The Defense Department announced earlier today that coalition forces, acting on information from detainees, discovered a chemical production and storage facility in northern Iraq. Here are a couple of photos of the facility; click to enlarge:
Suspicion is that the chemicals have been used to make car bombs, but the Defense Department is keeping quiet until tests have been completed and analyzed. One can't help wondering, too, how long the facility has been there and whether it could have played a role in Saddam's chemical weapons program.
H.T.:Powerline Blog
Here's the AP Story: U.S. Raids Suspected Chem Facility in Iraq
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Conservative Group to Hold Vigil in Support of Troops at High Noon, Saturday, in Crawford Texas and Around Nation
Contact: Nathan Tabor, President of TheConservativeVoice.com, 336-416-7117
CRAWFORD, Texas, Aug. 12 /Christian Wire Service/ -- In response to false information regarding the nation's attitude in regard to the war on terror, a vigil will be held at high-noon, Saturday, August 13, in Crawford, Texas.
The event will begin at 12 noon, and will be a quiet and peaceful showing of
support for our troops, their families and our President.
"Support our Troops" Event Details---
When: Saturday, August 13, 12 noon
Where: The Bush Ranch in Crawford, Texas
Who: TheConservativeVoice.com, Represented by Don Thompson
We are calling upon individuals to show our fighting forces we support them and their efforts. Now is the time to be supporting our troops and praying for them. Please take a minute to remember our men and women of the Armed Forces who fight for our freedoms."
"Our nation is under attack. I am thankful for the leadership we have in America. As a father of a small child my heart goes out to the grieving parents, spouses and children who have lost loved ones in war. Thank you. The sad reality of freedom is its cost. America won its freedom through war. To maintain freedom we must continue to suppress those who wish to destroy it. You don't chose to fight or go to war, however, you chose whether you win or lose. We have no choice but to win this war." -- Nathan Tabor, TheConservativeVoice.com
CRAWFORD, Texas, Aug. 12 /Christian Wire Service/ -- In response to false information regarding the nation's attitude in regard to the war on terror, a vigil will be held at high-noon, Saturday, August 13, in Crawford, Texas.
The event will begin at 12 noon, and will be a quiet and peaceful showing of
support for our troops, their families and our President.
"Support our Troops" Event Details---
When: Saturday, August 13, 12 noon
Where: The Bush Ranch in Crawford, Texas
Who: TheConservativeVoice.com, Represented by Don Thompson
We are calling upon individuals to show our fighting forces we support them and their efforts. Now is the time to be supporting our troops and praying for them. Please take a minute to remember our men and women of the Armed Forces who fight for our freedoms."
"Our nation is under attack. I am thankful for the leadership we have in America. As a father of a small child my heart goes out to the grieving parents, spouses and children who have lost loved ones in war. Thank you. The sad reality of freedom is its cost. America won its freedom through war. To maintain freedom we must continue to suppress those who wish to destroy it. You don't chose to fight or go to war, however, you chose whether you win or lose. We have no choice but to win this war." -- Nathan Tabor, TheConservativeVoice.com
J.R.'s Take: Left Wing Exploits Hero's Mom
Left Wing Exploits Hero's Mom
by J.R.
While one can ceratinly understand that war hero Casey Sheehan's mom, Cindy Sheehan, is grieving her son's death there are questions on her motives here.
She told The Reporter in June of 2004 :
"'I now know he's sincere about wanting freedom for the Iraqis,' Cindy said after their meeting. 'I know he's sorry and feels some pain for our loss. And I know he's a man of faith.'
"The meeting didn't last long, but in their time with Bush, Cindy spoke about Casey and asked the president to make her son's sacrifice count for something. They also spoke of their faith.
"The trip had one benefit that none of the Sheehans expected.
"For a moment, life returned to the way it was before Casey died. They laughed, joked and bickered playfully as they briefly toured Seattle.
For the first time in 11 weeks, they felt whole again.
"'That was the gift the president gave us, the gift of happiness, of being together,' Cindy said."
Sheehan's current comments are a striking departure.
She vowed on Sunday to continue her protest until she can personally ask Bush: "Why did you kill my son?"
In an interview on CNN, she claimed Bush "acted like it was party" when she met him last year.
"It was -- you know, there was a lot of things said. We wanted to use the time for him to know that he killed an indispensable part of our family and humanity. And we wanted him to look at the pictures of Casey.
"He wouldn't look at the pictures of Casey. He didn't even know Casey's name. He came in the room and the very first thing he said is, 'So who are we honoring here?' He didn't even know Casey's name. He didn't want to hear it. He didn't want to hear anything about Casey. He wouldn't even call him 'him' or 'he.' He called him 'your loved one.'
Every time we tried to talk about Casey and how much we missed him, he would change the subject. And he acted like it was a party.
BLITZER: Like a party? I mean...
SHEEHAN: Yes, he came in very jovial, and like we should be happy that he, our son, died for his misguided policies. He didn't even pretend like somebody...
So folks, did she lie to The Reporter in June 0f 2004 or did she lie to CNN recently ? The two stories are like night and day !
Why is that? I could see if the stories were close or similar, one could say she changed her mind in regards to how she felt then and now. But to tell a completely different tale a year later, something here doesn't click. Could it be that she has been coached by someone from one of the left wing groups ? Judging from the company she is keeping I'd say it was a good bet.
Doesn't Casey's mother know that groups like Moron.org and individulas like Michael Mooreon are hanging on to her apron strings to strengthen their own agendas. She diminshes the death of her Hero Son by associating with these parasites. Too bad she doesn't see that they are expoiting her, the rest of her family apparently does.
Spc. Casey Sheehan was a HERO, he volunteerd for the Army and re-enlisted after the start of the Iraq war. He volunteered for a mission to rescue some fellow soldiers who were ambushed. Unfortunately he and six other soldiers died saving others, but it was Casey's choice to go on the rescue mission. His Mother should respect his decision to do so and mourn his loss but celebrate his heroic actions and willingness to help wherever and whenever he could. Associating with the likes of Moveon.org and Michael Moore insults her son's Heroic sacrifice for his country.
May Spc Casey Sheehan Rest in Peace
"Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for another"
I'm J.R. and that's my take.
by J.R.
While one can ceratinly understand that war hero Casey Sheehan's mom, Cindy Sheehan, is grieving her son's death there are questions on her motives here.
She told The Reporter in June of 2004 :
"'I now know he's sincere about wanting freedom for the Iraqis,' Cindy said after their meeting. 'I know he's sorry and feels some pain for our loss. And I know he's a man of faith.'
"The meeting didn't last long, but in their time with Bush, Cindy spoke about Casey and asked the president to make her son's sacrifice count for something. They also spoke of their faith.
"The trip had one benefit that none of the Sheehans expected.
"For a moment, life returned to the way it was before Casey died. They laughed, joked and bickered playfully as they briefly toured Seattle.
For the first time in 11 weeks, they felt whole again.
"'That was the gift the president gave us, the gift of happiness, of being together,' Cindy said."
Sheehan's current comments are a striking departure.
She vowed on Sunday to continue her protest until she can personally ask Bush: "Why did you kill my son?"
In an interview on CNN, she claimed Bush "acted like it was party" when she met him last year.
"It was -- you know, there was a lot of things said. We wanted to use the time for him to know that he killed an indispensable part of our family and humanity. And we wanted him to look at the pictures of Casey.
"He wouldn't look at the pictures of Casey. He didn't even know Casey's name. He came in the room and the very first thing he said is, 'So who are we honoring here?' He didn't even know Casey's name. He didn't want to hear it. He didn't want to hear anything about Casey. He wouldn't even call him 'him' or 'he.' He called him 'your loved one.'
Every time we tried to talk about Casey and how much we missed him, he would change the subject. And he acted like it was a party.
BLITZER: Like a party? I mean...
SHEEHAN: Yes, he came in very jovial, and like we should be happy that he, our son, died for his misguided policies. He didn't even pretend like somebody...
So folks, did she lie to The Reporter in June 0f 2004 or did she lie to CNN recently ? The two stories are like night and day !
Why is that? I could see if the stories were close or similar, one could say she changed her mind in regards to how she felt then and now. But to tell a completely different tale a year later, something here doesn't click. Could it be that she has been coached by someone from one of the left wing groups ? Judging from the company she is keeping I'd say it was a good bet.
Doesn't Casey's mother know that groups like Moron.org and individulas like Michael Mooreon are hanging on to her apron strings to strengthen their own agendas. She diminshes the death of her Hero Son by associating with these parasites. Too bad she doesn't see that they are expoiting her, the rest of her family apparently does.
Spc. Casey Sheehan was a HERO, he volunteerd for the Army and re-enlisted after the start of the Iraq war. He volunteered for a mission to rescue some fellow soldiers who were ambushed. Unfortunately he and six other soldiers died saving others, but it was Casey's choice to go on the rescue mission. His Mother should respect his decision to do so and mourn his loss but celebrate his heroic actions and willingness to help wherever and whenever he could. Associating with the likes of Moveon.org and Michael Moore insults her son's Heroic sacrifice for his country.
May Spc Casey Sheehan Rest in Peace
"Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for another"
I'm J.R. and that's my take.
Bush Admin Praised for Handling of North Korea Talks
Bush Administration Praised for Handling of North Korea Talks
A former U.S. ambassador who served as special envoy to North Korea in the administration of President Bill Clinton says that while he has been "a very strong critic of the Bush administration" for the last couple of years, he considers the latest round of nuclear related talks with Pyongyang to be "a resounding success."
Jack Pritchard also served for a while as a Clinton holdover in the Bush government. He recently took part in a panel discussion at the Brookings Institution to discuss his optimism over Round Four of the Six-Party Talks involving the North Korean nuclear threat. Besides the U.S. and North Korea, the discussions involve South Korea, Japan, China and Russia.
Pritchard praised the Bush administration for re-evaluating the direction in which it was moving on the North Korean issue and for the appointments of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state and Ambassador Chris Hill "as the head of delegation for the discussions with the North Koreans on the six-party process.
"I think it has been the conduct of Ambassador Hill and what he has been allowed to do that is responsible for this two-week, first-ever negotiations. I do not consider the run-up -- the first three (rounds) -- to have been negotiations. This one was a true set of negotiations," Pritchard told the Brookings audience.
James Walsh, executive director of the Managing Atom Project at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, agreed with Pritchard's assessment of the meetings. "The most recent round was a success. Rarely has a meeting that produced no agreement won so much praise. But I still think that it is worth praising.
Prior to the talks, Walsh said, there was international skepticism about whether the U.S. was willing to be seriously engaged or "whether it was talk for talk's sake, for diplomatic advantage, what have you, and there were real concerns as to whether the North Koreans were serious.
"And my sense out of this first round is that both parties, both sides, come away from it with the view that there is something serious here."
A former U.S. ambassador who served as special envoy to North Korea in the administration of President Bill Clinton says that while he has been "a very strong critic of the Bush administration" for the last couple of years, he considers the latest round of nuclear related talks with Pyongyang to be "a resounding success."
Jack Pritchard also served for a while as a Clinton holdover in the Bush government. He recently took part in a panel discussion at the Brookings Institution to discuss his optimism over Round Four of the Six-Party Talks involving the North Korean nuclear threat. Besides the U.S. and North Korea, the discussions involve South Korea, Japan, China and Russia.
Pritchard praised the Bush administration for re-evaluating the direction in which it was moving on the North Korean issue and for the appointments of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state and Ambassador Chris Hill "as the head of delegation for the discussions with the North Koreans on the six-party process.
"I think it has been the conduct of Ambassador Hill and what he has been allowed to do that is responsible for this two-week, first-ever negotiations. I do not consider the run-up -- the first three (rounds) -- to have been negotiations. This one was a true set of negotiations," Pritchard told the Brookings audience.
James Walsh, executive director of the Managing Atom Project at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, agreed with Pritchard's assessment of the meetings. "The most recent round was a success. Rarely has a meeting that produced no agreement won so much praise. But I still think that it is worth praising.
Prior to the talks, Walsh said, there was international skepticism about whether the U.S. was willing to be seriously engaged or "whether it was talk for talk's sake, for diplomatic advantage, what have you, and there were real concerns as to whether the North Koreans were serious.
"And my sense out of this first round is that both parties, both sides, come away from it with the view that there is something serious here."
Pentagon Cites Many Successes of US Troops in Iraq
Many Successes of US Troops in Iraq
Coalition and Iraqi forces have been dealing blows to terrorism in Iraq since June, according to statistics from the Pentagon. From July 30 to Aug, 5, coalition forces have discovered and neutralized 109 explosive devices and captured 805 insurgent fighters, 493 of whom were detained. Eleven foreign fighters were either killed or captured, the Pentagon said.
Even in Mosul, one of the most violent places in Iraq, the U.S. forces are seeing reduced hostilities, according to the Associated Press, which reported this week that "there were fewer bombings and mortar attacks in July than any month since (last) October," representing a 50-percent decrease.
On July 29, U.S. forces captured al Qaeda cell leader Ammar Abu Bara, a top wanted official. Bara's predecessor, Abu Talha, had reportedly been the most-trusted operations assistant to terror kingpin Abu Musab al-Zarqawi until being captured a few weeks earlier on June 16.
U.S. Marines foiled terrorist plans to detonate a car bomb last weekend and followed up that success by discovering and neutralizing a car bomb factory in Baghdad on Aug. 8. Friday saw the U.S. forces foil another car bomb plan with the discovery of the explosive devices and the man who had allegedly set up the devices.
"There is no question our soldiers have been effective," Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness, told Cybercast News Service , expressing her personal views. She acknowledged that "there is a certain amount of debate about whether we have sufficient troops to manage the requirements of that war."
Lt. Col. Barry Venable, a spokesman for the Department of Defense, told Cybercast News Service sarcastically that perhaps Kennedy was right.
"If signing the Transitional Administrative Law on the 8th of March, 2004 is a quagmire, then yes, we are in quagmire," Venable said, referring to the Coalition Provisional Authority, which governed Iraq between the ouster of Saddam Hussein's regime and the establishment of Iraq's new sovereign government.
Venable continued to cite what he said were the many military and political accomplishments made by U.S. forces. If the establishment of the Iraqi interim government, the subsequent Iraqi elections and the announcement of the first sovereign Iraqi government thereafter, the official transfer of power from the coalition forces to the Iraqi government, the drafting of a new Iraqi Constitution soon to be completed, and the training of more than 178,000 Iraqi security forces are "evidence of a quagmire, then yes, we are in a quagmire," he added.
"The bottom line is that we are making considerable progress in the political process in the development of Iraqi security forces, and in the containment of the insurgency," Venable concluded. "The insurgency is essentially stagnant."
Coalition and Iraqi forces have been dealing blows to terrorism in Iraq since June, according to statistics from the Pentagon. From July 30 to Aug, 5, coalition forces have discovered and neutralized 109 explosive devices and captured 805 insurgent fighters, 493 of whom were detained. Eleven foreign fighters were either killed or captured, the Pentagon said.
Even in Mosul, one of the most violent places in Iraq, the U.S. forces are seeing reduced hostilities, according to the Associated Press, which reported this week that "there were fewer bombings and mortar attacks in July than any month since (last) October," representing a 50-percent decrease.
On July 29, U.S. forces captured al Qaeda cell leader Ammar Abu Bara, a top wanted official. Bara's predecessor, Abu Talha, had reportedly been the most-trusted operations assistant to terror kingpin Abu Musab al-Zarqawi until being captured a few weeks earlier on June 16.
U.S. Marines foiled terrorist plans to detonate a car bomb last weekend and followed up that success by discovering and neutralizing a car bomb factory in Baghdad on Aug. 8. Friday saw the U.S. forces foil another car bomb plan with the discovery of the explosive devices and the man who had allegedly set up the devices.
"There is no question our soldiers have been effective," Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness, told Cybercast News Service , expressing her personal views. She acknowledged that "there is a certain amount of debate about whether we have sufficient troops to manage the requirements of that war."
Lt. Col. Barry Venable, a spokesman for the Department of Defense, told Cybercast News Service sarcastically that perhaps Kennedy was right.
"If signing the Transitional Administrative Law on the 8th of March, 2004 is a quagmire, then yes, we are in quagmire," Venable said, referring to the Coalition Provisional Authority, which governed Iraq between the ouster of Saddam Hussein's regime and the establishment of Iraq's new sovereign government.
Venable continued to cite what he said were the many military and political accomplishments made by U.S. forces. If the establishment of the Iraqi interim government, the subsequent Iraqi elections and the announcement of the first sovereign Iraqi government thereafter, the official transfer of power from the coalition forces to the Iraqi government, the drafting of a new Iraqi Constitution soon to be completed, and the training of more than 178,000 Iraqi security forces are "evidence of a quagmire, then yes, we are in a quagmire," he added.
"The bottom line is that we are making considerable progress in the political process in the development of Iraqi security forces, and in the containment of the insurgency," Venable concluded. "The insurgency is essentially stagnant."
Media absent on 9-11 scandal
Panel probing terror attack 'absolute joke,' coverage would be Page 1 if tied to Bush
Radio talk-show giant Rush Limbaugh calls the 9-11 commission an "absolute joke" for ignoring and suppressing evidence that terrorists were identified in the U.S. long before the Sept. 11 attacks, and he's blasting the mainstream media for its lack of coverage on the matter.
"They blew it sky high. They didn't get what was really going on. They didn't get in their report the fact that there were terror cells already here, and that the ringleader of 9-11 was in the country for a year, and it was known," said Limbaugh of the panel which probed the 2001 onslaught. "If you ask me, the 9-11 commission ought to be profoundly embarrassed."
The conservative icon issued a blistering criticism of the mainstream media for its lack of coverage on the matter today, pointing out the New York Times did not write its own story on the revelations, but instead ran a report by the Associated Press. And while the Washington Post did write its own account, Limbaugh observed the paper buried it on Page 9 of today's edition.
"To me this is evidence that the people in the liberal media assume this could be a problem for the Clinton administration," opined Limbaugh, who called the panel's omission of the Atta evidence "an abomination of an error."
