Your Opinion, Please.

[H2O Man]

In the past 15 months, a number of DUers have made an effort to provide others here with information on three closely related scandals. These are the {1} Plame; {2} the neocon spy; and {3} the document forgery scandals.

In the past 4 weeks, we have seen a significant increase in public attention in the Plame case, and this week there were two more indictments in the neocon spy scandal.

This also comes at a time when the Iraqi war is becoming increasing unpopular, and the Vice President's claim that the insurgency is on its last leg is exposed as a cruel lie. President Bush views the death of two dozen American youth as a personal challenge aimed at his "bravery" and willingness to "stay the course." Perhaps closely related are reports from Fox News and other corporate media that Iran is the source of much of the explosive devices being used in Iraq.

For my own interest -- and hopefully yours -- I am including a series of questions that I would like your opinion on. There are no right or wrong answers, or any cause for disagreement at all. In many ways, a variety of opinions may indicate a strength. Please feel free to answer any or all of the questions that you want. Thank you for your consideration.

1) Do you think that Iran most likely: {a} has bought nuclear weapons; {b} has made nuclear weapons; {c} is close to being able to make them; or {d} is nowhere near being able to make the?

2) On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very little, and 10 being very much), how much do you think you know about: {a}the Plame case; {b}the neocon spy case; {c} the Iraqi war; {d} Islam; and {e}9-11?

3) Do you know the three men indicted in the neocon spy scandal?

4) Do these indictments indicate the chances of a crisis with Iran are greater or lesser today than 6 months ago?

5) Will the neocon indictments and the Plame case lead to convictions of senior White House officials? Mid-level scape goats? Or will there be a cover-up and pardons?

6)Rate the corporate media's recent coverage of the Plame case on a 1 to 10 scale.

7) Rate the corporate media's coverage of the neocon case.

8) Do you know how either William Luti or Glenn Kessler serve to connect the Plame and neocon spy scandals?

9)On the scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very unlikely, and 10 being very likely), what do you think the chances of the US being involved in increasingly difficult conflict in Afghanistan is?

10) Do you believe there is an on-going "religious war" that pits the extremists from the Christian culture versus those of the Islamic culture? (This does not mean you think there should be, of course. Just that there is one)

I want to thank anyone who takes the time to answer these questions. I think they may help us get an idea of what DUers are interested in, and what future essays/articles might be beneficial.

[fooj]

1. Here's my answers...

1) Do you think that Iran most likely: {a} has bought nuclear weapons; {b} has made nuclear weapons; {c} is close to being able to make them; or {d} is nowhere near being able to make the?

2) On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very little, and 10 being very much), how much do you think you know about: {a}the Plame case (9); {b}the neocon spy case(8); {c} the Iraqi war(10); {d} Islam(3); and {e}9-11(8)?

3) Do you know the three men indicted in the neocon spy scandal?not by name.

4) Do these indictments indicate the chances of a crisis with Iran are greater or lesser today than 6 months ago? Lesser

5) Will the neocon indictments and the Plame case lead to convictions of senior White House officials?yes Mid-level scape goats? Or will there be a cover-up and pardons?

6)Rate the corporate media's recent coverage of the Plame case on a 1 to 10 scale. 5

7) Rate the corporate media's coverage of the neocon case.2

8) Do you know how either William Luti or Glenn Kessler serve to connect the Plame and neocon spy scandals? yes

9)On the scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very unlikely, and 10 being very likely), what do you think the chances of the US being involved in increasingly difficult conflict in Afghanistan is? 7

10) Do you believe there is an on-going "religious war" that pits the extremists from the Christian culture versus those of the Islamic culture? (This does not mean you think there should be, of course. Just that there is one)yes


Peace.

[H2O Man]

8. Thanks! n/t

[iconoclastic cat]

2. My answers:

1) Do you think that Iran most likely: {c} is close to being able to make them

2) On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very little, and 10 being very much), how much do you think you know about:
{a}the Plame case; 6
{b}the neocon spy case; 4
{c} the Iraqi war; 7
{d} Islam; 5
and {e}9-11? 7

3) Do you know the three men indicted in the neocon spy scandal? No.

