The GOP routinely attempts to portray Democrats as fiends and yet the party of the sanctimonious and self-righteous will accept donations from the likes of financiers for Al-Qaeda. This snippet of news won’t likely show up anywhere anytime soon in the Right Wing Scream Machine “media.” There is more on this shocking revelation at the end of this diary.
I have just had it with the GOP’s self-serving, hypocritical and junkyard dog tactics. Today on the Dallas Blog, right wingers are trashing Gore for his electric bill. Last month it was Edward’s because of the size of his home and then Pelosi and the Air Force One non-issue that was spun into a circus by the right wing scream machine.
After listening to this nonsense since November 8, I have discovered how the RWSM works. It and the GOP are obviously one and the same. And therefore the RWSM strives to provide distractions from the misery, failures and havoc the GOP has inflicted upon our once great nation since 2000. When the news on Iraq and other colossal blunders become more devastating for Bush and the GOP, the right wing scream machine kicks into action by picking up on some insignificant minutiae and churning it into a national soap opera.
Now the RWSM is picking on Gore. He won an Academy Award for his documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.” One would think Gore was running for office considering how the RWSM is handling the story.
It is being reported that some so-called non-partisan “think” tank in Tennessee (that obviously had nothing better to do) studied Gore’s electric bill. This “think” tank, which may be posing as a front for a 527, happens to receive tons of donations from big oil. It also cheerleads the war in Iraq and has a problem with global warming. Non-partisan? Sell me some ocean front property in Arizona.
To set the record straight, as far as Gore’s utility bill is concerned, his house has 20 rooms in which there are two home offices and space for Secret Service types. Mr. Gore and his wife opted for a green power provider over one whose energy source spews more carbon dioxide into our already filthy air. The green power provider is apparently more expensive than traditional power providers. The RWSM neglected to provide these inconvenient facts.
The RWSM will spend vast amounts of time railing about Gore, Edwards, Pelosi, and other prominent Democrats while ignoring or give merely token coverage (at 3:00 a.m.) to very serious news. One prime example includes how the Ambassador to Switzerland gave Karl Rove an offer from Iran to negotiate in 2003. Somehow the document never made it to Condi Rice. Apparently Cheney and Bush discussed this offer, but since we were at a time in the era of smirking, cocky swaggering and strutting, instead of dealing with Iran at an opportune time, the Bush Administration scolded the Swiss Ambassador for contacting Rove. Despite the seriousness of this obvious bungle, all I hear is the deafening sound of silence from the right.
Then there is the disgrace of Walter Reed Hospital.
More silence.
And how about the inconvenient truth of Bush/Cheney’s back room shenanigans with Iran – like covert operations with no Congressional oversight? And how about the establishment of a panel in the Pentagon whose sole purpose is to facilitate bombing Iran on 24 hours notice? And what about Bush/Cheney support for Sunnis and by extension Al-Qaeda? The Sunnis are the ones who also happen to be those responsible for killing most of our U.S. soldiers in Iraq and who flew jets into the World Trade Center. (Source: Mr. Seymour Hersh’s forthcoming article in The New Yorker 3/5/07.)
More silence….
The drop dead tidbit du jour (that the RWSM will likely not utter a peep) concerns how a financier for Al-Qaeda donated money to none other than the Grand Old Party. Can you believe it? A supporter of TERRORISTS donated money to the GOP? Could you hear the RWSM had a DEMOCRAT received one cent from this person? Oh imagine the histrionics, hysterics, apoplexy, the shrieking, bellowing, the dramas and trauma that would be spewed 24/7 for months and months and months.
Excerpts from Josh Marshall
When it comes to major funders of the Republican party who are also
(alleged) financiers of al Qaeda, we make a special effort to be thorough.
So remember Abdul Tawala Ibn Ali Alishtari, the guy who got indicted two weeks ago for trying to fund new terrorist training camps in Pakistan (apparently it's a growth industry at the moment). Reports at the time said Alishtari had given just over $15,000 to the Republicans. But Paul Kiel looked a bit closer. And it turns out that the true number was $35,000.
There was an extra $20,000 Alishtari contributed to the National Republican Senatorial Committee on August 9th, 2003. (It went unnoticed because his name was misspelled on the disclosure form.)
Admittedly, it ain't the $152,000 he tried to contribute to al Qaeda. But not chump change either.
-- Josh Marshall
Sources: Josh Marshall Piece Here and TPM Muckraker Here
Again, the deafening sound of silence pervades the airwaves from the right.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Bush’s War in Iraq Has Increased Terrorism Sevenfold
A new report has been recently released by Mother Jones, entitled “Iraq 101: Aftermath, Long Term Thinking” (Part 4) This in-depth, 5-part study was led by Peter Bergen and Paul Cruickshank, research fellows at the Center on Law and Security at NYU’s School of Law.
According to the study, Bush has been insisting that fighting terrorists “over there” means we don’t have to fight them “over here.” When Rumsfeld has been asked if the war has created more terrorism, he would routinely reply “No one knows. The world doesn’t know.” The report reveals that until now, no one has ever done a statistical analysis of the effects of the war in Iraq on terrorism.
Bergen and Cruickshank’s report give us a crystal clear view into Bush and his GOP enablers' work in abysmal and profound failure, the deaths of hundreds of thousands, devastating human suffering both at home and in Iraq, a nightmare of regional migration displacement, gross corruption and the squandering and depletion of U.S. treasure. As if this personal, social, military, geopolitical and national calamity isn’t horrible enough, Bush & Co. seriously compromised our security and safety by opening Pandora’s Box of terrorism.
All for a lie.
Below is a summary of some of the facts revealed by the study. A link to the full report can be found on the URL for Mother Jones below.
Excerpts:
We have undertaken such a study, drawing on data in the mipt-rand Terrorism database (terrorismknowledgebase .org), widely considered the best unclassified database on terrorism incidents.
Our study yields one resounding finding: The rate of fatal terrorist attacks around the world by jihadist groups, and the number of people killed in those attacks, increased dramatically after the invasion of Iraq. Globally there was a 607 percent rise in the average yearly incidence of attacks (28.3 attacks per year before and 199.8 after) and a 237 percent rise in the fatality rate (from 501 to 1,689 deaths per year). A large part of this rise occurred in Iraq, the scene of almost half the global total of jihadist terrorist attacks. But even excluding Iraq and Afghanistan—the other current jihadist hot spot—there has been a 35 percent rise in the number of attacks, with a 12 percent rise in fatalities.
Contrary to Bush’s assertion, jihadists have not let the Iraq War distract them from targeting the United States and its allies. The rate of attacks on Western interests and citizens has risen by almost 25 percent, while the yearly fatality rate has increased by 4 percent, a figure that would have been higher had planned attacks, such as the London airline plot, not been prevented.
The globalization of jihad and martyrdom has disquieting implications for American security in the future. Jihadists are already leaving Iraq to operate elsewhere, a “blowback” trend that will greatly increase when the war eventually winds down. Terrorist groups in Iraq, which have learned to raise millions through kidnapping and oil theft, may be in a position to help fund their jihadist brethren elsewhere. Finally, Iraq has increased the popularity of a hardcore takfiri ideology so intolerant that, unlikely as it seems, it makes Osama bin Laden appear relatively moderate.
End of excerpt:
Human Consequences of a Failed War
Migration Disaster for Iraq and the Region:
1.6 million Iraqis have been displaced, 1.8 million have left. Saudi Arabia is building a wall at its 560 mile border to prevent migration from Iraq. 700,000 Iraqis live in Jordon, 60,000 in Sweden, according to the report.
All because of a lie.
Social Upheaval:
In 2006, 30% of Iraqi children attended school. Prior to the war, attendance was 100%.
47% of the children have suffered from a traumatic event.
2,000 doctors have been murdered.
30% more Iraqis are in jail now than before the war.
Iraq has descended into a civil war. More and more civilians are being killed.
All because of a lie.
The Cost to U.S. in Blood
Over 3,100 troops killed.
23,000 soldiers have been wounded
4,600 Iraq vets suffer from severe head or brain injury
1,300 have lost limbs
1 in 5 suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
22 Army soldiers have committed suicide.
All because of a lie.
The Cost to U.S. Treasure:
The report also reveals the extraordinary costs of prosecuting the war which is costing U.S. taxpayers $275 million per day. According to the study: “If the U.S. had not invaded, militarily containing Saddam through 2015 would have cost an estimated $23 million a day.”
Additionally, the estimate cost of the ISG which did not find any WMD in Iraq is a cool $900. Million. The amount Congress has budgeted for a “success commemoration” is $20 million.
All because of a lie.
Oil Production:
Excerpt:
Pipe Dreams: Iraq’s Energy Crunch
In 2003, then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz said oil exports would rebuild Iraq “relatively soon.” But last year, Iraq missed its export goal by nearly 1/3 and spent only $2 billion on reconstruction, while the U.S. spent $5.4 billion. Baghdad gets an average of 4 hours 30 minutes of electricity a day. Estimated cost of boosting Iraq’s power capacity by 2010: $20 billion. Estimated cost of installing enough solar panels to power every home in Iraq: $6.6 billion.
End of Excerpt.
Iraq: a war waged by a heck-of-a-job Bush, Cheney and the GOP.
The liars lied and others die or suffer.
And Pandora’s Box on terrorism has been thrown wide open.
All for……..? LS
MOTHER JONES PIECE HERE
According to the study, Bush has been insisting that fighting terrorists “over there” means we don’t have to fight them “over here.” When Rumsfeld has been asked if the war has created more terrorism, he would routinely reply “No one knows. The world doesn’t know.” The report reveals that until now, no one has ever done a statistical analysis of the effects of the war in Iraq on terrorism.
Bergen and Cruickshank’s report give us a crystal clear view into Bush and his GOP enablers' work in abysmal and profound failure, the deaths of hundreds of thousands, devastating human suffering both at home and in Iraq, a nightmare of regional migration displacement, gross corruption and the squandering and depletion of U.S. treasure. As if this personal, social, military, geopolitical and national calamity isn’t horrible enough, Bush & Co. seriously compromised our security and safety by opening Pandora’s Box of terrorism.
All for a lie.
Below is a summary of some of the facts revealed by the study. A link to the full report can be found on the URL for Mother Jones below.
Excerpts:
We have undertaken such a study, drawing on data in the mipt-rand Terrorism database (terrorismknowledgebase .org), widely considered the best unclassified database on terrorism incidents.
Our study yields one resounding finding: The rate of fatal terrorist attacks around the world by jihadist groups, and the number of people killed in those attacks, increased dramatically after the invasion of Iraq. Globally there was a 607 percent rise in the average yearly incidence of attacks (28.3 attacks per year before and 199.8 after) and a 237 percent rise in the fatality rate (from 501 to 1,689 deaths per year). A large part of this rise occurred in Iraq, the scene of almost half the global total of jihadist terrorist attacks. But even excluding Iraq and Afghanistan—the other current jihadist hot spot—there has been a 35 percent rise in the number of attacks, with a 12 percent rise in fatalities.
Contrary to Bush’s assertion, jihadists have not let the Iraq War distract them from targeting the United States and its allies. The rate of attacks on Western interests and citizens has risen by almost 25 percent, while the yearly fatality rate has increased by 4 percent, a figure that would have been higher had planned attacks, such as the London airline plot, not been prevented.
The globalization of jihad and martyrdom has disquieting implications for American security in the future. Jihadists are already leaving Iraq to operate elsewhere, a “blowback” trend that will greatly increase when the war eventually winds down. Terrorist groups in Iraq, which have learned to raise millions through kidnapping and oil theft, may be in a position to help fund their jihadist brethren elsewhere. Finally, Iraq has increased the popularity of a hardcore takfiri ideology so intolerant that, unlikely as it seems, it makes Osama bin Laden appear relatively moderate.
End of excerpt:
Human Consequences of a Failed War
Migration Disaster for Iraq and the Region:
1.6 million Iraqis have been displaced, 1.8 million have left. Saudi Arabia is building a wall at its 560 mile border to prevent migration from Iraq. 700,000 Iraqis live in Jordon, 60,000 in Sweden, according to the report.
All because of a lie.
Social Upheaval:
In 2006, 30% of Iraqi children attended school. Prior to the war, attendance was 100%.
47% of the children have suffered from a traumatic event.
2,000 doctors have been murdered.
30% more Iraqis are in jail now than before the war.
Iraq has descended into a civil war. More and more civilians are being killed.
All because of a lie.
The Cost to U.S. in Blood
Over 3,100 troops killed.
23,000 soldiers have been wounded
4,600 Iraq vets suffer from severe head or brain injury
1,300 have lost limbs
1 in 5 suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
22 Army soldiers have committed suicide.
All because of a lie.
The Cost to U.S. Treasure:
The report also reveals the extraordinary costs of prosecuting the war which is costing U.S. taxpayers $275 million per day. According to the study: “If the U.S. had not invaded, militarily containing Saddam through 2015 would have cost an estimated $23 million a day.”
Additionally, the estimate cost of the ISG which did not find any WMD in Iraq is a cool $900. Million. The amount Congress has budgeted for a “success commemoration” is $20 million.
All because of a lie.
Oil Production:
Excerpt:
Pipe Dreams: Iraq’s Energy Crunch
In 2003, then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz said oil exports would rebuild Iraq “relatively soon.” But last year, Iraq missed its export goal by nearly 1/3 and spent only $2 billion on reconstruction, while the U.S. spent $5.4 billion. Baghdad gets an average of 4 hours 30 minutes of electricity a day. Estimated cost of boosting Iraq’s power capacity by 2010: $20 billion. Estimated cost of installing enough solar panels to power every home in Iraq: $6.6 billion.
End of Excerpt.
Iraq: a war waged by a heck-of-a-job Bush, Cheney and the GOP.
The liars lied and others die or suffer.
And Pandora’s Box on terrorism has been thrown wide open.
All for……..? LS
MOTHER JONES PIECE HERE
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
Some folks in the mainstream media call Texas the “reddest state of them all.” Enlightened Texans, including those who represent a cross section of all political groups, from liberal to moderate to conservative, have a different interpretation of Texas politics.
The more informed Texan understands that our state is likely the most politically corrupted one in the nation. This is the literal stomping ground of the Bush family. After all, Texas delivered the likes of W. and Rove to Washington.
50 out 50, Texas likely wins the first place award for fast tracking our state down the one-way path to economic devastation… that of a third world economy in which the hard working middle and working classes are completely disenfranchised.
Texas Republican lawmakers are so completely wedded to big oil and gas; insurance, pharma and special interests that they forgot why we, the people, sent them to Washington.
Recent reports reveal that ExxonMobil, supported by the Republican Party, is paying scientists to dispute the findings of global warming.
Let us eat pollution, attendant cancer and suffer the devastating effects of climate change.
Our state’s Republican leaders tacitly applaud illegal immigration for such keeps wages low and benefits such as healthcare non- existent.
It also explains why the corporate owned Republican Party has done nothing whatsoever to secure our southern border except to talk a lot about “securing our border with Mexico.” Which is all mere trash talk followed by nada, zip action. Talk the talk, but shirk the walk.
Recently, the governor in Texas, The Hair Perry, beholden to Merck, decided to mandate a vaccine down the throats of Texans. The vaccine is likely a good thing, but no one, from far right to far left trusts the Gov. Seems that the Gov pretends to care about “our children” and yet in reality, The Hair really owes a big one to Merck who donated $6K to his re-election campaign.
Besides, if our Gov and his Republican Party really gave a flip about Texas children why are our public schools so abysmally under-funded, low performing and why does Texas have record-breaking high school drop out rates?
Ironically, the Republican politicians, including our Gov, all profess to be God-fearing if not fundamentalist “Christians.” Perhaps they should explain their definition of “Christianity.” After all, Jesus threw the moneychangers out of the temple.
Our junior Senator, John Cornyn, is yet another example of a so-called compassionate conservative and “Christian” Republican.
Let us examine his reasoning for voting against the recent minimum wage increase. After all, Cornyn voted for a minimum wage increase when it was tied to the estate tax bill in August 2006.
After reading the letter Senator Cornyn wrote to a constituent, also a friend of mine, below, please be sure to check the web site indicating Cornyn’s major contributors.
Dear Mr. X:
Thank you for contacting me about efforts to increase the minimum wage. I appreciate having the benefit of your views on this issue.
As you may know, the Minimum Wage Increase Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-188) established the current minimum wage level of $5.15 per hour. I understand the concerns that many Americans have about the difficulties confronting low-wage workers. While increasing the minimum wage may be well intentioned, I do not believe it will—by itself—aid minimum-wage employees or make the U.S. more competitive in today’s global economy. Such an increase would further the financial burden on small businesses and ultimately translate into higher product prices and layoffs. These consequences would disproportionately hurt low-wage workers.
To improve the well being of American workers, Congress must focus on promoting continued economic growth, reducing the tax burden on small businesses, and increasing production—circumstances that will benefit all Americans. You may be certain that I will keep your comments in mind as I work with my colleagues in the Senate to promote economic growth and secure the financial well being of all Americans.
I appreciate having the opportunity to represent the interests of Texans in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator
517 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 228-2856
http://www.cornyn.senate.gov
CONTRIBUTIONS TO CORNYN FROM NOT SO SMALL BUSINESSES
CORNYN’S CONTRIBUTORS
The more informed Texan understands that our state is likely the most politically corrupted one in the nation. This is the literal stomping ground of the Bush family. After all, Texas delivered the likes of W. and Rove to Washington.
50 out 50, Texas likely wins the first place award for fast tracking our state down the one-way path to economic devastation… that of a third world economy in which the hard working middle and working classes are completely disenfranchised.
Texas Republican lawmakers are so completely wedded to big oil and gas; insurance, pharma and special interests that they forgot why we, the people, sent them to Washington.
Recent reports reveal that ExxonMobil, supported by the Republican Party, is paying scientists to dispute the findings of global warming.
Let us eat pollution, attendant cancer and suffer the devastating effects of climate change.
Our state’s Republican leaders tacitly applaud illegal immigration for such keeps wages low and benefits such as healthcare non- existent.
It also explains why the corporate owned Republican Party has done nothing whatsoever to secure our southern border except to talk a lot about “securing our border with Mexico.” Which is all mere trash talk followed by nada, zip action. Talk the talk, but shirk the walk.
Recently, the governor in Texas, The Hair Perry, beholden to Merck, decided to mandate a vaccine down the throats of Texans. The vaccine is likely a good thing, but no one, from far right to far left trusts the Gov. Seems that the Gov pretends to care about “our children” and yet in reality, The Hair really owes a big one to Merck who donated $6K to his re-election campaign.
Besides, if our Gov and his Republican Party really gave a flip about Texas children why are our public schools so abysmally under-funded, low performing and why does Texas have record-breaking high school drop out rates?
Ironically, the Republican politicians, including our Gov, all profess to be God-fearing if not fundamentalist “Christians.” Perhaps they should explain their definition of “Christianity.” After all, Jesus threw the moneychangers out of the temple.
Our junior Senator, John Cornyn, is yet another example of a so-called compassionate conservative and “Christian” Republican.
Let us examine his reasoning for voting against the recent minimum wage increase. After all, Cornyn voted for a minimum wage increase when it was tied to the estate tax bill in August 2006.
After reading the letter Senator Cornyn wrote to a constituent, also a friend of mine, below, please be sure to check the web site indicating Cornyn’s major contributors.
Dear Mr. X:
Thank you for contacting me about efforts to increase the minimum wage. I appreciate having the benefit of your views on this issue.
As you may know, the Minimum Wage Increase Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-188) established the current minimum wage level of $5.15 per hour. I understand the concerns that many Americans have about the difficulties confronting low-wage workers. While increasing the minimum wage may be well intentioned, I do not believe it will—by itself—aid minimum-wage employees or make the U.S. more competitive in today’s global economy. Such an increase would further the financial burden on small businesses and ultimately translate into higher product prices and layoffs. These consequences would disproportionately hurt low-wage workers.
To improve the well being of American workers, Congress must focus on promoting continued economic growth, reducing the tax burden on small businesses, and increasing production—circumstances that will benefit all Americans. You may be certain that I will keep your comments in mind as I work with my colleagues in the Senate to promote economic growth and secure the financial well being of all Americans.
I appreciate having the opportunity to represent the interests of Texans in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator
517 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 228-2856
CONTRIBUTIONS TO CORNYN FROM NOT SO SMALL BUSINESSES
CORNYN’S CONTRIBUTORS
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