September 22, 2006
WEIRD STORY OF THE DAY....Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf declines to talk to the press today:
President Bush said today he was surprised by reports that a former top State Department official threatened heavy U.S. bombing of Pakistan if it did not cooperate with the United States after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and Pakistan's visiting president declined to comment on the purported threat, citing a book deal.
....Musharraf said he would like to comment, but that he was launching a book on Sept. 25, "and I am honor-bound to Simon and Schuster not to comment on the book before that day."
Let me get this straight. The military dictator of Pakistan can't comment on a comment he's already made because he doesn't want to spoil the marketing campaign for an upcoming book? Sheesh. Today's dictators are either a lot dumber or a lot smarter than they used to be. I just can't figure out which.
—Kevin Drum 6:18 PM
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See, this is why Jesus wants us to torture brown people!!
Posted by: Al on September 22, 2006 at 6:22 PM | PERMALINK
This is an absolute non-story. CBS, they who forged documents to smear a military veteran who got an honorable discharge, took some out of context or mistranslated remarks and tried to generate a story that would be bad for Bush.
If there's any story to be told here, it's how far the media will go to help the democrats win elections. Look for them to get more desperate as we approach November.
Posted by: American Hawk on September 22, 2006 at 6:31 PM | PERMALINK
Is this some screwed up foreign policy or what? These guys can't even manage press conferences well.
Torture seems to be the only thing the administration can administer.
Back to you, Kevin.
Posted by: Sparko on September 22, 2006 at 6:33 PM | PERMALINK
Yes, but he's OUR dictator...clearly he simply wants what every American wants, a great book deal.
Posted by: Sean on September 22, 2006 at 6:37 PM | PERMALINK
Hawk is right!
Democracy is on the march!
Posted by: Al on September 22, 2006 at 6:38 PM | PERMALINK
And American Hawk: thanks for letting us know how the bilious sack of phlegm you represent thinks, direct from the basement of the Heritage Foundation. Always good to hear from the vapid sector of the Gas Giant. Normally have to watch Fox for that.
Posted by: Sparko on September 22, 2006 at 6:40 PM | PERMALINK
SAMPLE BALLOT [vote for one]:
[ ] Greed is good. [The premise that leads to conclusion that today's dictators are smarter.]
[ ] Greed is bad. [The premise that leads to conclusion that today's dictators are dumber.]
Posted by: HRlaughed on September 22, 2006 at 6:41 PM | PERMALINK
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf declines to talk to the press today:
How is this strange? Ever heard of national security? Musharraf probably just doesn't want to harm national security by answering questions. Maybe talking too much would even make it harder for him to capture Bin Laden. Of course since you're a liberal, you don't understand anything about national security. Even worse, libs have been complaining about not capturing Bin Laden and now you're bashing Musharraf when he's doing just that. What hypocrites you are.
Posted by: Al on September 22, 2006 at 6:42 PM | PERMALINK
And American Hawk: thanks for letting us know how the bilious sack of phlegm you represent thinks, direct from the basement of the Heritage Foundation. Always good to hear from the vapid sector of the Gas Giant. Normally have to watch Fox for that.
Way not to refute (or even address) a single point. You do liberalism proud.
Posted by: American Hawk on September 22, 2006 at 6:51 PM | PERMALINK
Way not to refute (or even address) a single point. You do liberalism proud.
No one has refuted what I said either. That's because they know they can't refute us so they cower behind throwing insults at us.
Posted by: Al on September 22, 2006 at 6:54 PM | PERMALINK
Is this the moment when we acknowledge that there are no longer any governments, just corporations?
Posted by: craigie on September 22, 2006 at 6:54 PM | PERMALINK
This is an absolute non-story.
Prove it.
CBS [...] took some out of context or mistranslated remarks and tried to generate a story that would be bad for Bush.
What basis do you have for this assertion?
If there's any story to be told here, it's how far the media will go to help the democrats win elections. Look for them to get more desperate as we approach November.
What does this assertion prove?
You got nothing man.
Posted by: gregor on September 22, 2006 at 6:55 PM | PERMALINK
Looks like all the non-wingnuts are out at happy hour; poor me, at home sick.
Posted by: Disputo on September 22, 2006 at 7:01 PM | PERMALINK
American Hawk:
This is an absolute non-story. CBS, they who forged documents to smear a military veteran who got an honorable discharge
CBS didn't forge any documents regarding the duty-shirking, cowardly sadist you're referring to, you lying fascist.
Posted by: Bird Trainer on September 22, 2006 at 7:01 PM | PERMALINK
Which military veteran is that, American Hawk? The coward from Crawford who deserted the National Guard, because he was so full of cocaine he was peeing white flakes?
Same guy who ignored numerous warnings about hijackings pre-Sept. 11th, then did nothing for seven minutes after being told, only to go hide in a cornfield in Nebraska, while America looked for leadership that doesn't exist? Yeah. What a fucking hero.
Only in the deluded mind of a conservative could they get history so backward and be so oblivious to the truth...
Posted by: The Conservative Deflator on September 22, 2006 at 7:02 PM | PERMALINK
American Hawk: you made a point? When was that?
You made some false assertions that rumbled out like methane leaks, like always. I wish you could at least play a concern troll.
Posted by: Sparko on September 22, 2006 at 7:10 PM | PERMALINK
Unfortunately, for the sake of National Security, we're gonna have to send a detachment of Marines to Simon and Shyster to grab all copies of this book, because he's planning on leaking classified data on how we fight the War on Terror, and so this book must be stopped.
Mooshi-moosh has decided to join with the axis of evil and side with the terrorists. And it's unfortunate, but we're going to have to start bombing now. Soon, there will be parades and parties in the street when the people of Luxembourg are Liberated by the forces of Freedom and Democracy, and this brutal dictator is thrown down.
Freedom is on the march.
Posted by: George W Bush (and I approve this message) on September 22, 2006 at 7:10 PM | PERMALINK
And by the way, I want to stress that the invasion to liberate Luxembourg is now the new central front on the War on Terror, and this invasion has nothing at all to do with their vast Chocolate reserves, or their cross-country ski factories. Their dictator is a dangerous, dangerous man, with dangerous, dangerous weapons, and he must be stopped, because he is a clear and present danger to American Security.
And he speaks French.
Posted by: George W Bush (and I approve this message) on September 22, 2006 at 7:14 PM | PERMALINK
bush told Musharraf today that we'd bomb them back into the stone age if he told that story one more time.
Posted by: Peter on September 22, 2006 at 7:17 PM | PERMALINK
More lies from GWB.
The Luxembourg dictator speaks Luxembourgish.
Posted by: Disputo on September 22, 2006 at 7:18 PM | PERMALINK
And my sources tell me that the deal for Musharraf's new video game won't be finished until the middle of November.
Posted by: tbonz on September 22, 2006 at 7:25 PM | PERMALINK
The propaganda-regurgitating mental slave who posts as "American Hawk" wrote: "CBS, they who forged documents to smear a military veteran who got an honorable discharge ..."
There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that anyone at CBS was responsible for forging any documents. You are a liar.
There is abundant evidence proving beyond any doubt that George W. Bush failed to complete his service obligation with the Texas Air National Guard, was AWOL, and in fact was a deserter. You are a liar.
You have no capacity for independent thought. You think what Rush Limbaugh tells you to think. You say what Fox News tells you to say. You are an ignorant dupe and a bootlicking mental slave of right-wing extremist propaganda.
Only you can free yourself from mental slavery. But you won't, because you like being a slave.
Posted by: SecularAnimist on September 22, 2006 at 7:27 PM | PERMALINK
The Luxembourg dictator speaks Luxembourgish.
and I always thought it was Luxembourgese.
Posted by: Edo on September 22, 2006 at 7:28 PM | PERMALINK
You see, only elitist liberals violate private agreements to keep certain confidentialities, by writing "books".
Godless, elitist, liberals, military dictators, dissenting former generals, disgraced former Clinton appointees, they've all got a political axe to grind, and really just want to hate Bush, and want everyone to hate Bush as well.
Democrats are no different, because they're weak on terror.
Vote Republican this fall, to put a stop to this.
Posted by: Karl Rove on September 22, 2006 at 7:29 PM | PERMALINK
When asked about the issue at the East Room news conference, Mr. Musharraf refused to answer the question not on national security grounds, but on the grounds that it would violate his book contract. I am launching my book on the 25th, and I am honor-bound to Simon & Schuster not to comment on the book before that day, he said.
After laughter subsided, Mr. Bush said, In other words, buy the book.
Posted by: gfw on September 22, 2006 at 7:32 PM | PERMALINK
Damn right I like being a slave!
That's because torture works! I like torture. I like being a recipient of torture. I love submitting to the will of my Master, Rush Limbaugh. Only if we continue to allow torture, can my Master legally practice his skills, and hone them into a fine art and satisfy my cravings. That's why torture must be legal!
Posted by: (fake) American Hawk, Mental Slave on September 22, 2006 at 7:33 PM | PERMALINK
Yes, but he's OUR dictator...
Er, no. Our dictator is the one standing beside him in the picture accompanying the story.
