fitz!

Thank God. At last.

SWOPA, SWOPA, SWOPA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go FDL and Godspeed.

Here’s an invitation. When the server load gets high, as it DEFINITELY will when Timmeh hits the stand, you may wanna join some of us at a live-chat on another server, over at

http://gabbly.com/firedoglake.com

It’s a fun kinda chat-app. We’ve had as many as 35 folx in there at one point earlier today. It’s a good place to discuss off-Libby stuff… Rayne introduced it a few days back and it’s cool. Sometimes we get harrassed by hackers, in which case we retreat to a private redoubt. Others of us know how to get its URL to you without publishing it here.

C U over in chat-land, if you wanna join us. Remember, because Gabbly runs on a completely other server somewhere on the ‘net, using it’ll take some of the heavy load off the FDL servers while Timmeh is walking over hot FitzCoals later…

“What’s $12 BILLION missing dollars between cronies, anyway?”

It’s only missing to us, the common citizens who paid for it, those cronies know right where it went.

Again, I get the sad feeling this troop surge has much more to do with newly formulated and older, extended no-bid contracts, than it does with stabilizing Iraq.

First off, bravo FDL, this coverage is better than the best suspense novel, more spine tingling than watching “All the President’s Men”, and history will remember you as the place that understood what Plamegate meant.

I just caught up–Fitz lives up to my every expectation. Here’s what I’m wondering. What did Cheney tell Fitz in his interviews? Did he admit to talking to Libby about leaking the wife thing to the media or did he just lie? I’m inclined to believe that he just lied knowing that Libby would protect him. What does everyone else think?

Black vote and Dem 2008 Primary isn’t quite as interesting when you look at how many blacks there are in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. Not many. And then if there is still a race by South Carolina I would predict they go for color over gender. If the primary is contested and continues then this issue of woman vs. black may have some traction. My experience in Maryland is that people will vote skin color over all else in a big election.

From the “Surprised-Surprised” Department:
______

The Department of Homeland Security refuses to cooperate on oversight activities, according to testimony offered today by GAO Comptroller General David Walker and Homeland Security Inspector General Richard Skinner. The investigators highlighted the role of Philip Perry — Chief Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security and Vice President Cheney’s son-in-law — as the major stumbling block in their investigations…

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/…..-security/

Interesting that the two biggest defenders of Joe Biden’s “macaca moment” have been {{{insert trumpet fanfare}}} Bill O’Reilly and {{{drumroll}}} Glenn Beck -

http://mediamatters.org/items/200702060012

Jane S- The way I figure it, if you can shoot a friend in the face and lie about it, ther’s really nothing you won’t lie about!! IMHO

Dana Milbank put some lame piece up about Waxman’s hearing for the WaPo. I won’t even link it.

Tap Duncan @ 9

Jane S- The way I figure it, if you can shoot a friend in the face and lie about it, ther’s really nothing you won’t lie about!! IMHO

You make a good point. I think that I’m obsessing about this b/c I want Cheney on the stand and if he has just been lying, Defense might just call him.

EPU’d from last thread

F: You say VP tilted his head when you said you learned it from Tim Russert. Did he say, “No, you learned it from me, remember?”

ROFLMAO!

In other news of the world.

“DENVER – One of four ministers who oversaw three weeks of intensive counseling for the Rev. Ted Haggard said the disgraced minister emerged convinced that he is “completely heterosexual.” (via HuffPo)

Thank God, he’s cured. Let’s all pray that Foley’s not far behind. And if that works, maybe Mary Cheney can become “completely heterosexual,” too.

Pach’s thread has the incorrect first name for -Mel- Sembler, who keeps showing up in so many of these interconnected horror shows.

[Mod Note; it’s been fixed. Thanks for the heads up.]

I just found Anatomy Of Deceit on my front porch.

*better than x-mas*

mc @ 13

In other news of the world.

“DENVER – One of four ministers who oversaw three weeks of intensive counseling for the Rev. Ted Haggard said the disgraced minister emerged convinced that he is “completely heterosexual.” (via HuffPo)

Thank God, he’s cured. Let’s all pray that Foley’s not far behind. And if that works, maybe Mary Cheney can become “completely heterosexual,” too.

The operative words are “emerged convinced.” After three weeks of “intensive counseling,” anybody might emerge convinced of any damned thing. It’s called brainwashing, and sane people make laws against it.

I DO hope TRex or some other doggie can cover Jonah Goldberg’s debt to Juan Cole coming due on Thursday:

Cole is messianic and Manichean. I don’t have any agenda to silence or marginalize the guy. I simply wanted to call attention to the fact that a well-regarded scholar said some silly things. He did. His vanity couldn’t handle it and so he exploded with invectives and more silly statements.

Anyway, I do think my judgment is superior to his when it comes to the big picture. So, I have an idea: Since he doesn’t want to debate anything except his own brilliance, let’s make a bet. I predict that Iraq won’t have a civil war, that it will have a viable constitution, and that a majority of Iraqis and Americans will, in two years time, agree that the war was worth it. I’ll bet $1,000 (which I can hardly spare right now). This way neither of us can hide behind clever word play or CV reading. If there’s another reasonable wager Cole wants to offer which would measure our judgment, I’m all ears. Money where your mouth is, doc.

