 |
Latest | Greatest | Lobby | Journals | Search | Options | Help | Login |
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread |
This topic is archived. |
| Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (01/01/06 through 01/22/2007) |
|
understandinglife
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Sun Jan-08-06 08:04 PM Original message |
| Dear Gov. Dean -- The Dearlove-Tenet Summit and Bush's crimes ... |
|
8 January 2006 (# 34) James Risen has now published his investigative study entitled “State of War,” as you likely know. Jonathan Schwarz of AfterDowningStreet.org has quickly delved into the portion of the book that deals with crucial aspects of the meeting detailed in the Downing Street minutes of 23 July, 2002: (http://www.downingstreetmemo.com/memos.html). What Risen reports is of considerable relevance to what we learned when Michael Smith reported on the 23 July, 2002 document in The Sunday Times on 1 May, 2005. David Swanson summarizes, as follows: • Dearlove was in part reporting on a CIA-MI6 summit he attended with other top MI6 officials at CIA headquarters on Saturday, July 20, 2002; • According to "a former senior CIA officer," the meeting was held "at the urgent request of the British"; CIA officials believe "Blair had ordered Dearlove to go to Washington to find out what the Bush administration was really thinking about Iraq"; • During the day-long summit, Dearlove met privately with CIA head George Tenet for an hour and a half. Link: http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/6558 But, beyond those facts, I think Risen makes several other crucial observations on pages 112 to 114. Firstly, Risen informs us that various CIA officials revealed that the quality of intelligence on Iraqi WMD didn’t matter. In other words, they had resigned themselves to Bush’s intention to wage war of aggression: As the invasion of Iraq drew closer, an attitude took hold among many senior CIA officials that war was inevitable — and so the quality of the intelligence on weapons of mass destruction didn't really matter. This attitude led CIA management to cut corners and accept shoddy intelligence, other CIA officials believe... This acceptance of weak intelligence among senior CIA officials appears to be the backstory to the famous so-called Downing Street Memo. Gov. Dean, in my letter to you of 10 December, 2005 (http://tinyurl.com/cot8a), I focused on Article 6 of the Charter of the Nuremberg International Military Tribunal and on US Prosecutor Sydney Alderman’s comments from Volume II of the Tribunal’s proceedings. The planning of war of aggression is illegal irrespective of whether one wages aggressive war. Risen’s informants reveal the inevitability of Bush’s war on Iraq and concede that actual evidence supportive of Bush and the neoconsters primary justification, Iraqi WMD, was already perceived, in the Summer of 2002 (if not before) as irrelevant. No one can argue that Bush waged aggressive war; increasingly it is obvious that he compounded that crime by planning to attack and occupy Iraq because that is what he and the neoconsters wanted to do. Risen virtually brings the “Nuremberg chalice” to Bush and the neoconsters’ lips with this assessment: During the Saturday summit, Tenet and Dearlove left the larger meeting and went off by themselves for about an hour and a half, according a former senior CIA official who attended the summit. It is unclear what Tenet and Dearlove discussed during their one-on-one session. Yet Dearlove's overall assessment was reflected in the Downing Street Memo: the CIA chief and other CIA officials didn't believe that the WMD intelligence mattered, because war was coming one way or another. Gov. Dean, I would hope that DNC graphics artists, media and other consultants are reading every word of Mr. Risen’s book and are preparing messages to our fellow Americans that indicate the need not only to sweep the corrupt Republicans from the Congress, dismantle the “K Street” crime syndicates, but, most importantly bring Bush and his neoconster minions to justice and retribution for their illegal, imperialistic terrorism of the people and sovereign nation of Iraq. If the answer to the question, “America, Or Not?” is “America” it is an answer not of saying the word, but doing the deeds of accountability and retribution for the vast criminality Bush has honchoed during the past 5 years. Thank you for your continued leadership, p.s. Perhaps you already plan to do so Gov. Dean, but it would be most helpful if you would urge all our fellow Americans to heed the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) request for support of Rep. Conyers by participating in the PDA National Call for Accountability Day on 9 January, 2006. Tens of thousands of PDA members and other concerned citizens will call Members of Congress, urging them to cosponsor three bills: H.Res.635 to create a select committee to investigate and to make recommendations on grounds for impeachment, H.Res.636 to censure Bush, and H.Res.637 to censure Cheney. p.p.s. You spoke truth to Blitzer, today, and the dude didn’t know what to do; fantastic, thank you! Peace. |
| Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top |
| understandinglife
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Sun Jan-08-06 08:17 PM Response to Original message |
| 1. Cumulative Letter Index: |
| Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top |
| Old and In the Way
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Sun Jan-08-06 08:19 PM Response to Original message |
| 2. Great Post. It is war crimes, plain and simple. nt |
| Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top |
| fooj
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Sun Jan-08-06 08:49 PM Response to Original message |
| 3. No man is above the law! |
|
Another fabulous post, UL! Thanks.
