Where Did Dick Take the Leak?

Dearest Readers, you have heard the latest on Dick and his part in the CIA Leak case. Yes, it seems the media has finally caught on to the part he played in the scheme to out Valerie Plame Wilson. Dan Froomkin of Washington Post had a great scoop in yesterdays' paper.(Fitzgerald Again Points to Cheney)

You're a marked man, Dick

How did they find this out, when you have known for years? They read it in the new filings that Patrick Fitzgerald made in connection with Scooter's case.

Of course, had they looked at any of the court documentation filed in connection with this case, they too would already know...

Froomkin excerpt from WaPo:

Special counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald has made it clearer than ever that he was hot on the trail of a coordinated campaign to out CIA agent Valerie Plame until that line of investigation was cut off by the repeated lies from Vice President Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

Dan has the new filings in pdf, a good read as Fitzgerald lays out his reasoning this is no "political crime" just the regular white collar criminal kind.

Scooter, a white collar criminal defense attorney himself, knows all about white collar crime.

Prissy finds it amusing that Scooters overrated team couldn't save him from the attorneys case against him who were practically working for free, in comparison to what Scooter was paying out for legal assistence.

Note to Dearest Readers: When Betty Buckaneer returns from her travels within the next couple of weeks, we will finally record our test show!

Hot Links Updated

Reuters Ex-spy Plame and publisher sue CIA over her memoir

The suit said although the CIA had released Plame's dates of service in an unclassified document, "the CIA now purports to classify or reclassify Ms. Wilson's pre-2002 federal service dates" so it cannot be published in her memoir "Fair Game."

"Defendants cannot unring the bell by asserting that their documented, authorized and voluntary disclosure was just a mistake," the suit said.

"There simply is no basis for the CIA to maintain in effect that Valerie Plame is the only person in the world who is not entitled to publish this information," it said.

And...Evidence at that trial showed Libby and several other White House and State Department officials leaked her identity to discredit her husband, who had accused the administration of twisting intelligence to build a case for invading Iraq.

Denver Post Jeppesen unit sued over alleged CIA "torture flights"

The suit cites an article from The New Yorker magazine that quotes an anonymous former Jeppesen employee recounting that Bob Overby, managing director of Jeppesen International Trip Planning, said during an internal corporate meeting, "We do all of the extraordinary rendition flights - you know, the torture flights. Let's face it, some of those flights end up that way."

Jeppesen spokesman Mike Pound called the reported Overby comment "a third-hand report of something that somebody said - in other words, it's hearsay."

"We really don't know much of anything about a trip of that nature," Pound said. "We don't need to know why a customer is taking a trip, and we don't ask."

CIA spokesman George Little said in an e-mailed comment that the United States "does not conduct or condone torture, nor does it transport anyone to other countries for the purpose of torture. The goal of renditions is to get terrorists off the streets in a way that complies with our laws and treaty obligations."

Surely Little was sporting a smirk when he spoke those words...

BBC Norway sends aid to Palestinians

"We hope our contribution will help to alleviate the current social crisis in the Palestinian Territory, particularly for the many extended families with only one breadwinner," said Norway's Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere.

"The critical situation in Gaza has many causes, but it has been exacerbated by social destitution and despair. It is therefore particularly important that the Palestinian authorities receive financial support from the international community," he said.

His deputy Raymond Johansen held talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya in March.

The US and EU want the new government to clarify its position in three areas: recognition of Israel, the armed struggle and signing up to past peace agreements.

The Democratic Party Blog (don't get the idea Prissy is happy with you-she reads redstate sometimes too) Rove Protege and US Attorney, Quits

Tim Griffin, the controversial U.S. attorney in Arkansas, has resigned. Griffin is a protégé of Karl Rove and formerly research director of the Republican National Committee. In 2004, BBC News published a report showing that Griffin led a "caging" scheme to suppress the votes of African-American service members in Florida. ThinkProgress published this helpful explanation of what "caging" is:

In 2004, BBC reporter Greg Palast obtained two e-mails — prepared for the executive director of the Bush campaign in Florida and the campaign’s national research director--that listed "1,886 names and addresses of voters in predominantly black and traditionally Democrat areas" of the Jacksonville, FL Naval Air Station. Palast explains:

Here’s how the scheme worked: The RNC mailed these voters letters in envelopes marked, "Do not forward", to be returned to the sender. These letters were mailed to servicemen and women, some stationed overseas, to their US home addresses. The letters then returned to the Bush-Cheney campaign as "undeliverable."

The lists of soldiers of "undeliverable" letters were transmitted from state headquarters, in this case Florida, to the RNC in Washington. The party could then challenge the voters’ registration and thereby prevent their absentee ballots being counted.

In 2004, African-American leaders denounced the caging scheme as "another shameful Republican effort to keep blacks from voting."

The Hindu Attack on cleric family

PESHAWAR: At least 13 persons were killed in an attack on the house of a prominent anti-Taliban tribal leader in the Tank district of the North West Frontier Province on Wednesday night. Pir Attique-ur-Rehman, an influential tribal leader of South Waziristan, well-known for his stand against the Taliban and jiahdi groups, the apparent target of the attack, was not in the house at the time. Police said they were unable to locate him, but confirmed that he was not among the dead. But seven members of his family and six other relatives and guests, were killed when more than 100 armed men stormed his fortress-like house in Tank, a district of NWFP that borders South Waziristan.

Wired Which ISPs Are Spying on You?

AOL, AT&T, Cox and Qwest all responded to the survey, with a mix of timeliness and transparency.

But only Cox answered the question, "How long do you retain records of the IP addresses assigned to customers."

These records can be used to trace an internet posting, website visit or an e-mail back to an ISP's customers. The records are useful to police tracking down child-porn providers, and music-industry groups use them to sue file sharers. Companies have also used the records to track down anonymous posters who write unflattering comments in stock-trading boards.

Cox's answer: six months. AOL says "limited period of time," while AT&T says it varies across its internet-access offerings but that the time limits are all "within industry standards." Comcast, EarthLink, Verizon and Time Warner didn't respond.

der Spiegel WORLD BANK CHIEF ZOELLICK Bush's Quiet Idealist

But opinions diverge over Zoellick's ideological alignment. Conservatives describe him as a "man of the center" (in the words of German daily Berliner Morgenpost) and as a champion of international alliances. But those on the left view him as a special brand of neoconservative: one who is less ideological and disguises himself for pragmatic reasons, but still quietly sympathizes with the neoconservative cause.

Zoellick is "moderate" only by comparison to Wolfowitz and his former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith, a classic neoconservative, writes Tom Barry, the director of the left-leaning International Relations Center. Zoellick himself accepts the "the neoconservative premise of US global supremacy" but wants to "wisely manage that power," according to Barry.

He's not an ideologist, then, but an idealist: As early as one year before George W. Bush took office in January of 2001, Zoellick articulated his ideas about a "Republican foreign policy" in an essay for Foreign Affairs. The United States would shape the future world order on the basis of its military supremacy, Zoellick wrote, predicting the events of the years to come. "A modern Republican foreign policy," he wrote, "recognizes that there is still evil in the world." Bush himself couldn't have said it better.

Wonderful, yet another PNAC signer in charge of anything...

The New Yorker June 4, 2007Party Unfaithful The Republican implosion by Jeffrey Goldberg

Disillusionment with the Administration has become widespread among the conservatives who once were Bush’s strongest supporters. Mickey Edwards, a former Republican congressman from Oklahoma, said recently, “The Republican Administration has shown itself to be completely incompetent to the point that, of Republicans in Iowa, fifty-two per cent thought we should be out of Iraq in six months.” Edwards, who left Congress in 1993 and now teaches at Princeton, is helping to lead an effort among some conservatives to curtail the President’s power in such areas as warrantless wiretapping. “This Administration is beyond the pale in terms of arrogance and incompetence,” he said. “This guy thinks he’s a monarch, and that’s scary as hell.” The grievances against the Administration seem limitless. Many congressional Republicans, for instance, were upset that Bush waited to fire Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld until after the midterm elections.

Even if events in Iraq do eventually turn in the direction that the Administration hopes, history is weighted against the Republicans. Only once since the death of Franklin Roosevelt has a party kept the Presidency for three consecutive terms—when George H. W. Bush defeated Michael Dukakis, in 1988. Bush the Elder, though, had the advantage of being Ronald Reagan’s Vice-President, and Reagan, despite being damaged by the Iran-Contra scandal, was greatly esteemed by his party. Few of the men running now for the Republican nomination are likely to embrace George W. Bush’s record. “If the Democrats can’t win the Presidency in 2008, they’ll never win the Presidency,” David Keene, the chairman of the American Conservative Union, said not long ago.

And now Karl Rove, the man Bush has called his “boy genius,” is among those being blamed by conservatives for the Party’s problems—blame that he shares with others who have attempted to transform the party. One is Newt Gingrich, the strategist behind the 1994 Republican takeover of Congress, who could not hold together his coalition, and resigned. (Gingrich also faced ethics problems—he was accused of using tax-deductible donations for political purposes.) Another is Tom DeLay, who served as House whip under Gingrich and became Majority Leader under Gingrich’s successor, Dennis Hastert, and who left facing charges relating to campaign fi-nance. Perhaps most of all, conservatives blame Rove’s boss, George W. Bush.

