November 01, 2005
Would Someone Get Reid Some Smelling Salts?
These people crack me up.
I don't know. The Democrats may have some power behind them. The old Defence establishment is pretty pissed. Scowcroft's remarks last week were hardball.
I've never seen a situation where so many retird generals have publicly criticized policy. It isn't just Zinni anymore. Like the CIA or not the new DCI's politically correct Republican cadre is doing the same kind of job the Heritage Foundation did to Iraq.
http://www.amconmag.com/2005/2005_10_24/cover.html
And this article seems to be the first in a series of body blows "The American Conservative" is making. I don't like Buchanon, but there is no question that a number of people with ties to the "community" are associated with his magazine.
Larry Johnson has some bones to pick, but he does still have connections into te company. This assessment of the CIA versus the administration has been between the lines and fairly open for years.
http://noquarter.typepad.com/my_weblog/2005/11/cheney_vs_the_c.html
It's no secrret that similar dissartisfactions exist in the army and elsewhere. The phrase "drink the koolaid" does not indicate delight.
A lot of us are very worried that this administration has handed Iraq to Iran. And left an area of Sunni/Shiite conflict that will aggravate the middle east for years. Unfortunatly this includes countries we depend on such as Saudi Arabia.
A lot of people are mad.
As Colonel Lang says Reid may be playing games (though it's the Republicans that tore down the ld cordiality rulles) but what he is doing is right and he might be sincere.
http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semper_tyrannis/2005/11/the_ssci_and_ph.html
The simple rule is do not ignore the generals when you go to war. We currently have 160,000 troops and 30,000 mercenaries over there. This is close to the estimate that got a chairman of the joint chief of staff mocked and turned into a lame duck.
Many of the hard core neoconservatives are turning on the administration saying it's their incmpetence that got us into this mess. But they of course were responsible for ignoring all serious planning:
http://www.epic-usa.org/Default.aspx?tabid=185
The administration used weapons of mass destruction as the legal justification to go war. The New Republic and other liberal hawks watrned them not to. From the beginning there have been claims of distortion of the intelligence process and now it sems that the famous dirty tricks were used to support "evidence."
But people do remember, people know that Rove encouraged runors that John McCain was a North Vietnamese collaborator to knock him out of the primaries. A long list of dissatisfactions have grown, many involved have long memories and know how to take blood.
And there is a bitterness at an administration that ignored warning signs and alleged "patriots" who shouted down calls for reform with Panglassian views. We needed those extra troops some years ago so they could do things like seal ammo dumps used to provide the explosives for bobby traps. And when it is called to the Sec Def attention that vehicle armor is lacking it was easy enough to see that this was true, to see that the factory that made the stuff for hummers had plenty of production capacity left and that even better vehicles were availible in modest numbers. Instead the story was "debunked" by claiming it was planted.
Rush and those who enaged in this game have some American lives on their conscience, if they indeed had a conscience.
We are in a mess and unlike Vietnam it is right dab smack in the center of our national interests. Hagel said about 3 months ago that we had 3 months to turn this around and we haven't. So any house cleaning is IMO good.
My take on the kerfuffle (short version).
All of us would like an objective, non-partisan look into how the administration handled the intelligence in making the case for its policy leading up to the war.
The SSCI did promise such a review as part 2 of its look at the runup to the war. in fact, the first part, the look at the intelligence, is a marvel of bipartisanism, every word in the body consisting of statements agreed to by every person on the committee. this long document is must reading for everyonbe who claims an interest in the good of America. We here have already plowed through it, i'm sure.
For the second part, the lofty results of the first part may be much too high to achieve. While the revelations on the failures of intelligence regarding Iraq are frightening and sickening, they involve little of political consequent. In the second part, every statement will be political, making consensus probably unachievable, even when the evidence is clear.
This in itself may explain the slow start, although Roberts outlined some other causes.
Still, Frist called this a slap in the face.
Sometimes a slap in the face is needed. perhaps this little focus will have some good effect.
