Google May Come To Terms With Publishers; Will Digitize Cliff Notes Only
Response To 'Bazooka Joe' Strong; Customers Want Shorter Read, Synopsis Over Full Text
Google announced today that they have come to an agreement with Cliff Notes, to digitize the entire catalog of the popular literature study guide series, as an effort to ward of the growing number of lawsuits from publishers.
Major publishers, including McGraw-Hill, Wiley, Penguin, and Simon & Schuster have joined the Authors Guild in filing suits to block Google, and their programs, Google Print and the Google Library Project, from moving forward with the digitization of their works and collections.
Major libraries, such as those at Stanford University, Harvard University, Oxford University, and the University of Michigan, as well as The New York Public Library have signed on with Google.
Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt, in a brief statement released, said that he was "pleased" to come to terms with Cliff Notes and "looking forward to bringing their content to the digital world."
There's more to the Cliff Notes deal than Google is letting on, according to John Ruffing, editor of a the newsletter 'Did You Mean Everything?', that monitors Googles activities.
"After all the fuss to develop Print and the Library Project, the months of research, software development and testing, Google discovered that people want less, not more, as to print, books, etc."
Ruffing says Google's offering of the Bazooka Joe Comics, which they digitized earlier this summer "has gone through the roof".
'They've come close to crashing the Google system for Bazooka Joe, and that says something," said Ruffing. "Follow-up research, much to Google's surprise, kept coming up with people wanted less, not more, to read."
Ruffing says that the Cliff Notes deal may pave the way for the publishers and authors to, eventually, come on-board.
'If I'm a published author, do I want someone quoting me, or Cliff Notes?"
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
News In Brief 15 November 2005
Top Ten Cloves: How NBC Told Martha Stewart She Was Fired
9. Told her she had all the time in the world to concentrate on her K-Mart products from now on
8. Fearing violence, had her probation officer tell her
7. Asked her to bake a German Chocolate Cake - in Germany
6. Gave her a Terrell Owens jersey
5. Brought in former GE Chairman "Neutron" Jack Welch to let loose on her
4. When Martha brought up Season Two, was advised that there was "someone else here who doesn't fit in"
3. Forged Donald Trump's signature in a classic "pink slip"
2. Cited a clause in her contract, that if the Chicago White Sox won the World Series, she had to leave
1. Got her a Guest Slot on 'The Office' and are letting them fire her
Monday, November 14, 2005
Monday 14 November 2005
Cheney Lobbies Sony To Keep Controversial Secret, Evasive CD Software
Says Spyware Could Aid War On Terror; CIA Could Combine With Patriot Act To Nab Terrorists, Sympathizers
Sources tell The Garlic that Vice President Dick Cheney is appealing to Sony BMG Music Entertainment to keep its controversial, antipiracy program, XCP, on its CD's as a means to assist Cheney, and other agencies in the War Against Terror.
According to a high-level administration official, Cheney's request comes in concert with his lobbying efforts in Congress to have the CIA exempted from any new anti-torture legislation or bans.
"Apparently,: said the official, "the CIA has developed profiling, or some other program, related to music CD's and the listening habits of suspected terrorists and they don't want to disrupt that investigation."
Cheney met over the weekend with Andrew Lack, Chief Executive Officer of Sony BMG Music Entertainment, to make his case on keeping the secret spyware software.
Sony Music had announced last Friday that they were halting CD production, with the XCP software, after a torrent of criticism emerged from consumers, technologists and Internet privacy advocates.
Critics say that the XCP software is a destructive form of spyware that installs itself on a user's computer, without their knowledge and the program offers no instructions of links on its' removal. Additionally, the spyware offers computer hackers a door to take control of a user's computer, as well as allowing Sony to capture data on a user's listening habits.
Following the flood of complaints, Sony BMG issued a software patch a week ago to modify the behavior of their security program, and it also offered users a way to safely remove XCP from their machines.
XCP isn't the only antipiracy software Sony uses. For nearly two-years, Sony has sold about 20 million CDs containing MediaMax, an antipiracy program designed by SunnComm Inc. of Phoenix.
"When Cheney's office got wind of this," said the administration official, "they were in heaven. To have a corporation with the capability to secretly capture this much information, it was almost too good to be true for them."
In the meeting between Cheney, Lack and Cheney's new Chief of Staff, David Addington, Cheney presented the case to Sony that they were entitled to keep the software as is, and that, if necessary, the Vice President's office could officially mandate it under provisions in the Patriot Act.
"Cheney believes this could be their biggest breakthrough as to finding sympathizers, to breaking up terror cells."
Cheney's attachment of the Sony spyware to the CIA exemption of torture leads some experts to believe that the CIA is using music as one of the forms of torture in their network of secret prisons, or "black sites", as was disclosed last week by 'The Washington Post'.
President Bush, last week, vehemently stated that the United States "does not torture people", yet the Administration continues to block efforts to ban military and agency use of torture as related to captured, suspected terrorists.
Sony issued a statement that they have no plans to cease using their other formats of antipiracy software and experts watching this case believe they will simply "reformat XCP" so they can continue collecting the information.
The Vice President's office, as well as the White House, refused comment on the Cheney-Sony meeting, or that Sony BMG Music Entertainment has been awarded a "No-Bid" contract from the Hurricane Katrina Relief Program by the administration.
Outgoing Federal Reserve Bank Chairman Alan Greenspan, when asked what advice he could give to his successor, Ben Bernanke, to keep the U.S. economy afloat, answered "a shot of Jameson everyday, around 4PM, and a prayer ... It worked for me"
Top Ten Cloves: Things Overheard At The Federalist Dinner Last Week
9. If the Senate messes with approving Alito, we're going to start the paperwork of taking Harry Reid's house by Eminent Domain
