smugllama's news review
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Walter Cronkite says Bush war on Iraq 'excited Arab world'(AP)
"Walter Cronkite says Bush war on Iraq 'excited Arab world'"
"Walter Cronkite says Bush war on Iraq 'excited Arab world'"
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Iran: A Bridge too Far?(informationclearinghouse.info/Mark Gaffney)
A word to the reader: The following paper is so shocking that, after preparing the initial draft, I didn’t want to believe it myself, and resolved to disprove it with more research. However, I only succeeded in turning up more evidence in support of my thesis. And I repeated this cycle of discovery and denial several more times before finally deciding to go with the article. I believe that a serious writer must follow the trail of evidence, no matter where it leads, and report back. So here is my story. Don’t be surprised if it causes you to squirm. Its purpose is not to make predictions - history makes fools of those who claim to know the future – but simply to describe the peril that awaits us in the Persian Gulf. By awakening to the extent of that danger, perhaps we can still find a way to save our nation and the world from disaster. If we are very lucky, we might even create an alternative future that holds some promise of resolving the monumental conflicts of our time. MG
A word to the reader: The following paper is so shocking that, after preparing the initial draft, I didn’t want to believe it myself, and resolved to disprove it with more research. However, I only succeeded in turning up more evidence in support of my thesis. And I repeated this cycle of discovery and denial several more times before finally deciding to go with the article. I believe that a serious writer must follow the trail of evidence, no matter where it leads, and report back. So here is my story. Don’t be surprised if it causes you to squirm. Its purpose is not to make predictions - history makes fools of those who claim to know the future – but simply to describe the peril that awaits us in the Persian Gulf. By awakening to the extent of that danger, perhaps we can still find a way to save our nation and the world from disaster. If we are very lucky, we might even create an alternative future that holds some promise of resolving the monumental conflicts of our time. MG
Top News Article | Reuters.com
"'Making conservative assumptions, we think that about 100,000 excess deaths, or more have happened since the 2003 invasion of Iraq,' said Les Roberts of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in a report published online by The Lancet medical journal."
"'Making conservative assumptions, we think that about 100,000 excess deaths, or more have happened since the 2003 invasion of Iraq,' said Les Roberts of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in a report published online by The Lancet medical journal."
FBI Investigating Halliburton Contracts (story.news.yahoo.com)
"WASHINGTON - The FBI (news - web sites) has begun investigating whether the Pentagon (news - web sites) improperly awarded no-bid contracts to Halliburton Co., seeking an interview with a top Army contracting officer and collecting documents from several government offices."
"WASHINGTON - The FBI (news - web sites) has begun investigating whether the Pentagon (news - web sites) improperly awarded no-bid contracts to Halliburton Co., seeking an interview with a top Army contracting officer and collecting documents from several government offices."
EXCLUSIVE: 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS video may be linked to missing explosives in Iraq (kstp.com)
"A 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS crew in Iraq shortly after the fall of Saddam Hussein was in the area where tons of explosives disappeared, and may have videotaped some of those weapons."
"A 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS crew in Iraq shortly after the fall of Saddam Hussein was in the area where tons of explosives disappeared, and may have videotaped some of those weapons."
IAEA Says It Warned U.S. About Explosives (guardian.co.uk)
"VIENNA, Austria (AP) - U.S. officials were warned about the vulnerability of explosives stored at Iraq's Al-Qaqaa military installation after another facility - the country's main nuclear complex - was looted in April 2003, the U.N. nuclear agency said Thursday."
"VIENNA, Austria (AP) - U.S. officials were warned about the vulnerability of explosives stored at Iraq's Al-Qaqaa military installation after another facility - the country's main nuclear complex - was looted in April 2003, the U.N. nuclear agency said Thursday."
Islamist group: We have Iraq explosives (guardian.co.uk)
"Its video statement said:'Heroic Mujahideen have managed by the grace of God and by coordinating with a...number of the officers and the soldiers of the American intelligence to obtain a very huge amount of the explosives that were in the al-Qaqaa facility, which was under the protection of the American forces.'"
"Its video statement said:'Heroic Mujahideen have managed by the grace of God and by coordinating with a...number of the officers and the soldiers of the American intelligence to obtain a very huge amount of the explosives that were in the al-Qaqaa facility, which was under the protection of the American forces.'"
Independent News (news.independent.co.uk)
"US gave date of war to Britain in advance, court papers reveal"
"US gave date of war to Britain in advance, court papers reveal"
Two Years Before 9/11, Bush was Already Talking About Attacking Iraq(commondreams.org/Russ Baker)
"'He was thinking about invading Iraq in 1999,' said author and journalist Mickey Herskowitz. 'It was on his mind. He said to me: 'One of the keys to being seen as a great leader is to be seen as a commander-in-chief.' And he said, 'My father had all this political capital built up when he drove the Iraqis out of Kuwait and he wasted it.' He said, 'If I have a chance to invade�.if I had that much capital, I'm not going to waste it. I'm going to get everything passed that I want to get passed and I'm going to have a successful presidency.' Herskowitz said that Bush expressed frustration at a lifetime as an underachiever in the shadow of an accomplished father. In aggressive military action, he saw the opportunity to emerge from his father's shadow. The moment, Herskowitz said, came in the wake of the September 11 attacks. 'Suddenly, he's at 91 percent in the polls, and he'd barely crawled out of the bunker.'"
