The ‘Downing Street Documents’ continue to cause trouble for the Bush White House, as a formal “Resolution of Inquiry” into the matter was finally introduced in the U.S. House today according to AfterDowningStreet.org…
Lee’s resolution, asking the White House for information concerning the Downing Street Documents comes just two days prior to more than 300 nationwide events scheduled for this Saturday, July 23, which are set to mark the third anniversary of the original Downing Street Memo.
The documents are official high-level British minutes and memos documenting the Bush Administration’s plan to “fix” the intelligence and facts around their pre-determined policy to topple Saddam Hussein by military force. That policy, the documents conclude, was based on “thin” evidence concerning Saddam’s WMD, included plans to goad Saddam into a war through U.N. sanctions and early bombing of targets in Iraq, and explain that the Bushies had little or no planning for post-war Iraq. They were all written while the Bush Administration was telling the American People and Congress that no plans had yet been made for attacking Iraq.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) will be a guest on this weekend’s BRAD SHOW to discuss the DSM/TreasonGate town hall being held in Los Angeles. We will also have reports from John Conyers’ Detroit event as well. More details on all the events are here.
More information on the Resolution of Inquiry, and how you can help by contacting legislators, is here [PDF].
India’s PM says US invasion of Iraq a mistake.
Yes, and a very rich mistake for a very few.
"Downing Street" memo shows it was the most long planned poorly planned invasion, ever!
"… if passed …" I’m afraid this resolution is DOA.
Good luck guys!
It might have a little bit of life. Even if DOA, it serves a purpose.
They’ve rejected perfectly reasonable and urgent election reform measures; they’ve bullied and cut off witnesses; they’ve tried to stifle debate; they’ve harassed citizens exercising their Constitutional rights – the list goes on demonstrating a thirst for total power and control and a contempt for American institutions and law.
Rejecting an inquiry into the DSM is just another nail in their coffin and it won’t be lost in a memory hole this time. Remember folks, this isn’t instant political victory. It’s a big job and it may take time. (But unexpected things do happen.)
It will become clear that they are hiding their agenda, lying, and playing cat-and mouse with the public, who if the truth be known would reject almost all of their policies. As much as it seems that it will last forever, it is my opinion that they are running out of fuel to keep the whole charade going. Really "interesting times" are coming soon.
My advice: Just keep doing the right thing at every stage – always – and it will be cumulative.
paul…what came first, your hubris or your right-wing beliefs?
Right, Arry. Cumulative. That’s what the trolls don’t get, but in a way it’s understandable that they don’t.
Until Scottie-boy McClellan was exposed as a liar and a fool the other day, the mainstream media have bought into the White House obfuscation. Issue after issue was raised, but Rove dealt with each one by threatening the press with denial of access.
That isn’t working any more. The Resolution of Inquiry won’t carry, but it’s another nail in the coffin because another few million people will read about it and learn the truth. The trolls won’t change their minds no matter what, but most Americans are somewhere near the center politically, and with the horrors mounting in Iraq (and even London), the long con game is wearing thin. Bush’s poll ratings reflect this.
Watch Ohio, too. That’s creeping up from the other side. Get ready for a Deep Throat in Columbus to sing Ave Maria some day soon.
#5
I really like that last sentence, Arry.
Imagine it…how glorious if we could just do that….
how glorious if we could all "just keep doing the
right thing at every stage – always …"
That would be a great, good thing indeed.
I’m so impressed with Congresswoman Barbara Lee. 🙂 She and other members of the Black Caucus are to be commended for helping to expose the many Bush administration lies!
The Democratic Party is fortunate to have members like Rep. Lee, Rep. Conyers, Rep. McKinney, Rep. Waters, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Rep. Tubbs Jones, Rep. Jackson, and others who haven’t forgotten what it means to genuinely be representatives of the people in Congress.
It’s bound to make a difference. It makes me want to continue the fight for fair elections in order to restore a representative government reflective of the majority of the people in this nation, rather than the small minority beholden to monied interests and radical ideology who now govern us.
Without these members, I may have given up hope long ago.
Remember everyone,
Even when the resolution gets rejected, you can keep pounding the message home.
http://www.usalone.com/index.htm
Keep up on them permanently, never let up! Tell them that they need to do the will of their constituents and stop their bullshit obsfucation.