"If they could pin this on George W. Bush, this would be front page everywhere and it would be pretty much all that we are seeing."
Radio talk-show giant Rush Limbaugh calls the 9-11 commission an "absolute joke" for ignoring and suppressing evidence that terrorists were identified in the U.S. long before the Sept. 11 attacks, and he's blasting the mainstream media for its lack of coverage on the matter.
"They blew it sky high. They didn't get what was really going on. They didn't get in their report the fact that there were terror cells already here, and that the ringleader of 9-11 was in the country for a year, and it was known," said Limbaugh of the panel which probed the 2001 onslaught. "If you ask me, the 9-11 commission ought to be profoundly embarrassed."
The conservative icon issued a blistering criticism of the mainstream media for its lack of coverage on the matter today, pointing out the New York Times did not write its own story on the revelations, but instead ran a report by the Associated Press. And while the Washington Post did write its own account, Limbaugh observed the paper buried it on Page 9 of today's edition.
"To me this is evidence that the people in the liberal media assume this could be a problem for the Clinton administration," opined Limbaugh, who called the panel's omission of the Atta evidence "an abomination of an error."
"If they could pin this on George W. Bush, this would be front page everywhere and it would be pretty much all that we are seeing."
Weldon not buying 'Able Danger' dismissal
Accuses 9-11 commission of changing its story on Atta info
Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., has accused the 9-11 commission of changing its story several times this week about revelations Defense Department investigators tracking al-Qaida were prevented from passing along information on the presence of Mohammed Atta and three other future hijackers in the U.S. more than a year before the worst terrorist attack in history.
The Pentagon established a special operations task force called "Able Danger" to identify and target al-Qaida on a global basis using advanced technology and data analysis.
But when Able Danger operatives found Atta directing an al-Qaida sleeper cell in New York in 2000, they were blocked from passing it along to the FBI for action, he says.
"The 9-11 commission has released multiple statements over the past week, each of which has significantly changed � from initially denying ever being briefed to acknowledging being briefed on both operation Able Danger and Mohammed Atta," he said. "The information was omitted primarily because they found it to be suspect despite having been briefed on it two times by two different military officers on active duty. Additionally, the 9-11 commission also received documents from the Department of Defense on Able Danger.
Weldon says two critical questions remain unanswered about Able Danger's findings:
Why did the Department of Defense fail to pass critical information obtained through Able Danger to the FBI between the summer and fall of 2000?
Why did the 9/11 Commission staff fail properly to follow up on the three separate occasions when they received information on Able Danger and Mohammed Atta?
"I will continue to push for a full accounting of the historical record so that we may preclude these types of failures from happening again," he said.
Gorelick's later presence on the 9-11 commission was criticized by Attorney General John Ashcroft and others because she was placed in a position of reviewing her own policies during the Clinton administration.
There are also concerns that the staff of the 9-11 commission was stacked with former Clinton administration operatives who had a vested interest in covering up any of its failings.
Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., has accused the 9-11 commission of changing its story several times this week about revelations Defense Department investigators tracking al-Qaida were prevented from passing along information on the presence of Mohammed Atta and three other future hijackers in the U.S. more than a year before the worst terrorist attack in history.
The Pentagon established a special operations task force called "Able Danger" to identify and target al-Qaida on a global basis using advanced technology and data analysis.
But when Able Danger operatives found Atta directing an al-Qaida sleeper cell in New York in 2000, they were blocked from passing it along to the FBI for action, he says.
"The 9-11 commission has released multiple statements over the past week, each of which has significantly changed � from initially denying ever being briefed to acknowledging being briefed on both operation Able Danger and Mohammed Atta," he said. "The information was omitted primarily because they found it to be suspect despite having been briefed on it two times by two different military officers on active duty. Additionally, the 9-11 commission also received documents from the Department of Defense on Able Danger.
Weldon says two critical questions remain unanswered about Able Danger's findings:
Why did the Department of Defense fail to pass critical information obtained through Able Danger to the FBI between the summer and fall of 2000?
Why did the 9/11 Commission staff fail properly to follow up on the three separate occasions when they received information on Able Danger and Mohammed Atta?
"I will continue to push for a full accounting of the historical record so that we may preclude these types of failures from happening again," he said.
Gorelick's later presence on the 9-11 commission was criticized by Attorney General John Ashcroft and others because she was placed in a position of reviewing her own policies during the Clinton administration.
There are also concerns that the staff of the 9-11 commission was stacked with former Clinton administration operatives who had a vested interest in covering up any of its failings.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Spc. Casey Sheehan Reenlisted after start of War
Casey had a gentle but firm commitment to family, church and country, re-enlisting after the war started and volunteering for the rescue mission in which he and six others were killed last year.
Faculty adviser Mary Mazzocco said she was suprised when her drama critic announced he had joined the Army in 2000.
He was so sweet and so shy and so quiet, you had a hard time seeing him as a soldier," Mazzocco said. "But he really did get into it. The last time I saw him on campus he was in his uniform and very proud of it and very proud to have made it through basic training."
His decision to sign up surprised his family as well. One night he came home after running some errands and "announced that we were looking at the newest recruit in the U.S. Army," Patrick Sheehan recalled a few days after Casey's death.
Sheehan had dreams of working as an Army chaplain's assistant, but wound up working as a mechanic. His division, the First Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Tex., was sent to Iraq in March 2004. The last time his parents spoke to him he was on his way to attend Mass before getting ready to convoy into Baghdad.
"On April 4, Palm Sunday, we got the word that Casey had been killed in an ambush," Cindy Sheehan wrote in her essay. "The first chance he got, my brave, wonderful, faithful, sweet, gentle and kind boy volunteered for a rescue mission ... Casey and 20 of his buddies were sent into a raging insurgent uprising to rescue wounded soldiers. Only 13 of them returned."
Since his death, Casey Sheehan has been honored in quiet ways. His old Boy Scout troop created an award in his honor. The chapel at Fort Hood started a new Knights of Columbus chapter that was named the "Spc. Casey Austin Sheehan Council."
In Crawford, a different sort of memorial to his life is unfolding at the makeshift campsite of war protesters who have joined his mother's mission.
"I think he definitely is one of those people who lived his life through a higher calling," observed Allison Corrington, 18, a Sheehan family friend. "He knew there was something big he was supposed to be a part of and definitely worked his way to his goals."
Faculty adviser Mary Mazzocco said she was suprised when her drama critic announced he had joined the Army in 2000.
He was so sweet and so shy and so quiet, you had a hard time seeing him as a soldier," Mazzocco said. "But he really did get into it. The last time I saw him on campus he was in his uniform and very proud of it and very proud to have made it through basic training."
His decision to sign up surprised his family as well. One night he came home after running some errands and "announced that we were looking at the newest recruit in the U.S. Army," Patrick Sheehan recalled a few days after Casey's death.
Sheehan had dreams of working as an Army chaplain's assistant, but wound up working as a mechanic. His division, the First Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Tex., was sent to Iraq in March 2004. The last time his parents spoke to him he was on his way to attend Mass before getting ready to convoy into Baghdad.
"On April 4, Palm Sunday, we got the word that Casey had been killed in an ambush," Cindy Sheehan wrote in her essay. "The first chance he got, my brave, wonderful, faithful, sweet, gentle and kind boy volunteered for a rescue mission ... Casey and 20 of his buddies were sent into a raging insurgent uprising to rescue wounded soldiers. Only 13 of them returned."
Since his death, Casey Sheehan has been honored in quiet ways. His old Boy Scout troop created an award in his honor. The chapel at Fort Hood started a new Knights of Columbus chapter that was named the "Spc. Casey Austin Sheehan Council."
In Crawford, a different sort of memorial to his life is unfolding at the makeshift campsite of war protesters who have joined his mother's mission.
"I think he definitely is one of those people who lived his life through a higher calling," observed Allison Corrington, 18, a Sheehan family friend. "He knew there was something big he was supposed to be a part of and definitely worked his way to his goals."
Atta Details Omitted From Sept. 11 Report
The Sept. 11 commission knew military intelligence officials had identified lead hijacker Mohamed Atta as a member of al-Qaida who might be part of U.S.-based terror cell more than a year before the terror attacks but decided not to include that in its final report, a spokesman acknowledged Thursday.
Al Felzenberg, spokesman for the commission's follow-up project called the 9/11 Public Discourse Project, had said earlier this week that the panel was unaware of intelligence specifically naming Atta. But he said subsequent information provided Wednesday confirmed that the commission had been aware of the intelligence.
The information did not make it into the final report because it was not consistent with what the commission knew about Atta's whereabouts before the attacks, Felzenberg said.
Al Felzenberg, spokesman for the commission's follow-up project called the 9/11 Public Discourse Project, had said earlier this week that the panel was unaware of intelligence specifically naming Atta. But he said subsequent information provided Wednesday confirmed that the commission had been aware of the intelligence.
The information did not make it into the final report because it was not consistent with what the commission knew about Atta's whereabouts before the attacks, Felzenberg said.
Pirro Leads Clinton in Online Poll
Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro was leading Sen. Hillary Clinton in an online poll Thursday night conducted by the most listened-to radio station in New York, 1010 WINS.
With over 3,000 New Yorkers responding, Pirro led Clinton by six-tenths of a point, 50.30 percent to 49.70 percent.
Though the WINS survey is unscientific, it continues a trend that began this week after Pirro announced she intended to challenge Mrs. Clinton.
A Marist College poll released on Wednesday showed Clinton defeating Pirro, 50 percent to 28 percent. But while Pirro's number hadn't budged from an earlier survey in April, Clinton's support plummeted by 14 points.
With over 3,000 New Yorkers responding, Pirro led Clinton by six-tenths of a point, 50.30 percent to 49.70 percent.
Though the WINS survey is unscientific, it continues a trend that began this week after Pirro announced she intended to challenge Mrs. Clinton.
A Marist College poll released on Wednesday showed Clinton defeating Pirro, 50 percent to 28 percent. But while Pirro's number hadn't budged from an earlier survey in April, Clinton's support plummeted by 14 points.
9/11 Commission Covered Up Gorelick Warning
A 1995 memo from a top terrorism prosecutor warning that a directive by Clinton administration Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick "could cost lives" is being concealed by the 9/11 Commission.
Compounding the cover-up, Gorelick herself was a prominent member of the Commission and refused to recuse herself from parts of the 9/11 investigation that covered the now notorious "wall" she erected that prevented intelligence and law enforcement agencies from cooperating in the war on terror.
June 1995, U.S. Attorney for New York's Southern District Mary Jo White warned the Justice Department that Gorelick's prohibition against intelligence sharing would hamper U.S. counterterrorism efforts.
"It is hard to be totally comfortable with instructions to the FBI prohibiting contact with the United States Attorney's Offices when such prohibitions are not legally required," White wrote on June 13, 1995, in a memo reported Friday by the New York Post's Deborah Orin.
"The most effective way to combat terrorism is with as few labels and walls as possible so that wherever permissible, the right and left hands are communicating," advised White, who was then in the midst of prosecuting the 1993 World Trade Center bombers.
According to Orin, however, "White was so upset that she bitterly protested with another memo - a scathing one" - blasting Gorelick's wall of separation.
While the former Clinton official and her fellow 9/11 commissioners have so far declined to make the second memo public, the Post reports that White used it to warn that Gorelick's wall "hindered law enforcement and could cost lives."
The 9/11 Commission omitted any mention of White's scathing second warning to Gorelick from its final report.
"Nor does the report include the transcript of its staff interview with White," the Post said.
Compounding the cover-up, Gorelick herself was a prominent member of the Commission and refused to recuse herself from parts of the 9/11 investigation that covered the now notorious "wall" she erected that prevented intelligence and law enforcement agencies from cooperating in the war on terror.
June 1995, U.S. Attorney for New York's Southern District Mary Jo White warned the Justice Department that Gorelick's prohibition against intelligence sharing would hamper U.S. counterterrorism efforts.
"It is hard to be totally comfortable with instructions to the FBI prohibiting contact with the United States Attorney's Offices when such prohibitions are not legally required," White wrote on June 13, 1995, in a memo reported Friday by the New York Post's Deborah Orin.
"The most effective way to combat terrorism is with as few labels and walls as possible so that wherever permissible, the right and left hands are communicating," advised White, who was then in the midst of prosecuting the 1993 World Trade Center bombers.
According to Orin, however, "White was so upset that she bitterly protested with another memo - a scathing one" - blasting Gorelick's wall of separation.
While the former Clinton official and her fellow 9/11 commissioners have so far declined to make the second memo public, the Post reports that White used it to warn that Gorelick's wall "hindered law enforcement and could cost lives."
The 9/11 Commission omitted any mention of White's scathing second warning to Gorelick from its final report.
"Nor does the report include the transcript of its staff interview with White," the Post said.
Clinton Lawyers: Mohamed Atta Off-Limits
A year before the 9/11 attacks, Clinton administration lawyers told a group of military intelligence officers that information they had developed on 9/11 ringleader Mohamed Atta could not be shared with the FBI, saying of Atta himself: "You can't even touch him - it doesn't matter what information you have."
Rep. Curt Weldon, who helped develop the military intelligence group code-named "Able Danger," delivered the bombshell revelation in an interview Thursday with WABC Radio host Sean Hannity.
WELDON: In September of 2000 we tried on three occasions to take the information we had developed and pass it along to the FBI so they could follow up and take action against this [al-Qaida] cell and perhaps bring in Atta and question him and do whatever else was necessary.
Three times we were turned down by lawyers in the administration.
HANNITY: We're talking about lawyers in the Clinton administration?
WELDON: Yes, it was the Clinton administration. Lawyers said there were two reasons why you can't do that. And they even put stickies over the face of Mohamed Atta on this chart they had. They said: "He's here legally. He's either got a green card or he's got a visa. So you can't even touch him - it doesn't matter what information you have." [END OF EXCERPT]
Moments later, Weldon said he was determined to find out who it was who ultimately gave the order to protect the lead 9/11 hijacker.
WELDON: The American people need to have answers. They need to have answers about who made the decision to stop our military intelligence from sharing information with the FBI, and how high up the ladder that went.
Did it stop at DoD? Or was the Justice Department involved in that decision? Or was the White House involved in that decision? [END OF EXCERPT]
Rep. Curt Weldon, who helped develop the military intelligence group code-named "Able Danger," delivered the bombshell revelation in an interview Thursday with WABC Radio host Sean Hannity.
WELDON: In September of 2000 we tried on three occasions to take the information we had developed and pass it along to the FBI so they could follow up and take action against this [al-Qaida] cell and perhaps bring in Atta and question him and do whatever else was necessary.
Three times we were turned down by lawyers in the administration.
HANNITY: We're talking about lawyers in the Clinton administration?
WELDON: Yes, it was the Clinton administration. Lawyers said there were two reasons why you can't do that. And they even put stickies over the face of Mohamed Atta on this chart they had. They said: "He's here legally. He's either got a green card or he's got a visa. So you can't even touch him - it doesn't matter what information you have." [END OF EXCERPT]
Moments later, Weldon said he was determined to find out who it was who ultimately gave the order to protect the lead 9/11 hijacker.
WELDON: The American people need to have answers. They need to have answers about who made the decision to stop our military intelligence from sharing information with the FBI, and how high up the ladder that went.
Did it stop at DoD? Or was the Justice Department involved in that decision? Or was the White House involved in that decision? [END OF EXCERPT]
Al-Qaeda says it will kill Iraq constitution drafters
Al-Qaeda's Iraqi branch said it would kill anyone taking part in drafting the country's new constitution or in the ensuing referendum to approve the document, according to Agence France-Presse, citing an Internet statement.
'The tribunal has decided to apply the order of Allah: kill whoever assumes the right to be a partner of God and draws up a null and void constitution ... the tribunal has also decided to ... strike at referendum voting stations,' it said.
The authenticity of the statement from the Islamic Tribunal of the Organisation of Al-Qaeda in the Land of Two Rivers could not be verified.
'The tribunal has decided to apply the order of Allah: kill whoever assumes the right to be a partner of God and draws up a null and void constitution ... the tribunal has also decided to ... strike at referendum voting stations,' it said.
The authenticity of the statement from the Islamic Tribunal of the Organisation of Al-Qaeda in the Land of Two Rivers could not be verified.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
OFFICIALS WARN: POSSIBILITY OF ATTACKS AROUND SEPT. 11
A group of F.B.I. counterterrorism analysts warned this week of possible terrorist attacks in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago around Sept. 11, but officials cautioned on Thursday that they were skeptical about the seriousness of the threat.
The warning grew out of intelligence developed from an overseas source indicating that terrorists might seek to steal fuel tanker trucks in order to inflict "mass casualties" by staging an anniversary attack, officials said.
The information led F.B.I. joint terrorism task forces in Los Angeles and Newark to alert other government and law enforcement officials privately this week about the threat, law enforcement officials said. Several government officials in Washington who were briefed on the threat said it was described as credible and specific enough to warrant attention.
But other law enforcement officials in Washington and New York said that while they were aware of the warnings and were concerned about the Sept. 11 anniversary, they remained somewhat skeptical about the latest threat.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation was planning to send out another confidential law enforcement bulletin on Thursday to qualify the earlier one and emphasize that the threat of a possible tanker attack had not been verified.
"The information is uncorroborated, and the source is of questionable reliability," said Brian Roehrkasse, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security. "This information continues to be evaluated by the intelligence community."
There were no immediate plans to raise the national threat level, although urban transit systems remain on higher alert after last month's subway attacks in London.
Domestic security officials have long thought that tanker trucks could be used in terrorist attacks. New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are considered at the top of potential targets, along with Washington and Las Vegas, because of their size, high profiles, symbolic value and past plots by Al Qaeda.
New York City's police commissioner, Raymond W. Kelly, said in a statement that the department was aware of the threat.
The warning grew out of intelligence developed from an overseas source indicating that terrorists might seek to steal fuel tanker trucks in order to inflict "mass casualties" by staging an anniversary attack, officials said.
The information led F.B.I. joint terrorism task forces in Los Angeles and Newark to alert other government and law enforcement officials privately this week about the threat, law enforcement officials said. Several government officials in Washington who were briefed on the threat said it was described as credible and specific enough to warrant attention.
But other law enforcement officials in Washington and New York said that while they were aware of the warnings and were concerned about the Sept. 11 anniversary, they remained somewhat skeptical about the latest threat.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation was planning to send out another confidential law enforcement bulletin on Thursday to qualify the earlier one and emphasize that the threat of a possible tanker attack had not been verified.
"The information is uncorroborated, and the source is of questionable reliability," said Brian Roehrkasse, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security. "This information continues to be evaluated by the intelligence community."
There were no immediate plans to raise the national threat level, although urban transit systems remain on higher alert after last month's subway attacks in London.
Domestic security officials have long thought that tanker trucks could be used in terrorist attacks. New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are considered at the top of potential targets, along with Washington and Las Vegas, because of their size, high profiles, symbolic value and past plots by Al Qaeda.
New York City's police commissioner, Raymond W. Kelly, said in a statement that the department was aware of the threat.
FAMILY OF FALLEN SOLDIER PLEADS: PLEASE STOP, CINDY!
The family of American soldier Casey Sheehan, who was killed in Iraq on April 4, 2004, has broken its silence and spoken out against his mother Cindy Sheehan's anti-war vigil against George Bush held outside the president's Crawford, Texas ranch.
The following email was received by the DRUDGE REPORT from Cherie Quarterolo, Casey's aunt and godmother:
Our family has been so distressed by the recent activities of Cindy we are breaking our silence and we have collectively written a statement for release. Feel free to distribute it as you wish. Thanks � Cherie
In response to questions regarding the Cindy Sheehan/Crawford Texas issue: Sheehan Family Statement:
The Sheehan Family lost our beloved Casey in the Iraq War and we have been silently, respectfully grieving. We do not agree with the political motivations and publicity tactics of Cindy Sheehan. She now appears to be promoting her own personal agenda and notoriety at the the expense of her son's good name and reputation. The rest of the Sheehan Family supports the troops, our country, and our President, silently, with prayer and respect. Sincerely,
Casey Sheehan's grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.
Developing...
The following email was received by the DRUDGE REPORT from Cherie Quarterolo, Casey's aunt and godmother:
Our family has been so distressed by the recent activities of Cindy we are breaking our silence and we have collectively written a statement for release. Feel free to distribute it as you wish. Thanks � Cherie
In response to questions regarding the Cindy Sheehan/Crawford Texas issue: Sheehan Family Statement:
The Sheehan Family lost our beloved Casey in the Iraq War and we have been silently, respectfully grieving. We do not agree with the political motivations and publicity tactics of Cindy Sheehan. She now appears to be promoting her own personal agenda and notoriety at the the expense of her son's good name and reputation. The rest of the Sheehan Family supports the troops, our country, and our President, silently, with prayer and respect. Sincerely,
Casey Sheehan's grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.
Developing...
Fly the flag, get evicted?
Patriotic family faces boot for displaying Old Glory
A New York family of five faces eviction from its Manhattan apartment for daring to fly an American flag.
Michael and Deborah Privitello, who celebrated their love for the U.S. by getting married on Independence Day, received a letter signed by landlord Francis Greenburger stating the American flag breached their lease, and they would be evicted should it remain in place.
The letter claimed erecting the flag amounted to attaching a prohibited "projection."
"It's un-American," Deborah told the New York Post. "How can this man who says he is an American do something like this at this time when we have our troops at war?"
When contacted by the paper, Greenburger said he was unaware of details of the case, despite his name on the letter.
"I have 100 people who work for me who manage about 180 buildings. My name gets signed for legal reasons," he said.
Robert Kantor, president of Time Equities in charge of the property, said the landlord was involved in a long-running dispute with the Privitellos.
"We feel we have no choice but to fulfill every single provision of the lease," Kantor told the Post.
A New York family of five faces eviction from its Manhattan apartment for daring to fly an American flag.
Michael and Deborah Privitello, who celebrated their love for the U.S. by getting married on Independence Day, received a letter signed by landlord Francis Greenburger stating the American flag breached their lease, and they would be evicted should it remain in place.
The letter claimed erecting the flag amounted to attaching a prohibited "projection."
"It's un-American," Deborah told the New York Post. "How can this man who says he is an American do something like this at this time when we have our troops at war?"
When contacted by the paper, Greenburger said he was unaware of details of the case, despite his name on the letter.
"I have 100 people who work for me who manage about 180 buildings. My name gets signed for legal reasons," he said.
Robert Kantor, president of Time Equities in charge of the property, said the landlord was involved in a long-running dispute with the Privitellos.
"We feel we have no choice but to fulfill every single provision of the lease," Kantor told the Post.
Justice Breyer: 'Not all our decisions are right'
Jurist also stands by practice of examining foreign rulings to advise U.S.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer says not all rulings from America's highest court are correct, admitting judges don't have "some great special insight," and he defends the practice of studying courts in foreign countries to help decide cases in the United States.
Breyer made the remarks during a panel discussion this week in Chicago at the annual conference of the American Bar Association.
When asked about the real threat to judicial independence in America, Breyer responded:
"There is a natural tension between the branches [of government] � the separation of powers, the fact that we do pass on congressional legislation, the fact that we are meant to be insulated from public opinion, and the fact that not all our decisions are right, to tell you the truth. We don't have some great special insight. We do our best, but not surprisingly a lot of those decisions create a lot of strong feeling in the country."
He pointed out the nine-member court is unanimous in its rulings some 40 percent of the time, adding, "Sometimes we're right, sometimes we're wrong, sometimes we split. And when we split, one virtue is somebody must be right, though I know you'd never know that."
"If you're not always right, then resign," says Frank Sandoli of Akron, Ohio, in response to Breyer. "Get a coat hanger and hang up your robe."
During the conference, Breyer also defended the increasing practice of the U.S. Supreme Court examining laws and rulings in foreign nations to help come to conclusions here, admitting, "It has hit a political nerve."
Breyer's support of overseas rulings is unsettling to some, such as Larry Johnstone of Colorado Springs, Colo.
"That is a clear and worthy attitude for him to be brought up on charges of breaking his own vows of office when he was sworn in, to defend the Constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Now the lunatic is guilty of what he swore to defend himself," Johnstone says. "Not one peep about this transgression from our high-minded senators and congressmen, let alone the president."
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer says not all rulings from America's highest court are correct, admitting judges don't have "some great special insight," and he defends the practice of studying courts in foreign countries to help decide cases in the United States.
Breyer made the remarks during a panel discussion this week in Chicago at the annual conference of the American Bar Association.
When asked about the real threat to judicial independence in America, Breyer responded:
"There is a natural tension between the branches [of government] � the separation of powers, the fact that we do pass on congressional legislation, the fact that we are meant to be insulated from public opinion, and the fact that not all our decisions are right, to tell you the truth. We don't have some great special insight. We do our best, but not surprisingly a lot of those decisions create a lot of strong feeling in the country."
He pointed out the nine-member court is unanimous in its rulings some 40 percent of the time, adding, "Sometimes we're right, sometimes we're wrong, sometimes we split. And when we split, one virtue is somebody must be right, though I know you'd never know that."
"If you're not always right, then resign," says Frank Sandoli of Akron, Ohio, in response to Breyer. "Get a coat hanger and hang up your robe."
During the conference, Breyer also defended the increasing practice of the U.S. Supreme Court examining laws and rulings in foreign nations to help come to conclusions here, admitting, "It has hit a political nerve."
Breyer's support of overseas rulings is unsettling to some, such as Larry Johnstone of Colorado Springs, Colo.
"That is a clear and worthy attitude for him to be brought up on charges of breaking his own vows of office when he was sworn in, to defend the Constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Now the lunatic is guilty of what he swore to defend himself," Johnstone says. "Not one peep about this transgression from our high-minded senators and congressmen, let alone the president."
Man caught with bomb in carry-on
OKC flyer tries to board plane with improvised explosive device
An Oklahoma man was taken into custody after he tried to carry a bomb on board an airplane on Wednesday in Oklahoma City, an FBI spokesman said.
Charles Alfred Dreyling Jr., 24, was detained on Wednesday morning after a security screener using an X-ray machine saw the device in his luggage as he tried to board a flight to Philadelphia at Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City.
"Although the investigation is in its initial stages we have found no apparent connection to any type of terrorist activity or group," FBI spokesman Gary Johnson said.
Johnson said the screener saw an "improvised explosive device" in Dreyling's carry-on luggage.
A woman answering the phone at Dreyling's home on Wednesday night declined to discuss the matter.
Johnson said Dreyling would be charged in federal court on Thursday with possession of an explosive device at an airport.
An Oklahoma man was taken into custody after he tried to carry a bomb on board an airplane on Wednesday in Oklahoma City, an FBI spokesman said.
Charles Alfred Dreyling Jr., 24, was detained on Wednesday morning after a security screener using an X-ray machine saw the device in his luggage as he tried to board a flight to Philadelphia at Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City.
"Although the investigation is in its initial stages we have found no apparent connection to any type of terrorist activity or group," FBI spokesman Gary Johnson said.
Johnson said the screener saw an "improvised explosive device" in Dreyling's carry-on luggage.
A woman answering the phone at Dreyling's home on Wednesday night declined to discuss the matter.
Johnson said Dreyling would be charged in federal court on Thursday with possession of an explosive device at an airport.
9/11 panel hammered for ignoring Atta intel
Staff dismissed info about ID'ing of hijackers, ex-Bill Clinton aide Jamie Gorelick fingered
Online commentators are taking aim at the 9/11 commission for its failure to include in its report that intelligence officials reportedly ID'd hijack ringleader Mohamed Atta as part of an al-Qaida cell in the U.S. over a year before the September 11 tragedy, saying the panel was acting politically instead of factually.
One commentator specifically points his finger at former Clinton staffer Jamie Gorelick, a member of the panel who has been accused in the past of acting to protect her ex-boss from any political fallout of the commission's work.
"� [W]hy did [the commission] ignore the Able Danger operation in their deliberations?" asked Captain's Quarters blogger Ed Morrissey, as highlighted by columnist Michelle Malkin. "It would emphasize that the problem was not primarily operational, as the commission made it seem, but primarily political � and that the biggest problem was the enforced separation between law enforcement and intelligence operations upon which the Clinton Department of Justice insisted. The hatchet person for that policy sat on the Commission itself: Jamie S. Gorelick."
Members of the commission now are calling for a review of the matter, saying they knew nothing about a classified military intelligence unit known as "Able Danger" identifying Atta and three of his accomplices in 1999. The information was shared publicly this week by Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa. vice chairman of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security committees.
Online commentators are taking aim at the 9/11 commission for its failure to include in its report that intelligence officials reportedly ID'd hijack ringleader Mohamed Atta as part of an al-Qaida cell in the U.S. over a year before the September 11 tragedy, saying the panel was acting politically instead of factually.
One commentator specifically points his finger at former Clinton staffer Jamie Gorelick, a member of the panel who has been accused in the past of acting to protect her ex-boss from any political fallout of the commission's work.
"� [W]hy did [the commission] ignore the Able Danger operation in their deliberations?" asked Captain's Quarters blogger Ed Morrissey, as highlighted by columnist Michelle Malkin. "It would emphasize that the problem was not primarily operational, as the commission made it seem, but primarily political � and that the biggest problem was the enforced separation between law enforcement and intelligence operations upon which the Clinton Department of Justice insisted. The hatchet person for that policy sat on the Commission itself: Jamie S. Gorelick."
Members of the commission now are calling for a review of the matter, saying they knew nothing about a classified military intelligence unit known as "Able Danger" identifying Atta and three of his accomplices in 1999. The information was shared publicly this week by Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa. vice chairman of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security committees.
NARAL Falsely Accuses S C Nominee Roberts
Attack ad says he supported an abortion-clinic bomber and excused violence. In fact, Robert said clinic bombers should be prosecuted fully.
An abortion-rights group is running an attack ad accusing Supreme Court nominee John Roberts of filing legal papers �supporting . . . a convicted clinic bomber� and of having an ideology that �leads him to excuse violence against other Americans� It shows images of a bombed clinic in Birmingham , Alabama .
The ad is false.
And the ad misleads when it says Roberts supported a clinic bomber. It is true that Roberts sided with the bomber and many other defendants in a civil case, but the case didn't deal with bombing at all. Roberts argued that abortion clinics who brought the suit had no right use an 1871 federal anti-discrimination statute against anti-abortion protesters who tried to blockade clinics. Eventually a 6-3 majority of the Supreme Court agreed, too. Roberts argued that blockades were already illegal under state law.
The images used in the ad are especially misleading. The pictures are of a clinic bombing that happened nearly seven years after Roberts signed the legal brief in question.
NARAL Pro-Choice America released a new ad focusing on John Roberts, President Bush's nominee to fill Sandra Day O'Connor's vacant Supreme Court position, called "Speaking Out," on August 8. NARAL said it plans to buy half a million dollars worth of airtime in coming weeks on national cable networks, as well as well as on networks in Maine and Rhode Island.
In words and images, the ad conveys the idea that Roberts took a legal position excusing bombing of abortion clinics, which is false. To the contrary, during the Reagan administration when he was Associate Counsel to the President, Roberts drafted a memo saying abortion-clinic bombers "should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law." In the 1986 memo, Roberts called abortion bombers "criminals" and "misguided individuals," indicating that they would get no special treatment regarding requests for presidential pardons. Reagan in fact gave no pardons to abortion-clinic bombers.
The 1986 draft is on file at the Reagan library. The White House furnished a copy to FactCheck.org.
The ad fails to mention that the "court briefs" it mentions are actually from nearly seven years before the abortion clinic bombing talked about in the ad. The woman in the ad, Emily Lyons, was injured by a bomb blast at the New Woman/All Women Health Clinic in Birmingham on January 28, 1998 that also killed an off-duty police officer. The bomber was Eric Rudolph, who was captured in May 2003 after a five-year manhunt. Rudolph pleaded guilty and in July 2005 was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without parole.
The brief that Roberts signed, and on which the NARAL ad is based, is from another matter entirely. It is dated April 11, 1991. Furthermore, it is from a civil lawsuit brought by abortion clinics against protesters who were blockading the clinics. Bombing was not an issue.
An abortion-rights group is running an attack ad accusing Supreme Court nominee John Roberts of filing legal papers �supporting . . . a convicted clinic bomber� and of having an ideology that �leads him to excuse violence against other Americans� It shows images of a bombed clinic in Birmingham , Alabama .
The ad is false.
And the ad misleads when it says Roberts supported a clinic bomber. It is true that Roberts sided with the bomber and many other defendants in a civil case, but the case didn't deal with bombing at all. Roberts argued that abortion clinics who brought the suit had no right use an 1871 federal anti-discrimination statute against anti-abortion protesters who tried to blockade clinics. Eventually a 6-3 majority of the Supreme Court agreed, too. Roberts argued that blockades were already illegal under state law.
The images used in the ad are especially misleading. The pictures are of a clinic bombing that happened nearly seven years after Roberts signed the legal brief in question.
NARAL Pro-Choice America released a new ad focusing on John Roberts, President Bush's nominee to fill Sandra Day O'Connor's vacant Supreme Court position, called "Speaking Out," on August 8. NARAL said it plans to buy half a million dollars worth of airtime in coming weeks on national cable networks, as well as well as on networks in Maine and Rhode Island.
In words and images, the ad conveys the idea that Roberts took a legal position excusing bombing of abortion clinics, which is false. To the contrary, during the Reagan administration when he was Associate Counsel to the President, Roberts drafted a memo saying abortion-clinic bombers "should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law." In the 1986 memo, Roberts called abortion bombers "criminals" and "misguided individuals," indicating that they would get no special treatment regarding requests for presidential pardons. Reagan in fact gave no pardons to abortion-clinic bombers.
The 1986 draft is on file at the Reagan library. The White House furnished a copy to FactCheck.org.
The ad fails to mention that the "court briefs" it mentions are actually from nearly seven years before the abortion clinic bombing talked about in the ad. The woman in the ad, Emily Lyons, was injured by a bomb blast at the New Woman/All Women Health Clinic in Birmingham on January 28, 1998 that also killed an off-duty police officer. The bomber was Eric Rudolph, who was captured in May 2003 after a five-year manhunt. Rudolph pleaded guilty and in July 2005 was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without parole.
The brief that Roberts signed, and on which the NARAL ad is based, is from another matter entirely. It is dated April 11, 1991. Furthermore, it is from a civil lawsuit brought by abortion clinics against protesters who were blockading the clinics. Bombing was not an issue.
Poll: Hillary Slips, Pirro Gains
A new statewide poll says Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's lead over potential Republican opponent Jeanine Pirro has slipped but still remains strong.
The WNBC-Marist College poll had Clinton leading the Westchester County district attorney 50 percent to 28 percent. Clinton led Pirro 64 percent to 28 percent in an April poll from Marist College's Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie.
The new poll was conducted Tuesday, one day after Pirro announced she would seek the GOP Senate nomination.
A majority of New York voters, 56 percent of them, said they didn't know enough about Pirro to form an opinion about her.
Only 35 percent of voters said they wanted Clinton to run for president in 2008.
Marist's telephone poll of 400 registered voters has a sampling error margin of plus or minus five percentage points.
McAuliffe: Hillary May Drop Out
Former Democratic Party chairman Terry McAuliffe is reportedly predicting that 2008 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will drop out of her 2006 Senate reelection race if a challenger like Jeanine Pirro forces her to spend campaign cash earmarked for her presidential race.
"I had a conversation with Terry McAuliffe during the Republican convention," former top Clinton campaign advisor Dick Morris told Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes" Wednesday night.
And I said, 'Do you think Hillary runs for re-election to the Senate if she has a tough race?'"
According to Morris, McAuliffe replied: "No, why should she squander $30 million getting reelected to a job she doesn't want?"
Morris was reacting to the first statewide poll taken since Mrs. Pirro announced her candidacy, which shows support for Mrs. Clinton plummeting by 14 percent.
A Marist College survey released Wednesday showed 50 percent of New Yorkers backing Mrs. Clinton over Pirro - a 14-point drop since Marist polled the two candidates in April.
The poll also shows that most New Yorkers do not want Hillary to run for President. Morris says Pirro will make that a central issue of her campaign.
Already Pirro has asked Hillary to take a pledge to New York voters that she won't use her re-election to the Senate as a stepping stone for a presidential run.
Morris said the key to defeating Hillary is for the telegenic Republican to raise early money.
"If [Pirro] can raise $3 or $4 or $5 million this month and next month and have a strong media buy in upstate New York and close that gap," he told "Hannity & Colmes" - "and Bill and Hillary are looking at polls that show [they're only] 7 or 8 points ahead of Jeanine - and they really are looking at Hillary being under 50 [percent], I bet you that Hillary withdraws from this race."
The WNBC-Marist College poll had Clinton leading the Westchester County district attorney 50 percent to 28 percent. Clinton led Pirro 64 percent to 28 percent in an April poll from Marist College's Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie.
The new poll was conducted Tuesday, one day after Pirro announced she would seek the GOP Senate nomination.
A majority of New York voters, 56 percent of them, said they didn't know enough about Pirro to form an opinion about her.
Only 35 percent of voters said they wanted Clinton to run for president in 2008.
Marist's telephone poll of 400 registered voters has a sampling error margin of plus or minus five percentage points.
McAuliffe: Hillary May Drop Out
Former Democratic Party chairman Terry McAuliffe is reportedly predicting that 2008 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will drop out of her 2006 Senate reelection race if a challenger like Jeanine Pirro forces her to spend campaign cash earmarked for her presidential race.
"I had a conversation with Terry McAuliffe during the Republican convention," former top Clinton campaign advisor Dick Morris told Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes" Wednesday night.
And I said, 'Do you think Hillary runs for re-election to the Senate if she has a tough race?'"
According to Morris, McAuliffe replied: "No, why should she squander $30 million getting reelected to a job she doesn't want?"
Morris was reacting to the first statewide poll taken since Mrs. Pirro announced her candidacy, which shows support for Mrs. Clinton plummeting by 14 percent.
A Marist College survey released Wednesday showed 50 percent of New Yorkers backing Mrs. Clinton over Pirro - a 14-point drop since Marist polled the two candidates in April.
The poll also shows that most New Yorkers do not want Hillary to run for President. Morris says Pirro will make that a central issue of her campaign.
Already Pirro has asked Hillary to take a pledge to New York voters that she won't use her re-election to the Senate as a stepping stone for a presidential run.
Morris said the key to defeating Hillary is for the telegenic Republican to raise early money.
"If [Pirro] can raise $3 or $4 or $5 million this month and next month and have a strong media buy in upstate New York and close that gap," he told "Hannity & Colmes" - "and Bill and Hillary are looking at polls that show [they're only] 7 or 8 points ahead of Jeanine - and they really are looking at Hillary being under 50 [percent], I bet you that Hillary withdraws from this race."
GIs' families welcome the Commander in Chief
It's likely that everyone who will be in the room when George W. Bush signs a $286 billion transportation funding bill today has constructed a little imaginary scenario � just in case.
When you're in the same room as the president, it's inevitable that you let your mind consider the possibility: What if he approaches me? If he happens to walk by, what would I say?
St. Charles resident Jim Frazier was invited, so of course he's considered the "miraculous" possibility that the president pauses nearby.
"Don't we all?" he said. "We fantasize about winning the lottery, don't we?"
But Frazier is not your average spectator; he's already lost something much bigger than the lottery.
On March 29, 2003, Staff Sgt. Jacob Frazier � Jim's son � and a handful of elite Air Force members were working as part of a special operations team tracking Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan. Four gunmen riding two motorcycles ambushed the U.S.
troops, killing two Americans, including the former free safety for the Burlington Central High School football team, 24-year-old Jacob Frazier.
"It's been devastating," Jim Frazier said of the time since then. "Here, in this house, every day is Memorial Day."
But when he got the invitation from U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert's office to see the president, Frazier immediately accepted.
"I think being there, listening to the president of the United States is an honor and a privilege," he said. "Plus, I want to see how tall this guy is," he added, laughing.
Frazier doesn't agree with everything the president has done since the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, but like most of the local military families, he supports the commander-in-chief.
Gabe Garriga, whose family has suffered serious financial hardship since he sustained burns on more than one-third of his body in a gasoline explosion in July 2003 in Iraq, said he doesn't regret his military service and continues to support Bush and the war.
He would urge the president to enforce better programs to help GIs transition to home life, and to provide better financial assistance to veterans and their families.
Still, all Garriga's struggles have not changed his support of the war and the president's actions.
The same goes for Joe Caruso of Naperville, whose son David died last November in a firefight in Fallujah, Iraq.
"We have to stay there. We can't desert people that are counting on us that are living there," he said.
He finds reassurance knowing that his son, who graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School in 1998, had dreamed of serving his country since his young teenage years.
"He was doing what he wanted to do, being where he wanted to be," Caruso said.
Matt Woodin, who returned home to the Fox Valley last August, is proud of a picture he took with the president while serving with the 101st Airborne Division in Kuwait, which is displayed on a bookshelf in his Yorkville home.
Despite any hardships Woodin has endured since his return home, he said he has no regrets about his service and continues to support the United States' mission in Iraq.
"(President Bush) sits in a higher position than me, and he has more privileged information than me, so I have to trust him and our leaders," he said.
Alex Villareal returned to Aurora last March after working as a military police officer at a prison in Umm Qasr, Iraq, and continues to support the war at his new station in Wisconsin, where he trains and evaluates troops' security before they are deployed.
Although they have suffered, the military families put the blame on America's enemies, not America's president.
But if Frazier gets to extend his hand to the most powerful man in the world, he's not planning to talk about pavement:
"I'm a Gold Star Dad, and I want to be sure all our troops are taken care of," he'd tell Bush. "Let's never forget the sacrifice our young men and women are making. Let's always give them 100 percent."
When you're in the same room as the president, it's inevitable that you let your mind consider the possibility: What if he approaches me? If he happens to walk by, what would I say?
St. Charles resident Jim Frazier was invited, so of course he's considered the "miraculous" possibility that the president pauses nearby.
"Don't we all?" he said. "We fantasize about winning the lottery, don't we?"
But Frazier is not your average spectator; he's already lost something much bigger than the lottery.
On March 29, 2003, Staff Sgt. Jacob Frazier � Jim's son � and a handful of elite Air Force members were working as part of a special operations team tracking Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan. Four gunmen riding two motorcycles ambushed the U.S.
troops, killing two Americans, including the former free safety for the Burlington Central High School football team, 24-year-old Jacob Frazier.
"It's been devastating," Jim Frazier said of the time since then. "Here, in this house, every day is Memorial Day."
But when he got the invitation from U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert's office to see the president, Frazier immediately accepted.
"I think being there, listening to the president of the United States is an honor and a privilege," he said. "Plus, I want to see how tall this guy is," he added, laughing.
Frazier doesn't agree with everything the president has done since the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, but like most of the local military families, he supports the commander-in-chief.
Gabe Garriga, whose family has suffered serious financial hardship since he sustained burns on more than one-third of his body in a gasoline explosion in July 2003 in Iraq, said he doesn't regret his military service and continues to support Bush and the war.
He would urge the president to enforce better programs to help GIs transition to home life, and to provide better financial assistance to veterans and their families.
Still, all Garriga's struggles have not changed his support of the war and the president's actions.
The same goes for Joe Caruso of Naperville, whose son David died last November in a firefight in Fallujah, Iraq.
"We have to stay there. We can't desert people that are counting on us that are living there," he said.
He finds reassurance knowing that his son, who graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School in 1998, had dreamed of serving his country since his young teenage years.
"He was doing what he wanted to do, being where he wanted to be," Caruso said.
Matt Woodin, who returned home to the Fox Valley last August, is proud of a picture he took with the president while serving with the 101st Airborne Division in Kuwait, which is displayed on a bookshelf in his Yorkville home.
Despite any hardships Woodin has endured since his return home, he said he has no regrets about his service and continues to support the United States' mission in Iraq.
"(President Bush) sits in a higher position than me, and he has more privileged information than me, so I have to trust him and our leaders," he said.
Alex Villareal returned to Aurora last March after working as a military police officer at a prison in Umm Qasr, Iraq, and continues to support the war at his new station in Wisconsin, where he trains and evaluates troops' security before they are deployed.
Although they have suffered, the military families put the blame on America's enemies, not America's president.
But if Frazier gets to extend his hand to the most powerful man in the world, he's not planning to talk about pavement:
"I'm a Gold Star Dad, and I want to be sure all our troops are taken care of," he'd tell Bush. "Let's never forget the sacrifice our young men and women are making. Let's always give them 100 percent."
Army Recruiting Up, Meets July Targets
The active-duty Army hit its recruiting target in July for a second straight month, but the summertime rebound may not be enough to make up for a long-term shortfall, according to figures the Pentagon provided Wednesday.
Whitman called July a "pretty good month" for active-duty recruiting but said the active-duty Army remains below its year-to-date recruiting goal. So far, 55,207 new recruits have enlisted, 89 percent of its year-to-date target of 62,385.
For July, the Army recruited 8,085 new soldiers, 109 percent of its goal of 7,450.
The Army measures its annual goal from October 2004 to September 2005, which coincides with the federal budget year. The Army is trying to enlist 80,000 by the end of September. Officials are not confident they will make up the shortfall by then, although they have made progress during the summer, considered the high season for recruiting as recent high school graduates look for work.
The Army also has increased the number of recruiters, and augmented incentives for those signing up.
The active-duty Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps are at or slightly ahead of their year-to-date goals, Whitman said. The Marine and Air Force reserves have also met or exceeded their goals, but the Air National Guard is behind, he said.
Whitman said the military is generally meeting its goals for retaining current soldiers. Officials credit that to a desire on the part of the troops to finish the mission of making Iraq a stable democracy.
Whitman called July a "pretty good month" for active-duty recruiting but said the active-duty Army remains below its year-to-date recruiting goal. So far, 55,207 new recruits have enlisted, 89 percent of its year-to-date target of 62,385.
For July, the Army recruited 8,085 new soldiers, 109 percent of its goal of 7,450.
The Army measures its annual goal from October 2004 to September 2005, which coincides with the federal budget year. The Army is trying to enlist 80,000 by the end of September. Officials are not confident they will make up the shortfall by then, although they have made progress during the summer, considered the high season for recruiting as recent high school graduates look for work.
The Army also has increased the number of recruiters, and augmented incentives for those signing up.
The active-duty Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps are at or slightly ahead of their year-to-date goals, Whitman said. The Marine and Air Force reserves have also met or exceeded their goals, but the Air National Guard is behind, he said.
Whitman said the military is generally meeting its goals for retaining current soldiers. Officials credit that to a desire on the part of the troops to finish the mission of making Iraq a stable democracy.
Jagger Says Song Not an Anti-Bush Tirade
The Rolling Stones' upcoming album contains a song seemingly critical of President Bush, but Mick Jagger denies it's directed at him, according to the syndicated TV show "Extra."
"It is not really aimed at anyone," Jagger said on the entertainment-news show's Wednesday edition. "It's not aimed, personally aimed, at President Bush. It wouldn't be called 'Sweet Neo Con' if it was."
The song is from the new album, "A Bigger Bang," set for release Sept. 6. There is no mention of Bush or Iraq. But it does refer to military contractor Halliburton, which was formerly run by Vice President Cheney and has been awarded key Iraq contracts, and the rising price of gasoline.
"How come you're so wrong? My sweet neo-con, where's the money gone, in the Pentagon," goes one refrain.
The song also includes the line: "It's liberty for all, democracy's our style, unless you are against us, then it's prison without trial."
"It is certainly very critical of certain policies of the administration, but so what! Lots of people are critical," Jagger told "Extra."
"It is not really aimed at anyone," Jagger said on the entertainment-news show's Wednesday edition. "It's not aimed, personally aimed, at President Bush. It wouldn't be called 'Sweet Neo Con' if it was."
The song is from the new album, "A Bigger Bang," set for release Sept. 6. There is no mention of Bush or Iraq. But it does refer to military contractor Halliburton, which was formerly run by Vice President Cheney and has been awarded key Iraq contracts, and the rising price of gasoline.
"How come you're so wrong? My sweet neo-con, where's the money gone, in the Pentagon," goes one refrain.
The song also includes the line: "It's liberty for all, democracy's our style, unless you are against us, then it's prison without trial."
"It is certainly very critical of certain policies of the administration, but so what! Lots of people are critical," Jagger told "Extra."
Forecast for deficit slashed by $100 billion
The White House Wednesday slashed its forecast for the fiscal 2005 budget deficit by nearly $100 billion after the government raked in unexpectedly large tax revenues in recent months.
The Bush administration projected a deficit of $333 billion for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, according to the Office of Management and Budget�s �midsession� update.
President Bush, at a meeting with his Cabinet, hailed the numbers and said he could cut the deficit gap in half sooner than his earlier promise of 2009.
�I told the Congress and told the country we�d cut the deficit in half by 2009,� Bush told reporters during the meeting.
�We�re ahead of projections now. These numbers indicate that we�re going to cut the deficit in half faster than the year 2009 so long as Congress holds the line on spending,� he added.
The revised budget gap was sharply narrower than the $427 billion estimate the Bush administration gave in February with the release of its proposed budget. It was also down from 2004�s deficit of $412 billion, which was a record high.
The Bush administration projected a deficit of $333 billion for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, according to the Office of Management and Budget�s �midsession� update.
President Bush, at a meeting with his Cabinet, hailed the numbers and said he could cut the deficit gap in half sooner than his earlier promise of 2009.
�I told the Congress and told the country we�d cut the deficit in half by 2009,� Bush told reporters during the meeting.
�We�re ahead of projections now. These numbers indicate that we�re going to cut the deficit in half faster than the year 2009 so long as Congress holds the line on spending,� he added.
The revised budget gap was sharply narrower than the $427 billion estimate the Bush administration gave in February with the release of its proposed budget. It was also down from 2004�s deficit of $412 billion, which was a record high.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Federal Deficit Drops
Year-to-date deficit stands nearly $94 billion below last year's level
The U.S. posted a smaller than expected $52.79 billion budget deficit in July as revenues swelled, a Treasury Department report showed Wednesday.
Wall Street analysts had expected the government to post a $57 billion budget gap in July, following a $69.16 billion deficit in the same month in 2004.
In its monthly budget statement, the Treasury Department said government receipts rose to $142.09 billion in July � a record high for the month � compared to $134.42 billion in July last year. Outlays fell to $194.88 billion from $203.58 billion in July 2004.
For the fiscal year to date, the government has recorded a cumulative $302.59 billion budget deficit, well below the $396.32 billion gap it recorded in the first 10 months of fiscal 2004, which ended Sept. 30.
The U.S. posted a smaller than expected $52.79 billion budget deficit in July as revenues swelled, a Treasury Department report showed Wednesday.
Wall Street analysts had expected the government to post a $57 billion budget gap in July, following a $69.16 billion deficit in the same month in 2004.
In its monthly budget statement, the Treasury Department said government receipts rose to $142.09 billion in July � a record high for the month � compared to $134.42 billion in July last year. Outlays fell to $194.88 billion from $203.58 billion in July 2004.
For the fiscal year to date, the government has recorded a cumulative $302.59 billion budget deficit, well below the $396.32 billion gap it recorded in the first 10 months of fiscal 2004, which ended Sept. 30.
Scientist: Iraq was on brink of nuclear bomb
A former Iraqi nuclear scientist told a crowd here that Iraq was on the brink of having a nuclear bomb just before the 1991 invasion of the country by U.S. and allied forces.
Mahdi Obeidi, who worked under Saddam Hussein, spoke to a full house gathered at the World Nuclear University Summer Institute Monday
"Iraq was on the verge of having a nuclear bomb," he said. "The world will never know what Saddam would have done."
In June 2003, Obeidi contacted a former United Nations Weapons inspector and told him there was part of a gas centrifuge system for enriching uranium and blueprints hidden under a rose bush in his garden. He put them there 12 years earlier just before the Desert Storm invasion, under orders from Hussein Kamel, Saddam Hussein's son-in-law.
A centrifuge is a machine that spins at extremely high speed to enrich uranium, needed to build an atomic bomb. Obeidi spent several years building the centrifuge and at one point, had more than 200 engineers working under him on the project to build a nuclear bomb.
Initial attempts to build the centrifuge did not produce results with enough spin, Obeidi said. The first centrifuge spun at about 10,000 revolutions per minute.
We needed 10 times that amount, he said.
In the early stages of the program, Obeidi met with Hussein and when asked about progress, told him the troubles they were having.
After the meeting, a fellow scientist told Obeidi, "You should be more worried about disappointing him now than later."
The working environment was not a pleasant one, Obeidi said, adding that they would often say "The walls have ears."
Still, Obeidi said there were several motivating factors for scientists working for Saddam.
"Scientists are good people and scientists are task oriented. They love their science," he said.
In places like Iraq, Libya, Pakistan and Iran, Obeidi said there is more.
"There is an element of fear."
"We understood the consequences of failure. We had talented men and women who worked under the greatest motivation known to man. Fear for their lives and families."
In '91, precariously close to completing the project, an order came to hide the centrifuge and himself. Obeidi hid the blueprints and the important parts of the centrifuge in a barrel in his yard. They remained there until 2003.
Mahdi Obeidi, who worked under Saddam Hussein, spoke to a full house gathered at the World Nuclear University Summer Institute Monday
"Iraq was on the verge of having a nuclear bomb," he said. "The world will never know what Saddam would have done."
In June 2003, Obeidi contacted a former United Nations Weapons inspector and told him there was part of a gas centrifuge system for enriching uranium and blueprints hidden under a rose bush in his garden. He put them there 12 years earlier just before the Desert Storm invasion, under orders from Hussein Kamel, Saddam Hussein's son-in-law.
A centrifuge is a machine that spins at extremely high speed to enrich uranium, needed to build an atomic bomb. Obeidi spent several years building the centrifuge and at one point, had more than 200 engineers working under him on the project to build a nuclear bomb.
