Iran Bamboozler Invited to White House as "Expert"

[kpete]

Iran Bamboozler Invited to White House as "Expert"
By Paul Kiel - May 31, 2006

Two weeks ago, Amir Taheri published an op-ed in Canada's National Post about an Iranian law that forced Jews to wear a yellow stripe. The story, reminiscent of Nazi Germany, quickly provoked outrage, but was just as quickly revealed to be a total fabrication. It also ran in the New York Post.

Apparently this is just the sort of reliable advice that President Bush needs. Yesterday, Taheri had a face-to-face with the President as one of a small group of "experts" on Iraq that visited the White House.

According to Press Secretary Tony Snow, the experts were invited to the White House for their "honest opinions" on Iraq.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/000785.php

[kittenpants]

1. This is not good. n/t

[Fridays Child]

2. Taheri has some propaganda and a catapult. He's just George's type.

Reality-based community, beware.

[bdamomma]

3. this man Amir Taheri

was on Washington Journal this morning, apparently he said 3 provinces of Iraq, are violent, well, the people who were calling were eating it up, saying it is good that he is telling the American people because our own media will not tell us the "good news", hmmm.....he saw Bush before this interview.

I just e-mailed C Span and wrote of my disappointment for them to have this man on to catapult the propaganda and saying things are fine in Iraq.

[suffragette]

4. Looks like Blair is having similar meetings as well

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/db39ec0c-f02f-11da-b80e-0000779e2340.html

In London, a UK spokeswoman confirmed that Mr Blair had met Iranian opposition activists for a “background briefing”.

She declined to say who had given the briefing, which she said was not a policy discussion.


Looks like they're trying to find something that will "sell" better than Taheri's debunked story (which the FT article notes he is still "standing by."

I think I hear a drum beating for war and it does not bode well.

[Fridays Child]

6. Curveball, Chalabi, Taheri--they're all crass, heartless opportunists...

...who have had little trouble finding a receptive audience among the warmongering oil barons running this country.

[suffragette]

7. Yep, different people, same song.

And Bush and Blair seem to be requesting their favorite "tunes."
Interesting that they are both doing this so soon after their meeting and press conference act.

[rucky]

5. I wonder if Judith Miller has him on speedial. n/t

[suffragette]

8. Timing interesting in light of Bush/Blair meeting and Condi making the

media rounds spewing about Iran.

Kicking this for more attention to these connections.

[leftofthedial]

9. here we go again