Posted by: cmdicely on September 22, 2006 at 7:44 PM | PERMALINK
The military dictator of Pakistan can't comment on a comment he's already made because he doesn't want to spoil the marketing campaign for an upcoming book?
You really expected him to discuss the Bush Administration threatening to bomb his country into the stone age standing next to Bush? He knew the question would come up, and he had the most convenient excuse for not answering it prepared.
Posted by: cmdicely on September 22, 2006 at 7:46 PM | PERMALINK
who does musharref think he is - bob woodward?
your pal,
blake
Posted by: blake on September 22, 2006 at 7:48 PM | PERMALINK
Is this the moment when we acknowledge that there are no longer any governments, just corporations?
Corporations are creatures of governments, the existence of corporations demonstrates the existence of governments, and the power of corporations is an application of the power of government.
Posted by: cmdicely on September 22, 2006 at 7:57 PM | PERMALINK
U.S. fatalities in war equal those from Sept. 11
American deaths caused by George Bush now equal those caused by the 9/11 terrorists.
Conservatives rejoice.
Thomas1 rejoices with his conservative buddies.
American Hawk: CBS, they who forged documents to smear a military veteran who got an honorable discharge . . .
An outright lie, but par for your course.
Posted by: Advocate for God on September 22, 2006 at 7:58 PM | PERMALINK
American Squawk: If there's any story to be told here, it's how far the media will go to help the democrats win elections.
I guess that means the GOP and Bush are part of the media, since they are going very far to help the Democrats win the upcoming elections.
Ahhhhh, the rationalizations of the incompetent Squawk.
Posted by: Advocate for God on September 22, 2006 at 8:00 PM | PERMALINK
I watched the Pakistani Prime Minister say this twice on TV. Kevin completely ignores his tongue-in-cheek delivery and the laughter from the audience (who, unlike Kevin, 'got it.') Musharef was faced with a ricky question and did what any experienced Pol does: try a droll reply in order to duck the question. Let's get the interpretative frame right here, Kevin. Then we can poke fun at the guy.
Posted by: Jim on September 22, 2006 at 8:04 PM | PERMALINK
I think more to the point, the generals that are backing him are a lot stupider than they used to be.
Posted by: paul on September 22, 2006 at 8:28 PM | PERMALINK
american hawk, musharef said what he said. in english. you can think it's a nonstory. you can think what you want. but he did say it. in my opinion, it is a story, though its impact on the elections in november will be nil.if you can't do better than that lame post, well i guess you can't, can you?
Posted by: mudwall jackson on September 22, 2006 at 8:29 PM | PERMALINK
It was Armitage. Funny, Kevin Drum didn't name the guy.
Imagine Kevin Drum's tantrum if it had been Karl Rove.
Posted by: Frequency Kenneth on September 22, 2006 at 8:50 PM | PERMALINK
When you have a foreign policy based on pre-emptive first strike, anything is possible.
Posted by: pj in jesusland on September 22, 2006 at 8:51 PM | PERMALINK
cmdicely: " He knew the question would come up, and he had the most convenient excuse for not answering it prepared."
Absolutely correct. In any case, Musharraf will be on 60 Minutes Sunday night (the eve of book publication) where he will discuss the US threat. I've heard Armitage's denial, which I didn't quite believe. He seemed to say that he would never have said such a thing since he wasn't commander-in-chief. Sort of side-steps the whole issue. What if the commander-in-chief had requested that he make the threat?
Posted by: nepeta on September 22, 2006 at 9:03 PM | PERMALINK
I wish all my Jewish friends and Sen. Allen a Very Happy New Year!
Posted by: fat karl on September 22, 2006 at 9:24 PM | PERMALINK
Today's dictators are either a lot dumber or a lot smarter than they used to be. I just can't figure out which.
Kevin Drum
Neither. More crooked.
Posted by: EconoBuzz on September 22, 2006 at 9:30 PM | PERMALINK
Corporations are creatures of governments, the existence of corporations demonstrates the existence of governments, and the power of corporations is an application of the power of government.
Well, that may be the theory, but I think my point is that the monster has escaped from the laboratory.
Posted by: craigie on September 22, 2006 at 9:39 PM | PERMALINK
Al
That first comment is the first time I've had a real laugh from you. Thanks bro.
Kevin
They're dumber.
Posted by: tomeck on September 22, 2006 at 9:40 PM | PERMALINK
This purported statement by Armitage seems to be as likely as Mr O'Rielly being on the Al Qaeda hit list.
Posted by: Kool on September 22, 2006 at 9:50 PM | PERMALINK
nepeta >"...What if the commander-in-chief had requested that he make the threat?"
Yea, that does sound like something Shotgun Cheney would do...
