wall Street Journal is saying that "some U.S. analysts" (probably not Valerie Plame - but I wonder if this is more Team B boys) believe NK has up to six warheads. These same analysts believe that may be enough for Pyongyang to either test a warhead or sell one. Neither of which would do a lot to lower tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
NK says that they must build these weapons because of the "aggressive stance of the U.S." Maybe one of the few countries in the world who would actually be wrong to make such a statement. For all their bullying in the Middle East, BushCo. has been eerily silent on NK nukes.
Watch for this to become the next crisis. While this is serious, I wouldn't put it past BushCo. to use this as a distraction from the CIA leak crisis.
Now while the CIA has been saying North Korea is likely to have one or two nuclear warheads, the Wall Street Journal is saying that "some U.S. analysts" (probably not Valerie Plame - but I wonder if this is more Team B boys) believe NK has up to six warheads. These same analysts believe that may be enough for Pyongyang to either test a warhead or sell one. Neither of which would do a lot to lower tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
NK says that they must build these weapons because of the "aggressive stance of the U.S." Maybe one of the few countries in the world who would actually be wrong to make such a statement. For all their bullying in the Middle East, BushCo. has been eerily silent on NK nukes.
Watch for this to become the next crisis. While this is serious, I wouldn't put it past BushCo. to use this as a distraction from the CIA leak crisis.
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
Daydreamin'
Sure it's too soon to celebrate - this whole gathering storm over revealing a CIA operative's name could just blow over. But thinking about it...well I took a moment to wonder about a future that included something nasty for BushCo. over this.
Karl Rove's head on a pike outside the CIA headquarters at Langley. It would have to be a really large, sturdy pike to hold up that great pumpkin of a noggin', but still... Oh, and Joe Wilson should get to plant it!
"We want...a Shrubbery!" A group of CIA operatives (with those little black rectangles over their eyes, of course) dressed as The Knights Who Say "Ni!" calling for Shrub's head on a platter...
There were others, but none that I'd really want to share...
"Know what I mean? Nudge, nudge..."
Karl Rove's head on a pike outside the CIA headquarters at Langley. It would have to be a really large, sturdy pike to hold up that great pumpkin of a noggin', but still... Oh, and Joe Wilson should get to plant it!
"We want...a Shrubbery!" A group of CIA operatives (with those little black rectangles over their eyes, of course) dressed as The Knights Who Say "Ni!" calling for Shrub's head on a platter...
There were others, but none that I'd really want to share...
"Know what I mean? Nudge, nudge..."
Comments Are Back!
Blogspeak seems to be back up and running this morning!
Comment away!!
Comment away!!
Treason Defined Downward
It's not surprising, but in a way, still shocking nonetheless...
The Wall Street Journal (subscription required, so no link) this morning is calling the entire Wilsongate scandal a "kerfuffle."
Here's a sample graph:
See how the Bush apologists are just not interested, or try to deflect attention away from the real crime. No, to these guys, it's the bigger shame that someone who didn't toe the BushCo. line was used to dig around in this story. If only they had used someone more "dependable," friendlier to the administration...
And of course if she were "ensconced at Langley," then Wilson's wife couldn't possible have been doing anything important or actually running an operation with operatives in the field. The Rethugs are pounding the "she was just an analyst" angle with this.
What I'd like to see in the Justice Department's investigation would be the number of field operatives or important contacts who were compromised with this leak and how many of them were jailed or killed because of it. Unfortunately I think that someone a little more independent of BushCo will be needed to find that. Can you say special prosecutor?
Oh, and one more interesting quote that shows that there may be just a tinge of panic setting in:
But the interest is there in the press at long last. I wonder just how long the White House spinmeisters can keep the lid on this one.
The Wall Street Journal (subscription required, so no link) this morning is calling the entire Wilsongate scandal a "kerfuffle."
Here's a sample graph:
"This is the context in which Mr. Novak was told that Mr. Wilson had been hired at the recommendation of his wife, a CIA employee. This is hardly blowing a state secret but is something the public had a right to know. When an intelligence operative essentially claims that a U.S. President sent American soldiers off to die for a lie, certainly that operative's own motives and history ought to be on the table. In any event, Mrs. Wilson was not an agent in the field but is ensconced at Langley headquarters. It remains far from clear that any law was violated.
