Deceitful Editing of Bush Interview

This e-mail is to formally request that NBC Nightly News and The Today Show air for their viewers President Bush's actual answer to correspondent Richard Engel's question about Iran policy and "appeasement," rather than the deceptively edited version of the President's answer that was aired last night on the Nightly News and this morning on The Today Show.

In the interview, Engel asked the President: "You said that negotiating with Iran is pointless, and then you went further. You said that it was appeasement. --Talkingpointsmemo.com

Bush's toady, former RNC chairman Ed Gillespie now White House counselor wrote a scathing letter demanding NBC fix it's broadcast of the Bush interview, saying that NBC was deceptive in its editing.

And no, they are aren't joking. We are long past the point where this administration has jumped the shark.

What about the deceitful edit of intelligence in the lead up to this war?

What about the deceitful edit of documents showing Iraq trying to buy yellowcake?

What about the deceitful edit of events showing Dick Cheney hadn't been drinking when he shot a man in the face?

What about the deceitful edit of records showing Karl Rove as the central figure in the Valerie Plame outing?

What about the repeated deceit, wherein a member of the Bush adminstration says: "I never said that", when of course they had?

What about the deceit of saying "Support the Troops", when it means they have to wade through human filth in their own barracks.

Or be shoved into dilapedated hospitals with crumbling walls, cockroaches, and a lack of care as at Walter Reed?

The list is endless, literally.

This is what the Boy Prince is concerned with, his being "edited" by NBC? This administration that has treated the media like so much silly putty, stretching the truth and using them to reproduce images seemingly from comic books. I have NBC's reply if they care to send it.

Bwahahahahahahaha, are you fucking joking? -- signed NBC News

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Media Matters Finds Thousands of Pentagon Pundits

4,500+

Appearances/Quotations by Military Analysts Identified in New York Times Exposé on Pentagon Program... --Media Matters

A New York Times article detailed the connection between numerous media military analysts and the Pentagon and defense industries, reporting that "the Bush administration has used its control over access and information in an effort to transform" media military analysts "into a kind of media Trojan horse -- an instrument intended to shape terrorism coverage from inside the major TV and radio networks." A Media Matters review found that since January 1, 2002, the analysts named in the Times article -- many identified as having ties to the defense industry -- collectively appeared or were quoted as experts more than 4,500 times on ABC, ABC News Now, CBS, CBS Radio Network, NBC, CNN, CNN Headline News, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC, and NPR.

Holy F*cking Christmas... are you shitting me?

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Rove On Obama

Over at Media Matters they have the transcript of Karl Rove's visit with Fox News Sunday this week:

WALLACE: We're running out of time, I want to hit a couple of last final points quickly. A speaker at a McCain rally this week talked about, repeatedly, "Barack Hussein Obama." The Tennessee Republican Party talks about support for Obama from anti-Semites and anti-Israel people. I know McCain has denounced this; you're shaking your head. But if you don't have your fingerprints on it, is this kind of talk out in the bloodstream of the American politics helpful?

ROVE: Look, the Hussein -- using his middle name helps Obama, it doesn't hurt him. So anybody who wants to help John McCain ought to stop using --

WALLACE: Explain that.

ROVE: Well, because I think people look at it and say, "Hey, look, that's one step too far. You're trying to leave an implication that he is a Muslim when I know he's not." And I think it -- you know, a lot of times attacks in politics fail -- in fact, they turn into a negative for the person who's doing the attacking because people think it's gone too far. And this, frankly, goes too far. Now, having ties to Louis Farrakhan and his anti-Semitic comments, that's -- that's -- you know, people have a reason -- that's a reasonable question: Do you agree with him? Do you renounce him? Do you reject him? But this idea of getting up there and using the guy's middle name in order to imply something about him is -- it goes too far.