Sheesh, McPaper's reporting it now Damage from climate change could cost Alaska $10 billion

BELIZE CITY — Collapsing bridges, bursting sewer pipes and crumbling roads caused by global warming could cost Alaska up to $10 billion over the next few decades, researchers said.

Atmospheric temperatures in the northernmost U.S. state have risen by more than 3°F over the past five decades, Peter Larsen, a resource economist at the University of Alaska Anchorage, told a climate change conference in the Central American country of Belize.

Larsen led a study with a team of engineers to calculate how Alaska will cope with the highest temperatures it has experienced in the last 400 years, according to data gathered from ice cores.

"There is a rough magnitude of between $5 and $10 billion of public infrastructure that's vulnerable to climate change just in Alaska," Larsen said Monday night.

Hmmm...Engineers and scientists are concerned about global warming that the Bushies say doesn't exist.

Wonder why the military is writing papers on it...talking about disturbances as populations shift to obtain access to resources due to changing climate.

Info wars Flashback Oct 3 2006 Atta's Father Says Video Fake, Credibility of 'Hijackers Tape' Crumbles

New revelations about the so-called 'laughing hijackers' tape expose its release as a stage-managed politically timed trick. The father of Mohammed Atta blasts the video as a "fake" while contradictory claims of its origin and nature baffle even mainstream terror experts - while even the media admits that the tape was released not by Al-Qaeda but by the U.S. intelligence apparatus.

Firstly, the father of Mohammed Atta, who has previously stated that his son is still alive, has blasted the video as a total fake. "The video-testament of my son is false and I continue to believe he is innocent" Muhammad al-Amir al-Sayd Atta, 71, told Saudi daily al-Watan. "The Americans tampered with and falsified that video" he alleged, " they want to change the truth in order to achieve their goals in the Middle East."

"There is a big difference between this photo and the images shown by the Americans - that one is not my boy." he went on to say.

Brown Bear Press Essay: They Are Not Going To Follow Us Home

If the President ever understood anything about terrorism as a tactic post-9/11, he certainly didn't pass on his knowledge to the American people. If he had, he might have led by saying something like, "They attacked us to provoke us into attacking them, because they believe they can make hypocrites out of us if we do, and we have to be very careful about how we go about seeking justice or we will fall into their trap. We can not allow them to use our grief and rage to turn us into jack-booted monsters and swell their ranks. We must resist the temptation to be un-American by proving ourselves to be hypocrites with one standard for Americans, and another for everyone else. If we let go of our American ideals in our zeal to defend ourselves, the terrorists will win because we would have self-destructed."

History has documented that the President chose to do the exact opposite, because he wanted to keep the fear alive and thriving, to promote and justify the upcoming invasion and occupation of Iraq, for what amounted to a personal vendetta. The Bush administration has yet to accept, admit, or confess to the American People that the administration's assessment of the post-9/11 terrorist threat was as wildly exaggerated, misinformed, corrupt, and tragically mishandled as the war in Iraq. Hopefully, the whole truth will emerge in the not too distant future. But, it could have been a lot worse. God knows this administration tried their best to turn the worst case terror scenarios into self-fulfilling prophecies. We Americans are all very fortunate that they failed. The people of Iraq were not so lucky.

The jihadists have gotten all they really wanted from us. They have provoked the Bush administration into turning much of the Muslim world against us, used our missteps to raise an army, and have forever undermined our stature and influence in the Middle East, along with much of the world. When we leave, they are going to turn their full attention to the war for the heart of Islam, and there is nothing we can do about it except watch from the relative safety of the sidelines. But once we are out of the picture, the moderates will win. If we stay, they will lose, and we will all forever suffer the consequences.

They will not follow us home. If the strongest military in the history of the world couldn't subdue a nation with less than one tenth of our population and resources, how could a relative handful of fundamentalist extremists be a genuine threat to our sovereignty, unless we do something stupid like elect them to public office?

Did the communists follow us home from Vietnam? No of course not...

BBC Guantanamo Saudi 'kills himself'

A Saudi Arabian prisoner has died in an apparent suicide at the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, the US military has said.

Two Saudis and a Yemeni prisoner were found hanged in an apparent suicide at the camp in June last year.

There are about 380 prisoners at the camp, some for as long as five years.

Another Bushworld atrocity. These people imprisoned are not POW and they are not charged as criminals.

Since Gonzo and his crafty weirdo lawyer friends named them "enemy combatants" these persons have no legal standing in the US. It's so un-American Prissy could scream at him and Gonzo, with no problem...

BBC this judge needs a psych exam-then a legal one. Guantanamo lawyer faces jail term

A US Navy lawyer faces six months in prison and dismissal from service for sending a human rights lawyer the names of 550 Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Lt Cdr Matthew Diaz, 41, posted a list of the names in an unmarked Valentine's Day card during the final days of his service at Guantanamo Bay in 2005.

He apologised during his sentencing for having acted "irrationally".

The US military had originally refused to release the names of the men it was holding at Guantanamo Bay.

Appalling lack of ethics on the part of the judge and shame on the Navy for turning its back on military core values, once again.

Prissy is thinking of Lt. Cdr Charles Swift for doing his duty, winning Hamdi v. Rumsfield and the Navy denied him promotion as a result.

What is wrong with these people who decided it was legal, if not preferable to break Geneva and other human rights?

Shall we just tell our children to lie, bully and steal from the womb, so they won't be left behind, when of the age to contend loyal Bushies?

New Scientist Life decisions separate 'hawk' from 'dove'

The model incorporates this dilemma over current or future reproduction, and looks at how behavioural traits evolve over many generations. Individuals in the model are confronted with a risky situation in which they might get injured but where there is also a chance of a high pay-off. This is similar to the famous "hawk-dove" game in which an individual who behaves aggressively has a higher chance of winning a fight over a resource than one who behaves meekly. Hawks, however, are more likely than doves to die in the attempt.

The team also examined how animals forage when there are predators around. Bolder individuals get more food because they don't waste time hiding - but they also run the risk of being eaten. In other words, individuals that live fast do risk dying young.

Seattle Times Bush sees U.S. role in Iraq as similar to that in S. Korea

Prissy is sure he believes he does; but Dubya "sees" a lot of things no one else can see.

CBC UN creates special court to try Lebanese assassination suspects

Ten members of the security council voted in favour of the resolution, while five countries abstained — Russia, China, South Africa, Qatar and Indonesia.

"This is a symbolic resolution because no suspects have been named in the assassination of Rafik Hariri," said CBC journalist Neil Herland, who reports on the United Nations.

"It also shows that the UN Security Council supports the current prime minister of Lebanon, Fouad Siniora, and his government, and not the opposition Hezbollah faction, which does not support the creation of a tribunal."

CBC Helicopter shot down in Afghanistan; 7 soldiers killed

Five Americans and two other soldiers died when a Chinook helicopter was apparently shot down Wednesday evening in Afghanistan's most volatile province, a U.S. military official said.

NATO's International Security Assistance Force said other troops rushing to the scene in Helmand province were ambushed and had to call in air support to drive off their attackers.

The Taliban claimed responsibility. Initial reports suggested the helicopter was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade, said one U.S. official.

NATO said there were no survivors.

Public Radio Market Place ACLU sues Boeing for alleged role with CIA

The ACLU cites an article in The New Yorker magazine. It quoted a senior Jeppeson official as telling an internal board meeting that the company was planning all of what he allegedly called "the torture flights."

ACLU attorney Steven Watt says there's no way the firm couldn't have known what was going on:STEVEN WATT: They had their head in the sand if alarm bells were not being raised that there was something untoward here. And what we're alleging is that, knowingly, Jeppeson aided the CIA in their torture and indefinite detention.

Proving that in court is another matter, and the ACLU may never even get the chance. Today's action may ultimately amount to little more than the legal equivalent of shouting and pointing.

Duke University professor Scott Silliman says the CIA is likely to invoke the government's "state secrets privilege." It's been recognized by the courts since World War Two and is virtually automatic.

Professor Silliman (oh my that is his name) must not keep up on the news much, since those rendition flight paths are all in the public domain now...and didn't they tell him its Boeing being sued, not the CIA?

From the Wayniac! Wayne is one of the good guys, in Prissy's book. Bush-Cheney rift

Bush-Cheney rift. WMR's Washington sources have confirmed that a major rift has opened up between President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney over U.S. Iran policy. Cheney and the remaining neo-con cabal inside the Bush administration favor quick and decisive U.S. military action against Iran while Bush, backed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, favor the current diplomatic negotiations with Iran, particularly the Baghdad Green Zone talks concerning Iraq's security.

Bush has reportedly bristled at Cheney's suggestion that he is a "wimp." The junior Bush has made no secret of his obsession with his father's "wimp" persona and has striven to prove his own machismo. Cheney's "wimp talk" has infuriated Bush, according to our sources.