Initial attempts to build the centrifuge did not produce results with enough spin, Obeidi said. The first centrifuge spun at about 10,000 revolutions per minute.
We needed 10 times that amount, he said.
In the early stages of the program, Obeidi met with Hussein and when asked about progress, told him the troubles they were having.
After the meeting, a fellow scientist told Obeidi, "You should be more worried about disappointing him now than later."
The working environment was not a pleasant one, Obeidi said, adding that they would often say "The walls have ears."
Still, Obeidi said there were several motivating factors for scientists working for Saddam.
"Scientists are good people and scientists are task oriented. They love their science," he said.
In places like Iraq, Libya, Pakistan and Iran, Obeidi said there is more.
"There is an element of fear."
"We understood the consequences of failure. We had talented men and women who worked under the greatest motivation known to man. Fear for their lives and families."
In '91, precariously close to completing the project, an order came to hide the centrifuge and himself. Obeidi hid the blueprints and the important parts of the centrifuge in a barrel in his yard. They remained there until 2003.
Terror Tape Shows Attack Preparations
The Arabic television network Al-Arabiya aired a videotape purportedly by Al Qaeda that shows terrorists training for attacks on the United States and on coalition troops in the mountains of Afghanistan.
U.S. intelligence officials believe the tape is authentic. The two-hour tape, which Al-Arabiya (search) described as a documentary and ran over the weekend, bears the name of Al Sahab productions � the production company used by Al Qaeda for numerous other videos.
In the tape, terrorists are seen in classroom settings, planning attacks, building bombs and training for ambushes. It�s subtitled in Arabic but carries interviews in English, French, Pashtu, Urdu and Arabic spoken with Yemeni, Saudi and Iraqi accents. English-speaking members address people in the West directly.
A British- or Australian-accented man wearing a black robe, AK-47 and military-style vest, warns Westerners of "the lies of Blair and Bush."
U.S. intelligence officials said the tape is the latest in a long list of efforts to recruit and promote for Al Qaeda on the Web and over the airwaves. An Al-Arabiya official said the network received the tape last week but he would not say how or where it was delivered.
U.S. intelligence officials believe the tape is authentic. The two-hour tape, which Al-Arabiya (search) described as a documentary and ran over the weekend, bears the name of Al Sahab productions � the production company used by Al Qaeda for numerous other videos.
In the tape, terrorists are seen in classroom settings, planning attacks, building bombs and training for ambushes. It�s subtitled in Arabic but carries interviews in English, French, Pashtu, Urdu and Arabic spoken with Yemeni, Saudi and Iraqi accents. English-speaking members address people in the West directly.
A British- or Australian-accented man wearing a black robe, AK-47 and military-style vest, warns Westerners of "the lies of Blair and Bush."
U.S. intelligence officials said the tape is the latest in a long list of efforts to recruit and promote for Al Qaeda on the Web and over the airwaves. An Al-Arabiya official said the network received the tape last week but he would not say how or where it was delivered.
Turkey nabs 10 al-Qaida suspects
Turkish police have detained 10 people suspected of links to the Al-Qaeda extremist network and of plotting attacks on Israeli cruise ships in southern Turkey, security sources said.
The suspects, one of them a Syrian, were detained several days ago in the Mediterranean province of Antalya, home to some of Turkey's most popular resorts, which attract millions of foreign tourists each year, said the sources, who requested anonymity.
They were believed to be planning to attack Israeli cruise ships on behalf of Al-Qaeda, they said.
Israel's counter-terrorism unit Monday warned Israeli holidaymakers to avoid a strip of Turkey's Mediterranean coast between the resorts of Alanya and Kemer, in Antalya province, citing credible intelligence of a potential attack.
On Friday, Israeli authorities ordered four Israeli cruise ships scheduled to dock in Alanya to change course to Cyprus for fear of a possible attack.
The sources said the Syrian suspect, identified only by his initials, N.S., has been taken to to Istanbul and for questioning by anti-terror police in connection with suicide bombings that killed 63 and wounded hundreds others in Istanbul on November 15 and 20, 2003, and blamed on a local Al-Qaeda cell.
The NTV news channel reported that the police had detained at least 10 people linked to Al-Qaeda, among them the Syrian who was allegedly collecting information on Israeli ships travelling to Turkey and on synagogues in the country.
The Syrian, who was carrying forged identity documents, was planning an attack on Israeli ships, the channel said.
The suspects, one of them a Syrian, were detained several days ago in the Mediterranean province of Antalya, home to some of Turkey's most popular resorts, which attract millions of foreign tourists each year, said the sources, who requested anonymity.
They were believed to be planning to attack Israeli cruise ships on behalf of Al-Qaeda, they said.
Israel's counter-terrorism unit Monday warned Israeli holidaymakers to avoid a strip of Turkey's Mediterranean coast between the resorts of Alanya and Kemer, in Antalya province, citing credible intelligence of a potential attack.
On Friday, Israeli authorities ordered four Israeli cruise ships scheduled to dock in Alanya to change course to Cyprus for fear of a possible attack.
The sources said the Syrian suspect, identified only by his initials, N.S., has been taken to to Istanbul and for questioning by anti-terror police in connection with suicide bombings that killed 63 and wounded hundreds others in Istanbul on November 15 and 20, 2003, and blamed on a local Al-Qaeda cell.
The NTV news channel reported that the police had detained at least 10 people linked to Al-Qaeda, among them the Syrian who was allegedly collecting information on Israeli ships travelling to Turkey and on synagogues in the country.
The Syrian, who was carrying forged identity documents, was planning an attack on Israeli ships, the channel said.
Poll: Giuliani Would Trounce Hillary for President
Rudy Giuliani would beat Hillary Clinton in a race for the White House in 2008, the latest Gallup poll reveals.
The former New York City mayor received a favorable rating of 64 percent in the poll, with Sen. Clinton a distant second at 53 percent. Sen. John McCain tallied 51 percent and Sen. John Kerry got just 42 percent.
Face to face, both Republicans top Clinton by a margin of 50 percent to 40 percent, and rout Kerry by a 54-to-41 percent margin.
The survey found that Clinton�s unfavorable rating of 43 percent was nearly twice as high as McCain�s and more than double that for Giuliani.
The former New York City mayor received a favorable rating of 64 percent in the poll, with Sen. Clinton a distant second at 53 percent. Sen. John McCain tallied 51 percent and Sen. John Kerry got just 42 percent.
Face to face, both Republicans top Clinton by a margin of 50 percent to 40 percent, and rout Kerry by a 54-to-41 percent margin.
The survey found that Clinton�s unfavorable rating of 43 percent was nearly twice as high as McCain�s and more than double that for Giuliani.
Poll:Fewer Americans expect bin Laden to be caught
Americans are less optimistic that Osama bin Laden will be captured or killed and say they believe al-Qaeda will remain a threat even if he is caught.
A USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday also found that more than three-quarters of those surveyed say they believe bin Laden is planning a significant terrorist attack against the United States.
A majority, 53%, predict he will succeed.
Nearly seven out of eight say it remains important to the United States for bin Laden to be captured or killed.
Though bin Laden continues to have enormous symbolic value as the mastermind of 9/11, most Americans say his capture or death would do little to increase the nation's safety.
In the poll:
�A majority, 55%, say they believe U.S. forces are likely to kill or capture bin Laden. That's down from 66% a year ago and 78% just after Sept. 11, 2001.
�Almost everyone surveyed, 92%, says al-Qaeda would remain a threat even if bin Laden were captured or killed.
�More than a third, 35%, say their fire, police and emergency services are not well prepared for a terrorist attack. Sixty-two percent say their local authorities are prepared.
�Confidence that the war on terrorism is going well has dropped to 51% from 65% in December 2003.
The poll has a margin of error of +/-3 to 5 percentage points.
A USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday also found that more than three-quarters of those surveyed say they believe bin Laden is planning a significant terrorist attack against the United States.
A majority, 53%, predict he will succeed.
Nearly seven out of eight say it remains important to the United States for bin Laden to be captured or killed.
Though bin Laden continues to have enormous symbolic value as the mastermind of 9/11, most Americans say his capture or death would do little to increase the nation's safety.
In the poll:
�A majority, 55%, say they believe U.S. forces are likely to kill or capture bin Laden. That's down from 66% a year ago and 78% just after Sept. 11, 2001.
�Almost everyone surveyed, 92%, says al-Qaeda would remain a threat even if bin Laden were captured or killed.
�More than a third, 35%, say their fire, police and emergency services are not well prepared for a terrorist attack. Sixty-two percent say their local authorities are prepared.
�Confidence that the war on terrorism is going well has dropped to 51% from 65% in December 2003.
The poll has a margin of error of +/-3 to 5 percentage points.
9/11 Commission Members Want Claim on Atta Pursued
Members of the commission that uncovered the government's failures to share intelligence among agencies before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks want to know whether U.S. defense intelligence officials knew for more than a year that four of the hijackers were part of an al-Qaida cell but failed to tell law enforcement.
Lee Hamilton, co-chairman of the now-disbanded commission, said Tuesday that members of the Sept. 11 commission could issue a statement by the end of the week after reviewing claims that defense intelligence officials had identified ringleader Mohammed Atta and three other hijackers, .
"The 9/11 commission did not learn of any U.S. government knowledge prior to 9/11 of surveillance of Mohammed Atta or of his cell," said Hamilton, a former Democratic congressman from Indiana. "Had we learned of it obviously it would've been a major focus of our investigation."
The commission's report on the terrorist attacks, released last year, traced government mistakes that allowed the hijackers to succeed. Among the problems the commission cited was a lack of coordination across intelligence agencies.
Refer to: Clinton Admin. Knew of 9/11 Hijackers That was posted on the blog yesterday !
Lee Hamilton, co-chairman of the now-disbanded commission, said Tuesday that members of the Sept. 11 commission could issue a statement by the end of the week after reviewing claims that defense intelligence officials had identified ringleader Mohammed Atta and three other hijackers, .
"The 9/11 commission did not learn of any U.S. government knowledge prior to 9/11 of surveillance of Mohammed Atta or of his cell," said Hamilton, a former Democratic congressman from Indiana. "Had we learned of it obviously it would've been a major focus of our investigation."
The commission's report on the terrorist attacks, released last year, traced government mistakes that allowed the hijackers to succeed. Among the problems the commission cited was a lack of coordination across intelligence agencies.
Refer to: Clinton Admin. Knew of 9/11 Hijackers That was posted on the blog yesterday !
Michael Schiavo: 'Distinguished Guardian of the Year' ?
In another public miscarriage of justice, Michael Schiavo was called a "hero" last Friday by the Florida State Guardianship Association for ending his wife's life by withholding food and water. The organization gave Schiavo its Guardian of the Year Award.
In a rare public appearance, Schiavo, 42, modestly accepted the award at the association's 18th annual conference at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa west of Miami.
"As you know," he said, "I'm not much of a speechmaker. I don't talk much. But on behalf of my wife Theresa, I thank you."
Brother Paul O'Donnell, a Franciscan friar who serves as the Schindler family spokesman, was quoted in the Orlando Sentinel. "Oh, my God, that's offensive," he said. "Michael Schiavo ... basically let her rot."
State Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, who supported legislation that would limite withdrawl of food and water from the disabled called the recognition "ironic."
"There were a lot of issues that raised some questions about his credibility to act in her (Terri Schiavo's) best interest," Baxley was quoted as saying.
In a rare public appearance, Schiavo, 42, modestly accepted the award at the association's 18th annual conference at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa west of Miami.
"As you know," he said, "I'm not much of a speechmaker. I don't talk much. But on behalf of my wife Theresa, I thank you."
Brother Paul O'Donnell, a Franciscan friar who serves as the Schindler family spokesman, was quoted in the Orlando Sentinel. "Oh, my God, that's offensive," he said. "Michael Schiavo ... basically let her rot."
State Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, who supported legislation that would limite withdrawl of food and water from the disabled called the recognition "ironic."
"There were a lot of issues that raised some questions about his credibility to act in her (Terri Schiavo's) best interest," Baxley was quoted as saying.
Rumsfeld: Arms from Iran Found In Iraq
Some weapons entering Iraq are coming from Iran, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Tuesday, though he indicated it was unclear whether they were coming from elements of the Iranian government or from other parties.
"Weapons clearly, unambiguously from Iran have been found in Iraq," he told a Pentagon briefing. "It's a big border. It's notably unhelpful for the Iranians to allow weapons of those types to cross the border." He did not provide further specifics.
Air Force Gen. Richard Myers: U.S. Forces arrest suspects in death of 20 Marines
At the briefing, the Pentagon also announced that Iraqi and U.S. forces have arrested suspects in the deaths of 20 Marines in two incidents in Haditha, Iraq.
Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, pointed to the arrests as evidence that Iraqi civilians support the U.S.-led coalition trying to pacify the country.
"The public came forward and said these are the folks," Myers said. He did not say how many people had been detained or identify them.
"Weapons clearly, unambiguously from Iran have been found in Iraq," he told a Pentagon briefing. "It's a big border. It's notably unhelpful for the Iranians to allow weapons of those types to cross the border." He did not provide further specifics.
Air Force Gen. Richard Myers: U.S. Forces arrest suspects in death of 20 Marines
At the briefing, the Pentagon also announced that Iraqi and U.S. forces have arrested suspects in the deaths of 20 Marines in two incidents in Haditha, Iraq.
Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, pointed to the arrests as evidence that Iraqi civilians support the U.S.-led coalition trying to pacify the country.
"The public came forward and said these are the folks," Myers said. He did not say how many people had been detained or identify them.
Bin Laden headed to Iraq?
Iran report says he will be there for Ramadan
U.S. troops in Iraq have seized documents suggesting al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is planning to enter Iraq during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, according to an Iranian news agency report.
Bin Laden's visit to Iraq during Ramadan, which this year begins in early October, would be part of an al-Qaida attempt to further destabilize the war-ravaged country and to lead a coup attempt against the government in Baghdad, the Mehr news agency said
Citing a spokesman from the Shiite terrorist group Hezbollah of Iraq, the report said that Americans soldiers found documents, apparently meant for internal use by an Iraqi al-Qaida affiliate, the Mujahadeen of the Land of Rafedin, mentioning bin Laden's planned visit.
The documents were reportedly seized in a house in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.
U.S. troops in Iraq have seized documents suggesting al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is planning to enter Iraq during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, according to an Iranian news agency report.
Bin Laden's visit to Iraq during Ramadan, which this year begins in early October, would be part of an al-Qaida attempt to further destabilize the war-ravaged country and to lead a coup attempt against the government in Baghdad, the Mehr news agency said
Citing a spokesman from the Shiite terrorist group Hezbollah of Iraq, the report said that Americans soldiers found documents, apparently meant for internal use by an Iraqi al-Qaida affiliate, the Mujahadeen of the Land of Rafedin, mentioning bin Laden's planned visit.
The documents were reportedly seized in a house in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Al Franken: Air America Founder a 'Crook'
Liberal yakker Al Franken blasted the man who founded his Air America radio network as "a crook" on Monday - even as he laughed off the financial scandal that continues to dog his broadcast.
After weeks of on-air silence about an $875,000 loan that Air America finagled from a Bronx community group that serves poor kids and Alzheimer's patients, Franken was finally forced to discuss the scandal when a caller asked him to explain.
"Here's the deal," the Air America host said. "The first guy who was chairman of the board of Air America - Evan Cohen - was a crook, it turns out. I mean, I guess that's the only way to put it."
Explaining Cohen's role in ripping off the kids' club, Franken suddenly turned giddy.
"He borrowed $875,000," he said, erupting in laughter. "I don't know why they did it and I don't know where the money went."
Franken said he "imagines" that the funds earmarked for childrens' programs were instead "used for operations" at Air America, which was strapped for cash at the time.
"[Cohen] was robbing Peter to pay Paul," he explained.
After weeks of on-air silence about an $875,000 loan that Air America finagled from a Bronx community group that serves poor kids and Alzheimer's patients, Franken was finally forced to discuss the scandal when a caller asked him to explain.
"Here's the deal," the Air America host said. "The first guy who was chairman of the board of Air America - Evan Cohen - was a crook, it turns out. I mean, I guess that's the only way to put it."
Explaining Cohen's role in ripping off the kids' club, Franken suddenly turned giddy.
"He borrowed $875,000," he said, erupting in laughter. "I don't know why they did it and I don't know where the money went."
Franken said he "imagines" that the funds earmarked for childrens' programs were instead "used for operations" at Air America, which was strapped for cash at the time.
"[Cohen] was robbing Peter to pay Paul," he explained.
Clinton Admin. Knew of 9/11 Hijackers
More than a year before the 9/11 attacks, Clinton administration intelligence officials had identified four of the 19 9/11 hijackers as a terrorist threat - including al-Qaida team leader Mohamed Atta and his partner Marwan al-Shehhi, whose planes destroyed the World Trade Center and killed over 2,700 people.
But the critical information was not acted on, at least in part, because of prohibitions against intelligence sharing implemented by former Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick, who was reportedly installed in her post at the insistence of then-first lady Hillary Clinton.
In the summer of 2000, a military team, known as Able Danger, had prepared a chart that included visa photographs of Atta and al Shehhi and recommended to the military's Special Operations Command that the information be shared with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Rep. Curt Weldon and a former intelligence official told the New York Times.
"We knew these were bad guys, and we wanted to do something about them," the former intelligence official said.
However, the recommendation was rejected and the information was not shared, in part, said the Times, because the four suspects had entered the United States on valid entry visas.
But Rep. Weldon and the unnamed intelligence official also cited what the paper described as "a sense of discomfort common before Sept. 11 about sharing intelligence information with a law enforcement agency."
In fact, such intelligence sharing was strictly prohibited under Ms. Gorelick's policy, known at the Justice Department as "The Wall," which, in the spring of 2000, had also prevented the CIA from tipping off the FBI that two additional 9/11 hijackers, Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi, had entered the country.
Al-Midhar and al-Hamzi were identified by the Able Danger team as well, the Times said.
