By Larry Johnson
closeAuthor: Larry Johnson
Name: Larry Johnson
Email: larry_johnson@earthlink.net
Site: http://NoQuarterUSA.net
About: Larry C. Johnson is a former analyst at the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, who moved subsequently in 1989 to the U.S. Department of State, where he served four years as the deputy director for transportation security, antiterrorism assistance training, and special operations in the State Department's Office of Counterterrorism. He left government service in October 1993 and set up a consulting business. He currently is the co-owner and CEO of BERG Associates, LLC (Business Exposure Reduction Group) and is an expert in the fields of terrorism, aviation security, and crisis and risk management, and money laundering investigations. Johnson is the founder and main author of No Quarter, a weblog that addresses issues of terrorism and intelligence and politics. NoQuarterUSA was nominated as Best Political Blog of 2008.[1] He has worked as a private consultant on issues of international terrorism and security for the U.S. Government and private companies. Johnson has appeared as a consultant and commentator in many major newspapers and news programs.[2]
Contents [hide]
1 Background
2 Views
2.1 1996
2.2 1998
2.3 1999
2.4 2000
2.5 2001
2.6 2003
2.6.1 Plame affair
2.7 2008
3 Notes
4 References
5 External links
[edit]Background
Larry Johnson moved to Washington, D.C. in 1979 to begin work on a Ph.D. at the American University. Although he completed successfully all coursework and comprehensive exams, he did not write a dissertation. In 1978 and in 1983-85 he worked in Latin America on community development projects as a community organizer. Returning to the United States in 1985 he joined the Central Intelligence Agency, thanks in part to a letter of recommendation from Republican Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) that helped to "open doors" for him at the Agency.[3] Johnson entered on duty at the CIA in September 1985 and was a classmate of Valerie Plame. Every member of that class was undercover. After a year in the Career Trainee program, which included a stint with the Afghan Task Force, Johnson was assigned as an analyst in the Middle America Caribbean Division in the Latin American Affairs Office of the Directorate of Intelligence. He received two Exceptional Performance awards and was promoted ultimately to Senior Regional Analyst for Central America.
Johnson remained undercover in the CIA until October 1989, when he resigned from the CIA and started a new job in the Office of Counter Terrorism at the Department of State. Johnson played an instrumental role in launching the Terrorism Rewards program international advertising campaign (working with Diplomatic Security officers Brad Smith and Michael Parks). [4] Johnson also was involved in a variety of crisis management response operations, including the release of hostages from Lebanon and liaison with the Pan Am 103 families. He left government service in October 1993 and started his own business as a consultant.
After leaving government service, Johnson became a frequent guest on many major television news shows when a question of terrorism came up. He was first interviewed by CNN following the capture of Carlos the Jackal. Johnson subsequently appeared on CNN, ABC's Nightline, CBS, the BBC, MSNBC, the Jim Lehrer News Hour, NBC, and NPR. In December of 1999, for example, Johnson was hired by NBC to serve as its terrorist expert for the Y2000 and was in Time Square with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric ("a lot of fun and the best way to see in the New Year"). Johnson also was hired in January 2002 as a Fox News Analyst and remained under contract until February 2003.
Since 1994 a significant focus of Johnson's consulting work has been with the U.S. military special operations forces in scripting and conducting military counter terrorism exercises. He traveled under orders from the U.S. military to Iraq in May 2006 to work on a short term project.
A registered Republican who supported President Bush in 2000, Johnson became a strong critic of the Bush administration in May 2003 for its conduct of the war in Iraq and, a few months later, for its role in the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame.[5] He was also featured in the 2004 political documentary Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism. Since Robert Novak's controversial disclosure of Valerie Plame as a CIA operative in July 2003, Johnson has contributed to public discourse on intelligence matters, often sparking further controversy. He has been interviewed by both the mass media and the alternative media and published commentaries on a variety of issues, including the Plame affair, the controversy concerning Mary McCarthy, and the resignation of Porter Goss as Director of Central Intelligence.
[edit]Views
This article or section may contain an inappropriate mixture of prose and timeline.
Please help convert this timeline into prose or, if necessary, a list.
[edit]1996
In 1996, Johnson noted that terrorism worldwide was on the decline. "Terrorist incidents [both internationally and in the US] have fallen to levels not seen since the 1970s. Whether measured by the number of incidents, the number of fatalities, or the number of groups, raw statistics demonstrate that the level of terrorist violence has declined since the mid-1980s. In fact, the evidence suggests terrorism was more widespread and deadly 10 years ago."[6]
He also wrote an op-ed piece for the New York Times suggesting that the newer and more deadly terrorist threat to the U.S. was embodied by "networks of terrorists, mostly foreign, working within its borders." Exemplifying this threat was Ramzi Yousef, one of the masterminds behind the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center. In the article, Johnson suggests that enhanced cooperation between intelligence agencies, particularly the FBI and CIA, is mandatory to meet the growing threat of terror networks.[7]
[edit]1998
In 1998, Johnson argued that while overall terrorism was declining, the threat from bin Laden and al-Qaeda should be the focus of American counterterrorism policy:
The nature of the threat posed by Bin Ladin is highlighted by my final chart, number 7. Osama Bin Ladin and individuals associated with him have killed and wounded more Americans than any other group. This chart also illustrates that groups such as Hamas and the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) prior to 1998 have killed more foreigners in the anti-US terrorist attacks. If we take into account the bombings of the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, Osama's status as the most lethal terrorist is certain.[8]
In addition, he told USA Today that bin Laden had participated in "virtually every major attack of terrorism against the United States" in the 1990s. Johnson underlined the threat posed by bin Laden, saying that he was possessed by "hatred and craziness." If left unanswered, "he would continue to terrorize Americans around the world. He has no compunction about killing women and children. He's a complete egalitarian in his murderous attitude."[9]
[edit]1999