Ever since Deputy National Security Adviser J.D. Crouch resigned abruptly on May 4 (the same day ABC News was poised to reveal White House officials on the "Washington Madam's" list of clients), Iran-felon and Middle East super-hawk Elliott Abrams has served as the virtual number two man at the National Security Council under Stephen Hadley, according to our White House sources. Cheney and Abrams serve as a White House duet calling for U.S. military action against Iran.

There are also indications that former President George H. W. Bush is quietly supporting a "whispering campaign" against Cheney in an attempt to force him and his remaining neo-con stalwarts from office.

A whisper campaign from the hearing aid brigade?

Ireland.com newspaper Ireland ranked among most peaceful nations

Ireland was ranked fourth behind Norway, New Zealand, Denmark and ahead of Japan, Finland, Sweden and Canada

"We were trying to find out what positive qualities lead to peace," said Leo Abruzzese, the North American editorial director of the intelligence unit that is part of The Economist Group that publishes the well known magazine. He said they found in general the most peaceful countries were the smallest, the most politically stable and democratic. "Democracy didn't actually correlate with peace, but a well-functioning democracy did.

Efficient, accountable government seems to be the leading determinant of peace. Beyond that, income helps." Fifteen of the top 20 most peaceful nations are in Western Europe, and countries with higher income appeared to lead to higher levels of peace, he said. The United States ranked 96th out of 121 nations, just worse than Yemen and just better than Iran, Honduras and South Africa.

Mr Abruzzese said the United States' score was pulled down by the number of wars it is involved in, large numbers of soldiers killed on the battlefield and high defense spending. He said the fact the United States has the world's largest prison population per share of overall population also pulled down the score.

Recovering Liberal, don't forget Jack Abramoff, still singing like a bird to whittle away some jail time...Following Jack Abramoff’s Money Trail

Here's a few departments who had officials knowing Jack..

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT-Frederick A. Black, CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION,

CIA-Kyle Dustin “Dusty” Foggo,

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR Italia Federici & J. Steven Griles,WHITE HOUSE-George W. Bush,Lewis Libby,Karl Rove,Henry Schuelke,Susan Bonzon Ralston,David H. Safavian,Timothy E. Flanigan,Patrick Pizzella ,ABRAMOFF PARTNERS -Michael Scanlon,Adam Kidan.

ABRAMOFF ASSOCIATES-Edward P. Ayoob-former aid to Harry Reid,Fred Bagget,Ed Buckham - Former DeLay Chief of Staff and Abramoff lobbyist,Will Brooke - Former Chief of Staff of Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT).Brooke reportedly received more money from Abramoff than anyone else.

Check out the site for the full list, many are already serving time or have cases still in the legal system.

Quotes of the Day

"This Memorial Day we remember the dead,and the politicians who killed them." -- John Aravosis, americablog.com

"Never be haughty to the humble or humble to the haughty." -- Jefferson Davis

Quote from Alabama, Declaration of Rights Article I Section 35 "That the sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, and when the government assumes other functions it is usurpation and oppression."

The first sign of corruption in a society that is still alive is that the end justifies the means.--Georges Bernanos,French author, and a soldier in World War I

In order for a war to be just, three things are necessary. First, the authority of the sovereign.... Secondly, a just cause.... Thirdly ... a rightful intention.--Saint Thomas Aquinas

Appeal for Redress Memorial Day Weekend Columbus Ohio

Dearest Readers, the Appeal for Redress which took place in Columbus Ohio was a great success.

Note the short prayer read by active duty Army wife Tiffany Wanzer was written by a Jew, a Christian and a Muslim in 1990. See the five minute clip below:

Hot Links Updated

Thanks to our cousins up North for this series. The Fifth Estate-the Lies that brought the war in Iraq series Fifth Estate

Since the US-led invasion four years ago, the fifth estate has covered Iraq and the war on terror from virtually every angle--the military, media, intelligence, politics--revealing aspects of the story that you didn't find anywhere else. Now, as the White House warns about the latest threat in the region, this time from Iran, it's worthwhile looking back to examine the deception, suspect intelligence, even lies, that convinced the world of the rightness of targeting Saddam Hussein.

Reuters Bush concerned at activists' arrest in Vietnam

Bush had hailed Vietnam's vibrant economy on a goodwill visit to Hanoi last November, but an air of disenchantment has set in at the White House.

A Vietnam court on May 11 sentenced two activist lawyers to up five years in jail in the latest trial of political dissidents in the communist-run state.

Hanoi rejects accusations by Western human rights groups that it has cracked down on activists after Vietnam successfully hosted an Asia-Pacific summit, won World Trade Organization membership and was removed from a U.S. religious rights blacklist in 2006.

Save the Internet and sites like this from becoming so slow you can't load the page! Save the Open Internet

The FCC is on the verge of turning over a large chunk of the public airwaves to the same giant phone and cable companies that control high-speed Internet access for 96 percent of American home users.

Guess Dubya forgot he had dissenters arrested in this country too. Vietnam doesn't claim to be a democracy.

CNN - why Senator Clinton should not be president. Haven't we had enough presidents who fail to do their homework? Records: Senators who OK'd war didn't read key report

A new biography of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has once again raised the issue of whether members of Congress read a key intelligence report before the 2002 vote to authorize war in Iraq.

Clinton did not read the 90-page, classified National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq, according to "Her Way: The Hopes and Ambitions of Hillary Rodham Clinton."

For members of Congress to read the report, they had to go to a secure location on Capitol Hill. The Washington Post reported in 2004 that no more than six senators and a handful of House members were logged as reading the document.

The Clinton biography, written by New York Times reporters Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta Jr., summarizes the intelligence estimate, which combined reports of U.S. intelligence agencies about Iraq.

As it turns out, most who voted for this war never read the full report. Go figure.

They were briefed, much like Dubya and his August 6, 2001 memo...911 then happened on his lazy watch-despite as many as nine intelligence warnings, coming from allies as early as January 2001.

Seattle Times 10 more Americans die in Iraq, making May bloodiest month

Ten American soldiers were killed in roadside bombings and a helicopter crash on Memorial Day, the military reported today, making May the deadliest month of the year for U.S. troops in Iraq.

In other violence, five Britons were kidnapped today from an Iraqi Finance Ministry office in Baghdad, according to Britain's Foreign Office, and two car bombings killed 40 people and destroyed a Shiite mosque in the capital, police said.

More blood on war supporters hands. Cindy may be right, they do not appear to care about our soldiers or they would not have abandoned them to an endless war.

Haaretz Justice Minister, citing Torah: We must take in Darfur refugees

According to Friedmann, "There are instructions in the Torah which teach about compassion, and in dimensions which we do not see in the law of other peoples. The emphasis is on why there is a need for compassion, the source of this biblical compassion."

"The question that Israel must ask itself is, to what extent is it within that pathway of compassion?"

Legal Times DOJ Made Immigration Judgeships Political

Few people in El Paso know more about immigration law than Guadalupe Gonzalez, a lawyer who has prosecuted illegal immigration cases along the Texas border for nearly 25 years. In 2002, after seeing an advertisement, she applied — and was passed over — for an opening on the local bench of one of the nation’s 54 immigration courts. But when two more vacancies arose in 2004, nobody bothered to tell Gonzalez. In fact, the positions were never advertised.

Instead, the Justice Department’s leadership, which oversees the immigration courts, used a little-known power to appoint two lower-level attorneys — both of whom Gonzalez had supervised at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in El Paso — to the $115,000-a-year positions.

The authority used to bypass the competitive hiring process would be employed again and again during the last year of Attorney General John Ashcroft’s tenure and continue when Alberto Gonzales succeeded him in 2005. And according to the immigration court’s former administrator, it also allowed top political aides at Justice, including former Gonzales chief of staff D. Kyle Sampson and former White House liaison Monica Goodling, to fast-track candidates of their choosing — including a number of lawyers with no immigration law experience but strong ties to the Republican Party or President George W. Bush’s election campaigns

KOS via RAW, so is the July 4th in Phili off? "Good Riddance Attention Whore" by Cindy Sheehan

I have also reached the conclusion that if I am doing what I am doing because I am an "attention whore" then I really need to be committed. I have invested everything I have into trying to bring peace with justice to a country that wants neither. If an individual wants both, then normally he/she is not willing to do more than walk in a protest march or sit behind his/her computer criticizing others. I have spent every available cent I got from the money a "grateful" country gave me when they killed my son and every penny that I have received in speaking or book fees since then. I have sacrificed a 29 year marriage and have traveled for extended periods of time away from Casey’s brother and sisters and my health has suffered and my hospital bills from last summer (when I almost died) are in collection because I have used all my energy trying to stop this country from slaughtering innocent human beings. I have been called every despicable name that small minds can think of and have had my life threatened many times.

The most devastating conclusion that I reached this morning, however, was that Casey did indeed die for nothing. His precious lifeblood drained out in a country far away from his family who loves him, killed by his own country which is beholden to and run by a war machine that even controls what we think. I have tried every since he died to make his sacrifice meaningful. Casey died for a country which cares more about who will be the next American Idol than how many people will be killed in the next few months while Democrats and Republicans play politics with human lives. It is so painful to me to know that I bought into this system for so many years and Casey paid the price for that allegiance. I failed my boy and that hurts the most.

