Morning Joe Skirmish As PBS Host Smiley Recycles 'Bush Lied'
A skirmish broke out on Morning Joe today as PBS host Tavis Smiley claimed President George W. Bush "lied" the USA into the war in Iraq. Joe Scarborough and--surprisingly--Jon Meacham forcefully refuted Smiley's slur.
Scarborough unwittingly provoked the incident when, commenting on yesterday's 9-11 observances, he called for a Kumbaya moment in which Americans would put aside politics and thank presidents Bush and Obama for keeping the country safe. That set Smiley off: "the reality is that one of those guys lied to the American people"--and the fight was on. View video after the jump.
Watch Smiley attack, retreat then circle back to his "Bush lied" allegation.
JOE SCARBOROUGH: Now guess what? People on the left disagree with what George W. Bush did. People on the right disagree with what Barack Obama did. But we as one nation at some point need to step back and be able to say: thank you President Obama, thank you President Bush. We haven't had another attack since 9-11 in this country, and that just didn't happen by coincidence. Would you disagree with that?
TAVIS SMILEY: I wouldn't disagree with that, but here is where--you know me, I'm going to stand on my truth the best I can, even with a formidable foe like you--intellectually that is. The reality is though that one of those guys lied to the American people. And when I say he lied, I mean his administration lied. When you want to talk about the security of this country, Joe, you cannot disconnect that, you can't not dismiss the fact that he got us in a war that is now the longest-running war in this country. Because his administration--say it, Joe--lied to the American people. They did not give us the proper information. We never did find a weapon of mass destruction.
SCARBOROUGH: That's not a lie.
SMILEY: It is a lie!
. . .
JON MEACHAM: Do you believe that George W. Bush intentionally lied to the American people?
SMILEY: The answer is I can't get inside of his head.
MEACHAM: But you said he lied!
SMILEY: I can't get inside of his head. When I say he lied, I'm looking at the facts, the facts of what they told--here's what I mean by lie. The facts of what they told the American people, juxtaposed against what we know now don't square. If you don't want to call that a lie --
SCARBOROUGH: It's not a lie.
MEACHAM: It was a mistake; it's a massive intelligence failure. But I do not believe, and believe me, the Bush world does not think of me as a friendly. I do not believe at any level George W. Bush intentionally lied to get us into Iraq.
. . .
SCARBOROUGH: This is a president who I believe let people around him know he wanted to go to war in Iraq --
SMILEY: That's what I'm saying.
SCARBOROUGH: No, that's not what you're saying. No, you said he lied. So when George Tenet, the CIA Director, comes in to talk to him, and he says this is the evidence that he has weapons of mass destruction, and the President of the United States says to him, in there, is this all you have? Is this the best evidence you have? Because this isn't enough. And when you have the CIA Director standing up and waving his arms: Mr. President, it's a slam dunk--they have weapons of mass destruction. Saying that not in 2010. Saying that in 2002, a year after 9-11. Now if historians want to say that Tenet was doing that because he felt the pressure of Dick Cheney, etc., that's one thing. But historians will be hard-pressed to suggest that George W. Bush knew that he was lying to the American people when he told them that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.
. . .
SMILEY: However you and Jon want to parse this, when you, to your point Joe, know there's something you want to do. When you make it clear that you want to go to war. When you think what the American people need right now is a swift and certain and severe response, and then you create a narrative to match what you want to do? You call that a lie, you call it misled, you call it a creation, you call it Disneyland. Call it whatever you want to call it! But you said that he knew he wanted to go to war. We all knew what he wanted to do. He thought that was the right thing to do: to have a swift, certain, severe response for the American people. Then you create a story to match that. Call it whatever you want to call it. I call it misleading. I call it lie. I call it making stuff up. I stand by that.
SCARBOROUGH: No, no, no, no, no. He didn't "create the narrative." The narrative was given to him by not only his intelligence, the CIA --
SMILEY: That's his administration!
SCARBOROUGH: It was given to him by British intelligence, intelligence all over the world. And by the way: what George W. Bush was hearing from intel in 2002? Democrats were saying in 1999, in 2000 and 2001. I can't beleive I'm having to say this again. Google it. The New York Times on the eve of George W. Bush's inauguration said Saddam Hussein, weapons of mass destruction, were his greatest threat. The Washington Post said the greatest foreign policy threat to George W. Bush on the eve of his inauguration was Saddam Hussein. And suddenly George W. Bush decides to go into Iraq, and suddenly, sides switch!
