It's billed as a working vacation, but fund-raisers — at the rate of one every five days — will fill President Bush's schedule during his monthlong stay in August at his Texas ranch.
Continuing his drive to raise at least $170 million, seeking a Republican nomination for which he faces no opponent, Bush is mixing public policy events, mostly on the West Coast, with six fund-raisers in Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington and Minnesota. The practice allows the administration, in certain cases, to bill taxpayers for half the travel costs of the political activity.
"The president looks forward to traveling throughout the heartland to highlight his initiatives to preserve our natural resources and protect American jobs," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Tuesday in announcing the president's August schedule.
We've diagrammed this situation earlier, but there are a few new items in the lastest New York Times story (Muslim cleric close connection with hijackers, a "facilitator" meeting with the Crown Prince's entourage after September 11) which we include below:
UPDATE: The Los Angeles Times also has an article on the 27* classified pages, and we added those new facts as well: Interior Minister activities, Al Bayoumi an employee of Saudi civil aviation (!) authority. Excerpt:
"If this comes out, it will blow the top off the relations with [the Saudi] government because the American people will just be outraged," said one source familiar with the report.
"People don't know how much is in there and how specific it is," the source said. "The public hasn't gotten anywhere near the meat of it."
*- 27 pages according to the Los Angeles Times, 28 pages according to the New York Times.
FURTHER COMMENT: Much of this information is not new. If you go to our original post of November 2002, you will see that almost all of the details were made public in two Newsweek articles and a Los Angeles Times article (only one Newsweek/MSNBC link is still good). So why the recent fuss? Maybe because there is more to the story, or maybe just because it's in an official report.
Prior to this week's press conference, the Washington Post wrote in an editorial: (emphasis added)
During his more than two years in office, Mr. Bush has held just eight solo news conferences. The last one before his March appearance took place four months earlier. By contrast, President Clinton had held 33 such events at this point in his term, and the first President Bush had held 61.
We went to the White House website and found the following information about Bush's press conferences:
Press conference (as titled on the White House website)
Considering the fact that Bush rarely gives solo press conferences, it's remarkable that when he does give one it's unlikely to be seen live by the American people - because it's usually held in the middle of the day. That way, most people will learn about the event through short clips on the evening news. They won't have an opportunity to watch Bush "think on his feet", which a live unedited broadcast would show.
We read in this New York Times story about Poindexter quitting DARPA:
[A senior] defense official praised Admiral Poindexter for his "very creative intellect" and wished him luck in other counterterrorism efforts. But he also said it was highly doubtful that the Pentagon would seek his advice as a consultant any time soon.
Judge G. Patrick Murphy of Federal District Court in the Southern District of Illinois ruled that I.B.M. had discriminated against its older workers in several ways when it converted its pension plan because the changes would leave them with smaller benefits at retirement than younger workers would have when they eventually retired.
I.B.M. changed its plan twice. In 1995, it switched to a hybrid called a pension equity plan, and in 1999 it converted to what is called a cash-balance plan. That type combines some features of traditional pensions, which provide a defined benefit at retirement, with other features of 401(k) retirement plans. Both of I.B.M.'s changes took away some benefits from older workers and gave them less time than their younger colleagues to build up new ones.
3. G. Patrick Murphy, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois
G. Patrick Murphy, 48, received both his college degree, in 1974, and his law degree, in 1978, from Southern Illinois University. Since 1994, Mr. Murphy has been a sole practitioner in Marion, Illinois. Prior to forming his own firm, Murphy was a partner with the firm of Winters, Brewster, Murphy, Crosby & Patchett from 1983 to 1993. He was an associate with the firm of Garrison & Garrison from 1982 to 1983, and an associate with the law firm of James W. Sander & Associates from 1978 to 1982.
This is important stuff, 'cause it affects many millions of "regular folks" in this country. Folks Bush proclaims to care about. Remember this ruling, who made it, and who appointed the judge, the next time Bush* selects an ultra- business-friendly person for the federal bench.
*- actually, the selection of judges is not really done by Bush but instead, by unknown people (Ted Olson?) over at Justice.
Saddam Hussein's alleged ties to al Qaeda were a key part of your justification for war. Yet, your own intelligence report, the NIE, defined it as -- quote -- "low confidence that Saddam would give weapons to al Qaeda." Were those links exaggerated to justify war?
Or can you finally offer us some definitive evidence that Saddam was working with al Qaeda terrorists?
THE PRESIDENT:
Yes. I think, first of all, remember I just said we've been there for 90 days since the cessation of major military operations. Now, I know in our world where news comes and goes and there's this kind of instant -- instant news and you must have done this, you must do this yesterday, that there's a level of frustration by some in the media. I'm not suggesting you're frustrated. You don't look frustrated to me at all. Butit's going to take time for us to gather the evidence and analyze the mounds of evidence, literally, the miles of documents that we have uncovered.
David Kaye came to see me yesterday. He's going to testify in closed hearing tomorrow -- which in Washington may not be so closed, as you know. And he was telling me the process that they were going through to analyze all the documentation. And that's not only to analyze the documentation on the weapons programs that Saddam Hussein had, but also the documentation as to terrorist links.
And it's just going to take awhile, and I'm confident the truth will come out. And there is no doubt in my mind, Campbell, that Saddam Hussein was a threat to the United States security, and a threat to peace in the region. And there's no doubt in my mind that a free Iraq is important. It's got strategic consequences for not only achieving peace in the Middle East, but a free Iraq will help change the habits of other nations in the region who will make it -- which will make America much more secure.
In other words, Bush does not have right now, nor did he have prior to war, evidence that Hussein had ties to al Qaeda, even though he asserted it eleven times on the campaign trail in 2002 (and numerous times after that).
Three weeks after taking office, George W. Bush signed a National Security Presidential Directive that restructured the National Security Council. It included this command:
"The existing system of Interagency Working Groups is abolished."
The Counter-Terrorism Security Group, Critical Infrastructure Coordination Group, Weapons of Mass Destruction Preparedness, Consequences Management and Protection Group, and the interagency working group on Enduring Constitutional Government were all abolished, to be reconstituted at some time in a new incarnation.
"Except for those established by statute, other existing NSC interagency groups, ad hoc bodies, and executive committees are also abolished as of March 1, 2001"
No wonder they couldn’t connect the dots. They were too busy redrawing the org chart and demoting Clinton-era appointees to actually work together to protect the country from terrorism.
The Los Angeles Times has an article that goes into detail about various claims by Republican congressman Darrell Issa, and how they stack up against what they found out. Issa, for those who don't know, was a significant financial backer of the Gray Davis recall in California, and is running for governor (if the recall is approved). We thought a table would be a useful way to present the information:
What Darrell Issa claimed (or his campaign)
What the Los Angeles Times reported
In 1994, Inc. Magazine recognized Darrell Issa as Entrepreneur of the Year.
contradition
Issa has never won the prestigious national award. In an interview, Issa said that he actually had won a localEntrepreneur of the Year contest in San Diego ... and that he hadn't been trying to suggest that he had received national honors.
Issa, ... has said that he was an Army computer research and development specialist.
Issa said he had "served at the computer facility" at Ft. Ord's Combat Development Experimentation Command in the late 1970s and that the Army had sent him to the Boston area for computer training at a commercial school. He said he couldn't recall the name of the school.
contradition
... records and Issa's 1980 Army separation form make no mention of computer training or computer specialty.
In a 1995 interview, he said that as an officer
inflated claim
The extent of Issa's military education as an officer, according to the records, was an eight-week "motor officer" course in 1976 and a four-day "Equal Opportunity United Discussions Leaders Course" in 1978.
he had spent four years in the New Mexico desert perfecting electronic warfare techniques that were later used in the 1991 Gulf War.
contradition
His military records ... list Issa's postings during that period as Ft. Riley, Kan., and Ft. Ord, Calif.
... Issa said he had received the "highest possible" ratings in the U.S. Army.
contradition
Military records show that he received a "fair" conduct rating while undergoing basic combat training at Ft. Knox, Ky., in November 1970. In June 1971, while serving with the 145th Ordnance Detachment in Manor, Pa., he received "unsatisfactory" conduct and efficiency ratings. Later ratings were more positive.
... highest evaluation from Gen. Wesley Clark.
agreement
Issa received a laudatory performance review from Clark ...
The review praised Issa for the quality of his work and for "an unusually high standard of professional ethics."
Issa's campaign literature said he had been a member of Nixon's security detail.
contradition
The Secret Service, of which Issa was not a part, provides the president's security.
Issa had previously claimed attendance at the 1971 World Series as part of Nixon's security.
contradition
Records show that Nixon did not attend the 1971 World Series ...
Issa's explanation for his claim is that he was part of a military bomb disposal squad that provided support to the White House. He was assigned to Nixon's security on temporary duty, he says.
unclear
The assignment isn't listed in Issa's military records, but temporary duty postings aren't always reflected in personnel files, experts said.
During his 1998 campaign, Issa backed away from a claim of having started his car-alarm company "from scratch" ...
contradition
... The Times reported that he had taken control of the business in a legal dispute with the original owners.
He has been charged twice with car theft, although both cases were later dismissed. He was charged twice with carrying a concealed weapon.
On Jan. 16, 1973, Issa pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of possession of an unregistered gun.
Asked earlier this month about that arrest, Issa told a Times reporter that the gun was an "unloaded, never-fired, in-the-box, little teeny pistol" and ...
contradition
Public records obtained by The Times show that when arrested, Issa was carrying a .25-caliber semiautomatic pistol with seven bullets in its ammunition clip, as well as 44 bullets and a tear-gas gun.
... said it wasn't his, although he declined to say whose it was.
contradition
... Donald Payne, the now-retired police officer from Adrian who was one of two arresting officers on the case, said Issa hadn't contested his ownership of the gun at the time.
... Payne['s] account is backed up by the records from the arrest ...
[Issa's profile in the San Diego Tribune included an] account of having turned down an Army offer to send him to prep school and the United States Military Academy at West Point.
possible contradition
Issa's military records do not reflect an offer by the military to send him to prep school and West Point, although the records would not necessarily do so.
Asked Saturday ... Issa responded ..."I was an ROTC-commissioned officer," he said. "That's the end of the story. West Point is an irrelevant part. The prep school at West Point is an irrelevant part."
Our old friend, convicted bank swindler and current head of the INC, Ahmed Chalabi, has apparently moved on from telling tall tales to Judith Miller of the New York Times, and is now regaling Michael "I'll believe anything" Barone of USNews & World Report. Thus, we have this essay, The good news coming from Iraq, in the most recent edition of the magazine. Instapundit linked to it (approvingly), so it must be hot stuff. But what do we read in the essay? Ignoring a summary of a recent Rumsfeld press conference, which consisted of nothing but what came from Chalabi's shop. Here are some excerpts: (emphasis added)
Talking to Chalabi ... I got a far more optimistic picture of Iraq than has been painted in most of the press.
Much of the negative press, Chalabi argues, is due to translators who have their own anti-American agendas and give American and other reporters their version of what is going on rather than what the Iraqis being interviewed are saying.
Looking ahead, Chalabi described his proposal for the convening of a convention to write a new Iraqi constitution. Chalabi says that Bremer supports his proposal but that British representatives do not. Chalabi's American aide, Francis Brooke, predicts that the Governing Council will adopt a proposal much like Chalabi's.
AND ENDS WITH:
You may have to search hard for it in most American news media, but there is good news coming from Iraq.
NOTE: We have a diagram showing the various business deals Chalabi and his brothers were involved with, most of which went south or resulted in conviction for fraud.
Tuesday, October 7, 2003 (79 days before Christmas)
MEASURE ONE
Shall the governor of California be recalled?
Yes
è
¡
No
è
¡
MEASURE TWO
If Measure One carries (recall of the governor) the people of California shall select a replacement from a list of candidates [below]. The candidate receiving a plurality of the votes, even if that's as small as, say, 15%, shall become governor.
NOTE: Your vote will not count unless you have voted for or against the recall of the governor.
Vote for only one candidate:
Darrell Issa Rich guy who can buy elections
è
¡
Bill Simon Rich guy who can lose elections
è
¡
Arnold Schwarzenegger Can you believe it?
è
¡
Mayor of Fresno Why not take a flyer on this guy?
è
¡
Michael Huffington Bi-partisan
è
¡
Ariana Huffington Ex-wife of Michael (hey, this is California)
è
¡
Audie Bock A Green who is running as a Democrat
è
¡
Peter Camejo Another Green making life miserable for Democrats (as a Green)
è
¡
Gary Condit You thought it couldn't get any worse. Think again.
è
¡
MEASURE THREE
If Measure One carries and the replacement governor cannot balance the budget in under sixty (60) days without raising taxes or cutting services, shall the governor of California be recalled again?
SEC'Y OF STATE COMMENT: As long as we're having an election, why not make the most of it?
Yes
è
¡
No
è
¡
MEASURE FOUR
If Measure One carries and Measure Three carries and all hell breaks loose, the people of California shall select another replacement from a list of candidates [below]. The candidate with the votes whose last five digits is closest to the winning lottery numbers picked on the first Wednesday in December, shall become governor.
Vote for only one candidate (without giggling):
Ozzy Osbourne Much more amusing than Arnold
è
¡
Bill Simon Keeps coming back like a bad penny
è
¡
Jack Kemp Former quarterback for the San Diego Chargers
è
¡
Ralph Nader He just couldn't leave well enough alone.
HUME: In your briefing the other day, you mentioned something -- your concern with foreign government-supported media operating within Iraq. Presumably you're talking about Al-Jazeera, al Arabiya, the two satellite news agencies.
WOLFOWITZ: That's right.
HUME: You say foreign government-supported. What should be done about that, in your view, if anything, and what could the administration do to curb the (inaudible)? What are you complaining of here?
WOLFOWITZ: Well, what I'm complaining of are false reporting and very biased reporting that has the effect of inciting violence against our troops. And these governments should stop and realize that this is not a game, that they're endangering the lives of American troops.
And, you know, they have a way when they want to cover somebody favorably, including Saddam Hussein in the old days, of slanting the news incredibly. ...
DR. WOLFOWITZ: Let me say a couple of things, Tim. People act as though the cost of containing Iraq is trivial. The cost of containing Iraq was enormous. Fifty-five American lives lost, at least, in incidents like the Cole and Khobar Towers, which were part of the containment effort. Billions of dollars of American money spent so...
MR. RUSSERT: Was Iraq linked to those?
DR. WOLFOWITZ: Absolutely. Oh, no, not to the—I don’t know who did the attacks. I now that we would not have had Air Force people in Khobar Towers if we weren’t conducting a containment policy. I know we wouldn’t have had to have the Cole out there doing maritime intercept operations. ...
NOTE: The distance (as the crow flies) between Aden, Yemen (where the USS Cole was attacked) and Baghdad, Iraq is 1407 miles.
We're no experts on these matters, but according to the Navy webpage on the mission of the Cole (and ships of a similar type), it's:
These fast warships help safeguard larger ships in a fleet or battle group.
Guided missile destroyers operate in support of carrier battle groups, surface action groups, amphibious groups, and replenishment groups. Destroyers primarily perform anti-submarine warfare duty while guided missile destroyers are multi-mission (anti-submarine, anti-air, and anti-surface warfare) surface combatants.
Which makes it unlikely that the Cole was out there, according to Wolfowitz, doing intercept operations.
The CIA produces a World Factbook each year, and we've often used the on-line version in our research. Recently, they've updated their website (or we just noticed it), with a link to different covers of the book over the last fifteen years or so. Some of it is kinda neat. We especially like the cover that has the earth twice as large (at least), but with the continents unchanged in size. Who says the CIA doesn't have a sense of style?
In a strong editorial, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says William Pryor is unfit to be placed on the 11th Circuit appelate bench, and calls for a filibuster: (emphasis added)
Southerners who care about the separation of church and state should hope Alabama Attorney General William Pryor never sits on the 11th Circuit appellate bench, which rules on appeals in cases from Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The ultraconservative Pryor, who preaches that Christianity should be more a part of American public life, was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday in a 10-9 vote along partisan lines.
If ever there were a nomination that merits a filibuster, it is this one. Not just because Pryor holds views far out of the mainstream, but also because of the unprecedented twisting of the Constitution's advice and consent process by President Bush's corporate pals. Misleading ads, funded by the deceitfully named "Committee for Justice," have already run in Maine and Rhode Island to pressure moderate Republican senators into voting for Pryor's confirmation on the Senate floor. The despicable ads show a courthouse door with a sign across it saying "No Catholics allowed."
...
Pryor's record is sufficient to disqualify him from any judgeship. In addition to his extreme views on abortion (he opposes it for rape victims), he favors prayer in public school classrooms and the Ten Commandments in the Alabama courthouse. He was also the only attorney general in the nation to argue that the Violence Against Women Act is unconstitutional.
For more on the Committee for Justice, CNN has a story about its membership, which consists mostly of corporate lobbyists.
From the comments section at Eschaton/Atrios, we found a link to a curious page on Tom DeLay's website. It was a transcript of a speech he gave recently to College Republicans. Some excerpts:
Good afternoon, or, as John Kerry might say: “Bonjour!”
... in the interests of clarity, I have a simple message to pass along: the national Democrat party seems to have lost its marbles.
While everyone else got the memo that big-government, blame-America-first liberalism died with disco, the Howard Dean Democrats still want to party like it's 1979!
But frankly, America doesn't need a president in a hot-pink leisure suit.
The September 11th attacks were ... a premeditated assault on the freedom of every human being on this planet ...
To try to gauge just how out of touch the Democrat leadership is on the war on terror, just close your eyes and try to imagine Ted Kennedy landing that Navy jet on the deck of that aircraft carrier.
The Democrats' accusations AREN'T meant to be taken seriously. Because they're unserious people.
They've gone off the deep end.
It makes you wonder if at their next presidential debate, the Democrats are all going to show up wearing aluminum-foil helmets to protect their brain waves from the mother ship!
To the College Republicans the speech was given to:
Most everyone who speaks to College Republicans at some point utters the phrase, “You are the future.”
College Republicans aren't our future – you're part of our present.
You've already shown your commitment to Republican principles by joining the C-R's, and when you return to school, I want you to contact your local Republican congressional candidate's office and ask to join the STOMP program.
STOMP – Strategic Task force for the Organization and Mobilization of People – is a powerful manpower organization I started a few years back.
STOMP! That's the ticket! (It's easier to pronounce and shorter than sturmabteilung.)
MEMO TO TOM: It's "tin-foil hats", not "aluminum-foil helmets". Everyone knows aluminum won't deflect mind-reading tachyon beams. That was proved at the Lyndon LaRouche Institute of High-Energy Physics back in 1996.