I have also tried to work within a peace movement that often puts personal egos above peace and human life. This group won’t work with that group; he won’t attend an event if she is going to be there; and why does Cindy Sheehan get all the attention anyway? It is hard to work for peace when the very movement that is named after it has so many divisions.

She's right about the peace groups that can't work with this or that group-they just won't walk in lock step like the neorepublicans do. Some very left peace groups think Military Families Speak Out is not peacey enough; yet the right calls MFSO (erroneously) an "anti-war" group.

Counterpunch Cindy Sheehan Why I Am Leaving the Democratic Party

It used to be George Bush's war. You could have ended it honorably. Now it is yours and you all will descend into calumnious history with BushCo.

The Camp Casey Peace Institute is calling all citizens who are as disgusted as we are with you all to join us in Philadelphia on July 4th to try and figure a way out of this "two" party system that is bought and paid for by the war machine which has a stranglehold on every aspect of our lives. As for myself, I am leaving the Democratic Party. You have completely failed those who put you in power to change the direction our country is heading. We did not elect you to help sink our ship of state but to guide it to safe harbor.

We do not condone our government's violent meddling in sovereign countries and we condemn the continued murderous occupation of Iraq .

We gave you a chance, you betrayed us.

The Columbus Dispatch, doing right by military families. Let's hope this trend continues...Veterans join in Soldier's Walk to urge quick end to war in Iraq

The Soldier's Walk for Soldiers and the Appeal for Redress are part of a national effort spearheaded by active-duty members of the military. Locally, the event was sponsored by groups that included Military Families Speak Out of Central Ohio, Progress Ohio, Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War and Artists for Political Reform.

Seth Wolfe, 63, of Upper Arlington, said he thinks that the war was lost before it started.

Wolfe, who wore the Purple Heart he received for his naval service in Vietnam in 1968-69, said too many members of the military are being forced to remain apolitical while "America's standing on its head."

Dearest Readers, there were 12 veterans who read the Appeal. What is interesting is that there were soldiers/sailors/airman there, representing every war since WW II. The youngest soldier was 22, the oldest 79.

These kinds of events are why the DOD has a new order that soldiers out of uniform cannot identify themselves as soldiers to the media. Another way to prevent them from telling what is really going on within the ranks regarding the war in Iraq.

Zogby polls indicated the soldiers discontent with the fake mission nearly two years ago, stating 75% thought the war should be wrapped up within a years time.

It wasn't and does anyone have a good reason for thinking they are happier now? The public certainly isn't...

"Empty Boots" display

Election law blog Monica Goodling, Timothy Griffin, and "Caging" Voters

According to this report in Legal Times: Goodling said that McNulty, during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in February, "was not fully candid about his knowledge of White House involvement" in the decision to fire the U.S. Attorneys. She also said that McNulty was not forthright about his knowledge of the White House's interest in the appointment of Timothy Griffin, a former aide to White House political adviser Karl Rove and Republican National Committee opposition researcher, to become U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Arkansas.

Additionally, she alleged, McNulty did not disclose the extent of his knowledge about allegations that Griffin had been involved in "caging" African-American votes during the 2004 elections, and inaccurately described the Justice Department's assessment of a commission that reviewed candidates to become U.S. Attorney in California.

This appears to be the only reference to the "caging" allegation in the mainstream press and there's no further discussion of the issue in the article. Greg Palast, writing at the Brad Blog, sees this as a very big deal. We'll see if it gets picked up by the mainstream press.

It is a big deal. Prissy doesn't think Monica really understood just what those "caging lists" represented...see Greg Palast for explanation on "caging lists."

Photo Gallery-der Spiegel Exodus out of Iraq Refugees leaving the now war torn country.

der Spiegal International SHRINKING SOLIDARITY IN AFGHANISTAN? Debate Flares Anew about German Military Mission

The deaths of 21 German soldiers and a confusing chain of command in Afghanistan will have consequences for the "unlimited solidarity" former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder once assured the United States. Germany may withdraw from Operation Enduring Freedom.

Berlin is mulling over its future role in Afghanistan. The disaster fits neatly into five and a half lines: That's all the military analysts at the Bonn-based military operations headquarters need to paint a realistic picture of the daily violence in their confidential report for the German defense minister. It takes less than six lines of data, facts and figures to sum up the dilemma the West faces in Afghanistan.

Well, if 911 occurred because of someones lazy watch here in the US or because someone let it happen then perhaps it too was a falsified invasion. After all, the French intel have publicly stated that OBL was cornered at Tora Bora and the Americans were ordered NOT to go after him...and the FBI's own website does not list OBL as wanted for 911. Hmm...

The republicans are on the run from Americans demanding an end to this war. The democrats, knowing what losing feels like are unfortunately sympathizing with the sure to lose in 08 republicans. Sounds like we need more than two choices!

NBC News 4AP: Marines Fail to Get Gear to Troops

The system for delivering badly needed gear to Marines in Iraq has failed to meet many urgent requests for equipment from troops in the field, according to an internal document obtained by The Associated Press.

Of more than 100 requests from deployed Marine units between February 2006 and February 2007, less than 10 percent have been fulfilled, the document says. It blamed the bureaucracy and a "risk-averse" approach by acquisition officials.

Among the items held up were a mine resistant vehicle and a hand-held laser system.

"Process worship cripples operating forces," according to the document. "Civilian middle management lacks technical and operational currency."

Attn all Troops: If you intend to show up for your deployment, please bring the following items: Enough MRE's for 12-15 months, bullets, body armor, potable water, tools, and oh-get a gun-we might not have enough for everyone.

If you can't afford to bring your own supplies on your E-4 or below salary; you will have to share? See your commander for further details. Chances are good he's got more questions and less answers than you.

Should you require further supplies, see someone from an "anti-war organization" for care packages and/or life saving equipment.

Prezident Boosh is angry you all need that need that stuff, and that your families keep complaining about it. But he's glad soldiers will give their lives for his war...he'd just like their families to stop dissing him for it. Not a chance, Dubya.

Seattle Times, a happy story, if its true U.S. soldiers rescue 42 kidnapped Iraqis

BAGHDAD -- U.S. and Iraqi forces freed 42 kidnapped Iraqis -- some of whom had been hung from ceilings and tortured for months -- in a raid Sunday on an al-Qaida hideout north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.

Military officials said the operation, launched on tips from residents, showed that Iraqis in the turbulent Diyala province were turning against Sunni insurgents and beginning to trust U.S. troops.

"This is a sign that the people are fed up with [al-Qaida in Iraq] doing bad things to good people," said Lt. Col. Michael Donnelly, a spokesman for U.S. forces in northern Iraq. "They are communicating a very strong message: We are fed up with this, and we are not going to sit back and do nothing and die."

Individuals believed to have been guarding the facility were seen fleeing the scene, but none was apprehended, Donnelly said.

But "none was apprehended"- ya don't say...

The Globe and Mail Troops seize equipment of anti-government TV station

CARACAS — Venezuelan troops have seized the anti-government television channel's broadcast equipment, the station said on Sunday, ahead of a controversial midnight takeover by President Hugo Chavez that will take the broadcaster off the air.

Mr. Chavez sparked international criticism with his decision to not renew RCTV's license and to replace Venezuela's most-watched channel with a state-backed network that will promote the values of his self-styled socialist revolution.

RCTV representatives said troops had taken over relay stations across the country amid a show of military force meant to deter possible violence by opposition demonstrators.

"They have taken over the transmission stations," said Edgardo Mosca, vice-president of engineering operations at RCTV.

Dubya didn't use troops when he took over the media.

NYT Bush Pays Tribute to Fallen U.S. Troops

“Nothing said today will ease your pain,” Mr. Bush said. “But each of you need to know that your country thanks you, and we embrace you, and we will never forget the terrible loss you have suffered. I hope you find comfort in knowing that your loved ones rest in a place even more peaceful than the fields that surround us here.”

“Those who serve are not fatalists of cynics,” Mr. Bush said. “They know that one day this war will end — as all wars do. Our duty is to ensure that its outcome justifies the sacrifices made by those who fought and died in it. From their deaths must come a world where the cruel dreams of tyrants and terrorists are frustrated and foiled.”

No Prezident Boosh, most soldiers aren't cynics or fatalists, they are realists. Dubya and the neocons, they would be the "fatalists."

That Dubya, still not realizing the best tribute he could give to most military families is for him to shut-up for a day...and end the war.

Brasscheck TV Iraq for Sale Excerpt from the documentary.

Why does the war in Iraq go on and on? One reason is that it is immensely profitable for the Bush family and its friends.

These four minutes from the documentary "Iraq for Sale" were specifically banned by from being shown during a Congressional hearing by concerted action from Republican politicians.