See how the Bush apologists are just not interested, or try to deflect attention away from the real crime. No, to these guys, it's the bigger shame that someone who didn't toe the BushCo. line was used to dig around in this story. If only they had used someone more "dependable," friendlier to the administration...
And of course if she were "ensconced at Langley," then Wilson's wife couldn't possible have been doing anything important or actually running an operation with operatives in the field. The Rethugs are pounding the "she was just an analyst" angle with this.
What I'd like to see in the Justice Department's investigation would be the number of field operatives or important contacts who were compromised with this leak and how many of them were jailed or killed because of it. Unfortunately I think that someone a little more independent of BushCo will be needed to find that. Can you say special prosecutor?
Oh, and one more interesting quote that shows that there may be just a tinge of panic setting in:
"At least we can be thankful that Democrats buried the independent counsel statute during the Clinton years. "Leak" investigations are notoriously fruitless in any case and typically a waste of Justice Department resources. It's especially amusing to see the media whose lifeblood is leaks feigning outrage. "
But the interest is there in the press at long last. I wonder just how long the White House spinmeisters can keep the lid on this one.
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Can't Keep Up
If you've been to any of the blogs in my blogroll, or pretty much any blog anywhere, you know that the Wilson-Plame affair has seemingly gotten traction in the minds of the mainstream news, the politcos and - just maybe - the public. Since this is just a part-time gig for me, I can't hope to keep up with the marvels of blogging that do it for a living or as an avocation.
But if you stop by here, at least for now, don't stay long. My comments are down, and you really should be reading some of the better bloggers on this subject. But don't forget to come back!
And start talking about this stuff. We're talking TREASON!
Go. Be informed!
But if you stop by here, at least for now, don't stay long. My comments are down, and you really should be reading some of the better bloggers on this subject. But don't forget to come back!
And start talking about this stuff. We're talking TREASON!
Go. Be informed!
Comments Down...
Blogspeak - the provider of my commenting service is down due to an unspecified virus. I've taken the code out of my blog to protect my readers and myself. Sorry for the inconvenience. I'll have it back up as soon as they say it's safe.
White House Felony
Lambert over at corrente lays out the "Shorter Valerie Plame Affair." Sure to draw Googlers. I'll just quote Lambert in order to increase the odds...
This leaking of a CIA operative's/analyst's name to Bob Novak may just be gaining some traction with the mainstream media. It should.
And heads should roll.
"White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony. White House felony."
This leaking of a CIA operative's/analyst's name to Bob Novak may just be gaining some traction with the mainstream media. It should.
And heads should roll.
Blog Find - Redux
So I got a couple of comments on my post about "Boots and Sabers." One from one of the bloggers - Jed.
Now, despite what I said about their blog - and I'm still not a fan of the uniforms - it seems that Jed and Owen, based strictly on their comment and on their post about my post, are pretty decent guys. No swearing or vowing vengeance or anything like that. Just some thoughtful commentary and a little humor.
Now, I'll never agree with most of their politics, nor with Owen's distaste for vegetables, but I take back what I said about them being "brown shirt fascists."
Can you feel the love?
Now, despite what I said about their blog - and I'm still not a fan of the uniforms - it seems that Jed and Owen, based strictly on their comment and on their post about my post, are pretty decent guys. No swearing or vowing vengeance or anything like that. Just some thoughtful commentary and a little humor.
Now, I'll never agree with most of their politics, nor with Owen's distaste for vegetables, but I take back what I said about them being "brown shirt fascists."
Can you feel the love?
Monday, September 29, 2003
Blog Find - Not for the Faint of Heart
You just really have to check out this blog; "Boots and Sabers."
Written by a couple of ex-Texas Aggies band-geeks (do I really need to say more?), this site leans to the right. How far right? Well, let me quote one of them, Jed: "I tend to be...somewhere to the right of "bomb them back to the stone age" on foreign policy issues."
If you've never seen the Aggie Corps' uniforms - well, let me say they were just made for us liberal bloggers. I'm sure somewhere you've seen reference to "brown shirt fascists"... well, go check out the site.
Take a barf bag.
Written by a couple of ex-Texas Aggies band-geeks (do I really need to say more?), this site leans to the right. How far right? Well, let me quote one of them, Jed: "I tend to be...somewhere to the right of "bomb them back to the stone age" on foreign policy issues."
If you've never seen the Aggie Corps' uniforms - well, let me say they were just made for us liberal bloggers. I'm sure somewhere you've seen reference to "brown shirt fascists"... well, go check out the site.
Take a barf bag.
Justice at a Glacial Pace
Interesting news from the Washington Post: The SEC has sued former Enron thief executive Kenneth Lay. The suit seeks to force Lay to hand over lots of documents that cover his actions while bilking his customers and investors of billions. Lay's lawyers are claiming the Fifth, but it may not fly.
Now there's a perp walk I know we'd all love to see!
Now there's a perp walk I know we'd all love to see!
Interest or Just News Junkies?
A CNN Quickpoll shows that 80% those reading the site today think that there should be an independent investigation into the leaking of Valerie Plame's name as a CIA operative. See my last post.
When I checked there were a total of 68,692 votes.
Does that mean that this story will have some traction in the mind of the public or just that there were a lot of political news junkies on CNN today? I'm not sure... There was quite a bit of coverage on the networks, cable and Public Radio. But if recent history is any indicator, the public mind is just too busy with other things right now. I'm not sure what that could be as Madonna has not kissed Brittany again and there's no hurricane headed towards Washington.
When I checked there were a total of 68,692 votes.
Does that mean that this story will have some traction in the mind of the public or just that there were a lot of political news junkies on CNN today? I'm not sure... There was quite a bit of coverage on the networks, cable and Public Radio. But if recent history is any indicator, the public mind is just too busy with other things right now. I'm not sure what that could be as Madonna has not kissed Brittany again and there's no hurricane headed towards Washington.
More Sh*t Hits the Fan
Wilsongate, the Plame Game, call it what you will. A major shit storm that will make Hurricane Isabel look like a summer zephyr seems to be on the way. The White House is in full bunker mode with everyone misdirecting attention.
I've not followed it closely enough to write up the whole story with links and all; although my outrage grows with every article I get to.
Check out the blogs in my blogroll... those tireless folks have covered it well. Now if only the SCLM would do the same.
"Where is the outrage?"
I've not followed it closely enough to write up the whole story with links and all; although my outrage grows with every article I get to.
Check out the blogs in my blogroll... those tireless folks have covered it well. Now if only the SCLM would do the same.
"Where is the outrage?"
"I'm a uniter, not a divider."
News Inspired Rant:
The Episcopalian House of Bishops appointed the first openly gay bishop this past summer; the Reverend Gene Robinson.
Anglican and Episcopalian churches around the country - and around the world - have denounced the House of Bishops for the appointment.
The Canadian Government has all but approved same-sex civil unions.
This past weekend, a same-sex couple from Canada were denied entry into the U.S. because they wanted to fill out a joint customs declaration (and, ironies of ironies, they were travelling to attend a Human Rights conference).
Remember Bush's quote - above - during the 2000 election circus? "I'm a uniter, not a divider." And yet, no president or administration in recent history has tried so hard to divide us; by race (Trent Lott, anyone?), by religion (Jerry Fallwell) and by sexual orientation ( Shrub, himself!).
Ah, those wonderful Fundamentalist Christians. Is there a more intolerant group on the face of the earth? Well, actually, yes. But they're a sub-set: Fundamentalists of all stripes.
They are so certain that they are right - on every subject - that it is literally impossible to have an intelligent conversation with one on any subject. Some conversations seem normal until you stray into some subject covered by their "holy book." Their book, whatever it happens to be called, contains all the answers to every problem ever conceived. No matter that these texts were typically written centuries ago when civilization consisted of small groups of herders or farmers in small villages and towns. No matter that it was before any technology more advanced than bronze and iron. No matter that it was before the ability to read DNA made us aware that we are all basically the same - to 99.9999% of our genetic material.
Their scriptures and their invisible friends (god, allah, jehova and thousands of others) assure them that they are the chosen ones and that all others are "infidels" or "sinners" or - well, pick your derogatory religious slur. You know all the words. And these "others" are to be conquered, converted, or if all else fails, killed. Over the centuries "other" has included people of other religions (of course), of other colors, of other countries, of other races, other villages...
But all this has been said, usually better than I have. What to do if you're a progressive and can't bear the thought of sanctioned intolerance? There are plenty of places to go to make yourself known and heard. See some of my links to the right. Write to your local, state and federal representatives. Write to your local paper. Spread the meme that we are all humans. Science, in the form of DNA sequences, has already proved that we are all the same. Now it's up to us to spread the word, to show by our actions.
