Buck Naked Politics

CIA to Expose its "Family Jewels"

Yesterday, CIA Director Michael Hayden said the agency will declassify records next week detailing some of its most egregious legal abuses--what historians and CIA officials call the "family jewels."  Okay, I'm biting.

According to the Washington Post, the records reveal "a quarter-century of overseas assassination attempts, domestic spying, kidnapping and infiltration of leftist groups from the 1950s to the 1970s" (along with thefts, break-ins, surveillance of journalists, and even the testing of drugs on American citizens). 

Why now? The CIA seems overcome by present-day image problems: what with the secret prisons, the abduction of people who end up in said prisons for enhanced-interrogation sessions, the Dusty Foggo corruption case...?

The CIA has a declassified docs collection, and George Washington University has one called The National Security Archives.

Bush to Name Blair as Mideast Envoy?

As Tony Blair heads into his final week as Britain's Prime Minister, the Bush Adminisitration is considering offering him a job as "special Middle East envoy for Palestinian governance and economic issues" (Washington Post). Actually, the offer has been in the works for months during "behind-the-scenes" negotiations. The American people are always the last to know.

The announcement comes just days after seeds of scandal began germinating in England.  A recent British documentary shows evidence that Blair committed troops to Iraq despite knowing that President Bush did not have adequate plans to handle post-invasion Iraq.

Instead of airing his concerns in 2003, Blair falsely assured his fellow countrymen that he was comfortable with Bush's "plans."  The English people are no happier about that than the American people are about their own leader's false assurances re: Iraq.

Journalists: Think of Iraq, Be Careful with Iran

Posted by D. Cupples |  The U.S. refused to release five Iranian officials captured in a raid in January (Washington Post). Jokes aside, how would we perceive another country's kidnapping Condoleezza Rice?  Probably as grounds for war.

That said, how might the Iranian government view the Bush Administration's refusal to release the five officials?  Is provoking Iran part of a plan?  It's not a left-field notion: Sen. Joe Lieberman (technically not part of the Administration) publicly advocated bombing Iran, using rhetoric from the Administration's campaign to invade Iraq.

I hope journalists will be cautious this time around. That's why I'm troubled by the Washington Post's statement:

Today: DoJ's McNulty to Testify Before House Committee

At noon today, Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty will testify before the House Judiciary Committee as part of an ongoing probe of the possible use of the Justice Department for partisan political purposes and the unprecedented firing of nine U.S. Attorneys. CSPAN will cover it.

McNulty is one of five Justice officials to announce his resignation amid the burgeoning scandal. The most recent resignation came from Mike Elston, McNulty's top aide, who was involved in the U.S. Attorney firings.

Hans von Spakovsky and Tim Griffin are also on the list of those touched by the scandal....

Bloomberg Quits Republicans, Scares Presidential Candidates

Yesterday, New York's multi-billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg quit the Republican Party, "declaring himself free of a 'rigid adherence' to ideology" (Washington Post). Now, political observers nationwide are wondering if he'll run for president as an independent in 2008. The New York Times reported:

"The announcement was released during a campaign-style swing through California, during which Mr. Bloomberg, 65, a billionaire businessman, used increasingly sharp language to criticize both parties in Washington as too timid to take on big problems and too locked into petty squabbling to work together."

Bloomberg's net worth is estimated at $7 - $13 billion -- no question that he could fully fund his own campaign if he had to.(MSNBC)

A gaggle of presidential candidates likely lost sleep over one big question last night: if Bloomberg runs, would he draw more votes from Republicans or Democrats? 

Yet Another Constitutional Crisis: President Failed to Execute Laws

If you don't like a federal law, can you legally just give Congress the finger? Recently, President Bush "asserted that he is not necessarily bound by the bills he signs into law" (Washington Post). The U.S. Constitution begs to differ, stating the president "shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed" (Article II, Section 3).

