
Today’s Washington Post carries an op-ed by Marc Thiessen, author of Courting Disaster, concerning Nancy Pelosi‘s ever morphing story over what she knew about waterboarding. Before we go farther, in order to keep Media Matters or some other lefty from having an aneurysm let me stop and advise everyone that Courting Disaster is published by Regnery Publishing, a division of Eagle Publishing which is the [::ominous music] parent company of RedState. As a matter of full disclosure I have not read the book but would gratefully do so if they would send be a free copy]
Thiessen points to an incident in 2004 when Nancy Pelosi was House minority leader and intervened in a CIA operation she objected to. He rightfully points out that if she was able to stop one operation then her whole defense on the issue of not speaking up on the issue of waterboarding becomes viable only to the lobotomy-based community. I think, however, there is a bigger story here.
From the October 4, 2004 issue of TIME
PRESIDENT BUSH and interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi insisted last week that Iraq would go ahead with elections scheduled for January, despite continuing violence. But U.S. officials tell TIME that the Bush team ran into trouble with another plan involving those elections–a secret “finding” written several months ago proposing a covert CIA operation to aid candidates favored by Washington. A source says the idea was to help such candidates–whose opponents might be receiving covert backing from other countries, like Iran–but not necessarily to go so far as to rig the elections. But lawmakers from both parties raised questions about the idea when it was sent to Capitol Hill. In particular, House minority leader Nancy Pelosi “came unglued” [emphasis added] when she learned about what a source described as a plan for “the CIA to put an operation in place to affect the outcome of the elections.” Pelosi had strong words with National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice in a phone call about the issue.
To fully understand the context one has to consider the time. We invaded Iraq in March 2003 and the plan was predicated on the idea that we would topple Saddam and then swiftly replace him with another government. The CIA finding dates from the spring of 2004. At the same time, however, the Democrats were engaged in probably one of the most disgraceful presidential campaigns in modern US history, a campaign fittingly headed by one of the most disgraceful presidential candidates in modern US history. It was as clear then to the Democrats as it was in 2006 that an unstable Iraq and a constant drumbeat of American casualties was a quick road to electoral success. Funding Iraqi political parties who were friendly to the United States would ruin one of the memes developed by the Democrat which was that there were no viable US partners in Iraq. The presence of those parties would also have worked against the “cancel the elections because Iraq is too violent” talking point used by the Dems at this time.
The article goes on to point out that the spin from the Pelosi confidant, that the funds would have changed the outcome of the election, was not true. The CIA was only helping friendly parties achieve funding parity with parties funded by other regional actors. Even so, it is more than a little unclear to me why having a friendly party win the elections, which had not been held with this article was written, is a bad thing. I might be concerned that the CIA was simply not competent to ensure the funding remained secret but the thought of having our guys win shouldn’t make any member of congress come “unglued.”
The other insight here is that the Bush Administration obviously consulted regularly with the Dem House leadership and actually responded to their objections. I don’t know why they did this and it didn’t work out well for them or the country.
I am a lot less concerned about Pelosi’s lack of candor and integrity on what she knew about waterboarding than I am with her intervening in a fairly mundane CIA operation for no other purpose than seemingly to ensure that Iraq was a political difficulty for Bush in 2004.
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Couple this with Harry Reid's treasonous
throwback59 Saturday, January 30th at 2:03PM EST (link)gloating that “the war is lost” a few years later and it becomes undeniable that the democrats were rooting for failure. You can also throw in Sens. Durbin, Kennedy & Kerry who also made disgusting comments about our troops in Iraq over the years.
As was started with “Kennedy’s seat”, we are going to replace the whole fetid bunch, one by one.
Skunks
Racist Democrat Monday, February 1st at 11:57AM EST (link)Even if you aren’t a sports fan, this is very interesting!
36 of this group have been accused of spousal abuse
7 have been arrested for fraud
19 have been accused of writing bad checks
117 have directly or indirectlybankrupted at least 2 businesses
3 have done time for assault
71 repeat 71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
14 have been arrested on drug-related charges
8 have been arrested for shoplifting
21 currently are defendants in lawsuits, and
84 have been arrested for drunk driving
in the last year
Can you guess which organization this is?
NBA or NFL or NRA ???
Give up yet? Scroll down,
None of the above.
Iit’s the 535 members of the
United States Congress;
The same group of Idiots that crank out
hundreds of new laws each year
designed to keep the rest of us in line.
With few exceptions, they’re all nothing but hypocritical skunks of the highest order.