8. With all the judges in here, you'd think they'd rule on getting better food served at this thing
7. Hey look, Harriet showed up … I wonder if she's qualified to have dinner?
6. Nice touch, putting the Constitution on the napkins
5. Oh My God! Robert Bork's here … I'm going to see if he'll autograph my gavel
4. Look at Rove up there … He looks like he's indicted
3. I heard Dick Cheney's going to show up with some CIA people and give a demonstration on how they torture people
2. I liked it when we had Charlton Heston here… It still gets me … "You'll have to take this gavel from my cold, dead hands …"
1. Did you enter Scalia's contest? Whoever writes the brief overturning Roe v Wade gets an automatic appointment to the Court
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Weekend Special - Sautéed Cloves 12 November 2005
Ford Chairman and CEO Bill Ford announced on Friday, that due to sagging sales, he will begin driving a taxi nights to help bolster the company's revenue
Due to a glitch in his college records, the NCAA announced today that Cedric The Entertainer will be eligible for this years' Heisman Trophy award
Apple Computer, in a new promotional campaign, is urging customers to purchase two Video iPods, so they can get "some really awesome stereophonic sounds"
CBS Television announced that, to boost its' ratings for Sweeps Month, CBS News Anchor Bob Schieffer will Mud Wrestle '60 Minutes' commentator CBS Andy Rooney in a Prime Time special later this month
In a stunning move, the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia have signed a deal with the Palestinian Authority that will have former leader Yasser Arafat replacing Juan Valdez as the groups marketing icon
U.S. United Nations Ambassador John Bolton says he's perfected his bullying and intimidation to the point where all he as to do is give someone a "laser stare to scare the jeepers out of them"
Friday, November 11, 2005
Happy Veterans Day! Friday 11 November 2005
Happy Veterans Day!
The Garlic tips its' stem to all the brave, courageous and unselfish men and woman who have given so much to our democracy.
We look forward to the day when this country won't have to produce any more veterans.
Peace!
JTD
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Thursday 10 November 2005
Lobbyist Sought $15M To Introduce Bush To Cheney
New Documents Show Abramoff Peddling Secret Bunker Access, In Concert With Fallen House Leader DeLay
No sooner than a Senate committee investigating Lobbyist Jack Abramoff discovered documents that Abramoff offered Gabon President Omar Bongo an opportunity to meet with President Bush for $9-Million, more information was uncovered that President Bush was approached with the offer to meet Vice President Dick Cheney for $15-Million.
The documents show that Abramoff was responding to a group email, sent by White House Chief of Staff Andy Card, asking staffers and others if they could arrange for the President to meet with Cheney. Abramoff was not on the original distribution of the email. It was forwarded to him by Representative and former House Leader Tom DeLay, with a one-line note instructing Abramoff to "bump up the usual price".
Abramoff then responded to Card, with the $15-Million offer to set up a Bush-Cheney meeting, and added that, "for an additional $5-Million, the President can sit in on a Secret Cabal meeting."
The committee is continuing to review additional documents from Abramoff's files that point to a effort, by Abramoff and DeLay, to sell access to Cheney's Secret Bunker.
"Card and the White House Councilors slammed the door on it," offered a White House operative. "but the President was extremely excited and jumping at the chance to see Cheney's Secret Bunker."
The President and Vice President have not been seen together, or in the same room at the same time since before September 11, 2001.
The offer to President Bongo, leader of the African nation of Gabon, gave instructions to pay the money to GrassRoots Interactive, the small Maryland lobbying company that Abramoff controlled.
Bongo did meet with President Bush, in the Oval Office on May 26, 2004, 10 months after Abramoff made the offer. Nearly $3-Million flowed into Abramoff companies, or companies of Abramoff relatives, from 2003, and up to Bongo's visit.
In the offer to President Bush, Card was instructed to pay the money to, in equal amounts, to both GrassRoots Interactive and
Texans for a Republican Majority (TRMPAC), the Political Action Committee established by DeLay.
In the Abramoff files the Senate Committee is pouring there, they also discovered cryptic emails and message from I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, then the Vice President's Chief of Staff.
Libby was writing to Card, in both emails and memos, that "the rosebuds will soon be opening, if they are properly feed" and "no price is too small to learn the eternal secrets". Both Abramoff and DeLay were blind copied on the messages.
Libby has since resigned from the Vice President's office and is facing five-counts of indictment in the CIA Leak investigation.
A staff member of a Senator looking at the Abramoff information says that "there looks to be a pattern in it."
"There appears to be an attempt to create a program, with an extensive price menu, for access to Vice President Cheney's bunker," said the staffer. "They had notes on how to market this to other world leaders, corporate CEO's, what the expected give-and-take was to be and a commitment from Cheney's office that all transactions would be kept secret."
So far, there is no evidence that the Vice President shared in any of the revenues generated.
Abramoff was once was one of the most powerful lobbyists in Washington, as well as a Republican fund-raiser. He has been indicted in Florida on federal fraud charges and is also under investigation by a federal grand jury in Washington and two Senate committees.
The federal grand jury is looking to charges that Abramoff defrauded a group of Indian tribes, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, for $15-Million in payments made, for lobbying work that Abramoff, and his partner, Michael Scanlon, either overcharged or never performed.
The White House issued a statement, denying that payments were made to meet with the Vice President.
Vice President Cheney's office declined comment on the charges, citing that the Vice President's "business was not up for discussion" and that the office is "concentrated on winning concessions from Capital Hill lawmakers to exempt the CIA from any bans on torture."
The White House Press Office announced today, that due to the creditability of Press Secretary Scott McClellan and the "unrelenting pounding" he has been taking, an automated toy doll will be conducting the White House Briefings "for the foreseeable future".
Top Ten Cloves: How Oil Company Executives Justified High Prices At Senate Hearing Yesterday
9. We've set aside those profits for when President Bush gets those Private Social Security Accounts he's talked about
8. Let's see, we put in a new swimming pool, renovated the game room and did a lot of landscaping at our summer home
7. Did you see how much Jack Abramoff is charging to get access to the President?
6. We don't get two Category 5 hurricanes every year, we've got to exploit that when we can
5. We're a bunch of white guys, in our 50's, how else we going to attract younger woman if we don't have a lot of cash?
4. President Bush used to be an Oil Executive; We're just building up our campaign chests for 2008 in case we run.
3. If you think prices are high now, bust our chops some more and see just how high we can raise them
2. Until Vice President Cheney approves releasing the notes of our Energy Meetings, we can't give you any answers
1. We have to fund our research in renewable, alternative energy sources (sound of roaring laughter followed)
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Wednesday 9 November 2005
Chalabi Visit May Signal New Cabal Meeting
Group Battered By Scandals, Indictment and Torture Probes Looking To Rattle Its' Saber Again
Ahmad Chalabi, the deputy prime minister of Iraq, and former Bush Administration 'Golden Boy', arrived in Washington yesterday, for talks with American officials, and, sources tell The Garlic, to attend a Secret Cabal meeting with, among others, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield.
