August 18, 2005

An interesting read

This February 7, 2003, memo, received by the George Washington University National Security Archive, pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act request continues to strip the facade from "Operation Infinite Justice" (oops, now "Operation Infinite Freedom"!).

Sent to Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky by senior State Dept. officials, the memo

noted CENTCOM's "focus on its primary military objectives and its reluctance to take on 'policing' roles," but warned that "a failure to address short-term public security and humanitarian assistance concerns could result in serious human rights abuses which would undermine an otherwise successful military campaign, and our reputation internationally." The memo adds "We have raised these issues with top CENTCOM officials." National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 163, posted 17 August 2005

We all know how much attention was paid to those warning. The GWU report reviews this and other relevant memoranda in more detail.

Posted by Jeanne Edna Thelwell at 08:07 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

August 17, 2005

I guess they still don't get the 1st Amendment

I didn't think I would ever again hear the kind of garbage that came out of the mouth of a McLennan County (TX) official on CNN this morning, as he explained that "traffic safety concerns" that were the basis of residents' complaints about Cindy Sheehan's Vigil outside George W. Bush's ranch. According to this man, the nature of the vigil -- Sheehan's demand for an explanation of her the reason her son was sent to Iraq to die -- has absolutely nothing to do with the complaints. He is certain that if the demonstration was in support of the President's policies, the neighbors would still be upset; there's nothing political about this. The fact that a man fired a shotgun into the air near the encampment and said he was getting ready for "dove season", and that another man drove his truck over dozens of crosses memorializing men and women who have died in Iraq did not have an impact on the county's concerns.

I say I am surprised to hear this nonsense "again" is because it sounds just like the nonsense people like Bull Connors used to say about Civil Rights demonstrations in the 60's. And, I admit, the man's southern accent made me wonder if I was having a nasty flashback. No such luck. As Mark Twain might say, this country will never run out of flatheads.

Posted by Jeanne Edna Thelwell at 08:22 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)