Oh, you mean Commander Codpiece !
I keep forgetting we are supposed to keep playing pretend Bush is actually POTUS
"You see what power is - holding someone else's fear in your hand and showing it to them!" - Amy Tan
Posted by: daCascadian on September 22, 2006 at 9:56 PM | PERMALINK
I say smarter. I thought it was a funny way for Musharraf to get out of an awkward situation... and CBS's coverage could be explained by the fact that they own Simon & Schuster...
Posted by: Archana on September 22, 2006 at 10:20 PM | PERMALINK
I'm afraid that law school is slowly squeezing out CMD's ability to think outside the box.
Posted by: yeah right on September 22, 2006 at 10:22 PM | PERMALINK
"the liberal media helping the Democrats win elections"
Oh, sort of like Lou Dobbs schmoozing with James Taranto and Miguel Perez today. Well, he did let E J Dionne sit in.
Loved it when Perez said that the Republican chances were increasing because oil prices were falling and the war in Iraq was "quieting" down.
Seventy seven Iraqis killed yesterday and three of our troops were also killed. Quieting? Why because no Batista supporters were affected?
Posted by: thethirdPaul on September 22, 2006 at 10:30 PM | PERMALINK
you think there'll be a book signing tour? some readings at local B&N's? "Then Armitage raised his bald head from his muscular barrel chest and said to me in an even assured tone, 'we'll bomb you back to the stone age, my friend.'"
Posted by: David on September 22, 2006 at 11:52 PM | PERMALINK
It's sad. Ruthless dictators are just not what they used to be. Would Stalin have worried about spoiling a book deal? Sheesh.
Posted by: JohnK on September 23, 2006 at 12:19 AM | PERMALINK
Smarter, on the dictators, Kev.
If Pakistania Pervie sells 300K books, in part from his Armitage comment, then playing coy about it, as opposed to 200K books without that lead-in, the man's brilliant to the tune of a few hundred thousand smackers.
Posted by: SocraticGadfly on September 23, 2006 at 11:42 AM | PERMALINK
Interesting info from Juan Cole today on this. Juan had e-mailed a news group on the US threat to bomb Pakistan back to the Stone Age back on Sept 17, 2001. He had gotten this information from 'Dawn' and a German news service (quoting verious Pakistani officials). So this whole story is 'old' news to those who were really watching at the time. I'll bet Musharraf was surprised that this appears to be 'new' info for the American media.
Posted by: nepeta on September 23, 2006 at 1:32 PM | PERMALINK
"If there's any story to be told here, it's how far the media will go to help the democrats win elections."
Um, then, how's that going for them? By the way, why do you hate democracy so much? The fact that there are still 15 liberals left somewhere who haven't been forced out of their jobs somehow makes Murdoch Inc. a threat to Dear Leader.
You are obviously very easily frightened if you think Musharraf's book deal, or coverage of it, is designed to help Dems take back the House. Or is that just the only talking point you've been given, ChickenMcSquawk, and you have to squeeze it in wherever you can? Or is it all of the above?
Posted by: Kenji on September 23, 2006 at 2:29 PM | PERMALINK
Asia has been a focus of the geopolitics for centuries.
Americans displaced Briton after its demise in the Second World War to start the New Great Game. Americans forged a close alliance with Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey during the Cold War to contain Russians.
The Great Game was used as a term to describe the struggle between Briton and Russia who were vying to colonize this region since Tsarist Russian Empire in early nineteenth century.
Read More ...
Shadows of the Great Game
http://pakistan1947.blogspot.com/2006/08/shadows-of-great-game.html
Posted by: Muhammad Azeem Akhter on September 23, 2006 at 4:36 PM | PERMALINK
I think what Musharraf said-- and what he'll say in his book and on 60 Minutes-- is probably intended as CYA against the scads of Pakistani fundies who'd like to see him dead and his government replaced with a Taliban on steroids. And with nukes. IOW, it's bullshit, and I mean that in the technically correct sense of the word.
OTOH, if that's the case, it's pretty bizarre that he'd be seen with Bush. So I guess I don't understand WTF is going on.
Posted by: Tom Marney on September 23, 2006 at 6:30 PM | PERMALINK
Hilarious. He doesn't even have to answer to his own people, but he does have to answer to Simon and Schuster. What's the point of being a dictator if you can't dicate?
PM
Posted by: Patrick Meighan on September 23, 2006 at 6:55 PM | PERMALINK
"What's the point of being a dictator if you can't dicate?"
But he did dictate. Simon & Schuster sent over a special stenographer to transcribe the while thing.
Posted by: Kenji on September 23, 2006 at 9:58 PM | PERMALINK