The Political Chase

Look out White House

The National Journal (sub. req.) bestowed the title of White House Enemy No. 1 to Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA).

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., who will lead the House Democrats’ oversight team in January as chairman of the Government Reform Committee, will spend the next two years trying to keep President Bush and Vice President Cheney in a defensive crouch.

A crafty infighter who has practiced patience and perseverance in Congress since 1974, Waxman doesn’t blink before big targets when he thinks they are wrong, whether they happen to be U.S. presidents or attorney-armored tobacco executives.

Waxman, 67, and his staff have told the White House that the bloodhounds are out for what they describe as the Bush administration’s “binge of spending” on wasteful and conflict-ridden government contracts issued to cover Iraq war costs and to respond to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina.

Our new girlee-country status

According to Morton Kondracke, Roll Call, (sub. req.), our enemies might as well just kick sand in our face and call us a girlee country. It’ hard to debate his view - how many letter shav eyou received from Public Enemy No. 1 before yesterday?

All over the world, scoundrels are ascendant, rising on a tide of American weakness. It makes for a perilous future.

President Bush bet his presidency - and America’s world leadership - on the war in Iraq. Tragically, it looks as though he bit off more than the American people were willing to chew.

The U.S. is failing in Iraq. Bush’s policy was repudiated by the American people in the last election. And now America’s enemies and rivals are pressing their advantage, including Iran, Syria, the Taliban, Sudan, Russia and Venezuela. We have yet to hear from al-Qaida.

I heard recently that one of America’s most distinguished historians had played a little game with a presidential candidate, asking him which five years were the most perilous in American history.

When the candidate offered the first years of the Republic, the Civil War, World War II or the Cold War, the historian supposedly said, “No, the next five years.”

The historian told me through an aide that the story wasn’t true and that he doesn’t believe that the next five years are America’s most perilous. That’s good to hear, but I don’t agree.

Late update: I need to clarify my comments on Kondracke’s statements. I do not agree with Kondracke. When I said it’s hard to debate his view, that was intended to be conveyed with sarcasm.

Iraq Study Group recommendations

There have been reactions to The New York Times release of recommendations by the Iraq Study Group (Baker-Hamilton Commission), which I will address separately. This is just a summary of the reported recommendations.

The Times says the report will call for pulling back 15 American combat brigades, but does not specify a timetable for withdrawal. The report has strong language stressing the importance of not having an “open-ended commitment” and that the process should begin sometime next year.

“Pulling back” was not defined - there is no clarification on whether that means troops will come home, in the region, or stations within Iraq.

Approximately 70,000 troops would remain in Iraq operating as “trainers, logistics experts and members of a rapid reaction force.”

The Times notes that some commission members felt the report may be too late given the current situation in Iraq. The report goes to Bush on Wednesday of next week. Less than a week away, the situation could be entirely different than what we know today, much less when the report was finalized. At this very moment, more troops are being sent to Baghdad.

The President will have to purchase a set of diplomatic training wheels. The commission recommend dialogue with the Middle East countries that Bush has refused to communicate with.

A few quick points on Ahmadinejad’s letter

I have read, but not thoroughly absorbed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s letter, but I wanted to touch on a few points. I will probably have more comments after I have had a little time to read the letter with better focus on detail.

The real point and objective of Ahmadinejad’s letter is Israel. The tenor of the letter is in synch with his statements of record - to blow up Israel. Going a step further, Ahmadinejad knows he must be consulted in some manner if we, or whomever is going ameliorate the civil war in Iraq. His bargaining chip is Israel. He is not going to participate without some level of stake associated with “the Zionists.” How far he can carry that remains to be seen, but he has made it clear that the road to Baghdad goes through Jerusalem.

I think we can all agree with the “goody-goody” things Ahmadinejad says. And, I believe he rightly speaks to true American values, but how much of his rhetoric is reflected in his actions and governing Iran?