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Comments
Smiley is too Dumb...
Submitted by Bighead227 on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 8:40am.
to know his outs don't even count.
Then so did Hillary, Joe, and
Submitted by Edhenry on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 8:44am.
Then so did Hillary, Joe, and on and on.
All got it wrong AT THAT TIME about WMD, yes. Lied, no.
But why do some still say "lied"? Hmmmm?
That's because the lefties
Submitted by Kenny Bunkport on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 10:10am.
That's because the lefties like those nifty chants.
"Bush acted on bad intelligence - people died", just doesn't have the catchiness of "Bush lied- People died"
I enjoyed watching the brilliant lefties...
Submitted by USMC8411 on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 1:34pm.
like Hillary, John F'n Kerry, et al twist themselves into knots trying to say that Bush "made" them vote for the war, and then try to untwist themselves by saying that they only "voted to authorize the use of force" in Iraq! These fools call Bush an idiot, yet he always seemed to punk them!
"Rope a Dope" is what Bush did to them! In the end, Bush did the right thing and Smiley's war hero el-presidente B. Hussein o'bama kept the Bush policies in place. What threat is the civil war in Libya have to do with us? bho went ahead without any intelligence, or congressional approval! And we are still there.
Notice how Smiley didn't bring up all of the sanctions brought against Iraq and how Hussein actually violated them, provoking the use of force!
Why Are These Idiots Given a Forum
Submitted by scottyusmc on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 8:44am.
By what sense of public good are these idiots constantly given a forum to voice their hate filled and non-factual comments? This broken record of an individual has had his moment in the limelight and now should return to the box under the bridge where he came from...
That's the thing, scottyusmc
Submitted by frank14 on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 10:26am.
We see over and over again that these left wing idiots are given a forum for their conspiracy theories, socialism and hate... from Rosie the Pig and Jesse Ventura to Bill Maher and Tavis the Flaming Lib.
"Joe Nailed Him"
Submitted by mad53PA on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 8:44am.
No fan of Scarborough, but he nailed Smiley this morning.
Scarborough correctly called him on his "Bush lied" comment and had him on his back by the end. Even Meachem who is no Bush fan was challenging his contention that Bush knowingly made a decision to mislead the American people.
Scarborough also gave Mika a good smack on her "Told to go shopping" comments.
She said this is a very snarkey manner not just today but a few times last week as well.
She tried some lame excuse but her expression was enough to know that she was caught.
If only "Joe" was a little more consistent with his analysis, he could be more than just a useful idiot at times.
It's not hard to nail Travis. He's a serial liar.
Submitted by drsamherman on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 1:42pm.
He is another incompetent Democrat yellow journalist who forms his reality around whatever directives he receives from Jay Carney's office or the DNC. He is absolutely and unequivocally devoid of any independent thought or notion not pre-scripted. Perhaps that is why he idolizes Ear Leader so much. Tavis has his teleprompter telling him what to say and what to think, and so does Chairman Zero.
Notice how little his lines have changed during the past decade. He goes on autopilot whenever someone mentions a Republican or conservative, and he brings out the Chicken Little Automaton act. He doesn't just act stupid - he really is.
Mika with a thought bubble
Submitted by inquiringmind on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 8:51am.
Mika with a thought bubble over her head, " I wonder if the yellow curtins would look better in the living room or the mustard colored ones. Yellow or Mustard, hmmm..."
Really?
Submitted by KornKing on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 10:12am.
You sure give her a lot of credit for having intelligent thoughts.....
meet me at the mission at midnight
"The reality is"
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 8:59am.
joins the lexicon of liberal prefaces that indicate that what comes next is right out of the speaker's.....er....imagination.
Along with The truth is, the fact of the matter is, and clearly.
A picture is worth a thousand words....
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:03am.
That photo shows the stark contrast between Bush and Obama. Bush has his head bowed in respect; Obama has his nose in the air.
Reflex
Submitted by Bhaal on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 4:19pm.
It's his El'Duce response which happens when he stands before a group of people. He's been trained that way.
But, but, but
Submitted by Tomorama on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:10am.
I admit I watch this in the morning while getting ready for work and even with a brutally one sided panel ALL THE TIME, this morning was a very heated and enjoyable chat.
I have on my laptop and PC at home a handy dandy word document that I culled by googling "If Bush lied so did these people" and copying and pasting.