"'He was thinking about invading Iraq in 1999,' said author and journalist Mickey Herskowitz. 'It was on his mind. He said to me: 'One of the keys to being seen as a great leader is to be seen as a commander-in-chief.' And he said, 'My father had all this political capital built up when he drove the Iraqis out of Kuwait and he wasted it.' He said, 'If I have a chance to invade�.if I had that much capital, I'm not going to waste it. I'm going to get everything passed that I want to get passed and I'm going to have a successful presidency.' Herskowitz said that Bush expressed frustration at a lifetime as an underachiever in the shadow of an accomplished father. In aggressive military action, he saw the opportunity to emerge from his father's shadow. The moment, Herskowitz said, came in the wake of the September 11 attacks. 'Suddenly, he's at 91 percent in the polls, and he'd barely crawled out of the bunker.'"
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
WTC Rescue Hero Sues Bush and Others under RICO Statute (truthout)
"He has commenced, as Plaintiff, a federal court lawsuit against George W. Bush, Richard B. Cheney, Donald H. Rumsfeld and others alleging that they and others were complicit in the 9-11 attacks, and either planned the attacks, or had foreknowledge of the attacks and permitted them to succeed, in order to exploit a 'New Pearl Harbor' to launch wars against Afghanistan and Iraq." [-way too many defendants named in this suit to have a chance (most egregiously, defendant number 54, the United States of America), but it still makes for a great collection of charges]
"He has commenced, as Plaintiff, a federal court lawsuit against George W. Bush, Richard B. Cheney, Donald H. Rumsfeld and others alleging that they and others were complicit in the 9-11 attacks, and either planned the attacks, or had foreknowledge of the attacks and permitted them to succeed, in order to exploit a 'New Pearl Harbor' to launch wars against Afghanistan and Iraq." [-way too many defendants named in this suit to have a chance (most egregiously, defendant number 54, the United States of America), but it still makes for a great collection of charges]
Depleted Uranium Symptoms Linked to Soldier's Mysterious Death (Tom Flocco)
Tank Driver's Death Certificate Consistent With Depleted Uranium Poisoning. Medical Indications Raise Questions Whether Pentagon Misled Congress and Families of Dead Soldiers by Employing 'Pneumonia' and 'Cigarette-Smoking' Claims To Cover Up Prior-Knowledge Of DU Safety Issues and Negligence
Tank Driver's Death Certificate Consistent With Depleted Uranium Poisoning. Medical Indications Raise Questions Whether Pentagon Misled Congress and Families of Dead Soldiers by Employing 'Pneumonia' and 'Cigarette-Smoking' Claims To Cover Up Prior-Knowledge Of DU Safety Issues and Negligence
New Florida vote scandal revealed (Greg Palast / BBC)
A secret document obtained from inside Bush campaign headquarters in Florida suggests a plan - possibly in violation of US law - to disrupt voting in the state's African-American voting districts, a BBC Newsnight investigation reveals.
A secret document obtained from inside Bush campaign headquarters in Florida suggests a plan - possibly in violation of US law - to disrupt voting in the state's African-American voting districts, a BBC Newsnight investigation reveals.
Monday, October 25, 2004
The Emerging Democratic Majority WebLog - DonkeyRising
"The new Gallup poll shows the race moving in Kerry's direction. In their last poll, October 14-16, they showed Bush with a 4 point lead, 50-46 in their 2-way RV matchup. This poll, conducted October 22-24, has Bush's lead shrinking to a single point (49-48)"
"The new Gallup poll shows the race moving in Kerry's direction. In their last poll, October 14-16, they showed Bush with a 4 point lead, 50-46 in their 2-way RV matchup. This poll, conducted October 22-24, has Bush's lead shrinking to a single point (49-48)"
The Living Room Candidate(livingroomcandidate.movingimage.us)
"The Living Room Candidate: Presidential Campaign Commercials 1952-2004 is an innovative online exhibition presenting more than 250 television commercials from every election year beginning in 1952, when the first campaign ads aired, and including ads from this year’s campaign. Users can watch nearly four hours of TV commercials and explore the expanding world of Web-based political advertising. The site includes a searchable database and features commentary, historical background, election results, and navigation organized by both year and theme."
"The Living Room Candidate: Presidential Campaign Commercials 1952-2004 is an innovative online exhibition presenting more than 250 television commercials from every election year beginning in 1952, when the first campaign ads aired, and including ads from this year’s campaign. Users can watch nearly four hours of TV commercials and explore the expanding world of Web-based political advertising. The site includes a searchable database and features commentary, historical background, election results, and navigation organized by both year and theme."
