Month: June 2004

The death of Ronald Reagan will no doubt prompt panegyrics from all the most prominent bastions of neoconservative thought – National Review, the Weekly Standard, Commentary, the Wall Street Journal editorial page, etc. ad nauseam. They will claim him for their own, aver that they are upholding his legacy, and give him an honored place … Continue reading “Reaganism versus ‘Neo-Reaganism’”

If you thought the neo-crazies had lost control over President Bush, think again. A neo-crazy delegation – headed by Richard Perle – marched up to the White House last week and demanded that Bush fire Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) George Tenet. Quoth Perle, “There is a smear campaign under way, and it is being … Continue reading “What Really Caused Tenet’s Departure?”

Perhaps Abe Lincoln was right that you can’t fool all the people all the time, but a lot of people can surely be fooled for a long, long time. Just look at Ariel Sharon. From the start, the “Disengagement Plan” was an exercise in deceit. But the world is eager to be deceived. The world’s … Continue reading “To Drink From the Sea of Gaza”

Dr. Thomas Barnett, Harvard trained political scientist and self-described Pentagon futurist, has a bone to pick with the Bush administration. America’s invasion of Iraq was a great achievement, but the President hasn’t yet shared with Americans why we are staying there, for … well, forever. Barnett’s latest book, The Pentagon’s New Map, cheerfully explains that … Continue reading “New Map, Same Bad Destinations”

The arrogance of the Bush administration is astounding. Never have I seen such sorry leadership in Washington. Never have I witnessed such a complete lack of accountability. It’s disturbing. In the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, and with the grossly undermanned Iraqi occupation, not one high-level military or civilian official has been held responsible for … Continue reading “Our Troops Deserve Better”

Well-publicized images of U.S. soldiers torturing and humiliating male Iraqi prisoners may be overshadowing evidence gathered by several human rights groups and Pentagon investigators indicating U.S. military personnel have raped and sexually abused Iraqi women held at Abu Ghraib prison and other detention facilities. Amal Kadham Swadi, an Iraqi attorney representing women detainees, told The … Continue reading “Pattern Emerges of Sexual Assault Against Women Held by US Forces”

Fourteen months ago, after the 3rd Infantry Division and Marines swept into Baghdad, Washington was at the feet of the neoconservatives who had been plotting and propagandizing for an invasion for years. A celebratory breakfast was held at the American Enterprise Institute think tank, where William Kristol, Richard Perle and Michael Ledeen held forth in … Continue reading “The Dog Days of the War Party”

June 3 – He is a well-spoken, handsome lawyer, just a year older than I am. He worked as a diplomat who coordinated NGOs and foreign governments in order to bring aid to his country during the sanctions. He was detained and accused of being a spy for Saddam Hussein, even though he is not … Continue reading “‘Why Are They Doing This to Us?’”

The conventional wisdom is this: With the economy improving, President Bush’s political fate will depend on Iraq. For an administration of control freaks, this is bad news, because they do not and cannot control Iraq. What happens in Iraq between now and the election depends on the Iraqis and on whoever else is dipping oars … Continue reading “Bad News for Control Freaks”

GENEVA (IPS) – A new report from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concludes that “grave violations” – even potential war crimes – have occurred since the U.S.-led forces have occupied Iraq, leaving “a stain upon the effort to bring freedom” to that country. The acting high commissioner, Bertrand Ramcharan, issued a call Friday … Continue reading “UN: US Soldiers May Be Guilty of War Crimes”