In an interview with PBS's Frontline for its 1999 program, Hunting bin Laden, Johnson discussed Osama bin Laden.[10] According to Johnson, Americans had "tended to make Osama bin Laden sort of a superman in Muslim garb." "Actually," he continues, "Osama bin Laden, in my view, represents more of a symptom of a problem, and the problem is this: the Saudi Arabian government, not just Osama bin Laden but many people in Saudi Arabia, have been sending money to radical Islamic groups for years." Johnson continued:
When you look at who's killed Americans in the last 10 years, the individuals he's supported and backed--I'm basing that upon the initial information that's been released in the indictments and conversations with others in the intelligence communities--Osama bin Laden has been the one killing Americans. No other terrorist group in the world has been out killing Americans except for Osama bin Laden.... Osama bin Laden remains out there as the one really targeting us. So, we recognize that he's the threat. He's serious about wanting to kill Americans, but as long as he's in Afghanistan, as long as he doesn't have access to a cell phone, as long as he can't just hop on a plane and travel wherever he wants without fear of being arrested, his ability to plan and conduct terrorist operations is extremely limited. We have to recognize [that] he would like to do a lot of damage. He would like to kill Americans, but wanting to is different from being able to, having the full capabilities in place.[11]
In the interview, Johnson doubted the ability of members of bin Laden's organization to plan and put their lives on the line:
There's not another Ali or Mustafa out there at this point and Osama bin Laden in my view has not been a very effective organizer or leader. He talks a great game and puts out terrific threats as far as stirring the passions in the United States and maybe firing up the imaginations of some young Muslims throughout the world. But when push comes to shove, can he get a group of people who are together who will say: we are going to plan an operation, we're going to put our lives on the line, we're going to go out and try and kill people and we don't care what the consequence is? It hasn't happened.[12]
Frontline asked:
[Is it] ... fair to say what you're saying is that the president of the United States, his national security advisor, his deputy national security advisor for counter-terrorism, are basically blowing smoke [about the danger posed by bin Laden] and his followers]?
Johnson responded:
They're grossly exaggerating the problem. They are hyping it. They shouldn't be talking about rising terrorism. Instead of saying "terrorism's rising," it's not. "Terrorism is spreading," it's not. "More people are dying from terrorism," not the case. But what they should be saying is, "There's one individual out there that really doesn't like us, and he's made it his mission in life to kill Americans, and we've gotta deal with him." But we need to have a voice of reason in that process instead of putting ourselves out crying wolf, because this is essentially what's taking place right now. They call it the administration that cries wolf.[12]
[edit]2000
Johnson co-authored an article in 2000 with Milt Bearden which focused on the threat posed by al-Qaeda specifically, rather than terrorism trends in general. Beardon and Johnson note that new information emerging about the bombings at Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 points to the threat posed by Imad Mugniyah and Osama Bin Laden will require "a coordinated policy that will employ a full range of covert, clandestine, diplomatic, and military operations," concluding:
The Clinton Administration has shot its bolt on the terrorist problem with small effect, and no last minute show of force will change the record. A new administration can start afresh with a more sharply defined set of terrorism goals – Mughniyeh and bin Laden and their protectors for starters – and bring the full, coordinated force of American diplomatic, military, and intelligence capabilities to bear on the problem.[13]
[edit]2001
After Johnson's testimony to the special forum at the U.S. Senate, Gary J. Schmitt, executive director and CEO of the Project for the New American Century, refers in the Daily Standard (blog) to an op-ed piece Johnson wrote two months prior to the 9/11 attacks, claiming that Johnson argued that the US had little to fear from terrorism.[14]
In an editorial entitled "The Declining Terrorist Threat," published in the New York Times on 10 July 2001, Johnson says:
Judging from news reports and the portrayal of villains in our popular entertainment, Americans are bedeviled by fantasies about terrorism. They seem to believe that terrorism is the greatest threat to the United States and that it is becoming more widespread and lethal. They are likely to think that the United States is the most popular target of terrorists. And they almost certainly have the impression that extremist Islamic groups cause most terrorism.... None of these beliefs are based in fact.... While terrorism is not vanquished, in a world where thousands of nuclear warheads are still aimed across the continents, terrorism is not the biggest security challenge confronting the United States, and it should not be portrayed that way.[15]
Ten days after the 9/11 attacks, after quoting the above passage, Timothy Noah concludes a post in his "Chatterbox" feature at Slate: "Johnson's analysis, we now see, was bold, persuasive, and 100 percent wrong."[16] Johnson defended himself against such attacks:
The rightwing is resurrecting an op-ed I wrote in July 2001. I stand by the full article. It is still relevant today. I am accused, incorrectly, of ignoring the threat of terrorism. In fact, I correctly noted that the real threat emanated from Bin Laden and Islamic extremism. President Bush, for his part, ignored the CIA warning in August 2001 that Al Qaeda was posed to strike inside the United States.[17]
After September 11, Johnson appeared several times on FOX News to address the question of military action against terrorism. On 14 November, he defended the FBI's proposal to interview 5,000 students in the U.S. suspected of having information relevant to the September 11 investigations:
I think they should talk to everyone that they feel they have a need to talk to. I mean, look, this is war. This is not a legal proceeding. This isn't the O.J. Simpson trial. The folks that attacked us -- they murdered Americans. And we've got to recognize that in wartime, we should do things differently.[18]
[edit]2003
In January 2003, Johnson wrote an analysis of the relationship between the upcoming U.S. invasion of Iraq and the threat of transnational terrorism. According to Johnson, Bremer's response was to tell him that "it didn't matter what Saddam did or didn't do, we were going to war."[19] The paper warned that an invasion would "do little to destroy the infrastructure of radical Islamic terrorism responsible for the 9-11 attacks." Noting that Saddam Hussein's regime has been a longtime supporter of regional terrorist organizations such as the PLO, Johnson examines contacts between Saddam Hussein and transnational terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda:
There is no doubt that Iraq is a state sponsor of terrorism—i.e., a country that provides financial support, safe haven, training, or weapons and explosives to groups or individuals that carry out terrorist attacks. . . . According to Central Intelligence Agency data, there is no credible evidence implicating Iraq in any mass casualty terrorist attacks since 1991. . . .
