Don't Let the Enemy See

NYT reports that Bushco suppressing release of more photos of Abu Ghraib (photos reputedly much worse than have been released before), claiming the photos would spark riots in the Muslim world.

Here's a reminder of what's less bad than what's supposedly behind censored:



Excuse me? They're worried about the opinion of Muslims? The opinion of America in the Muslim world can get measurably worse than it is now?

There is a sizable minority of Americans who will continue to support Bushco despite Bushco's dishonesty and imcompetence. There is a sizable minority of Americans who never trusted Bushco and never supported this war. There is a smaller minority who had doubts about the war but supported it nonetheless because we are indoctrinated to believe that a United States President would never mislead a country into a war; we are indoctrinated to believe that in a time of war, as we were after 9/11, we are to accept the decisive decisions of the Commander-in-Chief without questions.

And those people are now asking questions. There's a mother camped out in Texas asking, What honorable cause was served by my son's death, and her question is resonating not just for those who always thought Bush's war was conceived in dishonesty and executed with incompetence, but with those who are beginning to feel personally duped and responsible and angry.

Muslims? Bushco is afraid of what happens if Americans see these photos.

Keeping You Informed

Carpetbagger wonders, Why do you need to register for a Freedom March? The Freedom Watch is, of course, the justly mocked Pentagon project to celebrate the 9/11 attacks that have served Bushco so well.

So, I registered. Here's the registration form; here's my receipt. At first glance the registration seems nothing more than a way to guarantee you get a t-shirt, and the rules on the receipt say nothing about banning signs or banners that protest the War or Bushco policy. I'm figuring I've been added to some mailing list, and if and when email comes (or phone calls) I'll forward them along. I did register my correct name, email address, and phone number.

But here's the good news: Washington Post reports anti-war concert by newly-formed Operation Ceasefire to be held on Mall Sept 24. Ten hours, free, no registration.

And here's why our side is better:

Freedom March = Clint Black

Operation Ceasefire = Thievery Corporation

Hiding from Their Allies

Today's Washington Post reports that Bushco is - to the surprise of only the braindead - suppressing all documents pertaining to John Roberts until, at the very least, they have been reviewed by Bushco censors.

Both the Post article, written by Jo Becker, and Kevin Drum over at Political Animal, wonder why Bushco would be so concerned about Roberts record since they know he's a conservative and know he'd be attacked from the Left one way or the other. Drum writes, "This doesn't even make sense. The White House knew liberals would be gearing up to oppose anyone they nominated. They knew NARAL would go after any candidate who wasn't obviously willing to uphold Roe v. Wade. They knew Roberts was a conservative — that's why they nominated him in the first place."

I'll tell you why: it's not what the Liberals would find in the papers that worries Bushco, it's what the Far Right would find in the papers that scares Bushco. A bullet was dodged when it was revealed that Roberts did some pro bono work for a pro-gay group; only one Pigright group has bitched and moaned about that. But say something else comes out that doesn't please the Dobsons of the Dumb and the whole irreligious Right calls for a fatwa on Roberts?

Bitching and moaning from the Left was sought after, hoped for, anticipated, expected. But an insurrection from the Right? That's why the papers are being so carefully hidden.

Oh Hell, We'll Catch Him in 2004!

New book by CIA agent says bin Laden was in Tora Bora and could have been captured if Rumsfeld had authorized the necessary force.

First thought - Gary Berntsen, get ready for Smearathon Megasupreme: hope your wife isn't a CIA agent, you disgruntled, passed by for promotion, embittered closeted gay, you.

This is illustrative of the wicked - yes, wicked - combination of hubris and incompetence that is this administration's hallmark. I have little doubt that Bushco, looking at the calendar, just months after 911 (remember President tWerp in the rubble with his bullhorn?), decided that there was a much better time to capture bin Laden, say September 2004? (And remember the pressure placed on the Pakistanis to produce heads back in the pre-election summer?)

Bigdickedness plus fvckwittedness: that's our President.