'Bush Lied'? If Only It Were That Simple.

The Washington Post ^ | Monday, June 9, 2008 | Fred Hiatt

[edpc]

Search the Internet for "Bush Lied" products, and you will find sites that offer more than a thousand designs. The basic "Bush Lied, People Died" bumper sticker is only the beginning.

Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence, set out to provide the official foundation for what has become not only a thriving business but, more important, an article of faith among millions of Americans. And in releasing a committee report Thursday, he claimed to have accomplished his mission, though he did not use the L-word.

"In making the case for war, the administration repeatedly presented intelligence as fact when it was unsubstantiated, contradicted or even nonexistent," he said.

There's no question that the administration, and particularly Vice President Cheney, spoke with too much certainty at times and failed to anticipate or prepare the American people for the enormous undertaking in Iraq.

But dive into Rockefeller's report, in search of where exactly President Bush lied about what his intelligence agencies were telling him about the threat posed by Saddam Hussein, and you may be surprised by what you find.

[edpc]

"There has been some debate over how 'imminent' a threat Iraq poses. I do believe Iraq poses an imminent threat. I also believe after September 11, that question is increasingly outdated. . . . To insist on further evidence could put some of our fellow Americans at risk. Can we afford to take that chance? I do not think we can." - Senator John D. Rockefeller, October 2002

The WaPo editorial staff allows the facts to get in the way of a "good story."

[Darkwolf377]

I’m not sure about them allowing facts to get in the way of a good story—I found this a shockingly fair piece for the WaPo.

[Hi Heels]

Regardless of your political standing, the disrespect that this president has suffered has been monsterous. I won’t argue his decisions, I won’t support some of his decisions, but even with Clinton the Intern Stuffer, I never saw this kind of hateful disrespect. It’s old, it’s stupid, it’s destructive to our country’s reputation, and I’m frankly sick to death of the “it’s Bush’s fault” from global warming to 9/11 where I’ve seen pictures of him actually setting the explosive to take down the trade towers. My only wish is if a dim gets into the White House he/she/it is treated exactly the same.

[edpc]

That’s kind of my point. The “good story” comment was a bit of sarcasm, as the “Bush Lied” mantra has been the MSM theme on Iraq for years.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence"

What, no Patty Murray in charge here ? I mean these are the giants of the Senate, intellectually-speaking. Put these two together and you almost get a double-digit IQ...almost.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Of course, the heaping on Bush has been appalling. And no, a rodent would NEVER get this kind of treatment. Not even short-bus riding scum like Carter, who truly deserves eternal scorn.

[Darkwolf377]

I just didn’t understand the way you phrased it is all.

[Hi Heels]

No lie. Totally the main candidate for the worst president ever contest.

[muir_redwoods]

If Bush were dishonest, the weapons of mass destruction would have been “found” years ago. It would have been child’s play for the Israelis to have planted them in Iraq for our soldiers to “find”

[fieldmarshaldj]

...and he also wins hands-down for worst EX-President. He thinks he has the right to interfere with foreign policy. He pulled this crap with Clinton (who should’ve revoked his passport), and has continued to do so today. Not even Bubba has been that single-mindedly arrogant. The worst the latter is doing these days is grousing he can’t get it up since he had that coronary surgery.

[edpc]

Just a play on the old criticism of the newsies: Never the facts get in the way of a good story, paraphrased and sometimes attributed to either J. Frank Dobie or Delbert Trew.

[Tabi Katz]

The Rockefeller report will not cause a spike in "Bush Lied" mug sales, and the Bond dissent will not lead anyone to scrape the "Bush Lied" bumper sticker off his or her car.

Maybe Master Whore McClellan offered Senator Rockhead a kickback from book sales in exchange for this non-report.

But the phony "Bush lied" story line distracts from the biggest prewar failure: the fact that so much of the intelligence upon which Bush and Rockefeller and everyone else relied turned out to be tragically, catastrophically wrong.

Uh...weren't our allies given the exact same information? Perhaps when we fell to our knees before the UN and stayed there for months begging for their support, we gave Sodomy Hussein all the time he needed to dispose of the WMDs or ship them to his good friends in Syria? Not an original theory; I've heard it suggested many times. And it makes good sense (a foreign concept to the likes of Senator Rockhead). To my knowledge, though, it's never been investigated. Guess we're too busy investigating the possible "mistreatment" of terrorist prisoners who are hell-bent on destroying this country.

[blueyon]

Sorry the Republicans are too weak (lack back bone) to push (whine) like the democrats when they are against something and the news media would never cover it even if they found their back bone. I feel sorry for Pres. Bush because the dem’s have tasted blood and there is no stopping them. Bush is doomed.
It is just like when Satan said to Eve, “surely God DIDN’T say don’t eat of the fruit...” there is just enough of a twist that most of the nation is to gullible to realize they are fed a lot of crap. The Democrats are the most hateful people I have ever seen in my life and this big division we now have in our country is directly because of them.
Well I feel sorry for anyone that gets in my way this week, I must be in a mood ... LOL

[DB]

In my opinion the “Bush lied and people died” crowd are despicable. Are fundamentally dishonest and of low character. I want nothing to do with them.