I use it whenever these "people" like Smiley say this stupidity and I post or show EXACT quotes from liberal heroes saying EXACTLY what Bush said BEFORE Bush and during Bush.
They have the right to their own opinion, but not their own facts.
THE WORLD thought he had WMD's - PERIOD.
I still say - CHECK SYRIA.
There is one quote from William Cohen that I shove up their collective as***s with joy:
"I am absolutely convinced that there are weapons...I saw evidence back in 1998 when we would see the inspectors being barred from gaining entry into a warehouse for three hours with trucks rolling up and then moving those trucks out." -- Clinton's Secretary of Defense William Cohen in April of 2003
liars!!!!!
Submitted by marbiol on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 4:10pm.
"Now let me be clear -- I suffer no illusions about Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal man. A ruthless man. A man who butchers his own people to secure his own power. He has repeatedly defied UN resolutions, thwarted UN inspection teams, developed chemical and biological weapons, and coveted nuclear capacity. He's a bad guy. The world, and the Iraqi people, would be better off without him."
State Senator Barack Obama (Democrat, Illinois)
Speech at Federal Plaza, Chicago, Illinois
October 2, 2002
http://freedomagenda.com/iraq/wmd_quotes.html#aH8rOaKaDi
http://www.barackobama.com/2002/10/02/remarks_of_illinois_state_sen.php
I've said it before: Obama
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 5:07pm.
I've said it before: Obama has more flip-flops than a Panama City Beach, Florida t-shirt shop.
And you are gonna share it
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 4:16pm.
And you are gonna share it right?
RACE BAITER speaks without .....
Submitted by jmigyanka@msn.com on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:04am.
......facts. Another actor for the POTA (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063442).
ACTUAL QUOTES REGARDING IRAQ
"One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line." Bill Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998
"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program." Bill Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998
"Iraq is a long way from USA but, what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face." Madeline Albright, Feb 18, 1998
"He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has ten times since 1983." Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998
"We urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and Laws, to take necessary actions, (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs." Letter to Ex-President Clinton, signed by Senators, Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, and others Oct. 9, 1998
"Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process." Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998
"Hussein has ... chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies." Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999
"There is no doubt that ... Saddam Hussein has invigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue a pace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies." Letter to President Bush, Signed by Sen. Bob Graham! (D, FL,) and others, December 5, 2001
"We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandated of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them." Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept. 19, 2002
"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country." Al Gore, Sept.! 23, 2002
"Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
"We have known for many years that! Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction. " Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002
"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons..." Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002
"I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force-- if necessary-- to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security." Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002
"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years ... We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction." Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002
"He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do." Rep. Henry Waxman (D, CA), Oct. 10, 2002
"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons." Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002
"We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction." Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), Dec. 8, 2002
"Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime. He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction. So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real ..." Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan.23.2003
SO NOW THE DEMOCRATS SAY PRESIDENT BUSH LIED, THAT THERE NEVER WERE ANY WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND HE TOOK US TO WAR FOR HIS OIL BUDDIES?
Lying bas****s
Submitted by Tomorama on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:13am.
As I said, I have that site's FACTUAL QUOTES saved off just for these times.
As I said, long BEFORE Bush and DURING BUSH these heroes spoke up, but then when the war become unpopular, Bush lied to US (EVEN when he was just a mere Gubner of Texas also?????)
Great Post...
Submitted by USMC8411 on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 4:06pm.
Hat tip JM... But remember, they were all lied to! Bush Derangement Syndrome... I think the greater concern to Smiley is that Bush presented himself in a more Presidential way than the current occupant, and he was warmly welcomed by the "folks", and Bush was truly solemn.
I always wait for the
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:23am.
I always wait for the transcript. I can't afford new monitors all the time if I listen to people like Smiley,
It took about a DAY for radical leftists to start attacking, insulting and smearing Bush after 9/11, followed a while later most Democrats.
So I'm not surprised that it takes just a day again for partisans like Smiley to continue the attacks 10 years later.
It must be because Bush is white.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
"It must be because Bush is white"
Submitted by MightyMouth on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 10:27am.
AND he smells of sulfur!
Money quote
Submitted by Tomorama on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:16am.
Because I respect Cohen somewhat and because of his POSITION in the CLINTON WH, this IS MY FAVORITE:
There is one quote from William Cohen that I shove up their collective as***s with joy:
"I am absolutely convinced that there are weapons...I saw evidence back in 1998 when we would see the inspectors being barred from gaining entry into a warehouse for three hours with trucks rolling up and then moving those trucks out." -- Clinton's Secretary of Defense William Cohen in April of 2003
Regardless of the evidence,
Submitted by Chandler on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:16am.
