The Timid Two

See Article in Counterpunch.

Amidst the shambles of the 2004 elections, there were two bright spots for the Senate Democrats -- the seats they had wrested in Illinois and Colorado.

At first blush, it would appear that both blossoms have flattered to deceive.

Both Barack Obama (D-Ill) and Ken Salazar (D-Co) had excellent opportunities recently to strike a blow for America. They appear to have, instead, limiting themselves to a narrow view of their roles. Both failed to stand up and be counted -- one sparklingly, and the other bumbling.

The lone black member of the current senate could not bring himself to vote against Condi Rice. Obama, who elegantly took apart Condi Rice's high rhetoric conflating tyranny and terror, refrained from ascribing mendacity, and even if he thought voicing it was discourteous, ended up voting for her confirmation anyway. But any fellow-feeling evidently stops at the limits of political risk. After all, we didn't see Obama stand with Barbara Boxer to challenge the Ohio vote and a decry an election where thousands of black people were effectively denied the vote.

As to the ponderous Salazar, who reminds one of nothing so much as Phil Gramm, he discovered himself more Hispanic than Democratic, and felt obligated to chaperone Alberto "Torture Away" Gonzales to the latter's Senate hearing. But Salazar showed that his obsequious behavior is not based on anyone's racial origins. All the President's men (and women), regardless of ineptitude and wilful deception, can expect to receive the same elaborate courtesy from this "can't we all just get along" Senator, whose feared propensity to become the next Nighthorse-Campbell assumed greater momentum the moment he opened his mouth during the Condi Rice Confirmation debate on the Senate floor today. He intoned the usual platitudes, "Highly qualified, inspiring life-story, long experience, high intelligence...".

C'mon, amigo...

How 'bout "...lied to the Senate', cheated the American people, took us to an needless war, failed to defend us on 9-11". How about a fuller picture?

Is it not insulting, as Barbara Boxer said, that someone should not be held to full account because s/he happens to be from a minority? Is the Senate a rubberstamp? Someone should tell these guys that they are expected to take a stand against executive railroading.

But you can hardly blame the newest Democratic senators, when their seniors hardly inspire. Lieberman already said he was going to support Rice. As soon as Gonzales was announced, Patrick Leahy gave a tentative nod (yes, Leahy!). And what about people like Biden, Dodd -- Sarbanes (et tu, Paul?) who supported Rice's confirmation?

So there you have it, openly lying to the American people is no a bar to being promoted to Secretary of State, a charge held up in cold print by Barbara Boxer. Failing in your job as National Security Adviser and permitting the larges terrorist act on American soil is no impediment. Nor is the shying away from every opportunity to disavow torture.

We have fallen far.

A good article in the Denver Post a few days ago, after the Gonzales hearing. Wonder what Diane will say after today's debate.


From Diane Carman in the Denver Post:

“E-mails have been pouring into Ken Salazar's old digs at the Colorado Attorney General's Office. Many are from supporters sending congratulations and good wishes.

“But others express dismay.

“The writers are wondering what on earth the Democratic senator is doing buddying up to the likes of Alberto Gonzales. Is this the first sign of a Ben Nighthorse Campbell-style defection to the Republican ranks after using the Democratic Party to get elected?

“After all, when Salazar introduced President Bush's nominee for U.S. attorney general - a guy opposed by retired generals, veterans groups, civil rights organizations, even the Mexican American Political Association - it was one of his very first official acts as a senator.

“And given that Gonzales' confirmation is virtually guaranteed by the Republican majority in the Senate, Salazar's support was wildly unnecessary.

“Sure, Gonzales would be the first Latino to head Justice. But this guy brings plenty of smelly baggage to the job.

“Among other things, he was a partner in the Texas law firm that represented Enron and Halliburton, both under federal investigation. He said he "spent hours grilling" Bernard Kerik and recommended him for secretary of homeland security. And Kerik is the guy who had to withdraw from consideration after his nanny problems, his girlfriend problems and his relationship with a guy indicted for mob activities were revealed.

“Even more disturbing, Gonzales advised the president that the Geneva Convention outlawing the torture of prisoners of war was "quaint" and "obsolete," and signed off on a memo that defined torture as "injury such as death, organ failure or serious impairment of bodily functions," a definition narrow enough to authorize most of the abuses at Abu Ghraib or even those inflicted by the Viet Cong at the infamous Hanoi Hilton.

“So what does Salazar see in this guy?

"I'm particularly moved by his historical upbringing," the senator said, "the fact that he came from a place with 11 in his family all cramped into two rooms, his father with only a second-grade education." He went on to graduate from Harvard Law School, to become a justice on the Texas Supreme Court, to advise the president. Salazar said he was impressed with "the fact he's overcome those kinds of very significant obstacles to become a successful lawyer."

“The lessons from a hardscrabble childhood are invaluable, Salazar said. "And his real-life experience will inform him in his role as attorney general," he said.

“But a whole lot of his real-life experience has been as a loyal adviser to the president, one whose opinions often have provided legal cover - if only temporarily until the Supreme Court overruled them - for an administration bent on ignoring international law.

“The concerns that Gonzales has appeared to authorize torture "are very serious questions that need to be asked," Salazar said. "And they are being asked in these confirmation hearings. He needs to explain his role."

“There's a chance that information will emerge from the hearings that will persuade him to vote against Gonzales' confirmation.

“"That's a distinct possibility," Salazar said. "But I'm hopeful that will not be the case."

“Nativo Vigil Lopez, president of the Mexican American Political Association, told the Los Angeles Times that the nomination of Gonzales is a cynical ploy to exploit the Latino community.

“"There is no doubt in my mind that the ethnic card is being played here, and actually to the detriment, in my mind, of the Latino community," he said.

“But Salazar stands firm, saying there's a big difference between being counsel to the president and U.S. attorney general. "My hope is that he will exercise that kind of independence," Salazar said.

“In the senator's mind, supporting Gonzales is clearly an act of independence and political courage.

“But it will take real guts to withdraw that support now if Gonzales doesn't deserve it.”

Animal Farm for the New Century

This appeared in Counterpunch today:

Day of the Rats

"My next door neighbor is a fascinating man. He woke up one morning a few years ago, shortly after he had moved into his home, and discovered that rats had wreaked havoc on his living and family rooms. They had chewed up the carpet in one room and gnawed away a couple of valuable chairs in another. This was sensational for many reasons -- the audacity of the rats, the horror of the incident, and the fact that he lived in the swankiest home in the neighborhood, where such things were unthought-of. "

Rest of the Article...

Sab Chalta Hai

Bush relected.

Fantasy and reality have merged indistinguishably. The message from the American public is
loud and clear.

It doesn't matter if you didn't protect our country after being warned about planes being hijacked and federal buildings being attacked (Aug 6, 2001 memo)?. So what if you were out clearing brush in Crawford all summer as terrorists assembled and architected an attack of such audacity that they themselves couldn't believe the extent of their success? Doesn't matter if you wouldn't even examine how this came to pass, and resisted efforts to put together an inquiry for two long years. We admire how beautifully you convinced us that, though it was Saudi Arabia which provided the hijackers, our biggest enemy was Iraq!

And when your claims of imminent danger from weapons of mass destruction proved so utterly false, how well you kept a straight face, and indeed, took the battle to the enemy (no, no, not Iraq, Kerry!), launching a series of Swift Boat lies! What grit. What fortitude. We salute you.

We all of us, even your Democratic opponents, agree that your administration holds the prize for the most bold-faced mendacity, yet, we are happy to vote for someone like your new nominee for Secretary of State, a proven falsifier and open slighter of Congressional privilege. They are unable to conduct a simple dialogue, which would go like this:

Senator X (D): Ms. Rice, for the record. Were you the National Security Adviser to the President during the year 2001?

Rice: It depends, Senator...

Senator X(D): Let us say, specifically, September 2001.

Rice: Yes, I was.

Senator X(D): Was the security of the country under your purview?

Rice: (After some usual dissembling) Yes.

Senator X(D): Could you please describe what happened in our country on September 11, 2001?

Rice: Terrorists with links with Iraq attacked our buildings in New York and Washington, killing 3000 people.

Senator X(D): Would you describe it as a failure to protect the country?

Rice: I guess some people could look at it that way. I don't. Mistakes happen.

Senator X(D): Yes, and when they do, those responsible pay a price. I am shocked that you did not tender your resignation first thing September 12. It would have been the honorable course. But perhaps that is too 20th century. Anyhow, nothing personal, Ms. Rice, but I somehow don't see myself supporting your nomination for Secretary of State. I wish you well.

Such a dialogue, which should have been the sole line of questioning of every Democrat -- and Republican with any shred of self-respect -- would have at least restored some dignity to the Senate.

But everything passes. As they say in Hindi, Sab Chalta Hai (anything goes).

Don't forget tomorrow (Jan 20) -- Not ONE DAMN DIME Day

Someone sent this to me a few days back, it is one of the most telling and innovative actions proposed by anyone in a long time.

On Wednesday, January 12, 2005, the White House officially announced that after an extensive investigation, there were never any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Inauguration Day, Thursday, January 20th, 2005 is "Not One Damn Dime Day" in America. On "Not One Damn Dime Day" those who oppose what is happening in our name in Iraq can speak up with a 24-hour national boycott of all forms of consumer spending. During "Not One Damn Dime Day" please don't spend money. Not one damn dime for gasoline. Not one damn dime for necessities or for impulse purchases. Not one damn dime for anything for 24 hours.