Johnson notes that the period immediately leading up to 2003 saw a rise of activity surrounding terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, suggesting that "Iraq is willing to help a movement that it would otherwise oppose on ideological grounds. Nonetheless," Johnson concludes, "it is important to understand that Iraqi entreaties to Al Qaeda, are most likely intended as a tactic to bolster Iraq’s ability to fight off a U.S. invasion rather than a deep-seated theological and ideological commitment to the terrorist agenda of Bin Laden.[20]
In that analysis Johnson also warns that the U.S.-led invasion was likely to backfire:
In fact there is a serious risk that a U.S. led war against Iraq may crystallize the diffused anger in the Arab and Muslim world — a heretofore unattained goal of bin Laden and his followers — and persuade more Muslim youths to take up the terrorist banner against America and her citizens.... If we decide to invade Iraq we must be prepared for the contingency that our attack will inspire young Muslims to pursue jihad against the West in general and the United States in particular. Just as the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan rallied many Muslims, especially young adults to the cause of jihad, a U.S. attack may enable Islamic extremists to attract new followers.[20]
Johnson also gave interviews on the topic of what to do with captured al-Qaeda leaders; while he did not condone torture, he suggested that a "sleep deprivation and reward system" might be useful for getting information from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed:
I don't see a constitutional right to have eight hours of sleep. You shouldn't subject someone to freezing but they don't get to wear mink coats, either.[21]
In May 2003, Johnson joined members of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) in condemning the manipulation of intelligence for political purposes:
It is a misuse and abuse of intelligence. The president was being misled. He was ill served by the folks who are supposed to protect him on this. Whether this was witting or unwitting, I don't know, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.[22]
[edit]Plame affair
After Robert Novak wrote a column identifying the wife of former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson as a CIA officer, the media invited Johnson to comment on the ensuing scandal because he had been a member of the same Career Trainee class with Valerie Plame Wilson. For example, in October 2003, he appeared on Democracy Now to discuss the Plame affair. He told interviewer Amy Goodman that Valerie Wilson's cover should have been respected whether she was an "analyst" or a "cleaning lady": "if she's undercover she's undercover, period. If the media allows themselves to get distracted with those kinds of curve balls, they ignore the issue."[23]
He told a Senate Democratic Policy Committee in October 2003, "My classmates and I have been betrayed. Together, we have kept the secrets of each other's identities a secret for 18 years. Each and every one of us have kept that secret, whether we were in the CIA, in other government service or in the private sector. But this issue is not just about a blown cover. It is about the destruction of the very essence, the core of human intelligence collection activities: plausible deniability, apparently, for partisan domestic political reasons."[24]
Johnson testified at a special joint hearing of Congressional and Senate Democrats on 22 July 2005 about the consequences arising from the Plame affair.[25]
[edit]2008
In 2008, Johnson emerged as a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton and a strong critic of Barack Obama. Larry Johnson's blog, NoQuarterUSA, became a rally point for Clinton supporters wary of Barack Obama's qualifications to be president. Supporters of Barack Obama insist that a story that first appeared on Johnson's blog--a report that Republican operatives have a tape of Michelle Obama making racially insenstive comments about caucasians--has been "refuted" Barack Obama's Fight the Smears website.[26]. However, Johnson never claimed to have the tape and reported that the Republican operatives controlling it intended to release the tape sometime after the Democratic Convention in August 2008. On October 21, however, he asserted that the operative in possession of the tape had been instructed by the McCain campaign not to release it.[27]
[edit]Notes
^ http://2008.weblogawards.org/polls/best-political-coverage/
^ Larry C. Johnson, "About Me," No Quarter (personal blog).
^ "Former CIA Official Larry Johnson Delivers Democratic Radio Address," transcript posted on official Democratic National Committee's website for The Democratic Party, July 23, 2005], accessed November 21, 2006.
^ Interview with Larry Johnson, confirmed by his supervisor
^ "Ex-CIA official Blasts Bush on Leak of Operative's Name: Democrats' Radio Address Focuses on White House Aides' Role," CNN July 23, 2005, accessed November 21, 2006.
^ Gail Russell Chaddock, "Why Terrorists Pick On the French," Christian Science Monitor (5 December 1996) p. 1.
^ Larry Johnson, "Terrorists Among Us," New York Times (20 August 1996) p. A19.
^ Terrorism Today
^ Lee Michael Katz, "The Hunt for Bin Laden," USA Today (21 August 1998) p. 1A.
^ See Transcript of original interview with Larry C. Johnson, as broadcast on Frontline in 1999. Cf. "Interview: Larry C. Johnson," for Hunting bin Laden, transcript of interview broadcast on Frontline subsequently on 13 April 2001. See also dedicated PBS webpages for media links: Iraq and the War on Terror, Frontline PBS, online featured programs, accessed 19 November 2006.
^ frontline: hunting bin laden: interviews: larry c. johnson | PBS
^ a b [1].
^ As posted in [2].
^ Gary Schmitt, [ 07/25/2005 "Meet Larry Johnson: The CIA official Turned Democratic Spokesman Has a Pre-9/11 Mindset," Daily Standard (blog), July 25, 2005, accessed November 20, 2006.
^ *Larry C. Johnson, "The Declining Terrorist Threat," The New York Times 10 July 2001: A19.
^ Timothy Noah, "(Not Exactly a) Whopper of the Week: Larry C. Johnson," Chatterbox: Gossip, speculation, and scuttlebutt about politics (blog), hosted by Slate September 21, 2001, accessed November 20, 2006. Note the full context of this quotation:
It is, to be sure, a little bit cheap (and slightly at odds with the usual parameters of this feature) to criticize someone for making an erroneous prediction, particularly after a tragedy. Chatterbox is especially reluctant to tag Johnson because Johnson's op-ed was argued forcefully, backed up meticulously with factual data, and bravely at odds with conventional wisdom at the time of its publication. Add in that Johnson now makes his living as a consultant to corporations about terrorism, and therefore had everything to gain by exaggerating the dangers terrorism poses, and the guy practically looks like a hero. Chatterbox, who two decades ago was an editor for the New York Times op-ed page, would have published Johnson's piece had he still been an editor there this past July. In his capacity at Slate, Chatterbox might well have written up Johnson's prediction, and perhaps even endorsed it.