Regardless of the evidence, Smiley will say Bush lied on the next talk show
That's because Smiley
Submitted by Bodini on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:46am.
is a racist who hates white people ... as do the 98% of black voters who don't care about BO's ability to lead ... but will vote for him just because he's half black!
Let me help you out here.
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:22am.
Your messiah lies to the American people at least once per speech... know how many speeches we're talking about. And I don't mean that someone else in the current administration. I mean your emperor.
It's actually become easy to determine when he is lying. His mouth is moving.
Oh and by the way, did you notice the two 911 speeches that
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:25am.
we say and heard this weekend? When your messiah was finished, silence broke out. After President Bush spoke, there were standing ovations and screaming and adoring crowds. All of them wishing he was still in office. Catch the difference?
Keep in mind that Tavis
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:25am.
Keep in mind that Tavis Smiley works for a company (PBS) that leans heavily left. So much to the left that any smear of George Bush, no matter how outlandish, is allowed to go on unabated. Smiley must've thought Scarborough would give him a similar pass on such allegations as if he were on Schultz's or Matthew's show.
the hyperbole of the left...
Submitted by Insane Chipmunk on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:35am.
Iraq is the longest war the US has been involved in? at 8 1/2 years this clocks in less than
- American Revolution 1774-83 (9)
- Northwest Indian War 1785-95 (10)
- Afghanistan 2001-present (10)
- Vietnam War 1961-1975 (15)
- Korean War 1950-present (61)
this list doesn't count a few items such as campaigns against Native American tribes, the Moro rebellion etc that wikipedia lists as wars/conflicts the US has been involved in
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_the_United_States
All wars have objectives, so
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 4:29pm.
All wars have objectives, so when the objectives are reached does the war end? In Iraq the main objective was to oust Saddam and take over Baghdad. We did that in a few weeks of course catching Saddam took a bit longer. The rest of the war has been stabilizing the country. We did not turn over Germany to a stable government until 1955.
Smiley is
Submitted by VideoSavant on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:31am.
part of the SCFOAMF vanguard.
Judge all statements from him accordingly.
With the 2004 election
Submitted by Gat New York on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:32am.
With the 2004 election looming, Democrats who all had agreed with the Bush administration found themselves out of power and needed to find a way to be politically relevant, so they literally invented this "Bush lied and people died."
I have always believed that history is never written on the day, or week, or month that it actually happens - that it is only written many, many years later after all of the politics is filtered out and only the facts remain.
This morning you are seeing more of that as someone like Meecham cannot dispute facts and history.
Good points Gat
Submitted by exLib on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 2:32pm.
I have said that today historians are incredibly partisan and judge Bush harshly, but as time goes by and the facts remain and historians die, the new ones coming in will have to examine the facts and conclude Bush was right in what he did and it was based on facts at the time.
I have always maintain the "Bush Lied" defence was only used to give Democrats cover to get out of their vote.
You nailed it.
President Bush lied to Congress?
Submitted by The Vet on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:39am.
So President Bush lied to Congress in 2002 to get them to pass the Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq. That resolution contained 23 reasons to authorize force, many of them contained in the IRAQ LIBERATION ACT OF 1998 & the IRAQI BREACH OF INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS also in 1998.
Did President Bush go back in time to lie to the Congress in 1998 as well? Let's break down the 23 points and see where they are found.
+++
1. Iraq invaded Kuwait. -- Also found in the Iraq Liberation act of 1998.
2. Iraq was to agree to a U.N cease fire -- Also found in the Iraq Liberation act of 1998. Also found in Iraqi Breach of International Obligations.
3. Iraq had a large stockpile of chemical weapons and a biological and nuclear weapsons program -- Also found in Iraqi Breach of International Obligations.
4. Iraq thwarted weapons inspectors -- Also found in the Iraq Liberation act of 1998. Also found in Iraqi Breach of International Obligations.
5. Iraq was in breach of the internations obligations up to 1998 -- Specifically mentions the Iraqi Breach of International Obligations law. Also found in the Iraq Liberation act of 1998.
6. Iraq still in breach of international obligations, still has a chemical and biological capability, and still seeking nuclear capability after 1998.
7. Iraq violated U.N resolutions by suppressing it's civilian population and still has items stolen from Kuwait --- Also found in the Iraq Liberation act of 1998. Also found in the Iraq Liberation act of 1998.
8, Iraq used WMD against other nations and its own people -- Also found in the Iraq Liberation act of 1998.
9. Iraq tried to kill former President George H.W. Bush and fired on U.S. military -- Also found in the Iraq Liberation act of 1998.
10. Iraq harbors Al Qaeda members.
11. Iraq harbors other terrorsts.
12. September 11, 2001 underscored the gravity of terrorists gaining WMD.
13. Since Iraq has used WMD, there is a risk it may sell WMD to terrorists.
14. U.N Security Council Resolution 678 (1990) authorized the use of all necessary means to enforce prior U.N Resolutions including the development of WMD. Other U.N resolutions told Iraq to comply with weapons inspectors, stop suppressing its civilian population and thretening its neighbors. -- Also found in the Iraq Liberation act of 1998. Also found in the Iraq Liberation act of 1998.
15. Public Law 102-1 of 1991, Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution, was implemented because Iraq had failed to comply with the many UN Security Council Resolutions. - Also found in the Iraq Liberation act of 1998. Also found in the Iraq Liberation act of 1998.
16. Congress in December 1991, IRAQ AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 687 & 688, supports all necessary means to support UN Security Councel Resolutions.
17. Mention of Iraq Liberation act of 1998.
18. On Sep 12, 2001, President Bush committed us to work with the U.N. Security Council to meet the common challenge posed by Iraq, to work for all necessary resolutions and enforce current ones.
19. The U.S. is commited to prosecute the War on Terror. Iraq supports international terrorism, has developed WMD, and has violated UNSC resolutions. All UNSC resolutions must be enforced by all means necessary including the use of force.
20. Congress has taken steps to pursue the War on Terror including provision of authorities and funding to take necessary actions against international terrorist organizations including those nations or organizations who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001 or harbored such persons or organizations.
21. Congress will continue to take action against those nations, organizations or persons who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such persons or organizations.
22. The President has the authority under the Constituton to act against and protect the U.S from terrorists under Public Law 107-40, Authorization for Use of Military Force, on September 18,2001.
23. It is in the national security interest of the U.S to restore peace the the Persian Gulf region.
++++
All items in bold were mentioned in Laws PRIOR to President Bush.
Items 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23 were not mentioned in the 1998 laws.
Items 12 and 13 only speak to risks not actual events, that leaves Items 6, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23.
Items 17, 18, 20, & 22 list historical actions. That leaves 6, 10, 11, 19, 21, & 23.
Items 19, 21 and 23 speak to commitments and interests of the U.S. That leaves Items 6, 10 & 11.
Items 10 & 11 spoke to Iraq harboring terrorists. Abdul Rahman Yasin, involved in the 1993 bombing of the WTC, was harbored in Iraq. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi settled in Iraq in 2002, ABU MUSA'AB AL-ZARQAWI [AKAs: KHALAILAH, Ahmed Fadee Ii AL-KHALAYLAH, Ahmad Fadil Nazzali ABU AL-MU'TAZ], has ties to al-Qaida, Asbat al-Ansar and Hizballah.
That leaves Item 6, let's look at that ---
Whereas Iraq both poses a continuing threat to the national security of the United States and international peace and security in the Persian Gulf region and remains in material and unacceptable breach of its international obligations by, among other things, continuing to possess and develop a significant chemical and biological weapons capability, actively seeking a nuclear weapons capability, and supporting and harboring terrorist organizations
So, where is the lie in there that Bush supplied to the Congress in 2002?
The Duelfer Report confirmed the findings of Item 6 ---
...Saddam retained the capacity and the intent to restart his production of WMDs once the U.N. sanctions regime had finally crumbled. In this he was clearly in breach of U.N. resolution 1441. The Iraqi Intelligence Service maintained a set of undeclared laboratories to research and test chemical and biological weapons, including through human tests. He had the capacity to produce, within six months, sulfur mustard and, within two years, nerve agents. The Survey Group also concluded that Saddam still had dreams of acquiring nuclear weapons and that he intended to resume his missile programs, potentially for the delivery of WMD.
Damn facts Vet.........
Submitted by Tomorama on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:44am.
Yes Vet, Bush as Governor of Texas and being such a stupid man was given special Gubner rights to speak in front of Congress in the 1990's.
Again Vet, HE lied and people DIED.