One caveat: Because I don’t think it’s right to bet on such serious matters for personal gain, if I win, I’ll donate the money to the USO. He can give it to the al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade or whatever his favorite charity is.

http://www.nationalreview.com/…..081153.asp

Goldberg made the bet a year ago this coming Thursday. We all know him to be a shameless presstitute decent fellow, so I’m sure he’ll be writing some sort of a column of apology. No doubt Prof. Cole’s check is already in the mail.

Not intentionally striving to ruin anyone’s lunch but, has anyone else seen recent footage of Liarman? He keeps seeking cameras & notariety, but I swear he appears to be melting or something – smaller & smaller in every appearance. Maybe the BLERGH! factor will overwhelm his pathetic little self-promotion schemes after all.
What a smarmy, repulsive little person!

egregious – I noticed that and thought perhaps Mel had an evil twin named Max. *s*

Can I post from gabbly.com/firedoglake.com?

Adie @ 18

Not intentionally striving to ruin anyone’s lunch but, has anyone else seen recent footage of Liarman? He keeps seeking cameras & notariety, but I swear he appears to be melting or something – smaller & smaller in every appearance. Maybe the BLERGH! factor will overwhelm his pathetic little self-promotion schemes after all.
What a smarmy, repulsive little person!

I thought this might happen. Holy Joe’s ego has become so metabolically expensive that it’s actually starting to consume body tissues.

Ed*ard Teller @ 17

I DO hope TRex or some other doggie can cover Jonah Goldberg’s debt to Juan Cole coming due on Thursday:

Cole is messianic and Manichean. I don’t have any agenda to silence or marginalize the guy. I simply wanted to call attention to the fact that a well-regarded scholar said some silly things. He did. His vanity couldn’t handle it and so he exploded with invectives and more silly statements.

Anyway, I do think my judgment is superior to his when it comes to the big picture. So, I have an idea: Since he doesn’t want to debate anything except his own brilliance, let’s make a bet. I predict that Iraq won’t have a civil war, that it will have a viable constitution, and that a majority of Iraqis and Americans will, in two years time, agree that the war was worth it. I’ll bet $1,000 (which I can hardly spare right now). This way neither of us can hide behind clever word play or CV reading. If there’s another reasonable wager Cole wants to offer which would measure our judgment, I’m all ears. Money where your mouth is, doc.

One caveat: Because I don’t think it’s right to bet on such serious matters for personal gain, if I win, I’ll donate the money to the USO. He can give it to the al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade or whatever his favorite charity is.

http://www.nationalreview.com/…..081153.asp

Goldberg made the bet a year ago this coming Thursday. We all know him to be a shameless presstitute decent fellow, so I’m sure he’ll be writing some sort of a column of apology. No doubt Prof. Cole’s check is already in the mail.

Excellent catch! I think Mr. Goldberg should be reminded of his prediction and bet. Repeatedly, in case he forgets that he owes Professor Cole $1000.

beth meacham @ 22

Excellent catch! I think Mr. Goldberg should be reminded of his prediction and bet. Repeatedly, in case he forgets that he owes Professor Cole $1000.

…which he can hardly spare right now. Because we all know that Republican shills work for peanuts.

to his credit, Juan Cole never accepted Doughy’s crass bet. see DKos.

EvilDrPuma @ 21

Adie @ 18

Not intentionally striving to ruin anyone’s lunch but, has anyone else seen recent footage of Liarman? He keeps seeking cameras & notariety, but I swear he appears to be melting or something – smaller & smaller in every appearance. Maybe the BLERGH! factor will overwhelm his pathetic little self-promotion schemes after all.
What a smarmy, repulsive little person!

I thought this might happen. Holy Joe’s ego has become so metabolically expensive that it’s actually starting to consume body tissues.

Holy Joe claims he is the Lorax, but Minerva at TPM (11:03 AM) has got him figured.

edp (9:43 am): “The operative words are “emerged convinced.” After three weeks of “intensive counseling,” anybody might emerge convinced of any damned thing. It’s called brainwashing, and sane people make laws against it.”

I noticed that, too. Those ministers are the same type of people that brought us Jonestown and Waco. Personally, I put the Moonies and Scientologists in the same category, as well.

EvilDrPuma @ 21

Adie @ 18

Not intentionally striving to ruin anyone’s lunch but, has anyone else seen recent footage of Liarman? He keeps seeking cameras & notariety, but I swear he appears to be melting or something – smaller & smaller in every appearance. Maybe the BLERGH! factor will overwhelm his pathetic little self-promotion schemes after all.
What a smarmy, repulsive little person!

I thought this might happen. Holy Joe’s ego has become so metabolically expensive that it’s actually starting to consume body tissues.

His story is the modern-day equivalent of “Picture of Dorian Gray.”

ifthethunderdontgetya @ 25

Holy Joe claims he is the Lorax, but Minerva at TPM (11:03 AM) has got him figured.

The Lorax? Like hell. The Lorax looked out for something besides himself.

Don’t know if this has already been addressed, but something that has been bugging me. We now know, from the GJ transcripts, that Fitz was intensely interested in Cheney’s invovement from the git-go. (That’s a legal term.)

So why wasn’t Cheney questioned under oath? Was this a constitutional issue? Surely this had to be a topic of discussion between Fitz and somebody else….Comey? Margolis? Because we know there is precedent for Presidents being questioned under oath.

Neil @ 20

Can I post from gabbly.com/firedoglake.com?

I don’t think so, unless you do like I do and write longish stuff in a local text processor (TextEdit, NotePad) and paste into both media. HTH

JEP @ 4

“What’s $12 BILLION missing dollars between cronies, anyway?”

It’s only missing to us, the common citizens who paid for it, those cronies know right where it went.

Again, I get the sad feeling this troop surge has much more to do with newly formulated and older, extended no-bid contracts, than it does with stabilizing Iraq.

I think that from the get go, when GWB was in that classroom, with dollar signs in his eyes, that this whole war has been about war profiteering for those who are close to the administration. They prove it day after day, bill after bill, budget after budget, cut after cut for the military and middle-class… These crooks have to be impeached and sent to the Hague.

Mommythosemenscareme @ 31

I think that from the get go, when GWB was in that classroom, with dollar signs in his eyes, that this whole war has been about war profiteering for those who are close to the administration. They prove it day after day, bill after bill, budget after budget, cut after cut for the military and middle-class… These crooks have to be impeached and sent to the Hague.

This has been about several things, but war profiteering gets a high place on the list. Follow the employment histories, they go where the money goes.

Lindsey Graham is now speaking on CSPAN 2 covering the Senate debate on whether to debate Iraq. The Republicans are feeling some heat apparently because they are sounding pretty shrill. Graham has been pulling out the strawmen. It’s not cutting funds on the escalation. It’s cutting off the troops completely. It’s not a phased orderly withdrawal. It’s an immediate pullout tomorrow. And of course there is the blame game, that if we leave chaos will follow and that will be the fault of those who wanted out, ignoring that Iraq already is chaotic, that if we begin leaving now or in a year, things will get worse. The difference is that if we leave sooner rather than later fewer American troops will have to die.

Graham talking up Petraeus, must follow the generals. What hypocrisy. They choose the generals who favor their policy of escalation and then say follow them because they the generals are the ones making the decisions, yeah right.

Now calling the resolution disparagingly a political document. Well dah. Besides if it is, why is Graham so scared about it?

Asking again for more time for the escalation. Like they haven’t had 4 years already, and a history of 4 years of failure.

Graham now finished, couldn’t be too soon.

punaise @
24

to his credit, Juan Cole never accepted Doughy’s crass bet. see DKos.

But I’m sure there’s some USO branch somewhere could use $1,000 from Goldberg. Or maybe we could convince him to donate to the Plame safe house.

Ed*ard Teller @ 34

punaise @
24

to his credit, Juan Cole never accepted Doughy’s crass bet. see DKos.

But I’m sure there’s some USO branch somewhere could use $1,000 from Goldberg. Or maybe we could convince him to donate to the Plame safe house.

or a war widow.

Hugh @ 33

Now calling the resolution disparagingly a political document. Well dah. Besides if it is, why is Graham so scared about it?

Rule #1 of Republican Congressional whoredom: if it’s not your document, it’s political.

Rule #2: If it is your document, it’s bipartisan.

Rule #3: If Lieberman votes for it, it has the support of the public.

Here’s Cheney speaking at the Republican National Convention in 2000:

(snip)

We are all a little weary of the Clinton-Gore routine. But the wheel has turned. And it is time…it is time for them to go.

In this election, they will speak endlessly of risk.. we will speak of progress. They will make accusations…we will make proposals. They will feed fear…we will appeal to hope. They will offer more lectures, and legalisms, and carefully worded denials. We offer another way…a better way… and a stiff dose of truth.

(snip)

beth meacham @ 22

Ed*ard Teller @ 17

I DO hope TRex or some other doggie can cover Jonah Goldberg’s debt to Juan Cole coming due on Thursday:

Cole is messianic and Manichean. I don’t have any agenda to silence or marginalize the guy. I simply wanted to call attention to the fact that a well-regarded scholar said some silly things. He did. His vanity couldn’t handle it and so he exploded with invectives and more silly statements.

Anyway, I do think my judgment is superior to his when it comes to the big picture. So, I have an idea: Since he doesn’t want to debate anything except his own brilliance, let’s make a bet. I predict that Iraq won’t have a civil war, that it will have a viable constitution, and that a majority of Iraqis and Americans will, in two years time, agree that the war was worth it. I’ll bet $1,000 (which I can hardly spare right now). This way neither of us can hide behind clever word play or CV reading. If there’s another reasonable wager Cole wants to offer which would measure our judgment, I’m all ears. Money where your mouth is, doc.

One caveat: Because I don’t think it’s right to bet on such serious matters for personal gain, if I win, I’ll donate the money to the USO. He can give it to the al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade or whatever his favorite charity is.

http://www.nationalreview.com/…..081153.asp

Goldberg made the bet a year ago this coming Thursday. We all know him to be a shameless presstitute decent fellow, so I’m sure he’ll be writing some sort of a column of apology. No doubt Prof. Cole’s check is already in the mail.

Excellent catch! I think Mr. Goldberg should be reminded of his prediction and bet. Repeatedly, in case he forgets that he owes Professor Cole $1000.

Good news. The anniversary of this “bet” has been specially noted on the front page of DailyKos almost every day for the past five days at least.

WHile it’s nice Waxman is going after BushCo’s waste…

WHY DID HE SELL OUT OUR CHILDREN TO PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES???

I think Tester now talking, possibly Baucus, raises the Powell Doctrine, good on him. The Powell Doctrine lays out the basic requirements for conducting a war if war is ever an option. It’s for adults and why Bush has violated every tenet of it.

Call the waaaaaahmbulance about the Congressional five-day workweek!

Best quote, from one of the good guys:

“That’s what I signed up for,” said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. “We shouldn’t complain about a little inconvenience. I got a lot of people in my state working two five-day weeks,” he added, referring to constituents with two or more jobs.

More Cheney at RNC 2000:

(snip)

For eight years, Clinton and Gore have extended our military commitments while depleting our military power. Rarely has so much been demanded of our armed forces, and so little given to them in return. George W. Bush and I are going to change that, too.

(snip)

Soon, our men and women in uniform will once again have a commander- in-chief they can respect…

(snip)

After Graham’s drivel, Tester is both clear and refreshingly direct.

Edmund: Oh, God…

Wal-Mart, unions unite on health care

Excerpt: Executives from Wal-Mart and three other major U.S. employers on Wednesday joined hands with union leaders in setting a goal of providing “quality, affordable” health care for every American by 2012.

However, they did not propose any specific policies to achieve this goal, or commit to spending any extra money in the near-term to provide health coverage to more workers.

Looks like they’re taking a page from seven Bush SOTU addresses: when it comes to the public good, talking about it means you can pretend you actually did something.

While we’re waiting for the trial to resume, I found this intriguing story on Raw Story: http://www.rawstory.com/news/2….._0207.html

Pentagon Inspector General to release investigation into secretive pre-war Iraq intelligence group

Larisa Alexandrovna
Published: Wednesday February 7, 2007

(snip)

A long awaited Pentagon Inspector General’s report into the Office of Special Plans and its activities surrounding pre-war intelligence in the lead up to the Iraq war has been completed, RAW STORY has learned.

According to sources close to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the classified version of the Pentagon IG’s report will be released to committee members Friday. Two to three declassified pages may also be concurrently released to the public.

A Senate aide on the committee, while not commenting on particular questions regarding the IG’s report, confirmed that a major focal point involves former Deputy Undersecretary for Defense Policy, Douglas Feith – a keystone of the Administration’s intelligence on Iraq and Director of the notoriously secretive Pentagon Office of Special Plans from September 2002 to June 2003.

(snip)

Hugh @ 43

After Graham’s drivel, Tester is both clear and refreshingly direct.

just turned it on… john ensign (R-nev) attacking dems instead of debating merits of policy. yuck… i don’t think i can listen.

What is most amazing to me in the whole Libby trial is that the ONLY LESSON THIS ADMIN LEARNED FROM VIETNAM was to controlthe media. Convince the mASSES that the media is liberal, then feed your talking points to the “most liberal news” sources. Fitz nailed it in his 1st press conference when he said that the press’ right to confidential sources should be honored, except in this case, that is the crime. I join others in encouraging a DAILY PEACE MARCH. I’m calling my legislator’s offices everyday and reminding them how many people have died in Iraq that day. Keep up the heat!!!!!!

CNN – i had the sound off but they showed Russert arriving at the courthouse on crutches…

egregious @
14

Pach’s thread has the incorrect first name for -Mel- Sembler, who keeps showing up in so many of these interconnected horror shows.

[Mod Note; it’s been fixed. Thanks for the heads up.]

speaking of which, Pach’s Post was BEAUTIFUL!!!
The MSM has been definitively skewered.

and,

Finegold for President of the United States. Period.

twolf1 @ 48

CNN – i had the sound off but they showed Russert arriving at the courthouse on crutches…

Did Fitz give poor Timmeh whiplash?

twolf1 @ 48

CNN – i had the sound off but they showed Russert arriving at the courthouse on crutches…

Tweety probably pecked him severely about the ankles …….

And Condi Rice from RNC 2000:

(snip)

It all begins with integrity in the Oval Office. George W. Bush is a man of his word. Friend and foe will know that he tells the truth.

He believes that America has a special responsibility to keep the peace – that the fair cause of freedom depends on our strength and purpose.

He recognizes that the magnificent men and women of America’s armed forces are not a global police force. They are not the world’s 911.

(snip)

Visitor from an EPU…

Nina Totenberg’s reporting this morning was pretty good.

