Secrets, Lies and No Videotape July 12, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Links, Photography, Politics, wildlife, Zoos.Tags: CIA, Dick Cheney, George W Bush, Jonathan Turley, Keith Olbermann, Leon Panetta, Nancy Pelosi, Sarah 'I Quit' Palin
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This alarming news story will not have any of the Sarah ‘I Quit’ Palin 24/7 coverage – but it should. Why won’t it get coverage? It does not involve sex or Appalachian Trail references and it is somewhat old news. The public will not read about it and chances are that if it ever gets on TV – people will switch channels. Unlike the Michael Jackson coverage where if you did not want to watch the same news items or file clips about him you really could not switch channels because every channel covered it.
This story involves Dick Cheney, George W Bush, secrets, the CIA (redundant term – see ‘secrets’), oversight, counter-terrorism programs and lies.
So it turns out that the CIA withheld information about a secret counter-terrorism program from Congress for eight years on direct orders from former Vice President Dick Cheney. This not so shocking headline stems from last week’s admission by CIA chief Leon Panetta that he had ended the program on June 23rd when he first learned of it. So what was this very mysterious program? That is still a secret and the ubiquitous Mr. Cheney has suddenly fallen silent. Read the entire article from the front page of the New York Times here.
The much maligned Nancy Pelosi has been crying foul for awhile as the rabid right tries to set her on fire. The law requires the president to make sure the intelligence committees “are kept fully and currently informed of the intelligence activities of the United States, including any significant anticipated intelligence activity.” But the language of the statute, the amended National Security Act of 1947, leaves some leeway for judgment, saying such briefings should be done “to the extent consistent with due regard for the protection from unauthorized disclosure of classified information relating to sensitive intelligence sources and methods or other exceptionally sensitive matters.”
After 9/11, in efforts to cover their asses the Bushies closed ranks and while a cowering, frightened nation looked for leadership, they took advantage and created secret, apparently useless programs and systematically raped our Constitution.
Will anyone be punished with this latest revelation? I will eat my hat if that happens. As I watch the Obama Administration morph into a middle of the road, let’s just wait awhile, make no waves bunch of wimps, my hopes for change grow dimmer with each passing day.
– The above story is bad enough but this week we also had the revelation that President Bush was the one behind the hospital bed fiasco involving John Ashcroft, Alberto Gonzales and our Constitution. Watch Keith Olbermann discuss this with Jonathan Turley. Fascinating stuff.
The Democrats like to disclose crimes but not prosecute them. Shame, shame, shame.
Tongue Lashings for them all.
Sunday Sound Off May 31, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos.Tags: 9/11 trauma defense, Al Franken, baby anteater, Dick Cheney, Frank Rich, Norm Coleman, Richard A. Clarke, Sen. Carl Levin, Sonia Sotomayor, Susan Boyle, Tokyo Zoo
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Raise your hand if you have had about enough of the 24/7 Dick Cheney media blitz? This man needs a muzzle (and so does his head bobbing daughter). Along with his non-stop fear mongering he is now adding the 9/11 trauma defense. An article in today’s Washington Post by Richard A. Clarke addresses this issue well. “Unless you were there, in a position of responsibility after September 11, you cannot possibly imagine the dilemmas that you faced in trying to protect Americans,” Condoleezza Rice said last month as she admonished a Stanford University student who questioned the Bush-era interrogation program. And in his May 21 speech on national security, Dick Cheney called the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, a “defining” experience that “caused everyone to take a serious second look” at the threats to America. Critics of the administration have become more intense as memories of the attacks have faded, he argued. “Part of our responsibility, as we saw it,” Cheney said, “was not to forget the terrible harm that had been done to America.” Clarke asserts that the decisions the White House bullies made were not appropriate. He finger points that the thugs were surprised by the attacks because they had not listened to all of the warnings. Guess who else is reappearing magically like that rabbit out of a hat? None other than the Decider himself. Gasp.
– Frank Rich echos this Cheney theme today in his Who Is to Blame for the Next Attack? “The Republicans at least have an excuse for pushing this poison. They are desperate. The trio of Pillsbury doughboys now leading the party — Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich, Cheney — have variously cemented the G.O.P.’s brand as a whites-only men’s club by revoking Colin Powell’s membership and smearing the first Latina Supreme Court nominee as a “reverse racist.” Republicans in Congress have no plausible economic, health care or energy policies to counter Obama’s. The only card left to play is 9/11.” “The harrowing truth remains unchanged from what it was before Cheney emerged from his bunker to set Washington atwitter. The Bush administration did not make us safer either before or after 9/11. Obama is not making us less safe. If there’s another terrorist attack, it will be because the mess the Bush administration ignored in Pakistan and Afghanistan spun beyond anyone’s control well before Americans could throw the bums out.” Good Sunday reading.
– It is nice to know that in 2009, when Dick Cheney speaks, there are people who will step forward to call him out on his lies. Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has issued a stinging rebuke to former Vice President Dick Cheney — saying that undisclosed memos do not support his claim that torture works and save lives. Speaking at the Foreign Policy Association’s annual dinner this week, Levin said that his investigation “gives the lie to Mr. Cheney’s claims.” He noted that the two CIA documents “say nothing about numbers of lives saved, nor do the documents connect acquisition of valuable intelligence to the use of abusive techniques.”
Here’s Rachel on this issue:
– The nuttiness surrounding the nominee, Sonia Sotomayor boggles the brain. The NY Times editorial addresses the wacky Repugnant talking points and tries to steer the debate in another direction.
– Rachel picks apart all of the attacks on Sonia Sotomayor:
– File this under the 15 minutes are up category: Susan Boyle came in second last night. I never quite understood all of the hoopla surrounding this lady. Why is it surprising that a fine voice would come out of her body? It says a lot more about the human race then it does about Susan Boyle. Hats off to you, Susan. Here it is for you, one more time:
– Speaking of things coming to an end – Tomorrow’s oral arguments before the Minnesota Supreme Court may finally bring an end to the state’s protracted Norm Coleman, Al Franken Senate race, and both sides are proclaiming readiness.
– A Tokyo Zoo has unveiled its latest arrival – a baby anteater who’s a little bit wobbly on its feet. A collective awwwwwwwww can be heard across the land.
Dueling Banjos May 22, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Photography, Politics, Videos.Tags: Dick Cheney, ducks, Indefinite Detention, Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow
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Yesterday was a media frenzy. The hype about Obama v Cheney was everywhere. The talking heads were frothing at the mouth. Two visions of our current world. Of course one of the visions is our Presidents world view and the other vision is the diabolical one that started all of the problems that we are now in and belongs in a straight jacket or locked up in one of those maximum security prisons. I certainly do not agree with everything Obama is doing but I do trust him. I believe he understands the sanctity of our Constitution (except for that unsettling part about ‘indefinite detention’) and is doing his best to attempt to unravel the mess that he found when he moved into the Oval Office. The other guy needs to be stifled and perhaps thrown inside his man-sized safe. The combination to this safe should be lost. The New York Times addresses this issue on its editorial page today. “For seven years, President George W. Bush tried to frighten the American public — and successfully cowed Congress — with bullying and disinformation. On Thursday, President Obama told the truth. It was a moment of political courage that will make this country safer. Mr. Obama was exactly right when he said Americans do not have to choose between security and their democratic values. By denying those values, the Bush team fed the furies of anti-Americanism, strengthened our enemies and made the nation more vulnerable”.
– For those of you that like your news in snippets, here are the dueling speeches in 100 seconds:
– Here is Rachel’s take on the most troubling issue of Obama’s speech (Indefinite detention?) Are the thought police coming to get you too?
– Here is the entire Obama 50 minute speech. The President speaks at length on how American values and security are intertwined, touching on issues from closing Guantanamo to State Secrets.
– Here is Keith Olbermann’s rapid special commentary about Dick Cheney:
– And here is that requisite feel good conclusion:
I am mad as hell.. May 20, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Links, Photography, Politics, Videos, wildlife, Zoos.Tags: Dick Cheney, Jack Cafferty, Karen Hughes, Maureen Dowd, Rumsfeld, Santa Ana Zoo, Senator Ted Kennedy
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So what the heck is going on with all of the Obama reversals? I am increasingly getting disheartened, frustrated and irate over the backwards slides in policy and reversals of campaign promises. Maureen Dowd nails it on the head with her biting wit in a pretend (I think) conversation between Cheney and Rumsfeld called Cheney Grabs a Third Term in today’s NY Times. “You’re running national security now and everyone knows it,” Rummy says. “You got Obama to do an about-face on the torture photos. He’s using our old line about how it would endanger the troops. He’s keeping our military tribunals. His Justice Department invoked our state secrets privilege to try to get that lawsuit on torture and rendition dismissed. He’s trying to stop any sort of truth commission, thank goodness. He’s got his own surge going in Afghanistan. He’s withdrawing from Iraq more slowly. He’s extended our secret incursions over the Afghan border into Pakistan.” Dick smiles on one side of his face “Transparency bites,” he snarls.
– Anyone check the Broken Promises on the Obameter lately?
– Raging Jack Cafferty says we should Prosecute sins of Bush-Cheney era too. ‘The Bush presidency is thankfully over…but the damage he and Dick Cheney did continues to press on the nerve of the American people like an impacted wisdom tooth. And until the questions surrounding arguably the most arrogant and perhaps most corrupt administration in our history are addressed, the pain won’t go away.’
– Here comes another one crawling out from under a rock. Karen Hughes can join the line-up of creeps that are only now speaking out:
– In a bit of good news: Senator Ted Kennedy will be returning to the work after the Memorial Day recess. His glioma is in remission, and reports indicate that his first order of business will be the Health Care legislation mark-up.
– I like to end up on a positive note – so enjoy these photos I took at the Santa Ana Zoo.
Dick, Elephants and this just in.. May 13, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Photography, Politics, Videos, wildlife, Zoos.Tags: Dick Cheney, Discovery Kingdom, Elephants, Jon Stewart, Rachel Maddow, Stephen Colbert
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If Dick Cheney wants so very much to be in the spotlight how about we bring him up on those overdue war criminal charges? If he needs attention, this would be a fine way for us to reveal it. Those that say he is a believer and really thinks his way in the only way, I say, as he did – so? He broke the law and needs to be punished. Oh oh – this just in – President Barack Obama is seeking to block the immediate release of hundreds of photos showing U.S. personnel allegedly abusing prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan. Is this right out of the Bush/Cheney playbook? An Obama administration official said Wednesday that the president told his legal advisers last week that releasing the photos would endanger U.S. troops.
– If you missed some of the highlights of Cheney’s Confession Tour:
– Jon Stewart reviews former Dick Cheney’s continuing criticism of President Obama in a new segment titled “Excuse Me, Your Dick is Out.”
– In case you missed this in the above:
– And Rachel chimes in as well with guest Lawrence Wilkerson:
– Stephen Colbert offered his plan for rebranding the Republican Party his show Tuesday. “The G.O.P. needs to make painful soul-searching superficial changes to their image without altering anything inside,” explained Colbert.
– Here’s what went on yesterday:
– And then there is this gem – hold your collective noses:
– We watched as this glorious elephant took a playful bath at Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, CA. I call this montage ‘Water for Elephants.’
The Ubiquitous Dick April 23, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Links, Politics, Videos.Tags: Ali Soufan, Condoleeza Rice, Dick Cheney, Jane Harmon, Jon Stewart, Jonathan Turley, Rachel Maddow, Robert Mueller, Ron Suskind
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Raise your hand if your preferred Dick Cheney in an undisclosed location. In the eight long years that the evil Dick ruled over the land – secrecy was the word of the day. There was no meeting, no ruling, no decision that the Dick felt needed to be shared with the public. After all – he knew what was right and needed no nodding public to throw in their approval of his deeds. Now, the ubiquitous Dick is all over the airwaves. Fox might as well give him his own show. He is even now requesting that the information gotten through his torturous methods be released to the public. The New York Times today in an editorial on the subject suggests that Cheney’s motive lies in the old saying that the ends always justify such barbaric means.
I have been beating the drum on the torture issue for a very long time. Apparently President Obama’s decision to ‘move forward’ is not sitting well with lots of other people. Eric Holder has lots to do as does Congress and the more information that comes out before a special prosecutor is appointed the better.
Condoleeza Rice is not coming out smelling like a rose on this matter either. ‘Rice’s role was detailed in a narrative released Wednesday by the Senate Intelligence Committee. It provides the most detailed timeline yet for how the CIA’s harsh interrogation program was conceived and approved at the highest levels in the Bush White House. The new timeline shows that Rice played a greater role than she admitted last fall in written testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee.’
F.B.I. director, Robert Mueller is coming out smelling like a rose in this entire saga. The CIA, the Dick and all of his cronies, passed over the FBI in the interrogation business and allowed the CIA to handle the whole nasty business. Read this interesting article from the NY Times Opinion page on the subject by Ali Soufan (Ali Soufan was an F.B.I. supervisory special agent from 1997 to 2005), called ‘My Tortured Decision’
– On the Rachel Maddow Show, Rachel talks with Ron Suskind about the White House ordered torture program, created before the war in Iraq began for the purpose of finding a link between 9/11 and Saddam Hussein, in order to justify attacking Iraq.
– Jon Stewart nails it on the head again. Best quote is: “Apparently everyone’s not upset about the fact that we torture. They’re upset about the fact that we know about it.”