We return you back to your regular programming on MSNBC..................
Bottom Line
Submitted by Gat New York on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 10:49am.
If you listened to leftist Democrats and media soon after September 11th, 2001 they were all supportive of whatever Bush was doing. Listening to Dan Rather back then speak about how Saddam Hussein should be on the list of links to terrorists you would think you were listening to Joe Lieberman and not a man who would eventually lie about a story to get after Bush.
What happened?
In 2003, Democrats found themselves unelectable and in a wilderness. With 2004 election approaching, Democratic leaders and their sycophant media made a conscous decision to create a lie: "Bush lied and people died" became their mantra back to political relevance.
Everything else is B.S. Lord forbid the media publish the hypocracy of evefry leading Democrat and the media.
Time has a way of filtering out the political B.S. and leaving us only the facts to preserve for history.
→ Smiley's stuck
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:47am.
Smiley's stuck with "It's Bush's Fault" because his charge as a liberal is to spork-feed the wonders of Socialism to a demographic that enjoys none of the happy days promised by the Socialist-in-Chief, Obama.
I'm sick of it
Submitted by jon_torlin on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:52am.
I'm so damn sick and tired of this "Bush lied" crap. I'd ask if they have anything new to work with, but I keep forgetting that they use the same damn playbook they've been using for years.
I wish these rat bastiches are stopped.
-Jon
If Bush lied, than Obama lied about the Stimulus
Submitted by Lipton on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:57am.
I mean if we are going to change the definition of marriage (as Dems/progs/others want to do), is (as Bill Clinton wants to do), and lie as the libs want to do, than Obama lied to get the stimulus passed.
Excellent point.
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 10:15am.
Obama said passing the stimulus would keep unemployment from going above 8%. Unemployment is now over 9%. Ergo, Obama lied.
The double standard:
When liberals lie, they "misspeak."
When conservatives end up wrong, they "lied."
Bush never lied. He said what everyone thought...
Submitted by jawebster1 on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 10:01am.
including Democrats. Whenever Democrats say Bush lied, they themselves are lying. So what's new?
Obama tells at least one lie and usually more than one lie in every speech he gives. How come no Democrats are calling him a liar?
Smiley Standard
Submitted by desert3030 on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 10:14am.
Then did Obama lie with: Call my bluff? ask Smiley if that is the measureing stick. I won't sign without taxes? One week in Libya, and NO APPROVAL.
ObamaCare the "penalty is a fine. In court it is a tax? Abe Lincoln founder of Republican party. 57 states? Get the drift.
Those aren't good examples of Obama's lies. They...
Submitted by jawebster1 on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 1:29pm.
are examples of Obama's double talking and stupidity. He lies when he says he focuses on "jobs" like a laser beam and then goes out and plays golf. He lies when he puts the blame for his troubles on everyone and everything other than himself.
He lies when he claims his policies are helpful to America, rather than ruinous to America, which they have been. He lies when he pretends to care about his Country when he clearly only cares about himself and how he and his immediate family (those living with him) can continue to live the life of luxury on the taxpayer's dollar.
→ You Lie!
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 10:23am.
When Joe Wilson accurately characterized the President concerning government-funded abortions, Liberals were only concerned with the disrespect Wilson displayed.
Facts don't even run second-place when decorum's at issue.
Having already escaped the most dangerous place for a black child to abide, Smiley is willing to give the okey-doke to the cajoling liberal mantra that black babies should be culled at a rate of 50%.
You want to talk about lies, Smiley? Talk about some real lies.
Super nailing the lid on the coffin by Scarborough
Submitted by Gary Hall on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 11:08am.
They never quit, do they. After the Iraq war begun -- during the course of the war -- there were Democrats coming out still defending the Bush administration on the issue here.
It was our national media, who looked away and made damn good and sure that, by and large, the American public did not hear the discussion, and it was this media who decided not to invite these voices into their paper, and onto the cable panel discussions so that we could be successful in the effort to not only rid Iraq of Saddam, but to deliver a future to that country. Listen to President Clinton's words during the summer of 2003, as the war was coming unraveled.
How about Bill Clinton's 2003 statement on WMD's..
CNN LARRY KING LIVE Aired July 22, 2003
Clinton's Secretary of Defense William Cohen in April of 2003
And bringing up the rear, 2 1/2 years later, Senator Carl Levin (D) of Michigan, Senate Intelligence Committee. On Hardball w/ Chris Matthews, no less:
Time and time again, leading Democrats (including their beloved John Edwards) would come out and defend President Bush on the fact that he delivered a truthful message to the American people, and to the world, and often enough they offered their support of the effort and asked the American people and the world to stand behind it.
