Blog @ MoreWhat.com

President’s Veep In Deep When It Comes to CIA Leak Case

As new details continue to emerge from the Lewis “Scooter” Libby trail, it’s now known that Vice President Cheney “personally orchestrated his office’s 2003 efforts to rebut allegations that the administration used flawed intelligence to justify the war in Iraq and discredit a critic who Cheney believed was making him look foolish,” according to the Washington Post.

Stop the presses!!! This is the first item in a long time from the Democratic party for which it is difficult to find fault. With no further analysis than the headline, one can reasonably conclude they have a point. But then, they are referring to an article in the Washington Post, so ok, it is not their point. They just like it. That’s fair enough.

An earlier post here drew a loose comparison to the Nixon administration. Cheney plays Agnew. Saddamgate is born. And a flawed war strategy is allowed to continue. That means civilians are having undue influence on the military. Civilians should shape policy. Congress should vote on war. A President is Commander-in-Chief. And war is the proper jurisdiction for the military.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Escalating Our Military Involvement in Iraq Sends Precisely the Wrong Message Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Richard Durbin released the following statement tonight on President Bush’s address to the nation on the war in Iraq. 01/10/2007

There seems to be more conflict among people in this country as to an Iraq strategy than there is in Iraq. How’s that for helping out the other side? One of the drawbacks to freedom of speech is that people use it even when it is not in their best interest.

President Bush’s Administration is reminiscent of Lincoln and his difficulties with General McClellan in the Civil War. I will skip some obvious comparisons for the Demoratic party’s sentiments but can ask if anyone else was reminded of 1968.

It is unlikely that war plans have ever been completed without modification. Somewhere I heard someone say that after the first round is fired the battle plans go out the window. What politicians won’t give to us they expect from everyone else based on the words in the critiques. They claim they have the answer in their proposal. Leaving Iraq will solve the problem. They also claim the President’s current plan sends the wrong message. They think we’re doomed to fail. Have they ever considered their own actions may become a self-fulfilling prophecy? I have heard them say support the troops. Have they considered the positive effect of also supporting the mission? Slowly the Democrats opposition will convince me of the Dems suspected belief that utopia can be delivered if we all just talk and give each other a big hug. Let’s see ya try that with a terrorist who has repeatedly announced the fundamentalist mantra of killing all infidels. In case you’re not aware, that applies to anyone who doesn’t believe what they believe. And the way two distinct Muslim groups are killing each other in Iraq, that probably means everyone else.

Give the Bush Administration a chance to make something turn right about this wrongly initiated war. You might stop to think that some of us hold Congress partially to blame for failing to uncover the flaws as opposed to covering your political butts. And if the holier than thou minority of those voting against the war feel above reproach, forget about it. You were among the entire Congress, both houses, who failed to unearth the hoax. There is no “fool me once” loophole in matters of this importance. You all have a responsibility to see this thing through to a positive conclusion to right the wrongs and honor the sacrafice of others, Iraqis as well as Americans.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

In Ex-Aide’s Testimony, A Spin Through VP’s PR

By Dana Milbank
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, January 26, 2007; A01
Memo to Tim Russert: Dick Cheney thinks he controls you.

This delicious morsel about the “Meet the Press” host and the vice president was part of the extensive dish Cathie Martin served up yesterday when the former Cheney communications director took the stand in the perjury trial of former Cheney chief of staff I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby.

This whole matter and the war in Iraq conjure images of Nixon and Viet Nam. Crazy, you say? Reflect on this. Spiro T. Agnew, Watergate, Nixon resumes bombing of North Viet Nam. Or, Dick Cheney, Saddamgate and Bush calls for surge in Iraq. Is all this a rerun of the 70’s GOP playbook?

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Congress is preparing to bring back a bill on global warming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It was troublesome how the Republican majority before the 110th Congress would not even allow for the possibility that global warming exiests. Now in the 110th Congress, a bill is being reintorduced to restrict emissions. Before the Dems go nuts, equal and opposite to the GOP, how about deciding long and short term implications of global warming by scientific agreement and plan the remedy based on solid information. Seems we are usually placed between doing nothing or doing too much. Either of which can be a mistake.

While President Bush is poking around Alaska and elsewhere for oil and the 110th is propping up pretections for ANWR, in this single case I am emphatically in favor of the Democratic majority. Protect a wildlife refuge and other areas designated with a hands off policy based on their value to the planet as a natural resource we cannot risk. Oil is nonrenewable too and look how well we managed its use. We can convert to other energy sources over time but we can’t likely convert to another planet if we wreck this one. So leave ANWR alone, how do you think it got that name.

More rants or criticisms and other extremely valuable information will be offered again later today.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Another glance at a list of most popular news stories indicates the story of the two “abducted” boys has moved into first place since yesterday. In second place is a strange combo-looking thing featuring Hollywood divorces, Trump and Rosie and assorted other useless information. Third place has electronics standards and the BS electronics show hording space it doesn’t deserve. As a post of ours pointed out, the technology related industries in this country as well as others doles out tech advances in minuscule portions to maximize the profit ripoff of consumers. We have little sympathy for their perceived difficulties and absolutely no respect for their methods. Actually Beckham was in third place but who cares about soccer?

There are no other stories in the list worth mentioning with the possible exception of one on Secretary of State, Rice. The headline reads” Rice Encounters Skepticism in Mideast”. That is offered only for its comedic value. Maybe if the U.S. would put Israel in its place, show some compassion for the ordinary citizens of Palestine, Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East and warn every nation in the region to make an effort at peace, we might have something. Show them you’re serious by completing what you started in Afghanistan and Iraq, quickly. Straighten out some of the messes you’ve gotten us into and start acting like world leaders and maybe some one will take you seriously. If you get that far you can tell Iran and North Korea or any one else spoiling for a fight to straighten up or their situation will change abruptly. Do what you need to provide a little lasting peace and prosperity in the region and then take a break and bring the troops home. It can be done so quit wasting time and get at it. Tell the morons back in the states to stop debating foreign policy and military strategy in the news and get to work also. This country could use some leadership. Let’s start with what we have and stop playing politics. For once, finish the job and stop looking like the idiots you probably are.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Walker’s World: EU-U.S. agree on Mideast

By MARTIN WALKER
UPI Editor Emeritus

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (UPI) — The striking feature of the UPI-Zogby poll on American attitudes toward the Israel- Palestine dispute is the similarity with views in Europe. This suggests that the transatlantic political support now exists for a concerted push for a new effort to reach a settlement, which is exactly what Britain’s Tony Blair and the Iraq Study Group have been urging on President George W. Bush this month.

This is an interesting article but the bottom line is most conflicts in the world continue for outrageous lengths of time. Does anyone really want to solve these problems? Conflict involving Israel have existed since 1948. Certainly they have existed since the 1967 war. Much hope was placed on efforts during the Carter Administration. It looked good until the assasination of Anwar Sadat. Again, does anyone really want to resolve these problems? Sixty years and counting and nothing has been settled. Everyone can share in the blame.

Iran has experienced many problems. Any anger remaining from the US support of the Shah of Iran is understandable. Additional anger over lopsided support of Israel by the US is equally understandable. However, the current leaders in Iran calling for the destruction of Israel is not real helpful either.

Other nations in the region and US involvement produce problems based on objectives that are basically selfish and have nothing to do with solving world problems and only add to the difficulties. Therefore an article claiming the EU and US agree on the Middle East is hardly useful.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

(from the Daily Kos)

John Murtha One Year Later
by BarbinMD
Tue Dec 05, 2006 at 01:54:40 AM PST

During yesterday’s White House press briefing, the subject of the
recently released Rumsfeld memo led to the following exchange:

Q Isn’t it striking that this administration was accusing the likes
of John Murtha and other Democrats who suggested course
correction, including phased withdrawal, of cutting and running –

MR. SNOW: No, let me –

Q — at the same time that the Defense Secretary was suggesting
just the same option?

MR. SNOW: No.

Q You don’t see hypocrisy there?

MR. SNOW: No, because you’re talking about apples and oranges.
If you take a look at -

As my eyes glazed over reading Snow’s rambling answer about
developments on the ground,

Yes, it is old news. How long are the fans of the Democratic
party willing to complain? The Democratic party will have the
majority in Congress in January and this is what you find at the
Daily Kos on December 5, 2006. If this keeps up, people might
start believing the rants from the fans of the GOP. That Dems
and their fans are simply liberal, left wing kooks.

