Sun, 22 Apr 2007 00:01

Former CIA director George Tenet will kick off his "tell all" book tour with an appearance on 60 Minutes this Sunday, April 22.

Advance word is that in his book -- At the Center of the Storm -- Tenet contends the Bush administration did, in fact, cook the intelligence in their efforts to lead the country into war against Iraq and then scapegoated the intelligence community.

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 04:12

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) introduced legislation this week that would conditionally block funds for a war with Iran unless the president received Congressional authority.
If enacted Webb’s measure would ensure that no funds could be “obligated or expended for military operations or activities within or above the territory of Iran, or within the territorial waters of Iran, except pursuant to a specific authorization of Congress.”
“This presidency has shot from the hip too many times for us to be able to trust it to act on its own,” Webb said.

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:29

Strained by simultaneous wars in Afghanistan and Iraq the nation’s top general has told Congress that military readiness is at significant risk and that the armed forces would not be able to respond as quickly and adequately to a new crisis as they normally could.

The bleak assessment was in a classified report prepared by Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and represents a worsening of the situation from this time frame in 2006 when the risk was rated as “moderate.”

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:29

Air strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities would have the reverse affect of what was intended and result in an acceleration of that country’s nuclear warfare capabilities says a just released report from one of Britain’s top international security think tanks.

The report – “Would air strikes work?” – was written for the Oxford Research Group by one of the country’s preeminent nuclear physicists and weapons experts, Dr. Frank Barnaby.

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:29

The number of troops that would be involved in President Bush’s Iraq surge plan announced in January was originally pegged at 21,500. But they neglected to mention the number of increased support troops that would be required as well. Total projected troop surge levels are not approaching 30,000.

In early February Defense Secretary Robert Gates told Congress that around 3,000 support troops would be needed in addition to the original 21,500-force strength estimate.

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:29

By Larry Johnson
Contributing Editor

Guilty! Four out of five. Now what? Let’s see. Will Scooter Libby be a hot date on Sadie Hawkins day once he’s in the pen? He took such delight in screwing political foes, perceived and real, that he is about to discover an ancient Indian truth–Karma can be a bitch.

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:29

The Army is harassing patient soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Center in an attempt to suppress leaks to the media about conditions regarding hospital conditions reports the Army Times.

According to the Times some patients in the Medical Hold Unit have been ordered to wake up at 6 a.m. and have their rooms ready for inspection by 7 a.m. and not talk to the media.

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:29

News Analysis
By Randy Risener
Editor, FDNS

Internal Democratic squabbling combined with partisan jousting is threatening badly needed funds including those for military and veterans’ health care along with other troop support needs.

Democrats are aiming to add billions to President Bush’s request for a $93.4 billion appropriation for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. When supplemental funds for State Department and related aid operations are included the appropriations are around $100 billion.

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:29

Guest Column
By Larry Scott

The old adage states: If you want the real story, follow the money.

The stories we’ve read about the appalling conditions at Walter Reed Army Hospital all have money at the bottom line. That is, lack of money. With proper staff and oversight, the Walter Reed scandal would not have happened. But, proper staff means an adequate budget. In this case, proper staff to care for the troops and to maintain the facilities.

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 04:18

By Brent Budowsky
Contributing Editor

[Editor’s Note: The author worked in the core group writing the original CIA Identities Law with Senator Lloyd Bentsen, its original sponsor.]

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is 100% right: the President should immediately and publicly state that there will be no pardon in the Scooter Libby case.

The jury has spoken: powerfully, decisively, and authoritatively.

This is now about the integrity of the judicial process.