In the meantime, there is no need for any of us to refrain from trying to identify Bush policy justifications that were "twistings" of the intelligence, or which misled about it, or were out and out lies. it is simple. Take any sttement that you suspect, and look for corresponding intelligence in the SSCI report.
I have been looking for such things in the SSCI report for a year now. I have not found an example where, say, the intelligence says 'X,' while, at the same time, and knowing of the intelligence, said 'not-X.'
So, as i always do when on a board like this, I ask that anyone who finds such an example please tell me about it.
I consider Colonel Wilkerson, an honorable man.
--------------------------------------------
"The case that I saw for four-plus years was a case I have never seen in my studies of aberrations, bastardizations, perturbations, changes to the national-security decision making process," Lawrence Wilkerson, Powell's former chief of staff and longtime confidant, said in a speech last week. "What I saw was a cabal between the vice president of the United States, Richard Cheney, and the secretary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld, on critical issues that made decisions that the bureaucracy did not know were being made."
Wilkerson added that when decisions were presented to the bureaucracy, "it was presented in such a disjointed, incredible way that the bureaucracy often didn't know what it was doing as it moved to carry them out."
----------------------------------------------
After remarks like these *finishing* the investigation that we were promised and exploring administration involvement in the intelligence distortions is justified.
I expect the s.ime machine will soon start on Colonel Wilkerson, but it may not work this time. His remarks alone are a call to *finish* the second part of the investigation we were promised.
----------------------------------------------
"The case that I saw for four-plus years was a case I have never seen in my studies of aberrations, bastardizations, perturbations, changes to the national-security decision making process," Lawrence Wilkerson, Powell's former chief of staff and longtime confidant, said in a speech last week. "What I saw was a cabal between the vice president of the United States, Richard Cheney, and the secretary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld, on critical issues that made decisions that the bureaucracy did not know were being made."
Wilkerson added that when decisions were presented to the bureaucracy, "it was presented in such a disjointed, incredible way that the bureaucracy often didn't know what it was doing as it moved to carry them out."
--------------------------------------------
Republicans really need to start understanding the meaning of "responsibility." It is to this nation not partisan games.
And the whine that Democrats are not playing fair is pure absurdity, the Republican majority has dramatically reduced many of the courtesies once offered to the minority party.
Given that the majority quite sensibly want a mixed party government this might be a foolish choice. Suppose the Republicans become a minority in Congress and the Democrats start turning offf microphones when they try to speak at hearings?
Only a hypocrite could be outraged.
Sorry about the double quote, the server indicated the first failed to post.
Talk about hubris, Cheney has replaced Libby with a guy who recieved the forged intel from the INC. On top of this there are the rumoras that Chalabi is and possibly always was primarily an Iranian agent.
http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/13046078.htm
I think we are seeing the arrogance that comes before a fall.
Anyway this is my last post. Anyone who states that if you want a promised investigation you have the vapors doesn't have my respect.
The difference between this system and a tyranny is that we dare examine our leaders. To put them above the law is a sign of decadence.
It's not my kind of conservatism.
My issue was the high drama, and insisting that this be discussed behind closed doors.
I understand that you blog to a specific audience, LMA, but come on! Reid's presentation and request for closed session were not only reasonable and well spoken, but respectful to his fellow lawmakers as well. Perhaps the smelling salts should go to Bill Frist whose performance afterwards bordered on hysteria.
Okay--I'll try to watch some clips of what was said, since I don't want enough TV and tend to over-rely on print accounts.
I'm aware that the administration is at war with the CIA, and with certain elements within the defense community. But since both are badly in need of reform, I'm not convinced it's a bad thing.
But I'll certainly review Reid's reasoning for the closed session.
I hope no one missed the irony of Reid complaining that the bushies were hiding things from "the people," and then calling a secret session of the Senate. So secret that Barbara Boxer said last night that if she metionerd anythijng that was said, or even who talked to whom, she could be expelled from the Senate!
Wilkrson may qwell be an honest man, but his comments quoted above, and widely quoted elsewhere are just silly. One would have to have a certain prejudice not to see that.
He seems to have the notion that the administration should be working for the entrenched bureaucracy, not the other way around, ad that an administration has some duty to that bureaucracy. It does not.
However, this view is quite porevelant in bureaucracies, including ones I've been in. Those in the bureaucracy see themselves as the professionals, and the elicted officials and those they appoihnt as amateurs who would be better off leaving the bureaucracy to run things.
"Let the issues be the issue.
About Joy W. McCann: I've been interviewed for Le Monde and mentioned on Fox News. I once did a segment for CNN on "Women and Guns," and this blog is periodically featured on the New York Times' blog list. My writing here has been quoted in California Lawyer. I've appeared on The Glenn and Helen Show. Oh—and Tammy Bruce once bought me breakfast.
My writing has appeared in The Noise, Handguns, Sports Afield, The American Spectator, and (it's a long story) L.A. Parent. This is my main blog, though I'm also an alumnus of Dean's World, and I help out on the weekends at Right Wing News.
My political philosophy is quite simple: I'm a classical liberal. In our Orwellian times, that makes me a conservative, though one of a decidedly libertarian bent.
An American Carol rawks!
Main AAC site (Warning: sound-enabled;
trailer starts automatically.)
Buy Blogads from the
Conservative
Network here.
This is one of the last pix
we took before we left
the house in La Caņada.
I think it's very flattering
to Bathsheba the .357.
"The women of this country learned long ago,
those without swords can still die upon them.
I fear neither death nor pain." —Eowyn, Tolkien's
Lord of the Rings
Free Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani!
See Jane Novak's "Yemeni Watch" blog,
Armies of Liberation.
Free journalists and dissident bloggers, worldwide!
Some of My Homegirls— ERROR: http://rpc.blogrolling.com/display_raw.php?r=59e4b55f70f50de810150859b200a635 is currently inaccessible
ENERGY RESOURCES:
• API (Information on Oil and Natural Gas)
• Natural Gas
• The California
Energy Blog
• The Alternative Energy Blog
(Solar, Wind, Geothermal, etc.)
• The Energy Revolution Blog
• Gas 2.0 Blog
• Popular Mechanics'
"Drive Green"
MOVIES & TELEVISION:
Criticism—
• Libertas
(now on hiatus, but they'll be back!) • Pajiba
Real Indie Productions—
• Indoctrinate U
(Evan Coyne Maloney)
• Mine Your Own Business
(Phelim McAleer)
• Expelled: No
Intelligence Allowed
(Ben Stein, Logan Craft,
Walt Ruloff, and John
Sullivan)
Real Indie Production
and Distibution
Companies—
• Moving Picture Institute
THE SAGA OF LIFE IN
THE R.H. HYMERS, JR., CULT:
• First Installment: The Basic Story
• Hymers' History of Violence
• How Fun Is It To
Be Recruited Into Hymer's
Offbeat Church? Not Very. • How I Lost My Virginity
THE LITTLE MISS
ATTILA SAMPLER:
On Food:
• Dreadful Breakfast Cookies
On Men and Women:
• It's Rape If
You Don't Send
Me Money
• Women Talk Too Much;
I'll Date Dolphins
• Heterosexual
Men Are Kinky
• Hot Cars,
Hot Girls
On Animation:
• Freakazoid!
—the Commentary
• Freakazoid!
DVD
On Religion:
• Athiests and
Christians Talking
To Each Other
TESTIMONIALS:
"Good grammar, and better gin."
—CalTech Girl
"I enjoy Little Miss Attila's essays."
—Venomous Kate
"Joy is good at catching flies with honey."
—Beth C
"Your position is ludicrous, and worthy of ridicule."
—Ace of Spades
"Sexy."
—RightGirl
"Old-school."
—Suburban Blight
HAWT LYNX:
Teh Funny—
• Dave Burge
Interesting News Items
Civics Lessons—
Taranto on How a Bill Becomes Law
Editorial Resources—
• Better Editor
• Web on the Web
• Me me me me me! (miss.attila --AT-- gmail --dot-- com)
Cigars—
• Cigar Jack
Science—
• David Linden/
The Accidental Mind
• Cognitive Daily
Rive Gauche—
• Hip Nerd's Blog
• K's Quest
• Mr. Mahatma
• Talk About America
• Hill Buzz
• Hire Heels
• Logistics Monster
• No Quarter
Food & Booze—
• Just One Plate (L.A.)
• Food Goat
• A Full Belly
• Salt Shaker
• Serious Eats
• Slashfood
Travel—
• Things You Should Do
(In the West)
• Just One Plate (L.A.)
Cars—
• • Jalopnik
The Truth About Cars
SoCal News—
• Foothill Cities
Oh, Canada—
• Five Feet of Fury
• Girl on the Right
• Small Dead Animals
• Jaime Weinman
Audio—
• Mary McCann,
The Bone Mama
(formerly in Phoenix, AZ;
now in Seattle, WA;
eclectic music)
• Mike Church,
King Dude
(right-wing talk)
• Jim Ladd
(Los Angeles;
Bitchin' Music
and Unfortunate
Left-Wing Fiddle-Faddle)
• The Bernsteins
(Amazing composers
for all your
scoring needs.
Heh. I said,
"scoring needs.")
Iran, from an Islamic Point of View
and written in beautiful English—
• Shahrzaad
Money—
• Blogging Away Debt
• Debt Kid
• Debtors Anonymous
World Services
• The Tightwad Gazette
Sex—
• Gentleman Pornographer
More o' Dat
Pop Culture—
• Danny Barer
(Animation News) • Something Old,
Nothing New
(And yet more
Animation News)
• Sam Plenty
(Cool New
Animation Site!)
• The Bernsteins
(Wait. Did I mention
the Bernsteins
already? They're
legendary.)
Guns & Self-Defense— • Paxton Quigley, the Pioneer •TFS Magnum (Zendo Deb) •Massad Ayoob's Blog
THE BLOGOSPHERE ACCORDING TO
ATTILA GIRL:
The American Mind
Aces, Flopping
Ace of Spades
Argghhh!!!
Armies of Liberation
Asymmetrical Information
Atlas Shrugs
Attila of Pillage Idiot
Beautiful Atrocities
The Belmont Club
The Bitch Girls
Bolus
Books, Bikes, and Boomsticks
The Common Virtue
Da Goddess
Danz Family
Dean's World
Desert Cat/a>
Digger's Realm
Cam Edwards
Eleven Day Empire (James DiBenedetto)
Flopping Aces
Froggy Ruminations
Gay Orbit
Gregory!
Jeff Goldstein
Mary Katherine Ham
At the D.C. Examiner Hugh Hewitt
Hi. I'm Black.
Iberian Notes
IMA0
Iowahawk
The Irish Lass
In DC Journal
Infinite Monkeys
Instapundit
Intel Dump
Trey Jackson (videoblogging)
James Joyner
James Lileks
Rachel Lucas
Men's News Daily
Michelle Malkin
Nice Deb
No Watermelons Allowed
North American Patriot
On Tap
On the Fritz
On the Third Hand
Outside the Beltway
Oxblog
Peoria Pundit
Photon Courier
Power Line
The Protocols of
the Yuppies of Zion
Protein Wisdom
The Queen of All Evil
Questions and Observations
RightGirl
Right Wing News
Scrappleface
Donald Sensing
Rusty Shackleford
The Shape of Days
Sharp as a Marble
Sheila A-Stray
Laurence Simon
Six Meat Buffet
Spades, Ace of
Suburban Blight
TFS Magnum
This Blog is Full of Crap
Triticale
The Truth Laid Bear
Venomous Kate
VodkaPundit
The Volokh Conspiracy
Where is Raed?
Wizbang
Write Enough
You Big Mouth, You!
Support our troops; read the Milblogs!
LinkGrotto |
Support a Blogger at the LinkGrotto.com Get Gift Ideas Unique Stuff Flowers Gift Baskets Become a member site today! |