Found at Starbucks: The Pentagon's Papers

American Progress (Lefty Org?) ^ | March 31, 2004 | unsigned

[IncPen]

As most of America slept early last Sunday morning, the Bush administration hustled and bustled to prepare for the Sunday morning talk shows – among others Colin Powell was appearing on "Face the Nation" and Donald Rumsfeld was booked on "Fox News Sunday." Condoleezza Rice was not scheduled to appear until prime time, when she would make a star appearance on CBS' "60 Minutes" – the last in a long line of media appearances that caused 9/11 Commissioner Richard Ben Veniste to quip that "Condi Rice has appeared everywhere but at my local Starbucks."

Well, others in the Bush administration did, apparently, make an appearance at the local Starbucks. And as theWashington Post reports today, one of them – obviously readying himself to prep Defense Secretary Rumsfeld – left his notes on the table. Talking points, hand-written notes on spin tactics that reveal the White House was worried about former Bush adviser Richard Clarke's charges, and a hand-drawn map to the Secretary's house were found by a resident of DuPont Circle, who made them available to the Center for American Progress. The name of said resident is being withheld at his request, as he fears that he may be accused on national television of being "disgruntled."

Link to the papers (pdf)

[Devil_Anse]

I have NO idea. These scribblings are probably not authentic; if they are, perhaps they were the notes of a rather low-level person, or assistant, and hey, not everyone would automatically know where Rumsfeld lived, I would think.

I read the article but didn't go to the links. So the notes indicate they were "worried about Clarke's allegations" or whatever? So? What set of political people ISN'T concerned with what their opposition sets up against them? They'd be fools to ignore it.

[backhoe]

[zook]

Last night, on his nationally syndicated radio show, Phil Hendrie argued very strongly that this was a totally bogus story set up by UPI and one of its reporters. His show was fading in and out, but he went into some detail as to why he *knew* this was the case. I couldn't make out all his words, but I wonder if some other Freeper heard the show.

[Born Conservative]

A floppy disk left outside near the whitehouse, now prep papers left in starbucks.

Do people still use floppy disks?

[John O]

There are rules for being at a starbucks. You must look intelligent and bored and oh so superior. I've found most patrons to be pretty pathetic but great fun to laugh at. Unfortunately most of them are too dim to catch the joke.

(additionally you must have a poor grasp of finances or you must be independantly wealthy to pay that much for a cup of coffe and some stale pastry)

[OrioleFan]

The name of said resident is being withheld at his request, as he fears that he may be accused on national television of being "disgruntled."

Sounds line this may be a Pentagon employee who lifted the memo and is using Starbucks as a cover...

[IncPen]

Tinfoil hat time: Was this the Starbucks where Mary Mahoney (Clinton intern) was murdered?

_{Farfetched, I know, but with this crowd you can't be too certain}

[Michael.SF.]

This is a bit reminiscent of the flap a few weeks ago when Republicans 'found' the Dems e-mails on the Justice committee. The Dems were 'outraged' that the Republicans actually used the information. The issue then changed, it was not what the information was contained in the e-mails, but rather how they were obtained.

Now that the shoe is on the other foot they are singing a different tune.

[weegee]

Every day we challenge conservative thinking that undermines the bedrock American values of liberty, community and shared responsibility.

It is the conservative position that IS the bedrock of American values, of liberty, of community, and PERSONAL responsiblity.

[weegee]

I classify it along with the mole in the Bush campaign who leaked his debate prep tape and notes in 2000.

Background checks are important for security clearance.

[Political Junkie Too]

Topic on this from yesterday is here.

-PJ

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!