But boy, is he glad he didn't! Johnson's analysis, we now see, was bold, persuasive, and 100 percent wrong. Sadly, a mistake this embarrassing cannot be ignored. As a fellow skeptic, Chatterbox in all sincerity wishes Johnson better luck next time.
^ Larry C. Johnson, "Johnson vs. President Bush," re-posted and updated by SusanHu at DailyKos (blog) July 25, 2005.
^ FOX News Interview with John Garrett (14 November 2001) Transcript #111405cb.260.
^ [3].
^ a b Larry C. Johnson, "Setting the Record Straight on Iraqi Terrorism," posted in Booman Tribune: A Progressive Community (personal blog) 27 January 2003. accessed 19 November 2006.
^ Qtd. in Toby Harnden, "CIA 'pressure' on al-Qa'eda chief," The London Telegraph 5 March 2003: 16.
^ Qtd. in Nicolas D. Kristof, "Save Our Spooks," The New York Times 30 May 2003:A6.
^ Democracy Now (3 October 2003)[4]
^ U.S. Senate, Democratic Policy Committee Meeting on the CIA Operative Leak, (24 October 2003).
^ Letter to the Senate.[Needs full source citation; see "References" section.]
^ Tumulty, Karen (2008-06-12). "Will Obama's Anti-Rumor Plan Work?", Time Magazine. Retrieved on 20 June 2008.:"a story that apparently first made a big splash on the Internet in late May in a post by pro-Hillary Clinton blogger Larry Johnson"
^ Whitey Tape, API, Phil Berg, and Andy MartinSee Authors Posts (1090) on May 9, 2008 at 6:41 PM in Current Affairs
Jesus, Joseph, and Mary. Talk about a preview of the horror show that would be a Barack Obama administration. Despite running a pretty good operation in collecting delegates, Barack is a disaster at managing policy. Here’s the headline from the London Times–Barack Obama sacks adviser over talks with Hamas. Yep, another “advisor” of Barack goes under the bus. According to the Times:
One of Barack Obama’s Middle East policy advisers disclosed yesterday that he had held meetings with the militant Palestinian group Hamas – prompting the likely Democratic nominee to sever all links with him.
Robert Malley told The Times that he had been in regular contact with Hamas, which controls Gaza and is listed by the US State Department as a terrorist organisation. Such talks, he stressed, were related to his work for a conflict resolution think-tank and had no connection with his position on Mr Obama’s Middle East advisory council.
Rob Malley joins an august group of Obama advisors found suddenly disposable once the public discovers that they represent out of the main stream policies. I give the Illinois Senator credit–he recognizes that these policy positions will kill his chances in the fall and is busy trying to re-invent himself. But a careful look at the train wreck of Obama advisors reveals a more fundamental problem with Barack:
We all remember Austan Goolsbee. He gave the Canadians a wink and a nod that Barack did not really mean what he said about NAFTA, but the lie was exposed subsequently when someone leaked the reporting cable from the Canadian foreign ministry.
How about Samantha Powers? Although fired from the campaign for calling Senator Clinton a “monster,” Powers let the cat out of the bag when she acknowledge that Barack does not committed to his promise to withdraw US troops from Iraq. Powers said:
“He will, of course, not rely on some plan that he’s crafted as a presidential candidate or a U.S. Senator.”
“You can’t make a commitment in March 2008 about what circumstances will be like in January of 2009. . . . So to think – it would be the height of ideology to sort of say, ‘Well, I said it, therefore I’m going to impose it on whatever reality greets me.’”
And let’s not forget the intrepid John Brennan. According to Think Progress:
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) has consistently spoken out and voted against granting retroactive immunity for telecoms that participated with the administration’s warrantless wiretapping program. This stance was part of the reason he won the support of Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), a leader on civil liberties issues.
One of Obama’s advisers on intelligence and foreign policy advisers, however, is someone who “strongly” supports telecomm immunity. John Brennan is a former CIA official and the current chairman of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance. In a new National Journal interview, Brennan makes it clear that he agrees with the Bush administration on the issue of immunity.
Brennan is not some “Johnny come lately” adviser. He’s an experienced hand. Brennan headed the National Counter Terrorism Center in his last job in the Bush Administration. It was under John Brennan’s watch that the Bush Administration issued false statistics on the number of terrorist attacks in 2004. He tried to cook the books and keep the public in the dark that terrorist attacks had soared to unprecedented levels. So if he is taking a position directly opposite of his candidate it has to mean he’s gotten the same wink and nod that Austan Goolsbee and Samantha Powers got from Senator Obama. And now we have Mr. Malley.
Besides these “policy” wonks we have the spiritual advisors. Jeremiah Wright anyone? The most prominent of the Senator’s spiritual advisors, he was dumped a month after Senator Obama promised he would not disown him. In the end Barack disowned him.
Barack Obama would have you believe that he is shocked, shocked he tells us, to discover that these advisors are saying all of these unsavory, impolitic things. But that does not really wash. How did they become advisors in the first place? Was Barack too lazy or too stoned to ask simple questions? I don’t think so. Barack knew their positions and Barack accepted their advice because he reflected his own views. It is only in the face of the white hot glare of campaign publicity that Barack has his epiphany and decides that these positions could torpedo his campaign. So, Obama refuses to man-up and take a stand. He opts for duck-and-cover. He throws these folks from the train. The only question now, who is next?
(small, medium and large sizes; for both dogs and cats)
+ 
HEY OPEN THIS LINK
BEAUTIFUL pic of a baby wearing a bib says,,,,i love hillary,,,
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/
I clicked the link - no baby.