Peace. |
| Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top |
| understandinglife
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Sun Jan-08-06 09:15 PM Response to Original message |
| 4. CITIZENS' TRIBUNAL TO INDICT PRESIDENT ON ALLEGED WAR CRIMES AND ... |
|
CITIZENS' TRIBUNAL TO INDICT PRESIDENT ON ALLEGED WAR CRIMES AND OTHER VIOLATIONS Submitted by davidswanson on Fri, 2006-01-06 22:00. Activism | Criminal Prosecution When: 1:30 pm, January 10, 2006 Where: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC Website: www.bushcommission.org Contact: Larry Everest or Janet Yip: xxxx (numbers at http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/6489) or email: [email protected] A bill of indictment will be delivered to the White House in Washington, DC on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006 at 1:30PM charging the President of the United States and other named individuals in his administration with war crimes and crimes against humanity. A press conference will take place in Lafayette Park following delivery of the indictments to the White House. Present to answer questions will be Retired CIA Analyst Ray McGovern and others Commission participants. The indictments will also be delivered to the Department of Justice. Named in the indictment are; President of the United States George W. Bush, Vice President Richard Cheney, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, US Army Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, US Army Major General Geoffrey Miller, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, and others These indictments result from preparatory work and testimony presented at in New York City on October 21 and 22, 2005 at the opening session of The International Commission of Inquiry On Crimes Against Humanity Committed by the Bush Administration, alleging illegal acts carried out or approved by the above named individuals in relation to, or in the conduct of, the following; 1) Wars of Aggression, particular reference to Iraq and Afghanistan; 2) Torture and Indefinite Detention; 3) Destruction of the Global Environment, particular reference to systematic policies; contributing to the effects of global warming; 4) Attacks on Global Public Health and Reproductive Rights, particular reference to the genocidal effects of forcing international agencies to promote "abstinence only" in the midst of a global AIDS epidemic; and 5) Bush Administration's lethal response to Hurricane Katrina The concluding sessions of the International Commission of Inquiry will be at the Riverside Church and the Columbia University Law School in New York on January 20-22. The Commission was organized by the Not In Our Name Statement of Conscience and is endorsed by: Center for Constitutional Rights, National Lawyers Guild, After Downing Street.Org and many other prominent individuals and organizations, including Former Sen. James Abourezk, former British MP Tony Benn, authors Gore Vidal, Howard Zinn and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and actor Edward Asner. The above-named defendants are invited to appear or to send representatives to speak in their defense before a panel of distinguished jurors. This is the first opportunity in the USA for a complete public hearing of the charges and the evidence and testimony supporting them. Charter, full indictments, standards for judgment, and audio and video coverage of the first session: http://www.bushcommission.org Peace. |
| Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top |
| DemReadingDU
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Jan-09-06 07:39 AM Response to Original message |
| 5. K&R |
|
another great letter to Dean
|
| Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top |
| understandinglife
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Jan-09-06 12:56 PM Response to Original message |
| 6. Dear Gov. Dean -- “I would not have gone to war on such flimsy grounds” |
|
9 January 2006 (# 35) This letter is intentionally brief because of the nature of the comments, the person making them, and the historical context. General Sir Michael Rose KCB CBE DSO QGM and author of “Fighting for Peace” has the following background: … commissioned into the Coldstream Guards in 1964 and was selected for the Special Air Service Regiment. Following service with the SAS in Malaya and Oman, he commanded the 22nd SAS Regiment (1979-82) during which time it was involved in the London Iranian Embassy siege and the Falklands War. From January 1994 to January 1995 he assumed command of the UN Protection Force in Bosnia after which he became Adjutant General and a member of the Army Board. Now retired from the Service, he writes and lectures on peace-keeping and leadership. Link: http://www.pharmaventures.com/pr_171103.html The UK Mail on Sunday quotes Gen Rose’s assessment of war on Iraq and what should be done to Prime Minister Blair and others: "I think the politicians should be held to