Letters to the Editor
casual_observer
Published Letters: 1249 Editor's Choice: 1
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"Chatter" as Manipulation
[Read the article: Various items]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]We are fortunate that Petraeus' spin regarding the relative success of the Iraq occupation can be counterbalanced with at least some independent means for assessment.
But for some time now I've suspected that media stories regarding the dreaded al Qaeda "chatter" is an even better source of influence and propaganda for the administration. For one thing, the measurement of chatter--electronic communication among evil al qaeda terrorists--is monopolized by the government--much more so than Iraq occupation data. We have no means of assessing anonymous intelligence officials or the DHS director when they assert that chatter is up, down, or flat. Quite literally, any reference to chatter by government sources represents a conscious decision by the government to issue that information, not just regarding chatter volume, but also simply the timing of their communications about chatter.
Shortly before the rushed, chaotic and embarrasing FISA vote by congress, the government made what might be seen as preparatory claims regarding al qaeda. One claim was that al qaeda had regained strength, made specifically by Negroponte. Big spash in the media. Then, somewhat later, media reports of "increased chatter" appeared, almost exclusively citing anonymous "security officials" or "intelligence officials". The rise in chatter stories came very shortly before the administration FISA blitzkrieg. I suspect it was actually part of the blitzkrieg.
I have tried to establish a timeline of "chatter" stories via google and yahoo news search engines, but these engines are frustratingly limited, both in terms of coverage and search power. However, should anyone have access to better search engines, it might be useful to graph "chatter-stories" over the past year or two. Such stories are, I repeat, highly susceptible to manipuation due to the secrecy of the source data.
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Biden's plan
[Read the article: Various items]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Isn't Biden's plan actually Galbraith's plan?
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re: gadgiiberibimba
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[Read more letters about this article: Here]It believe that He-who-cannot-be-pronounced may have a point. The foreign policy segment has some diversity. I believe my man Zbignew and the highly respected (outside of the current admin.) Joe Wilson would be included in it, as well as the neocons and a number of supposed moderates. Can we be more specific, and give Alphabet his due?
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WT
[Read the article: Various items]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]That's great news about the impeachment vote. Now, what has to take place, exactly, to execute the impeachment? Do they just send Bush a letter or something? Tell him to start packing?
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@WT
[Read the article: Various items]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I shouldn't be so damn flip about it. Your event is a good sign. We need to take this gang out of office. Were you there for it? I believe I've read you saying that you had gotten involved with the Democratic Party in state.
Because it's not just who we get rid of, but also who we bring in to the office, one thing I haven't heard any reference to, even in GG's interview with Dodd, are questions put to Democratic candidates regarding their positions on surveillance, the USA scandal, torture, habeas, etc. Has anyone actually asked any democratic candidate what they would do in office regarding these?
Speaking of empty symbolism and folorn hopes, my own fantasy is that Al Gore is drafted from the convention floor. Why Gore? If you have heard his speeches on constitutional abuses over the past few years it is clear he has a burning hatred for the abuses of this administration. With Gore in office, I feel that he would unilaterally close down illegal activities from the inside. He would also ask congress to strengthen safeguards, and the republicans would be only too happy to oblige.
Second, imagine the impact drafting Gore would have on the party, after the various Democratic Kingmakers will have directed the flow of hundreds of millions to their own candidates. Gore would not have spent a dime. He would be completely unbeholden, and the party will have been taught a very valuable lesson about candidate selection.
In the general election against Thompson or Romney, Gore would do well. This is not the Gore of 2000. He's more candid, less fearful, more authentic. Yes, the 30% would still despise him, but they despise everything. Gore would so motivate the Democratic base that it simply would not matter what the Republicans might do. They would lose.
Draft Gore, from the Floor.
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Hits the nail on the head
[Read the article: The truth behind the Pollack-O'Hanlon trip to Iraq]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]not with a hammer, but with a nine-pound sledge. The underlying timbers cracked by the blow.
Just Excellent, GG.
Re: an audio file, the thing I'm a little curious about is O'Hanlon's tone. Is he at all apologetic during the interview? Has he any sense that he allowed himself to be taken in? Is there any awareness there that this kind of thing actually does harm to our country?
While the editorial and its promotion were shameless, it appears that O'Hanlon may not be totally gone. I give him some limited credit for that.
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re: the Iraq trip
[Read the article: The truth behind the Pollack-O'Hanlon trip to Iraq]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]GG, my earlier question was specifically regarding the arranged Iraq trip--what O'Hanlon's reaction is to being played (so very easily, it appears). In short he appears to have been a willing participant in his own duping.
OT--there's a good new post at Balkinization re: FISA by Lederman.
Again, kudos on today's post and arranging the interview while on the fly.
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WT, Bebop the Unscrewable,
[Read the article: The truth behind the Pollack-O'Hanlon trip to Iraq]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Maybe that's why you're unscrewable, bebop. People keep trying to turn you the other way.
Bebop ain't the only one getting screwed the other way. There are nearly 300 million of us.
Starting to get a mite angry.
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Proceed.