DEPARTMENTS
ANTI-WAR
DEATH PENALTY
ELECTIONS
ENVIRONMENT
GLBT ISSUES
HEMP
INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL
REVIEWS
|
Departments National Issues Watergate Proves That Even Presidents Will Break Laws To Achieve Goals Some things never change. The parallels between the Bush and Nixon administrations are eerily familiar. Both bullied the press, were/are highly secretive, obsessed over leaks, engage(d) in massive cover-ups and quickly branded aides as disloyal if they dared to raise questions about the President’s policies. The Washington Post, the very paper that is credited with forcing Nixon’s resignation, summed it up perfectly in a Nov. 25, 2003 story on the similarities between the two administrations. “Bush… structures his White House much as Nixon did. Nixon governed largely with four other men: Henry A. Kissinger, H.R. Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman and Charles Colson. This is not unlike the "iron triangle" of aides who led Bush's campaign and the handful of underlings now -- Cheney, chief of staff Andrew H. Card Jr., national security adviser Condoleezza Rice and communications director Dan Bartlett -- who are in on most top decisions. Nixon essentially ended the tradition of powerful Cabinets in favor of a few powerful White House aides -- a model Bush has followed.” “The most striking similarity is in the area of secrecy and what Nixon staffers called "managing the news." Nixon created the White House Office of Communications, the office that has become the center of Bush's vaunted "message discipline." Unfortunately, neither the Washington Post nor any other mainstream newspaper or magazine in this country will ever be credited with exposing another Watergate. For one, mainstream reporters just don’t have the balls to put their careers on the line to sniff around, ask tough questions, and, perhaps, find sources like W. Mark Felt. Not even Woodward has the muckraking qualities of what Woodward used to have. Worse, editors’ at large papers don’t encourage reporters to practice that kind of reporting anymore because they don’t want to rock the boat or risk losing their jobs or be seen as liberal and therefore become the ire of the blogoshpere. The sad reality these days, however, is that it takes a scandal such as a president receiving oral sex in the Oval Office by an intern to qualify for above the fold headlines and impeachment. Leading the country into a war under false pretenses? Sorry, not juicy enough. The Downing Street memo that was unearthed by the Times of London last month should have been the smoking gun that finally resulted in Bush being brought up on High Crimes and Misdemeanor charges under the United States Constitution’s impeachment clause. The memo was written a full eight months before the U.S. led invasion in Iraq by Matthew Rycroft, a British national security official, based on notes he took during a July 2002 meeting of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his advisers, including Richard Dearlove, the head of Britain's MI-6 intelligence service who had recently visited the White House to meet with Bush administration officials. Among other things, the memo said: Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy. The [National Security Council] had no patience with the UN route.... There was little discussion in Washington of the aftermath after military action. ... It seemed clear that Bush had made up his mind to take military action, even if the timing was not yet decided. But the case was thin. Saddam was not threatening his neighbors, and his WMD capability was less than that of Libya, North Korea or Iran. These are some of the public statements about Iraq that President Bush made after Rycroft revealed in the July 2002 memo that Bush wanted to use military force to overthrow Saddam Hussein and that he would say that Iraq had a massive weapons arsenal, was a threat to the U.S. and its neighbors in the Middle East in order to build public support for a case for war: "We have sources that tell us that Saddam Hussein recently authorized Iraqi field commanders to use chemical weapons -- the very weapons the dictator tells us he does not have." (Radio Address, October 5, 2002) "The evidence indicates that Iraq is reconstituting its nuclear weapons program. Saddam Hussein has held numerous meetings with Iraqi nuclear scientists, a group he calls his "nuclear mujahideen" - his nuclear holy warriors. Satellite photographs reveal that Iraq is rebuilding facilities at sites that have been part of its nuclear program in the past. Iraq has attempted to purchase high-strength aluminum tubes and other equipment needed for gas centrifuges, which are used to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons." (Cincinnati, Ohio Speech, October 7, 2002). "Our intelligence officials estimate that Saddam Hussein had the materials to produce as much as 500 tons of sarin, mustard and VX nerve agent." (State of the Union Address, January 28, 2003). Despite the fact that the memo was splashed across the front pages of dozens of international newspapers, it was relegated to the back pages—or not covered at all—in U.S. papers. The memo's authenticity has never been called into question by either the Bush administration or Tony Blair's office. "But the potentially explosive revelation has proven