| Michael Allred 26.04.2004 00:04 |
link by Maureen Farrell BuzzFlash, 14 April 2004 link 21 April 2004 The URL of this article is: link On Dec. 31, 2003, New York Times columnist and former Nixon speech writer William Safire offered his standard New Year's predictions. This time, however, one item stood out. In addition to speculating on everything from which country would next "feel the force of U.S. liberation" to who would win the best-picture Oscar, Safire predicted that "the 'October surprise' affecting the U.S. election" would be "a major terror attack in the United States." [Salt Lake Tribune ] While such speculation is hardly worth a trip to the duct tape store, when combined with repeated assaults to our democratic process and troublesome assertions from noteworthy sources, it warrants further investigation. In Nov. 2003, you might recall, Gen. Tommy Franks told Cigar Aficionado magazine that a major terrorist attack (even one that occurred elsewhere in the Western world), would likely result in a suspension of the U.S. Constitution and the installation of a military form of government. "[A] terrorist, massive, casualty-producing event somewhere in the Western world -- it may be in the United States of America -- [would cause] our population to question our own Constitution and to begin to militarize our country in order to avoid a repeat of another mass, casualty-producing event," he said. [NewsMax.com ] Right around the same time, former Clinton administration official David Rothkopf made similarly distressing observations. In a Washington Post op-ed entitled, "Terrorist Logic: Disrupt the 2004 Election," he described a meeting in which nearly 75 percent of the professional participants (characterized as "serious people, not prone to hysteria or panic") also foresaw another terrorist attack occurring on American soil before the next election. "Recently, I co-chaired a meeting hosted by CNBC of more than 200 senior business and government executives, many of whom are specialists in security and terrorism related issues," he wrote. "Almost three-quarters of them said it was likely the United States would see a major terrorist strike before the end of 2004." [Washington Post ] Saying that "history suggests that striking during major elections is an effective tool for terrorist groups," Rothkopf explained why terrorists will most likely target us soon. And though he and Safire made these observations months before terrorists changed Spain's political landscape, they were not alone in thinking along such lines. "Even before the bombings in Madrid, White House officials were worrying that terrorists might strike the United States before the November elections," USA Today reported, before commenting on how terrorists could "try the same tactics in the United States to create fear and chaos." [USA Today ] The New York Times also reported on the possibility that Al Qaeda would try to "influence the outcome of the election" by striking U.S. oil refineries." The Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned the Texas oil industry of potential attacks by Al Qaeda on pipelines and refineries near the time of the November presidential election," the Times reported. [New York Times ] MSNBC, CNN and other news organizations also chimed in, raising concerns about this summer's political conventions. "In the wake of what happened in Madrid, we have to be concerned about the possibility of terrorists attempting to influence elections in the United States by committing a terrorist act," FBI Director Robert Mueller told CNN. "Quite clearly, there will be substantial preparations for each of the conventions." [CNN ] Right-wing columnists and pundits have since (surprise, surprise) tried to capitalize on such fears. "If a terrorist group attacked the U.S. three days before an election, does anyone doubt that the American electorate would rally behind the pr |
| Michael Allred 26.04.2004 00:06 |
And, of course, what usurpation of democracy would be complete without Rush Limbaugh weighing in? "Do [the terrorists] bide their time and wait, or do they try to replicate their success in Spain here in America before our election?" Limbaugh asked, before revealing how "titans of industry," and "international business people (who do not outsource, by the way)" were "very, very, very concerned" that one true party forever rule the Fatherland. "They all were seeking from me reassurance that the White House was safe this year, that John Kerry would not win," Limbaugh said. "Who do you think the terrorists would rather have in office in this country -- socialists like those in Spain as personified by John Kerry and his friends in the Democratic Party, or George W. Bush?" Saying that a pre-election terrorist attack is not a question of "if" but "when," Limbaugh concluded that should anyone but Bush occupy the White House, the terrorists will have won. [RushLimbaugh.com ] Given the bizarre mind-melding between the government and media and the Soviet-style propagandizing that's been taking place, one has to wonder: Is there is any significance in the fact that Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and David Brooks are all beating the same tom-tom? As former White House insider Richard Clarke recently told Jon Stewart, "[There are] dozens of people, in the White House. . . writing talking points, calling up conservative columnists, calling up talk radio hosts, telling them what to say. It's interesting. All the talk radio people, the right-wing talk radio people across the country, saying the exact same thing, exactly the same words." Stewart noted that a 24-hour news network was also making observations that were "remarkably similar to what the White House was saying." Even though Andrew Card admitted that "from a marketing point of view, you don't introduce new products in August," in May, 2002, Wayne Madsen and John Stanton revealed that the government's marketing preparations for the war were already underway, with U.S. Air Force scientists consulting with CNN "to figure out how to gather and disseminate information." [CounterPunch.org ] In an article entitled, "When the War Hits Home: U.S. Plans for Martial Law, Tele-Governance and the Suspension of Elections," Madsen and Stanton delved into the more frightening aspects of what might be in store. "One incident, one aircraft hijacked, a 'dirty nuke' set off in a small town, may well prompt the Bush regime, let's say during the election campaign of 2003-2004, to suspend national elections for a year while his government ensures stability," they wrote. "Many closed-door meetings have been held on these subjects and the notices for these meetings have been closely monitored by the definitive link To make matters worse, if martial law is imposed, Air Force General Ralph E. Eberhart will be able to blast through Posse Comitatus and deploy troops to America's streets. Gen. Eberhart, you might recall, is the former Commander of NORAD, which was in charge of protecting America's skies on Sept. 11. But instead of being scrutinized for NORAD's massive failures, he was promoted and now heads the Pentagon's Northern Command. And, as military analyst William M. Arkin explained, "It is only in the case of 'extraordinary' domestic operations that would enable Gen. Eberhart to bring in "intelligence collectors, special operators and even full combat troops" to bear. What kind of situation would have to occur to grant Eberhart "the far-reaching authority that goes with 'extraordinary operations'"? Nothing. He already has that authority. [Los Angeles Times ] Which brings us to the inevitable (and most important) question. How primed is the American public to accept suspended elections, martial law, or whatever else the White House decides to "market"? Consider, for a moment, what an invaluable propaganda conduit the media was during the lead-up to war in I |
