With the expected recess appointment of John Bolton to the UN, the American people should get used to seeing this picture. Once again, President Bush shows off his screw-you, stay-the-course attitude. Never mind that Bolton is not qualified because of his inherent disdain for the United Nations. Never mind that he isn’t even a diplomat, although he’d argue with that I’m sure.

The former head of the State Department’s in-house intelligence bureau, Carl Ford, has stated Bolton is :

“a quintessential kiss-up, kick-down sort of guy” whose attempt to intimidate a mid-level analyst raises “real questions about his suitability for high office” From USA Today.

He is a bad choice for UN Ambassador. I don’t care how critical he is of the UN and its shortcomings. This is not a good choice for our country when we are trying to mend diplomatic ties with our allies. His presence at the UN will be a disaster. His demeanor is that of a child who doesn’t get his way.

In some ways, a recess appointment of Bolton to the UN by President Bush would show how much like Bolton he really is. Bush will also do whatever it takes to get his way–even if it means giving Congress and the American people the ‘ol one-finger victory salute.

CNN today posted an article on their website that really makes me wonder whether we’re getting the REAL story from Iraq. It seems that after a car-bombing on July 13, the Army released a statement that included the following quote:

“‘The terrorists are attacking the infrastructure, the children and all of Iraq,’ said one Iraqi man who preferred not to be identified. ‘They are enemies of humanity without religion or any sort of ethics. They have attacked my community today and I will now take the fight to the terrorists.’”

On Sunday, following another horrible car-bombing, this quote was released:

“‘The terrorists are attacking the infrastructure, the ISF and all of Iraq. They are enemies of humanity without religion or any sort of ethics. They have attacked my community today and I will now take the fight to the terrorists,’ said one Iraqi man who preferred not to be identified.”

A friend of mine, LSButts, runs a site called Justice E.R. (Justice Emergency Room). Over the past couple of months, he has been posting about Propaganda. One of the things that is interesting about propaganda in wartime is that when you control the message, you control the people’s support for your side. Of course, that is not the case 100% of the time, but it works for the most part.

The Sunday press release about the latest suicide bombing has me shaking my head. While we all know that Iraq, and specifically Baghdad, is a dangerous place, these two seemingly identical news releases call into question whether we are getting the whole story or not. Of course, repeating the same canned quotes from “unidentified” Iraqis would not be needed had the American people been given the straight scoop from their President before invading. In fact, an invasion wouldn’t have been needed at all had Bush and company not been fixing the intelligence around the policy. There wouldn’t be 1800 or so US deaths nor the thousands of wounded troops or Iraqi civilians. But I digress.

As most lefty bloggers know, yesterday was the 3rd anniversary of the release of the first Downing Street Memo. The Downing Street Memos, the scandal being called PlameGate or TreasonGate, and now these two quotes seem to paint a real nice picture that is unforgiving of our President and his advisers. You see, the intelligence WAS being fixed around the policy and anyone who dared to speak the truth (Joe Wilson), was being branded a partisan, lying bastard. These identical quotes are just one more way for the Bush Administration to try and paint a rosy picture that Iraqis are joining together with us to help them create a wonderful democracy over there–as soon as we can kick the “terrorists” out. I just wonder what’s next in their bag of tricks–an Arab Disneyland?

Link to CNN Article

Back on September 29, 2003 President Bush via White House Press Secretary, Scott McClellan stated the following:

The president has set high standards, the highest of standards for people in his administration. He’s made it very clear to people in his administration that he expects them to adhere to the highest standards of conduct. If anyone in this administration was involved in it [the leaking of Plame's identity], they would no longer be in this administration.

Yesterday, July 18th, 2005, President Bush stated:

“I would like this to end as quickly as possible so we know the facts. And if someone committed a crime, they will no longer work in my administration,” Bush said.

So which is it? Will he fire Karl Rove since it is clear that he was involved or will it take an actual crime before he fires him?

I’m just saying…

Unconfirmed Sources reports today the Bob the Builder, of children’s TV fame, has won a government bid for reconstruction of Iraq. Halliburton, who had been the front-runner, was undercut in a last minute bid by Bob the Builder and his crew. Bob’s team promises to have Iraq rebuilt by 7pm.

Full story at Unconfirmed Sources
OK, so it’s an old report. I still found it funny.

…from your humble roots as a Nixon mole. Word over at MyDD is that Karl Rove has had lots of practice with leaks and such. Hell, the Texas Observer article recounts how Karl broke into the Democratic campaign offices of Alan Dixon back in 1970 while Dixon was running Illinois State Treasurer. Suffice it to say that good ole Karl keeps getting promoted with every law he breaks.

See the full post from Frameshop via MyDD :: Frameshop | Nixon All Over Again

Dear Mr. Beckman,

In a recent NY Times article, you stated the following:

“They’re desperately trying to find ways to get public money, because otherwise they’re going out of business,” Mr. Beckman said of stem cell researchers. “Our governor has now been suckered into something that is going to waste taxpayers’ money.”

The reality of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s executive order is a win/win situation for both pro-life and pro-choice advocates. His executive order outlaws the use of embryonic stem cells harvested from aborted fetuses. It also outlaws the cloning of embryos in order to continue this research. Both of these provisions seem to me to be exactly a couple of the things your organization fights for. But your comments completely discount ANY benefit at all from this type of research.

For example, by expanding embryonic stem cell research in a way such as Gov. Blagojevich just did, we, as a country, could see the cure to juvenile diabetes. We could realize the end of the suffering of those with Alzheimer’s and of their families. Those who have suffered permanently-disabling spinal cord injuries could potentially walk again. Unfortunately, from your stance, the only ones deserving a chance at life are the unborn. Unfortunately, your organization’s stance on this issue is that those who have already been born, regardless of what disease or ailment they suffer, must “deal with it”. Nevermind that the worldwide advances in this type of research are showing promise. Nevermind that both of my grandfathers passed away from Alzheimer’s, or that my father suffers from diabetes as well as being a prime candidate for Alzheimer’s disease, or that my brother and I could also eventually die from Alzheimer’s since we are also prime candidates. I guess our lives have little meaning to you or your organization.

I would hope, Mr. Beckman, that you or your family never have to deal with diseases such as these. I would hope that God keeps you and yours completely healthy and disease-free for the remainder of your lives because, if you or a loved one ever experienced any of the diseases that could be cured by expanding this type of research, as I have, you might just change your mind.

The only thing left to say to you and your organization is “Shame on you” for choosing death to those living with these debilitating diseases. And shame on you for choosing the “potential” life of an unborn child over the life of someone already living.

The debate going on over the use of embryonic stem cells for research purposes has been contentious to say the least. Since issuing an executive order allowing for expanded use of embryonic stem cells, Illinois’ Governor, Rod Blagojevich, is under attack by opponents to this research. Gov. Blagojevich is just one more governor to take matters into his own hands when the Federal Government refuses to act. Recently, California has authorized $3 billion over the next 10 years to this type of stem cell research and Connecticut has pledged $100 million over the same time period. But because George Bush has refused to sign ANY bill that increases federal funding to this important research, it is necessary for states to do it themselves.

As some of you know (and now the rest of you do!), Illinois is/was my home state. I grew up there, graduated high school there, joined the Marine Corps there, and got married there. It’s times like these, when an Illinois politician steps up for what is right, that I wish I still lived there. Gov. Blagojevich may be a lot of things but at least he seems to care about trying to find cures for some of the most debilitating diseases that affect not just the elderly, but our nation’s children too.

A brief summary of the executive order issued by Gov. Blagojevich and what it allows are as follows:

…permits research on adult, cord blood and new embryonic stem cell lines, but prohibits research involving human cloning, tissue that was bought or sold for research, and embryos from abortions.(my emphasis)

Anti-abortion activists should be thrilled at this, but I’m sure they won’t be. This type of program is Win/Win in my eyes. I recently had a discussion with my Dad, a staunch pro-life advocate, on this very topic. I told him that what makes this especially hard is the fact that the debate surrounding embryonic stem cell research is NOT one of life or death, but rather one of life or life. It is the difference between destroying never-to-be-used embryos from fertility clinics, and letting one more child or elderly person die because we’ve had the means to possibly cure these diseases such as Alzheimer’s, both juvenile and adult diabetes, permanently disabling spinal cord injuries, and even heart disease. The two main diseases that this type of research is expected to make advances in are Alzheimer’s and diabetes, both of which are very prevalent in my family. My grandfathers, both paternal and maternal, were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. My father, who is in his 60s, is a prime candidate, as are my brother and I. Knowing this, you can see why I advocate highly for this research.

Opponents of this are still using the term “morally-objectionable” to refer to this type of research. I just don’t understand what is so “morally-objectionable” to utilizing these embryos that would normally end up as nothing more than medical waste. Gov. Blagojevich at least made provisions prohibiting the use of embryos from abortions and the cloning of embryos. Those two provisions alone should be enough to satisfy right-wing religious types and their religious objections, but they won’t be.

I would hope, for the health of our society’s sake, that more states across this country introduce legislation that allows for this type of research and gets it passed.

Read the NY Times article –>HERE(registration required)

After Hillary’s comments equating Bush to Alfred E. Neuman because of his “What, me worry?” attitude to just about everything, the right-wingers are obviously “all in a tizzy” over it. I can almost hear the “No Hitlery in 2008!” chants from here. Either way, I find the above pic funny as hell. Don’t you? Scary resemblence, eh?

Hat tip to AntiChimp for the image. Check out his(?) site. I’ve got it listed to the right.

In 1982, Congress passed the Intelligence Identities Protection Act as a response to certain former intelligence operatives who thought it would be fun to “out” their former peers and co-workers. Specifically the efforts of Philip Agee, Lewis Wolf, and others.

Two of Agee’s books revealed over 1,000 names of alleged CIA officers. Wolf was co-editor of the “Covert Action Information Bulletin,” a publication which contained a section entitled “Naming Names.” Wolf claimed to have revealed the names of over 2,000 CIA officers. He also provided addresses, phone numbers, license tag numbers, and colors of the automobiles of some alleged intelligence agents. Such calculated disclosures set the stage for the consideration and passage of the Intelligence Identities Protection Act.

Admittedly, I was a bit young during that time and really don’t know a whole lot about those events. Now, the reason I bring up the Intelligence Identities Protection Act is because of Newsweek’s confirmation that it was Karl Rove who “outed” CIA operative Valerie Plame to the media and the world.

Background

Back in early 2002, Ambassador Joseph Wilson was sent by the CIA to Niger to investigate the claims that Iraq was looking to purchase yellowcake uranium from Niger. This particular type of uranium could have been used in the process to build a nuclear weapon. In February 2002, Ambassador Wilson reported back that the documents were patent forgeries and that Iraq WAS NOT looking to purchase uranium from Niger. What makes this interesting is that President Bush, in his January 2003 State of the Union address, used these obviously forged documents as part of his case for invading Iraq, claiming that Iraq was seeking to build nuclear weapons. Ambassador Wilson published an article in the New York Times in July of 2003 criticizing the President and his Administration’s use of the forged documents about Iraq’s supposed purchase of yellowcake. Within days of his article appearing the the Times, his wife, Valerie Plame Wilson, had her identity leaked as a CIA operative in a Robert Novak column on July 14, 2003, just 8 days after Wilson’s article in the New York Times.

Subsequent questioning of Scott McClellan and the President about who leaked Plame’s identity were rebuffed repeatedly with promises to take the appropriate action against whoever was responsible. Well, now we know who was responsible–Deputy White House Chief of Staff, Karl Rove. The only question remaining is if the Administration will honor its promise.

Why This Is Important

Karl Rove, as the “senior administration official” who leaked Plame’s identity, is in direct violation of the Intelligence Identities Protection Act. The penalties for “blowing the cover” of a cover intelligence operative are as follows:

§ 421. Protection of identities of certain United States undercover intelligence officers, agents, informants, and sources.

(a) Disclosure of information by persons having or having had access to classified information that identifies covert agent

Whoever, having or having had authorized access to classified information that identifies a covert agent, intentionally discloses any information identifying such covert agent to any individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing that the information disclosed so identifies such covert agent and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such covert agent’s
intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined under Title 18 or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

(b) Disclosure of information by persons who learn identify of covert agents as result of having access to classified information

Whoever, as a result of having authorized access to classified information, learns the identity of a covert agent and intentionally discloses any information identifying such covert agent to any individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing that the information disclosed so identifies such covert agent and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such covert agent’s
intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined under Title 18 or imprisoned not more than five years , or both.

(c) Disclosure of information by persons in course of pattern of activities intended to identify and expose covert agents

Whoever, in the course of a pattern of activities intended to identify and expose covert agents and with reason to believe that such activities would impair or impede the foreign intelligence activities of the United States, discloses any information that identifies an individual as a covert agent to any individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing that the information disclosed so identifies such individual and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such individual’s classified intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined under Title 18 or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

(d) Imposition of consecutive sentences

A term of imprisonment imposed under this section shall be consecutive to any other sentence of imprisonment.

Each of these offenses is a felony. Under 18 U.S.C. § 3571, individuals convicted of a felony may be fined the greater of either the amount set forth in the offense statute or an amount not more than $250,000, while the maximum fine for an organization convicted of a felony would be the greater of the amount set forth in the offense statute or an amount of not more than $500,000. This section also provides for an alternative fine based on pecuniary gain or loss. If anyone has derived pecuniary gain from the
offense or if the offense results in pecuniary loss to any person, the defendant may be fined not more than the greater of twice the gross gain or twice the gross loss, unless the imposition of a fine under this subsection would unduly complicate or prolong the sentencing process.

The offenses set forth in 50 U.S.C. §§ 421 (a), (b), and (c) share some elements in common: (1) intentional disclosure of the identity of a covert agent (2) to someone not authorized to receive classified information, (3) knowing that the information disclosed identifies that agent, and (4) knowing further that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal the agent’s intelligence relationship with the United States.

Subsections 421(a) and (b) contemplate offenses where the perpetrator has or has had authorized access to classified information, while subsection 421(c) has no similar requirement. Under 50 U.S.C. § 421(a), an offender must have or have had access to classified information which identifies a covert agent. Under 50 U.S.C. § 421(b), the perpetrator must have learned the identity of a covert agent as a result of having authorized access to classified information. In contrast to these provisions, subsection 421(c) does not require that the perpetrator have or have had authorized access to classified information. Rather, it provides that the perpetrator must disclose the identity of the covert agent (1) in the course of a pattern of activities intended to identify and expose covert agents, and (2) must make the disclosure with reason to believe that his or her activities would impair or impede U.S. foreign intelligence activities. Subsection 426(10) defines a “pattern of activities” as involving “a series of acts with a common purpose or objective.”

Now the Bush Administration, as well as Karl Rove, are trying to spin this that Rove did not believe Plame to be a “covert” operative. However, according to this footnote from the IIPAct, his excuse doesn’t fly:

50 U.S.C. § 426(4) defines “covert agent” to mean:
(A) a present or retired officer or employee of an intelligence agency or a present or retired member of the armed forces assigned to duty with an intelligence agency—
(i) whose identity as such an officer, employee, or member is classified information, and
(ii) who is serving outside the United States or has within the last five years served outside the United States; or
(B) a United States citizen whose intelligence relationship to the United States is classified information, and—
(i) who resides and acts outside the United States as an agent of, or informant or source of operational assistance to, and intelligence agency, or
(ii) who is at the time of the disclosure acting as an agent of, or informant to, the foreign counterintelligence or foreign counterterrorism components of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; or
(C) an individual, other than aUnited States citizen,whose past or present intelligence relationship to the United States is classified information and who is a present or former agent of, or a present or former informant or source of operational assistance to, an intelligence agency.

Bottom Line

The bottom line is that the President and his Administration are willing to do anything to stifle dissent. The Valerie Plame affair outlined above, coupled with the damning evidence of the Downing Street Documents prove that this is true. It proves that the Iraq invasion was pre-planned with no regard at all to the legality of the invasion, to the concerns of other member nations of the UN, nor to the consequences of their illegal actions. Pretty soon, all of this deception and blatant law-breaking is going to catch up to Bush and his “Architect”. Karl Rove needs to fired by Bush and sentenced to the next several years in prison for his role in the Plame scandal. Let’s just hope that US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who heads the investigation, does the right thing and pushes for indictment of Karl Rove.

Major hat tips to the following for background information:
Valerie Plame Wikipedia
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress

Through an email, I just found out about the London blast this afternoon. Since I don’t watch much TV, there was no way for me to know. I, along with the rest of the world, am in mourning for those who lost their lives in the 4 separate blasts that rocked the subways and buses of jolly old England. However, that leads me to question a few things.

I wonder whether those that carried out the bombings got their training in the world’s largest terrorist playground — Iraq.

I wonder whether they foresaw the import of their actions and the effect on the World Media’s coverage of other items of interest. It is kind of interesting (conspiracy theorists, here’s your cue!) that the blasts in London seem to take some of the heat off of both our and their leader from the recent criticism both have received. For at least the next few days, Bush and the rest of his evil minions administration no longer have to worry about Rove’s part in the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame’s identity to the media. For at least the next few days, the DSM is non-existent, the increasing body count in Iraq is irrelevant, potential Supreme Court nominees are on the back burner, and the torture at Guantanamo never happened.

I have heard it put elsewhere that these blasts could have intentionally been set to draw attention away from current events. A “Black-Op” per se. But I don’t buy that. Our government is corrupt by all accounts, both left and right, but I’d still like to think that we don’t play THAT dirty. At least not yet anyway. Just like Osama’s message last October, I think this WAS meant to take the heat off of other newsworthy items and draw attention to the “War on Terror”. I mean when was the last time Al-Qaeda was mentioned? Could it be that they were just jealous they weren’t in the news, but Bush’s plans to invade Iraq well prior to UN Security Council approval were?

I also wonder if somehow the “terrorists behind this plot” might not be found hiding in, say, Syria perhaps? Could they be Iranian perchance? I’m sure they won’t be Saudi, or at least if they are/were we (US & UK) won’t go after them there. There are all kinds of questions that could be asked.

The bottom line is this: we have been creating more terrorists in Iraq than were present BEFORE we invaded. Iraq is nothing more than a training ground for them. Hell, look at their latest tactical game of “Kill the Envoy”. Just today, CNN reported that the Egyptian envoy to Iraq has been killed.

Either way, what happened in London this morning is a tragic event that shouldn’t have happened. (If I wanted to be mean I could point out that at least Blair wasn’t reading My Pet Goat!) The Brits should, by all means, investigate who is responsible and prosecute them to the fullest extent. However, let’s just hope that the British Government and, by extension Our government, doesn’t rush head-long into another war we may not ever win let alone have the troops to wage it.