Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan's new book "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception," Is causing quite a stir in Washington. With statements like "the Bush White House made a decision to turn away from candor and honesty when those qualities were most needed," a time when the nation was on the brink of war. It's no wonder we're hearing the current press secretary, Dana Perino, passing McClellan off as a "disgruntled" former employee. Former employee? Are they kidding? This guy was the press secretary to the president of the United States for Pete's sake. I'm sorry folks, but you don't get much more INSIDE than that.
Perino also stated that Bush had better things to do than commenting on books by former staffers. Again with the dismissive verbiage that would insinuate that McClellan was a messenger boy or something. But what you are not hearing are any statements that what Scott wrote was false or even misleading. Attack the messenger... You'd think these guys would at least change it up once in a while. The problem is that nobodies buying it because most of us have come to the conclusions McClellan has now confirmed a long time ago.
And that is that Bush and his cronies had planned this war in Iraq long before even 911. That any overtures towards a peaceful resolution prior to the invasion we're disingenuous. Intelligence about weapons of mass destruction was skewed, ignored, or just plain made up to justify the invasion. And in their haste to "do what his father failed to do" he ordered our troops into that country completely unprepared to deal with the aftermath of the invasion, dragging our entire nation into a quagmire that has cost the lives of over 4,000 Americans, tens of thousands wounded, and a bankrupt national treasure.
For some reason the McClellan revelations made me think of Nixon's speech when he told us that he "was not a crook." And we found out different. Well, if the definition of the word crook includes a president who lies to the people, then our current president qualifies too.
I'm sure that as more and more revelations come from McClellan's book, the White House will continue to spin it as small and irrelevant. And they will continue to dismiss McClellan as well. I really hope that one day all these truths about George W. Bush will result in his trial and punishment for the damage he has wrought on our great nation and even the whole world. But I doubt such a thing will ever happen. This guy has been a genius at ignoring things away. I truly do not know how in the hell he gets away with it.
I guess we'll have to be satisfied with the judgment history will assuredly place on him.
*************
Devin Barber, Politics Correspondent
Devin's column, "Left Of The Right" published weekly or more to Gather Essentials: Politics is a Blue Collar Democrats take on current political news.
Devin was raised by proud Roosevelt Democrats. Being the son of parents counted among the throng of Americans displaced by the Great Depression has given Devin a deep rooted passion for causes dealing with the poor and the working class.
You can find all of Devin's columns at http://gather.com/leftoftheright
You can keep up with Devin's postings and his Gather activity by joining his Gather network. Just click here: http://kiwina58.gather.com and then select the orange "Connect" button on the left-hand side of the page.
You can find Devin and other Political Correspondents, plus celebrity content and plenty of other politics experts at Politics.gather.com.
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 111 ( 1 removed by Devin Barber )
Mighty courageous. Is it any wonder why these chickenhawk cowards can never seem to muster the "time" to enlist for their favorite illegal war?
I don't. This exposes his character defects as much as it does booshie boy's. Don't forget, he stood by and re-told all of these lies to the American public, even while being grilled about them by the press corps. Additionally, he's not come out and renounced his words with this book. He's said that he "still admires and respects" president pinnochio.
If he were truly repentent, and worthy of forgiveness, he would not still be proclaiming his affection and admiration for the lying liar.
He needs to be brought before congress to testify. He obviously knows a whole lot.
1) Why McClellan did not come forward prior to this and tell his story? Most every American knew it already. Why didn't he go to the heads of Congress, meet with influential people, go to the highest, most ethical people in the justice department? Why a tell-all book, when a truely patriotic person would have gone to all lengths to save the lives of all the soldiers and innocent civilians in this travesty?
2) Where are our elected leaders in all this? WHY is impeachment off the table? Is the COST of justice what is keeping us from bringing these people to judgement under the law? Is that what our legal system has been reduced to - COST?
So, maybe we should just start throwing out laws on the books - because they are too costly to prosecute? WTH? What happened to our rule of law in this country? Are we so apathetic and pathetic that we just shrug our shoulders and say, "it's too late now...it would be too costly to impeach...he's almost done his term."