[Hi Heels]

Isn't that just amazing? Since when do ex-presidents have the authority to negotiate with terrorists? Billy Boy does the same thing! I was astounded when Hitlery Clintoon went to Iraq. Why? Is NY so safe and great that she has TIME to go to Iraq and deal with THAT on taxpayer dollar? And then Sean Penn. No education to speak of, yet a SF newspaper pays him as a “journalist” the great Spicolli, so he goes to Iraq, too. And he sees checkpoints and guns and omg.... Whaddya expect ya moron? Girl Scouts making dreamcatchers? Hello? It's a war zone, not a fashion show. Go smoke weed and screw rock stars. Do something yer good at.

[Hi Heels]

Isn't that just amazing? Since when do ex-presidents have the authority to negotiate with terrorists? Billy Boy does the same thing! I was astounded when Hitlery Clintoon went to Iraq. Why? Is NY so safe and great that she has TIME to go to Iraq and deal with THAT on taxpayer dollar? And then Sean Penn. No education to speak of, yet a SF newspaper pays him as a “journalist” the great Spicolli, so he goes to Iraq, too. And he sees checkpoints and guns and omg.... Whaddya expect ya moron? Girl Scouts making dreamcatchers? Hello? It's a war zone, not a fashion show. Go smoke weed and screw rock stars. Do something yer good at.

[Jabba the Nutt]

I think the WaPo may actually be concerned about Obama’s total lack of reality in dealing with national security and foreign policy.

[ETL]

Pre-war quotes from "lying" House and Senate democrats...

"In 1998, the United States also changed its underlying policy toward Iraq from containment to regime change and began to examine options to effect such a change, including support for Iraqi opposition leaders within the country and abroad.

In the 4 years since the inspectors, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al-Qaida members, though there is apparently no evidence of his involvement in the terrible events of September 11, 2001."

"It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein wiill continue to increase his capability to wage biological and chemical warfare and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East which, as we know all too well, affects American security."
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002
Congressional Record – Sen. Hillary Clinton
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2002_record&page=S10288&position=all

John Kerry: “I agree completely with this Administration’s goal of a regime change in Iraq – Saddam Hussein is a renegade and outlaw who turned his back on the tough conditions of his surrender put in place by the United Nations in 1991.” (July 2002)

John Kerry: “I believe the record of Saddam Hussein’s ruthless, reckless breach of international values and standards of behavior is cause enough for the world community to hold him accountable by use of force if necessary.”

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction." -
Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002
U.S. Senate - Ted Kennedy

"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country." -
Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
Transcript of Gore’s speech, printed in USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002-09-23-gore-text_x.htm

"When I vote to give the President of the United States the authority to use force, if necessary, to disarm Saddam Hussein, it is because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a threat, and a grave threat, to our security and that of our allies in the Persian Gulf region. I will vote yes because I believe it is the best way to hold Saddam Hussein accountable." -
Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9,2002
Congressional Record – Sen. John F. Kerry
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2002_record&page=S10174&position=all

John Kerry on the floor of the Senate
October 2002:

"With respect to Saddam Hussein and the threat he presents, we must ask ourselves a simple question:

Why?

Why is Saddam Hussein pursuing weapons that most nations have agreed to limit or give up?

Why is Saddam Hussein guilty of breaking his own cease-fire agreement with the international community?

Why is Saddam Hussein attempting to develop nuclear weapons when most nations don't even try, and responsible nations that have them attempt to limit their potential for disaster?

Why did Saddam Hussein threaten and provoke?

Why does he develop missiles that exceed allowable limits?

Why did Saddam Hussein lie and deceive the inspection teams previously?

Why did Saddam Hussein not account for all of the weapons of mass destruction which UNSCOM identified?

Why is he seeking to develop unmanned airborne vehicles for delivery of biological agents?

Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), October 9, 2002
Congressional Record – Sen. John F. Kerry
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2002_record&page=S10171&position=all

“The Joint Chiefs should provide Congress with casualty estimates for a war in Iraq as they have done in advance of every past conflict. These estimates should consider Saddam's possible use of chemical or biological weapons against our troops.

Unlike the gulf war, many experts believe Saddam would resort to chemical and biological weapons against our troops in a desperate -attempt to save his regime if he believes he and his regime are ultimately threatened.”
Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) Oct. 8, 2002
Congressional Record - Sen. Ted Kennedy
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?position=all&page=S10090&dbname=2002_record

John Kerry: “I agree completely with this Administration’s goal of a regime change in Iraq – Saddam Hussein is a renegade and outlaw who turned his back on the tough conditions of his surrender put in place by the United Nations in 1991.” (July 2002)

John Kerry: “I believe the record of Saddam Hussein’s ruthless, reckless breach of international values and standards of behavior is cause enough for the world community to hold him accountable by use of force if necessary.”

John Kerry: “I would disagree with John McCain that it's the actual weapons of mass destruction he may use against us, it's what he may do in another invasion of Kuwait or in a miscalculation about the Kurds or a miscalculation about Iran or particularly Israel. Those are the things that--that I think present the greatest danger. He may even miscalculate and slide these weapons off to terrorist groups to invite them to be a surrogate to use them against the United States. It's the miscalculation that poses the greatest threat." (October 2002)

John Kerry: “If You Don’t Believe . . . Saddam Hussein is a threat with nuclear weapons, then you shouldn’t vote for me.” (January 2003)

John Kerry: Saddam Hussein is a brutal dictator who must be disarmed. (March 2003)

"Saddam Hussein's regime represents a grave threat to America and our allies, including our vital ally, Israel. For more than two decades, Saddam Hussein has sought weapons of mass destruction through every available means. We know that he has chemical and biological weapons. He has already used them against his neighbors and his own people, and is trying to build more. We know that he is doing everything he can to build nuclear weapons, and we know that each day he gets closer to achieving that goal."..."Iraq has continued to seek nuclear weapons and develop its arsenal in defiance of the collective will of the international community, as expressed through the United Nations Security Council. It is violating the terms of the 1991 cease-fire that ended the Gulf war and as many as 16 Security Council resolutions, including 11 resolutions concerning Iraq’s efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction." –
Sen. John Edwards, October 10, 2002
Congressional Record – Sen. John Edwards
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2002_record&page=S10325&position=all

"There is no doubt that . Saddam Hussein has invigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies." –
Letter to President Bush, Signed by Sen Bob Graham (D, FL,) and others, December 5, 2001
http://usinfo.org/wf-archive/2001/011207/epf510.htm

"We should be hell bent on getting those weapons of mass destruction, hell bent on having a credible approach to them, but we should try to do it in a way which keeps the world together and that achieves our goal which is removing the... defanging Saddam.." -
Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Dec. 9, 2002
Online with Jim Lehrer – Public Broadcasting Service
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/july-dec02/iraq_12-10.html

"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country." -
Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
Transcript of Gore’s speech, printed in USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002-09-23-gore-text_x.htm

"Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." -
Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
Transcript of Gore’s speech, printed in USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002-09-23-gore-text_x.htm

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction." -
Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002
U.S. Senate - Ted Kennedy

"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons..." -
Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002
Congressional Record – Robert Byrd
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2002_record&page=S9874&position=all

"When I vote to give the President of the United States the authority to use force, if necessary, to disarm Saddam Hussein, it is because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a threat, and a grave threat, to our security and that of our allies in the Persian Gulf region. I will vote yes because I believe it is the best way to hold Saddam Hussein accountable." -
Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9,2002
Congressional Record – Sen. John F. Kerry
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2002_record&page=S10174&position=all

"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years .. We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction."-
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002
Congressional Record –Sen. Jay Rockefeller

"He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do" –
Rep. Henry Waxman (D, CA), Oct. 10, 2002
Congressional Record – Rep. Henry Waxman

MY SOURCE FOR ALL OF THESE QUOTES:
http://www.americandaily.com/article/4694

[ETL]

Party of Defeat: How Democrats and Radicals Undermined America's War on Terror Before and After 9-11
By David Horowitz and Ben Johnson
FrontPageMagazine.com | Friday, April 11, 2008

The following [link] is the introduction from the new book Party of Defeat by David Horowitz and Ben Johnson. The introduction lays out the book's thesis: that the opposition to the war in Iraq has crossed a troubling boundary. For the first time, a large number of national leaders have not merely opposed a war; that would be their inalienable right under the U.S. Constitution. Instead, they have actively sabotaged an ongoing war they voted to authorize and which our troops are currently winning. Party of Defeat is available from the FrontPage Magazine Bookstore for $15, less than Amazon.com. -- The Editors.

http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=28679004-6C63-4119-97F6-96A2C5F64E84

___________________________________________________________

"David Horowitz talked about his book Party of Defeat: How Democrats and Radicals Undermined America's War on Terror Before and After 9-11, published by Spence. In his book he criticizes members of the Democratic Party that, he says, are undermining the U.S.'s efforts in Iraq. This event was held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C."

Watch now on c-span video! (FREE)

Party of Defeat: How Democrats and Radicals Undermined America's War on Terror Before and After 9-11 (on streaming video - length: apprx 90min)
http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=205154-1&highlight

[Skooz]

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