The former Iraqi exile, who some deride as a modern day Harry Lime, after the corrupt and unscrupulous character of the Graham Greene novel, 'The Third Man', made famous by Orson Wells in a film of the same title, is accused by many as conning the United States into removing Sadam Hussein, of attempting to lead a coup of the new Iraqi government and, currently, is being looked at for passing along intelligence to Iran and Syria.
This has caused an ambivalent relationship with the Bush team.
His visit was coordinated with that of another top Iraqi official, Adel Abdul Mahdi. State Department spokesman Adam Ereli coolly described the occasion as "Ahmad Chalabi is the deputy prime minister of Iraq; he is an official and a representative of the government of Iraq"
'They don't know whether to piss or wind their watches when it comes to Chalabi," offered veteran independent foreign correspondent, Huntley Haverstock Jr.
Haverstock contends that Chalabi coming to the United States, at this time, signals that the Secret Cabal inside the White House is gearing up to meet again.
"They've been thrown off course the past few weeks," says Haverstock. "The disarray in the White House, the scandals and the Libby indictment has caused them to take their eyes of the ball."
Haverstock says the first clue he got as to a new Secret Cabal meeting came with Vice President Dick Cheney seeking an exemption for the CIA when it comes to banning torture.
'Cheney was putting a stake in the ground. He's getting the Cabal refocused and warming them up to rattle the sabers again."
Chalabi is the longtime head of the Iraqi National Congress, an exile group that provided information about Saddam Hussein's suspected weapons programs to the United States. Chalabi was the Bush Administrations first choice to lead the new Iraq, before the State Department, and other agencies and some allies, made charges of corruption, bank fraud, extortion and leaking intelligence.
Perhaps, says Haverstock, as a signal to the Secret Cabal, President Bush, in a stopover in Panama on Monday, on his return from the Latin America summit meetings, defended the Administration, and Military's, record and policies as to detention and interrogation methods in the war on terror. The President said, flat out, that "We do not torture."
'Cheney's likely," said Haverstock, "just bucking up the Neocon's. Whether or not the Congress passes law to ban torture, the CIA has their black site prisons very well established, so they aren't going to close those down anytime soon."
Haverstock reports that rumors are circulating the Bush Administration held a quiet, private reception for Chalabi last evening, attended only by select staff, congressional, Secret Cabal members and wealthy GOP donors.
"They said it was to raise funds for Scooter Libby's defense."
Haverstock said there's also talk that Libby will be a target of a Extraordinary Rendition, perhaps being sent to one of the CIA black sites.
"They're alittle nervous on what this guy might say, if he tries to cut a deal. You can bet that will be on the agenda of the Secret Cabal meeting."
After his stop-over in Panama, President Bush dropped into Cuba, to visit the Guantánamo Detention Camp, to engage in torturing a group of prisoners with his singing and guitar playing of the classic Led Zeppelin tune, "Stairway To Heaven".
Top Ten Cloves: Things Discussed In First Day Of White House Ethics Class
9. Let's put Karen Hughes and Maureen Dowd in a Celebrity Death Match - Who do you think wins?
8. We can still leak classified information after this, right, then deny it and say we took this course, so everything is cool, no?
7. Ms. Miers, Andy Card is charting our answers - Is he going to use what we say in here against us?
6. I'll tell ya, if The President got into a debate, like on the West Wing the other night, none of us would be sitting here now
5. After I get my certificate, I'm going to throw it up on eBay, it will bring in thousands!
4. I have some dirty on the new Supreme Court nominee, anyone want to hear it?
3. Ms. Miers, Karl Rove is scribbling down smears about me
2. If the President comes by with some reporters, these are the questions he'll ask and these are your answers
1. Class, you're doing a helluva a job!
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Tuesday 8 November 2005
Breaking News!
High Court To Hear Tribunal Case, With Extraordinary Secret Measures Taken
Session To Be Closed, In Secret Location; Cheney Office Watching As Friend of the Court
The Supreme Court yesterday agreed to hear and rule on the case of the Bush Administrations military tribunals for captured, accused terrorists and enemy combatants, setting the stage for the fulfillment of the Bush Doctrine, as well as the most significant reach of presidental war powers since World War II.
In a break from traditional court practices, the Justices will conduct the hearing in secret, and at an undisclosed location. The decision, whatever it will be, will not be announced to the public or published. There is, for the first time, a total blackout placed over a Supreme Court case.
"This is truly extraordinary," said Sonny Earl, editor of a Supreme Court newsletter that monitors the court's activities, 'OMIB" ('The Original Men In Black'). "When you look at the spectrum of cases that have come before the court, to go to these lengths, it clearly prejudices the appellent and favors the Bush position."
The case, Hamdan v. Rumsfeld , No. 05-184, is that of Osama bin Laden's former driver, Salim Ahmed Hamdan, who has appealed lower court rulings.
On Nov. 13, 2001, Bush issued a "military order" declaring that panels of military officers would try suspected terrorists for violations of the laws of war.
Hamdan's lawyers have argued that the Geneva Conventions entitles their client to an impartial hearing to determine whether he qualifies as a prisoner of war, and to a court-martial - unless he is found to be an unlawful combatant. Any trials would have to be approved by Congress's express approval, or else, Hamden's attorneys stated, they could be changed and manipulated by the president alone.
Hamdan's tribunal began in August 2004 but was halted by U.S. District Judge James Robertson in Washington. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, including now Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., overturned Robertson in July.
Justice Roberts has recused himself in Hamdan's appeal to the Supreme Court, setting the stage for a possible 4-4 ruling. If that were to occur, the case would revert back to the lower courts' ruling.
Chief Justice Roberts, in a brief statement, would only say that the location of the hearing is "in the United States", and "in an appropriate arena."
Since the announcement, there has been raging speculation, that the case may be hear in Vice President Cheney's Secret Bunker.
"They could be having it there," says Earl. "They have the space, and all the technology and amenities."
The Vice President's office, in, also, a brief statement, denied that the case would be held in the Secret Bunker.
David Addington, Vice President Cheney's new Chief of Staff did say that "The Vice President is watching this case with profound interest."
When questioned, Addington did admit that the Vice President's office will be present at the hearing, as a "special friend to the court."
Cheney, along with Addington the rest of the Vice President's staff is pressing lawmakers on the Hill to exclude the CIA for any torture bans they may be comtemplating.
"Between this secret hearing, and Cheney's efforts to allow the CIA to torture people," said Earl, "Hamdan better hope his lawyers win this case. If he loses, I suspect Cheney's office to write a brief to the court to hand him over - immediately - to the CIA."