Skunks are skunks, and these skunks, Pelosi and Reid as well as Obonga and all of the other Liberal traitors, are all skunks of the highest order. I feel sorry for anyone who has to sit in the same room with the stench of these putrid ghouls. Fortunately they can’t mask their odor so we can tell who they are whenever they approach. Unfortunately we have to put up with their filthy vomit because we let them into our homes in the first place. The sooner we can get rid of them, the sooner we can all start to breathe again, and the better off we will all be.
silverhairedsurfer, racist Democrat who likes to call the President names, using my special time at RedState to work out my own private racism.
Print that picture out, frame it, put it in the basement, voila! no more rats!-nt
DONTREADONME (Diary) Saturday, January 30th at 2:06PM EST (link)It Is Just So Sad
gazinya Saturday, January 30th at 2:07PM EST (link)This might be divine payback or just an extraordinary circumstance of time. What is happening inside this country, what with the gov. involvement in the collapse of the dollar at the same time that the effects of daddy Bush not finishing off Sadam and Clinton selling our missle technology to China and sonny Bush going to war on a shoe string is amazingly striking. That Pelosi et.al., have been so ‘progressive’ in their actions is just another stone in the back pack that the people have to carry. Yet, there is still hope. I am not an activist but a complainer. But I have now joined some of my types to set about a reformation and a re-introduction of Judeo-Christian values into our community with selected candidates. Tea Partiers. I can’t say where this is going to go but short of locking and loading…it is worth the try.
“What objection can be made to him who wishes to tell the truth and consents to die for it?” Robespierre, 1794
I think you would do well
streiff (Diary) Saturday, January 30th at 3:37PM EST (link)to find another place to post. The reference to “daddy” and “sonny” Bush (they were presidents) and your last sentence indicate your half-life here is going to be real short.
“What keeps me here is the reek of beer, the ladies and the craic”
Look in your own yard FIRST
GenEarly Monday, February 1st at 11:00AM EST (link)The reference to Pappa Bush and Sonny Bush is entirely appropriate, as well as the current references to the obamanation. Pappa Bush represented the “progressive” one worlders of the RINO party against Reagan in the presidential primary. Reagan put him on as VP to unite the Republicans for the general election. Look what happened when Pappa took over on his own after Reagan left office. DISASTER for Conservatives. Sonny Bush only marginally better: Growth of Dept Re-Education,RX drug bill with NO funding,McCain-Feingold(recently amended by the Supreme Court),Amnesty,Dubai Ports,etc. Conservatives had to FIGHT Sonny Bush, remember?
The truth in my mind is that “progressives” (marxists)control 90% of elected democrats and 60% of elected republicans. I put NO FAITH in either party as an organization, but will vote for conservative Constitutionalist republicans when I can find them.
You attempt to stifle free speech leads me to conclude YOU,sir are a progressive too.
"I am not an activist but a complainer."
randy streu (Diary) Monday, February 1st at 11:17AM EST (link)Hey, look at that — the rest of us stopped caring about your opinion on pretty much everything.
Blogging also at
SLC Republitarian
The Minority Report
I have locked and loaded already
edwlstr Wednesday, February 3rd at 12:23AM EST (link)but I stand ready to help to push this wagon out of the rut. I have 11 grandchildren, and (effective Friday) 5 great grandchildren and I wanted better than this economic gulag Zerobama is preparing for them. The citizens first duty must always be revolution when necessary as detailed in our founding documents (when in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for a people to dissolve the bonds…..). The people will revolt only after the government becomes “revcolting”, we have passed that point.
Truly Vile
Maelstrom (Diary) Saturday, January 30th at 2:09PM EST (link)It sickens me that she puts politics before whats best for the nation. Kind of reminds you of someone else, no? …….or a lot of someone’s else!!! She is truly a vile person. I need a shower now.
I find your lack of faith….disturbing.
-Vader
streiff this is a family site.
mbecker908 (Diary) Saturday, January 30th at 2:12PM EST (link)If I can’t type the “F word” you shouldn’t be able to post that picture.
Directors take note. And, just to be clear, I’m not requesting permission to type the “F word”.
Agreed
throwback59 Saturday, January 30th at 3:37PM EST (link)We ban the “F” word and the “P” picture.
Works for me.
muffin Saturday, January 30th at 3:50PM EST (link)That picture is frightening! I’d rather have the rats.