Much of what he says about Bush is true - it is simply a matter of record.

Now to some specific excerpts.

Our nation has always extended its hand of friendship to all other nations of the world.

Ahmadinejad seems to have forgotten about the 444 days his people, and himself allegedly a leader, held Americans hostages. Just a little mistake to be forgotten, right?

We all condemn terrorism, because its victims are the innocent.

But, can terrorism be contained and eradicated through war, destruction and the killing of hundreds of thousands of innocents?

If that were possible, then why has the problem not been resolved?

Ahmadinejad needs to take a look in the mirror. Iran, under his rule, has supported attacks against American soldiers. Approximately 1,000 - 2,000 Iranian troops have participated in the meltdown in Iraq. And, where did the IED’s come from?

I will expound on the above later.

The following is a strong request and a threat:

If the US Government meets the current domestic and external challenges with an approach based on truth and Justice, it can remedy some of the past afflictions and alleviate some of the global resentment and hatred of America. But if the approach remains the same, it would not be unexpected that the American people would similarly reject the new electoral winners, although the recent elections, rather than reflecting a victory, in reality point to the failure of the current administration’s policies. These issues had been extensively dealt with in my letter to President Bush earlier this year.

My first reaction is Ahmadinejad just tasked the Democratic Congress to impeach Bush and Cheney. Furthermore, without specifically stating it, he warns that if the Democrats do not “fix things” to his liking, it serves as a threat to Congress. Ahmadinejad is holding the 110th Congress accountable to him.

The following is remarkable coming from a lunatic that publicly states he wants to obliterate Israel. And, it doesn’t matter that it is Israel; the point is he wants to mass murder an entire country. Not very compassionate or reflective of human values.

It is possible to govern based on an approach that is distinctly different from one of coercion, force and injustice.

It is possible to sincerely serve and promote common human values, and honesty and compassion.

It is possible to provide welfare and prosperity without tension, threats, imposition or war.

More to come…

Maliki is no-show at summit with Bush

Although the White House says it is not the case, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki thumbed his nose at George Bush and did not show up for summit, which was to also include Jordan’s King Abdullah II. The cable television networks (don’t know about FOX) report the White House official line is they will meet tomorrow and it is no big deal.

I put my money on any combination of NSA Advisor Stephen Hadley’s memo published by The New York Times, some level of Maliki trying to appease al-Sadr by and possibly Bush’s statement at the NATO conference yesterday. Emphatically, Bush said, “One thing I’m not going to do: I’m not going to pull our troops off the battlefield before the mission is complete.”

Some of the TV pundits are postulating the administration may have leaked Hadley’s memo. It would make for an easy oops-segue into, “well now that you mention it, those are some of my issues.” It lessens the tough-guy aspect of what Bush has in essence been saying since the election. That may be true, but I am having a hard to seeing how the administration would actually gain anything operating that way.

Regardless of whether Bush likes it or not, this will cover at least a week of news cycles.

Radiation found on British Airways

BREAKING ON CNN:

British Airways says small traces of radiation have been found on two of its aircraft by investigators looking into the death of a former Russian spy, wire services report.

At the time of this post, a link was not available. This is copied from a banner.

Ahmadinejad sends letter to Americans

A letter Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent to the American people today:

O, Almighty God, bestow upon humanity the perfect human being promised to all by You, and make us among his followers.

Noble Americans,

Were we not faced with the activities of the US administration in this part of the world and the negative ramifications of those activities on the daily lives of our peoples, coupled with the many wars and calamities caused by the US administration as well as the tragic consequences of US interference in other countries;

Were the American people not God-fearing, truth-loving, and justice-seeking, while the US administration actively conceals the truth and impedes any objective portrayal of current realities;

And if we did not share a common responsibility to promote and protect freedom and human dignity and integrity;

Then, there would have been little urgency to have a dialogue with you.