In Iraq, the Al-Jazeera TV Network has gotten caught up in 'Sweeps Month' by broadcasting a Muslim-version of 'The Apprentice'.
The Grand Prize for the winning team is that they get to live.
News In Brief 8 November 2005
Vatican Sends Warning To High Court Catholic Majority
Wants Proof No Justices Are Gay; Plans On Sending Delegation To Interview Interns, Past and Present
Should President Bush's nominee, Samuel A. Alito Jr., win approval from the Senate and become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the high court will be comprised of five Roman Catholics, a first in the its' history.
And because of this, the Vatican today fired off a letter to Chief Justice John Roberts, seeking "a guarantee" that none of the Catholic Justices are gay.
Until 1988, there had been no more than two Catholic justices at once.
The Vatican is currently engaged in an all-out effort to rid the Catholic Church of homosexuals. They are putting considerable resources into this effort, including, as first reported by Sautéed Cloves, the weekend edition of 'The Garlic', teams with specially-trained canines that can "sniff out homosexuals, as well as forming a partnership with O.J. Simpson, to merge their two hunts.
The Vatican letter instructs that the Supreme Court is "obliged to respond and return the request information", citing an arcane Catholic Church law from the 1300's.
"The United States Supreme Court," said a Vatican spokesperson, "is a cathedral of justice and we have this law that gives the Vatican total rule over all cathedrals."
Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) said he hopes the Roberts and the Supreme Court will "cooperate" with the Vatican. Santorum has previously stated he supports the Church in their efforts to root out gays.
"I would hope," said Santorum, "that there aren’t any unzipped zippers under those robes."
The Vatican has asked the Supreme Court for complete information on the Catholic Justices, and will be sending representatives to Washington, to collect the information, as well as to interview court interns.
If any information comes out in the investigation that a Supreme Court Justice is gay, the Vatican spokesperson indicated the information would be held "confidential". And if information surfaced that a Justice was an abuser of children, that would be handled discreetly as well.
"We have other churches and office that Justice could be relocated to."
Top Ten Cloves: Things Overheard During The Riots In France
9. I don’t think any Corsicans are involved, there's too much activity, and running around
8. I put the call into Karl Rove; He said, as soon as he gets indicted and resigns, he'll catch the first flight over
7. When do we want to start blaming the Americans for this?
6. See if there's any room in one of the those CIA Black Sites
5. Maybe if we give Jerry Lewis a new award, they'll calm down
4. One of their demands is that we start calling them "Allah Fries"
3. Sir, you got a telegram from President Bush offering his support …"Chirac, you’re doing a helluva job"
2. A wall to keep them out of Paris isn't such a bad idea … The Americans want to put up a wall to keep the Mexicans out
1. When do we want to start blaming Lance Armstrong for this?
Monday, November 07, 2005
Monday 7 November 2005
White House Tension Builds As Bush, Cheney Clash Over Ethics Classes
VP Wants Liddy, Magruder For Scandal Experience; President Believes Miers "Most Qualified" To Conduct Trainings
Signs that there is more tension in the White House surfaced this weekend, in a heated video telephone conference between President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
According to a source close to the administration, Cheney criticized the President for "ambushing him" from South America with the announcement of ordering mandatory Ethic Briefings for all White House staff.
The ethics presentations, beginning this week, will provide "refresher lectures on general ethics rules, including the rules of governing the protection of classified information," according to The Washington Post, who obtained a copy of the memo from a senior White House aide.
An argument ensued as Cheney allegedly told the President that "he'd handle it" and would bring in former Nixon staffers G.Gordon Liddy and Jeb Stuart Magruder to conduct the ethics classes.
President Bush objected to Cheney's suggestion, saying that White House Council Harriet Miers was "the most qualified" person to do the trainings and that he was "sticking by her this time".
"Cheney went ballistic," according to the administration source. 'He was screaming at the President, telling him that he's not interested in nice-nice, but not in those exact words. There were a lot of invectives laced in the conversation."
Cheney, reportedly, angrily told the President to "butt out and let me run this administration" before hanging up on Mr. Bush. Cheney than called White House Chief of Staff Andy Card and lashed into Card over the ethics training.
Card, along with the President and Miers reportedly decided on the ethics courses following the indictment of Cheney's Chief of Staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, while at Camp David last weekend. It was determined in that meeting that Miers's office would conduct the ethics briefings.
Cheney was not briefed by the President, or anyone else in the White House, before Mr. Bush left for the summit in Argentina.
Adding to the discord between the President and Vice President, the administration source says the White House Special Council Karl Rove has reportedly stated he's skip the Miers' training and attend the Liddy-Magruder session.
Rove, it is said, continues to be under investigation by Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald.
"The President is very disappointed with Rove." said the source. "But Rove is, clearly, in the position where he needs to save his behind. He doesn't have time to play around with ethics. He needs to come up with a new strategy to get himself off the hook."
The administration source told The Garlic that it was the Vice President's new Chief of Staff, David Addington, who suggested bringing in Watergate veterans Liddy and Magruder.
'Cheney's not interested in ethics or anything else. He wants to be able to conduct his business, whatever it may be, without questions or oversight. And Addington is the man, step-by-step, making sure he can do that"
Cheney was pleased with the selection of Liddy and Magruder, citing that "we'll have some people that know how to run a covert scandal."
Cheney was said to have also suggested placing another former Nixon aide, John Dean, to the team but was persuaded by Addington to drop Dean, after it became known that Liddy would "kill the bastard with my bare hands" if they were to be in the same room with each other.
Liddy, still, after 30+ years, continues to blame Dean and hold him responsible for the unraveling of the Watergate scandal.
Liddy, working with E. Howard Hunt, headed Nixon's fabled "Plumbers" and organized the break-ins of the Watergate complex, which at the time was the headquarters of the Democratic National Convention, in 1972, and Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office as Ellsberg had leaked the Pentagon Papers.
Liddy was convicted of conspiracy, burglary and illegal wiretapping, and received a 20-year sentence for his role in Watergate. He served four and a half years in prison before his sentence was commuted by President Jimmy Carter.
Magruder, working with H.R. Haldeman, worked as a Nixon aide in a variety of roles, moving from Special Assistant to managing the Committee to Re-elect the President (or CREEP, as it became known). Magruder began cooperating with the prosecutors and was allowed to plead guilty. Watergate Judge John Sirica sentenced Magruder and he served seven months of the sentence in a prison near Allenwood, Pennsylvania for his role in the Watergate burglary and cover-up.