Tracking the Weapons: Huge Cache of Explosives Vanished From Site in Iraq (nytimes.com/JAMES GLANZ, WILLIAM J. BROAD and DAVID E. SANGER)
"BAGHDAD, Iraq, Oct. 24 - The Iraqi interim government has warned the United States and international nuclear inspectors that nearly 380 tons of powerful conventional explosives - used to demolish buildings, make missile warheads and detonate nuclear weapons - are missing from one of Iraq's most sensitive former military installations."
"BAGHDAD, Iraq, Oct. 24 - The Iraqi interim government has warned the United States and international nuclear inspectors that nearly 380 tons of powerful conventional explosives - used to demolish buildings, make missile warheads and detonate nuclear weapons - are missing from one of Iraq's most sensitive former military installations."
Rise of the Religious Right in the Republican Party(theocracywatch.org)
"Please don't misunderstand the title: the Rise of the Religious Right in the Republican Party. This site is not about religion, nor about Christianity, nor about Republicans. This site is about how a small group of Republican strategists targeted a religious constituency to expand the base of their party, and how a small group of religious extremists targeted the Republican Party to bring the United States government under religious control."
"Please don't misunderstand the title: the Rise of the Religious Right in the Republican Party. This site is not about religion, nor about Christianity, nor about Republicans. This site is about how a small group of Republican strategists targeted a religious constituency to expand the base of their party, and how a small group of religious extremists targeted the Republican Party to bring the United States government under religious control."
The Tax-Cut Pendulum and the Pit (washingtonpost.com)
"When Bush took office in January 2001, the government was forecasting a $5.6 trillion budget surplus between then and 2011. Instead, it is now expecting to accumulate an extra $3 trillion in debt -- including a record $415 billion in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. The government has to borrow an average of more than $1.1 billion a day to pay its bills, and it spends more on interest payments on the federal debt each year -- about $159 billion -- than it does on education, homeland security, justice and law enforcement, veterans, international aid, and space exploration combined."
"When Bush took office in January 2001, the government was forecasting a $5.6 trillion budget surplus between then and 2011. Instead, it is now expecting to accumulate an extra $3 trillion in debt -- including a record $415 billion in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. The government has to borrow an average of more than $1.1 billion a day to pay its bills, and it spends more on interest payments on the federal debt each year -- about $159 billion -- than it does on education, homeland security, justice and law enforcement, veterans, international aid, and space exploration combined."
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Fighting Terror with Terror? "Morally, Politically and Legally Wrong" (Frida Berrigan / truthout)
"Speaking out against systematic torture is a good thing, right? Not all the time, discovered Craig Murray. If those doing the systematic torture happen to be close allies of Washington and London in the war on terrorism, speaking out could mean your job. Until recently, Craig Murray was Britain's ambassador to Uzbekistan. After a long and respected diplomatic career, he drew the Foreign Office's ire by condemning Tashkent's use of torture and criticizing Britain and the United States for acting on intelligence obtained through torture, saying the practice 'fatally undermines our moral standing.' Murray has a reputation for undiplomatic outspokenness. He had the photographs of corpses of religious dissidents analyzed to determine they were boiled to death by security forces. Torture victims in Tashkent knew they could find sanctuary in the British embassy. In a confidential memo to his Foreign Office, Murray described common police and military practices in Uzbeki jails, writing 'tortured dupes are forced to sign confessions showing what the Uzbeki government wants the U.S. and UK to believe- that they and we are fighting the same war against terror- this is morally, practically and legally wrong.' The memo was leaked to the Financial Times, and Murray lost his job. The Foreign Office denies that Murray's dismissal has anything to do with his criticism, calling it an 'internal matter.'"
"Speaking out against systematic torture is a good thing, right? Not all the time, discovered Craig Murray. If those doing the systematic torture happen to be close allies of Washington and London in the war on terrorism, speaking out could mean your job. Until recently, Craig Murray was Britain's ambassador to Uzbekistan. After a long and respected diplomatic career, he drew the Foreign Office's ire by condemning Tashkent's use of torture and criticizing Britain and the United States for acting on intelligence obtained through torture, saying the practice 'fatally undermines our moral standing.' Murray has a reputation for undiplomatic outspokenness. He had the photographs of corpses of religious dissidents analyzed to determine they were boiled to death by security forces. Torture victims in Tashkent knew they could find sanctuary in the British embassy. In a confidential memo to his Foreign Office, Murray described common police and military practices in Uzbeki jails, writing 'tortured dupes are forced to sign confessions showing what the Uzbeki government wants the U.S. and UK to believe- that they and we are fighting the same war against terror- this is morally, practically and legally wrong.' The memo was leaked to the Financial Times, and Murray lost his job. The Foreign Office denies that Murray's dismissal has anything to do with his criticism, calling it an 'internal matter.'"
