Comments on: Dave Petraeus and Iraq Kabuki http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/ Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:42:49 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: J http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-25090 J Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:00:23 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-25090 President Petraeus? Iraqi official recalls the day US general revealed ambition - Independent Online Edition > Americas petraeus willfully commits perjury before the congress, and he wants (expects) to become prez some day. sheez louize http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article2956422.ece President Petraeus? Iraqi official recalls the day US general revealed ambition – Independent Online Edition > Americas

petraeus willfully commits perjury before the congress, and he wants (expects) to become prez some day. sheez louize

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article2956422.ece

]]> By: Shirin http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24952 Shirin Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:30:50 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24952 Hmmmm - looks like I messed up the html. http://justworldnews.org/archives/002627.html Hmmmm – looks like I messed up the html.

http://justworldnews.org/archives/002627.html

]]> By: Shirin http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24951 Shirin Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:26:25 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24951 Wow Leslie! I wonder whether that is actually true, or just an enticing rumour! Something what the wonderful a href ="http://justworldnews.org/archives/002627.html">Helena Cobban</a> had to say does fit rather nicely with Fallon's remark: "<i>I guess the main thing that struck me was the cock-a-hoop way that Petraeus preened his way around the hearing room, gladhanding everyone like a seasoned politician... Whereas Crocker looked anguished, concerned, and very uncomfortable. "Also, whenever the Congress members asked questions that were not specifically directed to one or other of the two "witnesses", Petraeus jumped right in and answered them without even seeming to ask Crocker if he wanted to go first. Even when they were on clearly political (as opposed to more military) subjects. "It was alpha-doggist discourse-hogging of the first order. Fairly nauseating, all in all.</i>" Wow Leslie! I wonder whether that is actually true, or just an enticing rumour!

Something what the wonderful a href =”http://justworldnews.org/archives/002627.html”>Helena Cobban had to say does fit rather nicely with Fallon’s remark:

“I guess the main thing that struck me was the cock-a-hoop way that Petraeus preened his way around the hearing room, gladhanding everyone like a seasoned politician… Whereas Crocker looked anguished, concerned, and very uncomfortable.

“Also, whenever the Congress members asked questions that were not specifically directed to one or other of the two “witnesses”, Petraeus jumped right in and answered them without even seeming to ask Crocker if he wanted to go first. Even when they were on clearly political (as opposed to more military) subjects.

“It was alpha-doggist discourse-hogging of the first order. Fairly nauseating, all in all.“

]]> By: Leslie http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24947 Leslie Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:13:53 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24947 <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/12/webb-fallon/" rel="nofollow">Centcom Chief Fallon</a> called Petraeus: 'An ass-kissing little chickenshit!" Why would Fallon call Petraeus that? Centcom Chief Fallon called Petraeus: ‘An ass-kissing little chickenshit!”

Why would Fallon call Petraeus that?

]]> By: rugger9 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24752 rugger9 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:53:10 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24752 'Tis cherry picking. What I thought was amusing is that Petraeus claims to be using <em>the same data as the GAO</em>, but the conclusions are so at odds with each other. Of course he's not telling how he massaged the data to get where he got. As Twain said: "First, get the facts, then distort them at your leisure". And, we all need to remember the WH already admitted to writing this report for Petraeus, and Spinmeister Gillespie has a round-the-clock shop in the WH just for talking points, FDL had it. ‘Tis cherry picking. What I thought was amusing is that Petraeus claims to be using the same data as the GAO, but the conclusions are so at odds with each other.

Of course he’s not telling how he massaged the data to get where he got.

As Twain said:
“First, get the facts, then distort them at your leisure”.

And, we all need to remember the WH already admitted to writing this report for Petraeus, and Spinmeister Gillespie has a round-the-clock shop in the WH just for talking points, FDL had it.

]]> By: greatdogs http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24744 greatdogs Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:21:12 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24744 Wasn't it one of the Saudi Royal Family (I forget which one) that TOLD Cheney on his last visit to Saudi Arabia that they were gonna funnel money and arms to the Sunnis? But I guess those weapons don't kill Americans. In maybe a related matter, today at the OPEC Conference Saudi Arabia basically told the other OPEC members that oil production would be increased 500k barrels per day. Perhaps this is payback for not being mentioned as a player in the Iraqi civil war. Wasn’t it one of the Saudi Royal Family (I forget which one) that TOLD Cheney on his last visit to Saudi Arabia that they were gonna funnel money and arms to the Sunnis? But I guess those weapons don’t kill Americans.

In maybe a related matter, today at the OPEC Conference Saudi Arabia basically told the other OPEC members that oil production would be increased 500k barrels per day. Perhaps this is payback for not being mentioned as a player in the Iraqi civil war.

]]> By: HoosierHoops http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24738 HoosierHoops Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:00:16 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24738 greatdogs: From your link: according to one senior intelligence official in Washington. "If a bullet went through the back of the head, it's sectarian," the official said. "If it went through the front, it's criminal." I thought I had read that somewhere... Well that is about as dumb of a counting system I've ever heard of.. What? If the bullet goes through your temple it's a hunting accident? must be Deer season in Bagdad.. greatdogs:
From your link:
according to one senior intelligence official in Washington. “If a bullet went through the back of the head, it’s sectarian,” the official said. “If it went through the front, it’s criminal.”

I thought I had read that somewhere…
Well that is about as dumb of a counting system I’ve ever heard of..
What? If the bullet goes through your temple it’s a hunting accident?
must be Deer season in Bagdad..

]]> By: GR3 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24728 GR3 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:55:45 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24728 Thanks for the link. Here is another: http://ratiocinatonsofasavageheart.blogspot.com/2007/09/strange-case-of-six-misplaced-nuclear.html Thanks for the link. Here is another:
http://ratiocinatonsofasavageheart.blogspot.com/2007/09/strange-case-of-six-misplaced-nuclear.html

]]> By: rugger9 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24727 rugger9 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:53:41 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24727 Technically, it doesn't <em>require</em> swearing in either [though the oath makes it easier to prosecute], and Ray McGovern was apparently ejected today for asking why there wasn't an oath taken. This is extremely unusual, and the only other time I remember it was when Specter was trying to cover AGAG's tail. Why would the D chairmen allow this lack of an oath? I can't think of a good reason for it. Technically, it doesn’t require swearing in either [though the oath makes it easier to prosecute], and Ray McGovern was apparently ejected today for asking why there wasn’t an oath taken.

This is extremely unusual, and the only other time I remember it was when Specter was trying to cover AGAG’s tail. Why would the D chairmen allow this lack of an oath? I can’t think of a good reason for it.

]]> By: Shirin http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24726 Shirin Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:51:24 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24726 Perjury? Well, I suppose so - in most places. In this case it is called "promoting one's career". Perjury? Well, I suppose so – in most places. In this case it is called “promoting one’s career”.

]]> By: rugger9 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24724 rugger9 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:49:54 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24724 Thom Hartman had one of his regulars on this morning (Radio Television Service correspondent, the name escapes me) and she noted that the map addressing the "Threats to Iraq" had no arrow from Saudi Arabia, but arrows from Syria (Baathists most likely), Iran (Shia, but not all Persians), Turkey (PKK most likely) and Jordan were prominently featured. This in spite of the large proportion of detained foreigners (around 50%) coming from Saudi Arabia, as well as the already documented money trail running to the Sunni militants from Saudi sympathizers (at the very least, and given the kingdom's surveillance apparatus, the government has to be aware of who's involved). As we all know, the Saudis were "off the radar" in the 9/11/01 commision investigations [courtesy of State, might hurt their feelings, y'know], as well as fact that the Bin Ladens in the USA were allowed to leave after 9/11/01, being the only planes flying in those dark days. The Saudis and Emiratis still don't allow us to follow the money trail on the 19 hijackers (15 Saudis there, hmmmm.....). This is important to highlight the D&P show Petraeus and Crocker foisted on us this week in order to pin this whole mess on AQI and Iran, anybody but the Saudis. The fact that Gates today (again) harrumphed that we're gonna git them Terrorists without fail and relentlessly, while the WH allows OBL safe haven in Pakistan means this is all Kabuki to buy more "stay the course" time. So, what is the WH really covering up here? I know Iraq is extremely important, but I'm sure none of us are under the illusion that anything at all will be changed out of this exercise regardless of the testimony. This means it is meant as a distraction for something else. Ideas? Thom Hartman had one of his regulars on this morning (Radio Television Service correspondent, the name escapes me) and she noted that the map addressing the “Threats to Iraq” had no arrow from Saudi Arabia, but arrows from Syria (Baathists most likely), Iran (Shia, but not all Persians), Turkey (PKK most likely) and Jordan were prominently featured. This in spite of the large proportion of detained foreigners (around 50%) coming from Saudi Arabia, as well as the already documented money trail running to the Sunni militants from Saudi sympathizers (at the very least, and given the kingdom’s surveillance apparatus, the government has to be aware of who’s involved).

As we all know, the Saudis were “off the radar” in the 9/11/01 commision investigations [courtesy of State, might hurt their feelings, y'know], as well as fact that the Bin Ladens in the USA were allowed to leave after 9/11/01, being the only planes flying in those dark days. The Saudis and Emiratis still don’t allow us to follow the money trail on the 19 hijackers (15 Saudis there, hmmmm…..).

This is important to highlight the D&P show Petraeus and Crocker foisted on us this week in order to pin this whole mess on AQI and Iran, anybody but the Saudis. The fact that Gates today (again) harrumphed that we’re gonna git them Terrorists without fail and relentlessly, while the WH allows OBL safe haven in Pakistan means this is all Kabuki to buy more “stay the course” time.

So, what is the WH really covering up here? I know Iraq is extremely important, but I’m sure none of us are under the illusion that anything at all will be changed out of this exercise regardless of the testimony. This means it is meant as a distraction for something else. Ideas?

]]> By: J http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24722 J Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:39:37 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24722 Larry, an internal DOD report contradicts petraeus's testimony that he's giving to congress. in most places its known by the term 'perjury' when one gives false testimony before the congress. Larry,

an internal DOD report contradicts petraeus’s testimony that he’s giving to congress. in most places its known by the term ‘perjury’ when one gives false testimony before the congress.

]]> By: greatdogs http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24717 greatdogs Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:53:08 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24717 Hoosierhoops, This is what I was basing my comment on. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/05/AR2007090502466.html?hpid=topnews It seems for the most part the steno pool (once known as the media) are just happy to tell us in glowing terms how great everthing is going. I suppose they don't want to be dropped from the after briefing cocktail party for saying something against the commander guy or any of his minions. Hoosierhoops,
This is what I was basing my comment on.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/05/AR2007090502466.html?hpid=topnews

It seems for the most part the steno pool (once known as the media) are just happy to tell us in glowing terms how great everthing is going. I suppose they don’t want to be dropped from the after briefing cocktail party for saying something against the commander guy or any of his minions.

]]> By: Leslie http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24685 Leslie Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:21:07 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24685 HoosierHoops, I don't think anyone knows what formula Petraeus is using? <a href="http://www.nsnetwork.org/node/195" rel="nofollow">Here's what</a> the National Security Network has to say about his statistics and flow chart info, however. <a href="http://cernigsnewshog.blogspot.com/2007/09/wot-no-ethnic-cleansing.html" rel="nofollow">Newshoggers</a> points out an important Petraeus deception: He "presents four maps of "ethno-sectarian violence" in the neighborhoods of Baghdad since December 2006. These maps pretend that the ethnic/sectarian mix of various neighborhoods has remained constant during this period. In fact, as I've commented here and elsewhere, the Sunnis have been driven headlong out of many neighborhoods since December 2006. Despite the map, there are no longer either majority Sunni or mixed Sunni-Shia neighborhoods east of the Tigris. And west of the Tigris, Sunni-dominated areas have shrunk considerably." Talking Points Memo has more deceptions <a href="http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/" rel="nofollow">here</a>. HoosierHoops,
I don’t think anyone knows what formula Petraeus is using?

Here’s what the National Security Network has to say about his statistics and flow chart info, however.

Newshoggers points out an important Petraeus deception: He “presents four maps of “ethno-sectarian violence” in the neighborhoods of Baghdad since December 2006. These maps pretend that the ethnic/sectarian mix of various neighborhoods has remained constant during this period. In fact, as I’ve commented here and elsewhere, the Sunnis have been driven headlong out of many neighborhoods since December 2006. Despite the map, there are no longer either majority Sunni or mixed Sunni-Shia neighborhoods east of the Tigris. And west of the Tigris, Sunni-dominated areas have shrunk considerably.”

Talking Points Memo has more deceptions here.

]]> By: HoosierHoops http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24677 HoosierHoops Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:50:44 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/09/10/dave-petraeus-and-iraq-kabuki/#comment-24677 What statistical formula is the military using for casuality reporting? How can a rising number of deaths become a smaller number? It depends on where in their anatomy they were shot? Sounds rather 1984ish to me.... This is what is so wierd.. If you get shot in the front of the head..it's just plain old murder..but if you get shot in the back of the head...well then it's sectarian murder... It gets counted.. the front head shot is disgarded.. Am i right on this..Did someone else read that report? What statistical formula is the military using for casuality reporting? How can a rising number of deaths become a smaller number? It depends on where in their anatomy they were shot? Sounds rather 1984ish to me….

This is what is so wierd.. If you get shot in the front of the head..it’s just plain old murder..but if you get shot in the back of the head…well then it’s sectarian murder…
It gets counted.. the front head shot is disgarded..
Am i right on this..Did someone else read that report?

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