Obama’s UTB (Under the Bus) List - Please add
anyone or anything I’ve overlooked:
Bill Clinton
Hillary Clinton
Reverend Jeremiah Wright
Obama’s white grandmother
Samantha Powers
Austan Goolsbee
William Ayers
Robert Malley
Antoin (Tony) Rezko - coming soon?
Clinton visits Oregon, stumps in timber country
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1210305311302720.xml&coll=7
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=63787
I have a much broader base to build a winning coalition on” than Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton has told USA Today.
She cited an Associated Press article “that found how Sen. Obama’s support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again, and how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me.”
“There’s a pattern emerging here,” said Hillary. “These are the people you have to win if you’re a Democrat in sufficient numbers to actually win the election. Everybody knows that.”
The Democratic Party can’t win with just “eggheads and African-Americans,” Paul Begala added helpfully.
so? it happens to be the truth.
I read it initially as “egg mcmuffins,” the democratic party can’t win with fast food from Mcdonalds.
Cheney has proven no one can.
Vote Clinton.
‘I want to rip (Bill Clinton’s) eyes out. Kidding!’
Michelle Obama’s latest gaffe: ‘See, this is what gets me into trouble’
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=63532
Asked how she feels about Bill Clinton’s use of the phrase “fairytale” to describe her husband’s characterization of his position on the Iraq war, she first responded: “No.”
But, after a few seconds of contemplation, and gesturing with her fingernails, she told the reporter: “I want to rip his eyes out
Thanks, Sonia. I’d forgotten about this. I’m adding it to the file (it’s vile).
If Mr. Triangulating, calculating, throwing people under buses left and right Obama had been a member of the senate at the end of 2002, he would have voted for the resolution. It is a fairy tale for him to claim otherwise. After all, if he actually was Dennis Kucinich, he’d be in the same place in the presidential campaign. Also, there would be some further record of his opposition to the war, i.e., some op-eds.
Another example of the profound lack of judgment of BO. Rezko, Wright, Ayers, Googlesbee, Powers and this!!! Can you imagine what his cabinet would be like…not a pretty picture..
Lemme see..Hagel, Goolsbee, Feinstein, and oh…yeah…
That ‘Crazy Joe’ fucktard! Joe Lieberman Sec of Def.
‘We begin bombing in ten minutes…’ and unlike St. Ronnie Joey ain’t kiddin’
Cabinet meetups will not be prized as you will be required to kiss the hem of The One’s cloth of gold robe.
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton aren’t humping for nothing.
We’ll be seeing a lot of those guys.
I am not surprised, as Trinity Church posted bulletins from leaders of Hamas.
These are Obama’s friends, and he intends to represent them.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/28/obama.pastor/
I think some of these people, particularly the guy talking with Hamas, may have been feeling out public opinion, such as if the public would take an Obama/Hamas chat, with the understanding he’d move on if it didn’t play well. I seriously doubt the Obama campaign was this guy’s real day job.
I doubt these people were fired or let go. I suspect they were part of the team for a time, for a specific reason - kind of like a pinch runner.
I’M SHOCKED ! SHOCKED I TELL YOU! What a stroke.
If she gets to be first lady, are we supposed to emulate her?
No. And just imagine how the European press will pillory her. They have no respect for vulgar people, and that is exactly what Michelle Obama is.
Not a whole lot of Americans will support a First Lady who took her 2 young daughters to church like Wright’s for “religious instruction.”
I want to know how she explained Wright’s “riding dirty” phrase and his humping the pulpit while he said it, to her 2 young daughters.
Did they ask, “Mommy, what’s RIDING DIRTY?”
Yuk.
Perhaps they asked Rezko that question. After all, Daddy Rezko purchased the mansion in which Malia and Sasha live.
Boy Larry…this is a new low, even for you. Maybe you should check some of the facts out there you can spin this stuff until you get a sweater, but it won’t change the votes so far. get used to it. Grow up I should say, big CIA thug - macho macho man….pathetic.
Lenore, do yourself a favor. Use Google to search out the facts as Larry presents them. Everything he says is verifiable. Please don’t get your information from blogs and then come in here and dis Larry for presenting the truth, M’K? Run along now.
http://www.globemagazine.com/story/177
New Obama Scandal
PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Barack Obama is tangled up in a gay-murder probe as insiders ask: How much does the Democratic candidate really know about the shooting death of the choir director at his controversial Chicago church? Our blockbuster Special Report reveals shocking charges of a link between gay murder victim Donald Young and Obama - and a private investigator’s stunning claim the choir director was killed to silence him. It’s must reading - only in GLOBE!
I betcha there’s something fishy going on there. Can’t wait to check it out!
Too bad the Weekly World News went out of bizness.
LOL. They could come up with some great stories!!
So where is the MSM. Another swept under the rug.
Is the London Times the only newspaper reporting this? Well, thank God for Larry and Susan and all the folks at No Quarter. Why does the media consistently hide things about Obama?
lol this is fantasy island. you guys are really in denial. lol.
You should start practicing some humility. You are going to need it in the near future.
Agreed but the crap that’s written hear makes it hard. If anyone had just one coherent thought or comment it wouldn’t be so insulting.
Gee, you’d better not come back. We really don’t want you to feel insulted. After all, you’re just a lurker, are you not? You’re not a contributor of anything worthwhile, are you?
Listen, I would love to have a SERIOUS discussion about some of this, but you all are just over the top. I’m sure that MOST of you are good people, but reading some of this diatribe amazes me.
This troll thinks we are are “you all”.
This is a typical xenophobia troll.
Go away troll- you hateful buzzard.
We are a group of independent people who have critical thinking ability and agree that Obama is one of the biggest frauds to hit US politics.
I hope Obama takes the rest of his supporters DOWN when he falls — like Kerry and Kennedy — the good old boy network.
come on! tell the truth. you are hear for a dose of sanity and reality.
Ed Schultz today was having a hissy fit on his show over the fact that Begala and Carville continue to appear on CNN- “they are Clinton surrogates, they might as well be on the payroll!!”