Saturday, October 23, 2004
Iraq audit can't find billions (Occupation Watch / The Boston Globe)
"About half of the roughly $5 billion in Iraq reconstruction funds disbursed by the US government in the first half of this year cannot be accounted for, according to an audit commissioned by the United Nations, which could not find records for numerous rebuilding projects and other payments. One chunk of the money -- $1.4 billion -- was deposited into a local bank by Kurdish leaders in northern Iraq but could be tracked no further: The auditors reported that they were shown a deposit slip but could find no additional records to explain how the money was used or to prove that it remains in the bank."
"About half of the roughly $5 billion in Iraq reconstruction funds disbursed by the US government in the first half of this year cannot be accounted for, according to an audit commissioned by the United Nations, which could not find records for numerous rebuilding projects and other payments. One chunk of the money -- $1.4 billion -- was deposited into a local bank by Kurdish leaders in northern Iraq but could be tracked no further: The auditors reported that they were shown a deposit slip but could find no additional records to explain how the money was used or to prove that it remains in the bank."
'Osama's whereabouts known to US' (Reuters)
"The Pentagon knows exactly where Osama bin Laden is in Pakistan, but is unable to get to him, John Lehman, a member of the 9/11 Commission said on Wednesday. Commissioner John Lehman's remarks echoed those made on Tuesday by Secretary of State Colin Powell, who asserted that bin Laden was in western Pakistan. bin Laden is living in South Waziristan in the Baluchistan region, Lehman told The San Bernardino Sun. He added, "There is an American presence in the area, but we can't just send in troops. If we did, we could have another Vietnam." He said the region was filled with militant fundamentalists who did not recognise the legitimacy of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf."
Conservative rumor-mill, NewsMax.com, claims the U.S.'s lack of action is "because it could destabilize the government of Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf."
WorldNetDaily.com says "because he is in a region of Pakistan controlled by Islamic extremists opposed to President Pervez Musharraf."
South Carolina's TheState.com adds "Lehman's remarks echoed those made Tuesday by Secretary of State Colin Powell, who asserted that the al Qaeda leader was alive [?] and operating in the western part of Pakistan."
Los Angeles Daily News says: "We'll get (bin Laden) eventually, just not now," he said. Asked how bin Laden was surviving, Lehman said he was getting money from outside countries, such as the United Arab Emirates and high-ranking ministers inside Saudi Arabia. Department of Defense spokeswoman Capt. Ronnie Merritt confirmed that the U.S. military believes bin Laden is in Pakistan."
My personal conclusion: based on the integrity of some of these players and the regions that they're fingering, this is all a bunch of hooey. John Lehman took part in the 9-11 coverup commission as well as being an attack dog against Richard Clark's "Body of Secrets" which leaks more than a few damning facts against the Bush Administration. I also find this wonderful quote attributed to John Lehman, "Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat."
As far as the regions which John claims is financing Osama, Saudi oil fields are in Dick Cheney's tightly guarded secret Energy Task Force plans and UAE is also a key player in the world's remaining known petroleum reserves. All of these countries are contained in the region where Zbigniew Brzezinski claimed the next world conflict would be taking place.
"The Pentagon knows exactly where Osama bin Laden is in Pakistan, but is unable to get to him, John Lehman, a member of the 9/11 Commission said on Wednesday. Commissioner John Lehman's remarks echoed those made on Tuesday by Secretary of State Colin Powell, who asserted that bin Laden was in western Pakistan. bin Laden is living in South Waziristan in the Baluchistan region, Lehman told The San Bernardino Sun. He added, "There is an American presence in the area, but we can't just send in troops. If we did, we could have another Vietnam." He said the region was filled with militant fundamentalists who did not recognise the legitimacy of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf."
Conservative rumor-mill, NewsMax.com, claims the U.S.'s lack of action is "because it could destabilize the government of Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf."
WorldNetDaily.com says "because he is in a region of Pakistan controlled by Islamic extremists opposed to President Pervez Musharraf."
South Carolina's TheState.com adds "Lehman's remarks echoed those made Tuesday by Secretary of State Colin Powell, who asserted that the al Qaeda leader was alive [?] and operating in the western part of Pakistan."
Los Angeles Daily News says: "We'll get (bin Laden) eventually, just not now," he said. Asked how bin Laden was surviving, Lehman said he was getting money from outside countries, such as the United Arab Emirates and high-ranking ministers inside Saudi Arabia. Department of Defense spokeswoman Capt. Ronnie Merritt confirmed that the U.S. military believes bin Laden is in Pakistan."
My personal conclusion: based on the integrity of some of these players and the regions that they're fingering, this is all a bunch of hooey. John Lehman took part in the 9-11 coverup commission as well as being an attack dog against Richard Clark's "Body of Secrets" which leaks more than a few damning facts against the Bush Administration. I also find this wonderful quote attributed to John Lehman, "Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat."
