A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-24-04....No Iraq-Qaeda ties, we're told: True or false?

JohnHuang2; Dutchess; Billie | JohnHuang2

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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No Iraq-Qaeda ties, we're told: True or false?

by JohnHuang2

It's amazing. What incredible gall these people have. The spectacle last week was nothing short of pure chutzpah. It takes staggering hubris -- a brazen disdain and contempt for facts. Facts about Iraq and al-Qaeda that, by now, should be beyond dispute. Yet, it seems that no matter what the facts, no matter what the evidence, these people's minds are made up. They adamantly refuse to see. They reject proof. Why? I think they do it for the worst possible reason -- because they could. Case Closed, don't bother me with facts, Jack. Did you catch the headlines last week? Panel Finds No Qaeda-Iraq Tie, the New York Times finds. Al Qaeda-Hussein Link is Dismissed, the Washington Post dismissed. No Signs of Iraq-Al Qaeda Ties Found, the Los Angeles Times found. 9/11 Panel Finds No Link Between al-Qaeda and Iraq, the Associated Press finds. CNN reported Thursday that the Iraq Commission, er, the September 10 Commission, oops, the September 11 Commission had "found 'no credible evidence that Iraq and al Qaeda'" were linked in any way, and found no credible evidence of a pre-war "Collaborative relationship" between Saddam and al-Qaeda -- even if they could. (Lots of contact, yes -- but no relationship. Kinda like Bill and Monica).

In a preliminary report, the panel staff rolled out its big guns, citing testimony from two captured al-Qaeda biggies who have "adamantly denied" any relationship, CNN reports. (These murderous savages slaughtered 3,000 Americans in cold blood. So what makes you think they would lie?) Mohammed Atta, who could not be reached for comment, would doubtless also adamantly deny any Collaborative Relationship with Iraq, especially since he's an Ariel Sharon-loving Zionist hand (See Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah). But there's more. Saddam Hussein himself had, over a year ago, adamantly denied any relationship to al-Qaeda, angrily telling a reporter for Britain's Channel 4, "I did not have Collaborative Relations with that man, Mr. bin Laden, even though I could!" Well, not quite what he said, but words to that effect.

"If we had a relationship with al Qaeda and if we believed in this relationship, we won't be ashamed to admit it," said Saddam, who's a firm believer in monogamous relations with one terror network at a time. Did Saddam have an affair with al-Qaeda? He left no doubt: "The answer is no." Saddam firmly resisted any temptation to hop in bed with al Qaeda. (Besides, who in their right mind would climb on the same bed with Teddy Kennedy?) And, in fairness, let's not forget that, on 9/11, Saddam, in a surprisingly solemn and touching statement, did offer sincerest condolences, saying, "America is reaping the thorns planted by its rulers in the world." In the same heartfelt spirit, darling son Uday movingly called the attacks "courageous operations carried out by young Arabs and Muslims." (What a dummy. As Michael Moore proves in his new non-controversial movie, these young Arabs and Muslims were really working for Dick Cheney and Halliburton).

The evening news broadcasts led with the Commission's blockbuster finding. "The 9/11 commission (contradicted) the White House today, particularly on claims that Iraq and al-Qaeda were linked before the war," NBC News reported. CBS News noted one of Bush's "last surviving justifications for war in Iraq took a devastating hit when the 9/11 Commission" found no collaborative relationship between Saddam and al-Qaeda. "One of the Bush administration's most controversial assertions" is that bin Laden was linked to al-Qaeda," observed ABC News. "Today the 9/11 Commission said unequivocally, not so."

So the Commission and the New York Times and Saddam Hussein and two al-Qaeda detainees said unequivocally, 'not so' -- no links, no Collaborative Relationship, no affair between Saddam and al-Qaeda. That settles it, yes? Nope. In an act of brazen defiance towards the 9/11 Commission which found no credible evidence of al-Qaeda ties to Iraq, al-Qaeda big-wig al-Zarqawi continues to live in Iraq, having shacked up there long before the war, this despite the panel finding no credible evidence of any ties between him and Iraq. See what I mean? Zarqawi has a lot of gall defying the Commission this way. Has he even read the 9/11 staff report? He's not supposed to be there. (Other than contact with al-Qaeda, training of al-Qaeda and giving al-Qaeda safe haven in Iraq, where's the evidence Saddam had any ties to al-Qaeda?)