Stop complaining and start providing your favorite political party
with “reasonable” suggestions for the next session. Or would that
be asking too much?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

There are already indications that the Democratic majority in
Congress will be no better than any of the previous impotent
legislatures residing in Washington. With terrorism, border
security, immigration, health care, social security, oversight,
ethics, campaign and general political corruption the current
partial list of significant issues to address, Pelosi and the other
Democrats do not seem prepared to offer solutions.

After their 100 hour agenda, Dems will attack tax cuts for the
wealthy and the Bush fast track for trade agreements. One tired
old argument designed to appeal to the most liberal among us
and an empty gesture for damage already done. On top of this
the Dems will proclaim all new spending must be paid for. Nice
idea but impossible. All spending to date has this country so far
in the red that no other spending can be paid for.



With Steny Hoyer being characterized by lobbyists as someone
you can talk to and Pelosi meeting with labor unions, reasonable
expectations of any changes in politics as usual in Washington
appear dead. Other rumors that Republicans will give President
Bush nothing throughout the lame duck session only serves to
confirm the likelihood of pure politics and no solutions.



After a gap in legislative matters due to “district work periods”,
a record breaking lack of workdays and the midterm elections.
the House has passed six resolutions and rejected one since Sept
30th, all in November after the midterms. The rejected item was
related to trade with Viet Nam. The following is what they passed
since September between November 13th and 15th:


HR 3085 to amend the National Trail System Act
S 819 Pactola Resevoir Reallocation Authorization Act
HR6314 Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance
HR 864 Program to Prevent Underage Drinking
HR5585 Financial Netting Improvements Act
HR 1078 Congratulate winners of the Baseball World Series


The Senate pass/fail ratio is nearly the inverse of the House. They
passed two and rejected five. The Senate passed appropriations
for the military and an act to provide nuclear technology to India.
The following is what the Senate rejected most recently in their
short work year:


Sen Amdt 5174 to limit the President’s waiver authority
Sen Amdt 5178 in support of UN Resolution 1172
Sen Amdt 5181 to ensure IAEA eqp not used for espionage
Sen Amdt 5183 to dissuade India from nuclear weapons
Sen Amdt 5187 to limit Presdent’s waiver authority on India deal
all the above related to S 3709, modifying the Atomic Energy Act
of 1954 to allow the nuke deal with India.



With all the rhetoric suggesting terrorism, national security, border
security, immigration and foreign policy as primary issues, passing
legislation to supply India with nuclear power technology confirms
the President and Congress have lost their collective minds. Of all
the issues they could take action on, this is totally absurd. Outrage
expressed by countries not friendly to the United States is difficult to
defend against when the Federal government acts irresponsibly.



The Democratic majority offers little hope thus far. If minimum wage,
prescription drug prices, Big Oil tax breaks and student loan interest
are the 100 hour agenda of the Dems, we’re all screwed. The Dems
have an opportunity and they will blow it. The Republicans had an
opportunity and they blew it. And a term-limited President without
a default nominee for 2008 (the VP won’t run) leaves the American
public with a federal government that doesn’t give a damn.


If the American public does not bring to bear the only weapon we
have in response to this, nothing will change. Most of you will opt
to ignore it or merely dismiss public outcry as ineffective. Public
displeasure expressed in sufficient quantities and directed to elected
representatives is effective. Even if you do not get involved with an
organized effort to lobby your representative, your individual contact
to express a complaint or applaud a favorable action does matter. A
contact with your elected representatives gets translated into public
opinion. Enough public opinion is translated into votes and does get
the attention of politicians. How do you think the NEA or other well
known organizations get what they want? It’s not only contributions
to campaigns, it is votes represented by expressed public opinion.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Outgoing US Congress must deal with spending bills,
tax relief to …
International Herald Tribune -
AP. WASHINGTON: Before the new Democrat-led Congress
takes over in January, current members of the House and Senate
have to finish up with the year’s legislative business, whether
they won re-election or not.

Much in the blogosphere today rehashing political events of the
past week and before. The best we’ve seen claim Limbaugh and
Hewitt are party faithful and defend the GOP to the death, right
or wrong. Is this a joke? What’s the big revelation about any of
the talking heads having an agenda? On the other side, how about
Al Franken or Air America? An agenda, ya think? The sad part
is no one seems to admit that politicians are party faithful as well.

If you believe that there is no agenda in the photo ops with Pelosi
and Bush, then you were born yesterday or more likely early this
morning. Reid, Durban, Biden, etc., etc., all making nice. Notice
by many Democrats that the public has spoken and Dems intend to
do what the American people want is certainly subject to careful
interpretation. Our interpretation is Dems will seize the next two
years doing what they want in as much as their majority will allow.
The party versus party blame game will continue as well as lobby
dollars and corruption. If you think everything will get better just
because the other major party won political advantage this week,
your birthdate may not even exist yet or the turnip truck you will
fall off of is still on the drawing board.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Bush, Mexico’s Calderon to work on immigration
Reuters -
… W. Bush and Mexican President-elect Felipe Calderon
pledged on Thursday to work together for a comprehensive
solution to curb illegal immigration from Mexico …

If it was not a plot by both Houses of Congress to introduce
HR4437 knowing it would never get through the Senate, then
the fine new Senate of the 110th Congress should be able to
finish strong reform starting in January 2007. Similar to the
fact that Immigration Reform of 1986 was never enforced, in
their grand wisdom, politicians have improved on their deceit
by creating a better strategy. Work together just long enough
to satisfy mutual goals and fool the public in believing you really
give a damn. Like Democrats conceding Presidential 2004
elections by nominating John Kerry when John Edwards wsa a
much more viable candidate. Kerry was a sacrificial lamb and
the only one who did not know it was Kerry. He still doesn’t.

We hope all you smiling Democrats are enjoying your victories.
We hope all you Republicans are understanding your arrogance
that led to this. And we hope you both as well as all of America
is prepared for a continuation of porous borders, unrestricted
immigration and a complete breakdown of national security.

If you haven’t noticed, the resignation of Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld and previously mentioned items absolutely elated the
Muslim world. Al-Jazeera and the rest have been celebrating
since November 7th, 2006. Thank you one and all. NOT!

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Served in the military. Worked as a Congressional aide. Ran
for office. Served in the Ford Administration. Was credited as
getting Cheney started in politics. Donald Rumsfeld, a seasoned
political veteran with a long and successful career may not be a
reasonable target for our criticism.

It is easy to cast blame on the most visible target representing a
war which was initiated under less than admirable motives. The
end of Colin Powell’s tenure as Secretary of State is another case
in point. When one strictly serves at the pleasure of the President,
the outcome may be more complicated that it first appears.

Powell’s trip to the U.N. to present justification for a coalition to
“hold Saddam to account” after numerous violations of the empty
resolutions of the security council remains puzzling. It was not a
secret that Powell disagreed with others in the administration over
Iraq and the case for war. Once the decision was made to go to
war, it was reported that Rumsfeld was one of the last to know as
he was told to complete preparations for military action.

It has also been reported more than once that Vice-President Dick
Cheney has great influence in this administration, more than any
other vice-president to date. The question is how much has been
orchestrated by Dick Cheney that is reflected in the results and the
subsequent resignations of Powell and Rumsfeld? There is plenty
of blame to go around. Powell and Rumsfeld may have an equal
share. But they likely don’t deserve all of it even if they are the
most convenient targets.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

The Bruiser Who Became a Political Liability

Buzzle -
Days before the election, George Bush told journalists that there was no way
Donald Rumsfeld would leave his job during the president’s administration.

Ex-CIA director named as Rumsfeld replacement
OhmyNews International, South Korea -
Robert Gates, the man named to replace outgoing Secretary of Defense
Donald Rumsfeld, is expected to draw on his experience as a former director
of the Central

Clean up the mess
Seattle Post Intelligencer - 1 hour ago
After nearly six years of profuse presidential praise, Donald Rumsfeld is
leaving a mess for the next secretary of defense. George

Rumsfeld Resignation Wins Praise From Democrats
FOX News - 1 hour ago
AP. Nov. 8: President Bush, flanked by outgoing Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld and his Defense Secretary-nominee Robert Gates. Nov. …