if the Bush-Cheney gang doesn't bomb Iran

* arthur:

"And remember: if the Bush-Cheney gang doesn't bomb Iran, Hillary or another Democrat may well commit the fateful deed.

* Hardtalk on the beeb is one of my fave shows. George Galloway was on today. (the interview isnt on the website yet. perhaps tomorrow)

* josh:

"Of course, to many of us, Gore is unique. Because we don't think he really lost in 2000. The whole Bush presidency was conceived in the original political sin of the stolen 2000 election. And hasn't it turned out well? But that's another story.

sigh.

* tpmm:

"First, despite the fact that reporters (and Patrick Fitzgerald) have been swarming all over Plamegate for almost four years, this supposed White House cabal against Libby escaped detection. And they still can't find anyone to support that idea. In fact, Libby and Rove seemed to have worked pretty closely together. “They didn’t show any ankle — it was always a team effort,” as Lawrence Wilkerson, a former State Department official, puts it.

* amy:

"Election Workers Convicted over Ohio Recount Tampering
In Ohio, two election workers were convicted Wednesday of rigging a recount of the 2004 presidential election. The workers oversaw balloting in Ohio’s Cuyahoga County. Prosecutors say they secretly vetted ballots before a public recount took place. The tampering did not effect the final outcome of the Ohio vote but critics say was part of a broader wave of electoral misconduct.

* larisa and muriel at RSI:

"Escalation of US Iran military planning part of six-year Administration push
[]
By setting up the Iranian Directorate within the Pentagon and running covert operations through the military rather than the CIA, the administration was able to avoid both Congressional oversight and interference from then-Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte, who has been vocally skeptical about using force against Iran. The White House also successfully stalled the release of a fresh National Intelligence Estimate on Iran, which could reflect the CIA's conclusion that there is no evidence of an Iranian nuclear weapons program.

In sum, the Bush Administration seems to have concluded that Iran is guilty until proven innocent and continues to maintain that the Persian Gulf belongs to Americans – not to Persians – setting the stage for a potential military strike."

with timeline. great work you two.


* gilliard:

"debating tactics and they can adjust to them because they read the NY Times.

Doesn't it occur to anyone who thinks that the Iraqis will be able to neutralize the "surge" which is really a slow gathering of US Brigades, and which rely on Iraqi help. As if they won't be working their magic, making it clear that helping the Americans might be unwise. This "surge" which should be called a dribble, is the worst kind of military movement, slowly massing forces over a six month period. Does the Army think they will be waiting for all the brigades to arrive?

We can't even trust the Iraqi translators. American Arabic speaking soldiers find that they say something which is far from what was supposed to be said.

The whole discussion of the "surge" has been one of the most idiotic military plans ever proposed by a major power. If we are serious about "taking Baghdad", why is the general in charge discussing the plans? What? Does he think a few AC-130's will save the day?"