– Constitutional Law Prof. Jonathan Turley (of George Washington University) joins David Shuster (subbing for Keith) to talk about what the Justice Dept.’s next course of action will be in pursuing accountability for the torture for the torture of U.S. detainees.
– And then there is the Jane Harmon story. The Congresswoman from CA was caught on one of those wiretaps in an ‘oops’ moment. She is caught saying she would try to help the accused lobbyists for some quid pro quo activity. Oh oh. Check out Rachel’s explanation of this convoluted story as only Rachel does it.
– Yesterday from the Yakkers:
– Because everyone needs a break from the torture issue:
Death of a Thousand Cuts March 31, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Links, Photography, Politics, Videos, wildlife.Tags: Chameleon, Dan Froomkin, David Petraeus, Dick Cheney, John Hanna, Jonathan Turley, Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, Seymour Hersh
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Judy-One-Note continues with her pounding of the war crimes/torture issue. As noted this past week, Spain is getting prepared to indict six former Bush Administration members for violations of International law, that we, as a country, signed. Will Spain’s move be the catalyst for the Obama Administration to take the high road and appoint a special prosecutor that sends the signal to the world that we will take care of our own problems? Will this be the firecracker that lights up the sky? Stay tuned. Watch Keith discuss this issue with my guy, Prof. Jonathan Turley
– Here is Rachel Maddow, on the same issue, the law and Obama’s upcoming trip to Europe and the men who are possibly going to be indicted.
– Here is Seymour Hersh on the secret Cheney assassination thug ring or is it wing and John Hanna, former Cheney National Security advisor to Cheney. Hannah echoed Hersh’s statements. Hannah said that “troops in the field” are given “authority” to “capture or kill certain individuals” who are perceived as a threat. “That’s certainly true,” he said to Wolf Blitzer.
– On CNN Sunday, General David Petraeus countered former Vice President Dick Cheney’s recent claim that Obama’s administration had made America less safe.
– Bush’s Torture Rationale Debunked by Dan Froomkin in the Washington Post. “Abu Zubaida was the alpha and omega of the Bush administration’s argument for torture. That’s why Sunday’s front-page Washington Post story by Peter Finn and Joby Warrick is such a blow to the last remaining torture apologists. Finn and Warrick reported that “not a single significant plot was foiled” as a result of Zubaida’s brutal treatment — and that, quite to the contrary, his false confessions “triggered a series of alerts and sent hundreds of CIA and FBI investigators scurrying in pursuit of phantoms.”
– In an unrelated matter, The Obama family has rejected the allotted $100,000 of taxpayer money for redecorating the White House family wing.
– March 30, 2009: The Day in 100 Seconds
– Think we can change our direction on the torture issue like this very cool chameleon?
Inhale and exhale – slowly March 23, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos.Tags: Bronx Zoo, Dick Cheney, Obama 60 Minutes, Paul Krugman, tree kangaroo joey
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It is not surprising that a country filled with an immediate gratification populace is loudly grumbling after only 62 days of an Obama administration that everything is not perfect yet. Everybody needs to take a long, deep breath. All together now -inhale slowly then exhale slowly. Now doesn’t that feel better? From the Washington Post: The Treasury Department is unveiling details of its plan to try to relieve banks of their most troubled assets, a long-awaited signature piece of the government’s strategy for stabilizing the financial system. Under the plan, the government and private investors will together spend between $500 billion and $1 trillion to buy up real estate-related loans and securities from banks. The hope is that instead of hoarding cash in case those assets continue to lose value, the banks instead will be able to resume lending money once the toxic assets are off their books. I have confidence that Obama knows what he is doing and I also know that I have no idea what he should be doing (most likely you do not either). So let’s give this earnest, hard working man a chance, okay? I like Paul Krugman and read his column twice a week. I know he is not happy about the new plan, but I am still giving Obama a chance and I think you should too.
– I understand and enraged more about the previous administration’s assault of our Constitution, torture and thuggery. Last night on 60 Minutes I thought Obama’s response to the question about Dick Cheney‘s recent outbursts was excellent.
– I sometimes get a chance to promote the accomplishments of friends. Wendy Walters is a long time Thursday Zoo Guide at the Central Park Zoo (I was her mentor – bragging rights, here). She and her partner, John, are super talented people. They are artists, musicians. poets and more. “Mommy Loves Me” is Wendy and John’s first board book, and is now available through Barnes and Noble. Cuddle up with your favorite little person and feel the love. I am buying several. The book makes a great gift for that certain little one (or two). Synopsis: Mommy kisses, and Mommy hugs. But what else does she do? This charming book, featuring heartwarming illustrations of baby animals spending time with their mommies, will make mothers want to cuddle up and read with their young ones. Buy it on line here.