Makes me want to puke. And if I was the mother of a son or daughter who died in this illegal war, if I was the wife or child, I would want to go to DC and get the bastards myself.
Now, more than ever, we need an Obama in the Oval Office, to utterly undo the loss of civil liberties and countless other hurts to the US and the world this administration has perpetrated.
High crimes and treason, says the Constitution. If Bill Clinton was forced by the Republicans to undergo an Impeachment procedure for pulling his pants down in the Oval Office, then Bush should at least deserve the same thing, in the name of human rights, so that the truth can come out before a jury of his peers. Such a procedure would be sad and unpleasant, but it would bring America back into respectability and capability among all nations that seek life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Like many journalists, I've known this for a very long time, and I'm sure it goes back to even before the 1999 campaign. How to do what Bush's father had not done... and of course, for other reasons we are all aware of.
Speculation, of course...
Oh Hell no! I sick and tired of these lying crapweasles serving in this vile administration and keeping their yappers shut while the Nation is being bulldozed and the troops are being killed and generations to come are being blindly robbed . . . only to leave after having pocketed the tax dollars we gave them to perform the duties they failed to perform and violating the oathes they took as well. Once free from duty they then try to profit by writing a tattle-tell book about how wrong this was and hoping to make the best seller list and get even more money for thair association with this filthy administration. This particular cretin is all the more disgusting since he admits the corruption and STILL loves these guys!
Another book . . . too little too late. Not one of these spineless cowards stood up while in office when it would have mattered.
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
He was in a position where -- assuming he knew these facts then, and he claims so -- he could have done the right thing and blown the whistle before so many lost their lives.
Instead, he waits until his book cannot actually hurt the Lame Duck and makes some money off of it by selling a freaking book. There's no way on earth I'd buy it.
Please check out my other content.
(I'm trying for the cash option this month):
My Articles
My Images
My Videos
I said it on another thread and I'll say it here... I would not want to meet my maker with the blood George W. Bush has on his hands.
That raises the question why didnt the dems vote to convict Clinton in his Impeachment when there was concrete proof?
Sure, Clinton did lie under oath, but the fact his testimony was the result of the never ending fishing expedition Starr was on muddled up the issue. Believe me when I say I found his behavior revolting and consider him a traitor to my Party, his crime simply did not deserve removal from office.
This are all cliams that the senate had evidence of. But, dont impeach him, but impeach Bush when all we have on him in the form of proof is questions of his intentions.
I knew I was spelling it wrong, but I couldn't remember seeing written anywhere.
Uzi... thanks.
What Clinton did was wrong by definition of marriage, but compared to the crimes of the W administration, negligible. Nobody died because Clinton broke his wedding vows.
Do you actually believe that what these two idiots did is in the wildest imagination comparable?
I didn't say what Bill did was OK, I said it didn't merit removal. I think the fact that he will go down in histroy as the "blow job" president is enough.
You forgot to mention over a million dead, innocent Iraqis. Are their lives less valuable?
"That raises the question why didnt the dems vote to convict Clinton in his Impeachment when there was concrete proof? "
Oh dear God . . . back to Clinton who was FULLY exonerated becaquse he was NOT GUILTY of perjury. Lying under oath is NOT perjury unless it goes to a material fact. This had NOTHING to do with Whitewater, which he was also FULLY acquited on.
"...was it ok to give monica a false affadavit and not only subvert perjury but obstruct justice, and was it ok for him to rape woman and threaten their lives if they told?
Nope. He never did those things. Incidentally, it's 'suborn' perjury. Again, perjury has a legal definition and lying is NOT the definition.
"But, dont impeach him, but impeach Bush when all we have on him in the form of proof is questions of his intentions. "
You're an idiot. Clinton WAS impeached. Bush ADMITTED some of his crimes!
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
Just drink the koolaid on Clinton. Perjury is Perjury and he was quilty of subverting perjury and obstruction of justice without question. But, not one democrat in the senate went to the sealed room to look at the evidence. Ignorance is bliss isnt it.
"GWB should face charges of war crimes against humanity and genocide involving every American life that was needlessly sacrificed in a stupid, useless and needless endeavour."