4) Do these indictments indicate the chances of a crisis with Iran are greater or lesser today than 6 months ago? Greater.

5) Will the neocon indictments and the Plame case lead to convictions of senior White House officials? Maybe...
Mid-level scape goats? Oh, yeah.
Or will there be a cover-up and pardons? Even odds.

6)Rate the corporate media's recent coverage of the Plame case on a 1 to 10 scale. 4

7) Rate the corporate media's coverage of the neocon case. 1

8) Do you know how either William Luti or Glenn Kessler serve to connect the Plame and neocon spy scandals? Nope.

9)On the scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very unlikely, and 10 being very likely), what do you think the chances of the US being involved in increasingly difficult conflict in Afghanistan is? 10

10) Do you believe there is an on-going "religious war" that pits the extremists from the Christian culture versus those of the Islamic culture? (This does not mean you think there should be, of course. Just that there is one) Yes, as well as anyone who isn't a Christian Fundamentalist or a Republican.

[H2O Man]

9. Thank you.

What is that cat drinking? Looks good on a warm August night.

[iconoclastic cat]

10. Bass Ale!

Man, H20, I gotta tell ya: tonight, I am losing hope.

[H2O Man]

13. How so?

Due to the media campaign the administration is conducting? Or maybe the European meetings with Iran?

[iconoclastic cat]

15. Actually, my funk is due to two things:

1. The lack of integrity in our voting systems.
and:
2. The inability of the Democratic Party to mount a successful strategy against the powers of domestic fascism.

*sigh* And yes, Iran does worry me, but I doubt that a war will actually occur between the U.S. forces and Iran. If anything, they will just foment a Shiite-driven theocracy.

I don't know...do you think they (Bushco) really will try to pull off an attack on Iran? Are they that nuts? If so, add that to my list.

[H2O Man]

18. The information

revealed in the neocon indictments shows a group of people in our government, along with some not in government, along with some connected to a foreign government, were actively planning having that other country begin a series of airstrikes against targets in Iran. There is reason to believe if they ran into serious problems, the US was considering its options to provide support.

I think that people such as Tony Snow saying, this weekend, that the US military could invade Iran, are missing the point. There is no reason to assume there would be putting boots on the ground.

[Me.]

3. #3

Rosen & Wasserman of AIPAC, Franklin of the State Dept.

Now here's my question (s) to you, do you think Feith will be implicated here? Will the prosecutor be allowed to interview the Israeli officials Rosen reported to? Will this affect AIPAC?

The war in Iraq has already diminished the possibility that there will be an assault on Iran and this scandal I think puts the nail in the coffin. Do you agree?

[H2O Man]

4. I think that

the indictments refer to two other officials who were involved in the neocon spy scandal. The first trial will begin in September, I believe; in it, the defense attorneys will argue that there were no avert acts following his meetings with the two AIPAC officials. It takes an overt act to turn a conspiracy to share classified material into espionage case, so to speak. When the trial shows who those two officials are, and addresses the meetings with a representative of a foreign government (who recently left the USA), it will go beyond Feith.

[Me.]

14. Well I Did Get Weissman's Name Wrong

but indictments were filed against Franklin ad Rosen. Are you thinking of FO1 & FO2, as yet unnamed and I think (?) unindicted? Or are there others?

“The other shoe has finally dropped in the case of the spy scandal involving the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). In addition to five espionage-related charges filed against former Pentagon analyst Larry Franklin, two counts of conspiracy to communicate classified information to a foreign power have been lodged against former AIPAC foreign policy director Steve Rosen, and a single count of conspiracy against Rosen's assistant, former AIPAC Iran specialist Keith Weissman. The latest indictment reads like a spy thriller, and, while some of the elements were already known, there is much that is surprising, including the information that Rosen has apparently been under surveillance since at least 1999.” Cont…

“AIPAC was pretty busy that summer, particularly Rosen and Weissman; not only were they picking up "codeword protected" intelligence and passing it on to Israeli officials, but the latter was also telling "FO-1" about a "secret FBI, classified FBI report" (the indictment cites snippets of wiretapped conversations throughout) about the Khobar Towers bombing. Weissman was boasting to his Israeli handler that he had gotten the information from "three different sources, including United States government officials."

