Froomkin:
Media Matters writes: "But despite that knowledge, they participated in the publication of an article containing that quote, with no indication that it was untrue. They participated in the publication of that article, which, in reporting that 'Rove was initially accused by Wilson of being the man behind the leak,' implied that Rove was no longer under suspicion -- even though they all knew that Rove was, in fact, [Matt] Cooper's source."
Is there any excuse for a news organization to print a statement that they know is untrue, without at least trying to clue their readers into the truth? That seems to defeat the central purpose of journalism.
So what should Time have done? One option might have been to go to Rove and say: We know McClellan isn't telling the truth. You either need to tell us the truth, on the record, or tell him the truth.
What if Rove had refused? One option might have been to go to McClellan and tell him that they had reason to think his statement was not accurate.
And if McClellan brushed them off? They should have stopped at nothing until they found a way to report what they knew to be the truth.
anotherpawn |
02.08.06 - 1:04 pm | #
Funny, I came away from the televised funeral yesterday with the exact opposite notion: Dang, the blacks in our country have a REAL culture of life. They are talking about real life, real emotions, real issues. With dignity and grace and the kind of rhetorical excellence I miss so much from our current crop of assholes.
PS I still love Bill.
Mommybrain |
02.08.06 - 1:05 pm | #
God forbid that inconvenient and controversial part of the King’s legacy of being anti-war live on.
Lets see the Bubble Boyz recite one quote from MLK other than “I have a dream”.
Bush reminds me of a toy we had as kids called The Great Garloo. The name fits him perfectly.
ccmask |
02.08.06 - 1:05 pm | #
Watched 3 plus hours of the funeral on cspan last night. The oblique criticism of the chimp was mild...what thin skins they have.
What i did notice was the very favorable responce that bush, sr got compared to his son...so, the gop can't scream partisanship over this.
The difference is that say what you will about Bush, Sr...his son is a classless, useless, incompetent shadow of the old man.
jdw |
02.08.06 - 1:05 pm | #
Every time we speak about love, strength and righteousness, the right just freaks out.
Let's do it more often.
bodkin |
02.08.06 - 1:06 pm | #
The reporting on this issue reflects lack of diversity in our media.
anotherpawn |
02.08.06 - 1:07 pm | #
old man Bush even joked about Lowrey giving him a hard time for years! the audience laughed sympathetically with him...
Wilson46201 |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 1:10 pm | #
The difference is that say what you will about Bush, Sr...his son is a classless, useless, incompetent shadow of the old man.
I was never a fan of Bush Sr., but at least he was an adult. What the Right doesn't get is that the hatred of Bush is not partisan belly-aching but rather a genuine hatred of a pathetic, little man. I never hated his father or Reagan for that matter.
Marcus Wellby |
02.08.06 - 1:10 pm | #
What do you call Rush Limbaugh and a National Review wing nut cruise at the bottom of the ocean?
A toxic waste dump, but worth it overall . . .
ck |
02.08.06 - 1:11 pm | #
Did you know the garbage started on Drudge before the funeral was even over?
Where I come from, the first rule of funeral etiquette is to sit up straight and keep a straight face. Maybe all this fuss is to distract from King George's poor posture and goofy grin. The whole TV broadcast just showed what a child he is.
NotThatMo |
02.08.06 - 1:11 pm | #
Is there a hotline for black people to call to get eulogy approval? Or approval on how to behave during a hurricane? Or for approval on how many kids we have? Or for what we name our kids? That would make my life so much easier, even though I don't work, but I still have kids and they don't have fathers, but I digress.
As an uneducated black woman, and by uneducated I mean that I want to learn how not offend the likes of Kate O'Beirne, Tucker Carlson, Chris Matthews, Don Imus, Matt Drudge and any other offendables, even if they themselves have made racist comments or done things to hurt the world. Oooops, I should remember my place. Sorry about that last dig. I did not mean it.
it hurts |
02.08.06 - 1:11 pm | #
I just read that piece a few minutes ago myself. You could almost hear it for youself... In three.. two.. One.. Let the dancing begin.Low life got a good bitch slap yesterday,a long overdue,public bitchslap.Good on ya, reverand.And the contrast of intellect between Bill Clinton and George dubya was frightening.So the media bedwetters started in before the service was even over. Right on cue. I turned it off. Its nauseating,really.I would like to see someone make an animation of all of the right wings talking heads in a birds nest suawking to be fed more bullshit. Its a mental picture kind of thing.
Bustednuckles |
02.08.06 - 1:12 pm | #
Rev. Lowery had all of the power yesterday, in the church, and George Bush had none.
What we saw at Mrs. King's funeral ---the political commentary from the pulpit, the emotional response from the congregation, the rhyming, the hats ---is what goes on in black churches across this country every daggone Sunday. The trust-funded heir of the Swanson teevee dinner fortune and the delicate Miss OB and that scary-looking Imus guy and their ilk had never seen such a thing as what they saw going on in New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.
The black church is one of the few institutions in this country that isn't about white people or white peoples' power. Whites don't understand the black church and what blew their minds about what they saw yesterday is that it's something they don't or can't control (the occasional sellouts like T.D. Jakes excepted). Think about it----a black man told George Bush like it is with George Bush sitting right there to hear it. Can any of you think of a time, ANY time, when ANYONE told George Bush like it is to his face?
Rev. Lowery had all of the power yesterday in the church and George Bush had none and, in the minds of Tucker and Friends, that's not the "natural" order. That's why they're all atwitter.
Debbie |
02.08.06 - 1:12 pm | #
Last poll showed Bush at 2% voting approval amongst African-Americans. Is he actually trying for a shut-out this time? zippo?
I bet Jefferson Davis would out-poll George W in the Black community!
Wilson46201 |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 1:15 pm | #
It's official--Ms. King has joined Pat Tillman, Cindy Sheehan's son, Terry Schiavo, the 9-11 family members, the kid on Bill O'Reilly who's dad died in the WTC, our wiretapping forefathers and many others...
all of whom the Right Wing Nuts claim to speak for, family members be damned--does their shamelessness know any bounds? will this be far enough?
since Kate O'Bierne was tapped to provide commentary on Dickhead's show, does that mean Kanye West gets to do the same at Dick Cheney's funeral?
leftAhead |
02.08.06 - 1:18 pm | #
wasn't bush sr head of the cia during operation condor?
avh |
02.08.06 - 1:18 pm | #
Too bad David Frum has left the speech writing employ of the White House. Based on the executive branch's view of recent race awareness, New Orleans, Detroit and Atlanta, they could have coined the term 'Axis of Darkness.' I'm sure the media outlets would oblige.
hickcity |
02.08.06 - 1:19 pm | #
It's a funny thing, but...... up here in Canuckistan they played big chunks of the speeches from Lowery, Clinton and Angelou last night on CBC radio.
And they were incredibly uplifting.
I listened to them in the car with my 12 yr old south-of-the-line-born kid on the way home from her theatre class, and she was so taken by them that we spent the rest of ride, about half-an-hour, talking about the Kings and all they did, and are still doing, to make America a better place.
So, imagine her surprise when she opened the paper this morning and read that Mr. Bush was also at Ms. King's memorial.
"What was he doing there?" she asked, incredulously.
i believe Condor predated Geo. HW. He was Republican National Chair at that time (1972 or so)
Wilson46201 |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 1:20 pm | #
Not like MLK was critical of presidents. No, not at all. How dare a clergyman talk back to Bush, in his presence no less.
Some Guy |
02.08.06 - 1:20 pm | #
"What we saw at Mrs. King's funeral ---the political commentary from the pulpit, the emotional response from the congregation, the rhyming, the hats ---is what goes on in black churches across this country every daggone Sunday."
As I was watching I was thinking that maybe if I had been taken to churches like that as a kid, I just may have developed a better feeling for religion.
The Methodist church I was dragged to as a child was boring and lacked, for want of a better word, soul. For me it was an emotionless experience that left me cold.
jdw |
02.08.06 - 1:21 pm | #
Wilson-
I think the poll was 2% approval, with a margin of error of 3%, so it's possible that the only African American in the country that likes him is Condi.
cleter |
02.08.06 - 1:22 pm | #
Yes but remember the WaPo doesn't "have" Froomkin. As he recently pointed out, he is an independent contractor for the website, not a real employee of the WaPo.
He's apparently got balls too big to be actually employed by the WaPo.
tom |
02.08.06 - 1:23 pm | #
Ross K:
Out of the mouth of babes, eh?
Mommybrain |
02.08.06 - 1:23 pm | #
RossK:
From her mouth to God's ears...
Dr. Bong |
02.08.06 - 1:23 pm | #
I just realized something. All the African American talking heads I saw yesterday on cable news were "guests".
Dave Latchaw |
02.08.06 - 1:23 pm | #
Okay.
Call me a cynic.
Call me a tinfoilhatter.
Go ahead.
But can anybody think that Bush and his handlers DIDN'T KNOW how Bush would be received at that funeral? They knew. They were also ready to "Wellstone" it for everything it was worth. They wanted Bush to be a martyr in front of all those rude and unruly (black)liberals. They wanted to demonstrate how disrespectful democrats are to the Office of the President; They wanted to demonstrate how liberals have an "over-reaching, all-encompassing, irrational hatred of Bush" and couldn't even contain themselves at a funeral.
I think they got what they wanted. Now I have to figure out just exactly WHAT I'm supposed to be distracted from...
According to wikipedia, Operation Condor appears to have begun in earnest in Nov 1975?
Also according to wikipedia, Ford appointed Bush to be Director of the CIA in... 1975
Are either of those citations wrong?
avh |
02.08.06 - 1:28 pm | #
Condor was formally organized precisely during Poppy Bush's CIA leadership http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Ope...peration_Condor
Geo HW was GOP chair right after the 72 election but during the Watergate kerfuffle...
Wilson46201 |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 1:29 pm | #
Yes, it was wonderful watching Commander Cuckoo Bananas having to sit there, sans codpiece, and just take it.
"You WILL listen to what dee Black Man has to say!"
Diggit
Tom Truthful |
02.08.06 - 1:30 pm | #
"Condor"-ish activities (Chile coup,etc) were ramping up before Daddy Bush took the helm of the CIA...
Wilson46201 |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 1:30 pm | #
Juan "Uncle Tom" Williams' spin on NPR was, in part, that Coretta King was trying to rise above politics and that Jimmy Carter was like over the top in his politics, and that Coretta would not have approved. . . she wanted to be like "royalty", like " a queen". The guy was damn near incoherent trying to piece together his non-sequiturs.
DonS |
02.08.06 - 1:30 pm | #
Funerals are for the living. Anyone who doesn't understand that knows nothing about human behavior.
Cujo359 |
02.08.06 - 1:32 pm | #
at least NPR tried and found a black face to mouth the GOP talking points. other media didn't even bother...
Wilson46201 |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 1:32 pm | #
Do the republicans realize that save the 1% Diebold rigged for them they only won by 2%? Are they that f'ng stupid? And again, and again, and again - slap, slap, slap.
Here's another from the Diplomacy/Foreign Policy leg of the Bush/Cheney base - nnow we should worry about that message "in the form of a mushroom cloud" Thanks Doctor Rice:
***
State Department sees exodus of weapons experts
By Warren P. Strobel
Knight Ridder Newspapers
WASHINGTON - State Department officials appointed by President Bush have sidelined key career weapons experts and replaced them with less experienced political operatives...
... it's thrown the agency into turmoil and ... Among those who have left is the State Department's top authority on the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the cornerstone of the international regime to curb the spread of nuclear arms.
"We had a great group of people. ... It's a real loss to the government."
***I'm too tired for all this foreplay go read it yourself
hmmmmm.....speaking of NSA, Iraq, and Fustercluck the Chimperor:
The Boy In The Bubble
(words by Paul Simon; music by Paul Simon and Forere Motlobeloa)
...(excerpts)
These are the days of miracle and wonder This is the long distance call
The way the camera follows us in slo-mo
The way we look to us all
The way we look to a distant constellation
That's dying in a corner of the sky
These are the days of miracle and wonder
And don't cry baby, don't cry
Don't cry
It was a dry wind
And it swept across the desert
And it curled into the circle of birth
And the dead sand
Falling on the children
The mothers and the fathers
And the automatic earth
These are the days of miracle and wonder
...
It's a turn-around jump shot
It's everybody jump start
It's every generation throws a hero up the pop charts
Medicine is magical and magical is art The Boy in the Bubble
(is) the baby with the baboon heart
And I believe
These are the days of lasers in the jungle Lasers in the jungle somewhere
Staccato signals of constant information
A loose affiliation of millionaires
And billionaires and baby
These are the days of miracle and wonder
punaise |
02.08.06 - 1:33 pm | #
Wilson -
yes, but my point wasn't that "41" started them. it was that he knowingly participated in them.
which makes him at least as likely to be guilty of turture and killing as "43" in my book. of course, "43" isn't done yet...
avh |
02.08.06 - 1:34 pm | #
As the day has unfolded and the comments have been posted and read I have come to the conclusion that I am glad Kate made an arse out of herself. She has done more for the cause then anything I did today. Usually my friends sigh and look away when they see me coming because I am so in their face about what is happening and I shatter their peace. Today I had 3 wonderful conversations with different friends who have repeatedly claimed to me "but I am not political like you". All they wanted to discuss was the funeral. And how Baby Bush got slapped down (even in a sense by his Dad who I was oddly impressed by).
So it was good day once I got over my anger at Kate and her reoccuring bout of diarrhea of the mouth.
Florida Mom |
02.08.06 - 1:34 pm | #
PS Hate to post and run but the wee girls have choir practise. Catch you all later.
Florida Mom |
02.08.06 - 1:35 pm | #
as with Al Sharpton's speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004 which went beyond his time limit but that the audience loved, and led Brian Williams to say to Sharpton, "Whatever it was you were riffing on up there," this is just another sign that the traditional media is completely out of touch.
james |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 1:35 pm | #
"WELLSTONING" worked before in the midwest test market.
They're just trying to bring "WELLSTONING" to a national audience
Springbored |
02.08.06 - 1:36 pm | #
Watching George Bush squirm in his seat at the CSK funeral yesterday, I did not mistake his fidgeting for embarrassment. This guy isn't capable of being humiliated. He is, we are told subject to immense anger when things don't go his way. And things sure didn't go Georgies way at Mrs. King's funeral. I'll bet there was one helluva tantrum when he got back to the WH. Though seeing Bush embarrassed would be a supreme delight, I'll settle for knowing how pissed-off he was, and must be. Just love it!
Oklahoma kiddo |
02.08.06 - 1:36 pm | #
Poppy Bush was quite in the loop during the Iran-Contra kerfuffle. Many Central Americans died during that adventurism. But he will have a very dignified funeral!
Wilson46201 |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 1:37 pm | #
Debbie - One of the articles I read about the funeral yesterday said Rev. Lowery had "written a poem" for CSK, or words to that effect, as if it were some unusual thing. I thought that was the norm for black preachers, at least for Southern ones.
Cujo359 |
02.08.06 - 1:37 pm | #
George W clearly was uncomfortable. His jaw was jerking bigtime...time to adjust his meds again!
Wilson46201 |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 1:38 pm | #
Is there a hotline for black people to call to get eulogy approval? Or approval on how to behave during a hurricane? Or for approval on how many kids we have? Or for what we name our kids? That would make my life so much easier, even though I don't work, but I still have kids and they don't have fathers, but I digress.
It hurts, you make me want to cry.
This whole patronizing, demonizing BS needs to change. The punditry --and utter lack of sympathy and understanding-- for people who were stuck New Orleans with no food, no water, no clean clothes and sick or very young family members, with peepee water everywhere. Looters? The WH is the looter, for looting FEMA. not 'nuff said, and not nuff space to say it.
Mui |
02.08.06 - 1:39 pm | #
hizzoner,
That's a good point. I agree, they had to consider the possibility that would happen. Amazing coincidence that McCain went on the offensive with Obama at the same time. McCain dashed off his letter even before he received one from Obama. I heard McCain was absolutely joyous about it during an interview yesterday.
sonofslothrop |
02.08.06 - 1:39 pm | #
My mother is a local politician. Her district has quite a few black churches. She goes to a different church every Sunday - all year long. Every once in a while she goes to our church. I agree with jdw - many black churches have services that are similar to what we saw at Mrs. King's funeral.
I guess those people used to white bread, sit-without-moving and don't-make-a-sound church services can't appreciate anything that comes close to the spirit and joy shown at Mrs. King's funeral.
I notice that Miles O'Brien's sensibilities were offended. He obviously knows about some unwritten law about funeral etiquette.
The Southern Dem/ B. Muse |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 1:41 pm | #
Cleter:
Does the black community still claim Condi?
Where I play, everybody gets at least one mulligan.
jayt |
02.08.06 - 1:43 pm | #
Was cow-towing the predecessor to cow-tipping?
kowtow:
Etymology: Chinese (Beijing) kňutóu, from kňu to knock + tóu head
: an act of kowtowing
Function: intransitive verb
1 : to show obsequious deference : FAWN
2 : to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage, worship, or deep respect
David Finley |
02.08.06 - 1:43 pm | #
Wilson - nice one. i just couldn't stand to see people here forget their history - pretending like poppy was some sort of panacea of compassion for his fellow man. as if he didn't commit every attrocity that dubya is committing right now and that CSK fought against.
avh |
02.08.06 - 1:43 pm | #
Didn't 41 vote against the civil rights act to get elected to the Senate?Didn't Cheney totally hate the idea of an MLK national holiday?
If this was 1965,every single one of the bastards would be cheering for every black mauled by a dog or knocked down with a high pressure blast of water,every LAST one of them.And Tucker"my bow tie is obviously cutting off the circulation to my brain"Carlson trying to chastise Rev Lowery over the phone?Holy crap what a fucking weasel.
The fight for civil rights isn't past history,it's our present.And it will be until these southern strategy loving assholes are relagated to the fringes where they belong.
An Angry Old Broad |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 1:48 pm | #
sonofslothrop and hizzoner--
No, I think they really are that stupid. I think the thought was it would make him look statesmanlike. I don't think Bush has a lot of handlers who have, you know, been to a service at a black church. This is a guy whose running mate voted against MLK day. I don't think may other reps voted against that.
cleter |
02.08.06 - 1:48 pm | #
..Based on the executive branch's view of recent race awareness, New Orleans, Detroit and Atlanta, they could have coined the term 'Axis of Darkness.' I'm sure the media outlets would oblige.
hickcity | 02.08.06 - 1:19 pm | #
ouch. that one's gonna leave a stain.
punaise |
02.08.06 - 1:48 pm | #
yeah, let's not make a hero out of Poppy. granted, he was not the unmitigated disaster that Sonny-boy is. but still...
and what's up with Bill being so chummy with Pops? I don't like it.
punaise |
02.08.06 - 1:51 pm | #
With that kind of paper thin skin he ought to think about a job with the Washington Post.
I nearly choked on my bite of sandwich. I came for the Fitz and stayed for the snark (and OK, the insights into other stuff, too), so I've only myself to blame. Is there a technique for an auto-Heimlich manuver, or do I avoid eating and drinking when I'm viewing this site?
Note to Tweety and Sandpaper S. O'Bierne: nobody booed your Preznit yesterday, or did anything the least bit disrespectful. The speakers and guests were more than kind to him. So what's your problem?
al-Scooter |
02.08.06 - 1:51 pm | #
Wilson/avh-------The two boats that landed the troops at 'The Bay of Pigs' were named the 'Barbara & Poppy' Urban legend?
wilbo |
02.08.06 - 1:51 pm | #
This funeral thing is really making me very mad. As a young law student, I worked for the Southern Prisoner's Defense Committee which was the litigation wing of the Southern Christian Leadershup Conference (it is now the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta). I was fortunate enough to meet some fabulous people in Nashville during my short stay, including a emorable lunch with Rev. Lowery.
I made a point over at Eschaton that I just am compelled to repeat here.
Those republicans and media folks who are complaining about the funeral are generally the same people who yearn for the good old days before the sexual revolution and viet nawm and all that civil rights stuff. They are nostalgic for the days when niggra, wetbacks and girkls were siomply not part of the power structure, when they controlled all the levers of the soft machine.
An don the particular issue of race, these complainers do not believe any black person is important unless as an object of derision. Blacks are only memorable when associated with negative traits.
They do not think of MLK Jr. as a great man, they think of him as a communist or a preacher of violence or an adulterer. When they hear "Arthur Ashe" they think AIDS. When they think of any great black artist, they think drugs and guns and illicit cross-racial sex.
For these racists, Reverand Lowry isn't the founder of the SCLC and a great American who has spent his life bravely and courageously fighting injustice, he is a partisan no-name black preacher that doesn't understand his place before the President.
These folk, like the one you quoted, feel free to equate Jesse Jackson and violent Islamist terorists.
Well, maybe their love of Clarence Thomas is an exception, but I think that is because, like Judge Higginbotham wrote, he is just a loyal house nigger -- not because they see intrinsic value in the man.
Colin Powell? Not a loyal house nigger.
Condi Rice? Loyal house nigger.
Harry Belafonte, NOT
Obama -- coulda been but then he had to get all partisan.
immanentize |
02.08.06 - 1:52 pm | #
But can anybody think that Bush and his handlers DIDN'T KNOW how Bush would be received at that funeral? They knew. They were also ready to "Wellstone" it for everything it was worth. They wanted Bush to be a martyr in front of all those rude and unruly (black)liberals. They wanted to demonstrate how disrespectful democrats are to the Office of the President; They wanted to demonstrate how liberals have an "over-reaching, all-encompassing, irrational hatred of Bush" and couldn't even contain themselves at a funeral.
I think they got what they wanted...
hizzhoner | 02.08.06 - 1:28 pm | #
This guy isn't capable of being humiliated. He is, we are told subject to immense anger when things don't go his way.
How easy it is to describe the classic alchololic. Take away the medication, get yourself a rageaholic (Homer Simpson, "I need my rageahol!")
immanentize |
02.08.06 - 1:54 pm | #
re: Mighty Wurlitzer and GHWB's activity in the seventies
It deals in great detail with the extent of CIA penetration of the domestic news media in the Seventies. What is most interesting, or disturbing, depending on your perspective is the 4th paragraph of page 3 or Paragraph 16, if viewed on-line, which is cut and pasted below:
"Colby's stonewalling continued for the remainder of his tenure, even as a Senate committee led by Frank Church desperately tried to squeeze more names out of him. George Bush replaced Colby in January, 1976, and eventually agreed to a one-paragraph summary of each file of a CIA journalist, with names deleted. When the CIA said it was finished, the Church committee had over 400 summaries"
when you watch the Atlanta funeral videos, watch W slouching in the background, working his jaw like mad...
Wilson46201 |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 1:59 pm | #
On Coretta Scott King's tombstone: “And now abide Faith, Hope, Love, These Three; but the greatest of these is Love.”
I have faith we will prevail, I hope George learned a lesson yesterday and I loved every minute of his squirming.
PJF |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 2:01 pm | #
[George H.W. Bush is] at least as likely to be guilty of turture and killing as "43" in my book.
Oh, sure. HW is undoubtedly one hard dude. He has apparently been "spooky" since at least the early 60s. He was buddies with Felix Rodriguez and Orlando Bosch. Bay of Pigs, Watergate, October Surprise, BCCI, Iran-Contra, the S&L scandal....he's been just offstage for virtually every scandal or dirty trick of the last 40 years, yet he's never gotten burned.
I'm sure it irked him to no end that the moron media stuck him with the "wimp" tag.
Harold of the rocks |
02.08.06 - 2:08 pm | #
See, now that's what I like to hear about. I didn't even know about his connections to the S&L scandal. *researching now*
avh |
02.08.06 - 2:11 pm | #
the moron media stuck him with the "wimp" tag
A lot of people in CA were mad at him in 1991-92: he kept telling us the economy was improving, while we were still getting layoffs. Some of us haven't forgotten that; wimp was gentle compared to some of the term that could be used (He got 'wimp' because of the delay when Iraq invaded Kuwait.)
P J Evans |
02.08.06 - 2:12 pm | #
Although off topic, this ThinkProgress story is about one aspect of life inside the bubble -
EXCLUSIVE EMAILS: Jack Abramoff Describes Relationship With President Bush
ThinkProgress has obtained emails written by Jack Abramoff in which the fallen lobbyist personally describes his relationship with President Bush. They depict a relationship far more extensive than has been previously reported.
The emails written by Abramoff were addressed to Kim Eisler, the national editor of Washingtonian magazine. The Washingtonian recently reported on the existence of several photographs showing Abramoff and Bush together. Eisler is also the author of Revenge of the Pequots, a book about tribal politics for which Abramoff was interviewed.
In the emails, Abramoff describes meeting Bush “in almost a dozen settings,” and details how he was personally invited to President Bush’s private ranch in Crawford, Texas, for a gathering of Bush fundraisers in 2003. Abramoff did not attend, citing a religious observance.
hizzhoner, punaise - I must disagree. If anything, the CSK funeral illustrates something that the Kings and the civil rights movement have changed: racism is no longer acceptable in mainstream America.
Now, there are significant differences in how much empathy different white folks feel for ethnic minorities, many certainly harbor prejudices ("they're lazy", and so forth) and there are certainly those who feel that, somehow, they are the ones being discriminated against by affirmative action, but racism itself is not acceptable. In contrast to how things were half a century ago, everyone should get a fair shake in this country no matter what his ethnic background.
Bush and his handlers are certainly aware of this, and in order to remain acceptable to those swing voters, he had to show up at this funeral. Not being there, while two Democratic Presidents were (I assume Big Bush wouldn't have shown up if his son hadn't) would have been an obvious slight to black people on the part of the GOP. Even if they don't get any black votes in the next election, they can't afford to look like racists to middle America.
So, Bush showed up. It's quite likely that they expected the criticism they heard, and may have had Drudge and Co. all primed and ready to go in that event, but I don't think they were looking for a fight so much as they were looking for political cover.
Cujo359 |
02.08.06 - 2:14 pm | #
wearing a white robe is so declasse ... nowadays a Bush/Cheney/2004 Tshirt is the way to go!
Wilson46201 |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 2:16 pm | #
Watertiger --
Great Laura stink-eye pic! Thanks
immanentize |
02.08.06 - 2:18 pm | #
As I have family and friends who suffered in Central America's wars, I'm grateful for the comments by Wilson and avh. Today whenever I hear the names, GHW Bush, Negroponte, Abrams, Pearle, and others associated with Iran/Contra and those black days of the late 70s and early 80s, it is like a slap in the face. NEVER do I forget. It is as awful to know they are still free for those war crimes and crimes against humanity as it is dreadful to know the former Central American dictators who did their dirty work have also escaped prosecution in large part. But maybe not forever. Even today they apply immense pressure on those who are working for truth, justice, reconciliation, and the peace process. The struggle for freedom from torturers and the perpetrators of genocide is not over.
In fact, Bushgang's presence in the WH means that little help comes to those still trying to put the pieces back of their shattered nations and lives.
So thanks for the comments. Did my heart good.
libertycap |
02.08.06 - 2:22 pm | #
She sounds angry, doesn't she? I don't think Americans like anger.
Mary |
02.08.06 - 2:27 pm | #
So, Bush showed up. It's quite likely that they expected the criticism they heard, and may have had Drudge and Co. all primed and ready to go in that event, but I don't think they were looking for a fight so much as they were looking for political cover.
Cujo359 | 02.08.06 - 2:14 pm | #
perhaps the two aspects are not mutually exclusive
punaise |
02.08.06 - 2:28 pm | #
You know, the faux outrage from the Right is getting old. What did they expect? These are the folks who opposed creation of MLK holiday, oppose affirmative action, have supported redistricting along racial lines in Texas to maintain a GOP majority in the House and have totally ignored civil rights enforcement in the justice department. Oh, and don't forget Bush's disgusting appeal to his racist base when he showed up at Bob Jones University to give a speech prior to the 2000 election.
What the f*** did they (the Right) expect? Applause? Coretta Scott King devoted her life to civil rights and the GOP has devoted the same amount of time to dismantling them- why doesn't the Right get a grip and come to terms with that instead of whining about how some uppity black folk [sarcasm] had the NERVE to discuss the very issues King devoted her life to- it just so happens those issues and positions are exactly opposite of what the GOP stand for.
And why doesn't the media read between the lines here a bit instead of mindlessly repeating how "politicized" the funeral was. Why dont they do their job and actually look into WHY Clinton got applause and why Bush's policies were met with scourn. Here's a novel idea- how about the media look into WHY blacks aren't so pleased as punch with George Bush right about now?
Stacyb |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 2:29 pm | #
perhaps the two aspects are not mutually exclusive
This administration believes that "the 'best' defensiveness is to be offensive."
immanentize |
02.08.06 - 2:29 pm | #
George Bush is President of the United States and by his own admission, Presidenting is hard work. Hard work means people disagree with you and don't like you and are going to say things to you that make your hair stand on end. Tough titties. It's a grown up world and we need competent grown up leaders, not petulant pussies.
If you have a problem with Reverend Lowery, George, put up or shut up. Quick hiding being your pack of flying monkeys. Be a man for once in your life. Be a man.
Dr. Jonathan Chase |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 2:30 pm | #
Emptywheel has a hot article on the ridiculous efforts of the neo-cons to produce phony evidence for the War on Bad Bad Iran.
They have to be in a hurry to make a military strike before their political capital runs out.
Is the primary idea to help Israel take out an enemy, using the dead and maimed bodies of American soldiers, or to prevent Iran from selling oil for euros, thus undermining the need for deficit dollars?
Logic: a detailed plan (the laptop) does not equal an AUTHENTIC plan. I -love- her phrase 'War in a Box.'
Of *course* they have nuclear plans, WE GAVE THEM to Iran, ref. James Risen's book State of War.
If Bush was an aethist, would they have been upset that God and Christ were discussed at the funeral?
The fact that he is pro-war, pro-povertyincreasing programs, anti-civil rights, pro-wiretapping etc. --
does that mean that at HER funeral nothing anti-war, anti-poverty, pro-civil rights, anti-wiretapping can be discussed?
I'm voting no.
What "non-political" reason brought Pres. BUsh to the funeral? Close personal friendship? Hard work done on the anti-war movement? Or -- politics?
Yeah. I thought so.
He was never called by name on his programs, but IMO, if you sit in the house of God and have to flinch and squirm and feel attacked when people mention your body of work ---
just saying.
If he was proud of his record on war, veracity, poverty, etc. he wouldn't squirm - none of us do when we are proud of our efforts.
Mary |
02.08.06 - 2:36 pm | #
This whole controversy really does demonstrate just how insulated bubble boy is- that anyone DARE insinuate that anything he has done is wrong, unpopular or unwise is just unacceptable to the right- Bush was in an unscripted moment- it must have angered him and Rove beyond belief to not be able to direct the whole thing from behind the scenes. But I dont think Americans are going to have any backlash against the dems because of this- I think they are starting to see Bush for what he is- distant, out of touch and intolerant of opposing viewpoints.
And remember- the views expressed by the good reverend at the funeral are pretty much held by a majority of Americans now, so I dont think they will be as upset as wingnuttia over this, no matter how hard the media tries to turn this against the dems.
Stacyb |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 2:37 pm | #
Froomkin writes:
But was it appropriate to take advantage of Bush's attempt to reach out to the African-American community to publicly berate him?
Good God -- this wasn't about Bush, this was for Coretta Scott King, this was HER memorial service!!!
oregondave |
02.08.06 - 2:38 pm | #
HEY!
Think progress has obtained emails from abramoff detailing his connection to bush, check it out! Finally, something substantive. Pass it on!
The fight for civil rights isn't past history,it's our present.And it will be until these southern strategy loving assholes are relagated to the fringes where they belong.
An Angry Old Broad | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 1:48 pm |
While I agree with your sentiments, I'd remind you the problems aren't limited to the South or even just red states for that matter.
hmm |
02.08.06 - 2:39 pm | #
Jane Hamsher >"...Always nice to be reassured that the WaPo still has people with the courage to speak the truth to power and hasn't become a complete swamp of simpering kow-towing pantywaists."
Uhhhh Jane
come on now
Please tell us how you REALLY feel & don`t hold back
OK ?
"Liars are usually easily discredited; it's the truth-tellers who need to be destroyed." - Joshua Marshall
daCascadian |
02.08.06 - 2:40 pm | #
punaise,
Thanks for the Simon song. I love that CD and will never hear that song in the same way again. the boy in the bubble, indeed.
Mommybrain |
02.08.06 - 2:41 pm | #
From down thread(s)
Obama -
The rain, in Spain falls mainly on McCain --
I think he's got it. ;)
Personally - I will always have a little hero spot carved out for John McCain (sorry guys) but OTOH, I have really lost any admiration for hims a politician since the War.
When I was poked at a little over the McCain thing, my response was "When did McCain get to be such a cranky old man? What is it with these short fuse cranky old guy Republicans - are they all taking meds with side effects? It sounded just like PMSing letter"
So when I saw Obama's response
"But John McCain's been an American hero and has served here in Washington for 20 years, so if he wants to get cranky once in a while, that's his prerogative."
punaise - It's the difference between expecting a fight and wanting one that I was trying to illustrate. Of course, I've made quite a habit of underestimating how low this Administration will stoop.
Cujo359 |
02.08.06 - 2:41 pm | #
GHW Bush ran against the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and was defeated, if memory serves.
I don't think he's ever had a genuine principled opinion about it, either against (pre-1964 campaign) or for (1966 and 1968 campaigns for Congress, both of which he won). Whatever best serves the House of Bush at any given time, I think, miraculously turns out in GHW's mind to be the soundest principled policy.
Just a series of astonishing coincidences. Nothing to see here, folks ... move along ...
Kind regards,
Dog, etc. searching for home
Ghost of Joe Liebling's Dog |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 2:42 pm | #
You gotta love this headline from AP:
McCain, Obama Agree to Stop Bickering
MCCAIN LAUNCHED THE OFFENSIVE! Nothing Obama said or wrote even came close to a bicker! Headline should've read, "McCain Agrees To Stop Tantrum, Obama Gracious in Response."
new yarn on the top shelf
punaise |
02.08.06 - 2:43 pm | #
It's the difference between expecting a fight and wanting one that I was trying to illustrate. Of course, I've made quite a habit of underestimating how low this Administration will stoop.
Cujo359 | 02.08.06 - 2:41 pm | #
Mary - To me, McCain is a mixture of integrity, loyalty to superiors (however undeserved), and barely contained aggression. These are personality traits better suited to fighter pilots than politicians.
Nevertheless, I admire the man. He went through a dreadful experience in the Hanoi Hilton, and rather than allowing that experience to turn into hatred, he has made something positive out of it by trying to normalize relations with Vietnam and sponsoring the anti-torture amendment. At the end of the day, he's a cut above most of our elected officials.
Cujo359 |
02.08.06 - 2:49 pm | #
Somewhere, both Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King are smiling over all of this.
Frank Probst |
02.08.06 - 2:49 pm | #
Thanks for the Simon song. I love that CD and will never hear that song in the same way again. the boy in the bubble, indeed.
Mommybrain | 02.08.06 - 2:41 pm | #
went looking for it on account of the title and was surprised to find those prescient/inadvertent references to current events.
Graceland was a great album - IIRC he took a lot of flack for recording with S. African musicians during the apartheid cultural boycott.
punaise |
02.08.06 - 2:49 pm | #
Yowser! Chris Matthews just blasted Tori Clarke with both barrels about the war in Iraq and then cut her off.
Cozumel |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 2:58 pm | #
think the poll was 2% approval, with a margin of error of 3%, so it's possible that the only African American in the country that likes him is Condi.
cleter | 02.08.06
Yeah!!! i saw that!! Wonder what got into him? his consciencemaybe?
Kathi |
02.08.06 - 3:20 pm | #
jayt | 02.08.06 - 1:43 pm
I haven't run into anyone in the African-American community who'll take Condi.
They're none too pleased with Powell, either.
Mulligan nothing. They had their mulligan under Bush I.
Rayne |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 3:33 pm | #
By the way -- logico, if you're still around -- damn, that Corrente piece on weapons of treason is scary good.
About as simple and accurate a depiction that could satisfy both the techie and non-techie.
But the bit at the end: OMFG.
You're absolutely right, it's treason. And now I'm even more suspicious of any contracts that DoD issued to companies like Lincoln Group; they specialized in "information warfare", allegedly against al Qaeda or insurgents.
Yep. Clarence was the mulligan
cleter |
02.08.06 - 3:45 pm | #
McCain, and other goopers who want to take positions contrary to the party line- are required to kiss the ring before and after..
For Specter- refusing to swear in Gonzalez was a part of the ring kissing ceremony..McCain's got the whole drill down pat he's done it so many times- as has Gragham..
It's useless to try to figure out whether they are doing what they are doing out of principle or out of political calculations- and it really doesn't matter..but political calculation would be the likely reason.
rwcole |
02.08.06 - 3:53 pm | #
Unfortunately the LA Times website doesn't have the picture from the print edition front page this morning: Rev. Lowery speaking, Laura scowling with rage, and HRH King George leaning towards Laura (while looking at Lowery's back, and listening). No wonder she didn't stand for the ovation. It was a magnificent eulogy, by the way, not just a speech, but poetry, using rhyme, rhythm and repetition to great effect.
anwaya |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 3:54 pm | #
I am so sick of the sanctimonious crap coming out of the cycnical so called pundits. I'm sorry, what *would* Corretta Scott King's funeral be about? Being nice to white republican sensibilities -- give me a break.
The woman had her HOME bombed, her privacy invaded, her every move scrutinized over a lifetime, and what did she give us? Dignity with a capital "D" -- and a place to pour our hopes into. It's the racism that will truly eat this country alive. Look at us ... Katrina refugees are being kicked out of their hotels and there is absolutely NOTHING being said. How dare we wallow in the muck of these idiots on the idiot box, when good people are suffering. Hey, maybe we have global warming, but is sure is cold outside when one doesn't have aplace to live.
I say ENOUGH. ENOUGH, hedging around - call it for what it is racism pure an simple and a pathetic attempt to take the dialog off where it should be: a failed war, illegal wiretaping, a failed economy.
Enough is enough is enough.
itkbls |
02.08.06 - 3:59 pm | #
It's not so surprising, in retrospect, at how quickly Kick Me Kate's and Tweety's responses came. It's akin to the speed and coordination of the "spontaneous" response of Muslims to the Danish cartoons, including a "spontaneous" bonfire burning of Danish flags that miraculously began popping up all over the Middle East
Yes, they have their act down pat, alright, something that the Democrats would do well to master. Their message is uncoordinated, all-too-spontaneous and almost always too variegated. No wonder they have a hard time putting their message across to the people. perhaps we sahould start engaging in dog whistle politics.
jurassicpork |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 4:27 pm | #
Too bad bush is not exposed to uncontrolled venues more often...I believe one reason he is not is his handlers fear of his temper...if he was I'm sure this country would get an eye opener...after all, he more takes after mom cruella than pops.
ironranger |
02.08.06 - 4:50 pm | #
The effort to link all minority Republicans to Bush's msm footsoldiers responce should be swift, with harsh, tell-it-like-it-is rhetoric, aimed directly at Bush.
Bush is the weak link in this criminal organization.
Expose him every chance we get.
Toss any Democrat showing "respect for the office of president" bullshit.
Either jump on board the Progressive Train,l or get the fuck over on the Right, got it? No middle ground.
Shit, it's time to break some noses....
farang |
02.08.06 - 5:48 pm | #
I wonder how many liberal blogs the secretaries for such busy and important people such as Cate and Tweetie spend their time reading. The left wing blogosphere is on fire and all over these liars.
The right wing blogosphere? Not so much.
Doll Parts |
02.08.06 - 8:22 pm | #
I have been to funerals for people I liked very much, and in some cases they make it so "respectful" that you would have no idea who that person was. Mrs Kings service was awesome. I thought that the humour and the messages were probably as close to Mrs King as they could be.
pale |
Homepage |
02.08.06 - 8:42 pm | #
I suppose we might've seen Laura Bush cry a bit, just another Repub wifey doing her duty. But no! She's steely, almost flinty.
Now I'm confused. Does she go all quiet and let George explode in rage or does she get angry and defend him when he's being embarassed? When does she cry for the cause?
Oh well. They shouldn't have been there if they weren't fully prepared to take it. [ heat, kitchen and all that ] After all, they can't expect the King supporters to be Republicans brown-nosers now can they?
If they're gonna act like royalty and get all pissed off when someone doesn't say nice things, then maybe they should just leave and retire to Crawdad Texas where they can pretend they're kings or anything else they want. It is a free country after all.
MarkH |
02.08.06 - 10:01 pm | #
The prophet is not someone who speaks for god, the prophet is the person who speaks truth to power.
Reverend Lowery was a prophet yesterday. In his eulogy he told us what CSK stood for, what she lived for and what her husband died for. Reverend Lowery told the Preznit the real effects of his policies on the poor of this country. It isn't pretty.
Power dislikes prophecy and prophets, because prophets have a way of saying things that make the powerful uncomfortable. Bubble-boy would rather not know that children are going to die as the result of his Medicaid cuts. He would rather not know that casualties in his misbegotten Iraq adventure are falling disproportionately on the poor and minorities. He would rather not be reminded that, "Because I'm the Preznit, if I order it it must be legal" has no basis in our Constitution nor in our laws.
I'm sure that Preznit Bush was very uncomfortable yesterday. The real pity is that he probably doesn't understand why he was so uncomfortable. I'm sure he thought the criticism was unwarranted. More is the pity ... it's apparently another example of an unexamined life.
Wonderful article, thanks for putting this together! "This is obviously one great post. Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here. Keep it up!"
speech writing |
Homepage |
08.06.09 - 9:58 pm | #
