… warming up for the next Billmon post
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July 8, 2004
Open Thread
Comments
Check PAKISTAN FOR BUSH. July Surprise?
But according to this ISI official, a White House aide told ul-Haq last spring that “it would be best if the arrest or killing of [any] HVT were announced on twenty-six, twenty-seven, or twenty-eight July”–the first three days of the Democratic National Convention in Boston.
Now the Pakistani will have to produce something and I bet they will.
Posted by: Bernhard | Jul 8 2004 10:12 utc | 1
The cynical might suspect that the
Judis-Ackerman-Ansari is just “laying the ground work” for what everybody expects to happen.
The section
But The New Republic has learned that Pakistani security officials have been told they must produce HVTs by the election. According to one source in Pakistan’s powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), “The Pakistani government is really desperate and wants to flush out bin Laden and his associates after the latest pressures from the U.S. administration to deliver before the [upcoming] U.S. elections.”
practically cries out “managed disinformation from the spooks” who, first of all, need to maintain the U.S. electorate’s belief in the independent existence of Al Quaeda. We’re being “Gul”led again. Meanwhile,
the shameful scandal of the quashed Sibel Edmonds testimony takes place with barely a peep from the appointed guardians of constitutional democracy in the U.S.
Posted by: Hannah K. O’Luthoh | Jul 8 2004 11:00 utc | 2
Another day, more deaths
4 US soldiers, Iraqi guardsman killed, 20 US troops injured, 1 missing
Posted by: Helpful Spook | Jul 8 2004 11:21 utc | 3
Hi all. Just wanted to end a hello to nonvrai. I hope you are here. It’s the middle of the night for me so I must sleep now. Hope to see you later.
Glad to see the rest of you, look forward to reading all you have to say. And thanks Bernard.
Posted by: x | Jul 8 2004 11:33 utc | 4
Wow, Bernard, Moon of Alabama is top of the Google already! (Apparently it takes three days for Google to pick up a site.)
Posted by: four more wars | Jul 8 2004 11:38 utc | 6
@ Helpful Spook
Nice to see you here. Is it imposing on your helpfulness to ask your ratings of and comments on
Posted by: Hannah K. O’Luthon | Jul 8 2004 11:40 utc | 7
This well get quite interesting for the US economy in the next few month and -of course- for Bushies reelection:
US increases forecast on crude oil price
Strong global demand for oil, limited supply increases and continuing security fears led the US government on Wednesday to raise its central price forecast for US crude over the next 18 months to $37 a barrel.
The monthly oil outlook report of the Energy Information Administration, forecasting arm of the US energy department, said in June that prices for West Texas Intermediate were likely to fall gradually over the rest of 2004 and 2005 to $33 a barrel. As recently as April it forecast crude falling below $30.
Posted by: Bernhard | Jul 8 2004 13:55 utc | 8
The thing that I found the most interesting today was that headline (from Agence France Presse no less – heavens forbid our SCLM would pick it up!) showing the Fascists’ relentless determination to protect their so-called Patriot Act and its attack on Libraries.
You can read the article on
Common Dreams.
The obssession on being able to monitor public libtraries is truly frightening — and so pointlessly stupid the mind boggles.
Posted by: Lupin | Jul 8 2004 14:56 utc | 9
On the other hand…
Report Shows Big Drop in Reading in US.
Posted by: Lupin | Jul 8 2004 14:57 utc | 10
Re: Helpful Spooks link–
Can anybody remember another time in this war when a building got collapsed atop US soldiers?
It has always been the other way, hasn’t it?
I know this doesn’t necessarily mean that things already out of control are further disintergrating.
And yet….
Posted by: koreyel | Jul 8 2004 15:11 utc | 11
Just heard on the radio, Tom Ridge warning that al Qaeda is planning to disrupt the US elections.
How nice of them to let us know in advance.
It starts…..
Posted by: Dan of Steele | Jul 8 2004 16:03 utc | 12
Koreyel
This CNN reporter might make you think it’s far wrose.
Posted by: Cloned Poster | Jul 8 2004 16:04 utc | 13
Lupin,
The librarians of the US have been royally pissed off since the first incarnation of the PATRIOT Act. I ran across a site the other days… Librarians mobilizing. It is very cool.
Posted by: Kate_Storm | Jul 8 2004 16:18 utc | 14
Dan of Steele
Another “Code Brown” at the Whitehouse.
Posted by: Cloned Poster | Jul 8 2004 16:23 utc | 15
Lupin: if you consider that the US president probably didn’t read any book in 2003, you can see how bad it is.
Posted by: CluelessJoe | Jul 8 2004 16:24 utc | 16
If Bush wins I suppose Samarrah and Fallujah will be blanket bombed in Jan/Feb 2005.
Posted by: Cloned Poster | Jul 8 2004 16:35 utc | 18
Wonder what this is all about? Mmmh, or maybe not!
Journalists hit by new US visa rules
Posted by: Fran | Jul 8 2004 17:04 utc | 19
The Lebanese Marine?
How will this story unfold?
Posted by: Cloned Poster | Jul 8 2004 17:11 utc | 20
Hello,
Good to see y’all here.
But there seem to be at least
2 whiskey bar offshoots – why?
Posted by: Ramlad | Jul 8 2004 17:52 utc | 21
More and more, I’m convinced that Mueller and Ridge are integrating their labors. This is purely a hunch, but it feels so pertinent that I’m prepared to post it here.
Of the two, Mueller strikes me as the more substantial–the more purposeful, the more committed to the long term. And of course we never hear about him. He knows the art of getting lost in a crowd.
We should get to know this man a little better!
Posted by: alabama | Jul 8 2004 17:53 utc | 22
I was at our local Veterans’ Committe Meeting last nite. Everybody was happy with Kerry/Edwards – even old Tommy, who has never voted for a Dem. Tommy said “Bush and Cheney screwed up the Iraq War, embrassed our soldiers and our nation by allowing the torture of Iraqis, and they even lied about why we are in Iraq.”
So the Repubs even lost dear old Tommy. For all of you who are worried about November 2, I have 2 words: “President Kerry.”
Posted by: sen. bob | Jul 8 2004 18:23 utc | 23
Ramlad, the barflies are still getting their stuff sorted out. Jerome, et al set this up as a possible template, and let it fly. The annex was set up while Billmon had his previous extended leave while in the Middle East. I’m thinking eventually we’ll have some more integration, but it’s yet to be decided. Stay tuned. 😉
Posted by: Kate_Storm | Jul 8 2004 18:27 utc | 24
There sre days when I don’t know what I find the most nauseating: their evil meretriciousness, or their plain incompetence.
Witness the latest decision to withdraw $30 million in aid to the Philippines (reoported in the DAILY TIMES of Pakistan), just a a time when the Phlippines need some helpful convincing to stay in the coalition (that one from Al Jezeera).
Our Colonel Kurtz no longer mutters:
“The horror, the horror…”
but
“The stupidity, the stupidity…”
No matter where you stand on the issues, incompetence has got to be the #1 hammer to drive the nail in.
Posted by: Lupin | Jul 8 2004 19:02 utc | 25
But for the thieves of Baghdad, one simple fact holds true: Crime pays
Posted by: Anonymous | Jul 8 2004 20:23 utc | 26
Is this the “Tet Offensive” in the making we have all been speculating over?
Odd that this news would be coming out now….it seems rather factual.
Posted by: Dan of Steele | Jul 8 2004 21:43 utc | 27
I’ve been reading “A Group is Its Own Worst Enemy”. Google it or:
http://www.shirky.com/writings/group_enemy.html
Interesting. forgot who mentioned it here or over at the Annex. There is a wonderful dynamic between here and the Annex that is pertinent.
Lupin,
I have always loved your posts. Your post at 3:02 PM made me feel like we were both sitting at the Bar again.
Not as much chat here which makes it easier for me.
Lets keep up the dynamic between the two going and see what evolves.
Posted by: Juannie | Jul 9 2004 1:14 utc | 28
Juannie —
I agree, it’s a little more quiet and thoughtful here — even if some of us do take the threads into places far, far away from the original topic.
Thanks for the the thoughtful email — if I weren’t so exhausted, I’d write something pithy.
maybe later . . .
Posted by: ck | Jul 9 2004 2:10 utc | 29
Hey Kate Storm, et al, I’m confused. Can somebody tell me are these blogs separate, will they be integrated, who’s running what?
Posted by: x | Jul 9 2004 2:29 utc | 30
My guesses as to why we got the new “be scared, be very scared” terrorist threat reminder today.
1. Edwards as veep just gave the dems a big boost in polls AND (got these from Atrios, btw) waaay more people would rather have Edwards as prez than Cheney in the event a veep had to take over the role…by a substantial margin.
2. Kenny Boy was indicted today. The Bush White House apparently barely knew the guy. LOL. Didn’t Kenny Boy provide the plane for the rent-a-riot republican ops who intimidated the vote counters in Dade Co? I should go look for that one, or maybe someone else has it handy?
3. The Senate voted on repealing part of the Patriot Act today, so the Senate needed to reminded to be afraid while the Repukes held the vote open and strong-armed the ten republicans who didn’t want to make thought crimes part of our national security program. According to an AP report, Repukes showed the ten a report from the Justice dept. that said terrorists had used library computers to communicate with each other somewhere in Virginia.
The dems, I heard on NPR, were yelling “Shame, Shame” as the repukes held open the vote to browbeat their fellow republicans.
The good news is that the Senate has not given Bush anymore fuel for more “patriot act” invasions of privacy and civil liberties.
The bad news is that the dems have not been able to get any of their repeals through, either.
Both parties are talking about threats they must be privvy to that “al qaeda” may try to attack the conventions. wouldn’t that be conveeeenient. anyone keeping track of the neonazis in Texas who were stockpiling weapons? Were those the terrorists communicating via email?
Just wondering.
wonder where they intel comes from.
all of you in Boston and New York, stock up on bottled water (and piss off the freepers and buy French water…oh excuse me, Freedom Water.)
Posted by: fauxreal | Jul 9 2004 2:50 utc | 31
quick heads up for those interested. the “reading freedom” act, or whatever it’s called, debate in the Senate is being repeated on C-Span NOW. I’m taping it to I can have the “shame, shame” on tape. one of these days I’m gonna make a dub and put it online.
x- here’s a link. read the article. it’s really good, and provides a refresher on Enron. I had a protest sign that had Ken Lay’s face in Kenny’s parka with Cartman asking “Who Killed Kenny Boy’s Indictment?” I guess I’ll have to retire that one now…
Kenny does the perp walk
A federal indictment unsealed Thursday added 11 counts against Lay to charges already filed against his hand-picked protege, former CEO Jeffrey Skilling, and former top accountant Richard Causey.
It accused Lay of participating in a conspiracy to manipulate Enron’s quarterly financial results. It also accused him of making public statements about Enron’s financial performance that were false and misleading and omitting facts necessary to make financial statements accurate and fair.
Milloy set his bond at $500,000. Prosecutors had sought a $6 million bond, saying he was a flight risk. Lay was allowed to keep his passport because he travels internationally on business, but Milloy said if he left the country he would have to seek permission from the court.
…In a separate action, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed civil charges Thursday against Lay, accusing him of fraud and insider trading and seeking recovery of more than $90 million in what the agency said were illegal proceeds from stock sales.
The contents of the criminal indictment, returned Wednesday, were released a few hours after Lay was taken away in handcuffs after surrendering to the FBI Thursday morning.
The new indictment, now totalling 53 counts, accused Lay, Skilling and Causey of enriching themselves through salaries, bonuses, grants of stock and stock options.
It names Lay in 11 counts: one of conspiracy, two of wire fraud, four of securities fraud, one of bank fraud and three of making false statements to banks. If convicted on all counts, the Justice Department said Lay could receive up to 175 years in prison plus fines possibly totaling more than $5.7 million.
…The indictment alleges Lay also knew Enron was facing a $700 million writedown in its water business, Azurix, but didn’t disclose detailed information. In addition, it alleges Lay knew Enron had shifted hundreds of millions of dollars in losses from its retail energy unit to its wholesale trading unit to hide the retail energy unit’s actual poor performance.
Posted by: fauxreal | Jul 9 2004 3:10 utc | 33
Thanks for that fauxreal.
I wonder if this is an election special. You know, DOJ and SEC indict Bush’s friend?
Posted by: x | Jul 9 2004 3:12 utc | 34
x —
Ken Lay was indicted by the Feds — but on the NewsHour, the commentators marveled at how shakey and thin the indictment is. Kenny Boy might get off.
As for the two blogs — Whiskey Annex was started when Billmon took an extended break after the Davos Conference. Jerome is the custodian there.
This site is Bernard’s endeavour, and was begun after the last call at Billmon’s.