Fortitudine vincimus – By endurance we conquer
Well, rats
SoulEspresso Saturday, January 30th at 10:20PM EST (link)have rudimentary reasoning skills …
Hey Streiff
montanan (Diary) Saturday, January 30th at 3:53PM EST (link)You remarked that you don’t know why the Bush administration consulted with the Dem’s and responded to their objections. I would posit that Bush and his admin didn’t think the Dems were waging a guerrilla political war against the republicans. From our current vantage point in 2010, looking back to the early 60′s, we can see that the current American political climate has been long brewing. The left has been preparing a war against conservatism for nearly 50 years and Bush’s tenure saw the first salvoes of that war. Everything that could have been done to hinder and oppose American/ Republican interests, short of actually starting a cival war, has been done. From colluding with our enemies, to sabotaging American military and intelligence operations, to undermining presidential authority and Constitutional law, they have been doing politically what Islamic militias have been trying to do through violence. The recent stands made by House and Senate republicans on healthcare and cap-and-trade show that most of the republicans now know the stakes and are taking steps to fight back. Bush, however, probably believed that the Democrats would shape up and put American interests before political interests, as they should have done. But it was not to be. It is my opinion, however radical, that the Democrats involved with the above stated opposition to American wartime interests are guilty of treason.
I was being a little facetious
streiff (Diary) Saturday, January 30th at 4:36PM EST (link)The Bush Administration, much to its short term detriment but I believe will redound to their long term credit, understood governance and respected the rights of the Dems when they were in the minority.
The yahoo who currently occupies the office in addition to being out of his intellectual depth is just a petulant little men obsessed with getting his way.
“What keeps me here is the reek of beer, the ladies and the craic”
Occam's Razor
twomoon Saturday, January 30th at 5:03PM EST (link)This has never been a complicated story. She was on one side then and has found it expedient to be on the other side now. To make the leap she needed to lie, and she did. She does it easily and professionally.
Pelosi uses US Air Force to babysit her grandchildren
katesmith (Diary) Saturday, January 30th at 6:35PM EST (link)Military aircraft being used to shuttle Pelosi’s kids and grandchildren between DC and San Francisco with no members of congress aboard. Via FOI documents obtained. 1/28/10 report.
You beat me to it - Pelosi is stealing from the American people...
MacAoidh (Diary) Sunday, January 31st at 11:03PM EST (link)…but I don’t want her to resign for it. I want her to be an albatross around the necks of the Democrats this fall and I want them to get drilled for 80-90 seats.
http://thehayride.com/2010/01/criminal-misuse-of-military-jets-by-speaker-of-house/
Check out MacAoidh’s commentary on Louisiana and national politics at TheHayride.com
George W Bush
rick554 Saturday, January 30th at 6:44PM EST (link)did his job with Honor and Integrity. I dont think he believed that Pelosi and the rest of that sorry crowd would ever undermine the TROOPS knowingly. I find it hard to believe also, but I think history will show that is exactly what they did. I dont think our grand children will be carving Barack HUSSEIN Obama’s face on MT Rushmore either. THAT space will be reserved for his predecessor.
Rick554
ack!
MF (Diary) Monday, February 1st at 1:07PM EST (link)Obama may be a guaranteed “F” grade, but Bush the Dub has no business anywhere near Mt. Rushmore except as a visitor. His last two years in office were probably no better than a “C-” grade. Yeah, he was really good at the start, but especially with the Dem. Congress starting in 2006, no thanks!
Um...
Neil Stevens (Diary) Monday, February 1st at 1:08PM EST (link)Ronald Reagan didn’t do much with a Democrat congress either. Judge the man by his actions, not the Congress’s actions.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
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Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Reagan and W
kenchely Monday, February 1st at 2:24PM EST (link)Reagan had to face a Democratic House all through his presidency; in the final two years, he faced a Democratic Congress on both sides. W had a Republican House for the first six years, and had a Republican Senate for four of his eight years, so that for four years he had what Reagan never had, a Republican Congress on both sides of the aisle.
What W never had, that Reagan had, was the ability to go over Congress’ heads to the people and speak persuasively. When Congress gave Reagan a bad time, he would go on TV, and within five minutes of the end of his speech, the phone calls and the faxes were pouring into Congressmen’s offices. He could force the hand of an uncooperative Congress, at least until the last two years.
W, even with majorities in both houses, was unable to communicate to the people. His inarticulateness was easily lampooned and taken by people as stupidity. No, W wasn’t stupid, but people thought he was because of his poor speaking. As a result, he couldn’t win even when he had majorities in Congress.
W was also not a forceful leader. When the “old bulls” in the House were busy spending, he never called them into the White House to say, “You’re killing us. This isn’t what we’re about as Republicans.” So guys like Bud Shuster went out the door in 2006 having wrecked the Republican brand.
Whatever
Neil Stevens (Diary) Monday, February 1st at 2:27PM EST (link)The idea that people are coming into this thread about Pelosi, to bash Bush, is inherently laughable.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
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Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
At the end of Mel Gibson's "Edge of Darkness," when a senator
renny (Diary) Saturday, January 30th at 6:54PM EST (link)is threatened, and the entire suburban theatre of middle-aged and elderly audience was shouting, “Shoot him! Shoot him!”
