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Banned
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Uhhhh....folks, Is this any indication of the direction of where this Politics forum is heading in? Can we all agree not to "lead" new threads with BS "exclusives" from the NY Post, foxnews .com, or from the "reporting" of Christian "zealot" Joseph Farah? Farah's "article" has appeared before here in TFP politics. There is a "disconnect" that I am observing here at TFP. I've posted evidence, backed by reports of statements by dissenting Republican congressional commiittee chairmen that there is a (so far) successful effort to consolidate oversight of key congressional committees into the hands of people, with the apparent "blessing" of the executive branch, to sell out our right to the potential for healthy, breatheable, air, and a protected environment, in favor of the profits of the likes of Southern Co., and other ""corporatists" who shove the money into the pockets of Congressman "smokey Joe" Barton! Little interest in this is indicated, judging by the response.
We have this report, just in the last 24 hours....the makings of the biggest story since Watergate.....finally some potential for truth to be wrung out of this administration, and we instead, resort to posting this "thread" into the most active today on the politics forum.
Quote:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...072602069.html
Prosecutor In CIA Leak Case Casting A Wide Net
White House Effort To Discredit Critic Examined in Detail
By Walter Pincus and Jim VandeHei
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, July 27, 2005; Page A01
The special prosecutor in the CIA leak probe has interviewed a wider range of administration officials than was previously known, part of an effort to determine whether anyone broke laws during a White House effort two years ago to discredit allegations that President Bush used faulty intelligence to justify the Iraq war, according to several officials familiar with the case.
Prosecutors have questioned former CIA director George J. Tenet and deputy director John E. McLaughlin, former CIA spokesman Bill Harlow, State Department officials, and even a stranger who approached columnist Robert D. Novak on the street....................
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We have a choice....I'm here to debate/discuss real issues with those who agree or disagree with my opinions...but....with people in my league. I'm not seeing an interest in doing that, "from the other side", and now that interest is slipping away, even from those on "my side". We all have to generally agree where MSM reporting and commentary of newsworthy content comes from, as a foundation for doing this here. If we accept and feed BS like we encounter on this thread.....then Cheney ("I usually watch Fox news") and Murdoch, and those who want to blur the distinction between <a href="http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000990675">propaganda</a>,
WIN, and all reports here, and everywhere, get an equal....low.....weighting.
I won't wait around here when that comes to pass...and it's coming....
Quote:
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/12232031.htm
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search
Posted on Wed, Jul. 27, 2005
Elmer Smith | OSAMA'S 'COKE SCHEME': NOTHING TO SNIFF AT?
......This, according to an "exclusive" front-page report in the New York Post yesterday, was the gist of a plot the Drug Enforcement Administration turned up this year. Fiendishly clever yet elegant in its simplicity, it sounds like a plan Osama's occasional allies in the South American cocaine cartels would leap at.
After all, you don't rise to the lofty level of drug lord by passing up a chance to bundle a few tons of your overstock for quick sale.
But the Post quotes what it claims are "sources familiar with the DEA's probe" who say that the Colombians Osama approached turned him down flat.
So far, I have been unable to locate any "sources familiar with the DEA's probe." The one source I did find at DEA disavowed any knowledge of the evil plot.
"The New York Post has refused to inform DEA of the basis of its allegations or share the document upon which the reporting is based," the DEA claimed in a release it e-mailed to me yesterday.
I know what it means. Post reporter Dan Mangan did not inform me of the basis of his allegations, either. "Sure," he answered hastily when I asked if he still stood by the story. That was quickly followed by, "Hold on, let me check with my editor."
Moments later, I was referred to Steve Rubenstein, at Rubenstein Associates, a firm that deflects flak for the Post. I'm still waiting to hear from him.
"No DEA official in Washington, Afghanistan, Bogota or New York," according to DEA, "has any information of this type of plot by bin Laden, and a computerized search of our databases reveals no such reporting."........
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Here are some direct quotes from Joe Farah....I report....you decide.....
Quote:
http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp...arah031203.htm
'Taking America Back'
With Joseph Farah
Author, Founder worldnetdaily.com
Wednesday, March 12, 2003; 1 p.m. ET
In the new book, "Taking America Back: A Radical Plan to Revive Freedom Morality and Justice," author and worldnetdaily.com founder Joseph Farah describes the United States as a moral wasteland and calls on Americans to embrace God. His proposal for change includes abolishing the income tax and the IRS, withdrawing from all international treaties and institutions, repealing all gun laws and ending federal funding for schools, the arts, conservation, housing and agriculture while simultaneously expanding the role of the church in national life, including actively censoring the entertainment industry and having a direct role in education and family life.
Farah was online Wednesday, March 12 at 1 p.m. ET, to talk about the book and field questions and comments.
(Excerpt from transcript)
Piscataway, .J.: Welcome Mr. Farah,
How much influence does God and religion play in your life?
Joseph Farah: No. 1
Atlanta, Ga.: In your list of evils to be avoided in the process of your 12-step plan, you make no substantive mention of alcohol or drugs. Both have a continuing serious impact on America. Can the revolution be effected by drunkards and addicts, too?
Joseph Farah: No, anyone who is a drunkard or a drug user is not capable of self-government. But, likewise, ill-informed and immoral people are not either.
Los Angeles, Calif.: In your book, you call on Americans to embrace God and biblical morality. How can you do this when you also have borne false witness against President Clinton with absurd charges of murdering dozens of people?
Note: Farah's embrace of the "Clinton Body Count" urban legend can be found here.
Joseph Farah: Can you cite one place where I have ever accused President Clinton of murdering anyone?
Goldsboro, N.C.: In your book, "Taking America Back" how much emphasis do you place upon revival and upon the clear preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the means by which this country will once again assume it's role as a leader among nations and as a light to the world?
Joseph Farah: It's the No. 1 prescription. The very first step in my program to take America back is to get down on our knees and ask God for revival and renewal in our lives.
Washington, D.C.: I've never heard of you; however, you might have just sold a book. Are you pleased?
Joseph Farah: Yes.
Arlington, Va.: The opening paragraph of this chat outlining your "strategy" is a description of a cult. Hands down. You'd like to force-feed religion to Americans who have chosen to live their lives differently? Shame on you. You're insane.
Joseph Farah: I don't want to force-feed anyone anything. I'm calling on people who think like I do to act responsibly and make good judgments. I'm not asking anything of anyone who disagrees. Nor am I forcing them to do anything.
Washington, D.C.: What is making the U.S. a "moral wasteland"?
Joseph Farah: The popular culture, a government that removes our sense of self-reliance and responsibility... dependence, rather than independence...
Maryland: Somehow, your views put me in mind of "The Handmaid's Tale."
You seem to have little room in "your" America for people with whom you disagree.
Joseph Farah: This book is not meant to persuade those who disagfree with me. It is a blueprint for action for those who do.
Tariffs to raise money?: tariffs to raise money? You seem to forget that we are bound by economic treaties. And if we break these treaties then with whom will we trade "legally"? You are trying to fit twin sized sheets on a king sized bed.
Joseph Farah: Those treaties are wrong. We have entered into global bodies which are entirely unaccaountable to the people of the United States. This is supposed to be a government for the people, of the people and by the people.
Constitutional requirements?: The Constitution was written two and a half centuries ago, in a world that was only beginning to experience the industrial revolution. Trying to freeze society to fit Washington's day is just silly.
Joseph Farah: Then pack up and find yourself a different country. Becuase the Constitution is the rule of the land here.
Be'er Sheva, Isarel : How is possible that 45 percent of Brits consider president Bush to be as dangerous to world peace as Saddam Hussein? And why is it so difficullt to realize that after 9/11 we have been living in a perpetual Cuban Missile Crisis with no end date in sight?
Joseph Farah: Americans need to remember that we live in a sovereign nation. We are not accountable to the United Nations or anyone else for our national security interests. Israel would do well to remember that too -- for its own good. Both countries need to be more self-reliant.
Alexandria, Va.: Have you considered running for president? I am a Christian and my beliefs are similar to yours.
Joseph Farah: Never.
Washington, D.C.: Who are you taking America back from? Who in your view "stole" it? (I'm not being flip -- just wondering if it's meant to be serious -- or just a catchy title)
Joseph Farah: The No. 1 problem is unaccountable government. We have lost the concept of self-government in this country. That's what this book is all about.
Mt. Rainier, Md.: It seems from the precis of your position on this site that what you want to take America back to is the Stone Age. Let's see; we can try to divorce ourselves from the rest of the world and pretend there is nothing out there. We can be ruled by whoever has the most fire-power. And we can be dominated those people who are sure they know what God wants. This doesn't sound like a society most people would want to live in. Though great of course for fanatics with lots of fire-power (bin Laden, anyone?)
Joseph Farah: Your comments are too incoherent and vague to warrant an intelligent reply.
Northern Virginia: I admit to not having read your book so I am very hesitant to comment without having made an informed decision; however, I can only say, "Yikes" to what I read in the intro. Isn't your model a bit far fetched and unrealistic? I doubt that social justice has a role in your theory. Do the helpless just fade away and out of sight? Many Americans and churches are blind to the true problems outside their little world and may not offer as much help as you think. For example, it is truly amazing that a homeless person can freeze to death on the steps of a church in D.C., yet it happened! In general, what was the basis for your rationale?
Joseph Farah: Helpless people are the responsibility of families first, churches and synogogues second, communities third, states fourth. The federal government's responsibility is to protect the lives and property of citizens. That's what the Constitution says. I'm sorry if you don't like it. That is reality. I am as compassionate as you are. But I don't consider it compassionate to steal other people's money and give it to the less fortunate.
Washington, D.C.: Your take on immigration? Do you believe we should seal our borders?
Joseph Farah: Tight shut.
Gullsgate Minn.: Joseph Farah: Which god are you suggesting this nation embrace? (We have so "many gods before us", as they say?) And if religion becomes incestuously bundled together; in bed with the state -- religio-totalitarianism will be the result. We've been there, done that in Europe. That's why our immigrant forefathers,(foremothers, also) left -- to escape such incidious political powerplays, as assuredly will be endoctrinated by a government embedded with "a god," regardless all the diversity of theologies or non theo-philosophies -- which every citizen in a democratic nation, has the right to choose?
Joseph Farah: There is only one God.
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Quote:
http://www.azdailysun.com/non_sec/na...storyID=112542
White House: Roberts doesn't recall being member of Federalist Society
07/26/2005
..............Several news organizations, including The Associated Press, reported immediately after his nomination that Roberts had been a member of the Federalist Society. The AP and others printed corrections after the White House said later that Roberts doesn't recall ever belonging to the group.
Feinstein said she didn't ask him about whether he belonged to the Federalist Society.
"It's not a dispositive question, in my view," she said. "It would be interesting to know what the answer is because he said he can't remember."
The Washington Post reported Monday that it had obtained from a liberal group a 1997-98 Federalist Society leadership directory listing Roberts, then a partner in a private law firm, as being a steering committee member in the group's Washington chapter.
Roberts has acknowledged participating in Federal Society events and giving speeches for the organization.
But on Monday, presidential press secretary Scott McClellan said, "He doesn't recall ever paying dues or being a member." ..................
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Finally...we have the curious and disturbing display of a probable new SCOTUS justice, a man who may serve on the court, the final arbiter of issues that will effect our constitutional freedoms, working with the administration to sell himself as a "blank page"....a 50 year old, "man of the law", with no record to examine, no ideaology to concern ourselves with.....already lying and obfuscating the facts of his past to gain his SCOTUS seat. Focus on me, in response to my rant. I won't hijack this thread further, this dismal indication of our overall direction, and sphere of interest, further....by responding to you here. |