While Divine providence has placed Iran and the United States geographically far apart, we should be cognizant that human values and our common human spirit, which proclaim the dignity and exalted worth of all human beings, have brought our two great nations of Iran and the United States closer together.

Both our nations are God-fearing, truth-loving and justice-seeking, and both seek dignity, respect and perfection.

Both greatly value and readily embrace the promotion of human ideals such as compassion, empathy, respect for the rights of human beings, securing justice and equity, and defending the innocent and the weak against oppressors and bullies.

We are all inclined towards the good, and towards extending a helping hand to one another, particularly to those in need.

We all deplore injustice, the trampling of peoples’ rights and the intimidation and humiliation of human beings.

We all detest darkness, deceit, lies and distortion, and seek and admire salvation, enlightenment, sincerity and honesty.

The pure human essence of the two great nations of Iran and the United States testify to the veracity of these statements.

Noble Americans,

Our nation has always extended its hand of friendship to all other nations of the world.

Hundreds of thousands of my Iranian compatriots are living amongst you in friendship and peace, and are contributing positively to your society. Our people have been in contact with you over the past many years and have maintained these contacts despite the unnecessary restrictions of US authorities.

As mentioned, we have common concerns, face similar challenges, and are pained by the sufferings and afflictions in the world…

Read the entire letter.

(H/T)

Shiite lawmakers rebuke Bush-Malaki summit

30 lawmakers loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, are fulfilling their promise to rebuke the Iraqi government if Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met with President Bush today. However, the potential impact is somewhat unclear when reading media reports.

The Washington Post appears to be less optimistic than the Associated Press, but the WP’s reporting may be the one to bet on since they quote the leader of Sadr’s parliamentary bloc.

The Washington Post reports:

“We announce the suspension of our participation in government and parliament,” said Nasar al-Rubaie, the leader of Sadr’s parliamentary bloc. “We gave a promise last Friday that we will suspend our participation if the Prime Minister met with Bush and today [Wednesday] we are doing it as a Sadrist bloc.”

But Rubaie cautioned that their action did not mean the officials were pulling out of the government, which would all but guarantee the collapse of Iraq’s unity government.

“The suspension does not mean our withdrawal from the political process,” said Rubaie. He added the Sadr bloc would meet in coming days to discuss how long members would remain out of the government

The Associated Press reports:

Lawmakers and Cabinet ministers loyal to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said Wednesday they have carried out their threat to suspend participation in Parliament and the government to protest Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s summit with President Bush.

The 30 lawmakers and five Cabinet ministers said their action was necessary because the meeting in Jordan constituted a “provocation to the feelings of the Iraqi people and a violation of their constitutional rights.” Their statement did not explain that claim.

“We are sticking to our position. … The boycott is still valid,” Falih Hassan, a Sadrist legislator, said in an interview with The Associated Press. “Bush is a criminal who killed a lot of Iraqis and we do not want him to interfere in Iraq’s affairs. The Iraqi government should negotiate with the U.N. Security Council, not with the leader of the country that is occupying Iraq.”

Sadr officials stressed that the move did not represent a permanent boycott, Reuters reported. The move is unlikely to have any concrete effect, because decision-making in the cabinet and parliament has generally not depended on narrow votes and all the main parties in parliament have seats in the national unity government. (Emphasis added.)

The differences between the two reports are clear. The AP’s report is based on a Sadr legislator, whereas the WP quotes what appears to be a more senior official.

For now, I think it is best to consider them as equal statements. Nasar al-Rubaie may be blowing more smoke because of his position, whereas Falih Hassan statements may be more representative of what is said when the media is not present.

Can you imagine how it would be received by Americans if 30 Democrats or Republicans walked out of Congress? The members of the opposing party would be dancing in the streets. Actually, Democratic Texas legislators did walk out three years ago and the Republicans issued warrants for their arrests.

Frist is out

Bill Frist (R-TN) says he will not run for president in 2008.