The indictment fails to name names, but at the trial – if it comes to that – all will be revealed. These officials will be "outed," and perhaps face charges themselves. The only question now is: how far up the totem pole will the indictments go?” cont…

http://www.etherzone.com/2005/raim080505.shtml

[H2O Man]

17. "DoD Employee B"

also met with Franklin, Rosen, and Weissman. Those three are now indicted; there is a reason DoD Employee B isn't.

[Me.]

24. DOD B = Wolfowitz?

Bolton? Or are we back at Hannah, again? Feith we know has resigned from his position.

"A source close to the defense said that one of the U.S. officials involved, who has not been indicted, was recently appointed to a senior Bush administration post. The source, who asked not to be identified, would not name the official."

[H2O Man]

29. I think it was

about a year ago that Patrick Buchanan, who is well aware of details of this scandal that have not been made public, said on MSNBC that this case -- which he connected to the Plame case -- was a time bomb that posed a huge danger to the administration. I know that Pat has some pretty whacked ideas on social and cultural issues. But he is a smart man when it comes to the economy and most foreign affairs. And he has had some experience with scandals that knee-cap administrations.

There is some spin being put on this now, and you'll see the White House and their media weasals saying Franklin was "just playing the usual 'poer & influence' games found in Washington," and that he was seeking primarily to get a position on the NSC. Baloney. He was carrying out orders from people higher up, and you will recall that a year ago, he was close to striking a deal with prosecutors to turn evidence against thoise higher ups involved. He then changed direction, for reasons that seem to indicate he felt safer being prosecuted, than telling prosecutors what he actually knows.

Old-timers on DU should have their work cut out for them in the next couple of weeks, explaining to newer folks the connections between this scandal (and Plame) and two shadowy figures: Ahmed Chalabi and Manucher Ghorbanifar. A few of us have said for the past year that this is part of the Iran-Contra scandals, just a current chapter of that same story.

I also note that a year ago, I said that I considered Paul Wolfowitz to be one of the most dangerous snakes in Washington. Nothing has changed there.

[Me.]

47. We Need RP

to jump in here about Manucher Ghorbanifar

[H2O Man]

48. Manucher Ghorbanifar

was one of the Iranian weapons dealers during the Iran-Contra scandals. RP should have a significant amount of information on him from the arms dealing involving the neocon machine and the merchants of death in the Middle East.

[lonestarnot]

45. My answers

) Do you think that Iran most likely: {a} has bought nuclear weapons; {b} has made nuclear weapons; {c} is close to being able to make them; or {d} is nowhere near being able to make the?

(a) close to ability to make them

2) On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very little, and 10 being very much), how much do you think you know about: {a}the Plame case; {b}the neocon spy case; {c} the Iraqi war; {d} Islam; and {e}9-11?
a. 7
b. 0
c. 9
d. 9



3) Do you know the three men indicted in the neocon spy scandal?
no

4) Do these indictments indicate the chances of a crisis with Iran are greater or lesser today than 6 months ago?

ans. Don't know names but if with indictments issued greater chance of conflict with Iran

5) Will the neocon indictments and the Plame case lead to convictions of senior White House officials? Mid-level scape goats? Or will there be a cover-up and pardons?

They own all the machinery... cover ups and pardons

6)Rate the corporate media's recent coverage of the Plame case on a 1 to 10 scale.

2

7) Rate the corporate media's coverage of the neocon case.
0

8) Do you know how either William Luti or Glenn Kessler serve to connect the Plame and neocon spy scandals?
No

9)On the scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very unlikely, and 10 being very likely), what do you think the chances of the US being involved in increasingly difficult conflict in Afghanistan is?
10 and Tagikistan, and Smagikastan, and Bullshitastan and Stan the Man

10) Do you believe there is an on-going "religious war" that pits the extremists from the Christian culture versus those of the Islamic culture? (This does not mean you think there should be, of course. Just that there is one)
NO

[H2O Man]

49. Thank you.

I do appreciate people taking the time to give me their opinions. Your responses are helpful in showing me what information might be the most useful.

[H2O Man]

5. Please be informal, if that helps.

I've been told -- correctly -- that this survey is not well-organized; if it makes it easier, just do the parts that you are most interested in.

[wli]

6. here we go

1. d
2. a. 7 b. 7 c. 7 d. 7
3. yes
4. yes
5. coverup and pardons, possibly worse (e.g. Bushler declares himself dictator)
6. 0
7. 0
8. yes (I do now)
9. 5
10. yes

[H2O Man]

7. Thank you!

I appreciate you taking the time to go through these.

[ewagner]

11. My take.....

1) Do you think that Iran most likely: {a} has bought nuclear weapons; {b} has made nuclear weapons; {c} is close to being able to make them; or {d} is nowhere near being able to make the?

2) On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very little, and 10 being very much), how much do you think you know about: {a}the Plame case;8 {b}the neocon spy case;6 {c} the Iraqi war;8 {d} Islam;1 and {e}9-11?2

3) Do you know the three men indicted in the neocon spy scandal?Larry Franklin is the only name I recognize

4) Do these indictments indicate the chances of a crisis with Iran are greater or lesser today than 6 months ago?greater

5) Will the neocon indictments and the Plame case lead to convictions of senior White House officials? Mid-level scape goats? Or will there be a cover-up and pardons?

6)Rate the corporate media's recent coverage of the Plame case on a 1 to 10 scale.4.5

7) Rate the corporate media's coverage of the neocon case.1

8) Do you know how either William Luti or Glenn Kessler serve to connect the Plame and neocon spy scandals?no

9)On the scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very unlikely, and 10 being very likely), what do you think the chances of the US being involved in increasingly difficult conflict in Afghanistan is?7

10) Do you believe there is an on-going "religious war" that pits the extremists from the Christian culture versus those of the Islamic culture? (This does not mean you think there should be, of course. Just that there is one)In certain segments of American Society, I think the battle is being encouraged, but it doesn't yet exist as a "religious war".

on edit: thanks for the chance to respond.

[H2O Man]

12. On #10 .....

in the Middle East, do you think the conflict is more political, economic, or religious in nature?

[ewagner]

23. Different levels

on the level which the Mullahs portray to their followers, the theme is religious. Beneath it, the true conflict is economic.

In a sense, I believe inter-religious struggles are all ultimately about economics. That is, what faith (tribe) controls the wealth whether the wealth consists of oil or goats or gold or sand, control over it is usually rooted in religious terms.

(as an aside: The religious conflict between mainstream denominations and emerging fundamentalist denominations in the United States has much to do with who will ultimately control the wealth of the country.)

on edit: I've used the term "Mullahs" very clumsily and if it is offensive to anyone I apologize. The religious leaders who are instigating violence are the people to whom I am referring.

[Just Me]

16. Okay,...my "personal" take,...

,...based upon a mixture of knowledge, intuition and feeling (and off-the-cuff eg without researching for answers):

1) US MNC sold Iran parts which "could" allow them to develop nuclear capabilities; BUT, not enough to allow them to complete nuclear threats that would reach the U.S. (but, which could be utilized "local");

2) I believe my knowledge of facts are:

a. 6
b. 2
c. 7
d. 4
e. 4

3) I have a poor recollection/memory of names *LOL* but I do immediately recall Larry and his ties with Feith and Perle and an extremist continency.

4) Lesser

5) I haven't a clue; but, the pursuit of justice is a pleasure.

6) 2

7) 1

8) Nope.

9) 3

10) No. I believe it's a struggle among power-mongers.

[H2O Man]

19. Very good!

Thank you, and I sure do appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions.

[Just Me]

25. My pleasure.

:7

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

20. Here are my answers:

1. D
2. a-7, b-1, c-9, e-5
3. No
4. Can't say, don't have enough info
5. cover ups and pardons
6. 1
7. 1
8. No
9. 6
10. Yes

Hope this helps you out H20man

[H2O Man]

21. It does.

Thank you.

