By D. Cupples | Former U.S. Senator Mike Gravel (the white-haired, dark-horse presidential candidate) appears in a YouTube video doing a rhythmic rap song while addressing free speech, democracy, and peace in the Middle East.
Snoop Dogg fans nationwide are likely chuckling, perhaps convulsing in fits of laughter. To see the video, click on the image below (it's only 2 minutes). Thanks to Mercury Rising for pointing out Gravel's video.
Speaking of Mid-East peace, today's Washington Post informs us of a newly declassified National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that casts heavy doubt on the validity of President Bush's war-cries over Iran:
"President Bush got the world's attention this fall when he warned that a nuclear-armed Iran might lead to World War III. But his stark warning came at least a month or two after he had first been told about fresh indications that Iran had actually halted its nuclear weapons program.
"The new intelligence report released yesterday not only undercut the administration's alarming rhetoric over Iran's nuclear ambitions but could also throttle Bush's effort to ratchet up international sanctions and take off the table the possibility of preemptive military action before the end of his presidency. (Washington Post).
According to CNN, an Iranian government official commented:
"'U.S. officials have so far inflicted ... damage on the Iranian nation by spreading lies against the country and by disturbing public opinion, therefore, they have to pay the price for their action.'"
Perhaps the official means monetary damages, kind of like in a defamation suit. Then again, perhaps the Iranian government would settle for a public apology from President Bush, which will happen right after ice-skate sales skyrocket in hell.
Salon's Glenn Greenwald commented:
"Over the past year, the rhetoric from our Serious Foreign Policy establishment regarding the supposed threat posed by Iran's active pursuit of nuclear weapons has severely escalated both in terms of shrillness and threats. Opposition to this building hysteria has been led by Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who -- exactly as he did prior to the invasion of Iraq -- has been relentlessly warning that there is no real evidence to support these war-fueling allegations.
"Because of that, he has been relentlessly attacked and smeared by our Serious Foreign Policy elite -- yet again. And yet again, ElBaradei has been completely vindicated, and our Serious Foriegn Policy Experts exposed as serial fabricators, fear-mongerers and hysterics.
"In 2005, the Bush administration vigorously (though unsuccessfully) sought to block ElBaradei's re-election as IAEA head on the ground that he was right about Iraq's non-existent weapons stockpiles...." (Salon, links in original)
Memeorandum has an avalanche of blogger reactions to the NIE. Thanks to the Political News You Need to Know for linking to this post.
Related BN-Politics' Posts:
* Is War with Iran Next and Will a Draft Follow?
* Iran: Did our Media Learn Nothing from Iraq?
* Better Late than Never: the Truth About Iran's Nuclear Weapons?
* Podhoretz Digests the NIE, Finds It Doesn't Agree
* Senior Brass: Military Strike Against Iran Currently Unnecessary
* NewPoll: Majority of Republicans Support Strike Against Iran
* Talk of Bombing: is Iran the New Iraq?
* Journalists: Think of Iraq, Be Careful with Iran
Mike Gravel ROCKS!! Power to the people, man. He's got my vote!
Posted by: PharmaFraud | December 04, 2007 at 11:43 PM