Each and every time the journalists involved looked like they wanted to crawl under the table, and in lock-step, the entire national MSM witnessing these efforts to bring intelligence and civility to the discussion would look the other way and, in some seemingly like-minded conspiracy-like effort, they - one, two, all of them would decide that these questions would not be asked of such trusted experts on the issues again; that what they had heard would not be written up on the front page, nor the editorial pages, nor make even a brief appearance on the network nightly news, such as:
Imagine the effect of one single wholesome national journalist simply reporting to the American public what they were hearing? One Brian Williams, one Bill Moyers, one Time or Newsweek cover story, one NY Times front page feature, one big Hollywood liberal, or even one little pathetic Tavis Smiley; any one could have ended the rancor which split the country down the middle.
In my view, our national MSM caused thousands of additional US casualties and deaths -- all because of their politics.
(;~/ gary
Disconnected again
Submitted by SaguaroJack on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 11:17am.
Liberals don't process information in ways that make sense. This Smiley person doesn't grasp what makes a lie a lie rather than a mistake.
It's pretty-much a standard liberal talking point that Bush lied, people died. Bush didn't lie and he didn't make a mistake -- Saddam did have WMD before we invaded. Remember that lengthy period prior to our going in, when Desert Storm was Desert Shield? Saddam saw us coming and moved the WMD elsewhere. He had ample time.
Don't expect Smiley and Company to grasp that fine distinction.
.
One of those rare and getting
Submitted by eaglewingz08 on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 11:44am.
One of those rare and getting rarer occasions where I give kudos to Joe. The light has not been fully extinguished yet.
They DID have WMD's!
Submitted by malefecent928 on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 12:00pm.
To this day I firmly believe they had all kinds of WMD's and stuff they didn't want us to find! But Bush had to go get everyone's permission before acting and I truly believe that as we and our inspectors came in the front door - they were busy shuttling their stuff out the back door! I seem to remember that they DID find some components or evidence buried in a couple locations. Just not enough to qualify as a huge threat. If it would have been "their guy" Obambi, it would be publicised day and night as a "victory"! And aren't we lucky he had the foresight to keep us safe? But since it's "our" guy, Bush, it's overtlooked, not talked about, and/or dismissed as too miniscule to matter.
Tavis the Stupid
Submitted by hughglass on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 1:13pm.
Black "Intellectuals" like smiley should really stick to there own shows. He is very impressve to his illiterate black audiance. Not so much with an audiance that can read.
"intellectual lightweight" to
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 2:12pm.
"intellectual lightweight" to be more accurate
By Smiley's logic...
Submitted by sherlock1 on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 1:16pm.
By Smiley's logic, then Obama is the biggest liar ever to be elected President. Is Gitmo closed? Are there troops in Iraq and Afghanistan? How's that Patriot Act doing? Or did the Republicans prevent him from keeping his promises when they were in the minority in both houses of Congress?
Democrats are liars.
Correct me if I am wrong but
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 2:13pm.
Correct me if I am wrong but didn't Obama condemn the use of drones?
weapons of mass destruction
Submitted by celticman on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 1:25pm.
Everyone seems to forget that they found 50 tons of "yellow cake" uranium and removed it, easily converted for use in a dirty bomb. They also found tons of a "pesticide" that contained elements of nerve gas, not near farms, but stored near missile sites. They did not find assembled weapons, but the building blocks were all over the place. And why resist the inspectors if they had nothing? I would have ordered the immediate destruction of any building they refused access to, personally, as a declared policy.
At least he admits this
Submitted by alvin on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 1:39pm.
In 2008, President George W. Bush admitted to ABC's Martha Raddatz that al Qaeda had not been Iraq before the invasion.
"Yeah, that's right," Bush agreed. "So what?"
WMD issue
Submitted by Bhaal on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 1:53pm.
They also forget that the Intelligence community knew what Iraq had for WMD before the wars because the U.S. had supplied the Iraqis during the Iran-Iraq war. The amount of WMD Iraq had disposed of did not account for all that was known to be in Iraq's possession. And for all those who have forgotten one of the terms for ending the first Gulf War was the disposal of all WMD's. Iraq didn't live up to that agreement. As far as not finding the WMD, I had an instructor show my class a picture of a Mig-25 that some U.S. troops found in Iraq buried. The way it was found was when one of the tails had protruded out of the ground a bit and someone saw it. It was covered with a tarp and buried and still serviceable. A Mig-25 is approximately 18ft x 42ft x 66ft. If Iraq was able to hide this from U.S. troops what else is hidden out there? A 55 gallon drum is about 35in tall and 24in around and Iraq has about 437,000 square kilometers of land to hide those in. Just because the U.S. hasn't been able to find the WMD doesn't mean it's not there. Saddam only had ten years to hide the stuff before the war.
This should be a lie/myth stopper, but, but, but
Submitted by Tomorama on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 2:16pm.
This to me is STILL the defining statement of all the bullshit and lies put out by the left:
Clinton's Secretary of Defense William Cohen in April of 2003
•“I am absolutely convinced that there are weapons... I saw evidence back in 1998 when we would see the inspectors being barred from gaining entry into a warehouse for three hours with trucks rolling up and then moving those trucks out."
Cohen was not a bad guy, KNEW HIS STUFF and WORKED FOR THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.
Libya vs Iraq
Submitted by exLib on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 2:38pm.
What totally kills me is the Libya and Iraq standard.
Libya is OK (as was Bosnia) because it was for humanitarian reasons ONLY.
Bush gave something like 5 reasons for going into Iraq in his SOTU address, WMD was only one. But, once WMD weren't "officially" found, the Democrats claimed it was the only valid reason for going in and that humanitarian reasons were valid.
Does that make any sense?
Of course there is also, the "going it alone" lie as well. Bush went alone into Iraq while Obama has a coalition.
Smiley is a rock head
Submitted by dliston on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 3:17pm.
Bottom line is Tavis is a moron who cannot put a sentence together without sounding like he is uneducated and from the hood and he is in WAY over his head on shows like this. Embarrassing.
Tavis Smley....
Submitted by adamsmith on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 4:30pm.
is another affirmative action walking stereotype. These cats think the faster they speak people might mistake them for intelligent. Michael Dyson is another one. Must be part of some African Studies class at University. BS for the Masses...........
As for MSNBC, if anyone thinks that they are anything other than Pro-Progressive/Democrat/Socialist/Communist at this point, as a Century 21 associate, I have lots of stuff to sell you....
PBS is racist
Submitted by B.Soetoro on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 5:33pm.
Proof that Tavis Smiley is racist. PBS is also racist.
More proof that blacks are MORE racist than whites.
In ten years, can we say Obama LIED?
Well,we don't have wait that long!
I'm not much of a Scarborough fan
Submitted by DaMav on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 8:28pm.
but he does a good job here.
It's just crazy that this 'Bush lied' nonsense continues to survive the facts refuting it over and over and over again.
Darn...Scarborough forgot his Soros/liberal talking points
Submitted by Jer on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 8:38pm.
for the 132nd straight show.
Jer
And the Scab was---
Submitted by matthewdean on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 10:10pm.
ONCE AGAIN, inconsistent. :o)
MD
And the Scab was ONCE AGAIN---
Submitted by matthewdean on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 10:13pm.
inconsistent. :o)
MD
The emphasis is much better in the second post.
*
Submitted by Jer on Tue, 09/13/2011 - 12:17am.
*
I ask again - is there a
Submitted by amyshulk on Tue, 09/13/2011 - 12:38am.
I ask again - is there a school these lefties go to to learn to mumble and elide, while using big words and talking down to their opponents???
Ronald Reagan
I say Tavis Smiley is just a
Submitted by WarEagle66 on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 1:05am.
I say Tavis Smiley is just a racist. Has he ever gone after Obama for saying that passing the Stimulus would keep unemployment below 8%....? And there is no way at all that unemployment is now just 9.1%...no way at all.
So I say that because Bush is white...Smiley is going after him.
Boy, that was easy to act like a Liberal.
Smiley has criticized Obama on a couple of occasions,
Submitted by Jer on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 2:01am.
once for declining to speak at some sort of Poverty Tour Smiley is conducting, and also because he believes Obama is a pushover who has been allowing the Republicans to steamroll him.
Jer
joins the lexicon of liberal
Submitted by bagtree on Thu, 03/29/2012 - 5:17am.
joins the lexicon of liberal prefaces that indicate that what comes next is right out of the speaker's.....er....imagination.
Along with The truth is, the fact of the matter is, and clearly.
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