Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Clarke revelations: Truth Squad in the blogosphere nails Bush operatives by mastering the facts, and using humor
WhiteWash House flak Dan "Mr. Quotations" Bartlett falsely claims "suspicious timing" on the publication date of Clarke's book. The ever-essential Atrios nails him: It was the White House that held the book up for three months while clearing it for publication.
Dick "Be still my beating heart" Cheney falsely claims Clarke was "not in the loop". Josh Marshall nails him: "Clarke, as we've said, was the counter-terrorism coordinator at NSC. That means he ran the inter-agency process on terrorism issues. Cheney says Clarke wasn't in the loop; but that means that he actually ran the loop."
CalPundit (now turned pro, the lucky guy, even if for the in-it-for-the-glory Washington Monthly) gives pointers to what the wingers are saying. The botttom line: "confusion." Weird. You'd think the fabulously financed and ruthless VWRC would be doing better than they are, especially seeing that they've been sitting on Clarke's galleys for a month and had all the time in the world to prepare. Could it be that $170 million makes you stupid? Are they distracted by the series of ongoing criminal investigations? Or do they simply have nothing to say?
And Judy "Kneepads" Miller must have aches and pains tonight; the Howler gives her a glancing blow; once again the Man in the Gray Turtleneck puts in the boot; as does Josh Marshall; and, though I say it, we do some fabulous work ourselves here and here, including the address of the Times ombudsman). (Use it. Putting Miller on this story is just too much.)
Meanwhile, Steve Gilliard supplies an annotated transcript of Scott "Sucker MC" McClellan's news conference. It's not a pretty sight, but the ugliest part is where he calls Whiney Joe (back) a "Democratic leader." Well, at least he didn't say "Democrat leader."
And The Road to Surfdom seems to be going through Clarke's book chapter by chapter (via Pen Elayne. Oh, man. I just got the joke there, Elaine.)
Finally, points to The Right Christians for the Dylan cite we all should be using: "But even the president of the United States / Sometimes must have / To stand naked."
Dick "Be still my beating heart" Cheney falsely claims Clarke was "not in the loop". Josh Marshall nails him: "Clarke, as we've said, was the counter-terrorism coordinator at NSC. That means he ran the inter-agency process on terrorism issues. Cheney says Clarke wasn't in the loop; but that means that he actually ran the loop."
CalPundit (now turned pro, the lucky guy, even if for the in-it-for-the-glory Washington Monthly) gives pointers to what the wingers are saying. The botttom line: "confusion." Weird. You'd think the fabulously financed and ruthless VWRC would be doing better than they are, especially seeing that they've been sitting on Clarke's galleys for a month and had all the time in the world to prepare. Could it be that $170 million makes you stupid? Are they distracted by the series of ongoing criminal investigations? Or do they simply have nothing to say?
And Judy "Kneepads" Miller must have aches and pains tonight; the Howler gives her a glancing blow; once again the Man in the Gray Turtleneck puts in the boot; as does Josh Marshall; and, though I say it, we do some fabulous work ourselves here and here, including the address of the Times ombudsman). (Use it. Putting Miller on this story is just too much.)
Meanwhile, Steve Gilliard supplies an annotated transcript of Scott "Sucker MC" McClellan's news conference. It's not a pretty sight, but the ugliest part is where he calls Whiney Joe (back) a "Democratic leader." Well, at least he didn't say "Democrat leader."
And The Road to Surfdom seems to be going through Clarke's book chapter by chapter (via Pen Elayne. Oh, man. I just got the joke there, Elaine.)
Finally, points to The Right Christians for the Dylan cite we all should be using: "But even the president of the United States / Sometimes must have / To stand naked."