But the critical information was not acted on, at least in part, because of prohibitions against intelligence sharing implemented by former Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick, who was reportedly installed in her post at the insistence of then-first lady Hillary Clinton.
In the summer of 2000, a military team, known as Able Danger, had prepared a chart that included visa photographs of Atta and al Shehhi and recommended to the military's Special Operations Command that the information be shared with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Rep. Curt Weldon and a former intelligence official told the New York Times.
"We knew these were bad guys, and we wanted to do something about them," the former intelligence official said.
However, the recommendation was rejected and the information was not shared, in part, said the Times, because the four suspects had entered the United States on valid entry visas.
But Rep. Weldon and the unnamed intelligence official also cited what the paper described as "a sense of discomfort common before Sept. 11 about sharing intelligence information with a law enforcement agency."
In fact, such intelligence sharing was strictly prohibited under Ms. Gorelick's policy, known at the Justice Department as "The Wall," which, in the spring of 2000, had also prevented the CIA from tipping off the FBI that two additional 9/11 hijackers, Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi, had entered the country.
Al-Midhar and al-Hamzi were identified by the Able Danger team as well, the Times said.
'Liberal Media Bias' Inspires Launch of New Blog
America's most prominent media watchdog plans to launch its own blog on Tuesday with a goal of further exposing and combating the perceived liberal bias in the media.
Newsbusters.org is the latest project of the Media Research Center, which is also the parent organization of Cybercast News Service. The new blog will feature posts by some of the nation's most widely read experts on the issue of media bias, an issue that Michael Chapman, press secretary for the Media Research Center, said "is almost overwhelming."
"Thirty to 40 million viewers are getting news from sources with a liberal bias," Chapman said, referring to the "old media" such as broadcast network giants NBC, CBS, ABC and cable titan CNN.
"This is a huge audience when compared to, say, FOX," Chapman explained. Though such conservative pundits as Bill O'Reilly receive approximately 2.7 million viewers per night, according to Chapman, this is slight compared to the broadcast network news audiences, which reach "20 million people a night" with news that "is supposed to be objective reporting, not commentary."
Concentrating on the news media's treatment of the war, Supreme Court nominations and elections, the blog will seek to answer the question, "Where is the balanced coverage?"
Newsbusters.org hopes to fill a void in the blogosphere, Chapman said, despite the more than 60 million blogs that already exist, according to a report in May in the Blog Herald, an online publication that monitors the activities of blogs.
That number notwithstanding, "this is the first time ever than an established policy research organization has joined hands with some highly respected bloggers to create one site as the clearinghouse for liberal media bias," Chapman said.
Newsbusters.org is the latest project of the Media Research Center, which is also the parent organization of Cybercast News Service. The new blog will feature posts by some of the nation's most widely read experts on the issue of media bias, an issue that Michael Chapman, press secretary for the Media Research Center, said "is almost overwhelming."
"Thirty to 40 million viewers are getting news from sources with a liberal bias," Chapman said, referring to the "old media" such as broadcast network giants NBC, CBS, ABC and cable titan CNN.
"This is a huge audience when compared to, say, FOX," Chapman explained. Though such conservative pundits as Bill O'Reilly receive approximately 2.7 million viewers per night, according to Chapman, this is slight compared to the broadcast network news audiences, which reach "20 million people a night" with news that "is supposed to be objective reporting, not commentary."
Concentrating on the news media's treatment of the war, Supreme Court nominations and elections, the blog will seek to answer the question, "Where is the balanced coverage?"
Newsbusters.org hopes to fill a void in the blogosphere, Chapman said, despite the more than 60 million blogs that already exist, according to a report in May in the Blog Herald, an online publication that monitors the activities of blogs.
That number notwithstanding, "this is the first time ever than an established policy research organization has joined hands with some highly respected bloggers to create one site as the clearinghouse for liberal media bias," Chapman said.
JAGGER MOCKS BUSH, RICE:IN A SONG 'HOW COME YOU'RE SO WRONG, MY SWEET NEO-CON'
"You call yourself a Christian, I call you a hypocrite/ You call yourself a patriot. Well, I think your are full of sh*t!... How come you're so wrong, my sweet neo-con."
Ready to drop in the coming weeks, a new Bush-bashing tune from the ROLLING STONES: "Sweet Neo Con."
"It is direct," Mick Jagger says with a laugh to fresh editions of NEWSWEEK.
"Keith [Richards] said, 'It's not really metaphorical.' I think he's a bit worried because he lives in the U.S." Jagger explains. "But I don't."
The full lyric also mocks National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.
News about the song surfaced a few weeks ago with many expecting that it would not make the finally cut on the new CD, A BIGGER BANG.
Jagger once vowed not to comment on the political process in the United States.
"I feel very much at home in America. I've spent half my adult life here. I have many personal feelings. But I'm from the school that considers it impolite to comment on other people's elections. Now if I had the vote - and I should have, as I pay so much in taxes - I would have a lot to say."
Now with the elections long over, the tongue is unleashed!
The band kicks off its world tour in Boston on Aug. 21.
Developing...
Ready to drop in the coming weeks, a new Bush-bashing tune from the ROLLING STONES: "Sweet Neo Con."
"It is direct," Mick Jagger says with a laugh to fresh editions of NEWSWEEK.
"Keith [Richards] said, 'It's not really metaphorical.' I think he's a bit worried because he lives in the U.S." Jagger explains. "But I don't."
The full lyric also mocks National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.
News about the song surfaced a few weeks ago with many expecting that it would not make the finally cut on the new CD, A BIGGER BANG.
Jagger once vowed not to comment on the political process in the United States.
"I feel very much at home in America. I've spent half my adult life here. I have many personal feelings. But I'm from the school that considers it impolite to comment on other people's elections. Now if I had the vote - and I should have, as I pay so much in taxes - I would have a lot to say."
Now with the elections long over, the tongue is unleashed!
The band kicks off its world tour in Boston on Aug. 21.
Developing...
Dem Chair Howard Dean: 'We Need A Message'...
Howard Dean gives Republicans credit for one thing: They have put the Democrats on the defensive and forced them to fight on their turf. That, he said, is about to change.
"What the propagandists on the right have done is make people afraid to say they are Democrats," Dean told a gathering of Vermont Democrats. "We have to be out there. We have to be vocal. We have to be pushing our version of the facts because their version of the facts is very unfactual."
After visiting 30 states in the first six months as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Dean said Monday he has found "There are Democrats everywhere."
The key to success is making those Democrats proud of their party, Dean said, by taking the offensive and fighting on Democratic turf.
"We need a message. It has to be clear," he said. "The framing of the debate determines who wins the debate.
"Running away from issues is how you lose elections," said Dean, a former Vermont governor.
"We need to position ourselves as the party of change," he said. "I think we have learned that when big changes happen in the House and Senate, they happen because one party nationalizes the race and becomes the change agent."
"What the propagandists on the right have done is make people afraid to say they are Democrats," Dean told a gathering of Vermont Democrats. "We have to be out there. We have to be vocal. We have to be pushing our version of the facts because their version of the facts is very unfactual."
After visiting 30 states in the first six months as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Dean said Monday he has found "There are Democrats everywhere."
The key to success is making those Democrats proud of their party, Dean said, by taking the offensive and fighting on Democratic turf.
"We need a message. It has to be clear," he said. "The framing of the debate determines who wins the debate.
"Running away from issues is how you lose elections," said Dean, a former Vermont governor.
"We need to position ourselves as the party of change," he said. "I think we have learned that when big changes happen in the House and Senate, they happen because one party nationalizes the race and becomes the change agent."
'Satanist' dances on Reagan's grave
Posts photos on Net, presidential library mum about incident
A California man dubbed a "Satanist" on an online message board has posted photos of himself dancing on President Ronald Reagan's grave, raising the ire of the former chief executive's admirers.
Posted on Ruthlessreviews.com (warning: vulgar site), the photos show a thin, white man likely in his 20s wearing an AC/DC T-shirt and having hopped over the fence that protects Reagan's grave.
The poster, who goes by "TheFreak
Kingdom" and claims he's from San Diego, writes with one photo: "Judging from my expression and body language, combined with what little I do remember, this appears to be about the time security guards noticed I had jumped the fence and started jigging over Reagan's rotting corpse (the original plan called for the Electric Slide, and then humping the ground, and then whatever else I could get away with, but security was stricter than we had anticipated)."
Continues the post: "We had to tear a-- out of there and lose security in the parking lot, but we appear to have gotten away scot-free."
The post is signed "Monte."
Talk-radio host Chris Dickson was enraged by the Reagan incident.
"I was at the Reagan Presidential Library in February of this year," he told WND. "'Dutch' was my commander in chief. I have personal interest in getting this individual and trying to protect the desecration of presidential graves against First Amendment rights."
A spokeswoman at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., refused to talk about the incident, saying that she had "no comment."
A California man dubbed a "Satanist" on an online message board has posted photos of himself dancing on President Ronald Reagan's grave, raising the ire of the former chief executive's admirers.
Posted on Ruthlessreviews.com (warning: vulgar site), the photos show a thin, white man likely in his 20s wearing an AC/DC T-shirt and having hopped over the fence that protects Reagan's grave.
The poster, who goes by "TheFreak
Kingdom" and claims he's from San Diego, writes with one photo: "Judging from my expression and body language, combined with what little I do remember, this appears to be about the time security guards noticed I had jumped the fence and started jigging over Reagan's rotting corpse (the original plan called for the Electric Slide, and then humping the ground, and then whatever else I could get away with, but security was stricter than we had anticipated)."
Continues the post: "We had to tear a-- out of there and lose security in the parking lot, but we appear to have gotten away scot-free."
The post is signed "Monte."
Talk-radio host Chris Dickson was enraged by the Reagan incident.
"I was at the Reagan Presidential Library in February of this year," he told WND. "'Dutch' was my commander in chief. I have personal interest in getting this individual and trying to protect the desecration of presidential graves against First Amendment rights."
A spokeswoman at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., refused to talk about the incident, saying that she had "no comment."
Discovery Lands Safely in California
Discovery and its crew of seven glided safely back to Earth on Tuesday, ending a riveting, at times agonizing, 14-day test of space shuttle safety that was shadowed by the ghosts of Columbia.
Discovery swooped through the predawn darkness and landed at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert at 5:11 a.m. PDT, concluding the conclusion of the first shuttle re-entry since Columbia's tragic return.
The detour to California came because thunderstorms prevented the shuttle from returning to its home base at Cape Canaveral, Fla.
"Congratulations on a truly spectacular test flight," Mission Control said once Discovery came to a stop. "Welcome home, friends."
"We're happy to be back and we congratulate the whole team for a job well done," Commander Eileen Collins replied.
The inherently dangerous ride down through the atmosphere _ more anxiety-ridden than normal because of what happened to Columbia 2 1/2 years ago _ appeared to go smoothly. No problems were immediately reported by Mission Control.
White House spokesman Trent Duffy called it "a proud day for America."
Two hours after touchdown, the astronauts walked around the shuttle to inspect for possible damages.
"It looks fantastic," Collins said of the shuttle's condition.
Discovery swooped through the predawn darkness and landed at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert at 5:11 a.m. PDT, concluding the conclusion of the first shuttle re-entry since Columbia's tragic return.
The detour to California came because thunderstorms prevented the shuttle from returning to its home base at Cape Canaveral, Fla.
"Congratulations on a truly spectacular test flight," Mission Control said once Discovery came to a stop. "Welcome home, friends."
"We're happy to be back and we congratulate the whole team for a job well done," Commander Eileen Collins replied.
The inherently dangerous ride down through the atmosphere _ more anxiety-ridden than normal because of what happened to Columbia 2 1/2 years ago _ appeared to go smoothly. No problems were immediately reported by Mission Control.
White House spokesman Trent Duffy called it "a proud day for America."
Two hours after touchdown, the astronauts walked around the shuttle to inspect for possible damages.
"It looks fantastic," Collins said of the shuttle's condition.
Holbrooke, Albright Knew of Oil For Food Scandal
As a result of a second scathing report on his administration of the scandal plagued U.N.-Iraq Oil-for-Food Prgram by U.N. investigator Paul Volcker, Benon V. Sevan is now threatening to name names.
In a news conference, Volcker issued another "interim report" on the activates of Sevan, who ran the $67 billion aid program from 1997-2003.
Volcker came to the conclusion that Sevan did indeed accept what amounted to several hundred thousand dollars in bribes funneled to him through various overseas channels.
In an earlier press release, Sevan again denied any wrong doing and accused U.N. chief Kofi Annan of making him a "sacrificial lamb."
Before leaving for his home on Cyprus, Sevan spoke to NewsMax and revealed some of what he may now go public with.
Sevan insists that between 1997-2000 he personally informed the U.N. Security Council, to whom he reported, of "suspicious" activity on the administration of several Oil-for-Food contracts.
"They ignored me, they did nothing," insisted Sevan.
This was repeated several times, the embattled former U.N. official said.
At the time in question, the U.S.-U.N. delegation was headed by Richard Holbrooke, Madeleine Albright was secretary of state.
"Of course they knew (of the improprieties). Why did they not act? Ask them," Sevan said.
Neither Holbrooke nor Albright was available for comment.
In a news conference, Volcker issued another "interim report" on the activates of Sevan, who ran the $67 billion aid program from 1997-2003.
Volcker came to the conclusion that Sevan did indeed accept what amounted to several hundred thousand dollars in bribes funneled to him through various overseas channels.
In an earlier press release, Sevan again denied any wrong doing and accused U.N. chief Kofi Annan of making him a "sacrificial lamb."
Before leaving for his home on Cyprus, Sevan spoke to NewsMax and revealed some of what he may now go public with.
Sevan insists that between 1997-2000 he personally informed the U.N. Security Council, to whom he reported, of "suspicious" activity on the administration of several Oil-for-Food contracts.
"They ignored me, they did nothing," insisted Sevan.
This was repeated several times, the embattled former U.N. official said.
At the time in question, the U.S.-U.N. delegation was headed by Richard Holbrooke, Madeleine Albright was secretary of state.
"Of course they knew (of the improprieties). Why did they not act? Ask them," Sevan said.
Neither Holbrooke nor Albright was available for comment.
Pentagon Expects to Send More Iraq Troops
Anticipating a new burst of insurgent violence, the Pentagon plans to expand the U.S. force in Iraq to improve security for a planned October referendum and a December election.
Although much public attention has been focused recently on the prospect of reducing U.S. forces next spring and summer, defense officials foresee the likelihood of first increasing troop levels.
Lawrence Di Rita, spokesman for Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, noted Monday that troop levels were raised last January during Iraq's first elections, and then returned to the current level of about 138,000 several weeks later.
"It's perfectly plausible to assume we'll do the same thing for this election," he said, while stressing that no decisions had been made.
Di Rita said he did not know how many extra troops might be needed during the referendum and election period.
Other officials have said that once the election period has passed and the troop total recedes to the 138,000 level, a further reduction in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 is possible next spring and summer. That could change, however, if the insurgency intensifies or an insufficient number of U.S.-trained Iraqi security forces prove themselves battle ready.
Last January the U.S. troop level rose as high as 160,000. This was accomplished mainly by overlapping some units arriving in Iraq to begin a one-year tour with those who were ending their yearlong tours. In at least one case an Army brigade was kept a little longer than its scheduled 12 months in Iraq, and Di Rita said he could not rule out this happening again this fall, although the intention is to avoid tours longer than 12 months.
"The units that are there have been told to expect that," he said. "It's possible that your planned rotation dates back to the U.S. will be affected by the need to keep a higher level for a longer period of time. They understand that."
Di Rita said commanders may also ask for volunteers to serve extended tours.
Another possibility is that some U.S.-based troops will be sent to Iraq to augment the force during the election period. One unit called upon most frequently for that kind of duty is the 82nd Airborne Division, which currently is deploying a battalion to Afghanistan to bolster security in advance of Sept. 18 elections there.
Di Rita said no elements of the 82nd had been alerted to prepare for similar duty in Iraq this fall.
U.S. commanders predict a need for extra troops this fall in Iraq because the insurgents have tended to intensify their attacks when key political milestones approached. If a draft constitution is ready by Aug. 15, as intended, then a national referendum on that charter is to be held Oct. 15, followed by December elections based on the constitution.
Rumsfeld recently mentioned his expectation that insurgent violence will increase in the weeks ahead.
Although much public attention has been focused recently on the prospect of reducing U.S. forces next spring and summer, defense officials foresee the likelihood of first increasing troop levels.
Lawrence Di Rita, spokesman for Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, noted Monday that troop levels were raised last January during Iraq's first elections, and then returned to the current level of about 138,000 several weeks later.
"It's perfectly plausible to assume we'll do the same thing for this election," he said, while stressing that no decisions had been made.
Di Rita said he did not know how many extra troops might be needed during the referendum and election period.
Other officials have said that once the election period has passed and the troop total recedes to the 138,000 level, a further reduction in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 is possible next spring and summer. That could change, however, if the insurgency intensifies or an insufficient number of U.S.-trained Iraqi security forces prove themselves battle ready.
Last January the U.S. troop level rose as high as 160,000. This was accomplished mainly by overlapping some units arriving in Iraq to begin a one-year tour with those who were ending their yearlong tours. In at least one case an Army brigade was kept a little longer than its scheduled 12 months in Iraq, and Di Rita said he could not rule out this happening again this fall, although the intention is to avoid tours longer than 12 months.
"The units that are there have been told to expect that," he said. "It's possible that your planned rotation dates back to the U.S. will be affected by the need to keep a higher level for a longer period of time. They understand that."
Di Rita said commanders may also ask for volunteers to serve extended tours.
Another possibility is that some U.S.-based troops will be sent to Iraq to augment the force during the election period. One unit called upon most frequently for that kind of duty is the 82nd Airborne Division, which currently is deploying a battalion to Afghanistan to bolster security in advance of Sept. 18 elections there.
Di Rita said no elements of the 82nd had been alerted to prepare for similar duty in Iraq this fall.
U.S. commanders predict a need for extra troops this fall in Iraq because the insurgents have tended to intensify their attacks when key political milestones approached. If a draft constitution is ready by Aug. 15, as intended, then a national referendum on that charter is to be held Oct. 15, followed by December elections based on the constitution.
Rumsfeld recently mentioned his expectation that insurgent violence will increase in the weeks ahead.
SECRET COURTS FOR TERROR CASES IN UK...
Special anti-terror courts sitting in secret to determine how long suspects should be detained without charge are now under active consideration, it emerged yesterday.
Home Office sources confirmed that ministers are considering making a French-style "security-cleared judge" responsible for assembling a pre-trial case against terrorist suspects, with in-camera access to sensitive intelligence evidence, including currently inadmissible phone-tap evidence.
The plan under consideration, which echoes elements of David Blunkett's proposal last year for secret anti-terrorist courts, could also involve the use of security-vetted "special advocates" as legal representatives of those detained. But they would not be able to disclose the nature of the evidence under which their clients were held before being charged.
The proposal puts flesh on the point outlined by Tony Blair last Friday, when he said that part of the new anti-terror package would include "a new court procedure which would allow a pretrial process". He said it would provide a way of meeting requests by the police and security services that detention before charge should be extended from the current 14 days up to three months.
It was also confirmed yesterday that the prime minister's plan to ban Hizb-ut-Tahrir and its successor organisation, al-Muhajiroun, the two Islamist extremist organisations with the highest profile in Britain, is likely to need primary legislation before it can be enforced, as neither group is officially considered a terrorist organisation.
Whitehall sources said that the current Terrorism 2000 Act only allows "terrorist" organisations to banned; for Hizb-ut-Tahrir to be proscribed, legislation to extend the definition to radical extremist groups as well will be required. It is not known at present how "extremist" will be defined, and whether it would catch groups such as the British National party.
The list of "unacceptable behaviours" published by the Home Office includes fomenting terrorism, advocating violence and expressing "extreme views that are in conflict with the UK's culture of tolerance".
Home Office sources confirmed that ministers are considering making a French-style "security-cleared judge" responsible for assembling a pre-trial case against terrorist suspects, with in-camera access to sensitive intelligence evidence, including currently inadmissible phone-tap evidence.
The plan under consideration, which echoes elements of David Blunkett's proposal last year for secret anti-terrorist courts, could also involve the use of security-vetted "special advocates" as legal representatives of those detained. But they would not be able to disclose the nature of the evidence under which their clients were held before being charged.
The proposal puts flesh on the point outlined by Tony Blair last Friday, when he said that part of the new anti-terror package would include "a new court procedure which would allow a pretrial process". He said it would provide a way of meeting requests by the police and security services that detention before charge should be extended from the current 14 days up to three months.
It was also confirmed yesterday that the prime minister's plan to ban Hizb-ut-Tahrir and its successor organisation, al-Muhajiroun, the two Islamist extremist organisations with the highest profile in Britain, is likely to need primary legislation before it can be enforced, as neither group is officially considered a terrorist organisation.
Whitehall sources said that the current Terrorism 2000 Act only allows "terrorist" organisations to banned; for Hizb-ut-Tahrir to be proscribed, legislation to extend the definition to radical extremist groups as well will be required. It is not known at present how "extremist" will be defined, and whether it would catch groups such as the British National party.
The list of "unacceptable behaviours" published by the Home Office includes fomenting terrorism, advocating violence and expressing "extreme views that are in conflict with the UK's culture of tolerance".
Monday, August 08, 2005
Ex-U.N. Officer Pleads Guilty in Oil for Food Scandal
A former United Nations procurement officer pleaded guilty Monday to accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from U.N. contractors, federal prosecutors said.
Alexander Yakovlev also admitted to soliciting a bribe under the U.N. oil-for-food program, making him the first U.N. official to face criminal charges in connection with the scandal-tainted program for Iraq.
He pleaded guilty to all three counts in the indictment - wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering - and could face up to 20 years in prison for each of the charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement.
Yakovlev, who lives in the New York City suburb of Yonkers, was taken into custody and released later Monday on a $400,000 bond, with no new court date immediately set, said Megan Gaffney, a spokeswoman for David Kelley, the U.S. attorney for the southern district of New York.
"We decided that it's in the best interest of the client to enter such a plea," Yakovlev's lawyer Arkady Bukh told The Associated Press. "In term of sentencing we expect much better deal if we enter a guilty plea.
The plea came hours after U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan waived Yakovlev's immunity upon Kelley's request.
Earlier Monday, a U.N.-backed probe investigating allegations of wrongdoing in the Iraq oil-for-food program accused Yakovlev of collecting nearly $1 million in kickbacks outside the program. It said he also sought a bribe as part of his work for it.
Alexander Yakovlev also admitted to soliciting a bribe under the U.N. oil-for-food program, making him the first U.N. official to face criminal charges in connection with the scandal-tainted program for Iraq.
He pleaded guilty to all three counts in the indictment - wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering - and could face up to 20 years in prison for each of the charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement.
Yakovlev, who lives in the New York City suburb of Yonkers, was taken into custody and released later Monday on a $400,000 bond, with no new court date immediately set, said Megan Gaffney, a spokeswoman for David Kelley, the U.S. attorney for the southern district of New York.
"We decided that it's in the best interest of the client to enter such a plea," Yakovlev's lawyer Arkady Bukh told The Associated Press. "In term of sentencing we expect much better deal if we enter a guilty plea.
The plea came hours after U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan waived Yakovlev's immunity upon Kelley's request.
Earlier Monday, a U.N.-backed probe investigating allegations of wrongdoing in the Iraq oil-for-food program accused Yakovlev of collecting nearly $1 million in kickbacks outside the program. It said he also sought a bribe as part of his work for it.
Terror suspect Haroon Aswat arrested in Britain
An Indian-origin British citizen, held in Zambia on suspicion of terrorism, has been arrested on his arrival here after being deported from the African country as police charged two more men with conspiracy to murder in connection with the failed July 21 bombings.
Haroon Rashid Aswat, a Briton of Gujarati origin, was arrested late Sunday night following receipt of a request by the United States for his extradition, Scotland Yard said in a statement in London.
Thirty-year-old Aswat, who hails from West Yorkshire, is suspected by the US of involvement in a plot to set up an Al-Qaeda training camp in Oregon.
Haroon Rashid Aswat, a Briton of Gujarati origin, was arrested late Sunday night following receipt of a request by the United States for his extradition, Scotland Yard said in a statement in London.
Thirty-year-old Aswat, who hails from West Yorkshire, is suspected by the US of involvement in a plot to set up an Al-Qaeda training camp in Oregon.
U.S. Sees Gains in Mosul
There's one clear sign that life in the Sunni Arab-dominated western half of this city is changing for the better � children are again playing soccer at night. The reason: fewer terrorist attacks.
The U.S. military says there were fewer bombings and mortar attacks in July than any month since October.
A 50-percent drop in attacks in western Mosul (search) over the past eight months is a marked improvement from the days when U.S. troops routinely had to call in airstrikes and repel synchronized attacks.
But that doesn't mean violence has been eradicated. Though attacks in July were noticeably down, western Mosul still endured over 50 shootings and roadside bombings, the U.S military said.
Soldiers say they're close to solidifying gains and making further progress � if the flow of foreign fighters can be blocked so that terrorist ranks are not quickly replaced. U.S. commanders say they've nearly uprooted the top terrorist network that steered the city toward chaos last November.
U.S. officials attribute the recent gains to the thousands of patrols and raids mounted since Saddam Hussein's (search) regime collapsed in 2003. They contend that nascent local Iraqi forces could be ready to face the terrorist insurgency on their own in six to 12 months, though residents remain wary about a force that relies so heavily on the U.S. military.
But American officials say soldiers are now engaging the local population more than before.
"If you're out there just driving around, you're wasting gas," Army Lt. Col. Michael Kurilla, who commands the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment that oversees the area, told two new soldiers. "If you're not talking to (civilians), the terrorists are."
Terrorist missteps have also helped the Americans.
In February, U.S. soldiers seized a homemade video of terrorist leaders at a large meeting. Those in the video became a target list of people who have since been mostly captured or killed. The new network that replaced the old has little combat experience and is far less effective, Kurilla said.
The U.S. military says there were fewer bombings and mortar attacks in July than any month since October.
A 50-percent drop in attacks in western Mosul (search) over the past eight months is a marked improvement from the days when U.S. troops routinely had to call in airstrikes and repel synchronized attacks.
But that doesn't mean violence has been eradicated. Though attacks in July were noticeably down, western Mosul still endured over 50 shootings and roadside bombings, the U.S military said.
Soldiers say they're close to solidifying gains and making further progress � if the flow of foreign fighters can be blocked so that terrorist ranks are not quickly replaced. U.S. commanders say they've nearly uprooted the top terrorist network that steered the city toward chaos last November.
U.S. officials attribute the recent gains to the thousands of patrols and raids mounted since Saddam Hussein's (search) regime collapsed in 2003. They contend that nascent local Iraqi forces could be ready to face the terrorist insurgency on their own in six to 12 months, though residents remain wary about a force that relies so heavily on the U.S. military.
But American officials say soldiers are now engaging the local population more than before.
"If you're out there just driving around, you're wasting gas," Army Lt. Col. Michael Kurilla, who commands the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment that oversees the area, told two new soldiers. "If you're not talking to (civilians), the terrorists are."
Terrorist missteps have also helped the Americans.
In February, U.S. soldiers seized a homemade video of terrorist leaders at a large meeting. Those in the video became a target list of people who have since been mostly captured or killed. The new network that replaced the old has little combat experience and is far less effective, Kurilla said.
Marines Find Bomb Factory in Western Iraq
U.S. Marines discovered a car bomb factory Monday in a western Iraqi town near where 20 members of the American unit were killed last week, the U.S. military said.
Six vehicles rigged with explosives were found in the hideout in the northern part of Haqlaniyah, one of a cluster of towns in western Anbar province long believed to be a stronghold of Iraqi insurgents and foreign fighters.
"All of the rigged vehicles were destroyed and secondary explosions were observed by the Marines," a Marine statement said.
U.S. and Iraqi forces also found five roadside bombs Monday on a road in Haqlaniyah, the statement said. All were detonated in place, it said.
On Sunday, U.S. Marines and Iraqi soldiers discovered a bomb in a building in Haqlaniyah. Three 155 mm artillery rounds, weighing more than 100 pounds apiece, were wired to a desk inside the building, the U.S. statement said.
Marines destroyed the bomb where it was found after determining it was too dangerous to remove it.
Six vehicles rigged with explosives were found in the hideout in the northern part of Haqlaniyah, one of a cluster of towns in western Anbar province long believed to be a stronghold of Iraqi insurgents and foreign fighters.
"All of the rigged vehicles were destroyed and secondary explosions were observed by the Marines," a Marine statement said.
U.S. and Iraqi forces also found five roadside bombs Monday on a road in Haqlaniyah, the statement said. All were detonated in place, it said.
On Sunday, U.S. Marines and Iraqi soldiers discovered a bomb in a building in Haqlaniyah. Three 155 mm artillery rounds, weighing more than 100 pounds apiece, were wired to a desk inside the building, the U.S. statement said.
Marines destroyed the bomb where it was found after determining it was too dangerous to remove it.
PROTESTING SOLDIER MOM CHANGED STORY ON BUSH
The mother of a fallen U.S. soldier who is holding a roadside peace vigil near President Bush's ranch -- has dramatically changed her account about what happened when she met the commander-in-chief last summer!
Cindy Sheehan, 48, of Vacaville, Calif., who last year praised Bush for bringing her family the "gift of happiness," took to the nation's TV outlets this weekend to declare how Bush "killed an indispensable part of our family and humanity."
CINDY 2004
THE REPORTER of Vacaville, CA published an account of Cindy Sheehan's visit with the president at Fort Lewis near Seattle on June 24, 2004:
"'I now know he's sincere about wanting freedom for the Iraqis,' Cindy said after their meeting. 'I know he's sorry and feels some pain for our loss. And I know he's a man of faith.'
"The meeting didn't last long, but in their time with Bush, Cindy spoke about Casey and asked the president to make her son's sacrifice count for something. They also spoke of their faith.
"The trip had one benefit that none of the Sheehans expected.
"For a moment, life returned to the way it was before Casey died. They laughed, joked and bickered playfully as they briefly toured Seattle.
For the first time in 11 weeks, they felt whole again.
"'That was the gift the president gave us, the gift of happiness, of being together,' Cindy said."
CINDY 2005
Sheehan's current comments are a striking departure.
She vowed on Sunday to continue her protest until she can personally ask Bush: "Why did you kill my son?"
In an interview on CNN, she claimed Bush "acted like it was party" when she met him last year.
"It was -- you know, there was a lot of things said. We wanted to use the time for him to know that he killed an indispensable part of our family and humanity. And we wanted him to look at the pictures of Casey.
"He wouldn't look at the pictures of Casey. He didn't even know Casey's name. He came in the room and the very first thing he said is, 'So who are we honoring here?' He didn't even know Casey's name. He didn't want to hear it. He didn't want to hear anything about Casey. He wouldn't even call him 'him' or 'he.' He called him 'your loved one.'
Every time we tried to talk about Casey and how much we missed him, he would change the subject. And he acted like it was a party.
BLITZER: Like a party? I mean...
SHEEHAN: Yes, he came in very jovial, and like we should be happy that he, our son, died for his misguided policies. He didn't even pretend like somebody...
END
On her current media tour, Sheehan has not been asked to explain her twist on Bush; from praise to damnation!
Developing...
Cindy Sheehan, 48, of Vacaville, Calif., who last year praised Bush for bringing her family the "gift of happiness," took to the nation's TV outlets this weekend to declare how Bush "killed an indispensable part of our family and humanity."
CINDY 2004
THE REPORTER of Vacaville, CA published an account of Cindy Sheehan's visit with the president at Fort Lewis near Seattle on June 24, 2004:
"'I now know he's sincere about wanting freedom for the Iraqis,' Cindy said after their meeting. 'I know he's sorry and feels some pain for our loss. And I know he's a man of faith.'
"The meeting didn't last long, but in their time with Bush, Cindy spoke about Casey and asked the president to make her son's sacrifice count for something. They also spoke of their faith.
"The trip had one benefit that none of the Sheehans expected.
"For a moment, life returned to the way it was before Casey died. They laughed, joked and bickered playfully as they briefly toured Seattle.
For the first time in 11 weeks, they felt whole again.
"'That was the gift the president gave us, the gift of happiness, of being together,' Cindy said."
CINDY 2005
Sheehan's current comments are a striking departure.
She vowed on Sunday to continue her protest until she can personally ask Bush: "Why did you kill my son?"
In an interview on CNN, she claimed Bush "acted like it was party" when she met him last year.
"It was -- you know, there was a lot of things said. We wanted to use the time for him to know that he killed an indispensable part of our family and humanity. And we wanted him to look at the pictures of Casey.
"He wouldn't look at the pictures of Casey. He didn't even know Casey's name. He came in the room and the very first thing he said is, 'So who are we honoring here?' He didn't even know Casey's name. He didn't want to hear it. He didn't want to hear anything about Casey. He wouldn't even call him 'him' or 'he.' He called him 'your loved one.'
Every time we tried to talk about Casey and how much we missed him, he would change the subject. And he acted like it was a party.
BLITZER: Like a party? I mean...
SHEEHAN: Yes, he came in very jovial, and like we should be happy that he, our son, died for his misguided policies. He didn't even pretend like somebody...
END
On her current media tour, Sheehan has not been asked to explain her twist on Bush; from praise to damnation!
Developing...
Saddam's Family Fires Legal Team
Saddam Hussein's family said Monday it has dissolved his international legal team in a move seen as reorganizing Saddam's legal counsel ahead of his upcoming trial.
In an "urgent" statement, Saddam's family said it has appointed Khalil Dulaimi as the "one and sole legal counsel." Dulaimi was part of the Jordan-based legal team for the past year and attended some of Saddam's initial court hearings in Baghdad.
In the statement signed by Saddam's eldest daughter, Raghad, the family said it was "obliged to rearrange the legal defense campaign given the unique nature of the case." It did not elaborate.
Saddam's legal team included 1,500 volunteers - mainly Arabs - and at least 22 lead lawyers from countries including the United States, France, Jordan, Iraq and Libya. Prominent among them were Libyan law professor Aicha Moammar Gadhafi, daughter of the Libyan leader, and former U.S. attorney general Ramsey Clark.
In an "urgent" statement, Saddam's family said it has appointed Khalil Dulaimi as the "one and sole legal counsel." Dulaimi was part of the Jordan-based legal team for the past year and attended some of Saddam's initial court hearings in Baghdad.
In the statement signed by Saddam's eldest daughter, Raghad, the family said it was "obliged to rearrange the legal defense campaign given the unique nature of the case." It did not elaborate.
Saddam's legal team included 1,500 volunteers - mainly Arabs - and at least 22 lead lawyers from countries including the United States, France, Jordan, Iraq and Libya. Prominent among them were Libyan law professor Aicha Moammar Gadhafi, daughter of the Libyan leader, and former U.S. attorney general Ramsey Clark.
NY TIMES QUESTIONED LEGALITY OF JUDGE ROBERTS ADOPTIONS
Supreme Court Nominee John Roberts expressed great disappointment after learning the NEW YORK TIMES was poking around for details on his adopted children, sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT.
The DRUDGE REPORT first revealed how TIMES investigative reporter Glen Justice questioned if the adoption records for the Roberts children, Josephine and Jack, ages 5 and 4, would be made available for examination.
TIMES editors were determined to find any possible legal irregularities in the adoptions, insiders claim.
FOXNEWS's Brit Hume reported late last week how the TIMES has been asking lawyers that specialize in adoption cases for advice on how to get into the sealed court records:
"Sources familiar with the matter tell FOXNEWS that at least one lawyer turned the TIMES down flat, saying that any effort to pry into adoption case records, which are always sealed, would be reprehensible.
A senior editor at the TIMES lashed out at this space over the revealtion:
"The DRUDGE REPORT is wrong, overwrought and a gross misrepresentation of what has happened," blasted the paper's senior editor in a press release.
But the editor did confess: "Our reporters made initial inquiries about the adoptions... They did so with great care, understanding the sensitivity of the issue."
Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison called the newspaper's actions "reprehensible," saying the inquiry crossed the "fine line between legitimate background inquiries and invasion of privacy."
The National Council For Adoption issued the following statement:
�NCFA denounces, in the strongest possible terms, the shocking decision of the New York Times to investigate the adoption records of Justice John Roberts� two young children. The adoption community is outraged that, for obviously political reasons, the Times has targeted the very private circumstances, motivations, and processes by which the Roberts became parents.
The DRUDGE REPORT first revealed how TIMES investigative reporter Glen Justice questioned if the adoption records for the Roberts children, Josephine and Jack, ages 5 and 4, would be made available for examination.
TIMES editors were determined to find any possible legal irregularities in the adoptions, insiders claim.
FOXNEWS's Brit Hume reported late last week how the TIMES has been asking lawyers that specialize in adoption cases for advice on how to get into the sealed court records:
"Sources familiar with the matter tell FOXNEWS that at least one lawyer turned the TIMES down flat, saying that any effort to pry into adoption case records, which are always sealed, would be reprehensible.
A senior editor at the TIMES lashed out at this space over the revealtion:
"The DRUDGE REPORT is wrong, overwrought and a gross misrepresentation of what has happened," blasted the paper's senior editor in a press release.
But the editor did confess: "Our reporters made initial inquiries about the adoptions... They did so with great care, understanding the sensitivity of the issue."
Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison called the newspaper's actions "reprehensible," saying the inquiry crossed the "fine line between legitimate background inquiries and invasion of privacy."
The National Council For Adoption issued the following statement:
�NCFA denounces, in the strongest possible terms, the shocking decision of the New York Times to investigate the adoption records of Justice John Roberts� two young children. The adoption community is outraged that, for obviously political reasons, the Times has targeted the very private circumstances, motivations, and processes by which the Roberts became parents.
War Plans Drafted To Counter Terror Attacks in U.S.
The U.S. military has devised its first-ever war plans for guarding against and responding to terrorist attacks in the United States, envisioning 15 potential crisis scenarios and anticipating several simultaneous strikes around the country, according to officers who drafted the plans.
The classified plans, developed here at Northern Command headquarters, outline a variety of possible roles for quick-reaction forces estimated at as many as 3,000 ground troops per attack, a number that could easily grow depending on the extent of the damage and the abilities of civilian response teams.
The possible scenarios range from "low end," relatively modest crowd-control missions to "high-end," full-scale disaster management after catastrophic attacks such as the release of a deadly biological agent or the explosion of a radiological device, several officers said.
Some of the worst-case scenarios involve three attacks at the same time, in keeping with a Pentagon directive earlier this year ordering Northcom, as the command is called, to plan for multiple simultaneous attacks.
The war plans represent a historic shift for the Pentagon, which has been reluctant to become involved in domestic operations and is legally constrained from engaging in law enforcement. Indeed, defense officials continue to stress that they intend for the troops to play largely a supporting role in homeland emergencies, bolstering police, firefighters and other civilian response groups.
But the new plans provide for what several senior officers acknowledged is the likelihood that the military will have to take charge in some situations, especially when dealing with mass-casualty attacks that could quickly overwhelm civilian resources.
"In my estimation, [in the event of] a biological, a chemical or nuclear attack in any of the 50 states, the Department of Defense is best positioned -- of the various eight federal agencies that would be involved -- to take the lead," said Adm. Timothy J. Keating, the head of Northcom, which coordinates military involvement in homeland security operations.
The plans present the Pentagon with a clearer idea of the kinds and numbers of troops and the training that may be required to build a more credible homeland defense force. They come at a time when senior Pentagon officials are engaged in an internal, year-long review of force levels and weapons systems, attempting to balance the heightened requirements of homeland defense against the heavy demands of overseas deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Keating expressed confidence that existing military assets are sufficient to meet homeland security needs. Maj. Gen. Richard J. Rowe, Northcom's chief operations officer, agreed, but he added that "stress points" in some military capabilities probably would result if troops were called on to deal with multiple homeland attacks.
The classified plans, developed here at Northern Command headquarters, outline a variety of possible roles for quick-reaction forces estimated at as many as 3,000 ground troops per attack, a number that could easily grow depending on the extent of the damage and the abilities of civilian response teams.
The possible scenarios range from "low end," relatively modest crowd-control missions to "high-end," full-scale disaster management after catastrophic attacks such as the release of a deadly biological agent or the explosion of a radiological device, several officers said.
Some of the worst-case scenarios involve three attacks at the same time, in keeping with a Pentagon directive earlier this year ordering Northcom, as the command is called, to plan for multiple simultaneous attacks.
The war plans represent a historic shift for the Pentagon, which has been reluctant to become involved in domestic operations and is legally constrained from engaging in law enforcement. Indeed, defense officials continue to stress that they intend for the troops to play largely a supporting role in homeland emergencies, bolstering police, firefighters and other civilian response groups.
But the new plans provide for what several senior officers acknowledged is the likelihood that the military will have to take charge in some situations, especially when dealing with mass-casualty attacks that could quickly overwhelm civilian resources.
"In my estimation, [in the event of] a biological, a chemical or nuclear attack in any of the 50 states, the Department of Defense is best positioned -- of the various eight federal agencies that would be involved -- to take the lead," said Adm. Timothy J. Keating, the head of Northcom, which coordinates military involvement in homeland security operations.
The plans present the Pentagon with a clearer idea of the kinds and numbers of troops and the training that may be required to build a more credible homeland defense force. They come at a time when senior Pentagon officials are engaged in an internal, year-long review of force levels and weapons systems, attempting to balance the heightened requirements of homeland defense against the heavy demands of overseas deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Keating expressed confidence that existing military assets are sufficient to meet homeland security needs. Maj. Gen. Richard J. Rowe, Northcom's chief operations officer, agreed, but he added that "stress points" in some military capabilities probably would result if troops were called on to deal with multiple homeland attacks.
Evidence: Al-Qaida rocket attack in Gaza false
Global terror network claims cell in Israel
An alleged al-Qaida claim this week the global terror network fired rockets at Jewish communities in the Gaza Strip does not match evidence found in the actual rocket attack, WND has learned.
A group claiming to be "Al-Qaida-Palestine, Jihad Brigades in the Border Land," announced Tuesday the establishment of a cell in the Gaza Strip. The group said it carried out an attack last Saturday using a new kind of rocket � the Sinjal � against Neve Dekalim, the largest community in Gaza's Gush Katif slate of Jewish neighborhoods.
The announcement was made by videotape on websites previously used by al-Qaida to claim responsibility for terror operations, including recent bombings in London and Madrid.
"The brigades are not a new organization but merely a spirit of faith pushing the jihad fighters in the promised land to close ranks behind an honest and uncompromising leadership," the announcement said.
Ami Shaked, security coordinator for Gaza's Gush Katif slate of Jewish communities, told WND Sinjal rockets were not used in last Saturday's attack.
"The rockets were no different from all the rockets we are seeing," Shaked said. "The claim of a different kind of rocket is not true."
spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces told WND the army and Israel's Shin Bet Security Services are investigating the al-Qaida claim of setting up shop in Gaza.
Senior military sources could not confirm the presence of Al-Qaida in Gaza. They said it is not the global network's "style" to carry out small-scale rocket and mortar attacks.
An alleged al-Qaida claim this week the global terror network fired rockets at Jewish communities in the Gaza Strip does not match evidence found in the actual rocket attack, WND has learned.
A group claiming to be "Al-Qaida-Palestine, Jihad Brigades in the Border Land," announced Tuesday the establishment of a cell in the Gaza Strip. The group said it carried out an attack last Saturday using a new kind of rocket � the Sinjal � against Neve Dekalim, the largest community in Gaza's Gush Katif slate of Jewish neighborhoods.
The announcement was made by videotape on websites previously used by al-Qaida to claim responsibility for terror operations, including recent bombings in London and Madrid.
"The brigades are not a new organization but merely a spirit of faith pushing the jihad fighters in the promised land to close ranks behind an honest and uncompromising leadership," the announcement said.
Ami Shaked, security coordinator for Gaza's Gush Katif slate of Jewish communities, told WND Sinjal rockets were not used in last Saturday's attack.
"The rockets were no different from all the rockets we are seeing," Shaked said. "The claim of a different kind of rocket is not true."
spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces told WND the army and Israel's Shin Bet Security Services are investigating the al-Qaida claim of setting up shop in Gaza.
Senior military sources could not confirm the presence of Al-Qaida in Gaza. They said it is not the global network's "style" to carry out small-scale rocket and mortar attacks.
Shuttle return held for 24 hours
Space shuttle Discovery's return to Earth has been delayed for 24 hours due to bad weather at its landing site.
The seven crew members aboard Discovery had been preparing for their re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
Low-lying cloud which could obscure the landing strip forced flight controllers to scrub Monday's two landing windows at Nasa's Kennedy Space Center.
The shuttle was originally due to land at 0946 BST (0446 EDT; 0846 GMT). The crew were told to circle the planet again in the hope that weather problems would clear.
But a persistent cloud deck at low altitude finally forced mission controllers to give up on bringing the shuttle down for 1121 BST (0621 EDT; 1021 GMT).
Other landing opportunities are scheduled for Tuesday at Kennedy Space Center and back-up strips at Edwards Air Force Base in California and White Sands in New Mexico.
While the forecast for Kennedy is similar for tomorrow, the outlook at Edwards Air Force Base is favourable all week.
The seven crew members aboard Discovery had been preparing for their re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
Low-lying cloud which could obscure the landing strip forced flight controllers to scrub Monday's two landing windows at Nasa's Kennedy Space Center.
The shuttle was originally due to land at 0946 BST (0446 EDT; 0846 GMT). The crew were told to circle the planet again in the hope that weather problems would clear.
But a persistent cloud deck at low altitude finally forced mission controllers to give up on bringing the shuttle down for 1121 BST (0621 EDT; 1021 GMT).
Other landing opportunities are scheduled for Tuesday at Kennedy Space Center and back-up strips at Edwards Air Force Base in California and White Sands in New Mexico.
While the forecast for Kennedy is similar for tomorrow, the outlook at Edwards Air Force Base is favourable all week.
Deportation unfair, says extremist on welfare
Muslim cleric's family living on benefits in Britain for 20 years
An extreme Muslim cleric whose family have been living on benefits in Britain for 20 years says it would not be 'fair' to deport him.
Speaking after the Prime Minister announced his clampdown, father-of-seven Sheik Omar Bakri said: "I have wives, children, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law. It would be hard on my family if I was deported."
Since Syrian-born Bakri settled in Britain, he and his extended family have raked in benefits amounting to at least �300,000.
He is registered disabled because of an injury to his leg during his childhood, and was recently supplied with a �31,000 Ford Galaxy under the Motability scheme.
Bakri, who lives in a �200,000 home in North London, tops up his �250-a-week benefit payments with an extra �50 incapacity allowance.
He has praised the September 11 terrorists as 'magnificent', called Israel 'a cancer' and said homosexuals should be 'thrown from Big Ben'.
In January, he declared that Britain had become a 'land of war', and called on Muslims to unite behind Al Qaeda. He has supported suicide bombings and urged his followers to kill non-Muslims ' wherever, whenever'.
He also claimed he has no wish to stay in Britain, but his family would suffer if he was deported.
An extreme Muslim cleric whose family have been living on benefits in Britain for 20 years says it would not be 'fair' to deport him.
Speaking after the Prime Minister announced his clampdown, father-of-seven Sheik Omar Bakri said: "I have wives, children, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law. It would be hard on my family if I was deported."
Since Syrian-born Bakri settled in Britain, he and his extended family have raked in benefits amounting to at least �300,000.
He is registered disabled because of an injury to his leg during his childhood, and was recently supplied with a �31,000 Ford Galaxy under the Motability scheme.
Bakri, who lives in a �200,000 home in North London, tops up his �250-a-week benefit payments with an extra �50 incapacity allowance.
He has praised the September 11 terrorists as 'magnificent', called Israel 'a cancer' and said homosexuals should be 'thrown from Big Ben'.
In January, he declared that Britain had become a 'land of war', and called on Muslims to unite behind Al Qaeda. He has supported suicide bombings and urged his followers to kill non-Muslims ' wherever, whenever'.
He also claimed he has no wish to stay in Britain, but his family would suffer if he was deported.
Peter Jennings dies at 67
ABC News anchor succumbs to lung cancer
Longtime ABC News anchor Peter Jennings died tonight at the age of 67 from complications of lung cancer.
ABC's Charles Gibson, who has been filling in for Jennings on World News Tonight since Jennings made news of his disease public, broke into programming at 11:42 p.m. to announce Jennings' passing.
The obituary posted on ABC's website notes Jennings has reported on major historical events since the days of black-and-white broadcasting.
The Canadian-born Jennings became an American citizen in 2003, and had been married four times.
He is survived by his wife Kayce Freed, his two children, Elizabeth, 25, and Christopher, 23, and his sister Sarah Jennings.
Longtime ABC News anchor Peter Jennings died tonight at the age of 67 from complications of lung cancer.
ABC's Charles Gibson, who has been filling in for Jennings on World News Tonight since Jennings made news of his disease public, broke into programming at 11:42 p.m. to announce Jennings' passing.
The obituary posted on ABC's website notes Jennings has reported on major historical events since the days of black-and-white broadcasting.
The Canadian-born Jennings became an American citizen in 2003, and had been married four times.
He is survived by his wife Kayce Freed, his two children, Elizabeth, 25, and Christopher, 23, and his sister Sarah Jennings.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
CIA Commander: We Let bin Laden Slip Away
During the 2004 presidential campaign, George W. Bush and John Kerry battled about whether Osama bin Laden had escaped from Tora Bora in the final days of the war in Afghanistan. Bush, Kerry charged, "didn't choose to use American forces to hunt down and kill" the leader of Al Qaeda. The president called his opponent's allegation "the worst kind of Monday-morning quarterbacking." Bush asserted that U.S. commanders on the ground did not know if bin Laden was at the mountain hideaway along the Afghan border.
But in a forthcoming book, the CIA field commander for the agency's Jawbreaker team at Tora Bora, Gary Berntsen, says he and other U.S. commanders did know that bin Laden was among the hundreds of fleeing Qaeda and Taliban members. Berntsen says he had definitive intelligence that bin Laden was holed up at Tora Bora�intelligence operatives had tracked him�and could have been caught. "He was there," Berntsen tells NEWSWEEK. Asked to comment on Berntsen's remarks, National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones passed on 2004 statements from former CENTCOM commander Gen. Tommy Franks. "We don't know to this day whether Mr. bin Laden was at Tora Bora in December 2001," Franks wrote in an Oct. 19 New York Times op-ed. "Bin Laden was never within our grasp." Berntsen says Franks is "a great American. But he was not on the ground out there. I was."
But in a forthcoming book, the CIA field commander for the agency's Jawbreaker team at Tora Bora, Gary Berntsen, says he and other U.S. commanders did know that bin Laden was among the hundreds of fleeing Qaeda and Taliban members. Berntsen says he had definitive intelligence that bin Laden was holed up at Tora Bora�intelligence operatives had tracked him�and could have been caught. "He was there," Berntsen tells NEWSWEEK. Asked to comment on Berntsen's remarks, National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones passed on 2004 statements from former CENTCOM commander Gen. Tommy Franks. "We don't know to this day whether Mr. bin Laden was at Tora Bora in December 2001," Franks wrote in an Oct. 19 New York Times op-ed. "Bin Laden was never within our grasp." Berntsen says Franks is "a great American. But he was not on the ground out there. I was."
Unconfirmed report: Peter Jennings near death
Longtime ABC anchor Peter Jennings was diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year and told ABC viewers in early April that he had the disease. He has not been able to return to the air on ABC.
Today Michelle Malkin points to several rumors that say his condition may have turned grave.
Michael King
Unconfirmed reports this evening from sources inside ABC News, say that World News Tonight anchor Peter Jennings is close to death.
Jennings announced he had been diagnosed with lung cancer in April, and has not been on the air since. Anchor duties have rotated between several anchors, most notably Good Morning America co-anchor Charles Gibson.
News Blues [subscription] has this message:
ABC alerts some affiliates to prepare for death of Peter Jennings.
TV Newswer at Media Bistro:
Please Pray For Peter Jennings
Let's all say an extra prayer for Peter Jennings tonight.
Update: Sunday, 9:59am: NewsBlues has removed its earlier statement, which stated that ABC affiliates were preparing for Jennings' death. An ABC spokesperson reiterated that this information was incorrect.
[The note is on the web site now at 12:50 EDT]
Update: 11:55pm: "May God bless Peter and give him and his family strength during these very tough times," a TVSpyer says.
None of this appears to be confirmed. But no matter the politics, prayers for all involved in this very trying time for the Jennings family.
Today Michelle Malkin points to several rumors that say his condition may have turned grave.
Michael King
Unconfirmed reports this evening from sources inside ABC News, say that World News Tonight anchor Peter Jennings is close to death.
Jennings announced he had been diagnosed with lung cancer in April, and has not been on the air since. Anchor duties have rotated between several anchors, most notably Good Morning America co-anchor Charles Gibson.
News Blues [subscription] has this message:
ABC alerts some affiliates to prepare for death of Peter Jennings.
TV Newswer at Media Bistro:
Please Pray For Peter Jennings
Let's all say an extra prayer for Peter Jennings tonight.
Update: Sunday, 9:59am: NewsBlues has removed its earlier statement, which stated that ABC affiliates were preparing for Jennings' death. An ABC spokesperson reiterated that this information was incorrect.
[The note is on the web site now at 12:50 EDT]
Update: 11:55pm: "May God bless Peter and give him and his family strength during these very tough times," a TVSpyer says.
None of this appears to be confirmed. But no matter the politics, prayers for all involved in this very trying time for the Jennings family.
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