[Poiuyt]

22. I feel pretty ignorant

1) c
2) a-7, b-1, c-7, d-4, e-7
3) no
4) ?
5) mid-level scapegoats
6) 6
7) 1
8) no
9) 3
10) yes

I've never heard of the neocon spy scandal

[H2O Man]

27. Thank you.

The neocon spy scandal involves Lawrence "Free Wheelin'" Franklin, who was giving classified documents to representatives of AIPAC, who in turn provided them to officials of another government. Two fellows "formerly" with AIPAC were indicted at the end of last week; Larry Franklin's trial is scheduled to start in less than a month.

The episode is actually a continuation of the Iran-Contra scandals. It will shock main-stream Americans to see the extent of the corruption in Washington DC. It is closely connected to the Plame case.

[roguevalley]

26. here you go. :)

1. Perhaps A and maybe d. It's hard to say. Bush shot down our ability to find out but nothing is impossible.

2. About seven to eight on all the subjects. The rest if the part that isn't known. I try and keep up.

3. No. Do you mean the Israeli spy thing? I just heard about that.

4. Not certain. Telling us more will be helpful. I hope not.

5. Lead to convictions. Bush would, with his numbers, be committing suicide if he pardons. There would be no way out if he did.

6. Four.

7. Three.

8. No. I must read up.

9. 8-9

10. I believe, since they revel in their own 'reality' and they are end-time believers, yes.

[H2O Man]

28. Thank you

for taking the time to answer these questions. It is helpful to me to get an idea what areas would be most beneficial to concentrate on in the next couple of weeks. Because so much is going on in both Plame and the Franklin case, it's actually difficult for even a concerned citizen who invests a significant amount of time to actually have a good grasp of both cases. It is as if we have both Watergate and Iran-Contra occuring, with an area of "overlap" that is little understood. And more, we have a network of the lowest type of human beings feeling extreme pressure, who are capable of resorting to any tactic to avoid being brought to justice. Strange days, indeed.

[Domitan]

30. My take

1) Do you think that Iran most likely: {a} has bought nuclear weapons; {b} has made nuclear weapons; {c} is close to being able to make them; or {d} is nowhere near being able to make the bomb? While (c) won't surprise me, there's too little credibility from the Pentagon and the report of Iran being 10 years away led me to decide on (d)

2) On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very little, and 10 being very much), how much do you think you know about: {a}the Plame case 7; {b}the neocon spy case 6 ; {c} the Iraqi war 7; {d} Islam 5; and {e}9-11 7? I won't go over 7 as I think that's the best you can give to an avid internet reader who does not have the inside track of say a Steven Clemons or Josh Marshall.

3) Do you know the three men indicted in the neocon spy scandal? Yes, Franklin, Rosen, and Weissman

4) Do these indictments indicate the chances of a crisis with Iran are greater or lesser today than 6 months ago? tough one, but I'd say greater for the time being...until the axe falls on them and their higher ups. When the neocons and Bushies are truly rendered impotent, then I'll say lesser

5) Will the neocon indictments and the Plame case lead to convictions of senior White House officials? Mid-level scape goats? Or will there be a cover-up and pardons? There will be convictions, then likely pardons...the key will be how the public reacts to that.

6)Rate the corporate media's recent coverage of the Plame case on a 1 to 10 scale. went up to 6 from 1 over the past month or so.

7) Rate the corporate media's coverage of the neocon case. 2...I gave this 2 instead of 1 due to Christian Science Monitor's fabulous article on them about 2 years ago

8) Do you know how either William Luti or Glenn Kessler serve to connect the Plame and neocon spy scandals? the names are familiar but I can't place them exactly.

9)On the scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very unlikely, and 10 being very likely), what do you think the chances of the US being involved in increasingly difficult conflict in Afghanistan is? 8

10) Do you believe there is an on-going "religious war" that pits the extremists from the Christian culture versus those of the Islamic culture? (This does not mean you think there should be, of course. Just that there is one) that's only part of the equation...religion is being used as a tool, but an effective one. Think of Northern Ireland...while it seems like a religious war, it is mainly political.

[H2O Man]

31. Thank you

for your answers.

I agree that the war in Northern Ireland has not been caused by religion per say; it has been more economic (thus political) than most people realize.

[brindis_desala]

32. Many missing pieces to this puzzle but here goes...

1) c, if close means within 5-10 years. Ironically, many U.S. analysts seem to have fallen for Saddam's slick bluffs (with aid of CIA disinfo) thus fearing IRAN more likely to pursue WMD's if threatened by IRAQ, hence Chalabi. But the invasion has strengthened IRAN (short term) while at the same time exposing it strategic importance and making it a more tempting target.

2) a) 7, b) 3, c) 8, d)3, e) 9

3) Only heard about/ read about, Franklin

4) lesser

5) scape-goats (unless things drag on then could get interesting)

6) 5

7) 2

8) Assuming they are tied to Ledeen then that would lead right back to Rove and the need to destroy Brewster Jennings. Problem is once the treason implicates friendly governments in this case U.S. Italy Israel (and of course the ever present, sneaky Brits) the truth gets quietly drowned in its bathtub.

9)Depends whether BP Amoco wants India to get all that gas and oil from Turkmenistan or is willing to keep Pakistan roiled to prevent it.

10) Only in the minds of the chumps. For them it is all too real.
And nightmares can come true.

[H2O Man]

35. Thanks!

I appreciate your taking the time to answer the questions.

[liberalitch]

33. here's some fuel

1) They are certainly interested, may have some material, but no bomb.

2) Plame case - 8
neocon spies - 2
iraq war - 8
islam 7 (I used to think that I knew more)
911 - 5

3) no
4) don't know
5) No indictments unless congress changes hands in 2006, then only scapegoats..... but until then cover ups and pardons all around!
6) 5
7) 1
8) no
9) 8
10) yes, but it is sold as something else.... consequently there are folks out there who believe something else

[H2O Man]

36. Thank you!

I appreciate your help.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

34. My answers:

1) Iran and nukes - (c) or (d) - and I know that's contradictory. (c) because they're capable talent wise, (d) because they haven't been able to get the needed materials.
2) Plame - 7, Neocon spies - 5, Iraq War - 8, Islam - 4, 9.11 - 7. Not as well informed on any of them as I'd like to be.
3) Larry Franklin - the only one I could name without cheating.
4) Conflict with Iran - greater. If that's the agenda anyway the timetable will be pushed up.
5) WH convictions - none of the above. Any at all, even low level will open a whole can of worms. Bushco will create some god-awful distraction.
6) Media on Plame - 4
7) Media on neocon spies - 0
8) Luti and Kessler - no I don't, sorry to say.
9) Increasing conflict in Afghanistan - 8
10) Religious war - yes, if so far confined to extremists on each side.

[H2O Man]

37. Thank you.

I enjoy reading the responses. Though this is an unscientific survey, it is helpful for me to see what areas that should get more attention in the upcoming weeks.

[Robert Murphy]

38. A pop quiz?

Er, I'll do my best but...

"There are no right or wrong answers, or any cause for disagreement at all."

I must disagree with you; e.g., if I say that Iran {d} Is nowhere near being able to make ? and next week someone tests a nuke in the Kavir Desert, well then... ;-)

Buuuuuuut seriously:

1. Er, C-? I would guess at least fairly close to being able to make them. One indicator is that the negotiations between Iran and Europe seem to have recently taken on an even greater urgency...

2. Uhm, isn't this four questions? ;-) Anyway:

a) 6.5
b) 0 What do you mean?
c) 6. Relative to (I know this sounds arrogant) the avg. Amrcn, 8.
d) 6? Again this is relative. By avg. Yank std. a 6, by Arab? 1.
e) 7? vis-a-vis someone who has written a (good) book on the sub.? 3.

I answer the above conservatively (i.e. conservative estimates), and under the assumption that you are talking 1-10 on the 'layman' scale.