The White House would not comment on the dispute over the ethics classes.
The Vice President's office also declined to comment, citing their focus on getting the CIA exempt from "any legislation" that would bar them from torturing captured terrorists or enemy combatants.
Both Liddy and Magruder would not confirm or deny their discussions with Cheney and Addington, or their roles in conducting any scandal training.
It is possible, according to the source, that the White House staff will receive "two ethics briefings".
"As far as I know, Miers and her staff are planning their program and Cheney isn't backing down from his."
'Too bad they didn't do this a few years ago." offered the administration source. 'Maybe Libby would have come up with a better story, or some other action, so he could have avoided being indicted."
As he awaits trial, former House Leader Tom DeLay has come to agreement with a Japanese firm to conduct his money laundering off-shore, and out of reach of the Texas prosecutor and other U.S. agencies.
Top Ten Cloves: Other CIA Secret Torture Projects
9. Enron (CIA cashed out before stock plunged)
8. The 'WB"
7. The DMV Experience (was illegal up to the Patriot Act)
6. Anna Nicole Smith Press Conferences
5. Pauley Shore movies
4. The iPod Battery (Only consulted on iPod Shuffle)
3. Tucker Carlson (Just "annoying" now but not giving up on the boy)
2. Bill O'Reilly (okay, the entire Fox News Network)
1. Ourselves (Nobody knows what the hell were doing)
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Weekend Special - Sautéed Cloves 5 November 2005
To help pay, for what many say will be a costly defense, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, and his new attorney, Ted Wells, will star in a Broadway production, from a script that Libby wrote, a comtemporary version of 'Mutt and Jeff'
In the third day of the trial, taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada, the tiger, charged with Aggrevated Assault and Attempted Murder, against Roy Horn, of Siegfried and Roy, gave a dynamic demonstration, showing that his intentions were to pick up the fallen Roy and bring him to safety.
If convicted, the tiger may receive a sentence of 7-15-years in other Las Vegas shows.
When asked at a recent United Nations hearing, if the United States actually had the nerve to invade either Syria or Iran, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield made a oblique reference, defiantly answering "Condi's got'em as big as this."
Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice is expected to file Sexual Harrassment charges against Vice President Dick Cheney and National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley for what Rice says is "constant, unwanted leering and sexually suggestive whispers".
The Vatican has increased its hunt for gay priests, now employing teams with specially trained dogs that can "sniff out homosexuals".
At a recent conference, Microsoft Chairman and Founder Bill Gates "scared the shit" out of Bill Clinton, when Gates went into details with the former president on just how far Microsoft intended to go before they were halted by the monoply and anti-trust suits brought on by the government
Friday, November 04, 2005
Friday 4 November 2005
Bush Calls For Color-Coded Pandemic Warning System
With Corruption and Leak Cases Mounting, Administration Needs New Diversions
In a brief question-and-answer session with reporters and other media in Mar del Plate, Argentina, President Bush indicated that he has instructed the Homeland Security Department to begin working on and creating a color-coded Pandemic Warning Chart.
President Bush is at the Argentina resort, attending a gathering of Western Hemisphere leaders. His appearance there has sparked a huge protest, with thousands taking to the streets in what they call a 'People's Summit'.
Following his speech on Tuesday, at the National Institutes of Health, the President said that he is "very worried" about the Avian Bird Flu and that he wants to see that American citizens "have enough information and warning" about the disease.
The President did say that Dick Cheney's Secret Bunker has been "pandemic-proofed" so, should the pandemic hit the United States, "we'll still have a healthy, functioning government".
"We really want to fight this deadly flu over there, and not here," said Bush.
President Bush also admitted that all Cabinet members and most of the White House staff have been guaranteed vaccinations, by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfield, who, before joining the Bush Cabinet, was Chairman of Gliead Sciences, the manufacturer of the Avian Bird Flu vaccination, Tamiflu.
A spokesperson for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff confirmed that the department was working on" something" but could not, or would not provide many details.
'We are talking with Crayola, and some other private color consultants." said the HDS spokesperson. 'The President was very specific that the colors for the Pandemic warnings need to be very different than the color for the terror alerts."
Along with notifying media outlets for reports of elevated Pandemic Alerts, the color-chart will be available, with daily updates at
www.pandemicflu.gov, the new website the President said was created for this issue.
A sources close to the administration claims that the pandemic is "just another cover" for the White House.
"They getting worried, with the court cases piling up," said the source. "They need to create a new diversion."
Hugh P. Varicator, a consultant with the conservative think tank, 'Cry Wolf', agreed.
"The terror alert system just hasn't taken off the way we thought it would," said Varicator. "We don't know if the colors aren't working, or if people are just not listening. It's clearly not providing enough cover for the administration."
'Cry Wolfe' is closely affiliated with The Project for the New American Century (PNAC), and, some say, is actually part of the hawk group.
Another source says that 'Cry Wolf" is a new effort from the White House Iraq Group, or WHIG.
"They've set up an offshoot group," said the White House source. 'It's call PIG, for Pandemic Information Group. It's pretty much made up of the same people, with a few others from HHS and other places involved."
President Bush, when asked, said he was considering putting in place a "Pandemic Czar" but that he hasn't had time to review the list of "donors and cronies" that could fill the position. The President refused comment if Michael Brown, former FEMA Director might take the post.
"I think you'll understand," said the President, with a smirk, "that we want to keep FEMA out of this one."
Both the White House, and Homeland Security, would not comment on reports that the CIA was maintaining a secret system of hospitals, focused on the Avian Bird Flu and its' effects on captured Al Qaeda terrorists.
A new strain of the Avian Bird Flu reportedly gives birds uncanny physical abilities, that includes carrying items over 100-times their weight, the coordination to ride bicycles and operate machinery.