That is a matter of opinion not an impeachable offense.
"Nope. He never did those things"
Than you are just stupid or refuse to look at the facts.
First Clinton should have been convicted. Bush never admitted to crimes except in the dailykos world
I am aware of that...but he deserved it
The group: We Comment Back
:-)
Great review/article.
Everybody knows that denying allegations that a wildly astray partisan hack prosecutor had absolutely no business asking in the first place is WAY worse than lying a nation into an endless, murderous, crushingly costly war. WTF is wrong with you people? You're just Clinton lovers and bush haters, that's all.
"Nixon was very scary."
Bush is 1,000 times worse than Nixon could have ever dreamed of being. While Nixon was committing his crimes against the nation, we still had a national press that did actual investigative reporting.
Proof. Hard proof. That's why they don't impeach him. What we all see as a failed ''presidency'' of bu$h has nothing to do with law. You have to have proof, and all that is being controlled by the WH. With all the subpoenas being issued and ignored, the ''lost'' emails, the stone walling of documents , the refusal of the bu$h injustice department to apply the rule of law, the secret (not so) meetings to discuss crimes and all the other tactics that bu$h and chency have engaged in, any crimes will be as hard to prove, as bu$h'$ service (or not) in the Texas National Guard.
''especially since we need to start focusing our attentions on problem solving this Big Mess''
Bent, this is one of the things that piss me off. I don't think that your intentions were the same as the federal governments, but you bought into the distraction mentality just the same. Especially the republibots are guilty, and especially bu$h. Their favorite saying is, ''we shouldn't be looking backwards at problems, we should be looking forward toward solutions.'' They all say this when they don't want to look ''backwards'' at possible indictments, but forward at a way to cover it ups.
BTW folks, the ''official'' line of smear is, he is a disgruntled employee, yet not one of the bu$h ''spokesmen (people) have said he lied about anything. Even when asked today by Wolf Blitzer, if McCllelan lied, Dan Bartlett ''did not'' say he did.
//That raises the question why didnt the dems vote to convict Clinton in his Impeachment when there was concrete proof? // of "rape" and "suborning perjury"? Try, no proof.
MDP, buy a dictionary, and USE it, for cryin out loud:
Impeach: to formally accuse (a public official) of a serious crime in connection with their job
Subversive (verb form of subvert): tending to weaken or destroy an established political system, organization, or authority
Suborn: 1. To induce (a person) to commit an unlawful or evil act.
2. Law
a. To induce (a person) to commit perjury.
b. To procure (perjured) testimony
Perjury: 1. Law The deliberate, willful giving of false, misleading, or incomplete testimony under oath. OK, I'll give you that one.
First, you cannot Impeach Rove
Second, yes I screwed up one word give me a break when I was in a hurry. Impeachment is also a process upon which the President is tried in the Senate on the articles of Impeachment.
You're an idiot. He was fully acquitted. You don't have to like it but he's innocent.
"That is a matter of opinion not an impeachable offense."
Impeach means investigate and bring to a trial moron.
"First Clinton should have been convicted. Bush never admitted to crimes except in the dailykos world "
Should have? Nice way to gloss over your incredibly ignorant lie that he should have been impeached. NOW you want to change to he should have been convicted? So you ADMIT he's not guilty and will begin to make excuses. NOW who has opinions spouted out? As for the illegal wiretaps, he did, indeed, admit them. Bush is openly defiant of this nation's laws. The line in the sand has been crossed. As Russ Feingold said, he is a president and not a king, but Bush said that he will continue to defy this nation's laws that were passed by Congress and signed into law by previous Presidents. Bush in his defiance is committing a high crime against the Constitution or as he would say, "It's just a goddamn piece of paper." If you didn't catch this admission, perhaps you should turn off cartoon network!
"...we need to start focusing our attentions on problem solving this Big Mess "
problem solving STARTS with holding criminals accountable for their crimes.
"I'm with Sheryl, Why in the hell aren't the Dems in D.C. impeaching this guy?"
I wonder if it has anything to do with blackmail and illegal wiretaps?
"Gee he's not biassed much."
Unlike you! LMAO ! ! !
Jeannie, you're right, it's 'suborning' perjury. Clearly the man has an innate inability to read as I pointed this out already. Some people take pride in their ignorance!
I'm not sure where you got you definition for perjury but I can assure you it's a generic and not a legal definition. Try the Havard Law Review: (http://www.jstor.org/pss/1329911)
"Perjury is a false statement of a material fact wilfully made under oath before a competent tribunal. 35 STAT. IIII (I909), U. S. COMP. STAT. (1916)"
There is NO WAY a consensual affair had any material relation to Whitewater. It's NOT perjury!
Additionally, despite pubicless having an opinion (lol!) . . . he was found NOT GUILTY! Therefore, he IS not guilty. Sucks to be pubic-free I guess!
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
The rational was clear, the threat of nuclear arms or WMD's in the hands of a middle east state not under the U.S. control after 9-11 is not to be tolerated.
Geo-politics give the Bush a move on the chess board a gambit of opening for a first strike called unilateral war. Non-state terrorists with access to oil revenues was not, and could not be allowed.
Bush, as commander and cheif execution in the post invasion was failure, not to mention having a two front war in the middle east with very little world support with the ability to sustain the effort over a long period, meaning more than two years. We as American can only hang for five years at best, after that whatever the outcome we have lost whatever conflict we our engage in, and must settle for a negociated settlemenmt. So what's new, nothing, not a thing, hell don't blame me I didn't vote for the number one son, he never was a chip off the old block. G*#- damn Republican assholes. And to think they we put up the old war horse to bring them victory in Iraq, if you could tell me waht that's suppose to look like I'll listen, never mind sounds like ranting of demencia to me.
Let me see if I've got it right. Clinton's sperm likely held the seeds of life, and when he j&%¤# off, he spilled that potential, which the Pope in Rome has always said is not a good thing to do and causes blindness. It's all based on good science. I think there is a doctorates dissertation in the Vatican archives on the very subject, where a graduate student in 14th century Spain objectively researched what happens when male gonads are smashed between an anvil and hammer, spilling the seed, and the capillaries in the bulging eyes on the man on the rack burst. Then there's the issue of a dry cleaning bill for someone's dress, which likely was charged to the White House budget, appropriated by Congress and US taxpayers. And then of course, when he lied about unzipping his pants, he also broke a cardinal Christian commandment, "Thou Shalt not Lie."
If Bush is such a crook, if Bush is 1000 times more evil that Nixon, if Bush is the worse President ever, then is should have been a slam dunk impeachment.
Either he really isn't that bad or the Dems have no spine?
Who will be your "booogy man" when Bush goes!
Pull your head out of your ass for a minute and count up the number of dead/tortured/raped under Saddam rule. And while you have light, think about the billions of dollars Saddam had at his disposal in a post 911 world, couple with the fact that he was the only nation leader who publically cheered the 911 attacks. Moonbats just don't get it.
Bush did the right thing.
I think if I was the unfortunate mother or father of a soldier killed in this illegal war, Bush and his posse would still rate as my "boooooogy" men. I find your adolescent name-calling to be extremely offensive. Grow up. Get some ethics, morals and decency. While you're acting like 5-yr-olds on a playground slinging ridiculous names back and forth (looney, kool-aid, etc etc) there are people who forever mourn the loss of their loved ones due to Bush's lies and deceipt and hubrus.
And, of course, if you cannot even see that point, you would never be able to extend your sympathy and empathy (dare I even think you all have such a thing?) to the millions of Iraqis killed - innocent victims of Bush's quest to out-do his daddy and take down Saddam. It's beyond sickening. It's beyond even rational thought. This man and his group knew exactly what they were going to do BEFORE even coming into office. The plan was well set and documented. They were going into Iraq and conquering the Middle East.
I find their original goal, their deceiptful manipulation and their subsequent incompetent mishandling of the situation after the invasion to be worthy of bringing them before the world court. Impeachment should be a given.
You don't go destroying an entire nation because you don't like his domestic policies, much as they might be disgusting. If we were to dish out proportionate justice like that, then America haws to go into China, Russia, North Korea and countless other places, destroying 3/4 perhaps of the Earth's population just so one guy in DC can be on top of the playground hill, thumping his chest like a mad monkey who has now secured his harem... until some other schmuck comes along, and tries to take it from him.
There's a good reason that guy from Bethlehem said to not cast the first stone.
And anyways, Saddam actually kept terrorism viciously away from that country. Now, with Bush's nonsense, Iraq has become one of the world's biggest terrorist breeding grounds.
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
Vincent Bugliosi (attorney and author of the awesome book,And the Sea Will Tell, and others), has just published another book - The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder - in which he lays out a legal basis for charging Mr. Bush.
......Scott McClellan must be called to testify under oath before the House Judiciary Committee to tell Congress and the American people everything he knows about this massive effort by the White House to deceive this nation into war.
Last week, a subpoena was issued for Karl Rove to testify before the Judiciary Committee. It appears he will take every legal action to block this subpoena. The truth is that Congress has the right – and obligation – to hold him accountable now - not months or years from now. It is long past time to pass Inherent Contempt and bring Rove, Libby and others before Congress.
We simply cannot ignore these recent developments, nor should we postpone serious inquiry until after the next election.
Your commitment to accountability for the Bush/Cheney Administration, and the support of 230,000 other Americans who signed up at wexlerwantshearings.com, has inspired and motivated me in my effort to hold impeachment hearings for Vice President Dick Cheney and Inherent Contempt for Rove and others. During the past months I have been a tireless and dogged advocate of this vitally important cause.
Many of you have written me, asking for an update on where we stand with regards to impeachment hearings. I know most of you believe - as I do - that impeachment hearings for Vice President Cheney – are not only justified, but that it is our constitutional obligation to look into the serious allegations of wrongdoing that have been raised. This is especially true based on the newest revelations from Scott McClellan.
I believe that it is the duty of Congress to pursue impeachment whenever there's significant evidence of wrongdoing, be it by Republicans or Democrats, regardless of the timing of elections or the current political environment.
Some of you have written me demanding that I deliver hearings or impeachment. As hard as I have been fighting for this cause, I cannot make impeachment happen by myself. What I can do, and what I have been doing at every turn, is trying to communicate two simple messages to my colleagues:
• the serious allegations of wrongdoing and the clear-cut rationale for impeachment hearings;and
• the fact that the public will support our efforts when Congress boldly acts on the side of justice and accountability.
Unfortunately, to date, these arguments have not been enough to convince even a majority of the liberal and progressive Members of Congress to support impeachment hearings. In addition, the leadership of the Democratic Party in Congress genuinely feels that pursuing impeachment will jeopardize our congressional agenda and threaten gains in the November elections. Although I genuinely disagree with this view, to date I have been unable to convince them to change this policy.
I understand the challenges that we are up against, and I recognize the odds that we face. Nevertheless, I remain unfazed and unyielding.
This new evidence from Scott McClellan could be the tipping point – but we must move quickly. I will use the McClellan admissions to help convince my colleagues that we must hold impeachment hearings.
Regardless, I will continue to fight for progressive values and our Constitution. I will do everything I can to pursue accountability for criminal actions taken by this Administration and this Vice President. I will be a furious opponent to any expansion of this misguided war, and I will fight against the use of torture by our government and to protect our civil liberties here at home.
Most of all, I will continue my efforts to convince my fellow members of Congress and voters, that we should not be a party of passivity - but that we succeed when we present the public with stark choices that are based on the guarantees in our Constitution, and not on the politics of the moment.
I will continue - at every pass - to call for impeachment and accountability. While I wish more of my colleagues supported our movement, we must not let our discouragement lead to apathy and distraction in this important election year when we must break free from eight long years of illegalities, corporate handouts, and a tragic and devastating war.
We should not end the calls for impeachment. I will push against the crimes of the Bush Administration whenever I am provided the opportunity. I will use my role on the Judiciary Committee to take on Administration officials – like I have done with Condoleezza Rice, Attorney Generals Gonzalez and Mukasey, and FBI Director Mueller.
I have not given up our fight to hold this Administration accountable and neither can you. I am grateful for your patriotism and your support. I'll continue to keep you informed and part of the conversation.