Based on a mere sampling of laws, U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) analysts found that executive agencies failed to enforce six provisions to which President Bush had publicly expressed aversion when making his "signing statement." Two examples from the report:

- The Defense Department did not give Congress "budget justification documents" for costs of operations in Iraq, despite laws requiring DoD to do so;

- FEMA did not send Congress an expenditure plan, as required by law, because "[FEMA] does not normally produce such plans."

That Bush expressed aversion to those provisions indicates that he was aware of them. And yet, he failed to ensure that his employees obeyed them. Note: before taking office, President Bush swore under oath that he would "preserve, protect and defend" the U.S. Constitution (Article II, Section 1).

Senator Wants Oil Companies to Pay Royalties Owed

Yesterday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) announced that she will try to close a legal loophole that enabled oil and gas companies to avoid paying royalties for drilling on government property since the 1990s. The loophole has cost the taxpayers $1 billion and is likely to cost billions more.  Good luck

Most people would instinctively guess that to extract minerals from someone else's land, you gotta pay. For years, oil companies have failed to grasp this simple business principle. By 2001, for example, fifteen oil companies paid a combined $438 million to settle Justice Department suits over failure to pay royalties -- including Exxon, Texaco, and Pennzoil.

Making the pill more bitter, some Bush Administration officials have been anything-but-diligent about ensuring that oil companies pay the royalties they owe to taxpayers. For example, an official at the Interior Department's Mineral Management bureau resigned in May, after an investigation was launched into the bureau's failure to enforce royalty obligations. For more info, see:

Explosive Oil Scandal in the Pipeline (BNP)

Gouged at the Gas Pumps (BNP)

Analysis of Burgenoning Oil Scandal (Buzzflash)

Senators Want Investigation into 2004 Vote Caging

Senators Ted Kennedy and Sheldon Whitehouse called for an investigation into whether Justice Department officials carried out an illegal voter-suppression scheme called "vote caging" before Election 2004. The senators named Tim Griffin, former Interim U.S. Attorney, former RNC researcher, and former aide to Karl Rove. In a letter, the senators said:

"It is very disturbing to think that Department officials may have approved the appointment of a United States Attorney knowing that he had engaged in racially targeted vote caging... [and] that senior officials were aware of this practice and did nothing...."

In May, ex-DoJ official Monica Goodling testified before the House Judiciary Committee that Griffin had caged votes.  Griffin denied it.  The Washington Post's Dan Froomkin retorted:

"But how, then, to explain these e-mails mistakenly sent to (and then archived by) the spoof Georgewbush.org site? The e-mails quite clearly show Griffin thanking another operative -- 'thank you, perfect,' he writes -- for sending him spreadsheets called Caging.xls and Caging-1.xls, both of which seem to contain lists of voters in Jacksonville [Florida] whose mail was returned."

Griffin's alleged vote caging began creeping into the media three weeks ago, when Journalist Greg Palast blogged about it.

This doesn't help presidential candidate Fred Thompson, who considered hiring Griffin as a campaign consultant, according to Marc Ambinder.

Iraq: Conflicting Stories from the Front and at Home

It's hard to know what to believe, given U.S. officials' fondness for saying one thing about Iraq, and later changing it or awkwardly looking away while someone soundly refutes it.

The U.S. launched anoffensive yesterday in the Diyala province of Iraq, targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq group, whom officials "believe" sponsored suicide bombings in Iraq (Washington Post).

A Maysan province official said the raids were conducted without the provincial council's knowledge. He wants an investigation because of civilian casualties. U.S. officials "said that the Iraqi government approved the mission," though no Iraqi soldiers participated in the attack (WaPo).... 

OMB's Portman Resigns Before Battle

White House budget director Rob Portman plans to resign, stating that he wants to spend more time with his family (Reuters). The Washington Post said the announcement came:

"as the White House prepares for a battle with Democratic lawmakers over spending issues.... Portman was expected to be a major player in fashioning administration strategy. He is one of the most popular Cabinet members on the Hill, and even Democrats speak highly of his intellect and affability...."

Senators Didn't Read Intelligence Reports Before Voting for War

A recent survey indicates that "only a handful" of U.S. Senators actually read the National Intelligence Estimate before voting on the Iraq war (The Hill). Before the vote, they had 10 days to read the 92-report, enough time to finish at least two John Grisham novels, which tend to run 300+ pages.

As well as a heckuva benefits package, we taxpayers paid $150,000+ a year in salaries to 100 senators back in 2002 (Senate Salary History). Did we get our money's worth?...

Iraq: Poor Planning All the Way Around

The Bush Administration had forewarning that soldiers coming back from Iraq would likely face Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, because the U.S. government recognized PTSD as a medical condition in 1980, after thousands of Vietnam veterans struggled with it.   

And yet, the Administration failed to plan and provide for adequate care of our troops returning to the Homeland with PTSD (Washington Post). It isn't a shock, given that a few months ago we learned of massive deficiencies at Walter Reed and other military hospitals (USA Today). 

It's not just in wounded-troop treatment for which Administration officials failed to adequately plan before insisting on invading Iraq. In the year before the invasion, England's Prime Minister Tony Blair repeatedly confronted the Bush Administration about its lack of planning for handling post-invasion Iraq.  Blair feared the very chaos that has come to pass.

More than 3,500 U.S. troops have died in Iraq (not counting contractors and other civilians). The U.S. taxpayers have committed more than $430 billion to this poorly planned war.

Please, Get Your Stories Straight on Iraq

I'm having trouble with phrases. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said Republicans are considering following recommendations from the Iraq Study Group, which:

"basically involves still having troops forward-deployed but getting them off the point  which would obviously reduce our casualties, and possibly reducing our numbers as well." (The Hill)

Forward-deployed? Off the point? Possibly reducing numbers? What do those seemingly contradictory phrases mean?

McConnell believes a "new strategy"  is coming in September 2007. A whole year ago, Administration officials said the number of troops in Iraq would be cut in half by December 2007. Two weeks ago, officials said a "sharp drawdown of troops" would happen in late 2008 to 2009. At the same time, officials envisioned a long-term occupation (like Korea, which we've occupied for 54 years). Which is it?

Now, the nation is mired down in Iraq, losing troops and money at light's speed, some 51 months after President Bush promised a short war and 49 months after he declared "Mission Accomplished."

Warning to the Administration and its congressional allies: if you keep putting out conflicting info, the American people may start disbelieving every Iraq-related word you utter.

 

Issues of Mass Distraction: Ruckus over Reid's Criticism

Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) questioned General Peter Pace's competence and honesty re: the Iraq war. A heckuva ruckus ensued in the media, but I'm not sure why (Washington Post).

Reid didn't insult the Virgin Mary. He commented on a soon-to-be-former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who had helped make key war decisions.

Polls from May and June suggest that 67%-72% of Americans disapprove of how the Bush Administration has handled the war. (Polling Point)  Many Americans think the Administration's case for war stemmed from either 1) an ignoring of pre-war intelligence, or 2) deception....

Bedfellows: Bush's & Blair's Parallel Approaches to Iraq

As Tony Blair faces his final week as England's Prime Minister, a British documentary indicates that Blair sent troops to Iraq despite knowing that the U.S. lacked solid plans for handling post-invasion Iraq.

According to England's Observer, Blair was so concerned about President Bush's poor planning that he repeatedly questioned Bush and sent a top adviser to Washington a year before the invasion. Blair feared the very chaos that has come to pass (Washington Post). 

Instead of airing his concerns in 2003, Blair falsely assured his fellow countrymen that he was comfortable with Bush's "plans" (Observer/Truthout)....

Weekly Re-Cap | June 10 - 16, 2007

General Said Rumsfeld Misled Congress re: Abu Ghraib

Former Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba said defense officials likely directed torture at Abu Ghraib, that former Sec. of State Donald Rumsfeld was not truthful with Congress about the issue, and that officials steered the investigation to cover their butts (BNP and Washington Post).

Another DoJ Official Jumps Ship Amid Scandal

Friday, Mike Elston became the fifth Justice Department official to announce his resignation. Elston was involved in the perhaps-politically-motivated firing of U.S. attorneys (BNP).

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House Reaches Compromise on Earmarks

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Since Republicans lost control of Congress, they've become concerned with making earmarks more transparent (BNP).

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Senate Immigration Bill Gets CPR

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President Bush apparently persuaded Senate Republicans to revive the immigration bill and bring it to a vote. Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) essentially blamed ignorant talk-radio fans for stirring up trouble over the bill (BNP and Washington Post).

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Another ex-DoJ Official Doesn't Recall

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Seeking confirmation for his Federal Elections Commission appointment, Former Justice Department lawyer Hans von Spakovsky faced questions from the Senate Rules Committee. On key questions about his Justice Department service, Von Spakovsky repeatedly replied I don't recall. (BNP)

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FBI Violated Rules When Snooping on Americans

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The FBI committed thousands of rule violations when operatives "collected data" on domestic phone calls, emails and financial transactions (BNP and WaPo).

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Questionable Claims Supporting War with Iran Shot Down

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Reportedly, officials close to Dick Cheney started a media campaign to push a U.S. attack on Iran. A U.S. and a NATO official denied some of the claims (BNP and IPS/Truthout).

Despite Threats, Judge Ordered Libby to Prison (Soon)

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A federal judge ordered I. Scooter Libby to relocate to prison in the coming weeks, instead of remaining free during his appeal. The judge said he received nasty messages relating to Libby's sentencing, "some wishing bad things on me and my family...." (BNP and CNN).

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Govt. Failing to Help Wounded Iraq Vets

President Bush routinely accuses people of failing to "support our troops" -- while, himself, failing to ensure adequate treatment for soldiers returning from Iraq.

We already know of massive problems at military hospitals like Walter Reed (MSNBC), and today's Washington Post exposes the failure to treat Iraq veterans struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  PTSD is real: in 1980, the U.S. government recognized PTSD as a medical condition after thousands of Vietnam vets returned home with it.

The Post discusses soldier Jeans Cruz, who helped capture Saddam Hussein....

A Parallel Iraq War: More Deaths, More Dollars

A "parallel" war is being fought in Iraq--by private security contractors, who get killed just like soldiers do, but for some years the Bush Administration has hidden the statistics (Washington Post).

Death estimates vary. According to the Iraq Coalition Casualties Organization, at least 400 contractors had died in Iraq by June 14, 2007. According to USA Today, 467 contractors had died by April 2006.

Another facet of the parallel war is the high cost of relying on contractors (partly because we don't have enough troops). Some contractors get $135,000 a year to guard supply convoys, twice+ what military guards get (WaPo)....

Another DoJ Official Jumps Ship Amid Scandal

Mike Elston, top aide to Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, announced his resignation on Friday. Elston was involved in the perhaps-politically-motivated firing of U.S. attorneys. 

Several of the fired U.S. attorneys accused Elson of threatening them after the fact: essentially saying, either be quiet about why you were fired, or we'll say nasty things about you to the press. (AP/CBS)  Elson denied intending any threat.

Elston is one of five Justice officials to resign since the scandal broke earlier this year (Washington Post). The other four are:...

Video Shows White House Contradicting Itself

Click the arrow to see the Daily Show's Jon Stewart show side-by-side clips of White House spokesperson Tony Snow, making statements about the fired U.S. attorney scandal then denying having made them.

See also:

- Senate Subpoenas ex-Officials an White House re: fired U.S. Attorneys

- DoJ's Schlozman Alters Testimony & Looks for Loopholes

- Karl Rove Tied to Dem Governor's Prosecution?

- U.S. Attorney Scandal Overview

- Jon Stewart Finds Holes in Justice Department Testimony