Top Ten Cloves: Things Aaron Brown Is Considering Now That He's Been Ousted From CNN
9. See if NBC's show, "Three Wishes" can give him any help
8. Call Karl Rove and see if he'd be interested in smearing Anderson Cooper
7. Edit resume to higlight he anchored, for days, Sept 11th coverage, and not some little hurricane like Cooper
6. Get his own radio show, syndicated column and let Bush Administration now he's available to promote any of their policies
5. Become a Chicago (ding-a-ling) weatherman
4. Since it seems to be working for Judy Miller's career, see if Special Prosecutor will put him in jail over his notes on CIA Leak
3. Memo: Check with CIA, see if they need some PR help for the secret prison system
2. Look to see if he can catch on with Fox News so he can smear Anderson Cooper himself
1. Apply for FEMA Director's Job; Qualifications aren't any worse then Mike Brown's
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Special Sing-Along: Dick, The Magic Vice Prez
To honor and comemorate the arraignment today of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, The Garlic wants everybody to join in and serenade Scooter with "Dick, The Magic Vice-Prez".
(It goes to the melody of Puff The Magic Dragon)
Dick, The Magic Vice-Prez
Dick, the magic vice-prez, lived in DC
And frolicked in the bottemless pit of Halliburton money
Little Scooter Libby loved that rascal Dick
And brought him leaks with other sneaks and bigger Neocon stuff, oh …
Dick, the magic vice-prez, lived in DC
And frolicked in the bottemless pit of Halliburton money
Dick, the magic vice-prez, lived in DC
And frolicked in the bottemless pit of Halliburton money
Together they would travel, on a jet with secure email
Scooter kept a lookout perched on Dick's gigantic money trail
Noble kings and British PM's would bow whene'er the came
Corporate ships would lower their flag when Dick roared out his name, oh …
Dick, the magic vice-prez, lived in DC
And frolicked in the bottemless pit of Halliburton money
Dick, the magic vice-prez, lived in DC
And frolicked in the bottemless pit of Halliburton money
A vice-prez lives forever, but not so little Scooters
Ugly leaks and oil-rich shieks make way for other ploys
One grey night it happened, Little Scooter came no more
And Dick that magic vice prez, he increased his fearless roar, oh ...
Dick, the magic vice-prez, lived in DC
And frolicked in the bottemless pit of Halliburton money
Dick, the magic vice-prez, lived in DC
And frolicked in the bottemless pit of Halliburton money
His head was cocked like Zorro, greenbacks fell like rain
Dick no longer went to play along that DC lane
Without his life-long friend, Dick could now ride waves
So Dick the magic vice prez, joyfully dug his crtics graves, oh ...
Dick, the magic vice-prez, lived in DC
And frolicked in the bottemless pit of Halliburton money
Dick, the magic vice-prez, lived in DC
And frolicked in the bottemless pit of Halliburton money
Dick, The Magic Vice-Prez wants you to sing his song, loud and proud!
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Wednesday 2 November 2005
Breaking News!
Leak of CIA Covert Prison System May Affect IPO, Franchising Rights
Early Heavy Investment Cools In Wake of Story; North Korea May Trade Nuke Program For Multiple Prisons
The bombshell story in today's 'Washington Post', about a network of covert prisons housing Al Qaeda terrorists that the Central Intelligence Agency has quietly built since September 11th, will only see a temporary bump in its' run-up to the IPO and franchising the agency has planned, say industry traders.
The 'Post' story says that the "hidden global internment network is a central element in the CIA's unconventional war on terrorism. It depends on the cooperation of foreign intelligence services". The network of prisons, or "black sites" spans eight countries, including Thailand, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Afghanistan and several democracies in Eastern Europe.
Officially, the CIA has not even acknowledged the existence of its black sites.
The Bush Administration refused comment on the story, citing "National Security" but, according to a source close to the Vice President's office is contained in "classified documents", in the White House, CIA, Justice Department and "are known to only a handful of officials in the United States and, usually, only to the president and a few top intelligence officers in each host country."
"This is where Libby screwed up," said the senior administration source. "There's plausible deniability now with the Post leak. The Vice President, President, all of them can say they first learned of this from reporters. Libby got his scandals mixed up."
Harold "Ace" Larson, an analyst for the counterintelligence think tank, 'Book'em and Beat'em', said that this was an "new, innovative venture" for the CIA.
"They initially funded these hellholes with Homeland Security funds - you know how they can bury things in those kind of budgets. But the plan, from the beginning was, after getting them established, they would launch an IPO, to continue the funding without any oversight, and offer new black sites on a franchise-basis."
The Washington Post reports in the story that an estimated $100 million was tucked inside the classified annex of the first supplemental Afghanistan appropriation to set up the secret prison network.
Larson said that the abuse scandals at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison and at Guantanamo Bay "almost blew this program open" but that the CIA, and the Administration worked to create a diversion.
"This is where the Wilson's enter," said Larson.
"Sacrificing Wilson and his wife, stonewalling the investigation, not only gave Bush the 2004 election, but it saved the black sites as well."
To make the IPO and Franchising more attractive, says Larson, is why, last month, Vice President Cheney and CIA Director Porter J. Goss asked Congress to exempt CIA employees from legislation already endorsed by 90 senators that would bar cruel and degrading treatment of any prisoner in US custody.
"Just trying to sweeten the offer," said Larson.
Franchise packages for the covert prisons are priced with and without CIA trainers.
Virtually nothing is known about who is kept in the facilities, what interrogation methods are employed with them, or how decisions are made about whether they should be detained or for how long.
CIA interrogators are permitted to use the CIA's approved "Enhanced Interrogation Techniques," some of which are prohibited by the U.N. convention and by US military law.
These tactics include "waterboarding," in which a prisoner is made to believe he or she is drowning, sleep deprivation and putting prisoners in complete isolation from the outside world, often kept in dark cargo containers or underground cells. They have no recognized legal rights
An undisclosed, private Washington D.C. bank is handling the IPO, "likely a CIA front company" said Larson.
"It has the blessing of the Bush Administration. They consider it an element of the privatization philosphy. If you can privatize Social Security, education, other entitlements and government programs, why not privatize torture?"
The leaking of the story to the 'Washington Post' has shown some "slowing" of investors in the upcoming IPO release but Larson indicated that it should only be a "temporary bump".
One of the early investors, and potential franchise owner, is North Korea.
According to the senior administration source, there have been back-channel discussions, throught Vice President Cheney's office and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that a deal could be reached that would give the North Koreans "multiple covert prisons".
"If breaking news hits in the next few weeks or months," said the source, "that North Korea is giving up their Nuclear Program, then you know the black site deal with through."
Former Senator Slade Gorton, a member of the 9/11 Commission, reacts to the news of the secret CIA Prison Systems and calls that the Commission redo its' report from scratch.
Top Ten Cloves: Things Said During the Closed Senate Session On Tuesday
9. When do the bring in the beer and pretzels?
8. Okay, the only square left in the pool is that Libby gets 18-months
7. I can guarantee you Mr. Reid, nobody in here is "Official A"
6. This is an an affront to me personally, our leadership, the American people, my stockbroker and my blind trust!
5. Senator Roberts, you can't tell us again, that you left the paperwork in your other briefcase, back in Kansas!
4. I heard the Gift Bags for this Closed Session are killer - and they have gas coupons!
3. You sure Anna Nicole Smith is going to believe this is a real Senate hearing?
2. Harry, you can keep us in here all week, we just can't override the President, bring back and nominate Harriet Miers
1. Point of Order - Is this really Rule 21 or are the Bush people pulling another terrorist alert?
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Tuesday 1 November 2005
With Damage Already Done, Wilson Fears New Cheney Staff
Says Rove Should Be Fired and Options Open On Suing VP and Libby
Ignoring the calls for a house-cleaning, Vice President Dick Cheney yesterday named two loyal and longtime aides to replace the indicted former Chief of Staff, I. Lewis 'Scooter" Libby.
The Vice President's office said that David S. Addington, formerly Cheney's counsel, would be the new Chief of Staff and, John P. Hannah would become Cheney's new Assistant for National Security. Hannah had been the prinicipal Deputy Assistant to the Vice President for National Security Affairs. Both of these positions had been formerly held by Libby.
Former ambassador, Joseph C. Wilson IV, whose wife Valerie Wilson (nee Plame) was the CIA Agent outed by Libby, Rove and other members of the Bush Administration, indicated he was very "uncomfortable" with the new Cheney staff appointments.
"This is the guy [Addington} that is in favor of torture," said a shaken Wilson.
Addington has aggressively represented the vice president's views throughout the administration, especially on national security issues, and has been a strong advocate of presidential power. Addington has favored the president's power to detain terrorism suspects and to use interrogation techniques that critics say amount to torture.
"This is one of the guys who wrote the book. They've already ruined my wife's life. What happens next - they deem me an enemy combatant and it's lights out."
Last year, Addington worked closely with the vice president in drafting compromise language to make clear that the new national intelligence director could not interfere in the military chain of command. He has also backed the administration's efforts to conduct much of its business behind closed doors, taking a role in the fight over whether Mr. Cheney's energy task force would have to release information about its meetings.
"I've called for a thorough house-cleaning in the vice president's office," said Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), "but what they've done is just rearrange some office furniture.
Appearing on CNN's "The Situation Room" with Wolf Blitzer, Wilson, when asked by Blitzer, confirmed that he and his wife have received threats.
"I won't go into specific threats," said Wilson. "I'll tell you that there have been threats. And as a consequence, we've been working closely with the appropriate law enforcement agencies. We've changed our phone number and taken other security measures."
Blitzer asked Wilson if he was "disappointed" that no one was charged with outing his wife as an undercover CIA agent.
"Well, I think it's important to remember two things. One, he was unable to indict on anything other than the charges because, as he said, his investigation into this was impeded by the obstruction of justice and perjury. And two, as he said, the state's interests were vindicated by the indictments that were handed down. And three, finally, this is not a crime against Joe Wilson or Valerie Wilson, it's a crime against the country, against the national security of the country."
Later, Wilson added that "Karl Rove should be fired".
"I think that this idea that you can, with impunity, call journalists and leak national security information is repugnant."
Wilson would neither confirm or deny that he may file civil lawsuits against Libby, Cheney, and possible others.
"We're keeping all of our options open. There's a very complicated procedure for this, even though the case itself is relatively simple. And we have not come to any decision yet."
Addington and Vice President Cheney declined commenting on Wilson's remarks but did hint that a new file on the Wilson was being opened by the office.
Asked if there were any regrets, a spokesperson for the Vice President's office said "No".
"Next time, we may consider outsourcing the leaks."
Vice President Cheney is reported to hold, for his staff, weekly, "torture stories" in the Vice President's office, often over pizza and beer.
News In Brief 1 November 2005
With New War Room, Bush Calls On Wal-Mart To Join Coalition Forces
Retail Giant 'Could Outfit Millions of Troops"; Military Will Limit Benefits and Consider Waiver For Illegal Workers
After finding out the retail giant Wal-Mart has launched a "war room", President Bush has called on the Bentonville, Arkansas company to join with the coalition fighting terrorism and waging the war to free Iraq.
White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, answering one of the few questions that White House Council would allow him, confirmed that the President called Wal-Mart CEO H. Lee Scott Jr. to make the request.
"I can't go into detail," said McClellan. "We don't know yet if anyone in the investigation has shopped at Wal-Mart and we don’t want to compromise the integrity of the matter."
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield was buoyed and optimistic about adding Wal-Mart to the Coalition force.
"Heavens, they could bring hundreds-of-thousands of new soldiers … Full-Time, Part-Time, we'll fit them in there alright."
Rumsfield said he hasn't seen the final proposal but indicated the U.S. Military is prepared to make concessions in order to gain Wal-Mart's support.
"We can maintain low or no benefits," said Rumsfield, "And, we can file waivers for all their undocumented workers."
Wal-Mart opened its' "war room", staffed by veterans of the 2004 Bush and Kerry presidential campaigns, to sell a new, improved image to reluctant consumers. Wal-Mart faces declining growth and an expected backlash to the new documentary opening, "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" by director Robert Greenwald.
To keep up with its critics, Wal-Mart "has to run a campaign," said Robert McAdam, a former political strategist at the Tobacco Institute who now oversees Wal-Mart's corporate communications.
Members of the new "war room" include Michael K. Deaver, who was Ronald Reagan's Assistant and Deputy Chief of Staff, and Leslie Dach, one of Bill Clinton's media consultants.
Unconfirmed rumors are being reported that, in Iraq, a growing number petitions have been started to keep Wal-Mart Coalition forces out of their towns and cities.
Top Ten Cloves: How The White House Celebrated Halloween
9. All the chips and dip were in Tupperware bowls provided by Karen Hughes
8. Tucker Carlson came as Tucker Carlson, with his bow tie twirling like a propeller
7. Pumpkins were carved in the likeness of Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald
6. Dick Cheney attended, but via satellite from his secret bunker
5. Brought up a group of detainees from Gitmo and had them, blindfolded and handcuffed, bob for apples
4. Karl Rove came to party as Karl Rove and scared the bejeezes out of everybody
3. For real spooky stuff, FBI files on Democratic Leadership was read aloud
2. President Bush got to wear is full Cowboy suit, complete with cap six-shooters
1. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice came dressed as Iraq Constitution and everybody "approved" her
Monday, October 31, 2005
Monday 31 October 2005
Cheney Reportedly Takes Blame For Libby Charges
"Didn't Set Up Fall Guy", Says Disheartened VP; Hopes There's Time 'To Fix This".
A senior administration source told The Garlic that Vice President Dick Cheney spent the weekend "agonizing" over the indictment of his Chief of Staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby and took responsibility for it happening.
Cheney, reportedly, said over, and over, that it was "his fault".
In a heavily somber conversation, the senior aide said, Cheney was "going off on tangents", alternately blaming the Special Prosecutor and liberals, and, at other times, pointing the finger at himself.
"He was all over the place", said the source. "He didn't weep or sob but he was clearly depressed."
In his wide-ranging rant, Cheney admitted that "I didn't set up a fall guy" and is said to have mentioned that "Scooter didn't have to do this" and that "Scooter is taking a mighty big one for the team".
On Friday, Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald leveled five counts of indictment against Libby, for perjury, obstruction of justice and making false statements during Fitzgerald's investigation to the leaking and revelation of the identity of CIA Agent Valerie Plame.
During Fitzgerald's investigation, it was learned that Libby first heard about Valerie Plame from his boss, Vice President Cheney, who was making his own inquiries to the CIA about Plame's husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, who has been an outspoken critic of Cheney and the Bush Administrations run-up to the reasons for invading Iraq.
Cheney's compassion for Libby is at odds with reports, that in the weeks leading up to the indictments, Cheney and Libby were arguing and fighting over the potential defense, should an indictment come.
Libby was hoping to plead "Nolo Contendere" and Cheney squashed that strategy, reserving that defense should Cheney also be indicted.
The White House had no comment on Cheney's alleged remarks about Libby. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said that, while the President spend the weekend at Camp David, "we have no idea what the Vice President was doing or where he was doing it."
On Friday, Cheney was in Georgia, appearing at a $250-a-plate fund-raiser for former Rep. Max Burns, and later attended a rally for airmen at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Ga., and then on to hold a reception in Perry, Ga., for former Congressman Mac Collins
Cheney released a written statement, saying he accepted Libby's resignation with "deep regret" and cited Libby as "one of the most capable and talented individuals I have ever known"
"In our system of government an accused person is presumed innocent until a contrary finding is made by a jury after an opportunity to answer the charges and a full airing of the facts. Mr. Libby is entitled to that opportunity
Cheney added that "because this is a pending legal proceeding, in fairness to all those involved, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the charges or on any facts relating to the proceeding."
It is not clear from the senior administration official if Cheney has plans to come forward, or to speak with the Special Prosecutor.
"I'm sure they'll address that at the next secret cabal meeting," said the aide. "Right now it's not a conspiracy and I'm pretty confident that want to keep it that way."
Bush staffers Scott McClellan, Karen Hughes and Karl Rove set off for their Halloween outing of 'Trick-or-Treating' in Georgetown, disguised as innocent and capable government officials.
Early reports say that they've scared "the bejeezes" out of neighbors and passerbys.
News In Brief 31 October 2005
White House Sets Mark With No Terror Alert During Indictments
Libby's Bad News Passes Without Fear Package; Homeland Security Looks Into Missed Opportunity
As Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald held a press conference on Friday, outlining the five counts of indictment against Vice President Dick Cheney's Chief of Staff, I. Lewis 'Scooter" Libby, the nation remained calm, with no change in the terror alert, or fear-invoking news of any imminent attacks.
For journalists and media watchers, it was, perhaps, the first time since 9/11 that such an occurrence has happened.
"It goes to show just how much the White House is in disarray," offered media critic, Maxwell Throckmorton, of the monthly "We're Watching!".
President Bush as in Norfolk, Virginia, giving his standard Defending The War In Iraq/Terror speech to a group of naval cadets. Vice President Cheney was in Georgia, fundraising for Republican candidates and Karl Rove was likely as far away from Washington - and the Special Prosecutor - as he could be.
"Someone fell asleep at the switch", offered Throckmorton.
Recently, Keith Olbermann, host of MSNBC's 'Countdown' news program, read off a list of 13 occurrences in which bad news for the Bush Administration coincided with the change in the terror alert, or news of a dangerous threat.
On October 6th, a day when the special prosecutor said he could not guarantee he would not indict Karl Rove, the news of a planned attack against the New York Subway system was announced (and later proved coming from a unreliable source). Olbermann, with guest Craig Crawford, author of "Attack the Messenger", went through the list of 13 incidents of "news that significantly impacted the White House negatively, there has been some sudden credible terror threat somewhere in this country".
Crawford noted that "it is a pattern".
"There is a pattern here. And I think it's difficult sometimes to take it at face value. But in these moments, when it looks like a crisis, it's … those of us who bring it up get accused of treason. That's what Howard Dean was accused of when he raised that after the Democratic Convention scare alert."
"This administration have been real pro's at this. They've done it like clockwork." offered Throckmorton. "It's inexplicable how they missed this one."
White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, when asked about why there was no terror alert on Friday, declined comment, referring the questioner to Homeland Security.
A spokesperson for Homeland Security issued a statement late on Friday, that read, in part;
"An alert should have been issued and we are endeavoring to see it the threat is still viable".
Both McClellan and Homeland Security refused comment if there will be future terror alerts should Special Prosecutor Fitzgerald hand-down further indictments.
Top Ten Cloves: How President Bush Spent His Weekend At Camp David
9. Made a dent in all the DVD's his staff prepared so he could catch up on what was happening in the news
8. Called Bill Frist to get some new, fresh stock tips
7. Heard about Hurricane Beta and worried if FEMA was going to screw that one up too
6. Looked over his "Who's Going To Piss Off The Democrats" Supreme Court Nominee list
5. Practiced, over-and-over, saying "Who is this Libby guy?"
4. Had Andy Card contact Ashton Kutcher to see if he could "Punk" this Special Prosecutor fellow
3. Called Dick Cheney and inquired who was this Valerie Plame woman and why all the fuss over her
2. Asked Karl Rove, on the "QT" to start preparing some smears on Dick Cheney
1. Kept having staff explain this "moving clocks back" thing; Thought it was "Spring Back/Fall Forward"