Obey the rule of law and answer to the **people!!!!!**
Also, lets not forget Conyers, Barbara, all…..We can get a special counsel prosecutor involved to get underneath the massive mess of hubris.
Doug E.
Hey y’all, since it’s all interrelated, I won’t give an OT warning on this:
via Rawstory:
For Two Aides in Leak Case, 2nd Issue Rises
and
Rove, Libby Accounts in CIA Case Differ With Those of Reporters
#11 Krestelbrighteyes,
Thanks for the links. I had some thoughts far too long to include here.
Paul,
You just set back and relax, the Freedom we save will include yours.
No need for thanks–have another beer
#3 Jerry,
The resolution may be DOA, but as Arry #5 says, it serves a purpose. It is one more black mark on an already defiled administration; one more shameful example of their flouting of the law.
When many were slavering in their attempts to bring Clinton down they were fond of reminding us self-righteously, time & time again, that ‘the president is not above the law’. Perfectly true then, perfectly true now.
I happen to be fond of another phrase re the law:
"The wheels of justice grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine."
May fleets of angels surround Mr. Fitzgerald & guide him mightily in his task, that he may emerge from this obscene shitstorm of lies with the truth in one hand and the sharp & shining sword of justice in the other.
Maybe better assign a whole ‘nother angel contingent to guard the aides carrying the briefcases full of evidence.
It might take a lot of nails to get the Bush "coffin" shut, but we’ve got the Truth and Perseverance on our side.
Hammer hammer hammer, bang bang bang, …
Anybody got a power nailer?
Listening to Air America this week, I have heard many "moderate" Republicans call to say they were tired of the lies and unprofessional actions of the present administration. It appears that the Rove/Libby/McMoonface show is the final straw.
I know that some Republicans read Brad’s blog. I would like to see a Republican thread here from those who usually don’t comment. I have been a registered Dem for 40 years so I cannot relate to what traditional Republicans are thinking. Just say yes or no. Have you had enough of this? (Jimmo, Paul – don’t bother)
Constant,
Excellent work I particularly am enlightened by this paragraph.
"There is a difference between truth and evidence
Do not confuse ‘trying to find documents’ with trying to find the truth. The answers you seek can be pieced together using "other methods" and "documents outside the White House control." Don’t get focused on "whether the White House does or doesn’t comply with the document-request. Rather, focus on whether the questions are getting truthful answers and the full story is getting fleshed out.
Share your findings, however innocuous they may seem
One of the things about putting together information, is that something you may think is unimportant could be the vital link. There was one ACLU document I was looking at that had absolutely no information on it. But then I noticed there was some small typing in the corner. The numbers match a single organizational code. This told me that the person who was at that meeting belonged to a certain unit. Small problem: DoD said they never knew about the meeting or the information. But the public release of the document showed us that not only was DoD lying, but they knew about the information in 2002 that they say in 2005 they didn’t know about.
The point being is: You never know what gem you might find, especially when working with a huge organization that doesn’t communicate well. They’re going to make mistakes. Remember, they’re the ones trying to cover this up. Your job is to put the mistakes they make into a structure that shows: Even though they’re trying to hide their crimes and misconduct, the world can put the pieces together, launch investigations, and bring to the prosecutors reasonable evidence of probable cause for a wider inquiry.
The trick is to know that the pieces are out there and they can be put together. This is like a puzzle. We have all the pieces before us; the trick is to simply choose to organize them in the most reasonable manner that most likely matches reality. It remains up to the White House to justify why we should have confidence in their leadership.
To date, in light of their responses it is clear that there is a reasonable basis to question them; and require far higher burdens of proof before we launch combat operations, commit troops, or allocate scare financial resources. More so when the basis for that action is not only unlawful but contrary to our Constitution.
That’s what the Downing Street Memo is all about: The tip of the iceberg about a story that shows the nation has embraced tyranny and pretended it is something else."
Remember the behest of a order of fascists: Their best weapon is fear and to take religion’s name in vain: AKA Obsufucation. We can reverse their polarity decisions by letting through with an undying onslaught of pressure, until they cave, by giving way to their own fear.
Never let off the pressure-Not even for a single instant!
http://www.pdamerica.com
What questions are you not answering now president, and **why** are you afraid to answer them? How many years has PNAC been co-ordinating with Michael Ledeen and everyone else to carry out a plan of destruction? Cheney hasn’t been called to the witness stand. Shall we force the VP into the witness chamber, since he seems to be using everyone in WH currently anyway to obstruct justice?
Thoughts from lawyers: Could this be a crime too?
Doug E.
I think it is a step in the right direction that a ‘Resolution of Inquiry'( H. Res. 375) has been introduced. The truth needs to come out because this country and especially our troops deserve to know the truth.
Just a point of information-Scott McClellan didn’t lie about Rove-he merely repeated what Rove, et al, told him. His job, if skillfully done, is to avoid lying by twisting, turning, and engaging convoluted logic. Whatever the traffic will bear.
If someone says, "It’s ridiculous" (that Rove or any White House colleague was involved), and it turns out that the exact opposite is true, I’d call that a lie.
It’s not a lie on McClellan’s part if he was lied to directly by Rove or Bush. But in that case I doubt he’d have used the word "ridiculous." That’s a choice of words designed not to answer a question, but to belittle the questioner. Now it turns out Scottie has egg all over his face.
So we’re arguing semantics, but McClellan is a White House insider who takes his marching orders from the top. At best, he’s a fool. At worst, a liar. Because he’s a loyal food soldier (Bush permits no other type to work for him), I’ll go with liar.
"Nothing to see here…move along please…", says the Bush administration.
Robert Mills,
If the goal is to defeat the presidency, you’re a bit late. The time to do that was Nov 2004. Didn’t happen. If the election could be held again today, we’d still elect Bush. The Dems simply have no credible opponent, nor any coherent policy. As Barack Obama so clearly states, the Dems have lost their way. As for third parties, they only amount to 3 or 4 percent of the total vote, so that isn’t likely to be an alternative. The Plame non-issue gives people something to b—- about, but that’s about it.
Whether Rove or McClellan or Libby or GWB misspoke, or lied, or waffled, or fibbed, only matters to the left wing bloggers, which are only perhaps 10% of America. Most of America has no idea who Rove is, or Libby, or Mclellan, or Plame.
Most of America’s gonna’ find out pretty soon who they are, little girl. Just stay tuned.
RMills, I’d love to place a sizeable bet with you. In six months, I doubt if two percent of Americans will be able to tell you who Karl Rove is. But you keep up the vigil. As you take your dying breath, ask yourself, "Did I spend my time wisely?"
Karla,
Does Bushco pay you to troll for them? Or do you just like to waste your time. When you take your dying breath, ask YOURSELF if you spent your time WISELY.
You may have noticed you are way outnumbered here, so what are you doing here?
Yet again, karla repeats "non-issue" & "bush would be re-elected". Yet again, she claims that an investigation into possible treason "only matters to the left wing bloggers".
What planet is she on? As far as I know, Fitzgerald & Marcinkowski are not left-wing bloggers.
Her comments amount to lame, juvenile insults; her lack of facts and knowledge is pathetic; her cavalier attitude in regard to the damage done to her country is stunningly un-patriotic & un-American.
Her presence here is pointless.
By DOUGLAS TURNER
News Washington Bureau Chief
7/23/2005
WASHINGTON – Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., revealed Friday that two years ago he discussed the blown cover of CIA operative Valerie Plame with then CIA director George Tenet and that Tenet "was furious.
Tenet promptly called the Justice Department to demand an investigation into who in the Bush administration leaked Plame’s identity to columnist Robert Novak, Schumer said at a hearing held by House and Senate Democrats.
So I guess Tenet must be a left-wing blogger too, huh karla? Maybe a double super-secret one.
We can observe a not-too-subtle change in the way trolls go about their business. Previously it was with vitriol. Now this Karla-whatever-her-real-name-is would have us believe 98% of Americans don’t care about treason, and the few that do will die without their time having been spent wisely. Hmm.
Well, I put three daughters through college and gave two of them beautiful weddings (the third is single), spent 28 years on Wall Street and kept my nose clean, had five books published and a docudrama that I wrote, cast, and directed broadcast on Connecticut Public Radio, wrote four plays and directed five, composed four hymns, and served on a panel at Ford’s Theater investigating the Lincoln assassination. Not to brag, but none of it was a waste of time.
What about you, Karla? Who authorized you to render treason and scandal meaningless? Where did you acquire the talent for, or the privilege of, visiting your laundry-detergent amorality upon the souls of others?