As for whether they will merge — who knows? At the moment, I like the two forums — because this one is less visited, it is less prone to heated discussions.
For now, things are just fine — thank you, Bernard; thank you, Jerome.
And thank you, Billmon — come back soon.
Posted by: ck | Jul 9 2004 3:20 utc | 35
Thanks, ck! Most helpful and enlightening. And very… verrry interrresting about the indictment.
(You have to be old enough to get that silly old reference, or maybe just watch a lot of TV reruns)
Posted by: x | Jul 9 2004 3:23 utc | 36
ooops! I said the portion of the patriot act repeal (bookstores and library intrusion w/o going through the entire due process/billof rights protections) was voted on today in the House, not the Senate.
and, fwiw, the sunset provision of the patriot act means it expires in 2005, at which time it will once again be up for discussion and vote.
where I live, and around the country there are organizations made up of liberals, conservatives, libertarians, whaazitarians that themselves Bill of Rights Defense Committees.
those here who have expressed great concern about the patriot act and other civil liberties concerns might want to get involved in on of these groups where you are. I assume you can find a link to locate a local group via a google or whatever search.
Posted by: fauxreal | Jul 9 2004 3:49 utc | 37
here’s a link to The Bill of Rights Defense Committee website.
Posted by: fauxreal | Jul 9 2004 3:53 utc | 38
oops #2. I meant to say that the vote WAS in the House…earlier I had said Senate.
Posted by: fauxreal | Jul 9 2004 3:55 utc | 39
Thanks fauxreal. This kind of touches on the topic I wrote about at the Other Place. Don’t know if you saw it… thoughts on the idea of a separate, new agency for Domestic Intelligence. One more question I would have — suppose the Patriot Act is allowed to expire. If we have a Domestic Intelligence agency created, would it make a difference? I mean, I guess it would depend on the provisions/mandate of each. Would have to study that.
Posted by: x | Jul 9 2004 4:07 utc | 40
Pentagon Says Bush Records of Service Were Destroyed
Military records that could help establish President Bush’s whereabouts during his disputed service in the Texas Air National Guard more than 30 years ago have been inadvertently destroyed, according to the Pentagon.
…
The loss was announced by the Defense Department’s Office of Freedom of Information and Security Review in letters to The New York Times and other news organizations that for nearly half a year have sought Mr. Bush’s complete service file under the open-records law.
The past, he reflected, had not merely been altered, it had been actually destroyed. For how could you establish even the most obvious fact when there existed no record outside your own memory? He tried to remember in what year he had first heard mention of Big Brother.
Posted by: Bernhard | Jul 9 2004 6:00 utc | 41
the White House barely knew the guy
uh huh.
Smoking Gun Archive: Bush/Lay Correspondence
fauxreal, Maybe, just maybe in a few months it won’t matter what they voted for yesterday.
“Pointed out by John Nichols of the Nation magazine (Will the Senate Tip?): “Democratic candidate Inez Tenenbaum, South Carolina’s superintendent of education, leads in the polls [for a South Carolina Senate seat in a state Bush won by 57%] –despite the fact that one of her opponents dismisses her as ‘an Emily’s List liberal.’ And Tenenbaum’s not alone in showing unexpected strength. Democrats are running even or ahead in four of five races for open Senate seats in the South, and they’re also even or ahead in contests for Republican-held seats in Illinois, Oklahoma, Colorado and Alaska.” Not so long ago, those southern Senate seats would have been considered throwaways, obvious red-state shoo-ins. Though not yet likely, there is the possibility that, depending on how fast events sink in and how disastrous the news proves, the Democrats might take back Congress, and this might itself prove but part of a larger seismic shift, a global reorganization that, on the one hand, might end the quarter-century, near planet-wide reign of the right-wing, and on the other hand, may bequeath us all a desperately more dangerous world.”
Above from Tom Engelhardt
Posted by: beq | Jul 9 2004 12:46 utc | 43
its funny that i can put my ss# in on the ss site and find that even my first paper route is listed under earned income. my entire life in paperwork is available. how is it that right before bush ran for govner there is zip. there should be plenty of proof. bank deposits,payroll sheets,time sheets,canceled checks etc. it’s so hard to believe that our sitting prez thinks that eventually all his lies will not catch up with him in spite of his cia contacts of old.
Posted by: onzaga | Jul 10 2004 0:21 utc | 44