Of course, Schultz didn’t mention another regular CNN political contributor, one who, unlike Begala and Carville, is not open about her preference for one of the candidates. Rank Hypocrite.
May 09, 2008
Categories: CNN
Lanny Davis on CNN primary night: ‘Worst experience I ever had on television’
When Clinton supporter Lanny Davis appeared on CNN during primary night, shortly before 10 p.m., there was a peculiar exchange with host Anderson Cooper.
Cooper: Lanny, let me start off with you. We haven’t heard from you tonight. Your take on Barack Obama’s speech earlier?
Davis: You haven’t heard from me tonight. And I’m not sure — I’m not sure you want to hear from me tonight but —
Cooper: We heard from Paul Begala. This is your big chance.
Davis: Well, actually, I don’t think we heard very much from Paul Begala. We did hear an awful —
Cooper: All part of the conspiracy against Hillary Clinton, I suppose.
(May 9, 2008): Lanny Davis on CNN primary night: ‘Worst experience I ever had on television’ (Politico) - MUST READ!
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http://www.politico.com/blogs/michae…elevision.html
Check out Lanny’s experience on CNN. Utterly amazing.
They’ve removed the page! Imagine that.
page gone!!!!!!!!
gee shutting up Lanny big time…
Larry..can you get Lanny to post his story here…we need to all read what he has to say!!..I knew Lanny was damn mad on CNN on Election night..but could not figure out why..
please if you could get this sotry and post it here it would be most informative.
thanks..fly
What about him going on MSNBC and CNN spouting his Blowhard, sock puppet, Hopium, Jesus juice infused comments? Jeebus! this guy is so whacked out on the Juice that he has become a parody of himself.
Unlike that Hillary blowhard that goes from town to town, state to state pandering like a $2 … I’ll freeze foreclosures, I’ll stop the gas tax, I’ll buy you a new house, a new car lol just tell what you want I’ll do it. lol lol lol what desperation. That’s your candidate, just tell em what the want to hear.
Oh, you’re not used to competence, how sweet.
See, too ,much McDonald’s rots your brain, next thing you know, you’re using “strunk and white” as a defense when you’re humiliated, and it’s all downward from there…
You’re brave though, I’d be afraid others were setting me up, using a SHOWN dependence on logical fallacies, against me…
Fools rush in where even stupider angel wannabes fear to tread…
Or something like that…
I SAW THIS ON HILLARYCLINTONFORUM …SO I AM GONNA PASTE IT HERE ,,,,
ALERT
ALERT
ALERT
Patrice in L.A.
Gold Member = >500 Posts Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 567
Poster Rank: #49
Obama Camp Calling W. Va Voters & Telling Them It’s Over - Not To Bother Voting!!!!
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Just got an email from Bernie via S in PA about this:
Quote:
Bernie–could you pass some info on to the rest of the callers that are calling into WV?
I’ve been talking with some people already on the ground in WV and the Obama camp is calling voters, NOT to get out the vote, but to ask for money - campaign donations. The gist of the call is that its not important that they vote, because the election is over, and then they ask for money to help put this primary campaign to an end and move on to the general election. Basically, they are telling voters its over. Then they ask for $400 donations. What the dollar amount is about, I don’t know. Perhaps they are just getting greedy.
Anyhow - I’ll be in WV for the next 3 days, and if I hear anything else I think needs to be passed on, I’ll let you know. But, I think this needs to get out now.
Thanks!
PA for Hillary 08
Call W.VA this weekend and tell them the truth!!!!!!
someone needs to tape it..but they need to say they are taping it!..they need to record that they are informing the person they are taping it.
put ads in newspapers and on their local news and radio. Tell them this is a scam by obama ccampaign.
http://www.caglecartoons.com/images/preview/%7b18a655ca-5bab-40b6-a22a-004f7c042217%7d.gif
FUNNY CARTOON
Love it! Sonia, I wish Hillary knew all you do for her. She’d be so impressed!
I am gong to vote on May 20th for Hillary just like the rest of the good people of Ky. Obama and company does not impress us.
Thank you, Dina, and the good people of Kentucky!
it’s me being OT again but I was so impressed with Obama’s US knowledge I had to share http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/05/09/obamas-59-state-union/
there is a video from him today saying he has been to 57 states this campaign but still hasn’t gone to the last 2 Hawii and Alaska
Maybe that is why we think you can not count Fla and Mi and still have a 50 state strategy? and still have a couple left over not needed voters
OMG, that is just pitiful. Of course he was speaking in Oregon, home of the great lakes. Is there something seriously wrong with this man? Some genius, huh? Can you imagine if Hillary had said this?
Maybe he was having a “senior moment.”
Either that, or the drugs…
Bingo. I have thought this so many times these past few weeks. When Carter spoke to them and they made that announcement about them supporting Obama there was a comment made they had spoken to his people.
That was all dropped because obamacandonowrong is not going to be held to blame for anything he does.
Of course Ted Kennedy, Carter, Kerry, Dean, Brazile, Pelosi, McGovern, and the rest of them need to be told a billion times how they have definitely backed the wrong horse in this race but the message might get though to them when they see something like this.
Teddy taking a swipe at Clinton really went far for party unity. Touchy feely all over, dismiss florida and michigan.
I don’t recognize my EX-party anymore.
Divorcing the DNC after 32 plus years for cruel and unusual punishment!
I wonder how he’s really doing in the polls against Clinton, since we dont have an honest press?
Failing I would suppose…
jumping in
fyi
Hillary getting ready for a rally right NOW on
CNN LIVE
In Louisville, Kentucky!
yeehaw!
Obama is playing a tactic to say it is over because too many are coming too close to the real destroyer of Obama, the link between Obama and his terrorist friends! Obama is going to be exposed real soon and the questions will be narrower and narrower in scope!
Remember that Anti war Speech in 2002, the one Obama claims to fame on, well check out Carl Davidson, the one who organized it, former Student for Democratic Society VP in 1968, Bill Ayers buddy and now working for Obama’s campaign and website “progressives for Obama”
One other thing, and remember this, David Axelrod worked for the Chicago Trib, and in the mid-80’s went to help run a campaign for Paul Simon, then afterwards, quit the Trib to do more campaign work etc. Mentor of Axelrod was none other than Trib Director Thomas Ayers.
Why would Axelrod become friends of Obama in 1991 upon his return to Chicago and been by Obama’s entire political career?
Think about it! The answers are coming soon!
You have a talent Mel.
C’mon folks! Its NOT OVER BY A LONGSHOT!! Florida and Michigan have 200 delegates (elected and super) and they are very angry at the screw job Obama is laying on them! Contribute at HillaryClinton.com! Even $10 helps a lot! I gave $220 two days ago. Its time for her comeback (again) !!
Good to see you writing again.
Yer man Murdoch plays an interesting game.
He’s got the story headlined in the Times Global Edition before the Beeb or even Al Jazeera picked it up. Exit stage right to the his Post and we learn that yanks are running a Sex In The City parody of Dublin’s Bloomsday, that Obama has picked up more supers, plays to a full house and focuses on McCain.
Oh well, only 15 more shopping days before the Rules Committee meets.
Oh wise man riddle me this, will Donna Brazille still be on the uncommitted list that fateful Saturday morning?
Donna Brazile is off the rules committee.
since when?
never mind, found the mistake
“Was Barack too lazy or too stoned to ask simple questions?”
Yikes are you intimating that he still does dope?
Again, BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW! If we’re not getting HRC in the White House due to machinations of the Democratic Party elite, let’s keep our country safe by voting for John McCain. Like Hillary, he will never put our country’s national security on the line. I hope the superdelegates are paying attention. Fat chance; they’re drunk on O’Juice.
How can you make that assertion?
Wow, I’d disagree.
Is it any wonder that Oprah has quietly thrown Obama off of her own “bus?”
Better Oprah than 200 or so super delegates. lol Help Hill up off the ground, just got run over by that Obama bus with all those new super delegates in it. lol lol lol
So, this is what you refer to as a serious discussion? Sounds like incoherent crap to me. But, I’m sure that most of “you” is nice.
Judy, Judy, Judy, it’s the best I’ve been able to do here. Stupid in stupid out. It’s all crap here I agree.
naw you don’t want converation and discussion. that is just a play! dang, you are pathetic troll.
zzzot, I have to think you are just having fun! Aren’t you glad you joined us?
Weird night.
When I was 9, our family dog was hit by a car, and killed, at the time our basement had this really peculiar smell, out of the ordinary.
So I always associate that smell with a dog’s death, a Proustian thing, I call it, strangely enough, “dead dog smell.”
And I swear I just smelled it, even though I have no dog.
Sorry, I guess it’s off to bed.
Last night, I dreamt about a huge obese pig wearing a bell hop uniform far too small for him, I hope I don’t dream it tonite.
I always think of that scene in MASH where nurse meg craddy refers to the brass at Henry’s court martial hearing as “high priced bell hops.”
Hey SusanUnPc;happy friday!
looks like the RNC-blackwater ops are done with NY and have moved to Chicago…just like you said, been and gone
his ATTITUDE;
Are the Dems for real? WOW! (laughing) Can’t find Obama’s paper work? Ask Rove for it.
Dumb ass DR. Dean should have done this — I really have questions about what sort of MD he really is/was?
Dr. Dean should have vetted Obama — used Private detectives and dug through every bit of information on Obama and INTERVIEWED everyone.
Or should the FBI do a background check on Prez candidate? But the FBI is now tainted - hell I don’t know the answer. Contractors who work on military bases with classified material and on classified project have to undergo background checks — as do their spouses. There is so much in Obama’s background that would surely exclude him from Top Secret clearance. (My father had a Top Secret clearance — so I know a bit about such matters. Just a tiny bit.)
A person running for president should have the highest clearance — and this individual should be investigated completely. Can this person be blackmailed?
The vast majority of voters don’t know a fraction of what we know — and WE don’t know 1,000 pages of information that the GOP has collected.
I really hate Dr. Dean and Donna B — for what THEY are responsible for.
Oh well — what do I care — Obama isn’t my candidate and the GOP are doing what must be done. It’s only politics — so Obama should understand when they come after him.
Gee the Government has put babies on the no-fly list — amazing that Obama wasn’t on the no-fly list with his list of friends.
Don’t count your super delegates before they’re hathced, those who live in glass madrassas shouldn’t throw stones.
hatched*
See… that’s that the crap that Hill and Bill as spawned. “glass madrassas”? Be Clear, say what you mean or too afraid to say don’t imply. Just like Hill and Bill. Cowards to the core. lol
To translate (and make it crystal clear to you), Mr. Murder believes that your candidate is sympathetic to jihadists.
Need more clarity? Jihadists = al Qaeda. A leads to B leads to C. Get it?
You need to understand this because if your guy gets the nod the Rethugs (through their 527 arms..the RNC won’t want to get THAT dirty) will be working a whispering campaign with this angle. They will have many campaigns running with many angles, but one singular theme — Obama is anti-American, he can’t be trusted…oh you get the idea. IT’S THEIR NATURE.
I understood clearly. It’s just that it so unbelievably ignorant, unfounded, and quite frankly cheap that he couldn’t just come out and say it. That’s why I called him a coward.
Hatched*
like a raptor egg?
He throws these folks from the train. The only question now, who is next?
Arnold is to big…Moma? na he did that a few stops back…mmm Chris Dodd and the Telco immunity?
Which raises a serious concern over transition and disclosure from the Bush admin. There are clear and present dangers combined with criminal acts.
I worry that the flash traffic will be cut mid transmission leaving the next administration with last orders and in the dark.
Obama has no idea, and no experience to go find out. If the national intelligence is intertwind with criminal activity, it will be the last thing you want to drag out in the street revealing sources and methods. Blackmailed. The court ruled on standing and it can’t be reached.