Even better though, as frequently happens on NPR, were the musical interludes that immediate followed: Quartet San Francisco doing ‘Libertango’ and ‘Armando’s Rhumba’

I dance a little dance…”

Biodun @ 52

And Condi Rice from RNC 2000:

(snip)

It all begins with integrity in the Oval Office. George W. Bush is a man of his word. Friend and foe will know that he tells the truth.

He believes that America has a special responsibility to keep the peace – that the fair cause of freedom depends on our strength and purpose.

He recognizes that the magnificent men and women of America’s armed forces are not a global police force. They are not the world’s 911.

(snip)

That last sentence seems just a tad ironic now, doesn’t it?

Russert’s going for the sympathy vote and he’s not even in the courthouse yet

Rice in 2000:

They are not the world’s 911.

This statement has an ironic and chilling twist to it, considering what was to happen later on 9/11 2001.

OfT: SF Bayview video-producing cop gets some Gavin Newsom revenge on YouTube.

A short comment on ThinkProgress: http://thinkprogress.org/2007/…..challenge/

In an extraordinary internal challenge to the unruly Office of the Vice President, the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) has formally petitioned the Attorney General to direct Cheney’s office to comply with a requirement that executive branch organizations disclose statistics on their classification and declassification activity to ISOO. For the last three years, Cheney’s office has refused to divulge its classification statistics to ISOO, despite a seemingly explicit requirement that it do so.

Biodun @ 56

Rice in 2000:

They are not the world’s 911.

This statement has an ironic and chilling twist to it, considering what was to happen later on 9/11 2001.

Great minds think alike. (Or, at least, ours do.)

usdoj.gov is in the house again. Yesterday from Vermont. Today from Potomac, Maryland ; )

Fun with site meters! lol

Hugh — thanks for that overview of Huckleberry Graham’s schtick.

I can’t listen to him without wanting to vomit; you are made of tougher stuff.

twolf1 @ 48

CNN – i had the sound off but they showed Russert arriving at the courthouse on crutches…

Channelling post-indictment Libby, much?

Condi left out the word “yet.”

Tenet had that taken from her speech.

fahrender @ 51

twolf1 @ 48

CNN – i had the sound off but they showed Russert arriving at the courthouse on crutches…

Tweety probably pecked him severely about the ankles …….

Have you seen this? http://thinkprogress.org/2007/…..he-f-bomb/

Matthews drops the F-bomb. Once again allowing his emotions to get the better of him, Hardball host Chris Matthews told Don Imus this morning that he’s “so sick of Southern guys with ranches running this country. I want a guy to run for President who doesn’t have a f**king — I’m sorry, a ranch.”

Biodun @ 42

More Cheney at RNC 2000:

(snip)

For eight years, Clinton and Gore have extended our military commitments while depleting our military power. Rarely has so much been demanded of our armed forces, and so little given to them in return. George W. Bush and I are going to change that, too.

(snip)

Soon, our men and women in uniform will once again have a commander- in-chief they can respect…

(snip)

What is this? A quote from a bad dream???

Libby Testimony Points Directly to Bush, Cheney

According to trial transcripts obtained by Truthout, former White House staffer I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby testified before a grand jury in 2004 that Vice President Dick Cheney instructed him to divulge portions of a then-classified report to New York Times reporter Judith Miller. Libby testified that Cheney said authorization to leak a section of the report had come directly from President George W. Bush, the court transcripts state.

The crutches thing?
Russert’s just making fun of old Scoot, don’t ya know…

Can someone please explain the theory of the NYT’s David Sanger resisting a defense subpoena to testify at the Libby trial? I can understand why the press would try to resist the government’s attempt to reveal journalist conversations with sources, but I cannot for the life of me begin to understand how a source’s request to a journalist to assist with his defense in a government prosecution would “chill” the willingness of future sources to confide in the journalist. It’s irrational — one would think that a future source would be pleased that a journalist was willing to provide testimony that the source thinks will exonerate him.

And Colin Powell from RNC 2000:

(snip)

Governor Bush has reached out to all Texans– white, black, Latino, Asian, Native-American.

He has been successful in bringing more and more minorities into the tent by responding to their deepest needs. Some call it compassionate conservatism. To me, it’s just about caring for people.
He can do the same thing as President. He will bring to the White House that same passion for inclusion. I know he can help bridge our racial divides.

(snip)

My bold. Interesting comments, in light of Katarina and how Powell himself was later treated and used by the Bush cabal.

South Orange County Democrat @ 62

twolf1 @ 48

CNN – i had the sound off but they showed Russert arriving at the courthouse on crutches…

Channelling post-indictment Libby, much?

Tiny Tim on crutches, not

Hugh – I know you are a fan of the Powell Doctrine, as you know I am not – as we’ve previously discussed in the threads.

But one of the flaws of the Powell Doctrine is that a key tenet is “public support.” And “public support” for a war can change. If we take Iraq II, there was public support, and, there would most likely be public support for any war if it is “successful” (as for the claim they lied to get public support I would offer as a counter my posts on myth making and marketing and why, if you are successful regardless, the public wouldn’t care if you lied), but declining support if you either stalemated (Korea) or started to lose (Vietnam or Iraq).