As far as the regions which John claims is financing Osama, Saudi oil fields are in Dick Cheney's tightly guarded secret Energy Task Force plans and UAE is also a key player in the world's remaining known petroleum reserves. All of these countries are contained in the region where Zbigniew Brzezinski claimed the next world conflict would be taking place.
A Bush pre-election strike on Iran 'imminent' - White House insider report "October Surprise" imminent (Wayne Madsen / Lebanon Wire / Information Clearinghouse)
"According to White House and Washington Beltway insiders, the Bush administration, worried that it could lose the presidential election to Senator John F. Kerry, has initiated plans to launch a military strike on Iran's top Islamic leadership, its nuclear reactor at Bushehr on the Persian Gulf, and key nuclear targets throughout the country, including the main underground research site at Natanz in central Iran and another in Isfahan. Targets of the planned U.S. attack reportedly include mosques in Tehran, Qom, and Isfahan known by the U.S. to headquarter Iran's top mullahs. The Iran attack plan was reportedly drawn up after internal polling indicated that if the Bush administration launched a so-called anti-terrorist attack on Iran some two weeks before the election, Bush would be assured of a landslide win against Kerry. Reports of a pre-emptive strike on Iran come amid concerns by a number of political observers that the Bush administration would concoct an "October Surprise" to influence the outcome of the presidential election."
"According to White House and Washington Beltway insiders, the Bush administration, worried that it could lose the presidential election to Senator John F. Kerry, has initiated plans to launch a military strike on Iran's top Islamic leadership, its nuclear reactor at Bushehr on the Persian Gulf, and key nuclear targets throughout the country, including the main underground research site at Natanz in central Iran and another in Isfahan. Targets of the planned U.S. attack reportedly include mosques in Tehran, Qom, and Isfahan known by the U.S. to headquarter Iran's top mullahs. The Iran attack plan was reportedly drawn up after internal polling indicated that if the Bush administration launched a so-called anti-terrorist attack on Iran some two weeks before the election, Bush would be assured of a landslide win against Kerry. Reports of a pre-emptive strike on Iran come amid concerns by a number of political observers that the Bush administration would concoct an "October Surprise" to influence the outcome of the presidential election."
100 Facts and 1 Opinion (by Judd Legum of The Nation)
The Non-Arguable Case Against the Bush Administration
The Non-Arguable Case Against the Bush Administration
Friday, October 22, 2004
Marin Independent Journal - Nation/World(marinij.com/Will Weissert, Associated Press)
"TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras - It's a U.S. Homeland Security Department nightmare, and Honduras' most outspoken Cabinet member says it's happening: Al-Qaida operatives recruiting Central American gang members to carry out regional attacks and slip terrorists into the United States."
"TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras - It's a U.S. Homeland Security Department nightmare, and Honduras' most outspoken Cabinet member says it's happening: Al-Qaida operatives recruiting Central American gang members to carry out regional attacks and slip terrorists into the United States."
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Tom DeLay subpoenaed in civil lawsuit - Oct 21, 2004 (CNN.com/AP)
"WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has been subpoenaed to testify in a Texas civil lawsuit about his role in using government resources to track down Democratic legislators who fled the state during last year's bitter redistricting dispute."
"WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has been subpoenaed to testify in a Texas civil lawsuit about his role in using government resources to track down Democratic legislators who fled the state during last year's bitter redistricting dispute."
Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News Coverage
"BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Witnesses in the trial of a U.S. soldier charged with abusing prisoners at Abu Ghraib have told the court that the CIA sometimes directed abuse and orders were received from military command to toughen interrogations."
"BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Witnesses in the trial of a U.S. soldier charged with abusing prisoners at Abu Ghraib have told the court that the CIA sometimes directed abuse and orders were received from military command to toughen interrogations."
Study Says Big Oil Adding to Corruption(putinru.com)
"Most oil-rich countries are burdened by corruption and oil companies contribute to the problem by not publishing information on payments made to governments and state-owned oil companies, according to a study by Berlin-based Transparency International (TI)."
"Most oil-rich countries are burdened by corruption and oil companies contribute to the problem by not publishing information on payments made to governments and state-owned oil companies, according to a study by Berlin-based Transparency International (TI)."
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Robertson: I warned Bush on Iraq casualties - Oct 20, 2004 (CNN.com)
"Robertson said the president then told him, 'Oh, no, we're not going to have any casualties.'"
"Robertson said the president then told him, 'Oh, no, we're not going to have any casualties.'"
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Bush urged to 'pull the plug' on voter purge (heraldtribune.com)
[last election] "Several days before the state's felon voter list was sent to county elections offices across Florida, state officials expressed doubts about its reliability. The doubts were serious enough that Gov. Jeb Bush was advised to "pull the plug" on the entire project, according to an e-mail written by a state computer expert and obtained by the Herald-Tribune. Bush refused the request, the e-mail said, and told the Department of State to proceed with the purge of nearly 48,000 voters."
