Iran: We're Making "Ghased" Smart Bombs

post from IraqSlogger.com on 22 August 2007 10:08:14 AM. © IraqSlogger.com

From the Iranian official Fars News Agency: Iran to Start Production of Intelligent Bombs in Days TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- The production line for manufacturing an Iran-made intelligent bomb called 'Ghased' will launch operation next week.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.iraqslogger.com/index.php/post/4031

Add to del.icio.us

Digg this

Post to Furl

Add to reddit

Add to myYahoo!

Original Iraq War Propagandist Ari Fleischer
Returns To Flack For Bush’s Escalation

post from Think Progress on 22 August 2007 10:07:00 AM. © Think Progress

Beginning today, Freedom’s Watch, a new right-wing front group for the White House, “will unveil a month-long, $15 million television, radio and grass-roots campaign” to pressure Congress to continue supporting President Bush’s disastrous Iraq strategy. The group, which is “funded by high-profile Republicans who were aides and supporters of President Bush,” is headed by a familiar face from the Bush war effort: former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer.

The privately-funded ad campaign will run in 20 states, featuring Iraq war vets and families of fallen soldiers arguing that the war should continue. The four ads produced so far by Fleischer’s Freedom’s Watch group contain little more than fear-mongering about an Iraq pullout. “They attacked us and they will again. They won’t stop in Iraq,” one ad says. “It will mean more attacks in America,” says another. Yet another ad warns, “We’ve already had one 9/11, we don’t need another.”

Likening himself to a battlefield general, Fleischer said, “For people who believe in peace through strength, the cavalry is coming.” Below are some examples of Fleischer’s well-established record of propagating false assertions and rosy predictions about Iraq:

“[T]here’s no question that if force is used, it will achieve the objective of preserving the peace far faster than the current path that we’re on.” [2/14/03]
“[G]iven the chance to throw off a brutal dictator like Saddam Hussein, people will rejoice.” [3/21/03]
“[W]hen you take a look at the level of violence inside of Iraq, it is impossible to argue anything other than violence has, indeed, come down as a result of America’s military operations.” [6/25/03]
“My point is, the likelihood is much more like Afghanistan, where the people who live right now under a brutal dictator will view America as liberators, not conquerors.” [10/11/02]
“There have been contacts between senior members of — senior Iraqi officials and members of the al Qaeda organization, going back for quite a long time. … Iraq provided some training to al Qaeda in chemical weapons development. There are contacts between Iraq and al Qaeda.” [1/27/03]
“There is no question that we have evidence and information that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, biological and chemical particularly. … And all this will be made clear in the course of the operation, for whatever duration it takes.” [3/21/03]
“The fact of the matter is, one of the reasons the Iraqi people are supportive of the efforts we’ve had there is because of the effort that’s been done in the reconstruction phase.” [7/1/03]
“I think that if you look at the Iraqi people, the Iraqi people are overwhelmingly pleased with the fact the United States has helped them to get rid of the Saddam Hussein regime. That was clear from their dancing in the streets, from the way they tore down the statues. And I think that is the viewpoint of the overwhelming majority of the Iraqi people.” [7/1/03]
“[N]o, I don’t think there’s any chance of losing the peace, but it is going to be a battle to continue to win the peace.” [5/19/03]

Not content having misled the nation into war, Fleischer and his White House front group are now set to argue that the bloodiest summer of the war yet is a sign that “that the buildup of U.S. troops in Iraq is working.”

Digg It!

Read The Full Article:
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/22/ari-fleischer-returns/

Digg this

My day in court with Coy Privette - Guilty as
charged.

post from Left on 49 - Cabarrus County blog on 22 August 2007 10:04:00 AM. © Left on 49 - Cabarrus County blog

Today was our republican county commissioner Coy Privette's day in court after being charged with 6 counts of "aiding and abetting" prostitution back in July.
I decided to get up early and go watch this circus.
I arrived at the Rowan County Court house in Salisbury at 8.30 am. The Court session was supposed to start at 9 am.

At 8.55 am Tiffany Summers arrived, the woman Mr. Privette paid for her "services".
She was immediately confronted with the press corps that had showed up "en masse". After giving no comment she entered the building.

Since the court cases were handled alphabetically everyone quickly figured out Mr. Privette wouldn't show up for quite some time (we were told 10.30 am).
Everyone went to get some coffee and returned an hour later.
At 10.25 Mr. Privette and his lawyer were escorted into the building by several police officers, while being swarmed by cameras.
I managed to get into the courtroom right in front of him and took a seat with the rest of the press corps (apparently when you show up with a little notepad and pen everyone assumes you're press).

At 11 am his case started.
Mr. Privette's lawyer entered a guilty plea on all charges.
Rowan County district attorney Bill Kenerly agreed to defer prosecution which means if Privette meets the conditions of the court orders, the charges against him will be dismissed. Those conditions include supervised probation for the next year, completing 48 hours of community service, paying court fees and continuing psychological counseling that he had already initiated (some people might say there are other republicans who also might benefit from psychological treatment).

Mr. Kenerly then listed the details of the case and the evidence they had against Coy Privette.
The whole investigation started on June 27th after Tiffany Summers cashed a check from Coy Privette for an "unusually high" amount. His bank then contacted Mr. Privette who stated that the check was stolen. The bank reimbursed Mr. Privette and contacted Kannapolis police in the matter.
When police interrogated Summers about the check she immediately said that it was a payment for sex and went on to tell the whole story.
Police found out that on several occasions Mr. Privette, who's 74, had rented a room in 2 motels under his own name. Closed circuit camera surveillance in those motels showed Privette and Summers entering the premises. Summers had taken pictures of Privette with her Camera cellphone, which she handed over to police. Summers then also agreed to make some phone calls to Privette which were recorded. In all I would say they had a very solid case.

Mrs. Summers case was heard at 11.30 am. She pleaded guilty to one charge of prostitution after being offered a deal by the prosecution. She only got 60 days of unsupervised probation, didn't have to pay any fines or court costs and couldn't have any contact with Privette anymore. She basically was rewarded for cooperating so well with the investigation. Afterwards I was able to talk with her lawyer, Mr. James Davis, for a bit who stated that his client basically "walks out the door" and said that he thought it was a "fair and reasonable arraignment". He also stated that they were offered this deal by the prosecution about 2 weeks ago.

When Mr. Privette exited the court he didn't say anything but handed out a statement which thanked everyone for their support and stated "As I undergo much needed personal and spiritual reflection I sincerely ask everyone to keep me in their thoughts and prayers in my journey to earn back the trust that I have lost.?

This last sentence hints to me that he doesn't plan to resign as a County Commissioner, although I don't see how someone who's receiving "psychological treatment" can be a good and effective Commissioner. When press asked Mr. Privette if he would resign, His attorney simply stated "We'll address that later."

Since apparently a commissioner in Cabarrus County can not be forced to resign after being convicted of a misdemeanor, it is up to Mr. Privette personally to decide his political future. I hope he makes the right decision, but it wouldn't be the first time Coy Privette surprises everyone.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.lefton49.com/2007/08/my-day-in-court-with-coy-privette.html

Digg this

Maliki Hits Back at Critics

post from IraqSlogger.com on 22 August 2007 10:02:52 AM. © IraqSlogger.com

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki hit back at the recent criticism from US leaders on Wednesday, telling a press conference in Damascus that the statements are "irresponsible," and suggesting Iraq could find its friends elsewhere.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.iraqslogger.com/index.php/post/4030

Digg this

Suddenly, Vietnam becomes a selling point for the
Iraq Occupation

post from William K. Wolfrum on 22 August 2007 10:01:14 AM. © William K. Wolfrum

More than four years after sending his nation's military into Iraq, suddenly George W. Bush remembers the lessons of Vietnam:"Bush to invoke Vietnam in arguing against Iraq pullout"WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As he awaits a crucial progress report on Iraq, President Bush will try to put a twist on comparisons of ...

Read The Full Article:
http://www.williamkwolfrum.com/?p=760

Digg this

Minnesota adds to the GOP moral values hit parade

post from AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth on 22 August 2007 10:00:00 AM. © AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth

Let me introduce you to the latest float in the GOP parade.

Tim Droogsma, a former press secretary to a U.S. senator and a Minnesota governor, was arrested Tuesday in a midafternoon prostitution sting on St. Paul's East Side.

He allegedly arranged a deal for sex from an undercover officer through Craig's List, police spokesman Tom Walsh said Wednesday.

In the 80s, Droogsma served as spokesman for Sen. Rudy Boschwitz (R) and Governor Arne Carlson in the 90s.

Droogsma denies the allegation with a familiar defense.

Asked Wednesday about his arrest, Droogsma wrote in an e-mail: "Obviously, I'm deeply embarrassed by this allegation, which is not true and which is the result of a severe misunderstanding, and I look forward to making my case in court."

He declined to explain the misunderstanding.

Hat tip, Maggi A.