Democracy NOW "Somebody Had to Speak Out. If Not Me, Who?" - Maj. Gen. John Batiste Fired by CBS News for Anti-Iraq War 'Advocacy'

Major General John Batiste was offered a promotion to become a three-star general, the second-highest-ranking military officer in Iraq. Instead, he quit over the war. After he appeared in a commercial for VoteVets.org, CBS News fired him as a paid news consultant. MoveOn.org collected 230,000 signatures on a petition demanding he be rehired. In a wide-ranging interview, Maj. Gen. Batiste discusses the Iraq war, calls for the closing of the US prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, says private security firms like Blackwater USA should be investigated and says President Bush has failed by surrounding himself with "like-minded, compliant subordinates."

TX Statesman Traveling Vietnam wall stirs emotions around Austin

Jerry Sharp, a team leader for the Austin Vet Center, helps lead group discussions with Vietnam veterans about their war experiences. Before the wall's arrival, Sharp asked some veterans last week whether they wanted to see it. Reactions were mixed, he said.

Sharp said going to the wall can give veterans the chance to grieve and pay respects to friends who were killed.

"It's about those names, and what makes it so difficult is the impact of it," he said. "There are so many."

There are more than 58,200 names on the wall, according the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in Washington.

Quotes of the Day

With the tears a Land hath shed,Their graves should ever be green.~Thomas Bailey Aldrich

Are they dead that yet speak louder than we can speak, and a more universal language? Are they dead that yet act? Are they dead that yet move upon society and inspire the people with nobler motives and more heroic patriotism? ~Henry Ward Beecher

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~From a headstone in Ireland

All we have of freedom, all we use or know -This our fathers bought for us long and long ago.~Rudyard Kipling, The Old Issue, 1899

For your congress person-click to enlarge

Dems Drag America Back Down into the Muck

Thanks for nothing Democrats. You didn't save the troops, you funded their demise...we military families won't forget the Dems sold out to corporate interests, yet again.

Dearest Readers, Hope you caught some of Ms. Goodling's testimony. Check out the Comedy Central clip on Raw Story about it. Sums it up very well.

A good girl who got in way over her head, she blindy served her AG and her president knowing full well it could catch up to ensnare them all, but thinking/hoping maybe they knew something she didn't. They of course didn't.

Interesting how Gonzo's DOJ (could there be a lawful, shadow DOJ somewhere?)subordinates Sampson and Goodling-not one of them took responsibility for the list.

McNulty and Gonzo said they didn't do it either. You're darn skippy right knowing it couldn't have come from James Comey.

Who could have possibly had such motive, such cunning, such craft of manipulation?

Isn't it strange how at least two of the US attorneys fired were said by Gonzo's Dept that they were under performing in the area of cracking down on illegal immigration. But wait a minute-doesn't Dubya want to legalize the illegal residents?

Oh well, Prissy learned a long time ago while working in the prisons that crazy peoples actions never make sense. Sometimes not even to them...

Hot Links

Findlaw, the latest from John Dean Recent Developments in the Scandal over the Attorney General's Performance

This week, Gonzales was again shown to have lied to Congress; his ineptitude as Attorney General has resurfaced in litigation that is going to damage the government; and after ignoring a subpoena from the Senate, he made a belated but insufficient response following an angry letter from the Senate. Click here to find out more!

It's been clear for a while - and is becoming ever clearer - that the Attorney General ought to resign, or to be fired. Now, it seems that Congress is determined to force Gonzales from office or send him to jail, whichever they can do first.

This is plainly the right move - and anyone who does not understand why Congress is insisting on getting rid of Gonzales, does not appreciate the important and sensitive role the Department of Justice has in our government.

Statesman UT professor cancels speech, cites antisemitism Steven Weinberg condemns anti-Israel actions in Great Britain

Weinberg, who had been scheduled to speak at Imperial College in July, said in a letter that his decision was triggered by the National Union of Journalists' boycott of Israeli products, the Guardian reported.

"I know that some will say that these boycotts are directed only against Israel, rather than generally against Jews," Weinberg wrote. "But given the history of the attacks on Israel and the oppressiveness and aggressiveness of other countries in the Middle East and elsewhere, boycotting Israel indicated a moral blindness for which it is hard to find any explanation other than antisemitism."

Weinberg canceled a visit to another British university last year over a boycott of Israeli academics.

Well Professor, what do you wish those who disagree with Israeli foreign policy to do? Start a war?

Consortum News flashback Oct 2006 Al-Qaeda's Fragile Foothold

“My judgment is, if we weren’t in Iraq, they’d find some other excuse, because they have ambitions,” Bush said. “They kill in order to achieve their objectives.”

But a growing body of evidence, including the intercepted al-Qaeda letters, appears to undercut Bush’s conclusions about both the prospects for “a totalitarian Islamic empire” and a disconnect between the continuing Iraq War and terrorism.

According to a National Intelligence Estimate, representing the consensus view of the U.S. intelligence community in April 2006, “the global jihadist movement is decentralized, lacks a coherent global strategy, and is becoming more diffuse.” [Emphasis added.]

The NIE also concluded that the Iraq War – rather than weakening the cause of Islamic terrorism – had become a “cause celebre” that was “cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement.”

Good going war prez.

Ashland Daily Tidings Son, soldier and center of congressional controversy May 4, 2007

If we patriotic Americans disagree with the president's denial of reality on the ground in Iraq, then we are accused of being against our troops. That line of reasoning is false, as well as un-American.

Here is our reality.

Shortly before Neil and his unit were deployed from Fort Benning, my wife, Virginia, and I got a call from Neil. During the conversation, he told her his men did not have some basic equipment they needed for combat. He told us that his unit needed a number of essential items.

My wife raised $12,000 so they could be properly equipped for their deployment. Family and friends who support Bush offered no help and one family member told us to quit our whining. All of the money came from people who support the troops but want to de-fund the war.

From WhatReallyHappened.com:

And as reported by KKCI Des Moines on 21 May, 2007, (http://www.kcci.com/news/13358786/detail.html), the Iraq war itself is creating an ammo shortage, which is having an impact on local US police departments.

The article states: "Experts said ammunition shipments are being delayed for up to a year because the Army has more than tripled its demand for small-caliber ammunition."

Dearest Readers, do you suppose Blackwater's ammo is on back order?

CNN, in part responsible for this young mans health problems Iraq vet: 'My brain will not let go'

A year after coming home from Iraq, AJ Jefferson is still fighting the war in eerie nightmares about the bomb that left him and two comrades seriously wounded.

"I've been told it's normal," the Army specialist said with a smile, "considering what I've gone through."

The 21-year-old soldier has been diagnosed by doctors with several ailments blamed on the attack, including severe post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. He's also been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, or TBI, which often is accompanied by forgetfulness and restless sleep.

"I have the dreams every night," said Jefferson, who also suffered severe leg wounds that left him unable to run or stand for long periods. "There are nights when I can't sleep because all I'm thinking about is just re-enacting what happened in my head. My brain will not let go of it."

Emotional trauma is more difficult to recover from than physical trauma many victims have told Prissy. Understandable.

Look, Dubya has given himself new powers, just like a real dictator NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/NSPD 51, HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/HSPD-20

The President shall lead the activities of the Federal Government for ensuring constitutional government. In order to advise and assist the President in that function, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (APHS/CT) is hereby designated as the National Continuity Coordinator. The National Continuity Coordinator, in coordination with the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA), without exercising directive authority, shall coordinate the development and implementation of continuity policy for executive departments and agencies. The Continuity Policy Coordination Committee (CPCC), chaired by a Senior Director from the Homeland Security Council staff, designated by the National Continuity Coordinator, shall be the main day-to-day forum for such policy coordination.

(7) For continuity purposes, each executive department and agency is assigned to a category in accordance with the nature and characteristics of its national security roles and responsibilities in support of the Federal Government's ability to sustain the NEFs. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall serve as the President's lead agent for coordinating overall continuity operations and activities of executive departments and agencies, and in such role shall perform the responsibilities set forth for the Secretary in sections 10 and 16 of this directive.

The gist of it is, he decides what is an emergency and then he takes full control.

Truthout Bush Anoints Himself as the Ensurer of Constitutional Government in Emergency

The subject of the document is entitled "National Continuity Policy." It defines a "catastrophic emergency" as "any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government function."

This could mean another 9/11, or another Katrina, or a major earthquake in California, I imagine, since it says it would include "localized acts of nature, accidents, and technological or attack-related emergencies."

The document emphasizes the need to ensure "the continued function of our form of government under the Constitution, including the functioning of the three separate branches of government," it states.

But it says flat out: "The President shall lead the activities of the Federal Government for ensuring constitutional government."

We know what a fine job he's done with the constitution so far...

The Future of America Has Been Stolen

Investigative reporter Greg Palast says 4.5 million votes will be shoplifted in 2008, thanks largely to the “Rove-bots” that have been placed in the Justice Department following the U.S. Attorney firings. Being the guy who uncovered the voter “purge lists” of 2000 that disenfranchised black voters, he’s worth listening to, even if the mainstream press chooses not to.

This time around, he claims to have 500 emails that the House subpoenaed and Karl Rove claims were deleted forever. They prove definitively, says Palast, that the Justice Department is infested with operatives taking orders from Rove to steal upcoming elections for Republicans and permanently alter the Department.