Sincerely,
Congressman Robert Wexler"
I simply don't understand how a PRIVATE CITIZEN like Karl Rove (much as I hate to admit that he is actually a fellow American) can disobey a subpoena. If he does, I hope they pick him up in a paddy wagon and haul his ass off to jail.
And meanwhile, each and every minute of the day.
The world population is just over 6.5 billion.
This year alone - and we're only 5 months into the year -- according to all statistics, 5.5 million including WHO, 4.5 million human beings have died entirely needlessly due to malnutrition alone, one of the easiest human afflictions to resolve.
That's a whole small US town each day... all its men, women and children... Puff! Gone forever from the landscape, all of them had dreams and aspirations no different from you and I.
Imagine if an entire town of close to 3000 Americans were to utterly be erased from the human landscape just one time in a generation?
It happened on 9-11
It happens every day... in Africa, Iraq, and countless other places, and mostly because here we are, arguing pointless nonsense, when we could all be taking steps to not buy into the old status quo that wrought that man-made plague on this planet
All because--?
Bent - I agree that the labels have lost meaning. Further, the preconceptions never had any.
That's your opinion and that's what really flames you, isn't it? Factually acquitted . . . it's absurd to even suggest removal. The only thing even MORE ridiculous is your decision that despite the legal lack of guilt and despite this being a done deal for over a decade now . . . despite the fact he was re-elected after being impeached . . . you have nothing but the hysteria of a B-Horror movie actor running down the street with your arms flailing about and screaming "B-B-But Clinton did . . . "
It's pathetic. And yet, you have NO problem with the Bush Administration's much more serious crimes . . . which have yet to be investigated like Clinton's were. That speaks volumes for your inherent (and likely congenital) lack of intellectual acuity.
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
Seriously though, I hope the hell this finally triggers the investigations that need to be done on this administration. Those who say it would be too expensive or troublesome are being irresponsible. If we don't reveal just exactly what has been done and make an example of these criminals, what's to stop another bunch from subverting and bastardizing our constitution.
Sheesh. Of course, you're right. At the same time the Democrats had an increase in the Congressional election where they would normally have lost seats. Thanks for the heads-up!
"Gore could not separate himself from Clinton, and took heat for the Lies Clinton told. OK...we know that."
I disagree . . . it was because he distanced himself that he failed to be appointed by the Supreme Court! His distancing was the problem.
"The Dems in DC are not impeaching because it TAKES more than a mere majority to convict."
It violates the oath they took to try and predict an outcome. They have grounds AND an obligation even if they have no hope of success.
Truth telling at this time is perfect to cook mcbush's goose.
Let's have more...............................
Removed comment , say it ain't so Devin!!!!!!!
To quote the columnist/activist who attempted a citizen's arrest on John Bolton in Wales for War Crimes: "If you tell people what they already know, they will thank you. If you tell them something new, they will hate you."
If he's not leading a movement to do something to right the wrongs he is complicit in, then I say screw the douchebag and his book. I just can't stand the idea of someone cashing in on crimes of which they are complicit. Charles Manson can't do it. OJ Simpson can't do it. Their killings did not come anywhere near the million mark.
Still not enough for the spineless crapweasle profiting off the crimes he is complicit in while telling us he still respects this filthy, vile administration! Yes, he's a mouthpiece . . . to bad that was more important than being human or American!
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
Don't you love how the Rovian philosophy of attacking the messenger to distract from the message is being played out full tilt. The right wing troops are flooding the media with their ridicule. I'm sure they're digging into Scott's past so there won't be any letup.
This author is either very brave or very ticked off, but it's nice to get an inside confirmation of what we've known all along.
This stupid book is even more obviously a desperate money-maker than Charlie Sheen's ex-wife's new reality show. If you can't get a real job, make money trashing someone else, true or not.
Rich seems to think we all have as short a memory as bu$h and mcbu$h thinks we have.
Don't get me wrong, I am by NO means a Bush supporter but, Mc Clellan has yet to provide concrete proof of his allegations.
This is the cause of the BIG tussle that is going on in the media right now over his book.