3. Never met them. Seriously, what the h*ll is this "neocon spy scandal?" Tell me someone--I'm starting to feel like even more of an idiot. ;-)

4. Uhm, what indictments?

5. I vote for "Mid-level scape goats."

6. 5.5

7. 0 They haven't informed me of its existence. You don't mean the Plame leak, do you? Maybe it will leap out at me when I pick up today's NYT, but there haven't been any indictments in that case yet...

8. No.

9. 3. Things are heating up, but as NATO assumes central control of the occupation and US troops begin to focus solely on nabbing Osama, the Bush Admin.'s attention is fixated on Iraq. I.e., US military and Foreign Service professionals are increasingly being allowed to take the reins from the yahoo amateurs who are gumming up Iraq.

10. No.


Cheers,

Robert

[H2O Man]

41. A "wise guy" named Murphy?

How does that happen? It's as if my brother or one of my cousins is tracking me! Ha-ha. Yes, it is possible that one's opinion will prove wrong .... perhaps sooner rather than later! But this "pop quiz" isn't being marked. (grin)

While I admit that I am not fully objective, I think the small number of responses thus far indicates that DUers are far better informed than the general public. In fact, probably more informed than many in the media.

That said, I think we'll be ready for the real test -- for democracy is always a test. Perhaps never more so in the past 140 years.

[kohodog]

39. all of the above (only kidding):

1) d
2) 9, 7, 8,5, 6
3) Never met them, but have read about them, especially Franklin
4) about the same. Iran has been in the neocon site for some time. I think we'd already be there but for the poor planning in Iraq
5) I think one or two "high level officials will go down, perhaps even Libby and Rove. But the cover up will protect Bush and Cheney. I don't see pardons until the end of the administration and then I think anyone convicted or at trial will be pardoned.
6) 2, but moving slightly up. Corporate media is way behind the blogs and certainly not leading the charge.
7) 4. I actually think they're doing a better job with this one, perhaps beacuse the players are not as likley to bite back.
8) No. I'll google them now, but if you wouldn't mind expounding H20...
9)Aren't we there already? And it IS getting worse.
10) I see the religious war as pitting the Christian extremests against the secular citizens here in the US. I don't think they have turned their sights on Islam yet, at least in terms of actual confrontation. they want to secure power in the US first (but I don't think that will happen).

[H2O Man]

42. Thank you ....

As always, I especially enjoy your opinions .... and not just because they are quite similar to my own .... though that may play a role.

In regard to #8, yes, I will focus some attention on this soon.

[Pobeka]

40. Another random sample from a DU'er who randomly samples posts :-)

1) {a} or {c}.

2) {a} 8, {b} 1, {c} 8, {d} 4, {e} 8

3) No.

4) N/A

5) 80% chance of Mid-level scape goats, 20% chance of cover-up/pardons

6) 3

7) 1

8) Who?

9) 8 (if history is any guide, and the need for oil as an energy source)

10) No. I think there are people on both sides who benefit from the perception of a religious war. These are people who actually are extremists, or politicians who egg them on.

[H2O Man]

43. Thank you.

I appreciate your insights.

[G_j]

44. quick answers

1) Do you think that Iran most likely: {a} has bought nuclear weapons; {b} has made nuclear weapons; {c} is close to being able to make them; or {d} is nowhere near being able to make the?

-d

2) On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very little, and 10 being very much), how much do you think you know about: {a}the Plame case; {b}the neocon spy case; {c} the Iraqi war; {d} Islam; and {e}9-11?

a) 8
b) 3
c) 9
d) 5
e) 7

3) Do you know the three men indicted in the neocon spy scandal?

-I have just read a few recent articles, but I still don't have a real grasp on the story.

4) Do these indictments indicate the chances of a crisis with Iran are greater or lesser today than 6 months ago?

-greater

5) Will the neocon indictments and the Plame case lead to convictions of senior White House officials? Mid-level scape goats? Or will there be a cover-up and pardons?

-possible convictions of senior White House officials but will probably result in convictions of Mid-level scape goats. These (and other) scandals however, will not go away and will dog those WH officials for the rest of their days.