I don’t think DC has the vaguest idea of how their esteemed and coddled elected officials who treat their constituents like serfs and themselves like celebrities and overlords are in endangered.
It’s like the Fr. Rev. and heads will roll.
I'll go one better...
bart Saturday, January 30th at 8:33PM EST (link)Candidate Kerry aided and abetted, and took contributions from, the Mullahs of Iran, and put-up Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame to push the “Bush lied” meme. As we know, the Iranians were heavily involved in killing our troops in Iraq for years. Pelosi is guilty, but merely a side show to Kerry. Expecting heat from the right, Kerry had Wilson resign from the campaign, but Bush never fought back.
Voila'
Chief1942 Saturday, January 30th at 9:04PM EST (link)“…..looking back to the early 60’s, we can see that the current American political climate has been long brewing.”
The progressive/socialists took the slow, methodical road to their current achievement of regaining their political position. They chose to use the Public Education System to indoctrinate millions of young, pliable minds into believeing that it was their parents and grandparents with their old, staid ideology, who are the root cause for all the worlds’s problems. Their solution to solving the problem of course, was their progressive/socialist ideology. Now mind you, that not all fell under this spell of that socio/political mind bending. Many of America’s youth saw through the facade being hammered at them in High School and later at the college and university level. But enough did “drink the koolaid” to allow the current Democratic leadership to call in the chits, which came in the form of the youth vote that was an immense benefit to Obama. And one cannot help but notice that the current occupier of the White House was himself a recipient and product of that long term approach. Saul Alinsky and co-conspirators were very patient and focused on their goal. They had their goal within reach at the last Federal election, but it seems that the “chattering masses” as they have been referred to, have been awakened and are still standing in the way of the Left’s ability to actually get the ball across the goal line. What was really sad, is that many were fully cognizant of what was taking place, but were ignored and marginalized by those who were supposed to be the intellectual elite of the opposing socio/political ideology (GOP). That President Bush, when given the White House and both houses of Congress, did not acknowledge the threat and drive a stake through it’s heart when he had the chance, will be one of his most disappointing legacys.
Republicans
GenEarly Monday, February 1st at 11:26AM EST (link)I have met a few elected ones, they think they are colleagues in the government with democrats and need to work together. Bi-partisanship is when republicans compromise with democrats, Partisanship is when republicans fail to adopt the democrat agenda.
Heads I win, Tails you lose is the game. The socialist-progressives control 90% of the media,98% of academia, Congress,Presidencies of both parties since Reagan,Government civilian employees,unions,
democrats,rino’s,greens,gays,abortion advocates,many large banks,FED Reserve,many large corporations, But the house is not on fire; it’s all normal, America is too big to fail,NOT!
The American people are waking up and those in the Tea Party are way out in front of the chattering politico’s.
I came here just to comment on the incredible level of OMG that picture caused.....
USNJIMRET (Diary) Saturday, January 30th at 11:44PM EST (link)but apparently, I was late to the party, again.
That's not Pelosi
slmiller Sunday, January 31st at 9:55AM EST (link)That’s not Nancy Pelosi, that’s Gary Glitter!!
The libs are the party of "1984"
anotherindyfilmguy (Diary) Sunday, January 31st at 2:41PM EST (link)anything to gain and hold power. Nothing else counts to them. All the more reason they should never hold the reigns of power again.
Santorum? Well, at least he’s not Romney…
http://www.zazzle.com/enemy_of_the_statist_tshirt-235977043035297478
Conservatives: Sound The Alarm!!
keep2theright Monday, February 1st at 9:16AM EST (link)What a joke this administration is, especially on terror.
I got my “Don’t Close Gitmo” and “Don’t Blame Me, I Voted For The American” magnetic stickers at uuuuuu.keep2theright.com
Stop It streiff!!
michigan Monday, February 1st at 10:12AM EST (link)She reminds me in many ways of that suicidal nut cake UFO cult “Heavens Gate” leader, Marshall Applewhite. Especially the eyes. Creepy.
Wow...that botox is really working...ouch!
conservativemusician Monday, February 1st at 4:40PM EST (link)(n/t)
While I don't know if the CA voters will go to hell
neyney Monday, February 1st at 1:02PM EST (link)for continually voting in this shrew they will certainly have to spend centuries in pergatory as punishment. All I have to do is see her overly botoxed mug and I’m ready for the revolution. And don’t get me started about her obnoxious jack-in-the-box jumping up and down behind BHO at the SOTU. I don’t throw this word around lightly but this is one person whom I loathe (hate isn’t a strong enough word).
It's not all of California that votes for Pelosi
Neil Stevens (Diary) Monday, February 1st at 1:06PM EST (link)Just the nutjobs of San Francisco.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
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Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder