War Is A Crime .org

By DONNA DE LA CRUZ
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — President Bush is jeopardizing national security by not disciplining Karl Rove for his role in leaking the name of a CIA officer, and has hampered efforts to recruit informants in the war on terror, former U.S. intelligence officers say.

Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson used the Democratic Party's weekly radio address Saturday to reiterate comments he made Friday to a panel of House and Senate Democrats.

At that event, Johnson and others expressed great frustration that CIA operative Valerie Plame's name was made public. Plame is married to former ambassador Joseph Wilson, a critic of Bush's Iraq policy.

Los Angeles Times
By Douglas Frantz, Sonni Efron and Richard B. Schmitt
Times Staff Writers

WASHINGTON — The special prosecutor in the CIA leak investigation has shifted his focus from determining whether White House officials violated a law against exposing undercover agents to determining whether evidence exists to bring perjury or obstruction of justice charges, according to people briefed in recent days on the inquiry's status.

Differences have arisen in witnesses' statements to federal agents and a grand jury about how the name of Valerie Plame, a CIA agent, was leaked to the press two years ago.

Did Bush Administration troop deployment patterns suggest a President who was content to give peace a chance? Or did they suggest a President bent on war regardless of Saddam Hussein's degree of cooperation, and the findings of the UN weapons inspectors?

As far as I'm concerned, it's the latter. And if the latter is true, then the Downing Street memos are tantamount to a smoking gun.

Think about it. George Bush and Tony Blair contend that when they went to the UN, they went in order to give Saddam Hussein one last chance to cooperate. Yet, if you follow the troop deployment patterns of both the United States and Great Britain - and the fashion in which both nations were stranding several hundred thousand troops in Qatar and Kuwait, at states of high readiness - the only conclusion that I can draw is that Bush and Blair were planning to go to war regardless of Saddam’s degree of cooperation with the UN inspectors. By going to the UN, Bush and Blair were only looking for political cover.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee has invited Progressive Democrats of America Board President Mimi Kennedy up from Los Angeles to take part in today's Town Hall Forum in Oakland.

Kennedy commented:"I'm standing with Barbara Lee because she stands for an American foriegn policy, including a response to violence and terror, that is not based on murder and vengeance -- and that is the only response that can make America and the world truly secure."

Kennedy is best known as Abby, Dharma's hippie mom, on TV's "Dharma and Greg," but many remember her late-night appearances on Bill Maher's "Politically Incorrect," railing at right-wing pundits. Movies include "Pump Up The Volume," "Erin Brokovich" and "Buddy." Work on Dennis Kucinich's anti-war presidential campaign led to founding support for Progressive Democrats of America, of which she is Honorary Chair. She continues her acting and writing career in Los Angeles while studying Nonviolence with Reverend James Lawson. A charter member of Artists United to Win Without War, she is an active supporter of LA's Office of the Americas, Homeboy Industries, the Garment Workers' Center, and Farm Sanctuary. Her mid-life memoir, "Taken to the Stage; The Education of an Actress" was published by Smith and Kraus in 1996.

Distributed to newspapers by Knight-Ridder/Tribune Information Services
Published on Friday, July 22, 2005 by CommonDreams.org
By Mark Weisbrot

The Bush Administration has ploughed through so many scandals that it is easy to cynically dismiss the current controversy over White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove as just another inside-the-beltway, partisan tussle that will soon be as forgotten as all those Bush Administration officials with ties to Enron. Or the Harken Energy Corporation and Halliburton scandals (to which the President and Vice President were personally linked). The 9/11 intelligence failures, the missing weapons of mass destruction, Abu Ghraib - nothing sticks to these guys. So why should this scandal be any different?

By Political Affairs

Yesterday, Rep. Barbara Lee (D–CA) introduced a Resolution of Inquiry in the House of Representatives which would require the White House and the State Department to "transmit all information relating to communication with officials of the United Kingdom between January 1, 2002, and October 16, 2002, relating to the policy of the United States with respect to Iraq." The resolution was introduced with 26 co-sponsors.

The resolution is regarded as a first step in an official congressional investigation of recently leaked information showing that in the spring and summer of 2004, as much as one year before the war began, high-level British government officials believed that the Bush administration was intent on going to war with Iraq, that is was planning to fix intelligence to support its cause, and that its case for war was insupportable with the known intelligence.

THINK PROGRESS
Another White House official possibly facing perjury charges?

Last Monday, Bloomberg News reported that former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer had seen the classified memo thought to be the original source of Valerie Plame’s identity. “On the flight to Africa, Fleischer was seen perusing the State Department memo on Wilson and his wife, according to a former administration official who was also on the trip.

Former CIA Officer Testifies: Rove Leak, Cover-Up 'Increases Risk to Security of American People'!

BRAD BLOG

Blasts 'Partisan Obfuscation', 'Ruthless Attacks' on Joe Wilson at Joint House/Senate Hearings!
Says 'Politics in This Country Trumps National Security'

Jim Marcinkowski, former CIA case officer, gave some remarkable testimony at today's Joint Democratic House/Senate Hearings on Karl Rove's TreasonGate. He described the leak about Valerie Plame's identity and it's subsequent coverup by the White House as "a disservice to our country," resulting in an "increase in the risk to the people of the United States."...

Congressman John Conyers has produced a 36-page timeline of the Bush Administration's march to war.
Get it here.

Here is Congressman Conyers' summary.

RAW STORY

The following statement was delivered to the Democratic Policy Committee hearing on the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson Friday, and released to RAW STORY.

#
I would like to thank our esteemed co-chairs this morning, Senator Dorgan and Congressman Waxman for calling this special joint hearing of Congress.

George W. Bush campaigned on ‘restoring dignity’ to the White House. During his first inaugural address, he affirmed a commitment “to live out our nation's promise through civility, courage, compassion and character.

RAW STORY

Copy of my testimony to be presented on Friday, 22 July 2005 before a joint session of Congressional Democrats. / CORRECTING THE RECORD ON VALERIE PLAME / Larry C. Johnson

I submit this statement to the Congress in an effort to correct a malicious and disingenuous smear campaign that has been executed against a friend and former colleague, Valerie (Plame) Wilson. Neither Valerie, nor her husband, Ambassador Joseph Wilson has asked me to do anything on their behalf. I am speaking up because I was raised to stop bullies. In the case of Valerie Plame she is facing a gang of bullies that is being directed by the Republican National Committee.

Congressman José E. Serrano
PRESS RELEASE

On Third Anniversary of Infamous Downing Street Meetings, Serrano Calls For Investigation, Bringing Troops Home

Washington, DC, July 22, 2005—Marking the third anniversary of the controversial Downing Street meetings, during which it was revealed that the Bush administration was determined to push ahead against Iraq regardless of its “thin case

By Thom Hartmann

Political smears by right-wingers are nothing new. In the election of 1800, John Adams had a surrogate newspaper publisher write an article about "Dusky Sally," the half-sister of Thomas Jefferson's deceased wife, who was also one of the Jefferson family slaves. Jefferson succeeded in avoiding the issue, and his friends pointed out that it was merely about his personal life, not national security.
George W. Bush may not be so fortunate.

Today comes the revelation in The Wall Street Journal that "A key department memo discussing Joseph Wilson's Niger trip was classified 'Top Secret,' and the passage about his wife's CIA role was specially marked 'S/NF' -- not to be shared with any foreign intelligence agencies."

Rove, Libby Accounts on Plame Differ With Reporters' (Update2)
July 22 (Bloomberg) -- Two top White House aides have given accounts to a special prosecutor about how reporters first told them the identity of a CIA agent that are at odds with what the reporters have said, according to people familiar with the case.

Lewis ``Scooter'' Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, told special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald that he first learned from NBC News reporter Tim Russert of the identity of Central Intelligence Agency operative Valerie Plame, the wife of former ambassador and Bush administration critic Joseph Wilson, one person said. Russert has testified before Fitzgerald that he didn't tell Libby of Plame's identity, the person said.

Dear EmailNation Subscriber,

Tomorrow, July 23, is the three-year anniversary of the meeting at Ten Downing Street in London, that was recorded in the now infamous minutes known as the "Downing Street Memo." Suggesting that the Bush Administration was intent on going to war with Iraq with or without intelligence on Saddam's WMD, the memo has given new impetus (and vindication) to antiwar critics of the invasion.

To highlight these disclosures, there are more than 150 events for tomorrow planned coast to coast. In New York City, The Nation and Democrats.Com are teaming up to present a public forum at the New York Society of Ethical Culture.

U.S. TOUR OF DUTY proudly presents Gold Star mom NADIA McCAFFREY, the woman who defied President Bush by allowing the media to view the coffin of her son, for three Special Reports on Saturday, July 30 (in Anaheim), Sunday, July 31 (in Venice), and Monday, August 1 (in San Pedro). Nadia will be joined on July 31 by TIM GOODRICH (co-founder of Iraq Veterans Against the War), and on August 1 by independent journalist DAHR JAMAIL, who has gained international acclaim for his "unembedded" dispatches from occupied Iraq. Comedian RICK OVERTON will perform on July 31 and August 1. Come hear first-hand accounts, and see exclusive photographs and video footage of the war being fought in America's name. WARNING: We will present disturbing images that are typically censored by the Bush administration and mainstream media organizations.

The Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation has published a booklet containing all the Downing Street Documents, all the legal advice, the resignation letter of Elizabeth Wilmshurst, the UK Foreign Office Legal Adviser who resigned, and the Conyers letter to Bush. It is called The Dodgiest Dossier.
Get it here.

By David Swanson

(To be read at the Stop the War Coalition Event on July 23, outside the gates to Downing Street)

We write from the After Downing Street Dot Org Coalition in the United States to thank you for your solidarity on this third anniversary of a meeting that we were never meant to know about, a meeting that took place some yards from where you stand. There are over 300 events like yours happening today in the United States.

We write to thank you for your example. You have, through the course of this war and the long sales pitch that preceded it, shamed us by organizing larger protests than we have in this country.

Oakland Tribune

An Oakland representative introduced a resolution Thursday demanding answers from the White House about the "Downing Street memo" suggesting intelligence was "fixed" to justify the war in Iraq.
"Americans deserve to know the truth about the circumstances under which our troops were sent to war," U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, said in a news release.

Lee's bill, which has 26 co-sponsors, would require the president and secretary of state to give Congress all information relating to the administration's communication with British officials regarding U.S. policy in Iraq between Jan, 1, 2002, and Oct. 16, 2002, the latter date being when Congress authorized the use of force in Iraq.

South Florida Sun Sentinel

The Palm Beach Democratic Club plans a town hall meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Palm Beach Towers in Palm Beach to mark the anniversary of the meeting that gave birth to "The Downing Street Memo." Critics of President Bush and the war in Iraq contend the memo shows the administration fixed intelligence around its policy in Iraq.

"It is time for us, as citizens, to demand accountability from our government," club officials wrote in an announcement.

The club has invited Florida U.S. senators and several members of the House to the event. Contact Elna Laun at 561-686-2060or David Presnky at 561-832-8511 for more information.

Colorado Daily
By PAULA PANT Colorado Daily Staff

Boulder will be one of 300 cities across the U.S. that will host an event today commemorating the third anniversary of a British government meeting on Downing Street, the leaked minutes of which have been dubbed the "Downing Street Memo."

The Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center (RMPJC) is hosting a public press conference at 10 a.m. today in front of the Boulder County Courthouse to draw attention to the memo and encourage Congress pass a Resolution of Inquiry examining whether President Bush committed impeachable offenses in building the case for war with Iraq.

Abid Aslam
OneWorld US

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jul 22 (OneWorld) - Activists seeking to impeach President George W. Bush have planned 300-plus events nationwide Saturday to mark the third anniversary of a top-level meeting of British officials that they say proves the White House manipulated intelligence and lied to Congress to justify its war against Iraq.

Members of Congress were to headline at least eight of the town hall meetings and rallies organized by the AfterDowningStreet.org coalition in Detroit, Seattle, New York, Inglewood and Oakland, California, and other cities.

Organizers said they hoped the events would galvanize the public by raising awareness of the so-called Downing Street memo, which summarized a July 23, 2002 meeting between Prime Minister Tony Blair and his inner circle at Blair's official residence, No. 10 Downing Street.

Rutland Herald (Vermont)
By Gordon Dritschilo Herald Staff

A Congressional candidate who wants to impeach President Bush insists he can win the Republican primary.

Dennis Morrisseau, 62, of West Pawlet, plans to seek the Republican nomination to run for U.S. House of Representatives. The seat is being vacated by Rep. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., who plans a run for the U.S. Senate.

A central part of his platform, Morrisseau said, will be bringing articles of impeachment against Bush.

He will most likely face Maj. Gen. Martha Rainville, adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard, in the September 2006 primary, along with any other candidates who might get themselves placed on the ballot between now and then.

Barbara Lee Submits Resolution of Inquiry on Downing Street Memo

Will Hold Town Hall Meeting Saturday on Bush Administration Case for War

(Washington, DC) – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced a Resolution of Inquiry calling on the Bush administration to produce information to answer questions raised by a series of classified British memos that suggest that pre-war intelligence was fixed in order to justify the invasion of Iraq.

“These documents offer strong evidence that the Bush administration ‘fixed’ intelligence in order to mislead our country into war, evidence the administration has failed to dispute or answer,

American Chronicle
By Political Desk
July 21, 2005
Lee Will Hold Town Hall Meeting Saturday on Bush Administration Case for War

Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced a Resolution of Inquiry calling on the Bush administration to produce information to answer questions raised by a series of classified British memos that suggest that pre-war intelligence was fixed in order to justify the invasion of Iraq.

“These documents offer strong evidence that the Bush administration ‘fixed’ intelligence in order to mislead our country into war, evidence the administration has failed to dispute or answer,

Here is a flyer for activists promoting co-sponsorship of Congresswoman Lee's Resolution of Inquiry, H. Res 375.
PDF here!

These are the committee members.

THE COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON SEPT. 14, 2005: ACT NOW!!!
Ask Your Congress Member to Co-Sponsor!

HOW TO CONTACT CONGRESS.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Dem., Calif.) has introduced a Resolution of Inquiry in the House of Representatives (H. Res 375) which, if passed, will require the White House and the State Department to "transmit all information relating to communication with officials of the United Kingdom between January 1, 2002, and October 16, 2002, relating to the policy of the United States with respect to Iraq."

Here's a new flyer for activists aimed at influencing the U.S. Senate.

PDF here.

New Statesman Monday, July 25, 2005

Terror and the UK - Blair was told about Muslim rage not just by his critics, but by some of his closest advisers, writes Michael Smith

_____________________

Tony Blair has been at his most contemptuous when dismissing the idea that the bombers might have been angry about Iraq, Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo. "Their cause is not founded on an injustice," he declared. "It is founded on a belief, one whose fanaticism is such that it can't be moderated. It can't be remedied. It has to be stood up to."

The trouble is that in the minds of those four young men their cause almost certainly was founded on injustice. Nor can this be any surprise to the government, for it was warned many times, officially and unofficially, on the record and off. Even at the heart of the security establishment people are well aware of this.

By People's Weekly World

Our page 3 story highlights the longstanding slimy, criminal tactics of Bush-Cheney mastermind Karl Rove. It points out how Rove’s lying, cheating, backstabbing methods, dating back to the Nixon days, helped the ultra-right seize the pinnacles of political power in our country.

But, as in the past, so too today, Rove is a minor figure in a major crime syndicate.

Nearly 2,000 American soldiers are dead and thousands more seriously injured, many scarred for life in body and spirit, from a war based on lies. Many thousands of Iraqi people have been killed and maimed, and their country lies in ruins. Today’s Karl Rove scandal is not just about the CIA operative he “outed.