[last election] "Several days before the state's felon voter list was sent to county elections offices across Florida, state officials expressed doubts about its reliability. The doubts were serious enough that Gov. Jeb Bush was advised to "pull the plug" on the entire project, according to an e-mail written by a state computer expert and obtained by the Herald-Tribune. Bush refused the request, the e-mail said, and told the Department of State to proceed with the purge of nearly 48,000 voters."
Schwarzenegger in stem cell call (bbc.com)
"Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has broken ranks with his party to back a proposal to fund embryonic stem cell research with California state money."
"Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has broken ranks with his party to back a proposal to fund embryonic stem cell research with California state money."
How many Bush administration officials does it take to change a light bulb?
None. There's nothing wrong with that light bulb. There is no need to change anything. We made the right decision and nothing has happened to change our minds. People who criticize this light bulb now, just because it doesn't work anymore, supported us when we first screwed it in, and when these flip-floppers insist on saying that it is burned out, they are merely giving aid and encouragement to the Forces of Darkness. -- John Cleese
None. There's nothing wrong with that light bulb. There is no need to change anything. We made the right decision and nothing has happened to change our minds. People who criticize this light bulb now, just because it doesn't work anymore, supported us when we first screwed it in, and when these flip-floppers insist on saying that it is burned out, they are merely giving aid and encouragement to the Forces of Darkness. -- John Cleese
Monday, October 18, 2004
Sinclair Fires Washington Bureau Chief (Yahoo! News/KASEY JONES, Associated Press Writer )
"BALTIMORE - The Washington bureau chief for Sinclair Broadcast Group said he was fired Monday after he criticized the company's plans to produce a news program based on a documentary critical of John Kerry's Vietnam-era anti-war activities."
"BALTIMORE - The Washington bureau chief for Sinclair Broadcast Group said he was fired Monday after he criticized the company's plans to produce a news program based on a documentary critical of John Kerry's Vietnam-era anti-war activities."
Osama Bin Laden to be captured before election. (Gordon Thomas / Information Clearinghouse)
During the home stretch of the Northamerican elections, Osama bin Laden could prove to be the ace in the sleeve of president Bush. As we speak, Washington is negotiating a highly secretive agreement with Beijing, the Chinese capital, for the eviction of bin Laden from his sanctuary in the turbulent Muslim provinces of China, in the Northwest of the Great Wall nation. (Translated from Spanish El Mundo article)
During the home stretch of the Northamerican elections, Osama bin Laden could prove to be the ace in the sleeve of president Bush. As we speak, Washington is negotiating a highly secretive agreement with Beijing, the Chinese capital, for the eviction of bin Laden from his sanctuary in the turbulent Muslim provinces of China, in the Northwest of the Great Wall nation. (Translated from Spanish El Mundo article)
Sunday, October 17, 2004
The New York Times > Magazine (Ron Suskind)> Without a Doubt
"Bruce Bartlett, a domestic policy adviser to Ronald Reagan and a treasury official for the first President Bush, told me recently that ''if Bush wins, there will be a civil war in the Republican Party starting on Nov. 3.''"
"Bruce Bartlett, a domestic policy adviser to Ronald Reagan and a treasury official for the first President Bush, told me recently that ''if Bush wins, there will be a civil war in the Republican Party starting on Nov. 3.''"
Post-war planning non-existent (WARREN P. STROBEL and JOHN WALCOTT of Knight Ridder Newspapers via www.realcities.com)
"WASHINGTON - In March 2003, days before the start of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, American war planners and intelligence officials met at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina to review the Bush administration's plans to oust Saddam Hussein and implant democracy in Iraq.
Near the end of his presentation, an Army lieutenant colonel who was giving a briefing showed a slide describing the Pentagon's plans for rebuilding Iraq after the war, known in the planners' parlance as Phase 4-C. He was uncomfortable with his material - and for good reason.
The slide said: 'To Be Provided.'"
"WASHINGTON - In March 2003, days before the start of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, American war planners and intelligence officials met at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina to review the Bush administration's plans to oust Saddam Hussein and implant democracy in Iraq.
Near the end of his presentation, an Army lieutenant colonel who was giving a briefing showed a slide describing the Pentagon's plans for rebuilding Iraq after the war, known in the planners' parlance as Phase 4-C. He was uncomfortable with his material - and for good reason.
The slide said: 'To Be Provided.'"
Ex-Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft Rips Bush Diplomacy(AP via www.commondreams.org)
"WASHINGTON - The national security adviser under the first President Bush says the current president acted contemptuously toward NATO and Europe after Sept. 11 and is trying to cooperate now out of desperation to 'rescue a failing venture' in Iraq and Afghanistan."
"WASHINGTON - The national security adviser under the first President Bush says the current president acted contemptuously toward NATO and Europe after Sept. 11 and is trying to cooperate now out of desperation to 'rescue a failing venture' in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Block the Vote (Paul Krugman - New York Times requires registration)
"Earlier this week former employees of Sproul & Associates (operating under the name Voters Outreach of America), a firm hired by the Republican National Committee to register voters, told a Nevada TV station that their supervisors systematically tore up Democratic registrations. The accusations are backed by physical evidence and appear credible. Officials have begun a criminal investigation into reports of similar actions by Sproul in Oregon. Republicans claim, of course, that they did nothing wrong - and that besides, Democrats do it, too. But there haven't been any comparably credible accusations against Democratic voter-registration organizations. And there is a pattern of Republican efforts to disenfranchise Democrats, by any means possible."
"Earlier this week former employees of Sproul & Associates (operating under the name Voters Outreach of America), a firm hired by the Republican National Committee to register voters, told a Nevada TV station that their supervisors systematically tore up Democratic registrations. The accusations are backed by physical evidence and appear credible. Officials have begun a criminal investigation into reports of similar actions by Sproul in Oregon. Republicans claim, of course, that they did nothing wrong - and that besides, Democrats do it, too. But there haven't been any comparably credible accusations against Democratic voter-registration organizations. And there is a pattern of Republican efforts to disenfranchise Democrats, by any means possible."
Friday, October 15, 2004
RNC funds voter supression efforts (Daily Kos)
"Found the following links which all seem to point to the same company that is suspected of tearing up Democratic voter registration forms in Las Vegas. ... The Republican Party is funding these efforts. The link is direct and unambiguous."
"Found the following links which all seem to point to the same company that is suspected of tearing up Democratic voter registration forms in Las Vegas. ... The Republican Party is funding these efforts. The link is direct and unambiguous."
Thursday, October 14, 2004
US endangering free expression (The Times of India)
"New York Times reporter Judith Miller was held in contempt by a Washington judge last Thursday over her refusal to reveal the source of a story about a White house leak revealing the identity of undercover CIA officer Valerie Plame. "
"New York Times reporter Judith Miller was held in contempt by a Washington judge last Thursday over her refusal to reveal the source of a story about a White house leak revealing the identity of undercover CIA officer Valerie Plame. "
BBC NEWS | Americas | Map redrawing angers US Democrats
"The increasingly widespread - and perfectly legal - practice of gerrymandering is having a serious and lasting effect on American democracy, as the BBC's James Silver reports from Texas."
"The increasingly widespread - and perfectly legal - practice of gerrymandering is having a serious and lasting effect on American democracy, as the BBC's James Silver reports from Texas."
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Voter Registrations Possibly Trashed(klas-tv.com/George Knapp, Investigative Reporter)
"(Oct. 12) -- Employees of a private voter registration company allege that hundreds, perhaps thousands of voters who may think they are registered will be rudely surprised on election day. The company claims hundreds of registration forms were thrown in the trash."
"(Oct. 12) -- Employees of a private voter registration company allege that hundreds, perhaps thousands of voters who may think they are registered will be rudely surprised on election day. The company claims hundreds of registration forms were thrown in the trash."
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Attorney general promises cybercrime crackdown (Timothy Roberts / Sacramento Business Journal)
U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft says he's cracking down on the "wild west" lawlessness of cyberspace. Ashcroft today announced formation of 10 new units in the Department of Justice to fight cybercrime. They'll focus on computer intrusions, copyright and trademark violations, theft of trade secrets and economic espionage, and theft of computer and other high-tech components. "These new teams will prosecute vigorously those responsible for cybercrimes," he said. "We hope to reinforce the message to would-be criminals that there are no free passes in cyberspace."
U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft says he's cracking down on the "wild west" lawlessness of cyberspace. Ashcroft today announced formation of 10 new units in the Department of Justice to fight cybercrime. They'll focus on computer intrusions, copyright and trademark violations, theft of trade secrets and economic espionage, and theft of computer and other high-tech components. "These new teams will prosecute vigorously those responsible for cybercrimes," he said. "We hope to reinforce the message to would-be criminals that there are no free passes in cyberspace."
Monday, October 11, 2004
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Saudi women barred from voting
"The Saudi interior minister has said women will not be allowed to vote in the country's municipal elections starting in February 2005."
"The Saudi interior minister has said women will not be allowed to vote in the country's municipal elections starting in February 2005."
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Nuclear assets 'vanish' in Iraq
"Equipment and materials which could be used to make nuclear arms have been vanishing in Iraq since the invasion last year, the United Nations warns."
"Equipment and materials which could be used to make nuclear arms have been vanishing in Iraq since the invasion last year, the United Nations warns."
Yahoo! News - Congress OKs $136B Corporate Tax-Cut Bill (By ALAN FRAM, Associated Press Writer)
"WASHINGTON - The Senate shipped President Bush (news - web sites) a wide-ranging $136 billion corporate tax-cut bill and a disaster aid package on Monday, letting lawmakers head home for the finale of the presidential and congressional campaigns."