Okay, Superdelegates, listen up! We look like idiots. We look like we care more about our “liberal guilt” than we do about winning the Presidency. We look like we’d rather not have to say to the Black man, “We can’t make you our nominee,” than, “Sorry, we looked at the Swing states and we can’t name a nominee who hasn’t won California, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts. We want to win.” Here’s what Hugh Hewitt said tonight on Fox, smiling and salivating about November:
Say what you like about Republican Hugh Hewitt, but he is a smart man.
Thanks, Howard Dean. Thanks, Donna Brazile. Thanks, Nancy Pelosi. We’re going to have to listen to this crap for the next six months before we get our ASSES kicked in November.
Come on, Superdelegates, get some balls! Do the right thing!!
HGirl that’s just plain stupendously stupid!! Don’t make it about being black. That’s the easy way out for you and yours here. Make it more about the FACT that in the history of elections, the person (black, white, green, yellow, man, woman, dog, alien) with the most delegates, popular votes, and states won has never failed to get his parties nomination. Don’t try and use his blackness against him by using that ignorant played out primarily white induced argument that “they won’t take it away from him because his black”. How about they won’t take it away from him because it’s just never been done before in the history of elections!!!
And for your information, I’m not White.
That makes it even worse.
Good luck with playing the race card in Nov if he lasts that long.
Ignorance is bliss. You all use that crutch, if it helps console you. Don’t let the facts get in the way. Hill and Bill introduced race because she was getting her ASS drug. It’s worked. Scorched earth HIll. Glad she’s done.
I’m not making it about being Black…if you haven’t been watching the cable news channels today, that’s ALL they’ve been talking about.
And I don’t appreciate being called stupid.
hillarysmygirl Color only matters on the TV.
The troll is a “guilt bigot”.
The taking away is BO’s doing, no one elses.
Don’t try and use his blackness
Ok. Then I’ll use his white-ness.
When thats all you have to defend a racist and crooked empty suit like Barky you gotta go with what you have.
Aaargh, mea culpa, it’s my fault for responding to a TROLL! I should have known better. Actually, I’m kind of flattered because I really pissed them off…I must have touched a nerve. Because they know I’m right. And it has nothing to do with my personal opinion. I’m all for having a person of color in the White House. I was for Obama at the beginning, until I saw that he was a hollow shell without the strength or stamina to be our President. All I want the Superdelegates to see is what is down the pike in November if he’s our nominee. I don’t want the Democrats to lose AGAIN. And if he’s our nominee, we will.
Thanks Teakwoodkite and rwc. I’ll try not to react to the trolls.
H-girl, my apologies. I know you support Hill and I don’t have any problem with that. Most here in their zest for Hill have completely torn down Obama based on the bullshit that you expect from a bunch of Republicans. He’s a jihadist, too stupid (experience is their code word), etc. etc. I mean go back and read some of this vitriolic crap. Obama for months ran as a candidate oblivious to race. It wasn’t an issue until Hill lost Iowa. I remeber distinctly when it happened. Bill made his JJ comments, Hill made her MLK comments and we were off to the races. CNN, MSNBC, and FOX all started parsing up the votes. Specials, documentaries and all kinds of commentaries on race. I remember thinking at the point that Obama never had a prayer. But God bless the majority of white america that don’t live their lives in fear of a black planet. But you can see when Hill’s ship start to sink she reverts to here old ways reference her latest comments. Politics of division, pretty shitty.
Has he sacked Carter yet??? LOL!
I’m going to repost the link to my post today on 3 foreign news stories that Obama probably knows nothing about…
It’s so appropriate!!!
“Today’s Foreign News that Obama Probably Doesn’t Know a Thing About…”
http://insightanalytical.wordpress.com/
Who can forget that interview way back in 2000 when George W. Bush was asked who was heading Pakistan? Bush dismissively answered that it was some general and that it didn’t matter if he couldn’t recall the name, because he would be surrounded by advisers who knew all this stuff.
Were you impressed then? I sure wasn’t and I’m not impressed with Obama’s “expertise” on foreign policy either. His policies and some speeches may in large part come chapter and verse straight from the party platform and he can buddy all he wants with Jimmy Carter…but that sort of “foreign policy by association” doesn’t cut it with me, especially after seeing Bush and Cheney in action. Spending a few years in Indonesia as a kid, having a dubious relationship with Odinga in Africa, and never having the curiosity to explore Europe doesn’t count either.
So, when I ask if Obama knows the name of the current Japanese prime minister it’s because I want to see his ATTITUDE when he answers. Is he going to act like Bush?
I wake up to the BBC World Service news every morning via shortwave radio and in about 5 minutes I learn more than I could ever learn from the American media. Today was a BIG NEWS DAY on at least 3 fronts–Russia, Lebanon, and, yes, Japan. Having followed a lot of the related news while churning out the World Media Watch for Buzzflash for quite a few years, the stories I heard really woke me up, fast! Because the spectre of Obama (or McCain) reacting to some of the situations reported gave me a kick in the gut.
Right off the bat, there’s Russia’s little parade that was held today. For the first time since the demise of the Soviet Union, military hardware has been featured in Moscow’s Victory Day parade.
MORE MORE MORE in the post
The problem is it will never happen and even by chance if it did and Barky blew it, his New Left followers and AA’s couldn’t care less.
The thing is, facts don’t matter to these people. They KNOW that Barky is the most experienced and wise expert on foreign policy in America because of his 4 years as a child in Indonesia and being in a super elite private high school in Hawaii.
Remember real world experience and understanding isn’t important when you’re Barky. He’s a uniter and is compassionate and is about change.
If it sounds a lot like Bush in 2000 where he campaigned on pretty much the same themes its because it is.
that is very interesting! i always said putin was smart and a survivor.
Echoing Gloria’s comment — Has he strongly denounced Carter and rejected his endorsement since Carter also met and talked with Hamas?
Was Barack “too lazy or too stoned..”
Love that one Larry… sweet!
I can never, never vote for Obama. Hopefully, Hillary will go independent and I’m sure she’ll win. Democratic Party needs a revamp or dissolve totally.