here's another editorial on the matter:
Access denied
A Register-Guard Editorial
Published: Monday, July 23, 2007If the Bush administration wanted to fuel conspiracy theories about its classified plan for maintaining governmental control in the wake of an apocalyptic terror attack, it could not have come up with a better strategy than refusing to let Congressman Peter DeFazio examine it.
The Oregon Democrat recently requested permission to enter a secure "bubbleroom" in the Capitol and examine the secret White House plan. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, DeFazio has the requisite security clearance - and a compelling rationale for reviewing the documents.
Last Wednesday, DeFazio received word that his request had been denied. Through Homeland Security Committee staffers, he learned the White House had initially granted his request, but that it later was rejected. There was no explanation of why - and no word about who made the final decision.
Bush administration spokesman Trey Bohn refused to shed any light. "It is important to keep in mind that much of the information related to the continuity of government is highly sensitive," he said.
Ummm, yes. That's why there are established procedures to make certain that only those members of Congress with the proper security clearance see classified documents. DeFazio has such clearance and has used it numerous times to gain access to sensitive materials. Until Wednesday, he had never been denied permission.
It's difficult to think of any reasonable explanation why any member of Congress should not be able to review this plan. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, DeFazio's case for access is simply beyond any doubt.
The plan is intended to maintain governmental control in the wake of terrorist attacks, or an overwhelming natural disaster, in the United States. It reportedly envisions 15 crisis scenarios, and shifts doomsday planning for the first time from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to officials inside the White House.
Not surprisingly, the plan has generated plenty of buzz among both legal scholars and conspiracy-minded bloggers on the Internet. Given the Bush administration's penchant for secrecy and history of favoring the steady expansion of presidential powers, some have suggested the policy may be written in such a manner that makes it too easy to invoke presidential powers such as martial law.
By denying DeFazio's reasonable request to view these documents, the White House has done much to encourage and nothing to quell such speculation. The administration would be wise to reverse its decision and allow DeFazio, or any other member of Congress with the required clearance, full and immediate access.
If the White House doesn't do so, the American public is left with this unsettling thought from Congressman DeFazio: "Maybe the people who think there's a conspiracy out there are right."
http://www.registerguard.com/news/2007/07/23/ed.edit.defazio.phn.0723.p1.php?section=opinion
what annoys me is how the mainstream media hasnt even touched the issue yet.
Originally posted by Schecter
here's another editorial on the matter:http://www.registerguard.com/news/2007/07/23/ed.edit.defazio.phn.0723.p1.php?section=opinion
what annoys me is how the mainstream media hasnt even touched the issue yet.
as you said...the mainstream media is too busy covering idiotic issues like Paris Hilton and the Beckhams moving to LA
it may well be just petty party politics given that he is a democrat. i'm sure the refusing of a democrat to see anything, by a republican goes down well in the republican heartland
Originally posted by Robtard
So, what are they "up to"? Don't leave me hanging; I have zero patience for cliffhangers like that!
I guess you have a short memory and don't follow any news.
Ignorance, the shield of religion, the smoke screen of 'racism' (Islam is a religion not a race, and if you think differently please describe what this 'race' looks like) and the laughable PC, self loathing Westerner mindset are all these dark ages dwelling nutters need. Congratulations.
Originally posted by Schecter
"you're either with us, or you're with the terrorists"
I never said that.
But self-loathing hypocrites like you (I don't see you leaving this fetid, evil, America of yours to live in the beauty and tolerence of Iran, Pakistan or Suadi though do I?) moan and whine at your own coutry, leaders and culture while staying very quiet about countries, leaders and cultures a hell of a lot worse. Places you'd never want to wake up in!
Bush is a bible thumping hick moron...I can say that because I also see the masses of non-Western, non-American leaders and religious cultures for the fetid pits of slime they are too. I'm no PC, self-loathing hypocrite that people like you are.
I see the faults in our systems, but their still the best damn systems around and YOU can thank you lucky stars you live in the protection and freedom of those systems.
Mock America all you want, mock the West all you want, even mock Christianity all you want!
But America/The West does not ban all other religions like Saudi does.
It does not burn down a dozen mosques on it's land like the dozen churches a year we see burnt in Pakistan.
It does execute homosexuals on the white House lawn.
It does not behead teachers who dare to teach girls like we see in Afghanistan.
It does not blow holes in the back of 70 year old Nuns because of some supposed insult.
It does not culturally and legally approve of fathers murdering their own daughters who've dared to fall in love with the wrong man.
It does not shoot school girls for going to school (if their are any teachers left that is) as we see in Afganistan.
It does not execute converts in Buckingham Palace.
It does not beat women in the street and arrest them, that we routinely see in Malaysia, for showing to much ankle.
It does not rape and torture women who dare to uncover their hair or hold down a job.
But if you truly hate yourself and your country so much then feel free to experience the wonders of any Islamic state of your choosing.
If not, you need to see the faults in your own systems but at the same time see that things could be a lot worse and to also have the guts to openly state that other countries, cultures and religions are a hell of a lot worse!
Anything else is self-hating, PC, hypocrisy.
Originally posted by 42ndStreetFreak
I never said that.
But self-loathing hypocrites like you (I don't see you leaving this fetid, evil, America of yours to live in the beauty and tolerence of Iran, Pakistan or Suadi though do I?) moan and whine at your own coutry, leaders and culture while staying very quiet about countries, leaders and cultures a hell of a lot worse. Places you'd never want to wake up in!Bush is a bible thumping hick moron...I can say that because I also see the masses of non-Western, non-American leaders and religious cultures for the fetid pits of slime they are too. I'm no PC, self-loathing hypocrite that people like you are.
I see the faults in our systems, but their still the best damn systems around and YOU can thank you lucky stars you live in the protection and freedom of those systems.
Mock America all you want, mock the West all you want, even mock Christianity all you want!But America/The West does not ban all other religions like Saudi does.
It does not burn down a dozen mosques on it's land like the dozen churches a year we see burnt in Pakistan.
It does execute homosexuals on the white House lawn.
It does not behead teachers who dare to teach girls like we see in Afghanistan.
It does not blow holes in the back of 70 year old Nuns because of some supposed insult.
It does not culturally and legally approve of fathers murdering their own daughters who've dared to fall in love with the wrong man.
It does not shoot school girls for going to school (if their are any teachers left that is) as we see in Afganistan.
It does not execute converts in Buckingham Palace.
It does not beat women in the street and arrest them, that we routinely see in Malaysia, for showing to much ankle.
It does not rape and torture women who dare to uncover their hair or hold down a job.
But if you truly hate yourself and your country so much then feel free to experience the wonders of any Islamic state of your choosing.
If not, you need to see the faults in your own systems but at the same time see that things could be a lot worse and to also have the guts to openly state that other countries, cultures and religions are a hell of a lot worse!
Anything else is self-hating, PC, hypocrisy.
strawman bashing and false dilemma. thats your whole argument. read the topic, comprehend, and process these thoughts into something worth considering. you know what? nevermind. you just stick with your topic-irrelevant left-hating baseless rhetoric and obvious anti-islam agenda and ill ignore you. sound like a plan?
I guess that means you can't actually counter anything I said.
Or any of the points I raised to compare America/The West with Islam.
It's alway the way with laughable, self-loathing, hypocrites. They ultimtly see how stupid they are but are too stuck in their rigid self-hate and PC mire to admit it.
The fact is creeps like you hate Bush more than you would ever hate the rabid Islamists that massacred thoudands of your people in the heart of your major, most iconic city and took out a cultural landmark while they were at it.
Purely because they were non-white, non-Western, non-American and followed a (to you) ethnic minority religion And all that means they have your instant respect. At least compared to anyone else.
And yet you still breath the free air you routinely spit at. The irony.
Originally posted by 42ndStreetFreak
But if you truly hate yourself and your country so much then feel free to experience the wonders of any Islamic state of your choosing.
Whats wrong with Qatar? or UAE? Egypt? Turkey? While not perfect, most of these nations are post-islamic secular staes that are still heavily religious...
it seems you have confused "Extremeism" with "religion"
which is inexcuseable in a conversation like this
Happens all the time in America this to Muslims. Or not.
Anger over Pakistan’s blasphemy laws
Wednesday, 25th July 2007. 4:32pm
Amnesty International today launched an appeal for a Christian man, one among many in Pakistan facing the death penalty under the country’s blasphemy laws.
After Younis Masih was sentenced to death his family began receiving death threats, forcing them into hiding. Today Amnesty said they believe he is being prosecuted ‘because he is a member of a minority faith’.
They called on the Pakistani government to release him immediately and to abolish all laws ‘which violate the rights to freedom of opinion and expression.’
From 'The Telegraph'
Happens to American/Christian school kids all the time this. Or not.
Schoolboy guilty of terrorism offences
Last Updated: 2:25am BST 26/07/2007
A schoolboy who ran away from home to become a Muslim martyr and three students who recruited him are facing jail after a jury found them guilty of terrorism offences.
Mohammed Irfan Raja was supposed to be on his way to school in Essex when he ran away to join a group of radicalised students in Bradford.
Mohammed Irfan Raja, convicted of having materials for terrorism, schoolboy guilty of terrorism offences
Mohammed Irfan Raja, 18, is facing jail after being convicted of having materials for terrorism
Raja, from Ilford, who was then 17, caught a bus to West Yorkshire as part of a plan to travel to Pakistan for terrorist training.
He left his parents a note which said: "If not in this (world) we will meet in the Garden of Paradise, Inshallah [God willing].
"The situation is such that you will live another 30 years, maybe 40 years. When death will befall you, maybe then you will appreciate what I have done now." A "PS" added that he was going abroad.
Raja's distraught parents called the police in February last year.
Yesterday Raja and three others were found guilty of possessing articles useful for terrorism after a three-month trial at the Old Bailey."""
Originally posted by 42ndStreetFreak
I never said that.
But self-loathing hypocrites like you (I don't see you leaving this fetid, evil, America of yours to live in the beauty and tolerence of Iran, Pakistan or Suadi though do I?) moan and whine at your own coutry, leaders and culture while staying very quiet about countries, leaders and cultures a hell of a lot worse. Places you'd never want to wake up in!Bush is a bible thumping hick moron...I can say that because I also see the masses of non-Western, non-American leaders and religious cultures for the fetid pits of slime they are too. I'm no PC, self-loathing hypocrite that people like you are.
I see the faults in our systems, but their still the best damn systems around and YOU can thank you lucky stars you live in the protection and freedom of those systems.
Mock America all you want, mock the West all you want, even mock Christianity all you want!But America/The West does not ban all other religions like Saudi does.
It does not burn down a dozen mosques on it's land like the dozen churches a year we see burnt in Pakistan.
It does execute homosexuals on the white House lawn.
It does not behead teachers who dare to teach girls like we see in Afghanistan.
It does not blow holes in the back of 70 year old Nuns because of some supposed insult.
It does not culturally and legally approve of fathers murdering their own daughters who've dared to fall in love with the wrong man.
It does not shoot school girls for going to school (if their are any teachers left that is) as we see in Afganistan.
It does not execute converts in Buckingham Palace.
It does not beat women in the street and arrest them, that we routinely see in Malaysia, for showing to much ankle.
It does not rape and torture women who dare to uncover their hair or hold down a job.
But if you truly hate yourself and your country so much then feel free to experience the wonders of any Islamic state of your choosing.
If not, you need to see the faults in your own systems but at the same time see that things could be a lot worse and to also have the guts to openly state that other countries, cultures and religions are a hell of a lot worse!
Anything else is self-hating, PC, hypocrisy.
Just wondering, have you ever thought about how those regions got that way?
Ummm yeah...