9/11 (Oops, I mean: <em>Iraq</em>) <em>Progress Report</em>
By John Amato Wednesday Aug 22, 2007 12:01pm
(Guest Blogged by Michael Shaw, BAGnewsNotes.com)
Call it a classic test of scheduling -- and spine -- for our Congressional leadership.
Buried in Tuesday's NYT article in which Carl Levin and John Warner jointly blamed President Maliki for our screw up Iraq, the following nugget appeared regarding the potential schedule for BushCo.'s progress report/sales pitch for perpetuating the Iraq campaign. The line in question reads: A White House spokesman said Monday that the Capitol Hill testimony could be expected on Sept. 11 or 12.
Eleventh OR twelfth, huh?
If, among all its layers of meaning, Art Spiegelman's haunting New Yorker cover from September 24, 2001 could be seen to suggested the number 11, would the Democrats actually be so submissively lame as to actually allow BushCo. to start hearings on that particular date?
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FIRST!
Yes they will.....
If the report comes out on the 11th, it will be the ultimate insult to the 9-11 families. It will also be the ultimate disgrace of tying that awful day to the war in Iraq.
Can't we all just get along
-Larry King
I hope Mr.Warner and Mr.Lenvin relize soon that Maliki is not the only one that is failing over there. As if we are to assume their puppet Maliki has any athority over there anyways. How can one hope to create a stable government in a strange land when there's a war going on outside your office window?
But 9/11 changed everything - Including how and when we exploit national tragedies.
In Defense Of The Pre-9/11 Mindset
Maliki is telling us that we can go home anytime as Bush tells us that we have to stay in Iraq because it is another Vietnam.
The neocons are backing into a corner. They become dangerous when they feel they have no escape. I fear for what we'll learn on Sept 11.
"...would the Democrats actually be so submissively..."
You are kidding right?
ReedMan @ 4:
I think you mean Rodney King. Larry King said, "Can you hear me, Pittsburgh?"
The bombing of Iran will probably commence in the wee hours of 9/11.
Yes they will, because in case you haven't noticed; The Democrats really aren't much of an opposition party.
Who has to sign georgie's report. If it's below all D's does he get a licking?
And not Lewinskilicking?
And the sheep shall bleet...
"...would the Democrats actually be so submissively lame ...?"
This is a rhetorical question, right?
Shame on them.
Shame on the ones who capitalize on the tragedy of September 11, and double shame on those who allow it.
Mark @ News Corpse @ 8:
I thought Larry King said "I'm listening"?.......no wait, that was Dr. Fraiser Crane, nevermind.
POLITICIANS know no shame!
Odd.
The calendar tells me that it's the year 2007, but it feels more like 1984.
Armageddon: It's not just for religious fanatics anymore.
I think they're trying to distract us from the fact that September 11 is threatening to go down in history as Where the Fuck is Bin Laden Day.
A few more anniversaries like this, and it's a done deal.
Just another lame effort to conflate the two issues.
Oh wait...they are linked. Both events were immoral illegal acts perpetrated by Republican and Democratic Neocons.
Twin Towers on 9/11. Coincidence that the two towers resemble the number? Subliminal messages everytime the number 11 appears on a magazine cover? Coincidence?
First, this Administration operates under classic marketing ploys. Second, black ops is very well versed in human psychology and manipulation.
Conspiracy theory? Naaah. I'm just makin a point, stating facts and asking questions.
of coooooooourse!
The democrats will bluster and stomp their feet, threatening another letter or a letter combined with holding their breath while they watch this administration do whatever the hell it wants, again.
Can someone please remind me what the point of having a congress is these days (besides rewriting laws for the benefit of the Big Daddy War Buck crew and sneaking huge earmarks into legislation for cronies and corporations)?
Why should we vote the perpetual "Feinting Goat DINOcrats" into office when we already have the fine and upstanding criminal republicans running the show? If the dems as a whole roll over at every challenge, what good are they? Who needs them? The only people who benefit from their presence is the republican party.
When the choice at the polls is between criminal republicans or myopic chickenshit dems, while voting using hackable, paperless electronic voting machines, we might as well not even vote.
Once again the criminal republicans will "win", the middle class will "lose" ( and foot the bills) and the chickenshit democrats will once again do nothing of substance.
If we choose to vote, we need to vote out incumbents at every election and pray that there is an honest person tallying the numbers.
Is it tea party time yet?
Please, did you really not get this was going to happen? The Sept 15th date has been around for 6 months. I guessed that is why they wanted Sept. 15th to begin with. "Leak the report at 10 PM Sept 11th. Let the press run with it on 9/11 and 9/12. Spin, Spin, Spin and abracadabra.... When the hearings start on the 15th, everyone will be already polarized and ready to make each other look more patriotic than the other.
Reinforcing the vision of Democrats as weak doesn't help. Tell Kucinich he is weak. Tell Pelosi. Tell Reid. The Democrats are doing their best to be reasonable in a playing field that has been made entirely unreasonable.
It doesn't mater anyway. Most of the country has given up on Bush and his war. People will see Bush's hypocrisy and political manuevering. The best the Dems can do is point it out and ask a shitload of hard questions.
Why is the Executive Branch dictating the Congressional agenda: "White House spokesman said Monday that the Capitol Hill testimony could be expected on Sept. 11 or 12."
We should be hearing this first from Congress; what's the point of having checks and balances when the Congress is going to permit itself to be used as a political stage for the President.
The Dems won't put up meaningful opposition, even if it would save millions of lives.
And their inaction very well could end up costing millions of lives.
Already, their inaction has allowed hundreds of thousands of Iraqis to be killed.
As long as impeachment is off the table more will have to die. On Sept 11th, we may well be bombing Iran, and millions of innocent people there will die, so that the Dems can preen.
How can a real human being refuse to take a few simply steps to try to stop the slaughter of millions of people? How can they stand by and assist Bush in slaughtering millions of innocent people, by refusing to even try to stop him?
I believe that the Dems plan is to wait and let the Repugs decide to end the war on their own. How many millions will have to die as part of this strategy? How many thousands of children will be cooked alive in their own skin by our phosgene rain?
Has Nancy even thought about how many human beings she is willing to sacrifice as she weighs the consequences of various plans? The neocons have proved that they are will to slaughter many millions of human beings in exchange for pockets full of cash. What is Nancy's motivation?
And yes, I've heard the tired arguments that it is better to do nothing, than to try and possibly fail. But how many here would at least try to rescue a screaming child from the clutches of a wild animal, even if they knew they might not succeed? Who could say they would not try, because the beast appears too dangerous to fight?
CaptJasHook @ 23:
they can write letters too! Maybe Condi will even read one aloud to Bush as they cuddle under the sheets?
I'm done with the bleak, despairing overly hyperbolic "chickenshit dems" crowd.
You Dem bashers haven't really been paying attention. There has been a lot of progress. Imagine what life would be like today if the Repugs had maintained their hold of Congress. We would be in Iran by now and readying a brigade for Syria.
Admit it. BushCO has done a magnificent job in creating this situation. They have positioned America into becoming a Fascist Imperial nation. You think that is going to change in a year? With the Executive branch resisting every step?
Stop whining.
If I were part of the Rove propaganda machine. I would undermine the Dems by placing whiners and Dem bashers on every blog to undermine Progressive and Liberal morale.
I would create dissent among the dissenters.
Divide and conquer.
Who are you whiners working for?
Pelosi and Reid are weak leaders.
Hell they their names don't even deserve to be in the same sentences as leader.
Another consideration about the 9/11 or 9/12 dates is that both Ramadan and Rosh Hashanah begin on Sept 12th.
There have been hearings, but zero progress.
The Dems have been rubber stamping everything. They cave to Bush on everything of substance.
Bush wants a pardon on his FISA crimes, the Dems gladly gave him one, and gave him permission to keep on crapping on the US Constitution.
Name one meaningful piece of legislation that has prevented Bush from doing something.
its a done deal.....
ask steny hoyer.....
Rep. Steny Hoyer
1705 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone - (202) 225-4131
Fax - (202) 225-4300
E-mail Congressman Hoyer
hes majority leader and controls floor schedule.
CaptJasHook @ 23:
You almost have it right, Capt. But it now looks like their strategy is to have Petraeus (or other military mouthpiece) speak on the symbolic date without actually disclosing the report until four days later. After all, why let Congress read the document before they question Gen. Petraeus? That would just give them time to ask meaningful questions and nobody wants that.
Harley @ 29:
DING DING DING DING!! Harley wins the "hit the nail on the head" award today.
Rule 1 of American Politics - Policy doesn't matter. Incumbency does.
Weaseldog @ 9:
Well, let's see here....Bombing Iran, to throw Bush's analogy of Vietnam/Iraq, would be the same as Us going into Cambodia,
In which case mr. bush, was the real reason for the Killings Fields. but you'd have to have some knowledge of History to know that.
Congress and the American Public need to make a stand against the Emperor of the asylum. (King of the Crazies)
CaptJasHook @ 28:
Ahh, you're a Republican troll. That is a perfect neocon argument.
It's along the lines of, if you don't like America burning babies alive, why don't you move to France or something?
Yes, it is all my fault that Nancy won't step up to the plate. Right.
CaptJasHook @ 27:
the Democrats were sure singing a diffrent tune in nov 06'.
wasnt any mention of what they WOULDNT bea able to accomplish.
Plenty of empty promises though.
Weaseldog @ 31:
The expension of the illegal wire tap bill was the last straw for me. Bush comes out on Friday morning. I want it within 48 hours. The democrates ran like roachs to get their master's wish done.
If booshco write the Iraq Progress Report on their computer they can claim Clinton's pussy ate their mouse.
we will prevail poorly in this re-edit of Gulf War II aka Dubya Dubya II
38 Harley Says:
The expension of the illegal wire tap bill was the last straw for me. Bush comes out on Friday morning...
boosh is gay? Man he'll say anything to protect his legacy.
Harley @ 29:
Yeah. and what leadership have you shown today, Harley?
I went and talked to my congressman, Earl "the Pearl" Blumenaur Tuesday. He looked like old and tired. This from a guy who rides his bike everywhere he can, is a leader in the green movement and one of the harder working men on the planet. Those people are working their asses off to try and prevent more crap from the Bush. Sure, they have their failures. But if you look at the overwhelming amount of legislation that is going through to return us to a more democratic-socialist nation... a more progressive nation... If you would look at the positives, maybe you would give a begrudging salute to Congress.
ReedMan @ 4:
YES! It is OUR fault the government is failing! Because we invaded the place, tore up the infrastructure, and created the laboratory conditions for sectarian violence and Al Qaeda recruitment. I wonder why Sen. Levin doesn't get this. Considering he didn't vote to authorize this war, you'd think he'd have a clue.
Baghdad now has only 1 hour of electricity a day! There is no central leadership because it cannot exist in such an environment!
Levin would do well to blame Bush and his architects instead of the admin's hand-picked PM. They will take care of Maliki soon enough, anyway. I am thoroughly disgusted with Levin and Dems like him who are now trying to paint this war as "winnable." WHAT IS THE PRIZE, GUYS??
Oh, and that was Rodney King.
Mountains of legislation to return our rights?
I think it is much simpler than that. There is a document that already outlines this. It is called the Constitution of the United States of America.
Any law that contradicts it, is illegal. Such as the Dems new FISA Expansion Act.
Is really that difficult to rescind a law? Does it take mountains of paperwork? Does it take mountains of paperwork to vote 'Nay' on illegal legislation?
The Democratic Congress could make a great start by refusing to approve Bush's wish list. They can do this with a 'Nay' vote. How hard is that?
Weaseldog @ 36:
Ahh, you're a Republican troll. That is a perfect neocon argument.
It's along the lines of, if you don't like America burning babies alive, why don't you move to France or something?
Yes, it is all my fault that Nancy won't step up to the plate. Right.
A Republican Troll? Wow, you are an angry man. Enemies everywhere, right?
Since when does challenging the depression on this thread make me a Troll?
Pelosi has stepped up to the plate. As has the rest of congress. We may wish that their is a magic wand to make this nightmare go away, but their isn't. Giving into despair and irrational commentary does not help the cause.
I think a lot of people, especially the 911 victims' families, are going to be quite pissed about this blatant ploy.
I messed up the quotes on that one. Weaseldogs comments end after bashing Pelosi.
[Deleted. NAU conspiracy theory]
Weaseldog,
The Constitution was made to be a living document. The common practice is for its articles to be challenged and debated. It is not set in stone.
Hell, Jefferson made an argument that it should be thrown out every ten years.
Weaseldog @ 26:
Pass the brain bleach, please.
Harley,
I would suggest that your reality is a bit limited in scope. Democracy has never been easy. It is being bashed, tarnished and tortured by the administration these days. But I wouldn't give up on it yet.
No "oops" about it; the title of this should legitimately be "911 report" because the vast majority of americans now know that the inconsistencies in the official story mean inside tampering. The truth is coming out; albeit in dribs and drabs....but the whistleblowers are singing now - loudly and clearly.
Dates are vague now to prevent protest
CaptJasHook @ 45:
A Republican Troll? Wow, you are an angry man. Enemies everywhere, right?
Since when does challenging the depression on this thread make me a Troll?
You are arguing in the same style. Just as the neocons argue that failures in the war aren't the fault of Republicans, they are instead the fault of people who don't believe in the war. IEDs don't kill our troops, saying that our Iraqis adventure is misguided kills our troops.
It isn't my fault that Nancy promised us change, and instead is working to give Bush everything he wants. I have no control over her.
CaptJasHook @ 51:
I got two words of sound advice for you.
Learn Spanish.
Weaseldog @ 54:
It isn't my fault that Nancy promised us change, and instead is working to give Bush everything he wants. I have no control over her.
But hey she gets free gourmet dinners at the White House on us. What is not to like?
What do you do when one parent doesn't do their job in the house. And then consistently abuses the other.
Usually, that ends in divorce. Hopefully, that ends in divorce.
Impeachment. Is there a choice? Can we wait 16 months?
CaptJasHook @ 49:
You're referring to Amendments. Those are different than laws. Lots of people confuse the two.
If you challenge and debate the wording, the words are still there.
I don't buy the argument that the Constitution can be legally changed with laws. I believe strongly that any law that contradicts the US Constitution, is illegal.
In your argument, we could stretch the limits and say a law can nullify the US Constitution. After all, if you buy the notion that a Law can contradict the US Constitution as the new FISA law does, then a law can contradict the entire US Constitution.
Harley @ 55:
You first!
The White House is writing the report so let me start an office pool, ok?
How many times will "9/11" be mentioned?
"War on Terror?"
"Terrorism?"
"Follow us home?"
"Al Qaeda?"
And now of course we may get "Vietnam."
Spaces are filling quickly so be sure to enter early!
Weaseldog @ 58:
You are correct. I collapsed the two. My apologies.
What I meant to express is that there are laws (I agree with you FISA being one of them) that are legislated that contradict the Constitution. However, there is a check in place (the Judicial branch) to correct those laws.
Weaseldog,
Do you honestly believe that Pelosi is doing working to give Bush everything he wants?
That is totally counterintuitive.
Yes. We can all hold lighters in the air on 9/11 as we are read the Iraq Report and relive that painful day when Saddam Hussein and 18 Iraqis attacked us. Amazing Saddam got out of the burning rubble alive and flew back to Iraq but we where able to get him later. Mission Accomplished. We have to stay in Iraq or else the Iraqis will atack us again like they did on 9/11.
(for those of you who cannot tell, the above post is SATIRE)
PoliShifter @ 63:
For those who could not tell, there is no hope...
CaptJasHook @ 62:
First, I don't see real opposition or leadership from her.
Secondly, her statement that 'Impreachment is off the table' announces that she will not offer serious opposition. She is telling Bush up front that she does not have any leverage, nor will she seek it. This is a deliberate act.
If we simply examine what she has done, it seems clear to me, that her role in this is to pretend to be an opposing force to Bush, much like Colmes is supposed to be a counterweight to Hannity. In practice, they work for the same team, which is the corporate interests in the military sector.
I don't see how intuition factors into this. I suspect you don't mean the term 'counterintuitive' as I read it.
I don't have any intuition or secret insight into Nancy. All I have to go by is her behavior. Same as Bush, I watch her deeds and ignore what she says.
Lame. The ABSOLUTE best - most perfect - word to describe democrats that I have EVER heard.
LAME.
*
Of course.
I thought the poor stooge is a prime minister, not a president. Another stooge, Talebani, is the president.
As to the Democrats: They are not the same as the Republicans, they are worse. They are timid and fearful. They submit too readily. They are good for nothing.
Every time I turn on cable news some junta apologist is saying "surge is working" like Joe Scar did this morning
Militias Seizing Control of Electricity Grid
By JAMES GLANZ and STEPHEN FARRELL
Armed groups increasingly control the antiquated switching stations that channel electricity around Iraq, the electricity minister said Wednesday.
CaptJasHook @ 45:
A Republican Troll? Wow, you are an angry man. Enemies everywhere, right?
Since when does challenging the depression on this thread make me a Troll?
Pelosi has stepped up to the plate. As has the rest of congress. We may wish that their is a magic wand to make this nightmare go away, but their isn't. Giving into despair and irrational commentary does not help the cause.
Well, I'm not saying you're a troll, neccessarily... but you gotta admit it doesn't make much sense to create a rift by saying, "I'm done with all you whiners... you've fallen for Rove's tactic of turning us against each other. You all suck" (paraphrasing). Or let me put it this way: CaptJasHook, I'm so much more mature than you, if we had a maturity contest I'd all like, smear your ass and everyone would say, "Space Coyote is so cool! He's so much more mature than that CaptJasHook loser." And I'd be all like, "Yeah, Cap'n! I'm more mature! In your face! My I.Q. is nine inches!" And you'd be all like, whining and shit.
Long time reader - first time commenter
Actually, I think beginning hearings on 9/11 would be a PERFECT day for the Democrats. If I were a Dem Committee Chair gaveling open a session on this I would say:
The chamber will come to order...thank you.
Today is September 11th, 2007. Six years ago on this very day, terrorists hijacked and flew airplanes into some of the most iconic buildings in the United States, killing over 3000 American people. Six long years of the Bush administration's war against terror - and what do we have to show for it?
after 6 years: Osama bin Laden - still at large
after 6 years: alQaeda - stronger than before
after 6 years: the Taliban - making a comeback
after 6 years: Afghanistan - more warlords producing more opium than ever before
after 6 years: Pakistan - nuclear and destabilizing
after 6 years: Iraq - destabilized and destroyed
after 6 years: Iran - resurgent and nearly nuclear
after 6 years: hundreds of thousands of dead Iraqis
and after 6 long years, nearly FOUR THOUSAND AMERICANS dead in Iraq - hundreds more than were killed on 9/11
Now comes President Bush with and through his minions, to report to this Committe and, by extension, to the whole Congress of the United States, about the state of the so-called "surge" in occupied Iraq, and the progress that that country has made towards clawing itself out of the hole - out of the bomb crater - that President Bush put them in.
And I have a request for the members of this committee, and the members of the press and public here assembled, and further, any and all Americans who read about or watch these proceedings: after every point the administration apologists make, ask yourself if this is sufficient recompense or progress towards justice and peace, SIX LONG YEARS AFTER 9/11, SIX LONG YEARS AGO TODAY.
The witness may make his opening statement...
JP
When all else fails blame the Iraqi's.
Jungpatawan where is your irrefutable proof that Iran is nearly "nuclear". Sounds like more of that repeat the unsubstantiated claims about Iran being repeated by the "cakewalk in Iraq" zealots. Where is the proof?
Kathleen @ 74:
Kathleen, it's more a case of "hoist them by their own petard" - You'll note the tone of my post is decidedly anti-neocon.
And Iran does have nuclear power facilities, and all of the myriad distractions and sideshows of the current malAdministration has made it more difficult for that problem to be dealt with by traditional diplomacy - because Bush don't do that - or by traditional threats - since Bush don't have troops.
In fact, we're pushing the entire region right back into the arms of our traditional enemy: the Soviet Union oops I mean Putin's Russians. But, too, other non-russian elements of the erstwhile USSR also have nuclear material basically lying around waiting for some enterprising general or President-for-Life to open an e-bay account. One successul bid by user ImNotIranSoDontWorry@iran.com and they're nuclear tomorrow.
Yet another problem that falls to the back of the line while we fight Bush' war of choice.
JP
Kathleen @ 73:
Blame Canada.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeJsYWj5vto
I understand the animated movie in this clip is to become a live action version starring Timothy Dalton and Patrick Stewart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dytXVjv08cE
You can blame this on Canada too.
SICKENING These guys have swindled and tricked this nation into war. A war for Halliburton, Oil, Corporate Dominance, and Greed no less. Damn it. DAMN IT.
Orwell's Illegitimate Son @ 17:
Fuck 9-11. Who isn't sick of this absurd record-skipping knee-jerking head-banging never-ending adolescent patriotism viagra dick slamming in a revolving door.
Fucking shut down the goddammed media.
79 crazylove
If you slam a door on your d**k, do you get a swelling?
ysbaddaden @ 80:
Only if you're referring to the editorial you. Constant patriotic hard-ons are annoying as a guy who thinks 11" is a good thing.
I'm a girly with ridiculous fair curls.
"I’m a girly with ridiculous fair curls."
Explanation: Nobody takes me seriously.
Not only will the hearings start on September 11th, but der Homelander Securistadt will declare an orange alert, just to celebrate!
Weaseldog @ 25:
I can think of one damned good reason for impeachment to be off the table.
Just try saying these words: "President Cheney"
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