Bushed!: Ashcroft, Waterboarding and Wiretapping Phone Bills
By Nicole Belle Thursday Jan 10, 2008 11:01am
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Download | play (h/t Heather)
The scandals never stop for the Bush administration, do they? For Thursday's edition of Bushed! we have the news that former Attorney General John Ashcroft received a windfall $29-52M no-bid contract from US Attorney Christopher Christie to monitor an out of court settlement with a medical supply company.
Then there is the news that former CIA official Jose Rodriguez has told Congress that he will testify in front of the House Intelligence Committee about the destruction of the tapes depicting waterboarding ...but only if he receives immunity.
And finally, there is the news we reported yesterday that the FBI lost some of their wiretaps because they didn't pay their bills. Keith's scorn is not for the FBI's inability to balance their checkbook, but for the telecoms themselves:
Seriously? The telecom giants will break the law, violate the Constitution, help anybody spy on you for any reason, ignore their consciences, ignore their other responsibilities as citizens, but if they don’t get their money, the wiretaps stop?!?! And there’s the saving grace to capitalism.
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boosh should thank KO for helping him compile his presidential library.
"and a lesson to the democrats in office too"
Ashcroft's $50 million = hush money
Scandal/outrage fatigue indeed... Olbermann hits the nail on the head, though, regarding the wiretaps. Unbelievable.
apeman @ 3:
Taxpayer $$ -IRS-Government-John Ashcroft- etc-etc.
The gift that keeps on giving.
Since no one else will announce here it is. Dennis Kucinich has called for a recount of New Hampshire votes. I never beleived Hillary Clinton won New Hampshire. It looked like Ohio in 04. Want a clear explanation about voter integrity and why a recount would be brought forward in the first place then watch Zennie Abraham's piece on DU: Kucinich Asks For NH Primary Vote Recount; Obama Impact. One thing that it confirms is that RACE was not a factor at all and I don't believe that a woman's tears can swing a vote in favor of a candidate. Piling on by the media, in politics happens all the time. I don't believe polls can be that far out of whack unless vote rigging is involved. In this case, I do not beleive people in one state voted for an establishment candidate when they overwhelmingly want change after seeing the full transparency in Iowa vote their conscience for change. We saw this in Ohio in 2004 and Florida in 2000. Vote rigging is a process of a few people determining the election for the masses. We need to stop people who undermine our voting process by holding them to account.
Immunity for Rodriguez! Ferret out the bigger fish to FRY. and WoW @ 6- if you cant believe that crying hasn't generated ANY Vote-swings- well then visit Pandagon. No less than Amanda Marcotte has thrown her support behind Hillary over Edwards because combatting sexism is more important than getting us out of Iraq, closing Gitmo, and holding the Bush Admin's feet to the fire.
And FUCK POLLS, they don't mean a damn thing. Apparently If Progressives wanted Non-Establishment types, this race would be Obama vs. Edwards. Liberals, I am sad to say, are as fooled by Hillary as christians and conservatives were fooled by Bush.
“and a lesson to the democrats in office too”
I didn't get that line...can someone explian it? I'm a bit slow, eh?
What kind of transgession and penalty happened that they(Zimmer) need $25-50 million babysitting fees?
It had to be say at least 10 times that which would be $250-500 million. How the hell does this add up?
Someone explain, please.
This corruption won't stop - until some of the bastards get locked up for long, long terms. Ashcroft is a criminal, his successor is a criminal, and just about every Republican Bush crony out there is nothing less than a criminal.
Stealing Government money is the ONLY thing Republicans seem to be able to do. We've got an entire administration full of Neros.
Hillary's attempt to sway voters with her tears has succeeded in my case. The mental vision of world terrorism and war crowding in on her in the White House, her breaking into tears and not able to make a decision, has made me certain that I will not vote for her under any conditins.
If you ain't strong enough, don't run for the job.
Fade @ 10:
And they do it with complete impunity.
I wasn't fooled by Bush and I'm not fooled by Hillary. I don't believe what every poll says. I make an assessment in a rational manner like some. Seeing is believing but you've got to use "good" common sense. if Hillary has to bus people in to fill the venue and Obama is packing in more than twice the number she is then that there should raise a red fllag. Vote rigging has happened and no doubt will continue to happen and many people know this. Polls were A-ok on the Republican side. The results on that side matched the poll results. If Diebolt can't be trusted in many other states then why should anyone trust them in New Hampshire. Diebolt has been discredited because of it's discrepancies. Good common sense says that an election can't be accurate if it uses faulty equipment.
Catmoves @ 11:
http://tinyurl.com/jfss3
Fade @ 7:
i have had more tears in my eyes then hillary had after passing a kidney stone!that was piss poor acting on her part!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WoW @ 13:
It's Diebold. Not Diebolt. Try to be more accurate.
Seems to me that this is the perfect time to test whether Diebold machines are accurate: both candidates are from the same party, the outcome of the race is far from determined, and neither candidate should have a problem with a recount, seeing as their party got shafted in 2000 and 2004.
So come on, Hillary and Barack - why aren't you encouraging this effort? It would show you truly believe in democracy.
Catmoves @ 11:
Sway me too. But now I feel like she is the right person because of it.
Say someone were to attack her or someone she loved, like her country. Say she found out who did it. It is my belief that she would go after that person or group. Doggedly, unwaiveringly, because she feels the attack.
I don't think that a cute neocon waving a pretty shiny object in her face, like oh a demoralized, demilitarized, bombed out shell of a country sitting on some pretty oil, would be able to distract her from going after the "evil doers".
Weekend Update . . . . . . . .
US unveils new driver's license rules
_The traditional driver's license photograph would be taken at the beginning of the application instead of the end so that should someone be rejected for failure to prove identity and citizenship, the applicant's photo would be kept on file and checked in the future if that person attempted to con the system again.
_The cards will have three layers of security measures but will not contain microchips as some had expected. States will be able to choose from a menu which security measures they will put in their cards.
Over the next year, the government expects all states to begin checking both the Social Security numbers and immigration status of license applicants.
Most states currently check Social Security numbers and about half check immigration status. Some, like New York, Virginia, North Carolina and California, already have implemented many of the security measures envisioned in REAL ID. In California, for example, officials expect the only major change to adopt the first phase would be to take the photograph at the beginning of the application process instead of the end.
After the Social Security and immigration status checks become nationwide practice, officials plan to move on to more expansive security checks, including state DMV offices checking with the State Department to verify those applicants who use passports to get a driver's license, verifying birth certificates and checking with other states to ensure an applicant doesn't have more than one license.
A handful of states have already signed written agreements indicating plans to comply with REAL ID. Seventeen others, though, have passed legislation or resolutions objecting to it, often based on concerns about the billions of dollars such extra security is expected to cost.
50 million can buy a lot of people. 50 million to one man can buy a lot of justice. Mmmmmmmmmmm Crooks Crooks and more Crooks.
DC @ 20:
50 Million can also buy a nice retirement setup also.
L.A. Confidential @ 21:
Still works like a charm.
WoW @ 6:
Please furnish article/source of your comments regarding Dennis K. requesting a recount
in N.Hampshire.
and most blogs are still going gaga over primaries? Thanks to you all for keeping watch on the fire.
L.A. Confidential @ 21:
Yes and when you buy off the top cop in the US with 50 million he tends to smile to himself and retire quite comfy. Then the GOP turns around and say "Tax Breaks!" to throw their loyal follower dogs off their foul corrupt scent.
To wow and others::: Ron Paul has also asked for a recount and guess what?? There is already talk about some ballots being lost!! The biggest problem in the country is CORRUPTION!! It is killing us!!
Lindy
DC @ 25:
Don't forget the health care executive who retired from his job with over $100 million in the policy holders loot John Edwards mentioned.
Don Lowell @ 26:
Corruption is the Great Plague we've been expecting and yes it is killing us.
This is why Reid should be replaced and the senators who supported immunity should resign in disgrace.
Dodd for majority leader.
The Not so bright Nancy Pelosi
"It is welcome news that Chairman Bernanke is signaling that the Fed will cut interest rates because the economy is slowing. American families are facing rising energy and grocery prices, exploding health care costs or no coverage at all, and losing value in their homes or actually losing their homes to the sub-prime mortgage crisis.
"Americans want Congress and the Administration to take action to jumpstart our economy; Democrats look forward to working in a bipartisan way in the coming weeks. We will also try to find common ground with the President on how we can provide a New Direction for our economy."
Doesn't she realize his rate cut is going to produce even worse hyper inflation?
L.A. Confidential @ 27:
But the main coruption is right there in government. Tax payer money is being stole right in front of all of your eyes. The GOP didn't want a Gore lose for nothing. The GOP wanted in there to steal, steal and steal.
L.A. Confidential @ 30:
Exactly and precisely what Ron Paul said last night during the S. Carolina debate.
DC @ 31:
Right I've been trying to warn people about this since 2000.
L.A. Confidential @ 33:
Stay out of the Bushes!
Debt
Reagan-Bush Sr. $14 Trillion
Clinton-Gore $750 Billion
Bush Jr $7 Trillion
Go Figure!
The video is on DemocraticUnderground.com under the title. You can also go to Dennis' website or Albert Zennie's blog or here is the Youtube video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbhiBhgm-dA regarding the "Diebold" machines. Thanks for pointing this out. We should be accurate even on a blog, me thinks?
Please furnish article/source of your comments regarding Dennis K. requesting a recount
in N.Hampshire.
here it is...Kucinich wants recount
http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/281472.html
I just can't wait to read the George W. Bush Memoirs ! He'll probably write it while relaxing at his new home in Paraguay.
Bill Clinton's "My Life" is a big hit. Bill Clinton is the JFK of my generation.
(That was sarcasm)
Seriously.....Orwell's 1984 is so famous.
I have a novel to recommend.
I think the title is "This Perfect Day" I think the author is Carl Levin. Great realistic fiction about a police state in the future. Also ,again I wanna recommend the Police State (documentary) videos which can be purchased online.
Can we nominate the patriot in the
WiretappingNational Security Accounts Payable Dept for Prez?The Accountability Party.
No immunity - haul the guy before Congress and make him take the Fifth. If they give him immunity he'll still lie and/or protect the big fish. It's way past time to get serious with these criminals. Congress reminds me of the sobbing mothers on Maury (I know - it's a guilty pleasure) who passively whine that they can't control their teenage daughters. The daughter comes out yelling and cursing, Mom cries, ineffectively tells the girl to behave then cries some more. Some large male comes out and yells at the girl, it all ends with a hug. Yeah, that's about right.
Speaking of the Bush crime family,
In another vein, do you believe In Diebold We Trust? Many "progressive" and "liberal" websites do not seem to want to talk about or investigate any possible electronic vote flipping in the recent New Hampshire Democratic Party. Check out www.bradblog.com or www.blackboxvoting.org or www.opednews.com for some detailed info on the monkeybusiness that went on there on the optical scanning equipment by Diebold on Tuesday. It would seem that the Obama votes were flipped for Clinton votes (exchanged), thus giving Clinton her "amazing" "come from behind" blah blah blah election "victory." I am not suggesting that this was done by Hillary operatives, no it was mostly likely done by the Bush gangster regime, just to screw up Democatic primary politics… There seems to be no limit to which the Bush gangsters will stoop…. The coming "Super Tuesday" primaries may be "Super Diebold Tuesday" for all we know…
Progressives and liberals better get their heads out of the sand and start demanding 100% hand-counted paper ballots in all elections or we are going to see a repeat of the Bush electronic theft of the 2004 Presidential Election.
As long as we have Republican corporations, such as Diebold or ES&S, "counting" our votes in private with secret proprietary software, we are going to be ruled by Republican fascists…
Olbermann is exactly correct. The telecoms defended their actions in the illegal wiretaps by claiming that they had no choice but to cooperate when the federal government comes in making loud demands. But now it turns out they can and have stood up to them - when they deem it "important" enough to do so.
Unsurprisingly, the Constitutional rights of their customers mean nothing to the telecoms, but their profits trump all. This should be a lesson to all of us citizens/customers - We need to tie declining profits our declining rights.
Does anyone think there would be enough support behind an effort to stop paying our phone bills until our Constitutional rights are once again guaranteed? It would have to be a big enough movement to ensure that no ones credit gets ruined, etc.
Ashcroft monitoring: "S'Alright?"
Zimmer Holding's guy/gal: "S'Alright!"
Ashcroft: "Cool, see ya."
Great work if you can find it.
One as-yet-not-fully-realized negative effect of the maladministration of Bush, is that he has so tarnished his name, so encumbered it with malodorous connotations, that it will no longer be able to be used for one of it's most delightful meanings, and the harsher synonyms, 'Twat' and 'Snatch', will come into favor.
the Bush junta has turned out country into a Ferdinand Marcos style ATM machine for their cronies
Bush is a laughting stock and he deserves it because he wanted to push his way illegally to be the president. He is not the president of this land; just a peon follows orders from another entity who is also holding our fat tax check in his hand.
No wonder it is a hard job for Bush because he has to follow orders against his Christian Conscience. It is a group think phenomena.
Hillary may do a better job since she has no conscience. Don't fall for those crocodile tears and jump on board to save her.
Once there was a movie , it was based on a book by Mr. Sinclair Lewis , Shadow on the land , starring Gene Hackman , it aired twice 1969 and 1970 , it has been not forgotten rather banned by the movie ind. , why , because it foretold of the U.S. being overtaken by our own forces . The reason power and money .
And other times I feel like I live in another world one say , like an Upton Sinclair novel " the Jungle "
L.A. Confidential @ 30:
She doesn't care. Did she not just get a nice raise?
Jose Padilla the guy for a month - he'll talk.
Torture works, just ask any republican....
The phone companies' patriotic dedication to national security stops at accounts receivable.
I live in Missouri, where Ashcroft was governor and senator. What a sanctimonious jerk he is and was. He's the son of a preacher and never let us forget it. I'm guessing that whatever religion it was has 9 commandments instead of 10. "Thou shalt not steal" is not included. Have fun with all that money, John. Makes you a good Republican.
Make a statement to these people tapping our emails. Make sure they're inundated with plenty to do. Send all your emails with an encrypted message in your signature. These boys don't have enough to do. Let's help them out by spreading the word about this website. http://www.wiretapthis.com
Thanks for your help!
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