On "Not One Damn Dime Day," please boycott Walmart, KMart and Target. Please don't go to the mall or the local convenience store. Please don't buy any fast food (or any groceries at all for that matter). For 24 hours, please do what you can to shut the retail economy down. The object is simple. Remind the people in power that the war in Iraq is immoral and illegal; that they are responsible for starting it and that it is their responsibility to stop it.

"Not One Damn Dime Day" is to remind them, too, that they work for the people of the United States of America, not for the international corporations and K Street lobbyists who represent the corporations and funnel cash into American politics.

"Not One Damn Dime Day" is about supporting the troops. The politicians put the troops in harm's way. Now 1,200+ brave young Americans and (some estimated) 100,000 Iraqis have died. The politicians owe our troops a plan -- a way to come home.

There's no rally to attend. No marching to do. No left or right wing agenda to rant about. On "Not One Damn Dime Day" you take action by doing nothing. You open your mouth by keeping your wallet closed. For 24 hours, nothing gets spent, not one damn dime, to remind our religious leaders and our politicians of their moral responsibility to end the war in Iraq and give America back to the people.

Sent by an anonymous contributor, this has been attributed to Bill Moyers

The Rice Hearings

The New York Times editorial this morning, A Diplomatic Hearing, called the Rice hearings 'political theater'. "Ms. Rice acted as if things were going according to plan in Iraq and everywhere else, and the senators acted as if she were not part of the serial disasters of the administration's foreign policy".

Senator Barbara Boxer stood out in her forthright and bold questioning. Instead of going with the Other-than-that,-Mrs. Lincoln,-how-was-your-evening? tone of the proceedings, she refused to flinch from calling Condolezza Rice, and through her the administration, a liar (not the exact term she used, but the facts Boxer laid out made this clear). Here's Boxer's opening statement:

"It is my hope that today, we will have a candid discussion, Dr. Rice, because I believe it is crucial that a Secretary of State speak openly and honestly with the American people and with Congress. Frankly, this issue of candor is where my concern lies.

"Since 9/11, we have been engaged in a just fight against terrorism. I voted to use force against Osama bin Laden and the terrorists in Afghanistan, and I assumed that we would focus on that challenge, not stopping until we got bin Laden, dead or alive, and broke the back of al Qaeda.

"However, instead, with you in a lead role Dr. Rice, we went into Iraq. I want to read you one paragraph that best expresses my views, and the views of millions of Californians, on the impact of the Iraqi war on the war against terrorism. It was written by one of the world’s experts on terrorism and foreign policy, Peter Bergen, five months ago.

"He wrote:

"What we have done in Iraq is what bin Laden could not have hoped for in his wildest dreams: We invaded an oil-rich Muslim nation in the heart of the Middle East, the very type of imperial adventure that bin Laden has long predicted was the United States' long-term goal in the region. We deposed the secular socialist Saddam, whom bin Laden has long despised, ignited Sunni and Shia fundamentalist fervor in Iraq, and have now provoked a “defensive” jihad that has galvanized jihad-minded Muslims around the world. It's hard to imagine a set of policies better designed to sabotage the war on terrorism.

"This conclusion was reiterated last Thursday by the National Intelligence Council, the CIA Director’s think tank, which released a report saying that Iraq has replaced Afghanistan as the training ground for the next generation of “professionalized” terrorists. NIC Chairman Robert L. Hutchings said that Iraq is “a magnet for international terrorist activity.”These quotations are significant to this hearing, Dr. Rice, because as a major proponent and spokesperson for the war in Iraq, and as someone who was asked by the President to make the case for this war to the American people, and as the person in charge of the reconstruction effort– you have many questions to answer to the American people.

"This war was sold to the American people– as Chief of Staff to President Bush, Andy Card said– like a “new product.” You rolled out the idea and then you had to convince the people, and as you made your case, I personally believe that your loyalty to the mission you were given overwhelmed your respect for the truth.

"That was a great disservice to the American people. But worse than that, our young men and women are dying. So far, 1,366 American troops have been killed in Iraq. More than 25 percent of those troops were from California. More than 10,372 have been wounded.

"I don’t want their families to think for a minute that their lives and bodies were given in vain. Because when your commander in chief asks you to sacrifice yourself for your country, it is noble to answer the call. I am giving their families all the support that they want and need, but I will also not shrink from questioning a war that was not built on the truth.

"Perhaps the most well known statement you have made was the one about Saddam Hussein launching a nuclear weapon on America, with the image of a “mushroom cloud.” That image had to frighten every American into believing that Saddam Hussein was on the verge of annihilating them if he was not stopped."

The Old Merchant and the Tsunami

Article in Counterpunch: http://www.counterpunch.com/ramakrishnan01072005.html.