“Up through January of 2003, the cooperation was topnotch,” a former State Department official said. “Then we were going to do Iraq, and some people in the Administration got heavy- handed. They wanted Syria to get involved in operational stuff having nothing to do with Al Qaeda and everything to do with Iraq.” As Dubya accuses Syria of harboring terrorists, Sy Hersh examines the rise and fall of US-Syrian cooperation after 9/11.
Tag: George W. Bush
Delusions of Grandeur.
Running about a month behind the meme, the LA Times offers up yet another story on presumed GOP dominance in 2004. You’d think recent events would start to mitigate this type of wishful thinking.
Information Adjustments.
Not just theory anymore, an internal Justice Dept. report cites numerous civil rights violations under the Patriot Act. It was only a matter of time, wasn’t it?
Skipping the Middleman
They may be forced to put up with his budget-busting economic proposals, but they’re drawing the line on global warming. A number of Northeastern states – including several led by Republican governors – break with Dubya and prepare to pass greenhouse-gas emission caps that accord with the Kyoto treaty.
Lies and Gaffes.
Two interesting editorials in today’s Globe: Derrick Jackson wonders aloud about the GOP’s double standard on Presidential lies, while H.D.S. Greenway laments the diplomatic damage wrought by Dubya’s ill-advised “axis of evil” rhetoric. Dishonest and incompetent…the total package.
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
“It was the end of the world,” said one officer Thursday. “It went all the way up to President Bush and back down again on top of us. At least six of us here will lose our careers.” The Pentagon drops the hammer on disgruntled GIs who made the mistake of voicing their frustration to ABC News. Hmm. True, these guys were out of bounds. Still, I wonder how many soldiers America would have lost over the ages if we kicked out everybody who’s ever grumbled about their assignment. Whether or not you’re risking your life for your nation, apparently, it’s never wise to displease the Dubya.
Free-Fall.
Speaking of ugly, Drudge points the way to new poll numbers that show Dubya’s numbers dwindling to pre-9/11 levels. It’s about time.
Armtwisting for $$$.
So that’s how Dubya raised so much loot. According to a front page story in tomorrow’s Post, at least six GOP Attorneys General apparently used their clout to extort campaign contributions from corporations under their thumb. Looks like the Republicans learned a thing or two from Tammany Hall…this behavior reeks of bossism.
Agree to Disagree.
Via the LA Times, White House Doesn’t Share Outsiders’ Concerns Over Deficit. Yeah, I’d say that’s an understatement.
Pile On.
Weaponsgate fallout continues, with Ted Kennedy decrying Dubya’s foreign policy, John Kerry lambasting Homeland (in)Security under Bush, and Dean and Lieberman calling for Tenet’s head. Whether or not Tenet continues to fall on his sword for the Bushies, the buck stops with the White House, and the GOP Senate can only play defense for so long. What did Dubya know, and when did he know it?