– I am crazy about that tree kangaroo joey at the Bronx Zoo and took another trip to visit the fast growing cute one. See the joey, the sweet ebony baby langur, fabulous lemurs and more below.
The Dark Force Needs a Muzzle February 5, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Links, Photography, Politics, Videos, wildlife.Tags: Bernie Madoff, Cherry Julip, Chris Matthews, Dick Cheney, Glenn Greenwald, Harry Markopolis, Howard Dean, Martha Stewart, Rachel Maddow, Rush Limbaugh, Stephen Colbert
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Just when you thought it was safe to take a deep breath in air that was only afraid of worldwide depression, who pops up only two weeks after he was wheeled away from Washington? Why, Dick ‘the dark force’ Cheney, himself. He did not return to his home state like most politicians. The practice of outgoing administrations to hold their tongues and not criticize hew administrations does not work for this crazy right wing ball buster. I guess the idea of Cheyenne Wyoming did not stimulate this sinister guy. No, he moved into new digs in Virginia and has set himself up a little office where he can hold court with anyone who would listen to him. Yesterday he held an interview with poltico.com to remind us once again that we are all doomed if we change anything that he enacted.
– Without comment, listen for yourself to this fringe character. Cheney warned that there is a high probability that terrorists will attempt a catastrophic nuclear or biological attack in coming years, and said he fears the Obama administrations policies will make it more likely the attempt will succeed. “Protecting the countrys security is a tough, mean, dirty, nasty business, he said. These are evil people. And were not going to win this fight by turning the other cheek.
– With comment, from Glenn Greenwald wth Rachel Maddow, the argument Glenn made is that Cheney is setting the ground work for the media to attack Obama if we do get attacked and blame him if he ends some of the policies of the Bush administration which he knows were illegal but actually did nothing to keep us safe from terrorism and instead fostered it since the actions of the Bush administration have actually radicalized would be terrorists.
– I am also getting mighty angry that the Repugnants are getting so much face time in this battle over the stimulus package. They have not had an original idea in years, lost mightily in the 2008 election cycle, yet still are being given face time. Where is our salesman-in chief? Obama apparently will be addressing Congress on February 24th. This is not a State of the union address. That comes next year. Stay tuned.
– I have not written much about the Bernie Madoff situation. Let me just say that I am stymied as to why this thief is still living in his plush apartment. The idea of being drawn and quartered in the public square sounds good to me too. Harry Markopolis testified before Congress yesterday about his whistle blowing of Madoff back in 2001. It is jaw dropping testimony and this guy should be getting a Medal of Freedom award.
– ‘The full list of customers and people who had an interest in Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities has now been revealed. In a court filing on Wednesday, the restructuring firm AlixPartners compiled a 163 page document with the names and addresses of Mr. Madoff’s customers. The list includes anyone who responded to advertisements placed by the trustee overseeing the bankruptcy of the firm. Not every name on the list is necessarily a victim of Mr. Madoff’s reputed $50 billion Ponzi scheme, but the list includes “everyone who might have an interest in the bankruptcy case,” according to a person briefed on the document’.
– Chris Matthews agrees with me. That’s odd. Chris Matthews asked Sen. Claire McCaskill why Howard Dean is not being named to replace Tom Daschle as the nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Hes a medical doctor. It seems perfect to make him head of HHS, said Matthews.
– February 4th in 100 seconds:
– Stephen Colbert did a fine job of skewering Rush Limbaugh the other night.
– Watch Rachel make a cherry julip cocktail on the Martha Stewart show.
Lobo's Rants 
Off with their heads March 20, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Photography, Politics, Videos.Tags: AIG, Dick Cheney, Eric Cantor, Happy Spring, Jon Stewart, Keith Olbermann special commentary, Lawrence O'Donnell
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– Keith Olbermann’s special comment last night on this issue has some good points:
– If you missed Jon Stewart‘s response to Dick Cheney‘s recent scare America campaign, please check it out. It is very very good. “Former vice president Dick Cheney told CNN that President Obama was putting the country at risk. Jon Stewart has some tough words for Cheney: “Have a nice cup of shut the f**k up.”
– And then this is this bozo:
– Obama on Leno last night:
– Lawrence O’Donnell is looking to fill that third hour on MSNBC after Keith and Rachel. This could be an audition clip for the folks who run the show over at MSNBC.
– Here is yesterday in 100 seconds:
– One more thing: Happy Spring.