account ... my view is that Blair should be impeached. That would prevent the politicians treating quite so carelessly the subject of taking a country into war." A high-profile resignation of a senior armed forces officer before the start of the March 2003 conflict may also have made the British Government think twice before sending troops to the Gulf, he added. "I would not have gone to war on such flimsy grounds," he said. Link: http://tinyurl.com/9e7f6 Martin Bell who made the movie “Iraq: The Failure of War” commented on Gen. Rose’s perceptions: "Ordering the armed forces to war is the most serious decision any government takes. On Iraq it was taken with a degree of nonchalance bordering on negligence," said Bell, who is a former independent Member of Parliament. Rose's opinion revives a call made in November 2004 when 23 MPs filed a motion to impeach Blair on charges of "gross misconduct" over the US-led invasion. … it was the first such bid to impeach a prime minister in 198 years. Link: http://tinyurl.com/9e7f6 Apart from the fact that war of aggression is illegal. Apart from the fact that even planning a war of aggression is illegal. The act of risking the lives of citizens whom one has sworn to protect, by thrusting them into an unjustifiable war, is the most heinous act a Prime Minister or President can commit – Bush and Blair did just that. It is inconceivable that any candidate receiving support from the DNC would not be expected to demand that Bush and Cheney be impeached and commit to making that happen if they are elected to Congress. We must restore the rule of law in America. Thank you for your continued leadership, |
| Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top |
| understandinglife
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Mon Jan-09-06 01:00 PM Response to Reply #6 |
| 7. Updated cumulative letter index: |
| Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top |
| understandinglife
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
|
Tue Jan-10-06 12:13 PM Response to Reply #6 |
| 8. Enough of His Excuses: Blair Must Be Impeached over Iraq |
|
Enough of His Excuses: Blair Must Be Impeached over Iraq By Michael Rose The Guardian UK Tuesday 10 January 2006 The only way parliament can regain the trust of disaffected voters is to admit that it was wrong to support the war. Wars are won when the people, government and army work together for a common cause in which they genuinely believe. Whereas the people may be initially uncertain about military intervention, politicians will often be the strongest advocates - blinded by the imperatives of their political views. It will invariably be military commanders who are most cautious about using force - for they understand better than most the consequences of engaging in war. Although in a true democracy they must remain subordinate to their political masters, they have a clear responsibility to point out when political strategies are flawed or inadequately resourced. Since they might also have to ask their soldiers to sacrifice their lives, they must be assured that a war is just, legal and the last resort available. Yet three years ago this country was somehow led by the prime minister into war in Iraq where few, if any, of these requirements were met. Most importantly a clear justification for the war in Iraq was never sufficiently made by Tony Blair - for the intelligence he presented was always embarrassingly patchy and inconsistent. What is more, his unequivocal statement to the House of Commons that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction that could be used within 45 minutes was made without being properly validated - for it was decided in Washington and London to launch the invasion of Iraq early, on the basis of the flimsy evidence available. This was done without asking the UN weapons inspectors, who were actually on the ground in Iraq, to investigate this allegation. Ultimately, as the inspectors suspected and as we now all know, it turned out that there were no such weapons. Britain had been led into war on false pretences. It was a war that was to unleash untold suffering on the Iraqi people and cause grave damage to the west's prospects in the wider war against global terror. Much more at the link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1682807,00.html In other words, it is a war for the purpose of generating perpetual war ... Peace. |
| Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top |
DU
AdBot (1000+ posts)     |
Tue Apr 23rd 2024, 12:43 PM Response to Original message |
| Advertisements [?] |
 |
| Top |
| Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (01/01/06 through 01/22/2007) |
|
Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators
Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.
Home | Discussion Forums | Journals | Store | Donate
About DU | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.
© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC
