In Sunday’s Washington Post, former Counter-Terrorism Chief Richard Clark took aim at former Vice President Dick Cheney, writing “top officials ignored warnings from the CIA and the NSC staff that urgent action was needed to preempt a major al-Qaida attack.” Cheney then turned around and place that blame on Clark.
FROM CNN’sJack Cafferty: Dick Cheney says he doesn’t think Saddam Hussein was involved in the 9/11 attacks. More than six years after the Bush administration took us to war in Iraq — after 4,310 Americans died there, and with U.S. troops possibly staying in that country for years to come — the former vice president says the Iraqi dictator had nothing to do with the planning or execution of the terror attacks.
Shortly after 9/11, Cheney was singing a different tune… Then he said it was “pretty well” confirmed that one of the leaders of the attack, Mohammed Atta, had met with a senior Iraqi intelligence official in Prague in 2000.
Nonetheless, Cheney continues to defend the Bush administration’s decision to invade Iraq — saying Saddam’s previous support for known terrorists was a real threat after 9/11. And he insists there was an ongoing relationship that went back years between al Qaeda and Iraq — saying that information came primarily from CIA Director George Tenet.
The former vice president is now explaining away the early uncertainty of the so-called Iraq-9/11 link by saying that intelligence gathering is “more an art form than a science.” However, he failed to mention those Iraqi weapons of mass destruction that never seemed to materialize — another supposed reason for the invasion.
Here’s my question to you: Six years after the invasion of Iraq, how does it make you feel when Dick Cheney says there was no link between Saddam Hussein and 9/11? [ Visit Jack's Blog ] [ Here are some comments ]
NOTES:CNNs Jack Cafferty on December 15, 2008: “Yes! Limbaugh is a far-right agitator of the worst sort with a 1950’s mentality of what values 21st century America should reflect. I expect him and other like-minded Sean Hannitys of the world to step out of their closet and display their white sheets and dunce caps. Limbaugh is a bad joke.”
Previously, Jack has accused Limbaugh of “hateful rhetoric,” “sociopathy,” “inciting hate and fear,” insulted Limbaugh?s listeners as “ignorant,” referred to Limbaugh “taking his happy pills,” and suggested that moderate Republicans should “scrape” the conservative faction “from their shoes.”
I concur, Mr. Cafferty — that’s exactly what these G.O.P gasbags are!
From The CaffertyFile: Rush Limbaugh is the face of the Republican Party – at least that’s how some Democrats want it.
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel calls Limbaugh the “voice and intellectual force and energy” behind the GOP and Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says he’s “a national spokesperson for conservative views.” This after the radio host recently repeated his claim that he wants President Obama to fail.
It also comes at the same time as a dust-up within conservative ranks between Limbaugh and Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee. Over the weekend, Steele called Limbaugh an “entertainer” whose comments are “ugly.”
Needless to say, Limbaugh has had a field day with all the finger-pointing, going after both the Democrats and Steele on his radio show. Limbaugh insists he’s not in charge of the GOP and doesn’t want to be. He says considering the sad state of the Republican Party, he would quit if he were chairman.
As for Steele, the radio host also suggests he appears to be supporting President Obama and Nancy Pelosi and that he is being used by the “liberal media.”
Well, after Rush’s millions of listeners heard that one, it took Steele about 3 minutes to backpedal, reaching out to the right-wing radio host to say he was sorry…. that his words came out wrong, that he has enormous respect for Limbaugh…. and that what he actually meant was that a lot of people want to make Limbaugh the “bogeyman” when he’s not. Steele said today he has spoken with Limbaugh and quote “we are all good.”
Here’s my question to you: Who’s running the Republican Party, the RNC or Rush Limbaugh? — Click Here To Read Responses From Jack Cafferty’s Viewers.
The party of ideas has become the party of Beavis and Butthead — The intellectual incoherence is stunning. Basically, the political philosophy of the GOP right now seems to consist of snickering at stuff that they think sounds funny. — Paul Krugman
As Governor Jindal walked in to begin his rebuttal, I couldn’t help but think of the “Travis — The Stimulus Chimp.” The ‘Rhodes scholar‘ slithered towards the speaking podium, ready and willing to “tear off Obama’s face.”
In true Republican form, Jindal delivered the outdated Republican war cry — NO BIG GOVERNMENT! …NO TAXES! …OBAMA IS IRRESPONSIBLE! …NO TO STIMULUS!, and with a straight face misrepresented Obama’s comments: “A few weeks ago, the President warned that our nation is facing a crisis that he said ‘we may not be able to reverse.‘ Our troubles are real, to be sure. But don’t let anyone tell you that we cannot recover — or that America’s best days are behind her.” In fact, Obama stated that if his economic recovery plan were not passed, “we may not be able to reverse” the current economic crisis.
Already anointed by Rush Limbaugh as “the next Ronald Reagan,” Jindal who supposedly is a fresh face in the GOP, failed miserably, earning bad reviews across the board.
If this is the GOP’s great INDIAN hope for 2012 — they are big trouble. Jindal is a well educated man in a party of IDIOTS — Political Idiots by necessity, because their constituents are either RACISTS or SOCIOPATHS or BOTH.
Per Bob Miller, Republicans are animals, an extremely dangerous group of sociopaths that will belittle, and if possible destroy, every humanitarian and virtuous plan that comes along simply because it diverts funds from their Nazi mentality of world authority by military might.
From The CaffertyFile: Jack Cafferty wondered whether the GOP is in position to talk fiscal responsibility?
Said Jack: “In the Republican response to President Obama’s speech last night, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal called the stimulus package “irresponsible”. He said it will grow government, increase taxes in the future and saddle future generations with debt.
Are the Republicans in any position to lecture President Obama on fiscal responsibility?
Here are some answers he got from his viewers:
Conor in Chicago wrote: I would consider it less offensive if they kicked me in the groin instead.
Hugh Tracy, California wrote: A voice from the grave to the GOP about fiscal responsibility. “Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” -Albert Einstein
Bonnie in Arkansas wrote: Back in the Reagan days, taxes were cut, spending went up, there was a big deficit, and everyone talked about how our children and grandchildren would have to pay for our over spending. Under Clinton, taxes for the wealthy were raised, and they still got wealthier every year, and lo there was a surplus. Bush called for tax cuts when there was a surplus, and then when we went into a deficit he assured us that more tax cuts were the answer. Now the Republicans are still beating the drum for tax cuts? Did the last 8 years of tax cuts create any jobs? Is this going to require a 2 by 4 over the head?
Jay Wrote: It seems to me that the Republicans do nothing but disagree with President Obama. After the Bush administration and backing Sarah Palin, I am surprised they don’t have their mouths ductaped. They need to take it on the chin and cooperate as best they can.
Robbie wrote: Please. They remind me of a dog chasing his tail and not knowing which way to go. They have a long way to go to get back in the good graces of their party or until the Democrats make a big blunder.
Pablo in Tejas wrote: Gotta tell ya Jack, I think the GOP is in no position to cast aspersions. Did you see the response by Governor Jindal? It was so out of touch it was downright embarrassing. Is he competing with Governor Palin and Representative Cantor to see who can say the dumbest things? If so, he’s winning.
Rick Medina,OH wrote: The largest deficits we’ve ever experienced have been with two Republican Presidents – Reagan and Bush, Jr. They can lecture all they want to deaf ears!
Cindy wrote: Hell, no! There is a real “myth” out there about Republicans and fiscal responsibility but the FACT is that under both Reagan and both Bushes, spending went up and up.
Jason, in Orlando wrote: The GOP is in position to talk fiscal responsibility as much as David Vitter is to teach family values
Don in (Ottawa) wrote: Jindal’s rejection of the stimulus package for his state is about as logical as his saying that the private sector can handle events like Katrina. The Republicans must think the entire country lives in the back woods where they live.
S in Michigan wrote: Tsk Tsk Tsk- they still don’t get it! Just because you change the color of leadership of the party doesn’t mean you can fool all of the public all of the time. Looks like Jindal will be Sarah Palin version 2!
In his upcoming new book, Cafferty will cover the colossal blunders and hypocrisies the Bush administration has perpetrated on the world since It’s Getting Ugly Out There was published. The book will also cover what Jack sees as the colossal mistakes the new Democratic-controlled Congress is making as well as, of course, the run-up to and the results of this fall’s presidential election, among other topics. Jack will include new dramatic autobiographical material, which got a lot of media attention and praise from his fans when he included it his first book. He will continue passionately to argue for the need for the average American to speak up and make a difference in an increasingly indifferent world.
Tom from Philadelphia writes: Who let the black man in on closed-door racism? We have gone from overt, in-your-face racism, to closed-door, let-me-make-sure-who-I-am-talking-to racism. Overall, on the outside it’s going away. But in the hearts and minds of many and in private, it’s the same as it always was. He is bold and brave to confront it. Good job.
Terry, Chandler from Arizona writes: I’m a 60 year old white dude and a former bigot. AG Holder is 100 percent right on. We will continue to be cowards untill a time when we can all speak openly about all racial problems and differences.
Julie writes: I think he wants to get our minds off of the financial crisis
Ken in Pinon Hills, California writes: Millions of cowards voted for a black president.
Bruce, from St. Paul, Minnesota writes: In my lifetime, I have seen racism become more and more covert over time. There is less name calling, but still job applications are disregarded, law-abiding drivers are pulled over, and much, much more. I think to label this behavior as cowardly is exactly right. To deny or rationalize it is even worse.
Chryssa from Boise, Idaho writes: I believe Holder’s generation is a bunch of cowards. Most of us born after 1965 could care less about another person’s skin color.
Marjorie Lominy of Jorie, New York writes: I am happy to report that we have 69 millions “non cowards” who pulled the lever for President Obama.
Tommy form Alabama: Yeah, pretty much. As a 51 year old man, I do have one black friend and one gay friend. I think that’s pretty radical for a born and raised Alabamaian.
