Replies: 22 Comments

Comment #1: Rusty said on 4/26/06 @ 2:54am ET...

Attacking Iran is the only desperate option left for Bush and the GOP. If Democrats take control of one House of Congress, six obscene years of Bush/GOP crimes, treason, war-profiteering, economic rape, and obstruction of justice will be exposed and the long-term electoral consequences for the Republican Party would be catastrophic.

Democrats in Congress have got to expose this Bushite warmongering for what it is--an act of desperation by a criminal regime facing political annihilation unless it can warmonger and fearmonger enough to survive the next 3 years.

If Pelosi's scathing condemnation of Bush and the GOP today is any indication, Republicans at long last are going to reap what they've sown.

According to Jane Hamsher at firedoglake, one overlooked weapon Democrats can use between now and the midterm elections is to hammer the GOP as the party of war profiteering.

"I’ve been lobbying for the Truman Commission on War Profiteering to be re-convened for a long time. Dick Durbin has been promoting it (with no success, small wonder) but I just don’t see how it’s a losing proposition for the Democrats.

Everyone who is paying even the slightest bit of attention knows that war profiteers are sucking the life out of the Federal budget and ripping off the taxpayers even as soldiers are stripped of medical benefits and denied adequate armor.

It’s the kind of stuff that makes even the most tight-assed social conservative indignant with rage. Plus the Truman Commission has all those "greatest generation" overtones that speak to responsible oversight and good governance.

I think agitating for it now, even if there is no hope of getting it through the GOP stonewall, at the very least makes Bush force his Congressional sycophants go on the record and oppose it. No good way to explain that to your constituents in an election year, really."

Jane Hamsher

War profiteers + Warmongerers + Big Oil = GOP Fascism

Comment #2: Nolip said on 4/26/06 @ 7:22am ET...

BushCo continues to pull the wool over the eyes of Americans (or at least he tries to 9/11 -Iraq- now Iran, ) and now he's hired somebody who will give a whole new meaning to the phrase "Snow Job"!

"WASHINGTON — Tony Snow will be named new White House press secretary on Wednesday morning, FOX News has learned. Snow is expected to be at the White House for the announcement. He has been mulling the offer for the last several days. "

Sources: Tony Snow to Be Named White House Press Secretary

Comment #3: wallen said on 4/26/06 @ 8:44am ET...

Considering what Tony Snow really thinks about his new boss, did they vet this guy at all?

Comment #4: wallen said on 4/26/06 @ 11:34am ET...

Rove is squirming today

Comment #5: clapton said on 4/26/06 @ 11:50am ET...

JC,

Once again, Bush as failed at Senior Management 101: "How to Win Friends & Influence Others".

I agree with sending in the Intelligence folks, but the Special Forces at this time is way-- Premature. I understand, clearly, the role of what the Special Forces can do & should do... in a later time to impede Iran's quest for Nukes.

Let me put it this way that was well scripted-- take it anyway you like,

General:
"He's out there operating without any decent restraint.
Totally beyond the pale of any acceptable human conduct.
And he is still in the field commanding his troops."

Civilian Advisor:
"Terminate with extreme prejudice."

Comment #6: clapton said on 4/26/06 @ 12:23pm ET...

Here's my Cross-Post on this event,

US Rep. Conyers Reports this Morning: US Soldiers Already in Iran?
Folks,

It is time to end one Madman's Regime that is ruining the Commonwealth of the United States, its Friends and Allies, & the Rest of the World... he is Rabid & Foaming at the Mouth.

I don't care where you live on this Planet... I don't care which Ethnic Race you are... I don't care which side of the Fence you Sit On--- this Madman needs to be Stopped with Extreme Prejudice at the hands of the United States Congress NOW!

Send Incoming Demands by Wire, Fax, or Email to The Congress--- Immediately!

Bang all Media sites as well... We need Critical Mass to Occur here.

My Blog & Forum are available as well for your Support & Convictions.

Regards,
M

PS: As for my NSA Friends -- Duck 'N Cover-- U remember the Drill.

Comment #7: Nolip said on 4/26/06 @ 1:42pm ET...

The dominoe affect...first Libby...then Rove and then Cheney...and then Bush, but please before Bush punches the nuclear button aimed at Iran...