| Michael Allred 26.04.2004 00:07 |
"Explanations continued through Wednesday and Thursday, with Letterman referring to "indisputable" and "very high-placed source" who told him that the White House had, in fact, called CNN. "This is where it gets a little hinky," Letterman said on Thursday, rehashing the back and forth nonsense that played like a bad SNL sketch. "We were told that the White House didn't call CNN. That was the development the other day. So I'm upset because I smell a conspiracy. I think something's gone haywire. I see this as the end of democracy as we know it; another one of them Watergate kind of deals. And so, I'm shooting my mouth off and right in the middle of the show, I'm handed a note that says 'No no no no, the White House did not contact CNN. The White House did NOT call CNN.' So now I feel like 'Oh, I guess I'm gonna do heavy time.' "Ok, so now it gets a little confusing. So, the next day I'm told, 'Oh, No. The White House DID contact CNN. . . . They WERE contacted by the White House. They were trying to SHUT CNN up because they didn't want to make these people look ridiculous because they were big Republican fund raisers and you know, I'm going to disappear mysteriously. In about eight months, they'll find my body in the trunk of a rental car. "So now, we're told, despite what everyone says. . . that this high-ranking, high-placed unidentified source says, "No No The White House did call them." Although he displayed his customary wit and joked throughout his explanation, unless Letterman's acting skills extend far beyond those displayed in Cabin Boy, there's no doubt that Letterman was serious when he asserted that "despite what everyone says" the White House was involved in this fiasco. Meanwhile, CNN apologized and accepted the blame, letting the White House off the hook. While the Letterman episode is a lesson in abject absurdity, nearly two years ago, Madsen and Stanton warned that following a major terrorist attack, seditious web sites would be blocked (something that is already happening to howardstern.com) and "the broadcast media would similarly be required to air only that which has been approved by government censors." (How will we know the difference?) Though it seems surreal that people are actually wagering that another terrorist attack will occur on our soil by November (and it's even more bizarre that on-air personalities are calling for the suspension of elections), the fact that this un-elected gang who barreled into power and forever changed the course of a nation, is so completely untrustworthy makes the situation even more disturbing. On Sept 11, 2003, William Bunch of the Philadelphia Daily News asked, "Why don't we have the answers to these 9/11 questions?" [The Philadelphia Daily News ] before addressing a variety of concerns, which, thanks to the 9/11 commission, are finally making their way into our national consciousness. And now that another whistle blower, FBI translator Sibel Edmonds, has come forward, saying, "'I saw papers that show US knew al-Qaeda would attack cities with airplanes," [The Independent ] it's clear we've been under attack for quite some time. [BuzzFlash.com ] But before the Madrid bombings; before Richard Clarke's revelations; before more whistleblowers peeked out from under the muck, David Rothkopf made everything oh-so-clear. Writing about the "military officers, policymakers, scientists, researchers and others who have studied [terrorism] for a long time," he explained how the majority of experts he spoke to not only predicted that the pre-election assaults would "be greater than those of 9/11," but that any act of terrorism would work in the President's favor. "It was the sense of the group that such an attack was likely to generate additional support for President Bush," he wrote. Citing how "assaults before major votes have [traditionally] benefited candidates who were seen as tougher on terrorists," Rothkopf catalogued events in Israel, R |
| Daburcor? 26.04.2004 00:13 |
You expect us to sit and read all of that drivel!? You must be joking... |
| Maz 26.04.2004 00:45 |
A leftist article originally appearing at a Canadian website, with several snide cheap shots to display its true feelings, and ends with a reference to the Bible Code is supposed to be reliable? Neither during the War of 1812 (which included the sacking of the White House by the Brits), nor during the Civil War did the US postpone elections and revert to a military government. If the election of 2000 taught us anything it was that regardless of the problems of elections, we still have a peaceful transfer of power. If a terrorist attack did occur on election day (the Bible Code says it might, damnit), then the Supreme Court would have to decide what votes are valid or invalid. But there is a rather long and complex Constitutional amendment that details who assumes the Presidency in the event of an emergency, so I think things are safe for the time being. All in all, this article sounds like a paranoid conspiracy theory. |
| Daburcor? 26.04.2004 01:32 |
"All in all, this article sounds like a paranoid conspiracy theory." Like I said, Drivel. ;) |
| Michael Allred 26.04.2004 15:20 |
It was fun to read.....not much different from Oliver Stone's "JFK" so if you look at it as entertainment..... |
| geeksandgeeks 26.04.2004 15:55 |
I love conspiracy theorists, don't you? These are all the same people who were helping to distrubte "The Clinton Chronicles", a piece-of-shit video that accuses Bill and Hillary Clinton of committing dozens of violent murders - everyone from two Arkansas teenagers to a state trooper to Vince Foster to Ron Brown. Tell me, why do they love to theorize about murdering people with trains? Exactly how much am I willing to listen to Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh? |
| Daburcor? 27.04.2004 00:08 |
"Right................and they blew up the Chicken man in Philly last night........" What... You... you're not serious... NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVED CHICKEN MAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |