Richard Clarke EVIDENCE urls at CFAP

[skeptic9]

While far-right pundits are bashing Richard Clarke and Clarke himself is testifying Wednesday 3/24 at the 911 Commission, the following links may come in very handy:

This morning's Paul Krugman column in the NY times (at http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/23/opinion/23KRUG.html?ex=1081029877&ei=1&en=7402f8a2197b54fd ) summarizes evidence in favor of Richard Clarke's attack on Bush's counterterrorism record:

"Of course, Bush officials have to attack Mr. Clarke's character because there is plenty of independent evidence confirming the thrust of his charges.

Did the Bush administration ignore terrorism warnings before 9/11? Justice Department documents obtained by the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, show that it did. Not only did John Ashcroft completely drop terrorism as a priority--it wasn't even mentioned in his list of seven "strategic goals"--just one day before 9/11 he proposed a reduction in counterterrorism funds.

Did the administration neglect counterterrorism even after 9/11? After 9/11 the F.B.I. requested $1.5 billion for counterterrorism operations, but the White House slashed this by two-thirds. (Meanwhile, the Bush campaign has been attacking John Kerry because he once voted for a small cut in intelligence funds.)"

CFAP (the Center for American Progress) posted much of this evidence online just yesterday, at http://www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c=biJRJ8OVF&b=39039

Most damning is the last link on the page, dealing with POST-911 dereliction of duty by Dubya's maladministration. Here is the description:

"Counter-Terror Request: Internal document showing that FBI requested $1.499 billion for counterterrorism for the post-September 11 emergency supplemental but received just $530 million from the White House, despite serious counterterrorism needs."

Supportive of the headline version of Clarke's argument (US Lagged on Terror Fight--Clarke") is side-by-side posting of Janet Reno's TOP priority in April 2000--counterterrorism--versus John Ashcroft's May 2001 list of seven "Strategic Goals and Objectives". Ashcroft did not even mention terrorism.

[klook]

1. Good info!!

Thanks for posting this. I'll use your post as a reference. :thumbsup:

"The Bush Administration actually reversed the Clinton Administration's strong emphasis on counterterrorism and counterintelligence. Attorney General John Ashcroft not only moved aggressively to reduce DoJ's anti-terrorist budget but also shift DoJ's mission in spirit to emphasize its role as a domestic police force and anti-drug force."

And that's what they're bragging about?? Sheesh.

[scottxyz]

2. This CFAP stuff really is the smoking gun

n/t

[skeptic9]

3. CSPAN2: Tom Daschle used the CFAP material to attack Ashcroft on the floor ...

... of the Senate. CSPAN2 is rebroadcasting it right now (Wednesday 3/24 10:50), right after their rebroadcast of Sandy Berger's 9-11 testimony. It's great that Daschle is getting Krugman's argument into the Congressional Record and getting the CFAP material into the hands of the 9-11 Commission.