"Top White House aide Karl Rove prepared to testify Wednesday for a fifth time before the federal grand jury investigating the leak of a CIA officer's identity, a person familiar with the case said.

Rove consulted with his private lawyers before a scheduled afternoon court appearance and was prepared to answer questions about evidence that emerged since his last grand jury appearance last fall, the person said, speaking only on condition of anonymity because of grand jury secrecy rules."

Rove Back In The Prosecutor's Bull's Eye...

Comment #8: Ohiodem1 said on 4/26/06 @ 2:22pm ET...

Prior to going in to both Afhanistan and Iraq, we had Special Forces boots on the ground. It would not be the least bit unexpected, if the Bush admin was planning on ramping up a case for war with Iran, that we would have these same kinds of boots on the ground in Iran.

The drumbeats are pounding now. The time to insert some brakes on the Bush admin is now. Can Congress do it, or are they so weakened and so cowed that they are completely unable to do their duty?

Comment #9: Truth_in_action said on 4/26/06 @ 2:36pm ET...

Congressman Conyers, are the expenditures for these types of things included in the $75 million additional spending package that Condi Rice asked Congress for to promote democracy in Iran?

This is an interesting excerpt from the Forbes story about the $75 million Condi asked for:

"Rice is expected to tell Senators that the United States is working with non-governmental organizations to develop a support network for "Iranian reformers, political dissidents and human rights activists" while paying for programs that train labor activists and help protect them from the "radical regime" in Tehran." (italicized emphasis mine)

Those people on the ground in Iran sure seem covered by the first part of the sentence above if one broadly interprets the sentence, don't they?

For the full Forbes article dated February 15, 2006, go here.

Of course, it could also be the reason you're seeing an increase in Iran-Contra people who know how to get that "extra funding" that comes in so handy for these expenditures.

Comment #10: Truth_in_action said on 4/26/06 @ 3:26pm ET...

I hear you, OD1, on #8, and second that motion.

Congressman Conyers, I'd hate to see something happen in Iran while we stand on ceremony and plod along on Roberts Rules of Order. Can you sift through your Congressional manuals and put your heads together with some of the other congressmen over at the House and find something that could put the brakes on now, as OD1 says?

I'm going to relate a story that happened when I was very young. I once left my car at someone's house because we were car-pooling to go to a party. I left the party with a different couple who was supposed to drop me back at my car. What I didn't realize was that the person driving me home was dead drunk. I was in the middle of the bench seat between the driver and other passenger. I literally had to put my hands on the steering wheel a number of times to take control of the car away from the driver to keep us from going off the road. No amount of yelling or begging this person could get him to change direction and bring me to my car or stop the car for our safety. Instead, this person in his drunken stupor simply drove me back to their home, where I was relieved to find myself alive. I went to bed in the guest room. In the morning I was driven back to my car and then proceeded to drive myself to my own home. As soon as I crossed the threshold of my front door I burst into tears hysterical at what I had gone through. We literally could have been killed if I hadn't taken control of the car a number of times the night before.

Congressman Conyers, Bush and his Administration are crazy people. They are driving this car. I'm not sitting in the front seat but you and many others are.

Could you please reach over and turn off the ignition and take the keys away from them?

We in the back seats would deeply appreciate it. This is very serious. No joke. We could all wind up very seriously injured or worse. We're begging you...

Comment #11: Truth_in_action said on 4/26/06 @ 4:03pm ET...

Jason Leopold of Truthout.org says that Rove was the subject of a target letter and that was why he met with Fitzgerald and the Grand Jury today. That's not good news for Rove and the Administration, but PLENTY of good news for us! I wonder how truly talented Rove can be that he can split up his personal energies and the time necessary to his case and still focus on winning 2006/2008 elections!

Merry Fitzmas, everyone!!! Rusty, I'm going to bake me a batch of Tequila Cookies!

Comment #12: Ron said on 4/26/06 @ 4:08pm ET...

Listen Folks

nothing but going to the oval office ,and throwing those NUTS into hand cuffs,and straight jackets will get any results.
We all have tried to reason with the brick for brain idiots there.

J C has petitioned his heart out to no avail.
Others have tried,to reason ,but Megalomania is a bad condition to deal with.

This along with the fact that G. Bush has burned out his brain with drugs,and alcohol, compounds the dangerous situation.,

Supported by a staff of intelligent but fascist individuals, completes the picture ,of a "Leader"with no sense for humanity, being controlled by greedy animals!

A man with no scruples,no detectable human emotional feelings,being stroked by a band of shady individuals,could be our end.

Those who can, must stop them NOW, or suffer the consequences!

Comment #13: koryannder said on 4/26/06 @ 4:29pm ET...

Off subject a little bit - do you realize that Rummy is so hurting for soldiers that he's paying mercenaries $600.00 PER DAY!!?? (Blackwater, e.g.) Also, that the companies which recruit these men are sticking Rummy for up to an extra $200.00 per day EACH? If we can't fight a war on our own, it's damn' well time we GOT OUT!!! We cannot afford this sort of thing.

As for troops on the ground in Iran - it seems to be a military axiom these days, if a policy isn't working, apply more of the same. Sort of like, "Hey, you're in a hole! Keep digging!" Or - "You're on the wrong road - drive faster!" Didn't we learn ANYTHING from the disaster that Afghanistan has developed into? "Mujahideen" are on 'your side' only as long as you supply their weapons and give them money. Even then, as the French learned in Morocco, by night they're on the 'other side!' It is absolutely HIGH TIME we got to hell OUT of the Middle East and let those people settle their differences their own way. As for Iran enriching Uranium, there is about one and a half orders of magnitude (i.e., a factor of 15) between "Fuel Element ready" Uranium and "Militarized" ditto. Iran does NOT have the facilities for the latter, and won't for a LONG TIME. Furthermore, there IS NO visible (or invisible) threat to us from Iran, and any actual warlike move on their part, whether against us OR Israel, would give us just cause to PULVERIZE them, AND THEY KNOW IT! They may make a lot of noise, but we are in danger of only a "Synthetic" terror attack from our own sogennant "Leadership." [See Webster G. Tarpley's book "9/11 Synthetic Terror Made in USA" for details on how our knee-jerk reactions to outrage can manipulate us.] Iran is NOT an aggressor nation, but is all but unconquerable when attacked. Remember, after eight years of war against Hussein's Iraq, they were stronger than when Hussein attacked them! Also, if you take a good look at a relief map of Iran, you'll realize that the terrain is worse than Korea! It is NO place for us to attack, and they know it.
Only an outright fool would consider military action on the ground against that geography. Unfortunately, outright fools seem to be in charge here at the moment, and those who COULD do something about it (the Republicans in Congress) are too cowed to act. It may be that they are counting on a combination of war and crooked voting machines to keep them in power; at least I can see no other rationale for the failure of the House to act in a patriotic fashion.

Comment #14: clapton said on 4/26/06 @ 4:50pm ET...

Koryannder #13,

Can you document these Blackwater contracts?... I'd be very interested in having a peek at those ;-)

Yeah right, I saw on C-SPAN one night, the DOD justifing Outsourcing COOKS to the tune of $200k per year because they would be cheaper in the long-term than regular Military. What does that tell ya? Say again?

Outsourcing... when the job is done, you are out of work. So, does that mean that our Troops that are there right now will be handed a Pink Slip when they return home?... 'cause we need to tighten up the Budget in order to pay Vendors like Haliburton & Blackwater?

Give me a Break!

If I could, I was Resurrect LBJ from the Grave and send him over to The Capital Building like Frankenstein and Shake & Break more than a Few Hands!

Most of The Congressman crew with have in there now need a major dose of Big "V" or Smack! --- Grow some Girth & Grit, Gentlemen!

Comment #15: tahoebasha1 said on 4/26/06 @ 5:36pm ET...

#10 - TIA

Good, straight from the heart post.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please see what the Saudi Ambassador said while visting the Council on Foreign Relations here in Chicago.

"Saudi ambassador: U.S. attack on Iran would be 'catastrophic'

By David Greising
Chief business correspondent
Published April 21, 2006

Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the U.S. warned of 'catastrophic' consequences should the American military strike Iran to prevent it from building nuclear weapons and called on the U.S. to build new refineries to help reduce oil prices during a wide-ranging interview in Chicago.

'The consequences of war in our region are going to be catastrophic,' Prince Turki al-Faisal told the Tribune's editorial board. 'Iran is not going to just sit back and accept being bombed. They're going to strike back. . . . '"

Saudi Ambassador Search dgreising (archived article will come up)

and for those who may not have seen it, here is Seymour Hersch's article of The New Yorker on the Iran Plans.

