posted on April 1, 2004 06:19:06 PM new
John Dean is in the news again. Thirty years ago as counsel to Richard Nixon he mesmerized the country with his testimony in the Watergate hearings about "a cancer growing on the presidency." Eventually Nixon would resign and John Dean would go to prison for his role in the Watergate scandal. Now Dean has written a new book - his sixth - in which he concludes that the obsessive secrecy and deception in Washington today is "Worse Than Watergate." The conversation with Bill Moyers is Dean's first television interview on "the hidden agenda of a White House shrouded in secrecy and a presidency that seeks to remain unaccountable" and his book WORSE THAN WATERGATE: THE SECRET PRESIDENCY OF GEORGE W. BUSH.
posted on April 1, 2004 09:17:05 PM new
Or how about that impeached president, I did not have sexual relations with that woman.
Blah, Blah, Blah. Fact is if Clinton had done his job in the first place, Bush wouldn't had to clean up his mess. Now Bush is getting the blame for an inept illegal president.
posted on April 1, 2004 09:35:14 PM new
Just remember who wrote the book...John Dean convicted felon trying to renew his name. If it hasn't happened with the other books he has written what makes him think he can attempt another one. Some people just don't know when to quit writing. This book is not at the top of my reading list....
posted on April 1, 2004 09:35:43 PM new
John Dean is a good writer. I've added a link to all of his articles at Findlaw. One is a review of David Corn's book on the same subject, The Lies of George W. Bush. John Dean notes in this review that Bush lies are almost never justifiable and that his lies are "typically of the most serious kind.
For example,
"Intelligence gathered by this and other governments leaves no doubt that the Iraq regime continues to possess and conceal some of the most lethan weapons ever devised."
Clinton didn't wind up in the mid-east waging a unilateral war against a country that had no connection to the 9/ll tragedy.
We've discussed the fact that Clinton suspected weapons while Bush had no doubt. Bush used his bogus information to lead this country into a needless war. Big difference, pita linda.
posted on April 1, 2004 11:14:13 PM new
I believe AFTER 9-11 President Bush had even more reason to act upon the threat both clinton and this President felt saddam presented.
It's so easy for you and others to blame Bush for not taking the 'threat' of AQ seriously enought and acting sooner to prevent 9-11, while at the same time blaming him for talking action on the threat the three administrations felt saddam posed.
Once again, clinton's own words.
"The hard fact is that so long as Saddam remains in power, he threatens the well-being of his people, the peace of his region, the security of the world."
"The best way to end that threat once and for all is with a new Iraqi government -- a government ready to live in peace with its neighbors, a government that respects the rights of its people. Bringing change in Baghdad will take time and effort. We will strengthen our engagement with the full range of Iraqi opposition forces and work with them effectively and prudently."
"The decision to use force is never cost-free. Whenever American forces are placed in harm's way, we risk the loss of life. And while our strikes are focused on Iraq's military capabilities, there will be unintended Iraqi casualties."
"Indeed, in the past, Saddam has intentionally placed Iraqi civilians in harm's way in a cynical bid to sway international opinion.
We must be prepared for these realities. At the same time, Saddam should have absolutely no doubt if he lashes out at his neighbors, we will respond forcefully."
"Heavy as they are, the costs of action must be weighed against the price of inaction. If Saddam defies the world and we fail to respond, we will face a far greater threat in the future. Saddam will strike again at his neighbors. He will make war on his own people."
"And mark my words, he will develop weapons of mass destruction. He will deploy them, and he will use them."
"Because we're acting today, it is less likely that we will face these dangers in the future."
"Let me close by addressing one other issue. Saddam Hussein and the other enemies of peace may have thought that the serious debate currently before the House of Representatives would distract Americans or weaken our resolve to face him down."
"But once more, the United States has proven that although we are never eager to use force, when we must act in America's vital interests, we will do so."
"In the century we're leaving, America has often made the difference between chaos and community, fear and hope. Now, in the new century, we'll have a remarkable opportunity to shape a future more peaceful than the past, but only if we stand strong against the enemies of peace."
"Tonight, the United States is doing just that. May God bless and protect the brave men and women who are carrying out this vital mission and their families. And may God bless America."
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Hope you all notice too clinton's reference to GOD blessing our soldiers and our country.
posted on April 1, 2004 11:34:03 PM new
9-11 was going to happen no matter who was in the white house. The execution set up for it was that good. Our nation and the rest of the world have underestimated Al Queida and the terrorist's true extremism for years.
posted on April 2, 2004 07:03:11 AM new
Right, neroter. As Clarke has pointed out in his book, he was denied the opportunity to make his case to Bush both before and after 9/11. Instead, Bush went off half cocked to preemptively invade a country with no al Qaeda association. To justify a unilateral and preemptive war with Iraq, Bush used lies to manipulate public opinion and influence congress. I mentioned only one of those lies in my comment above.
Isn't it ironic that a man who calls himself "a uniter and not a divider" has managed to alienate the United States from allies throughout the world leaving the effort to control terrorism without united support.
Today, we're dealing with another lie..""We must uncover every detail and learn every lesson of September 11th." Now, the Bush administration is withholding documents from the commission investigating intelligence before the attacks.
posted on April 2, 2004 01:29:44 PM new
President Bush sure has done a great job by removing saddam from power. No more need for our airforce to patrol the North and the South areas of Iraq to keep saddam from invading them. No more need to be continually arguing with people like you who were for removing the sanctions put on Iraq because they weren't cooperating with the UN.
Not only is Saddam no longer in power.....find world leader who feels sadness over that fact he's been taken out of power. Look at Syria and Libya...they're wanting to work wit the US now and they've turning to Australia to work towards better relations with the US.
I think what he's done is great. And we'll see more changes in the Middle East as time goes on. Wouldn't surprise me that this President may, sometime in the future, be seen as the leader who brought more peace to the ME.