The “clownocracy” of Bush and Rove is criminal and even evil in its attempts to steal past and future elections, according to Palast, and can only be stopped if “Democrats…find their souls and find their balls.”

And the interview with Palast, a Prissy Patriot hero!

JD: Talk a little bit about the relevance of Tim Griffin — the perp who became prosecutor — and Arkansas in 2008.

GP: It was Griffin who directed the “caging” ops for the GOP. Caging, by the way, is illegal. Law Professor Bobby Kennedy pointed out it violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965 — and I’d add, as a former racketeering investigator, mail fraud statutes. So Griffin’s a felon — now U.S. Attorney.

JD: Is Kennedy still actively publicizing this?

GP: Yes. The incriminating email is reproduced right in Armed Madhouse. That’s why Griffin and Goodling were high-fiving over the fact that no one’s picked up the investigations of that “British reporter” Palast.

The key thing is, Griffin is not just “involved,” he is directing the scheme. His denial was confidential — had to be subpoenaed. Remember, as Goodling testified, the line of the Bushies is that Griffin had nothing to do with caging.

Pre-War Intelligence Was Pretty Good Booman

They predicted electoral success for radical Islamists (see Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Egypt). Also, see Musharraf's current problems in Pakistan.

The Intelligence Community also underscored that "in some countries an increase in Islamist sentiment also probably would take the form of greater support for Islamic political parties that seek to come to power through legitimate means."

They predicted that Iran would cause trouble if not constructively engaged, or if threatened.

The Intelligence Community assessed that "the degree to which Iran would pursue policies that either support or undermine U.S. goals in Iraq would depend on how Tehran viewed specific threats to its interests and the potential US reaction. The Intelligence Community assessed that the "more that Iranian leaders perceived Washington's aims did not challenge Tehran's interests or threaten Iran directly, the better the chance that they would cooperate in the post-war period, or at least not actively undermine US goals."

The Intelligence Community assessed that "guaranteeing Iran a role in the negotiations on the fate of post-Saddam Iraq might persuade some Iranian officials to pursue overt and constructive means to influence reconstruction in Iraq."

Liberty Forum, public forum with a high degree of accuracy Whatever happened to the WTC HARD-DRIVE recoveries?

The CONVAR data salvage has made it completely clear that more than $100 million in insider credit card transactions took place in the hours and minutes before the twin towers collapsed. The mainframe computers in the towers processed these transactions; and the credit card data would have been lost forever had it not been for the successful data reconstruction of the CONVAR specialists.

A German company, CONVAR of Pirmasens near the French border, was given more than 400 computer hard drives from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. These are extremely sensitive computer components that went through the collapse of the World Trade Center. Using blue laser technology, CONVAR succeeded in reconstructing all the data from the computer debris.This includes diverse financial data and telecommunication protocols up to a few seconds before the collapse of each tower. (Source: e-mail from CONVAR Germany on October 16, 2003.) The U.S. government's blatant lie about the allegedly missing black boxes is outright made ludicrous by this fact.

The reconstructed data was given by CONVAR to the FBI. The FBI was held by law to investigate, based on the reconstructed data, who placed the inside transactions. The FBI is doing no such thing.

And from the same forum, isn't this interesting?

Richard Wagner, a data retrieval expert at the company, said illegal transfers of more than $100 million might have been made immediately before and during the disaster.

"There is a suspicion that some people had advance knowledge of the approximate time of the plane crashes in order to move out amounts exceeding $100 million," Wagner said. "They thought that the records of their transactions could not be traced after the main frames were destroyed."

Criminals always make mistakes, even white collar criminals.

Wired 6 Navy Commanders Sacked in 6 Weeks

For the sixth time in as many weeks, the lead officer of a Navy ship has been suddenly relieved of command, DANGER ROOM pal Andy Scutro reports for Navy Times.

Cmdr. E.J. McClure, captain of the destroyer Arleigh Burke... had a “loss of confidence in her ability to command” following the May 15 “soft grounding” of the Burke off Norfolk as the ship was heading back into port. No one was injured in the incident, but damage to the ship is still being assessed, according to the official.

"The Norfolk grounding is especially odd given the well-charted waters," Navy Times adds, in a second story. But it's hardly the only strange incident in recent weeks. On May 10th, the captain of the USS Constitution -- a 19th century warship, serving largely as a floating museum -- was relieved, for unspecified "lost of trust and confidence." Two days earlier, the Navy sacked the commanding officer of the destroyer Higgins for "loss of confidence in his ability to command."

Let us hope they weren't sacked for failure to be "loyal Bushies."

Check out this ad ran in the Washington Post by Gonzo's Harvard law school fellow grads dish it out just how they don't like his ways... 60 of Gonzo's Classmates tell him he failed the law

MN Campaign report Ellison: "Goodling was Forthcoming," but Issues Remain

"Gonzales had 71 lapses in memory his Senate testimony and at least as much trouble recalling key facts before the House Judiciary. But Goodling was candid and admitted that she "inappropriately" used political affiliations in making hiring decisions. I wish Gonzales - and Bush - were that honest," said Ellison, who recently requested Justice Department documents relating to the issues surrounding the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's office.

However, when Goodling was questioned about former Minnesota U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger, Ellison says "It appears that Heffelfinger was put on the list because he was spending too much time on the Native American Subcommittee. I'm not sure that I believe that Goodling doesn't know more. I suspect his name was put on that list because of the tribal ID issue that sparked the disagreement between Kiffmeyer and Heffelfinger."

Additionally, regarding Goodling's claims that she never communicated with White House officials Karl Rove and Harriet Miers regarding hiring decisions, Ellison remains skeptical: "I don't buy that. On the level, Goodling was candid and of course it's possible, but I just don't buy that one."

CNN Team working up new strategy for Iraq war

The U.S. military is joining forces with the State Department to prepare a new Iraq strategy that includes negotiating cease-fire and power-sharing agreements with some enemy combatants, U.S. officials said Wednesday.

A "joint campaign plan redesign team" is preparing the diplomatic and military strategy for Iraq, which is expected to be approved by the end of the month.

The team laying out the new course for how to proceed in the four-year-old war is led by Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, the officials told CNN.

One element of the plan is to try to identify groups of people -- possibly including Sunni extremists and militia groups -- with whom U.S. officials feel they can do business, such as negotiating power-sharing and cease-fire agreements and granting economic aid, the sources said.

Yahoo Al-Sadr reappears, says U.S. must leave

While the call for a U.S. pullout was nothing new, al-Sadr also peppered his speech with nationalist overtones, criticizing the government for not providing services, appealing to his followers not to fight with Iraqi security forces and reaching out to Sunnis.

"To our Iraqi Sunni brothers, I say that the occupation sows dissension among us and that strength is unity and division is weakness," he said. "I'm ready to cooperate with them in all fields."

Al-Sadr did not address his reasons for returning.

However, during his time in absentia his militia appeared to have split into a faction calling itself the "noble Mahdi Army" and more extremist elements that it accuses of killing innocent Sunnis and embezzling funds. Some members of the more moderate faction were even willing to provide the U.S. military with information on their rivals in an effort to purge the militia.

WaPoSpecial Prosecutor Seeks 30 to 37 Months in Prison for Libby

Libby "showed contempt for the judicial process when he obstructed justice by repeatedly lying under oath about material matters in a serious criminal investigation," Fitzgerald said.

Libby's attorneys have said their client should be pardoned, something top Democrats have warned against.

President Bush has said he is "pretty much going to stay out of" the case, at least until the legal process has run its course.

Yes indeed, you tell them Fitz. Sure we may have wanted 25 years, but three is reasonable considering. As everyone knows, Libby is the poster boy of a white collar criminal. Most likely he prefers white collar crime because it pays a little better and the sentences are lighter. Don't forget his fines, team Fitz.

NYT, don't you believe it...Bush is silently bumping up troop numbers, he will have 200,000 there by Christmas its said, and will claim a draw down-right back to regular presence of 130,000 troops. White House Said to Debate ’08 Cut in Iraq Troops by 50%

But the ideas under discussion, from the National Security Council to the Pentagon, envision reductions beginning well before then. The last time American troop levels in Iraq were anywhere near 100,000 was in January 2004, when they fell briefly to about 108,000.

One of the ideas, officials say, would be to reduce the current 20 American combat brigades to about 10, which would be completed between the spring of 2008 and the end of the year.

Several administration officials said they hoped that if such a reduction were under way in the midst of the presidential campaign, it would shift the debate from whether American forces should be pulled out by a specific deadline — the current argument consuming Washington — to what kind of long-term presence the United States should have in Iraq.

“It stems from a recognition that the current level of forces aren’t sustainable in Iraq, they aren’t sustainable in the region, and they will be increasingly unsustainable here at home,” said one administration official who has taken part in the closed-door discussions.

Quotes of the Day

In the beginning of a change the Patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot.--Mark Twain

The war on Iraq was a disaster, clearly carried out under false pretences. --Joe Wilson

In most communities it is illegal to cry "fire" in a crowded assembly. Should it not be considered serious international misconduct to manufacture a general war scare in an effort to achieve local political aims?--Dwight D. Eisenhower

All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.--Thomas Jefferson

Dubya- King of the FUBAR Providence

Dearest Readers, Prissy has been down, but not out, with an illness typical of primary grade children!

It was a worse week for Bushies... And that former U.S. Attorney James Comey, thinking he needs to go around spreading the truth to anyone who will listen. He really knows how to make the prez mad.

Prissy sure did enjoy his testimony, the "hospital scenario" was straight out of a scene from the Sopranos.

Oh Prissy, what does FUBAR stand for, you may ask? It's an old military cliché for equipment or a situation which is seen as "F*$%ed-Up Beyond All Repair." Dubya may not be familiar with the term just yet...

Hot Links

IHT Iraq's hidden casualties: 13,000 working for contractors

Martin said she waited three weeks for her father's body to be returned home and expressed resentment that dead contractors were treated differently from soldiers who fall in battle.

"If anything happens to the military people, you hear about it right away," she said in a telephone interview. "Flags get lowered, they get their respect. You don't hear anything about the contractors."

Military officials in Washington and Baghdad said that no Pentagon office tracked contractor casualties and that they had no way to confirm or explain the sharp rise in deaths this year.

Major General William Caldwell 4th, the top spokesman for the U.S. military in Iraq, declined through an aide to address the matter. "Contractors are out of our lane, and we don't comment on them," said the aide, Lieutenant Matthew Breedlove.

While Prissy feels for any family suffering a loss, no one ordered contractors to Iraq. Unlike our soldiers, contractors are well compensated for their risk. So no, they can't really complain...if they don't want to keep getting popped off, they should just stop going. Contractors are resented by ALL other "sides" of this war, since they are directly profiting while the others stand by in misery. Notice the Lt.'s clipped phrase.

Army Times White House opposes 3.5 percent pay raise

Bush budget officials said the administration “strongly opposes” both the 3.5 percent raise for 2008 and the follow-on increases, calling extra pay increases “unnecessary.”

MSNBC Report: At least 2 abducted GIs believed alive Gen. Petraeus says U.S. knows who kidnapped three American soldiers

The top U.S. commander in Iraq thinks he knows who kidnapped three U.S. soldiers last weekend and believes that at least two of them are alive, the Army Times newspaper reported.

“We know who that guy is,” Gen. David Petraeus said in an interview posted Saturday on the Army Times Web site.

According to the newspaper, Petraeus said he did not know for certain whether the three 10th Mountain Division soldiers were alive.

“As of this morning, we thought there were at least two that were probably still alive,” he said. “At one point in time there was a sense that one of them might have died, but again we just don’t know.”

You can see how the General has come by his nickname.

Telegraph, more bad news for Dubya Bush gets ready for Iraq U-turn by Brown

Gordon Brown is prepared to risk the future of the "special relationship" with the United States by reversing Tony Blair's support for the Iraq war, President George W Bush has been warned.

He has been briefed by White House officials to expect an announcement on British troop withdrawals from Mr Brown during his first 100 days in power. It would be designed to boost the new prime minister's popularity in the opinion polls.

The President recently discussed with a senior White House adviser how to handle the fallout from the expected loss of Washington's main ally in Iraq, The Sunday Telegraph has learned.

Prissy hopes those neorepublicans clinging to hopes of a Bush rebound, soon allow those fantasies to be laid to rest right now. Wolfiewitz is gone, Generals continue to speak out against Bush-practically fresh from the field and Gonzo is hanging by a thread (or is it threat)...oh my. The house of cards is coming down.

Reuters 6 U.S. soldiers in Baghdad, Dead for Bush Lies

Six U.S. soldiers and an interpreter were killed by a roadside bomb in western Baghdad on Saturday, the U.S. military said in a statement on Sunday.

MSNBC, Prissy warned you about this weeks ago; the corporate media still playing catch up to the blogs. Tainted food exposes Chinese import woes What few contaminated products FDA discovers are often shipped again

Dried apples preserved with a cancer-causing chemical.

Frozen catfish laden with banned antibiotics.

Scallops and sardines coated with putrefying bacteria.

Doesn't look like they will be killing us with kindness anytime soon.

Democracy Now George Monbiot: "If We Don’t Deal with Climate Change We Condemn Hundreds of Millions of People to Death"

Every week seems to bring new warnings on the consequences of rising global temperatures caused by human activity. A new report from the British charity Christian Aid predicts global warming will create up to one billion refugees by the year 2050. The World Health Organization recently said it expects deaths and injuries from climate change to more than double in the next twenty-five years. The yearly death toll linked to weather patterns is forecast to top 300,000 by the year 2030.

The U.N.-sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change declared earlier this year the warming of the earth's climate system is unequivocal and attributable to human activities. The panel has called for humans to make sweeping cuts in greenhouse gas emissions over the next 50 years to keep global warming in check.

The Bush administration's stance is well known. President Bush laid out his opposition to the Kyoto Accords in his first State of the Union address in 2001.

Dubya is convinced global warming is not real, but he does believe we are "winning hearts and minds" in Iraq.

UK Times Decline and fall of the neocons Paul Wolfowitz’s departure from the World Bank signals the end of an ideological era in Washington

Wolfowitz, the cerebral neocon, and Falwell, the braying theocon, had nothing in common personally. Indeed, Falwell blamed “the pagans and the abortionists and the feminists and the gays and the lesbians” for provoking the 9/11 attacks, an explanation uncomfortably close to the views of the Taliban. But the unlikely alliance between their two movements provided the brains and the brawn behind Bush. Now the neocons have been ousted, one by one, from their positions of influence and trust while the Republican party base is desperately thrashing around for a successor to Bush that it can back in 2008.

The cleavage between the two marks the end of an era in which Bible Belt conservatives became the surprise champions of radical nation-building in the Middle East in the hope of crushing terrorism and halting the march of militant Islam. After Bush, such reforming zeal is unlikely to be repeated.

The fall of Wolfowitz is already entering the annals as a morality fable for the Bush administration in which the arrogant, narcissistic former Pentagon official and a handful of his cronies were foisted on an unwilling international institution until it finally found a way to spit them out. By this reckoning, Wolfowitz’s appointment as president of the World Bank in 2005 was an “Up yours” similar to the way the Iraq war was imposed by Bush against the wishes of the international community – with predictably dire results.

According to Juan Cole, a professor of Middle Eastern history at the University of Michigan and a persistent critic of the Iraq war: “Wolfowitz has demonstrated a penchant for cronyism and for smearing and marginalising perceived rivals as tactics for getting his way. Indeed, these tactics are typical of what might be called the neoconservative style.”

The Hill Hoyer to Dems: We’ll stay put until Iraq bill passes

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told Democratic lawmakers on Friday that they would remain in session until they passed legislation to pay for the war in Iraq, according to an announcement that he sent to members.

Republicans have tried to capitalize politically on the absence of a supplemental war spending bill after President Bush vetoed the first version, and Democrats lack the votes to override the veto.

Stupid Steny, not smart enough to run out the clock on Dubya's war hole money...

UPI Japan seeks making patriotism compulsory

A bill was passed Friday by the Diet's Lower House to make teaching patriotism and "love of country" part of compulsory education. If passed, it will be the first time since World War II that Japan will make teaching patriotism part of the national curriculum for all elementary and junior high school students.

McClatchy News- Inside Iraq Just Do It

Yesterday and for the first time, I could spend some time watching TV in my room because I asked my brother to ask the power generator owner to double our share. I used to pay 60 thousands Iraqi Dinars a month (more than 47 $)for six hours of electricity a day.we receive 5 amperes through a cable that we linked to the generator. the 5 amperes are enough only to switch on the refrigerator and an air cooler. If we switch on another instrument, there would be a power failure and we have to call the owner of the generator to re connect us. The generator owner provides us with electricity for 6 hours a day only from 2 pm until 4 pm ( the hottest two hours in Iraq summer)then he switches off the generator until 8 pm when he switch it on for another 4 hours. We have to spend the rest of the day without electricity power because the Iraqi government and the Great US leaders spent the billion on painting the pavements and planting some flowers here and there and of course the big share of money went to the pockets of the security companies which the Iraqi officials and American officials in Iraq depend on. Anyway, Now I have to pay 120 thousands Iraqi Dinars (95 $) because now we buy 10 amperes. Now , I can switch on my room air cooler and the water pump. So yesterday. Myself and my wife and my son celebrated the great day by watching some movies in our room and enjoying the cool air from our cooler.

McClatchy Coast Guard program to upgrade its fleet is taking on water

Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., calls the failed 110-foot conversion program "the poster child" of what's wrong with Deepwater.

"They stopped after ruining eight boats," said Taylor, a former Coast Guard reservist who commanded patrol boats. "What angers me is we have eight ruined boats, $100 million spent and no one is held accountable. No one has been demoted."

The 13-foot section added to lengthen the ships ended up causing the hull to buckle under the stress of rough waters. In addition, whistleblowers alerted congressional investigators that small search-and-rescue boats that the 123-foot vessel carried had radios that were not waterproof - a finding an incredulous Taylor said was "bizarre."

However, the company vigorously defends its performance.

Of course they do-they have already been paid!

Lester Thurow, Professor of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and recent dean of the MIT Sloan School of Business. Harvard Square Library Speak Out Against the New Right-Analysis

President Johnson's refusal to raise taxes to pay for the Vietnam War is legitimately remembered as one of the key factors leading us into our current economic mess. He wanted both the Great Society and the war. But if he were to have both and not wreck the economy, his only option was to raise taxes sharply. He chose not to do so, and he wrecked the economy.

President Reagan wants both dramatic tax cuts to encourage investment and an even more extensive military build-up. But he cannot have both without wrecking the economy further unless he is willing to raise taxes dramatically on private consumption. He has chosen not to do so. If his current program is carried out, he too will wreck the economy.

Military spending is a form of consumption. It does not increase our ability to produce more goods and services in the future. While it may be necessary, it is consumption nonetheless. And as in any private budget, if you allocate more to one form of consumption, you must allocate less to some other form of consumption.

This means equivalent cuts must be made in other forms of consumption. The proposed military increase is so large that it cannot be fully paid for with cuts in civilian expenditures unless the president is willing to abolish major social programs such as Social Security. If he is not willing to do this, taxes must be raised to cut private consumption.

Still using the same play book from Vietnam, more evidence that 'conservatives' lack creativity.

More "uh-oh" for Dubya-The National Journal The Coming Appropriations War

On the other hand, not vetoing an appropriation after the Portman letter guaranteed it would happen will make the president's resolve look weak and raise questions about what he might do for the other bills. This will embolden congressional Democrats and Republicans alike to challenge the White House further on other issues.

The better strategy for the White House would have been not to issue the blanket challenge in the Portman letter so that it had some room to maneuver on a bill-by-bill basis. The administration could have simply complained about the overall level of spending in the budget resolution without taking any responsibility for it because that legislation isn't subject to a veto and it would have been solely Congress' decision. Then, the White House could have evaluated the support for each appropriation bill individually and vetoed only those it was certain of winning.

The Portman letter makes that strategy impossible. It also puts congressional Republicans in a very difficult position by forcing them to choose between supporting the White House and hurting themselves back home.

It's hard to see how those Republicans will side with the White House under these circumstances and, therefore, how the administration's latest budget strategy can succeed.

It's hard to see how Republicans will continue to hold a job-let alone a vote- with the administration's latest "strategy."

Cooperative Research Complete 911 Timeline Sibel Edmonds and Related Scandals

Late 1990s-Early 2001: FBI Investigation Discovers Turkish Nationals Attempting to Bribe Members of Congress

An FBI investigation finds that Turkish nationals are involved in efforts to bribe members of Congress, both Republican and Democrat. Targets of the FBI’s investigation include individuals at Chicago’s Turkish Consulate and the American-Turkish Consulate, as well as members of the American-Turkish Council and the Assembly of Turkish American Associations. Wiretaps obtained by investigators also contain what appears to be references to large scale drug shipments and other crimes. In 1999 some FBI investigators call for the appointment of a special prosecutor to continue the investigation. But after the Bush administration comes to office, higher-ups in the Department of State pressure the bureau to shift the attention of its investigation away from elected politicians and instead focus on appointed officials. [Anti-War (.com), 8/15/2005; Vanity Fair, 9/2005]

April 2001: FBI Translators Point to Explicit Warning from Afghanistan

FBI translators Sibel Edmonds and Behrooz Sarshar will later claim to know of an important warning given to the FBI at this time. In their accounts, a reliable informant on the FBI’s payroll for at least ten years tells two FBI agents that sources in Afghanistan have heard of an al-Qaeda plot to attack the US and Europe in a suicide mission involving airplanes. Al-Qaeda agents, already in place inside the US, are being trained as pilots. By some accounts, the names of prominent US cities are mentioned. A report on the matter is filed with squad supervisor Thomas Frields, but it’s unclear if this warning reaches FBI headquarters or beyond. The two translators will later privately testify to the 9/11 Commission. [WorldNetDaily, 3/24/2004; Salon, 3/26/2004; WorldNetDaily, 4/6/2004; Village Voice, 4/14/2004] Sarshar’s notes of the interview indicate that the informant claimed his information came from Iran, Afghanistan, and Hamburg, Germany (the location of the primary 9/11 al-Qaeda cell). However, anonymous FBI officials will claim the warning was very vague and doubtful. [Chicago Tribune, 7/21/2004] In reference to this warning and apparently others, Edmonds will say, “President Bush said they had no specific information about September 11, and that’s accurate. However, there was specific information about use of airplanes, that an attack was on the way two or three months beforehand, and that several people were already in the country by May of 2001. They should’ve alerted the people to the threat we were facing.” [Salon, 3/26/2004] She will add, “There was general information about the time-frame, about methods to be used but not specifically about how they would be used and about people being in place and who was ordering these sorts of terror attacks. There were other cities that were mentioned. Major cities with skyscrapers.” [Independent, 4/2/2004]

NBC 4 3,000 Campers Flee S. Calif. Wildfire

GORMAN, Calif. (AP) -- A fast-moving wildfire had burned more than 2,500 acres Sunday and chased thousands of people from campsites near Los Padres National Forest, authorities said.

No injuries were reported. The fire was 50 percent surrounded by early Sunday morning, said Los Angeles County fire Capt. Mike Brown.

More than 3,000 people were evacuated from four campsites in the area, Brown said.

The fire was reported at about 2 p.m. Saturday near the Golden State Freeway about 70 miles north of Los Angeles. By early Sunday it had scorched nearly 4 square miles.

The 250 firefighters on the lines were helped by lower nighttime temperatures.

Another reason to keep the National Guard reserves at home.

Asia Times, about that "surge" plan Iraq 'surge' strategy shows weaknesses

WASHINGTON - More than three months into the implementation of President George W Bush's "surge" strategy, skepticism over the likelihood of its success is still running high in Washington.

Except among neo-conservatives, who have been the strategy's most enthusiastic champions, most analysts believe it is doomed to failure in the absence of major moves - of which there have so far been virtually none - by the Shi'ite-led government of Iraqi

And while killings in Baghdad itself may be down compared with late last year, they have been steadily creeping upward over the last two months, according to published reports. Even the super-protected "Green Zone" - the nerve center of US operations and the Iraqi government - has become increasingly insecure.

"In any other embassy, we would have been evacuated," one State Department staffer told McClatchy Newspapers this week. "They are going to wait until 20 people die, then the people back in Washington will say we have a problem."

Calgary Sun Battered Radler winds up testimony at Black tria

CHICAGO -- The Conrad Black trial saw the last of David Radler yesterday as a prosecution witness, with lawyers shaking their heads and saying they'd never before seen such self-immolation of a star witness -- helped, one might add, by defence lawyers who supplied the matches.

Ron Safer got Radler to acknowledge his plea bargain deal of 29 months would normally have been 51 to 71 months, had he not stuck to a 37-page script written by the government for his grand jury appearance which led to the sweetheart deal -- which will be reduced to six months and served in Canada.

Lead prosecutor Eric Sussman in his rebuttal examination tried to undo the damage. He got Radler to reiterate that he was telling the truth and that "I pleaded guilty because I was guilty, and I am guilty." But guilty of one fraud charge, instead of 10.

Personally, I doubt there's anyone following this trial who thinks Radler is capable of not lying. Or even knowing when he lies. He knows all deals are off and he'll go to jail for a long time if he's caught lying in this case. So he resorts to not recall testimony given yesterday, which seems his version of the Fifth Amendment.

The Facts Theories abound for cause of gas costs

“There is a disconnect today,” he said. “All the price of oil does is establish a floor of what the price is going to be in the country. What’s going to tell you the maximum price is going to be the supply of refined product. Supply of the finished product is short, and the price is going up accordingly, and it’s all profit for the refineries.”

Lundberg Survey Inc. cites reductions in refining capacity during the past two weeks as a cause for the tightening of the gasoline market. Refineries have been recuperating from normal turnarounds, repairs from 2005 hurricane damage and foreign merchant events inhibiting export volumes, it says.

Regina Slaydon, public relations director for ConocoPhillips’ Sweeny refinery, could not comment directly about Lundberg’s assessment, but said, “prices are set in the market place by market conditions” and refineries have no say over the price at the pump.

Thank you to the government teacher in Ohio who sent the picture. If only all children were blessed with a government teacher who actually knows what is going on in their government!

Quotes of the Day

One man alone can be pretty dumb sometimes, but for real bona fide stupidity, there ain't nothin' can beat teamwork.-- Edward Abbey

The United States government must not undertake to run the Churches. When an individual, in the Church or out of it, becomes dangerous to the public interest he must be checked.--Abraham Lincoln

The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments.-- Friedrich Nietzsche

Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other religions, may establish with the same ease any particular sect of Christians, in exclusion of all other sects?--James Madison

Ultimately, America's answer to the intolerant man is diversity, the very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired.--Robert F. Kennedy