to be something of a dud in the United States," the Chicago Tribune said in a May 17 story. “The White House has denied the premise of the memo, the American media have reacted slowly to it and the public generally seems indifferent to the issue or unwilling to rehash the bitter prewar debate over the reasons for the war,” the Tribune said. “All of this has contributed to something less than a robust discussion of a memo that would seem to bolster the strongest assertions of the war's critics.” How sad for the more than 1,400 soldiers and the tens of thousands of innocent civilians who died in the Iraq war and the thousands more who will no doubt perish as this bogus and unjust war rages on. How much more evidence do we need to pile on in order for those gutless Democrats and those fanatical Republicans in Congress and the Senate to hold this president accountable for either war crimes or defrauding the United States? One of the key figures during Watergate made a compelling case a couple of years ago for impeachment if President Bush intentionally misled Congress and the public into backing a war against Iraq. "To put it bluntly, if Bush has taken Congress and the nation into war based on bogus information, he is cooked," wrote John Dean, President Richard Nixon’s former counsel, in a June 6, 2003 column for findlaw.com. "Manipulation or deliberate misuse of national security intelligence data, if proven, could be "a high crime" under the Constitution’s impeachment clause. It would also be a violation of federal criminal law, including the broad federal anti-conspiracy statute, which renders it a felony "to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose." Dean said that statements made by presidents that pertain to national security issues are supposed to be held to a higher standard of truthfulness. "A president cannot stretch, twist or distort facts and get away with it. President Lyndon Johnson’s distortions of the truth about Vietnam forced him to stand down from reelection. President Richard Nixon’s false statements about Watergate forced his resignation." Jason Leopold is the author of the explosive memoir, News Junkie, to be released in early 2006 by Process/Feral House Books. Visit Leopold’s website at www.jasonleopold.com for updates. |
|
Recent National Issues Articles Rumsfeld admits to "ghosting" detainee A man without a country Impeach the Liar-in-Chief Bush wiretaps threaten national security Which Christmas is the 'War Against Christmas' against? Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project plans economic summit in New York City Fear of the devil It's time to impeach Bush for these blatant violations of the law December 3 in the USA: a partial report Bush spews more irresponsible rhetoric as senate Extends Patriot Act for Six Months The Constitution in Crisis report Privatize Me...Corporatize Me.... Blackwaterize Me... USA Patriot Act defeated: Libertarians celebrate victory The solution we aren't considering Panic attack Eugene McCarthy, prophet with honor The iron fist of Jesus Progressive primary challenge to Hilary aunched An invitation to a tea party Precarious lives Criminal trial related to California energy crisis may start soon Hey board members, leave our kids alone! A Congressman for impeachment Friday night Congress: what was that? Teach our children well Greenhouse School secures major art donation Parental guidance suggested Our mothers (and Thomas Paine) warned us about people like the disciples of Strauss Despite his demeanor, Rove's still a Target Armistice Day 2005 The Bush-Cheney ethics refresher course Vice President lied as White House sought to defuse leak inquiry 53% of Americans support impeachment; ImpeachPAC announced! I can't wait Nothing to Lose The real Rosa Parks How has it come to this? Bush's wheels falling off Miers, White House surrender to ultraconservatives Prosecutor secures indictment in CIA outing case, lawyers say Hard conversations about the big easy Coalition of 75 groups demand end to Pentagon's youth database Vice President's role in outing of CIA agent under examination, sources close to prosecutor say Hard questions about the big easy Times reporter entangled in leak case had unusual relationship with military, Iraqi group Try and catch the wind More from the stormfront gulf central A deep look at corruption culture Dems Go After Bennett, Salem Radio Network, FCC Bill Bennett’s comments emerge from an ideology that is classic white supremacy, Rev. Jesse Jackson says Why the nomination of Harriet has to be looked at below the radar In support of weakness on national security Bill Frist, The Former 2008 Presidential Candidate Winds of change blow through DC, Bush flees More New Orleans stories From the stormfront: experiencing Rita in New Orleans The GOP’s fiscal policies turned a natural disaster into a man-made catastrophe The Devil in the Details: Carter-Baker, California, and the Integrity of American Elections Hurricane Katrina-Our Experiences A Fraction of Democracy Bring back New Orleans: the politics of disaster Rev. Jackson Recommends a 21st Century Marshall Plan That Reinvests in the Gulf Coast Division of funeral corp. charged with desecrating corpses hired to collect deceased victims of hurricane Katrina FEMA Chief Brown paid millions in false claims to help Bush win Fla. votes