Let me give you the shorter version:

People shouldn't be calling him Barack Hussein Obama, because using that name, Hussein, is just wrong. No one should be repeating Barack Hussein Obama when they refer to him. I know his name is Barack Hussein Obama but we shouldn't be using it. The name Barack Hussein Obama I mean, because when you use Barack Hussein Obama its bad for us and good for Barack Hussein Obama. Oops sorry, I didn't mean to say Barack Hussein Obama, that slipped out. So, are we clear? No-one should be saying Barack Hussein Obama. Got it.

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Barack Obama, Manchurian Candidate

Mark Halperin, Stupid Motherfucker
Below I mention the lard headed fools like Nedra Pickler, and CNN that are propagating this silly assed Manchurian Candidate Pseudo Patriot meme and like freaking clockwork here comes Mark Halperin. As Atrios calls him Time Magazine's Chief Racism Promoter. I would have said racist but who am I to argue with the Mighty Atrios.

His stupid ass comes up with a helpful list of things "McCain Can Do to Try to Beat Obama That Clinton Cannot"... Look at number 11.

11. Emphasize Barack Hussein Obama’s unusual name and exotic background through a Manchurian Candidate prism.

Like clockwork...

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New Offensive in Mosul, Again

In this never ending game of whack a mole, CENTCOM is planning to bring the hammer down on Mosul, again. In the 2nd or 3rd pacification of Mosul, in what is becoming a annual rite of spring the Army is trying to "get out the good news".

Iraqi political and military leaders and U.S. military commanders have traveled to the northern Iraqi city of Mosul ahead of a planned offensive on al Qaeda in Iraq loyalists, according to a senior U.S. military source.
Saturday's meeting portends a major confrontation between U.S. and Iraqi troops and al Qaeda in Iraq militants, who have a strong presence in the diverse, sprawling city of Mosul, the capital of Nineveh province -- a region long beset by conflict. -- CNN February 2008

I look forward to the CENTCOM spin selling us on how having to launch a new ground offensive in Mosul is part of the decrease in violence in Iraq.

"We are seeing a more stable environment," said Lt. Col. Michael Gibler, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, which operates in eastern Mosul. "Have we made a turn yet? No, but we're really close to it."

The military attributes the decline to several factors, including Iraqis' increased willingness to provide information about insurgents and the growing presence of the new Iraqi security forces throughout the country. -- WAPO April 2005

Same as it ever was.

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The Surge is Working, IV.2

Yeah... right.

The media now say that Iraq is a secondary issue. But the voters, so far mostly on the Republican side, disagree. In New Hampshire last week, two-thirds of Republicans who voted in the primary told exit pollsters they support the war in Iraq. Oddly enough, they like the war more than they like President Bush.

For obvious reasons, McCain is the chief beneficiary of the surge effect. He has relentlessly promoted increasing the number of troops in Iraq and adopting a counterinsurgency strategy that stresses the protection and safety of Iraqi citizens. -- AP

Uhm... but... but...

Iraqi authorities have taken charge of reconstruction projects along with military operations in southern Iraq, establishing a major test of their ability to effectively manage the large sums of money involved.
-- Wired ,In Basra, Iraqis Go It Alone.

Except in the south, were we really couldn't give a shit. And the outlying provinces and suburbs of Baghdad, and parts of Baghdad, and that bit over there, but other than that!

Well, we are protecting Iraqi's by allowing them to protect themselves. Bootstraps and all that don't you know!

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US: Iraqi Bombs Rise In Iraq

EFP - Explosive Formed Projectile
I am re-titling the piece I just saw on CNN.

U.S.: Iranian bombs rise in Iraq -- CNN.com

Attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq with bombs believed linked to Iran -- known as explosively formed penetrators (EFPs) -- have risen sharply in January after several months of decline, according to the top U.S. commander in Iraq.

The Military itself has said these are being made in Iraq not Iran. They have found manufacturing sites for them in Baghdad. Its a simple process. They are heavy and expensive to ship. I know we keep trying to gin up reasons to attack Iran since the Monty Python-esque Speedboat Liars for Truth were exposed, but why are we re-running this old bunch of crap?

Gen. David Petraeus disclosed the reversal to reporters after a meeting with President Bush who was visiting troops in Kuwait.

"In this year, EFPs have gone up, actually, over the last 10 days by a factor of two or three, and frankly we're trying to determine why that might be," Petraeus said.

Ah... Thats why. Bush is making Petraeus say it in order to increase tensions with Iran. Its incredible that CNN just gobbles these stories up. Is it possible that someone at CNN could use google just once before buying hook, line and sinker into one of these bullshit fantasies fueled by Dick Cheney's imagination and war lust.

These devices are very simple to manufacture. The Iraqi's rebuild Mercedes Benz's, I think creating a copper disk isn't that much of a stretch and why ship something a 1,000 miles when you can make it in Uncle Ahmed's machine shop down the street?

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Army Meets Recruiting Goal!

54,000

Army recruits now expected for the year 2007!

79,500

were recruited for the year 2002


Good news comrade, tractor sales are up!


ht to tbogg commentator: owlbear1

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Disingenuous Fucks

"Victory" Over Al-Qaeda in Iraq?

So I am reading this post over at Danger Room about how the Pentagon is agonizing about how or rather if they should announce victory against Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

"The U.S. military believes it has dealt devastating and perhaps irreversible blows to al-Qaeda in Iraq in recent months," the Washington Post reports. And now, there's a struggle within the military over whether to declare "victory" -- or just good news. -- wired.com

You know, you just know, what they are agonizing about is if they should announce it at all. Instead of just saying "look, we are kicking their asses". They dont want to make it sound like they are making progress, and they damn sure don't want to make it sound like they no longer have a terrorism problem in Iraq. Because otherwise why are 2 or 3 Americans and god knows how many Iraq's are dying a day.

Save us from the cowardly perfumed princes at the Pentagon... Same as it ever was.

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al Qaeda, al Qaeda, al Qaeda

12

Number of times President Bush refers to al-Qaeda in 17 1/2 minute speech on Iraq War (September 13, 2007)

Percentage of al-Qaeda like terrorist groups involved in Iraq: 2%

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Shock and Awe

Naomi Klein wrote a book called Shock Doctrine. It's about manipulation. Mass manipulation. I haven't read the book yet but was interested in this (very) short film about it by Alfonso Cuarón (Director of Children of Men and No Logo.)

In THE SHOCK DOCTRINE, Naomi Klein explodes the myth that the global free market triumphed democratically. Exposing the thinking, the money trail and the puppet strings behind the world-changing crises and wars of the last four decades, The Shock Doctrine is the gripping story of how America’s “free market” policies have come to dominate the world-- through the exploitation of disaster-shocked people and countries.

http://www.naomiklein.org/shock-doctrine

UPDATE: As larue points out; related post at Informed Comment Global Affairs

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McClatch Washinton Bureau -- Lies

Combat deaths in Iraq decline; reasons aren't clear

Complete bullshit article from McClatchy today. This from a paper which has been providing the best reporting out of Iraq. Presumably they got suckered by the Bush administration

WASHINGTON — American combat deaths in Iraq have dropped by half in the three months since the buildup of 28,000 additional U.S. troops reached full strength, surprising analysts and dividing them as to why.

McClatchy Washington Bureau

With an accompanying graphic of mass distortion.

Lets look at the real numbers:


The deaths are always down in August compared to the other months, because its very, very hot.

McClatchy, PWNED.

UPDATE: Fer Pete's sake, even their numbers are wrong. They say they are looking at icasualties.org but the chart doesnt even match... its 81 in August now. My chart is from a couple of days ago. Theirs must be from mid August or something. WTF!

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Argument for Withdrawal

Americablog.com has a post up telling Petraeus to stop lying about how the surge is causing a drop in violence in Al Anbar province. Aravosis points out that the surge is not occurring in Al-Anbar. He's right, but the surge is having an effect there and its a good argument for withdrawal.

Of all the troops sent into Baghdad for the surge a number of them came from newly deployed units. But more than a significant number were pulled from Al-Anbar. This has had the affect of reducing pressure and removing targets of opportunity there. The locals have been trying quell sectarian violence and go after AQI themselves.

Administration supporters have been upbeat about the way in which some Sunni Arab populations, especially in al-Anbar Province, have turned against the foreign jihadi volunteers that were behind much mindless violence. These jihadis, styled "al-Qaida" by the Bush administration ( -- Juan Cole)

I think this shows that the Iraqi's would much rather settle their own issues without violence, like we see in other tribal warfare. The Shia and the Sunni have been living together for a very, very long time. When the US Forces are removed from view this culture tries to govern itself. Which is not surprising really. If we remove the blinders that come with assuming the 'white mans burden', it becomes obvious if we withdraw there will be little excuse for sectarian strife. The Iraqi's will find it much easier to hunt down AQI since they are familiar with the country and speak the language.

So the next time someone tells you if we withdraw it will be chaos, point out thats not what happened in Al-Anbar.

UPDATE: Ah, and as if on que here we have some Pentagon propagandistswar gamers saying if we leave its chaos! CHAOS I TELL YOU! DOGS AND CATS IN THE STREETS HAVING SEX!


DOUBLE PLUS UPDATE: But here we have a another example of what I am talking about (Basra):

Last spring, fierce clashes erupted between Fadhila and the Mahdi Army, a paramilitary group loyal to radical Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Several people were killed on both sides and offices and buildings belonging to the two parties were destroyed. Mediators from tribes and other political parties managed to end the fighting...

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A War We Just Might Win -- My Ass

The usual suspects are out there softening up the ground for next month when CENTCOM is expected to report on the success of the surge. All around the MSM and the right wing blogosphere we are getting the same old synchronized swimming exercises from the asshats on the right.

It sort of started with O'Hanlan, and Pollack's recent trip to Iraq and their pollyanna New York Times piece. Then you have the AP's Robert Burns' Analysis: Military Shows Gains in Iraq not to be confused with the drunkard Scottish poet. The AP's man is not a poet nor is he Scottish. Please note the word 'Analysis:' in his title. Lets not forget the bloodthirsty lunkhead Max Boot and his piece Irrational OptimismRational Optimism on Iraq. Also note Boots' first sentence The evidence of gains being made on the ground in Iraq continues to pile up.

You can read all of these pieces of dreck and you would learn absolutely nothing about WHY the surge is supposedly working. Oh you will hear about how morale is high! and comments from various military officials and 'two analysts' (presumably we dont get their names because is TOP SECRET, sshhhhh!). I guess my favorite bit from the OHanlon/Pollack piece has to be this:

The Sunni residents were unhappy with the nearby police checkpoint, where Shiite officers reportedly abused them, but they seemed genuinely happy with the American soldiers

The heavily armed American soldiers standing there 'protecting' the two NYTimes reporters from being murdered. I'll bet the Sunni's seemed genuinely happy indeed, at least if they know whats good for them.

You can sift through all of of these pieces and you wont find any piles of evidence, or even a single piece of evidence. You can hear the piles of bullshit and silly anecdotal stories with ham handed adjectives oddly prefixed to things. for instance: superb commander;Reliable police officers;Outstanding Marine captain;Highly effective Third Infantry Division;Sustainable stability. I suppose they had the boys in marketing punch it up for them. "How about this J.G! They arent just police officers, theyre 'Reliable Police Officers'., Thanks boys!"

What you wont hear from them is it is very, very HOT in Iraq right now as Juan Cole points out. The wingnuts ability to march in lockstep is not to be underestimated. OHanlon, to Boot, to Reynolds. Just like clockwork. Do these lickspittle syncophants ever get tired of advocating more death?

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