"WASHINGTON - The Senate shipped President Bush (news - web sites) a wide-ranging $136 billion corporate tax-cut bill and a disaster aid package on Monday, letting lawmakers head home for the finale of the presidential and congressional campaigns."
The CIA 'old guard' goes to war with Bush(www.telegraph.co.uk/Phillip Sherwell)
"The CIA 'old guard' goes to war with Bush"
"The CIA 'old guard' goes to war with Bush"
Saturday, October 09, 2004
Project RainbowCrack
"RainbowCrack is a general propose implementation of Philippe Oechslin's faster time-memory trade-off technique. In short, the RainbowCrack tool is a hash cracker. While a traditional brute force cracker try all possible plaintexts one by one in cracking time, RainbowCrack works in another way. It precomputes all possible plaintext - ciphertext pairs in advance and stores them in the file so called 'rainbow table'. It may take a long time to precompute the tables, but once the one time precomputation is finished, you will always be able to crack the ciphertext covered by the rainbow tables in seconds." -- this has devastating concequences for password hashing technology, especially for windows lanman and other cyphers.
"RainbowCrack is a general propose implementation of Philippe Oechslin's faster time-memory trade-off technique. In short, the RainbowCrack tool is a hash cracker. While a traditional brute force cracker try all possible plaintexts one by one in cracking time, RainbowCrack works in another way. It precomputes all possible plaintext - ciphertext pairs in advance and stores them in the file so called 'rainbow table'. It may take a long time to precompute the tables, but once the one time precomputation is finished, you will always be able to crack the ciphertext covered by the rainbow tables in seconds." -- this has devastating concequences for password hashing technology, especially for windows lanman and other cyphers.
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Bush administration in denial about lack of Iraq WMD: Kay (Yahoo! News/AFP)
"Kay told NBC television: 'All I can say is 'denial' is not just a river in Egypt.'"
"Kay told NBC television: 'All I can say is 'denial' is not just a river in Egypt.'"
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Israel plants car bomb to kill Hamas leader (Associated Press/Unknown News)
"Israeli security sources have acknowledged that Israel was behind the car bomb assassination of a Hamas leader in Damascus on Sunday"
"Commentary: In Iraq, car-bombs are terrorism. In and around Israel however, we need the media to tell us when car-bombs are a necessary and justified use of force or when they're acts of terrorism. =Mr. Cieciel="
"Israeli security sources have acknowledged that Israel was behind the car bomb assassination of a Hamas leader in Damascus on Sunday"
"Commentary: In Iraq, car-bombs are terrorism. In and around Israel however, we need the media to tell us when car-bombs are a necessary and justified use of force or when they're acts of terrorism. =Mr. Cieciel="
US Vetoes Measure Demanding Israel Stop Gaza Fight (Reuters)
"The United States on Tuesday vetoed a U.N. Security Council draft resolution demanding that Israel stop a major offensive in the Gaza Strip that has cost at least 68 Palestinian lives."
"The United States on Tuesday vetoed a U.N. Security Council draft resolution demanding that Israel stop a major offensive in the Gaza Strip that has cost at least 68 Palestinian lives."
Agents Challenge 9/11 Commission (William F. Jasper / New American)
Agents on the front lines of the war on terror have risked their careers to warn America about the corruption and culpable negligence that continue to put our nation in peril.
Agents on the front lines of the war on terror have risked their careers to warn America about the corruption and culpable negligence that continue to put our nation in peril.
CIA Report Finds No Conclusive Zarqawi-Saddam Link(Yahoo! News)
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A CIA (news - web sites) report has found no conclusive evidence that former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) harbored Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, which the Bush administration asserted before the invasion of Iraq (news - web sites)."
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A CIA (news - web sites) report has found no conclusive evidence that former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) harbored Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, which the Bush administration asserted before the invasion of Iraq (news - web sites)."
Yahoo! News - Debt Ceiling Could Be Hit This Month(AP - LEIGH STROPE)
"WASHINGTON - The government should hit the national debt's $7.4 trillion ceiling this month, and the Bush administration told Congress again Monday it should raise the limit. That would be a politically sticky move just weeks from the Nov. 2 elections."
"WASHINGTON - The government should hit the national debt's $7.4 trillion ceiling this month, and the Bush administration told Congress again Monday it should raise the limit. That would be a politically sticky move just weeks from the Nov. 2 elections."
Monday, October 04, 2004
Friday, October 01, 2004
Plan would let U.S. deport suspects to nations that might torture them.
"The Bush administration is supporting a provision in the House leadership's intelligence reform bill that would allow U.S. authorities to deport certain foreigners to countries where they are likely to be tortured or abused, an action prohibited by the international laws against torture the United States signed 20 years ago."
"The Bush administration is supporting a provision in the House leadership's intelligence reform bill that would allow U.S. authorities to deport certain foreigners to countries where they are likely to be tortured or abused, an action prohibited by the international laws against torture the United States signed 20 years ago."