Shorter me: Public sentiment/support changes, and having such a malleable factor as one of the key factors in your “whether to go to war” formula makes said formula useless.

I don’t have a better formula, but that doesn’t mean that the Powell Doctrine makes sense. Sure, it sounds good, a lot of theories do, but in practice they’re not much good for determining what to do.

I don’t have a theory of when to go to war. But, since I agree with Sir John Keegan that war is NOT the continuation of politics by other means (See A History of Warfare), then any war of today that has “political” goals (such as, say, bringing democracy to Iraq for example) shouldn’t be fought.

Re the Iraq escalation, there are two competing and conflicting narratives going on. First, there are the reports of the remarks of Petraeus, Gates, and Fallon. Then there are the stories of US troops arriving in Baghdad, setting up posts with their Iraqi counterparts, and the statements of junior officers expressing a can do attitude toward what they are doing. There are the reports of journalists like John Burns of the NYT opining that where American troops are violence lessens.

On the other side are the facts. Violence has not subsided. The disappearance of militias, especially in Shia areas, has led to major bombings that have killed hundreds. Iraqi units are taking longer than planned to arrive and they are coming in at half strength or less. Most of these Iraqi units are made up of Kurds and many of these do not apparently speak Arabic. At least they will have this in common with us. There is also the question of dual chains of command which has been papered over but not resolved. There is the perception among ordinary Iraqis that Bush’s “surge” is already failing before it has begun. My previous criticisms of the surge remain. 4,000 more troops for Anbar province, an area greater than the state of Pennsylvania. 17,500 for Baghdad. Maybe 60% of these are trigger pullers or a little over 10,000. Of these, only about a third can be on the street at any given time since they also have to eat and sleep. That’s an increase of something over 3,000 for a city of between 5 and 6 million.

The Republicans are pushing the first narrative. Reality is pushing the second.

Biodun @ 69

And Colin Powell from RNC 2000:

(snip)

Governor Bush has reached out to all Texans– white, black, Latino, Asian, Native-American.

He has been successful in bringing more and more minorities into the tent by responding to their deepest needs. Some call it compassionate conservatism. To me, it’s just about caring for people.
He can do the same thing as President. He will bring to the White House that same passion for inclusion. I know he can help bridge our racial divides.

(snip)

My bold. Interesting comments, in light of Katarina and how Powell himself was later treated and used by the Bush cabal.

title of a new movie: League of Extraordinary Liars…

What’s $12 BILLION missing dollars between cronies, anyway?

I’ve got an idea: sort of a mega-hide-n-seek.

Republicans can fund their “war effort” by seeking out all the various billions that have been wasted or gone missing among their friends. Put those “new” dollars in the “spend on the war” pot.

Then they can come back to the Congress with a report on their results, and perhaps more $$$ will be forthcoming.

It’s kinda like when you give your kid $20 to go to the store to buy milk, bread, etc. and he/she comes home with nothing & asks for more money. Isn’t your first question “what the hell did you do with what I gave you?”

Only it’s a lot more serious.

This post may be TRex worthy by days end.

From Arkansas Times Blog on the State house considering the ERA again.

Coming soon: ERA video

Warwick’s in committee for the ERA hearing. It’s packed. The anti-equality folks are out in force, with their own celebrity witness, Phyllis Schlafly. Who you gonna trust? Phyllis Schlafly or David Pryor?

The anti-equality forces are in a frenzy at the possibility that Arkansas, of all places, could jumpstart a renewed drive for ratification.

Video to come.

Biodun @ 37

Here’s Cheney speaking at the Republican National Convention in 2000:

(snip)

We are all a little weary of the Clinton-Gore routine. But the wheel has turned. And it is time…it is time for them to go.

In this election, they will speak endlessly of risk.. we will speak of progress. They will make accusations…we will make proposals. They will feed fear…we will appeal to hope. They will offer more lectures, and legalisms, and carefully worded denials. We offer another way…a better way… and a stiff dose of truth.

(snip)

If this is “progress,” transport me back to the Stone Age, please.

If this is truth, then I’m carrying George Clooney’s baby.

The trial is about Libby, not Cheney. Therefore it would only be proper to call him to shed light on the situation, and he’s not really in any position to do so. This is about Libby’s lies to the grand jury. Everythig else is collateral information.

Libby’s lies prevent Fitz from learning the truth. Once this trial is out of the way Fitz can get back to the truth — which of course leads directly to Cheney.

Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 64

fahrender @ 51

twolf1 @ 48

CNN – i had the sound off but they showed Russert arriving at the courthouse on crutches…

Tweety probably pecked him severely about the ankles …….

Have you seen this? http://thinkprogress.org/2007/…..he-f-bomb/

Matthews drops the F-bomb. Once again allowing his emotions to get the better of him, Hardball host Chris Matthews told Don Imus this morning that he’s “so sick of Southern guys with ranches running this country. I want a guy to run for President who doesn’t have a f**king — I’m sorry, a ranch.”

Well, that’s a switch from the big crush Tweety had on Stuffed Crotch during Mission Accomplished days.

And, seriously, Russert on crutches???

Mandrake @ 76

Biodun @ 37

Here’s Cheney speaking at the Republican National Convention in 2000:

(snip)

We are all a little weary of the Clinton-Gore routine. But the wheel has turned. And it is time…it is time for them to go.

In this election, they will speak endlessly of risk.. we will speak of progress. They will make accusations…we will make proposals. They will feed fear…we will appeal to hope. They will offer more lectures, and legalisms, and carefully worded denials. We offer another way…a better way… and a stiff dose of truth.

(snip)

If this is “progress,” transport me back to the Stone Age, please.

If this is truth, then I’m carrying George Clooney’s baby.

…and we will be greated as liberators…
…i think the insurgency is in its last throes…
We are dealing with folks who think that truth is derived from what you want people to believe.

Timmeh has Arnold Envy.

Are we waiting for the next crutch to fall?

“and a stiff dose of truth.”

Dosage is so important…Too big a dose, and Deadeye might have another coronary.

Maybe he’ll fake “the big one” and join Kenny Lay on some Bahaman island tax shelter.

David Ehrenstein @ 80

Timmeh has Arnold Envy.

Both of them tripped up on a slippery slope.

Pic of Timmeh arriving on crutches:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories…..3275.shtml

And, by the way, Bremer didn’t make any “mistakes.” He did exactly what the admin. wanted him to do: rip off the Iraqis and bankroll the profits.

I love how when Repubes get caught with their pants down, they resort to the incompetence defense. Sorta like Libby has been doing. All this was the unintentional consequences of an honest mistake.

Pbbtthhh!!

JEP @ 82

“and a stiff dose of truth.”

Dosage is so important…Too big a dose, and Deadeye might have another coronary.

Maybe he’ll fake “the big one” and join Kenny Lay on some Bahaman island tax shelter.

A stiff dose of truth?

spoken like a true… …Richard…

about the war profiteering—might want to note these and read when have time—

rumi gave me this post from the ben franklin thread yesterday, 2-6-7 at comment 97:

“Are you familiar with the article titled Baghdad Year Zero ?

The link goes to CommonDreams and the original is Published in the September, 2004 issue of Harper’s Magazine . I found it the day it came out and it seemed to fit perfectly to explain what was happening. “
———————————————————-
here is the link:
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0924-13.htm
is a long one, so mark it for later read……

sara also offered info at comment #103 on the marshall plan in that same franklin thread that was insightful. and i believe one other earlier in the thread.

thanks to both for the info.

DeWitt Grey @
68

Can someone please explain the theory of the NYT’s David Sanger resisting a defense subpoena to testify at the Libby trial? I can understand why the press would try to resist the government’s attempt to reveal journalist conversations with sources, but I cannot for the life of me begin to understand how a source’s request to a journalist to assist with his defense in a government prosecution would “chill” the willingness of future sources to confide in the journalist. It’s irrational — one would think that a future source would be pleased that a journalist was willing to provide testimony that the source thinks will exonerate him.

I don’t know. I’d similarly ask how Jill Abramson hopes to avoid testifying, seeing as how her conversation has to do with personnel issues. As with Russert, the converstaion pertained to her role as a manager, not as a journalist.

But then, you think there’s something in common here, such as both work for Pinch Sulzberger? Who is willing to debase journalistic privilege so his own company can avoid the kind of scrutiny that brough Enron down?

And let us not forget the crutches Scooter used when he first appeared in court…

about the war profiteering—might want to note these and read when have time—

rumi gave me this post from the ben franklin thread yesterday, 2-6-7 at comment 97:

“Are you familiar with the article titled Baghdad Year Zero ?

The link goes to CommonDreams and the original is Published in the September, 2004 issue of Harper’s Magazine . I found it the day it came out and it seemed to fit perfectly to explain what was happening. “
———————————————————-
here is the link:
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0924-13.htm
is a long one, so mark it for later read……

sara also offered info at comment #103 **comparing the marshall plan to what was ineffectually done in iraq** in that same franklin thread that was insightful. and i believe one other just about the marshall plan earlier in the thread.

thanks to both for the info.

dmac @ 87

“Are you familiar with the article titled Baghdad Year Zero?

Right here: http://www.harpers.org/BaghdadYearZero.html

Naomi nailed this crap right on the money way back.
_

As I’ve mentioned once or twice in the past week, I recently started a temp project that has me at work during what some people call “bankers’ hours”. The upshot of this is twofold–first of all, I have less time to write up posts about political topics for my own blog. But I’ve had even less time available for making the rounds to other political blogs. I’ve tried to keep up on the basic headlines, but have kept my distance from the “meta” discussions that have been popping up.

Until today, when the combination of weather and technical issues at work conspired to give me the day off. So I finally peeked in, and offered what few thoughts I can organize with a pair of energetic kids in the house here.

Any truth to the rumor that Shrub’s nickname for Mel Sembler is “Dis”?

JEP @ 89

And let us not forget the crutches Scooter used when he first appeared in court…

This is just too weird.

Extra liveblogging goodness, up and running from Swopa.

EPU,

Yes, we do disagree and will on this one. I suppose my view is that if a nation is going to go to war, its leaders and generals need to be honest and clear with the populace and thoughtful in their approach to its waging. It is this that I see the Powell Doctrine getting at.

Wars waged on the cheap or with appeals to jingoism and quick victory may succeed from time to time but are poisonous to the political process itself when they go wrong, as is happening with Iraq and happened in Vietnam. The Powell Doctrine was an attempt to learn lessons from Vietnam and I think that it is not coincidental that Iraq is a disaster and Bush’s approach to it violated every aspect of the Powell Doctrine.

BobbyG @ 7

From the “Surprised-Surprised” Department:
______

The Department of Homeland Security refuses to cooperate on oversight activities, according to testimony offered today by GAO Comptroller General David Walker and Homeland Security Inspector General Richard Skinner. The investigators highlighted the role of Philip Perry — Chief Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security and Vice President Cheney’s son-in-law — as the major stumbling block in their investigations…

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/…..-security/

How many frakkin’ relatives of The Dick are employed by the federal government, anyway? Isn’t his daughter also part of the Administration? And what about his wife? Or is she done with her attempt to destroy the National Endowment for the Arts?

You mean women’s issues like a decent wage, available and affordable public transportation, healthy, affordable food? Nah, too niche movement.

Grrrr. Don’t get me started.

vachon at 98 — Yeah, don’t get me started, either. SIGH

Christine Vachon?

I saw the picture of Timmeh arriving at the courthouse on crutches. What happened to him?

Reading the CBS article, and reading that he had only been interviewed for 22 minutes (that struck me as way odd), and Wells’ insinuation that Timmeh had some sort of deal, I had a sudden thought: What if Timmeh is not only going to say that he never discussed Plame with with Libby, but that Libby later asked Timmeh to lie about it?

That might explain why Libby kept repeating the Russert conversation as his response to all of Fitz’s questions. And that would certainly merit some sort of a deal.

Of course, this is the sheerest, most fantastical speculation. We’ll know soon enough!!!!

litigatormom – Oh yes, Cheneys daughter is employed at DHS with something near 80 million dollar budget for disinformation in Iran.

I think these might be of interest to you

here

here

twolf1 @ 48
CNN – i had the sound off but they showed Russert arriving at the courthouse on crutches…
————
fahrender @ 51
Tweety probably pecked him severely about the ankles …….
————
Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 64
Have you seen this? http://thinkprogress.org/2007/…..he-f-bomb/

“Matthews drops the F-bomb. Once again allowing his emotions to get the better of him, Hardball host Chris Matthews told Don Imus this morning that he’s “so sick of Southern guys with ranches running this country. I want a guy to run for President who doesn’t have a f**king — I’m sorry, a ranch.”“

Hey your forgot to include the context. Tweety was extolling the qualites of his new “manly man” crush, Rudy Giuliani. Ah, that Tweety, so fickle. He is sooo over the Decider.

twolf1 @ 48
CNN – i had the sound off but they showed Russert arriving at the courthouse on crutches…
————
fahrender @ 51
Tweety probably pecked him severely about the ankles …….
————
Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 64
Have you seen this? http://thinkprogress.org/2007/…..he-f-bomb/

“Matthews drops the F-bomb. Once again allowing his emotions to get the better of him, Hardball host Chris Matthews told Don Imus this morning that he’s “so sick of Southern guys with ranches running this country. I want a guy to run for President who doesn’t have a f**king — I’m sorry, a ranch.”“
————
Boudica @ 103
Hey your forgot to include the context. Tweety was extolling the qualites of his new “manly man” crush, Rudy Giuliani. Ah, that Tweety, so fickle. He is sooo over the Decider.

Matthews asked quite a few tough questions before the invasion (not enough)…and is hammering away now asking hard questiona about the “faster please” Iran crowd. I love it when Matthews loses it a bit…he expressing what many Americans feel pissed off about the dead and injured in this needless war!

Matthews is one of the only news people to go spend some time in the Walter Reed Hospital. The military is too afraid to show us the half alive and disembodied soldiers that are the result of all of this BUSHIT AND LIES

[Mod Note; Please be kind to the margins and only nest 2 or 3 quotes at a maximum. Thank you]

aren’t we kinda arrogant telling the iraq”s how to live when they’ve been doin it for thousands of years? Ever notice how george keeps insisting that it was wrong and deploreable how sadam hussein killed his own people yet george has killed over 650,000 iraqi citizens and dropped a huuuuuuuge bomb in bahgdad looking for sadam and insinuated”ooop” collateral damage? that’s who they are. we don’t like it because we don’t understand it. ever see them walkin around beating themselves with changes? for god”s sake it’d their culture. oh incidently specially you right wingers. does god say don’t kill or don’t kill unless someone kills you first or as a matter of fact go kill innocent people while you’re at it.