Indefinite Detention Seems like more people died than prospered under Pres Bush’s leadership Politics, timing and the so-called terrorist Nuradin Abdi: the mall bomber who wasn't Paul Allen's other yacht Katrina: A tragedy made worse The President’s priorities: state of marriage took precedence over state of Louisiana Notes from inside New Orleans Rev. Jackson Makes Second Rescue Mission into New Orleans Bush Strafes New Orleans, Where's Huey Long? 911 in New Orleans Global Warming and Widespread Blackouts Are Just as Deadly as Terrorism The mothers are coming! Update from Leonard Peltier Leonard has been transferred to USP Lewisburg Against Discouragement Open Letter to Cindy Sheehan, Crawford, Texas Regarding the 40th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 Lawyers, guns and money: Just put down that lawsuit, pardner, and no one gets hurt Forgotten Victims of America’s Plutocracy Spine, spine everywhere a spine Speaking truth to Roberts Business as usual with Judge Roberts; straight corporate, with Pepto-Bismol chaser The Record of Judge John Roberts The Enemy of Our Enemy May Still Be the Enemy of Democracy Mr. Rove and the Access of Evil: Tell Us Your "Source," Judy The Economy Turned the Corner and Is Headed in the Wrong Direction July 4th Declaration of Impeachment They Died for Their Country Energy adviser who solicited Enron to help write national energy policy to be named Chair of FERC Big Food Strikes Back; Ag industry aims to strip local control of food supplies The fantastical world of Studley McMuffin Counter-Recruitment: Preventing the Military from Getting More Youth for their Wars: An Interview with Counter-Recruitment Activist Clint Coppernoll A matter of education... Violations of Civil Liberties are an American Tradition Rumsfeld: Beyond the Point of No Return Peltier hearing to address Lakota Nation soverignty Extraordinarily rancid justices Former Army Sec, Enron VP, Thomas White Wants Gov't Funding For New Energy Project Imposing minority views When is Someone Going to Toss Rumsfeld into a Cage? Republicans: The Anti-Christian, Christian Party Watergate Proves That Even Presidents Will Break Laws To Achieve Goals Oral Histories of the 1970 Kent State Shootings Blurb: End the filibuster -- in 2015 The Beginning Of The End Of The Age Of Reason Nuking Democracy Conscientious Objection on Trial: The Court Martial of Keith Benderman Barnum on Steroids Mother’s Day Without Mom An Open Letter to Howard Dean Appeals Court Nominee Janice Rogers Brown Merits the Filibuster Activists Spur Historic Call to Exit Iraq John Bolton & the Battle for Reality Videos expose false arrests at 2004 Republican Convention protests in New York Wal-Mart's Free Market Fallacy Howard Dean Becomes Leader of the Other Pro-War Party; Dean on Iraq: “We're There and We Can't Get Out” You have to pick your team What They Should Fight For Vigilante Republicans Congresswoman Cynthia Mckinney Urges Reform of Voting Process at Historic Conference Abortion and Schiavo -- The stories we tell How and Why We're Working to Block the Bankruptcy Bill Statement on the Passing of Terri Schiavo Veterans for peace call for Congressional action to impeach George W. Bush and Richard Cheney Zealot and Proud of It Non Volunteers, Non-Recruiters, And A Non War Meet Your New FCC Chairman: Kevin Martin E.P.A. Nominee Supports Testing of Chemicals on Human Subjects A luncheon break with Michael Jackson Gannongate and Asian Pacific America I'd rather not say good-bye, Dan Free Trade and Frivolous Lawsuits Experiencing Hunter, Experiencing Death: A Eulogy The inevitability trap Bush’s Judicial Nominations are Hardly Mainstream Senators Clinton and Boxer, Representative Tubbs Jones and others unveil major election reform bill The difference between bi-partisanship and non-partisanship Bush & the Rise of 'Managed-Democracy' Yesterday's Gallup Poll Showing Bush Approval At 57% Had 9% More Republicans Than Democrats J20 Through my eyes Bush's Budget: The War on Working People Continues Bush’s Budget is at Odds With His Rhetoric Direct Action For Peace? State of the Union speech falls short, says Rev. Jesse Jackson The Black Perspective Save American Democracy: Curb Corporate Power Who's Paying for all this Freedom? Yes, there is a crisis in Social Security Agitation Time The 10 Worst Corporations of 2004 They Doth Protest Too Little Thousands take to the streets to oppose the inauguration of George W. Bush A Warm Oasis in a Snow Storm; The Progressive Democrat Summit in Washington The Politics of SpongeBob Mis-Defining Terrorism Marines stretching movement Bush’s Mythical Mandate and Social Security Piratization Happy Birthday Martin Luther King, Jr. Bush’s Choice for Energy Secretary Was One of Texas’ Top Five Worst Polluters Bush, God, Fox, and the International Criminal Court The real reason Bush wants to privatize Social Security CBS' cowardice and conflicts behind purge Bring them home -- Sooner rather than later Read National Issues Articles by Year: |
FREE PRESS EMAIL UPDATE
Donate to the Free Press Election Protection Fund to help us investigate and monitor election fraud in this year's election.
FOLLOW US ON
twitter
facebook
SEARCH THE FREEPRESS
1021 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43205 | 614.253.2571 | truth@freepress.org
All content © 1970-2012 The Columbus Free Press
Disclaimer