"THE IRAN PLANS
Would President Bush go to war to stop Tehran from getting the bomb?

by SEYMOUR M. HERSH
Issue of 2006-04-17
Posted 2006-04-08

The Bush Administration, while publicly advocating diplomacy in order to stop Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon, has increased clandestine activities inside Iran and intensified planning for a possible major air attack. Current and former American military and intelligence officials said that Air Force planning groups are drawing up lists of targets, and teams of American combat troops have been ordered into Iran, under cover, to collect targeting data and to establish contact with anti-government ethnic-minority groups. . . ."

Iran Plans

Amazing how Bush can warn and threaten other countries against any and all nuclear profliferation, and proceed to threaten the use of nukes for those not obeying his "orders."

We are living in a real, live nightmare.

Comment #16: Ohiodem1 said on 4/26/06 @ 6:06pm ET...

Sometimes I think that maybe I am being a little overwrought in my feelings about what is happening to my country, then I drive across town with my radio on, or read my local newspaper, or simply open my eyes.

There is a multi-tracked propaganda war on to ratchet up the fear level about Iran, a massive campaign to put out the same crap about WMD, but this time it is Iran instead of Iraq.

Condolezza is saying we should use diplomacy on one hand, then issuing unveiled warlike warnings on the other. We are rattling the nuclear saber, planning a well-publicized weapons test intended to simulate a nuclear blast, complete with mushroom cloud, once again with the intent to terrorize both the international community, and at the same time the American people. The weapons test is primarily to scare US!

The Bush Adminstration wants to have a Mushroom Cloud photographed and played for months on the fear mongering press, 15 times an hour, 24/7 to drive home the point that your city may be the location of the next mushroom cloud, and YOU MUST BE PROTECTED!!!!.

You must be protected by the Iranian menace by sending our ships, planes and troops to take out the Iranians nuclear capability before they use it on us. The madmen in charge in Iran want to destroy both Israel and the United States simultaneously.

Once the fear has been ratcheted up to a fever pitch, the politically weakened president will seek a Declaration of War against Iran, that devil.

This my opinion about what is happening folks. It is up to you whether you believe it or not. Iraq was "Fool me once". Is Iran "won't be fooled again"?

Can Congress assert some oversight and prevent the explosive test. I believe it is intended to show a generation of Americans who have never seen a mushroom cloud what one looks like, and then to use it to "Catapult the Propaganda". As the president knows, you have to say it over and over again to make people believe it.

Koryander, you are the nuclear power expert in this forum, do you have any opinion re: the mushroom cloud theory I just proposed?

Comment #17: Truth_in_action said on 4/26/06 @ 7:56pm ET...

Essentially war drums pound madly for Iran, while Bush wants to give India nuclear technology for mangos and go around Congressional oversight on this deal.

There was a heads-up report by Kitty Pilgrim of the Lou Dobbs Tonight show on CNN this evening about the push of the Bush Administration to have Washington slide through the India nuclear technology deal. Unfortunately I can't find anything about her story to link to right now.

There is a method to this mango madness. See Joshua Holland's article on AlterNet dated April 17, 2006 here.

Of particular interest is this sentence from the article:

"The Indian deal would also violate U.S. law, notably the 1954 Atomic Energy Act which precludes U.S. firms from selling nuclear technology to countries that aren't monitored by the IAEA. To the "nonproliferation radicals," domestic law represents dangerous "pre-9/11 thinking," and the administration is now pressuring Congress to rewrite the law to allow the deal to go through or to give them a waiver on it."

That last portion about pressuring Congress was specifically in Kitty Pilgrim's reporting which she mentioned took place in Washington today.

Doesn't that smack somehow of the Dubai deal - slide it on through without real oversight or approval? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

Tahoe, I'll save some cookies for you!

Comment #18: tahoebasha1 said on 4/26/06 @ 9:02pm ET...

#16 - OD1 -- I agree with what you are saying -- it's the same hype -- problem is, since we already have military in Iran investigatively, strikes me we have need to be very concerned about what will happen next with these nut cases, despite the "hype."

#17 - TIA -- thanks, I could sure use some!
~~~~~~~~~~~
I am reposting from an earlier post, because I think it's relevant to Iraq and what we are seeing and hearing now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here are two very disturbing articles of 2003, showing how Iran had self-initiated diplomatic efforts, conceding all but the kitchen sink, but how a "secret cabal" refused all negotiations. This smacks of and has the ear-marks of the same tactics and strategy as used in the Iraq build-up.

"March 30, 2006
America's Botched 2003 Iran Diplomacy: No Talks with Evil People in the "Axis"

What follows is an email sent to me by former State Department Chief of Staff Lawrence Wilkerson.

Col. Wilkerson has given me permission to share publicly:

In fact, in a speech I gave on Iran recently, I stated bluntly that we needed to open a strategic dialogue, we needed to send high-level representation to that dialogue, and only if and when that completely failed should we even be considering 'other options'.

I also outlined for my audience all the times -- some when we had maximum leverage -- that we refused such dialogue over the past four years. The default decision by the cabal -- after it had flummoxed the statutory process -- was achieved: no talks with evil people, particularly those occupying prominent positions in 'the axis'. . . ."

Clemon's Article

"Middle East
Mar 30, 2006

Neo-con cabal blocked 2003 nuclear talks
By Gareth Porter

WASHINGTON - The George W Bush administration failed to enter into negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program in May 2003 because neo-conservatives who advocated destabilization and regime change were able to block any serious diplomatic engagement with Tehran, according to former administration officials.

The same neo-conservative veto power also prevented the administration from adopting any official policy statement on Iran, those same officials said. . . ."

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HC30Ak01.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Where are the straight-jackets? Who's going to go after these psychos? WHO?

Comment #19: Truth_in_action said on 4/26/06 @ 10:28pm ET...

Breaking news on Anderson Cooper's 360 show on CNN:

A senate panel recommends abolishing FEMA!

WOOO - this is truely something.

Gee, who would oversee Marshal Law if FEMA were abolished? Would it be the new secret police in the Patriot Act? Hummmm, I wonder.....

Comment #20: hpcharlie said on 4/27/06 @ 5:30am ET...

Dear Congressman Conyers,

I know that a Congressman has already put "W" on notice about violating the War Powers Act if he attacks Iran without Congressional approval.

At this point, the U.S. Congress (House and Senate) "will be held accountable by the U.S. Constituents" if Congress fails to Stop "W"...I suggest you make this Very Clear to all Congressional Members and Senators!

Charlie C.
Dallas TX

Comment #21: koryannder said on 4/27/06 @ 9:33am ET...

Clapton #14 No "Documentation per se, but I think the info is pretty good - I was referring to the article"Blood is thicker than Blackwater" by Jeremy Scahill on pp 11-18 0f the May 8 edition of The Nation. I quote from the last paragraph on p.12 "According to former Blackwater officials, Blackwater, Regency, and ESS were engaged in a classic war-profiteering scheme. Blackwater was paying its men $600.00 a day but billing Regency $815.00, according to the Raleigh News and observer.(emphasis added)

As to the 0.7 kiloton TNT explosion in the Nevada desert, while it would make an impressive plume, and scatter fallout for quite a distance downwind, and while it may be excellent theatre, it will be of real value only to DuPont, Hercules, or whoever is producing the explosives. As a data source, it would be very limited, because, as nukes go, it is rather a trifle. I cannot help but think that it is designed to impress Iranians, and as such, would be a dismal failure. The problem with the current Administration, as with most western Administrations, is that they simply cannot believe the twin characteristics of middle eastern thought coupled with Islamic belief, and so can lead themselves into incredible contretemps. I refer to the attitudes "Never forgive! Never forget!" and "Human life is valueless." AND "Everything that happens is as Allah wills it!" It is totally impossible to defeat that combination, and the sooner our jerks in power recognize that, the sooner we'll get out of the morass they have gotten us into. Believers in the Islamic creed will fight to the very last Iraqi or Iranian, and consider that God willed it thus. They will NOT accept defeat. The only sane thing we can do is pull out, before their irregular troops arrive here. So there.

Comment #22: clapton said on 4/28/06 @ 8:01am ET...

koryannder #21,

Thanks for the update & documentation. I saw the CNN piece on the TNT Blast... I am less concerned now.

Regards,
M

PS: Look forward to my New Post on America First! regarding Immigration & The China Grab at http://americafirst2004.blogspot.com .