Judge rules Presidential order unconstitutional

We, and the Constitution, just may survive George Bush’s implementation of authoritarianism and flouting the rule of law.

A Los Angeles federal judge has ruled that key portions of a presidential order blocking financial assistance to terrorist groups are unconstitutional, further complicating the Bush administration’s attempts to defend its aggressive anti-terrorism tactics in federal courts.

U.S. District Judge Audrey B. Collins, in a ruling released late Monday, found that two provisions of an executive order signed Sept. 23, 2001, are impermissibly vague because they allow the president to unilaterally designate organizations as terrorist groups and broadly prohibit association with such groups.

Judge Collins’ ruling has not stood the test of the Supreme Court, which will undoubtedly happen; however I think the following is significant. If it does make it past the appeals process.

In her ruling, Collins said the order is unconstitutional because there is “no apparent limit” on presidential authority to designate groups or individuals as terrorists. In addition, the judge ruled, language banning those “otherwise associated” with such groups is “unconstitutionally vague on its face.” (Emphasis added.)

Collins rebuked the countless claims by the Bush administration that “the Commander-in-Chief” has unlimited power, particularly when the country is at war. Her ruling, if it stands the test of time, may set the necessary precedent to put Habeas Corpus back in its proper place and further limit the Patriot Act.

Perfect for the GOP

An interesting book advertisement was displayed on TPC today. It’s the perfect Christmas giftfor Republicans. Busted By The Feds: A Manual for Defendants Facing Federal Prosecution.

The publisher says it is, “The clearest, most comprehensive roadmap to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines available anywhere.”

Don’t wait - get your’s now, because the supply may be limited.

Hastings and Harman are out

NBC News has learned incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has told Rep. Alcee Hastings, D- Fla., that he will not be the Chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence.

According to a Democratic congressional aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Pelosi told Hastings her decision and has not yet decided who will be given the position when the new Congress convenes in January.

So who is going to be? Some say Rush Holt of NJ may be a good choice. Wiki info is here.

Oversight Board weighs in on NSA surveillance program

I am going to be a bit anal on this one - bear with me. Note the emphasized areas in the quote.

Several members of a government board appointed to guard privacy and civil liberties during the war on terror say they’re impressed with the protections built into the Bush administration’s electronic eavesdropping program.

Two of the five board members told The Associated Press on Monday they were impressed by the safeguards the government has built into the NSA’s monitoring of phone calls and computer transmissions and wished the administration could tell the public more about them to ease distrust.

Well, now I can finally sleep at night.

First, for more than a year, President Bush would not allow the board to be briefed because he “was concerned - after several press leaks - about widening the circle of people who knew the exact details of the eavesdropping program.”

Second, you are misled by the word “several,” unless you read further down in the article, which most will not. The entire board consists of five members appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the President. Of the five, two said they were impressed.

several - Being of a number more than two or three but not many

many - Amounting to or consisting of a large indefinite number; A large indefinite number

How about a few?

The board may have been briefed, but they are not allowed to divulge anything about the program, so what purpose does it serve if they cannot act on what they see or hear. Someone is actually going to call 60 Minutes and say, “I don’t like what I saw, but I can’t tell you anything about it.” Cut me a break; how stupid are we supposed to be?

Furthermore, the appointees are going to be a stacked group since the President selects them. Do we really expect those appointed by and serving at the leisure of the President to speak out against him?

Hastings will not chair intelligence committee

3:06 pm WASHINGTON: CNN learns Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) will not be Chmn. of the House Intelligence Cmte.

I do not have a link for the above, it was on a CNN scroll bar and an article has not been published yet.

Josh Marshall on George Bush

Josh Marshall on George Bush “blaming everyone but himself for the disaster he’s created in Iraq but specifically laying the whole thing on al Qaida:”

I really never thought this country could be run for a significant period of time by a president who seems captive of dingbat conspiracy theories and the strategic complexity of a children’s bedtime story.