In even more blatant defiance of the Commission, documents continue to insist on showing that a senior Iraqi official, Ahmed Hikmad Shakir, attended a 9/11 planning meeting in Kuala Lumpur in early 2000, despite the Infallible Commission finding of No Credible Evidence of cooperation. (What part of No Collaborative Relationship don't these documents understand?) Think that's galling defiance of the Commission? How about reams of documents which still maintain, despite the Commission finding, that al-Qaeda's Abdul Rahman Yasin was sheltered in Baghdad for 10 years and put on Saddam's payroll? This was the fellow who masterminded the '93 World Trade Center bombing. Or records which continue to show, despite the Commission finding, a 1996 meeting in Sudan involving bin Laden and senior Iraqi intelligence. Documents also argue that Osama, as early as '94, was eager to work with Baghdad, and that Baghdad was eager to work with Osama. These records appear unwilling, despite the Commission finding, to abandon their position. The Commission staff also found no credible evidence that, after 9/11, Saddam was preparing strikes in the U.S. and its interests abroad, just as reports surfaced that, after 9/11, Saddam was preparing strikes in the U.S. and its interests abroad. So even Russia's president appears in brazen defiance of Commission findings. (Who are you going to believe -- Jamie Gorelick, Osama Ben-Veniste or mere undercover officers spying on Saddam?)

But the mother-of-all defiance came from Dick Cheney. Speaking of the U.S. bombing of an al-Qaeda-linked pharmaceutical plant in Sudan during the Clinton administration, Cheney insisted "that the owner of the plant had traveled to Baghdad to meet with the father of the VX program, and that the CIA had found traces of EMTA nearby the facility itself."

"So let me get this straight," said Cheney. Here "you had a plant that was built under the following circumstances, (the manager had gone) to Baghdad, you had Osama bin Laden who had funded at least the corporation and you had traces of EMTA and you did what? You did nothing? Is that a responsible activity...?"

Oh wait -- that was former Clinton Defense chief William Cohen, testifying before the 9/11 Commission in March, insisting on strong Saddam-al-Qaeda ties.

Kidding aside, from everything I've seen, there appears to be no credible evidence of a collaborative relationship, no evidence of any link, no proof of any ties between Commission staff and Commissioners. The ink had barely dried on the staff's interim 'report' when Chairman and Vice-Chairman took to the airwaves to swiftly disavow its silly conclusions. This staff never lets facts get in the way of shoddy work, it seems. But the problem plaguing this mockery of a commission goes deeper than just a cheesy staff pulling strings in the background. A colossal failure, no one outside the Beltway takes this irrelevant panel seriously. Sink your teeth into this: Despite the media 'No Iraq-Qaeda Ties' propaganda barrage worthy of the Third Reich, the latest Washington Post Poll shows an overwhelming 61 percent of Americans believe Saddam and al-Qaeda were joined at the hip. Bush wasn't blazing any new trails; people instinctively knew there was a connection, again showing a keen grasp of the enemy, confounding the Ministry of Truth expecting to reap big dividends. The lopsided result is all the more striking given that the pollster, TNS, gave Democrats an 8 percentage point sampling advantage over Republicans, 38%-30%. (State elections data show the parties roughly even in registration). Moreover, despite the built-in sampling bias, Kerry barely edges Bush, 48%-44% in a three-way matchup. Take away the sampling bias, and Bush puts Kerry out to pasture.

Small wonder the media punks have taken on a tone of desperation. I smell victory.

Anyway, that's...

My two cents

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 06-21-04...Military Monday 06-22-04...The Fine Art of Waving 06-23-04...Original Intent of the First Amendment

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[LadyX]

The Liberals would be SOOOO offended if they knew how much fun they provide in their rigid focus on distortion, manipulation and their all-absorbing hatred . . .

JH2, perhaps you should be henceforth addressed as "Your # 1 Offendi" - - looking something like this:

LOL

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL ! Great post ! :^D

---

Jean Keri and sweet TeRAYza [barf alert!] .....

I love you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy!

[Pippin]

Hey, Meekie!

pass this on, Craig's the father of a baby boy!

He was born on the 22nd of June. we just got the e-mail from him.

His wife and son are doing fine thank everyone for thier prayers!

[LadyX]

Wonderul news, Pippin!

Thanks for letting us know.

[LadyX]

"Wonderul" ??

Well, yes - truly wonerful..:))

[MeekOneGOP]

hehe ! :^)

[lonestar]

Why am I left out of the hug-fest?

Weinie

[Kitty Mittens]

Hi, Pippin! I rejoice in this good news! :D

[MeekOneGOP]

Happy Days ! :^D

[Kitty Mittens]

Amen! LadyX, I LOVE your tag line!

[Aquamarine]

(((Weinie))) and one for you too (((lonestar)))

[LadyX]

Thank you.
It's all about Him, isn't it?!

May He guide us and our nation in these so very critical days,
and watch over those far and near who defend His principles and our lives - -

Here's a great graphic you might want to use:

[Kitty Mittens]

Yes, our God is worthy of all praise, glory, and honor, praise His Name! Thank you for posting that sweet graphic, LadyX! I wish I knew more about computers; I only know how to save it to my picture folder, which I just did. Even when I post my prayer on the Dubya prayer thread, it is all one big paragraph; I don't know how to break it up into segments. As soon as I learn how to do more on the computer, I will use that adorable graphic! Thank you again! :)

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

040617-N-0905V-028 Pacific Ocean (Jun. 17, 2004) - Lt. Ryan Alderson views an S-3B Viking carrying an AGM-84 Harpoon missile from the portside of his own S-3B Viking. The Harpoon missile is an all weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system. Both Vikings are assigned to the "Screwbirds" of Sea Control Squadron Three Three (VS-33), embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Vinson and Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) are operating off the coast of Southern California, conducting carrier qualifications and training in preparation for their next deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Chris M. Valdez (RELEASED)

040616-N-0000T-003 Atlantic Ocean (Jun. 16, 2004) - An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Gunslingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Five (VFA-105) conducts aerial refueling during flight operations from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman is one of seven aircraft carriers involved in Summer Pulse 2004. Summer Pulse 2004 is the simultaneous deployment of seven aircraft carrier strike groups (CSGs), demonstrating the ability of the Navy to provide credible combat power across the globe, in five theaters with other U.S., allied, and coalition military forces. Summer Pulse is the Navy's first deployment under its new Fleet Response Plan (FRP). The Truman CSG is conducting a scheduled training exercise followed by overseas pulse operations. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Jon Taylor (RELEASED) For more information go to: www.cffc.navy.mil/summerpulse04.htm

040621-N-1045B-097 Arabian Gulf (June 21, 2004) - Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Airman Aaron Sperry, left, from Lawton, Okla., and Lt. Rich Cochrane, from Wade, N.J., monitor the approach path and arresting gear equipment of an EA-6B Prowler assigned to the “Patriots” of Electronic attack Squadron One Four Zero (VAQ-140) before it lands on the flight deck aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). The Norfolk, Va. based Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and embarked Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Washington is one of seven aircraft carriers involved in Summer Pulse 2004. Summer Pulse 2004 is the simultaneous deployment of seven aircraft carrier strike groups (CSGs), demonstrating the ability of the Navy to provide credible combat power across the globe, in five theaters with other U.S., allied, and coalition military forces. Summer Pulse is the Navy’s first deployment under its new Fleet Response Plan (FRP). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Michael D. Blackwell II (RELEASED) For more information go to: www.cffc.navy.mil/summerpulse04.htm

030518-N-0295M-014 Pacific Ocean (May 18, 2003) - An F-14D Tomcat assigned to the "Bounty Hunters" of Fighter Squadron Two (VF-2) pulls out of a dive after a practice 20mm gun-strafing demonstration pass for the upcoming "Tiger Cruise," to be held aboard USS Constellation (CV 64). Constellation and embarked Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain (RELEASED)

[LadyX]

Can someone guide Kitty Mittens to a good (and easy) Basic HTML site?

When you are given one, KM, try practicing on a Post Reply, doing something and then hitting Preview.

It will not show to anyone else, and you can work on and within it, making corrections - hitting Preview again and again until you are satisfied you have caught on!

(NEVER HIT "POST" until you understand..:))

Then you can just abandon it, and not post it!

Many of us have learned this way, by trial and error - mostly trial - LOL

Once you get the hang of working on the simple stuff, go on to posting graphics, etc.
(It is easier than it appears. I was self-taught, never having a computer course of any kind.)

Once you want to learn how to "use" the graphic of mine you just put in your pictures, contact me by Freep Mail (Private Reply) and I'll give you the URL that will allow you to place it on a thread...

[Billie]

Love your True/False meter!

Oh, how I wish you were reporting the 'news', John - EVERYWHERE! Just hope and pray there aren't enough people stupid enough to believe the spin the liberal media puts on everything they 'report'.

It wasn't this hard to counter the media in 2000.....was it? Haven't they all taken the Bush Bashing up several notches this year? Sure seems like it. :(

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you, LadyX, for taking the time to give me these tips on how to practice when I start learning these things! I don't know how good I'll be at it--I'm a little dense at things like that--but I'll give it my best shot. Thank you for helping me! :)

[Billie]

We are two years old today. Thank you all for being here then, and now! A flashback to our very first thread ........ my how things have changed!

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-24-02

[MeekOneGOP]

Yay ! Happy Anniversary to all of US !! :^D

[LadyX]

You're welcome, Kitty Mittens, and we are so happy you are appearing here often!