Today on the Hill, Hillary Clinton accused Donald Rumsfeld of giving optimistic assessments of the War on Terrorism in the past. She then asked why anybody should believe him now. Rumsfeld responded: "I don’t think that’s true. I have never painted a rosy picture. I have been very measured in my words, and you’d have a dickens of a time … Read More
Did The Pentagon Lie About 9/11?
Could be: Some staff members and commissioners of the Sept. 11 panel concluded that the Pentagon’s initial story of how it reacted to the 2001 terrorist attacks may have been part of a deliberate effort to mislead the commission and the public rather than a reflection of the fog of events on that day, according to sources involved in the … Read More
Tabor Logic
Mind-boggling stupid Nathan Tabor is at it again: Google the phrase “Muslim violence,” and more than 29 million entries pop up. Granted, some of these citations represent violence committed against Muslims, but, unfortunately, quite a few represent violence committed in the name of Islam. This makes me wonder: What does Islam really stand for? Only a fool or an idiot … Read More
Update On The Army/Community Theater Question
Background here. TPM Muckraker’s Justin Rood follows up: I posted yesterday about a decorated Army Arabic linguist who was kicked out for being gay. Among other questions posed to him by an Army investigator attempting to confirm his gayness, Sgt. Bleu Copas of the 82nd Airborne Division says he was asked if he was involved in community theater. I called … Read More
What Fred Says
FroM the Slacktivist: It’s been awhile so it seems again it’s time for a helpful reminder that noncombatant immunity isn’t just a good idea, it’s the law. In other words: You’re not allowed to kill civilians. Killing civilians is against the law. Killing civilians makes you a criminal. Yes, but … No buts about it. You’re not allowed to kill … Read More
U.S. Army: “If You’re Involved In Community Theater, You Must Be Gay”
From TPM Muckraker: Here’s a tidbit from an AP article …The story concerns a decorated Army Arabic specialist who was dismissed for being gay: On Dec. 2, investigators formally interviewed Copas and asked if he understood the military’s policy on homosexuals, if he had any close acquaintances who were gay, and if he was involved in community theater. Seriously? Yeah, … Read More
So Are They Gone Or Not?
Rumsfeld on the Taliban in Afghanistan, December 2002: KING: What’s the current situation in Afghanistan? RUMSFELD: It is encouraging. They have elected a government through the Loya Jirga process. The Taliban are gone. The al Qaeda are gone. Bush on the Taliban in Afghanistan, September 2004: "The Taliban are no longer in existance." Rumsfeld, today, when asked about the if … Read More
The Anti-Times Rally
A small rally was staged outside the New York Times office by right-wingers protesting how the NYT leaks secrets and loves al Qaeda and blah blah blah. A very disappointing 150 people showed up. My favorite photo: So, according to this guy, publication of a NC subway map (you know like the one on the MTA website here) assists al … Read More
Policy Shift
Financial Times: The White House confirmed on Tuesday that the Pentagon had decided, in a major policy shift, that all detainees held in US military custody around the world are entitled to protection under the Geneva Conventions. What amazes me is that it was ever a QUESTION to begin with! UPDATE: Spencer Ackerman believes today’s announcement is little more than … Read More
The Swiftboating of Murtha
Great piece on the vile attacks perpetrated against Vietnam veteran and war hero John Murtha. Even if you know the story, it’s a good read.
Conclusive Proof That Military Intelligence Is Stupid
WTF? The Air Force Office of Scientific Research recently began funding a new research area that includes a study of blogs. Blog research may provide information analysts and warfighters with invaluable help in fighting the war on terrorism. Oh, lChrist. I’m moved to respond. Dear Air Force: Are you fucking insane? Have you lost all your marbles? You have incredible … Read More
GWOT Report Card
116 foreign policy experts were asked how Bush is doing on the Global War On Terrorism. The results were weighted to factor out partisan bias. The short answer: we’re going down the wrong track. Full story and results here.
Bin Who?
Just another example of how badly this government is fighting the war on terrorism: NEW YORK (AP) — A CIA unit that had hunted for Osama bin Laden and his top deputies for a decade has been disbanded, according to a published report. Citing unnamed intelligence officials, The New York Times reported Tuesday that the unit, known as "Alec Station," … Read More
China Is The U.S. Role Model
It’s ironic. Conservatives are still clamoring for prosecution and punishment of the New York Times for reporting a story largely known to terrorists — i.e., that we’re following the money trail. They want the NYT to be penalized for bucking the government. And that’s where this story comes in: Chinese media outlets will be fined up to $12,500 each time … Read More
Lookee What I Found…
From the Geneva Convention Commentaries: In short, all the particular cases we have just been considering confirm a general principle which is embodied in all four Geneva Conventions of 1949. Every person in enemy hands must have some status under international law: he is either a prisoner of war and, as such, covered by the Third Convention, a civilian covered … Read More