I just wanted to add my voice.
Now add yours.
The Episcopalian House of Bishops appointed the first openly gay bishop this past summer; the Reverend Gene Robinson.
Anglican and Episcopalian churches around the country - and around the world - have denounced the House of Bishops for the appointment.
The Canadian Government has all but approved same-sex civil unions.
This past weekend, a same-sex couple from Canada were denied entry into the U.S. because they wanted to fill out a joint customs declaration (and, ironies of ironies, they were travelling to attend a Human Rights conference).
Remember Bush's quote - above - during the 2000 election circus? "I'm a uniter, not a divider." And yet, no president or administration in recent history has tried so hard to divide us; by race (Trent Lott, anyone?), by religion (Jerry Fallwell) and by sexual orientation ( Shrub, himself!).
Ah, those wonderful Fundamentalist Christians. Is there a more intolerant group on the face of the earth? Well, actually, yes. But they're a sub-set: Fundamentalists of all stripes.
They are so certain that they are right - on every subject - that it is literally impossible to have an intelligent conversation with one on any subject. Some conversations seem normal until you stray into some subject covered by their "holy book." Their book, whatever it happens to be called, contains all the answers to every problem ever conceived. No matter that these texts were typically written centuries ago when civilization consisted of small groups of herders or farmers in small villages and towns. No matter that it was before any technology more advanced than bronze and iron. No matter that it was before the ability to read DNA made us aware that we are all basically the same - to 99.9999% of our genetic material.
Their scriptures and their invisible friends (god, allah, jehova and thousands of others) assure them that they are the chosen ones and that all others are "infidels" or "sinners" or - well, pick your derogatory religious slur. You know all the words. And these "others" are to be conquered, converted, or if all else fails, killed. Over the centuries "other" has included people of other religions (of course), of other colors, of other countries, of other races, other villages...
But all this has been said, usually better than I have. What to do if you're a progressive and can't bear the thought of sanctioned intolerance? There are plenty of places to go to make yourself known and heard. See some of my links to the right. Write to your local, state and federal representatives. Write to your local paper. Spread the meme that we are all humans. Science, in the form of DNA sequences, has already proved that we are all the same. Now it's up to us to spread the word, to show by our actions.
I just wanted to add my voice.
Now add yours.
They Have Seen the Light?
"There were "too many uncertainties" in the outdated and inadequate information underlying a National Intelligence Estimate that the administration used to justify the war, the senior Republican and the senior Democrat on the panel said in a newly disclosed letter to George J. Tenet, director of central intelligence."
That "panel" is the House Intelligence Committee. And the fact that a Republican would put their name with such a statement could bode poorly for BushCo. and well for Democrats. The question remains whether or not this will pick up any steam in both Congress and the press.
That this story comes in the same NYT article in which they report that George Tenet, head of the CIA, is referring to the Justice Department for investigation the case of the revelation that someone in the White House revealed Joseph Wilson's wife as a CIA operative. This is, of course, a federal felony - and could be charged as treason if it could be traced to a particular person. That is, of course, if John Ashcroft deigns to act on the referral rather than find a way to continue covering his boss' ass...
So as bricks of their invincible facade fall around their ears we can only hope that the general public and the press begin to really force the issues; to talk about them; to write about them. The neocons are finally being revealed for the fascists they are - and the poll numbers are finally beginning to reflect that.
Stay tuned for more!
That "panel" is the House Intelligence Committee. And the fact that a Republican would put their name with such a statement could bode poorly for BushCo. and well for Democrats. The question remains whether or not this will pick up any steam in both Congress and the press.
That this story comes in the same NYT article in which they report that George Tenet, head of the CIA, is referring to the Justice Department for investigation the case of the revelation that someone in the White House revealed Joseph Wilson's wife as a CIA operative. This is, of course, a federal felony - and could be charged as treason if it could be traced to a particular person. That is, of course, if John Ashcroft deigns to act on the referral rather than find a way to continue covering his boss' ass...
So as bricks of their invincible facade fall around their ears we can only hope that the general public and the press begin to really force the issues; to talk about them; to write about them. The neocons are finally being revealed for the fascists they are - and the poll numbers are finally beginning to reflect that.
Stay tuned for more!
