Tuesday, August 31, 2004
"I don't think you can win the war on terror..."
Image courtesy: The New York Times
Yesterday Bush says we can't win the war on terror, todays he says we can and will win it. Isn't that... erm, a flip flop? Steady leadership, huh? (San Francisco Chronicle | MSNBC.com)
"Now, serious security analysts have begun to admit that the goal of a democratic, pro-American Iraq has receded out of reach." From "A No-Win Situation" by Paul Krugman (full story The New York Times)
Well I guess as long as the coordinated bombing attacks, suicide bombings, kidnappings and mass executions aren't happening here, Bush can continue to declare that the world is a safer place and that the war on terror is being won, right? (The New York Times | WhiteHouse.gov)
The Justice Department has asked a judge to throw out the convictions of a suspected terror cell in Detroit because of prosecutorial misconduct, reversing course in a case the Bush administration once hailed as a major victory in the war on terrorism, legal sources said Tuesday. From "Justice Department seeks to throw out major terror conviction" by John Solomon and Curt Anderson. (Full story from AP/San Diego Union-Tribune)
Thousands of air marshals were rushed into service after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. But according to a report by the Homeland Security Department's Inspector General, Clark Kent Ervin released yesterday:
Managers within the Federal Air Marshal Service reviewed the files of 161 applicants and found that some had financial, employment, and criminal problems in the past. Of the 161 cases, 62 had been accused of domestic violence or assault, drunk driving, or sexual harassment, and half of those were arrested at least twice in the past decade.From "Report criticizes air marshal hirings." (Full story The Boston Globe)
Others had filed for bankruptcy in the last seven years, misused government resources, been fired, suspended, or made to forfeit pay in previous jobs.
104 air marshals who had been granted security clearances had been involved in 155 cases of misconduct when they worked for the Bureau of Prisons previously. Offenses included falling asleep on duty, verbal abuse, breach of security, physical abuse of an inmate, and misuse of government property and credit cards.
Between February and October 2002, there were 753 documented reports of sleeping on duty, lying, testing positive for alcohol or illegal drugs while on the job, or losing weapons
These are slightly old now but with the RNC poppin' off now these two items still seem newsworthy (and a whole lot more interesting than covering the media's analysis of Schwarzenegger's and Laura Bush's speeches. I mean, who really cares? And Arnold=Obama, impact-wise, as some pundits have opined? C'mon!):
- I'll just say that, in a very general way, I think I actually agree with Janet. (abc7.com)
- Not if they followed the platform of their daddy's party they wouldn't: Bush gals to see gay vows. (Daily News)
Speaking of the RNC though, Jay Smooth walks it like he talks it. Me? I just blag it, erm, blog it, that is.
And some Times book reviews worth peeping:
- The 9/11 Report: A Dissent by Richard Posner.
- All the President's Critics.
- Al Gore on Ross Gelbspan's global warming screed Boiling Point.
Plus another Clint Willis book I want to read.
So, my brothers and sisters, any takers? (via On and On)
