Conason: Clarke's Book Shows Why Bush* Fears Truth

[kskiska]

Within days after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the White House public-relations office began to shroud those events behind personality propaganda, heroic mythology and even religious mysticism. Over the years to come—and until now, perhaps—stirring words and images would serve not only to repackage George W. Bush, but also to obscure the plain facts about his administration’s fateful errors.

The President’s chief political strategist and his National Security Advisor claimed falsely that Al Qaeda had targeted Air Force One on that terrible late-summer morning, thus transforming his prudent flight from Florida to Nebraska into a dramatic escape from peril. The President’s supporters suggested that God had chosen George W. Bush to lead America, in anticipation of national crisis.

During the ensuing year, while the air was filled with such mystifying nonsense, the President and the Vice President warned Congress against an independent investigation of the circumstances leading up to the disaster. After public clamor for an investigation finally prevailed over that intimidation, the White House tried every conceivable tactic to hinder the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, even while claiming to support the commission unreservedly.

Clearly, the President preferred flattering myths to hard facts about 9/11. Now, with the publication of Richard Clarke’s memoir, Against All Enemies, we know why.

more…
http://www.nyobserver.com/pages/conason.asp

[Disturbed]

1. The truth may set Buschco free.

On the other hand it may not set some members of Buscho free until they serve a few years in prison. The Pres. & VP will of course be free to pursue other jobs after the election. I wonder what people that have Millions and then some do after being Pres & VP. Don't know how much Shrub is worth $ wise but have read that Cheney has around $35 Million. It is a bit strange that Cheney wanted to be VP when he had $30 Million. Guessing he likes the power.

[indepat]

3. Cheney surely will merit Halliburton bonuses in the hundreds of millions

of dollars by the time he leaves office. That's not saying we will get such bonuses, only that he will merit same.

[NJCher]

2. Cheney 's out of the loop

If anybody is out of the loop, it's Cheney. He seems to always be the one wandering around, randomly lying, out of synch with the rest of the lies.

Remember, back when everyone in this fraudulent administration had pretty much dropped the idea that WMD were still in Iraq? But oh no, not Cheney! He popped up way late in the game, still saying they would be found.

And now this! Hey, Cheney, time to resume attending the morning "lie coordination" meetings.


Cher

[WRPendleton]

4. maybe

To me it seems much more likely that Cheney knows perfectly well he's doing. Its not like the media will ever actually call him on telling things that a blatantly untrue so what's he got to lose?

[newyawker99]

5. Hi WRPendleton!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Miss Authoritiva]

6. If only you could crush terrorism under the weight of these bureaucrats

Well, the mystifying nonsense, as Conanson calls it, seems to have been replaced by the silly "Coke versus Pepsi" coverage given the 9-11 Commission hearings, and especially Clarke's testimony versus Rice's statements.

If it wasn't so sad, it would be almost funny: All these overweight, past-their-prime guys stuffed into their expensive suits talking about deputies and principals and agendas and briefs and meetings and memoranda and information vetting and actionable intelligence -- and nothing much ever getting accomplished. If only you could crush terrorism under the combined weight of these snarky, self-serving bureaucrats.