6)Rate the corporate media's recent coverage of the Plame case on a 1 to 10 scale.

-1 (for refusing to connect dots)

7) Rate the corporate media's coverage of the neocon case.

-same as 6)

8) Do you know how either William Luti or Glenn Kessler serve to connect the Plame and neocon spy scandals?

-not clearly

9)On the scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very unlikely, and 10 being very likely), what do you think the chances of the US being involved in increasingly difficult conflict in Afghanistan is?

-aren't we already?

10) Do you believe there is an on-going "religious war" that pits the extremists from the Christian culture versus those of the Islamic culture? (This does not mean you think there should be, of course. Just that there is one)

-yes

[H2O Man]

46. Thanks!

I appreciate your help.

[stepnw1f]

50. Answers

1. Do you think that Iran most likely: {d} is nowhere near being able to make the?

2. On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very little, and 10 being very much), how much do you think you know about: {a}the Plame case -7; {b}the neocon spy case -5; {c} the Iraqi war -7; {d} Islam -4; and {e}9-11 -7.

3) Do you know the three men indicted in the neocon spy scandal?
- not off the top of my head.

4) These indictments indicate the chances of a crisis with Iran are greater today than 6 months ago.

5) Will the neocon indictments and the Plame case lead to convictions of senior White House officials? Mid-level scape goats? Or will there be a cover-up and pardons?

6)Rate the corporate media's recent coverage of the Plame case on a 1 to 10 scale.
- 1

7) Rate the corporate media's coverage of the neocon case.
- 2

8) Do you know how either William Luti or Glenn Kessler serve to connect the Plame and neocon spy scandals?
- no

9)On the scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very unlikely, and 10 being very likely), what do you think the chances of the US being involved in increasingly difficult conflict in Afghanistan is?
- 8

10) Do you believe there is an on-going "religious war" that pits the extremists from the Christian culture versus those of the Islamic culture? (This does not mean you think there should be, of course. Just that there is one)
- There definately is one.

[H2O Man]

52. Thanks!

Appreciate your assistance.

[AusTexDem]

51. Opinion

1) Do you think that Iran most likely: {b} has made nuclear weapons;

2) On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very little, and 10 being very much), how much do you think you know about: {a}the Plame case; 6 {b}the neocon spy case; 1 {c} the Iraqi war; 10 {d} Islam; 9 and {e }9-11 2?

3) Do you know the three men indicted in the neocon spy scandal?NO

4) Do these indictments indicate the chances of a crisis with Iran are greater or lesser today than 6 months ago? Don't know

5) Will the neocon indictments and the Plame case lead to convictions of senior White House officials? Mid-level scape goats? Or will there be a cover-up and pardons? cover up

6)Rate the corporate media's recent coverage of the Plame case on a 1 to 10 scale. 2

7) Rate the corporate media's coverage of the neocon case.0

8) Do you know how either William Luti or Glenn Kessler serve to connect the Plame and neocon spy scandals? No

9)On the scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very unlikely, and 10 being very likely), what do you think the chances of the US being involved in increasingly difficult conflict in Afghanistan is? 9

10) Do you believe there is an on-going "religious war" that pits the extremists from the Christian culture versus those of the Islamic culture? (This does not mean you think there should be, of course. Just that there is one) No

I want to thank anyone who takes the time to answer these questions. I think they may help us get an idea of what DUers are interested in, and what future essays/articles might be beneficial

[H2O Man]

53. Thank you.

I appreciate your taking the time to answer the questions.

[H2O Man]

54. Monday morning ......

If anyone who hasn't seen this wants to give me their opinion, I'd appreciate it. Thank you.

[Me.]

55. #5

There has been a lot of tooing and froing regarding whether or not we would actually see indictments and a great deal of concern as to whether or not there would be a Saturday Night Massacre. It is worrying because these are devious people who will not go down without a protracted and ugly fight. But I do think it helps that there are now 2 prosecutors for there is strength in numbers and even though they have separate cases, it still helps to know there are two going after the felons now. Here's hoping these two Irish lads get the job done.

[Just Me]

56. ; < )

:kick: