February 23, 2002
Presidents as Liars:
Expediency as Harbinger

"Government officials, the Department of Defense, this secretary, and the people that work with me, tell the American people, and the people of the world, the truth. And to the extent anyone says anything that at any time proves to have been not accurate, they correct it at the earliest possible opportunity." ~Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, impromptu remark to reporter question at the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, 20feb02

Search for ten Marines lost into the sea in the Philippines continues. Flying at night, they left their 106th Regiment operations area and went down without report of hostile fire. Three bodies have been recovered as the search continues. The unit is assisting the Filipino army training against rebel terrorist in the area.

There are many instances of lying and liars of late...
First, the quote from Rumsfled was prompted by an article in the NY Times that reported an obscure new agency in the DODefence was in the business of placing untrue, fabricated information (disinformation) as part of the War On Terrorism effort. You can believe it because he said it, right?
The Shrub, before taking a week-long trip to the Far East, had decided to recommend Yucca Mountain in Nevada as the final repository of America's growing nuclear waste. He had, in the run for election, realized that Nevada may hold a key to success; prompting ads that promised no recommendation "without sound science" behind the choice. The "science" since this has not been good; in face, several reports have been made public that decry Yucca Mountain as a suitable choice, letting aside the obvious terrorist target nuclear waste will become as it is transported to the site.
Once in Japan, The Shrub made certain to endorse the economic programs designed to lift their economy from its present doldrums. Many commentators delineated his remarks as little more than lies; the Japanese have dug themselves a very deep hole. The only certainty is that the Democrats will be blamed by the Republicans when this critical trading partner faces even deeper recession.
Moving on to Korea, The Shrub did everything he could to erase his State of the Union address naming of North Korea as an Axis of Evil short of apology. He endorsed the Sunshine Policy that brought Korean President Kim Dae Jung the Nobel Peace Prize, with a halfhearted remark promising to "not invade" (the North).
In China, the remark regarded military help in the War on Terrorism. The Shrub thanked Jiang Zemin and People's Republic for their critical assistance; in face, there has been little, if any. Indeed, Jaing was embarrassed by reporter questions regarding recent suppression of region in China. In sum, the trip was a net loss; expensive in its revelation of The Shrub as inept speaker and ineffective politician.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Government Accounting Office (GAO) has filed suit to force President2 Dick Ed Cheney to reveal details of meetings held while formulating the National Energy Policy. This legal action has never happened before. It regards the legalities of a separate agency powers to force any of the three Constitutional divisions of government to reveal information necessary to them (the GAO) in meeting their administrative obligations. The question will take considerable time to resolve, unless the "Shrub administration" has sense enough to reveal what is being asked without further comment. As Enron, the failed Texas energy trading interest, both attended the meetings in question and contributed cash to campaigns of many of the Congressional investigators, resolution of this situation may take a Supreme Court decision before resolve is defined.

The murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl tips the iceberg of hate in that region. The added tragedy of his wife's late-term pregnancy magnifies the senseless inhumanity of this act. It may have happened weeks ago; as the perpetrators seemed intent on making impossible demands, without an alternative means to end his capture. A videotape recording of his murder is said to be too gruesome to be released; meaning, a certainty of there being an underground marketing effort of this horror.

Jonas Savimbi, the leader of Angola's UNITA rebels, was killed and his body was displayed by the present government. A rebel leader for 30 years, Savimbi culled support from South Africa and US as an anti-Communist, although an affirmed Marxist initially. It is unclear if his death will end the long civil war in the southern African nation. This brings another question regarding when terrorists transcend to actual combatants.

The DOState has designated Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe as persona non grata due to his heavyhanded admisistration of coming elections. The European Union has already placed sanctions, which are being reviewed by this country.

Units from the Columbian military have begun bombing jungle locations where rebel FARQ forces are thought to be located. Peace talks between the beligerants have broken off following weeks of impasse.
The War on Drugs has recently taken a backseat to the War on Terrorism.
ABC News presented a feature showing new poppyfields being planted as farmers search for a cash crop. This is in the face of statements by interrum Afghan President Hamid Karzai outlawing the practice.

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