***

While we're on Minnesota fun, Avidor at Dump Mark Olsen (Olsen's the anti-gay lawmaker convicted of domestic assault against his wife) has a video up on this:

video details and more

While maintenance on the rotting 35W bridge was deferred, right-wing "no new taxes" Republicans were promoting a fantasy transportation boondoggle at the Minnesota legislature that could have cost the taxpayers of Minnesota millions of dollars. Rep. Mark Olson (R-Big Lake) and Rep. Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo) appear in the video (with then Mpls Councilman Dean Zimmermann (Green Party), now in a federal correctional facility in Littleton, Colorado serving a sentence for accepting bribes from a Republican developer).

Read The Full Article:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Americablog/~3/147005809/minnesota-adds-to-gop-mor
al-values-hit.html

Digg this

After FM's Visit, What Role for France

post from IraqSlogger.com on 22 August 2007 10:00:00 AM. © IraqSlogger.com

The three-day visit was carefully choreographed to avoid the impression that French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner had traveled to Iraq at American behest.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.iraqslogger.com/index.php/post/4027

Digg this

The Surge Is Working Because We Say It Is

We are still a month away from the Petreaus/Crocker White House report on the progress of the US escalation. But already the “findings” of that report are being written on the minds of the American people through an incessant drumbeat of[...]

Read The Full Article:
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/08/22/the-surge-is-working-because-we-say-it-is/

Digg this

As Board Sets Hearing Date, EnviroCAB Gets Big
Boost

Wow. A proposal to bring hybrid taxis to Arlington is getting a huge boost from a key Arlington County official:

County Manager Ron Carlee has recommended that nearly 60 percent of new taxi operating certificates be awarded to a start-up cab company, a significantly higher percentage than was recommended by the county government's transportation commission.

Carlee's recommendation came in a report to the County Board, which on Sept. 8 is slated to consider issuing new operating certificates for taxicabs. Currently, about 650 taxis are permitted to operate in Arlington.

Carlee recommended Envirocab be given 50 of a total 86 new operating certificates, or 58 percent of the total.

The firm, which currently does not operate in any other local jurisdictions, had asked for 100 certificates; the transportation commission recommended that they receive 35.

I hope the County Board follows Carlee's lead, although as I've written before, I've been underwhelmed by some public statements so far.

Another plug for strong action comes in a letter to the editor in this week's Sun Gazette. Key factoid:

As many people may not be aware, Arlington's permitted taxis emit about 50 million pounds of carbon dioxide into the air each year, significantly contributing to the poor air quality in our county.

So how can you support hybrid cabs? The best thing you can do is speak at the County Board hearing on September 8 at 8:30am. You can't sign up in advance, so you'll have to get there early to fill out a public comment slip, which will get you two minutes to address board members. The full procedures are listed here.

If you're like The Green Miles and you can't make the hearing, you can also email County Board members. Here's the email I just sent, feel free to lift some of the language for your own email:

If Arlington County hopes to cut its carbon emissions 80% by 2050, the amount scientists say is needed to curb the worst impacts of global warming, we must tackle the two biggest contributors of greenhouse gas emissions -- energy and transportation. While the Fresh AIRE program is boosting energy efficiency and renewable energy usage, we must do whatever we can to promote fuel efficient vehicles.

On September 8th, the County Board has a rare opportunity to cut emissions and improve our air quality by approving as many hybrid taxis as possible. While enviroCAB has taken the lead on requesting hybrid taxi permits, the company is less important than the fuel efficiency. A typical cab vehicle like the Ford Crown Victoria gets just 14 miles per gallon, while a Ford Escape taxi gets 36 miles per gallon.

Long term, I hope the County Board follows New York City's lead and sets a goal of converting its entire taxi fleet to hybrids. While hybrid vehicles are initially more expensive, New York City officials say the increase in fuel efficiency could save taxi operators more than $10,000 per year. Why can't Arlington do the same?

Every email helps! Send yours to now to countyboard@arlingtonva.us.

Read The Full Article:
http://thegreenmiles.blogspot.com/2007/08/as-board-sets-hearing-date-envirocab.ht
ml

Digg this

Did Bush get booed at MSNBC

Eric Boehlert:MSNBC host and former Republican Congressman Joe Scarborough caused a media stir last week when he claimed that on-the-clock MSNBC newsroom employees brazenly jeered President Bush while watching his 2003 State of the Union Address.Personally, I don’t buy it.Scarborough’s Bush-booing story is pretty weak. Take a look.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/08/22/did-bush-get-booed-at-msnbc/

Digg this