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former heads of the CIA should never, ever again become president. (Original Post) spanone Sep 2014 OP
Dealio! ~nt~ 99th_Monkey Sep 2014 #1
once may have been too many spanone Sep 2014 #15
That was one of the biggest mistakes in American history malaise Sep 2014 #2
malaise, not funny at all how little things have changed. n/t saidsimplesimon Sep 2014 #46
His famous comment Aerows Sep 2014 #56
hmm, what about G.H.W.Bush? wasn't he director of CIA for a year? n/t deafskeptic Sep 2014 #3
Look up ^^^^^^^^^ BrotherIvan Sep 2014 #4
Who do you think is in that photo? malaise Sep 2014 #5
ooooops. I can't recognize people. I'm faceblind. deafskeptic Sep 2014 #6
So right clink the image and malaise Sep 2014 #7
that didn't work unless u wanted me to down load it. deafskeptic Sep 2014 #8
ok, it worked after all. I'll have to remember this trick in the future. n/t deafskeptic Sep 2014 #9
True. Even remembering that didn't help me at first. deafskeptic Sep 2014 #17
I did it before I suggested that you do the same malaise Sep 2014 #11
Post removed Post removed Sep 2014 #47
This is a pet peeve of mine on DU drmeow Sep 2014 #36
I understand, but in this case the subject line itself was a clear identification, scarletwoman Sep 2014 #38
Some of us didn't know that drmeow Sep 2014 #54
Wow. I can't understand how people could not know that - but, okay. scarletwoman Sep 2014 #58
You are not getting my point drmeow Sep 2014 #64
Please accept my apology. scarletwoman Sep 2014 #65
Wow, impressed to see an apology dreamnightwind Sep 2014 #71
Very gracious. Feral Child Sep 2014 #86
Accepted drmeow Sep 2014 #90
Thank you. scarletwoman Sep 2014 #91
... drmeow Sep 2014 #93
No need to be so aggressive to a well respected DUer malaise Sep 2014 #80
Well, I wasn't being very helpful or friendly, either. scarletwoman Sep 2014 #81
Lack of knowledge about George HW Bush's biography has zilch to do with the state of our country Hippo_Tron Sep 2014 #69
Not exactly.... CanSocDem Sep 2014 #85
+ 1000 and then some. 7wo7rees Sep 2014 #74
People are just plain lazy today.. busterbrown Sep 2014 #76
Kicked and recommended! The architect of Iran—Contra. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #10
Wasn't he the architect behind Iran not freeing the hostages malaise Sep 2014 #12
he was also... smiley Sep 2014 #13
That's what I understand. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #16
THE worst! southerncrone Sep 2014 #72
Though he - unlike everyone else is America - can't recall SomeGuyInEagan Sep 2014 #34
So were a lot of people YoungDemCA Sep 2014 #45
yet and he can't recall where he was that day. smiley Sep 2014 #79
I was a little pre-schooler back then Art_from_Ark Sep 2014 #94
He had to be. He was the only one with the necessary contacts. They kept his name out of it. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #14
I think that's a wise policy. :P n/t deafskeptic Sep 2014 #18
As an retired employee of the State Dept put it... BobTheSubgenius Sep 2014 #21
President Obama might disagree. former9thward Sep 2014 #19
he may, we don't agree on everything. spanone Sep 2014 #20
The way I see it, there are 3 possible explanations for Obama's behavior: scarletwoman Sep 2014 #22
or it is the old rule demigoddess Sep 2014 #26
Giving Bush I the Medal of Freedom goes quite a bit beyond not saying "anything nasty", imo. (nt) scarletwoman Sep 2014 #28
My alternative explanation sanatanadharma Sep 2014 #33
Johnson and GHW Bush didn't need the briefing because they already knew. scarletwoman Sep 2014 #35
Re #2, anyone served up as a party candidate MUST know what they're getting into valerief Sep 2014 #61
Thank you for your take on this. Imo, both #1 & #3 are rather damning, whichever one is the case. scarletwoman Sep 2014 #63
Yes, and I actually find #1 hard to swallow, so that leaves only #3. To play the game, valerief Sep 2014 #66
I guess I'd prefer #1 - either too naive to grok how things actually worked, or thinking he could scarletwoman Sep 2014 #67
I tend to think anyone who makes it to the high ranks is #3. valerief Sep 2014 #70
I suspect you have it right. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #77
and they just need to scare you with anthrax to keep you in place valerief Sep 2014 #88
Apparently that is true. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #89
cue George Carlin grasswire Sep 2014 #24
I so miss him ... former9thward Sep 2014 #29
I'm certain that it is a sensitive subject. Aerows Sep 2014 #57
Obama and I have different opinions on some things... SomethingFishy Sep 2014 #60
Not to mention former members of congress or the senate whos only goal is making cstanleytech Sep 2014 #23
Given my choice of Republican Presidents since Eisenhower, Bush I is not bad. FlatStanley Sep 2014 #25
Or even Vice President! mountain grammy Sep 2014 #27
Wow. I never saw much facial resemblance between him and W before, but tblue37 Sep 2014 #30
I suspect that it's more of a "family pole," in the Bush's case... Scootaloo Sep 2014 #40
Especially those who were in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. Octafish Sep 2014 #31
Thanks, Octafish... ReRe Sep 2014 #52
No more Bushes, either! Major Hogwash Sep 2014 #73
Former heads of the CIA should never, ever be contracted for "terrorist surveillance." OnyxCollie Sep 2014 #32
So this is how we operate now? Legalequilibrium78 Sep 2014 #37
This is how "we" have operated since the founding of the CIA nationalize the fed Sep 2014 #41
Who is this "we" you speak of? Speak for yourself. scarletwoman Sep 2014 #42
'much maligned cia' spanone Sep 2014 #43
Seriously? you don't understand the context of that speech? Legalequilibrium78 Sep 2014 #49
naw, we're idjits just like the 'other guys'. spanone Sep 2014 #51
"when we are successful.. and we will be.." Voice for Peace Sep 2014 #50
Do you think George HW Bush was a good president? ProudToBeBlueInRhody Sep 2014 #59
Just because I happen to take a less adversarial position Legalequilibrium78 Sep 2014 #62
I'm telling you if you can't stand people bashing Republicans, you should leave ProudToBeBlueInRhody Sep 2014 #68
How do we elevate the discourse? By continuing to do what we have always done, tell the TRUTH. sabrina 1 Sep 2014 #75
"...so that I maybe able to learn amongst you" Well, this is one of those opportunities to learn. scarletwoman Sep 2014 #78
''Learn amongst you.'' Octafish Sep 2014 #84
Heh. scarletwoman Sep 2014 #92
I don't believe Feral Child Sep 2014 #87
Here's how Poppy operates. Octafish Sep 2014 #82
Right. Those humanist liberal CIA folks were just "patriots and under a lot of pressure". Tierra_y_Libertad Sep 2014 #97
Or their children n/t Spirochete Sep 2014 #39
And anti-intellectual, anti-historical conspiracy theories... YoungDemCA Sep 2014 #44
What a professor of criminology said... Octafish Sep 2014 #83
Sinister. Voice for Peace Sep 2014 #48
Or MIC profiteers moondust Sep 2014 #53
Nor should members of the CIA Aerows Sep 2014 #55
Never ever fucking again! lonestarnot Sep 2014 #95
No. But, they would make swell inmates in a prison. Tierra_y_Libertad Sep 2014 #96

malaise

(269,054 posts)
2. That was one of the biggest mistakes in American history
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 07:17 PM
Sep 2014

Funny how quickly it happened after Nixon was sent packing. The unelected Gerald Ford must never be forgiven for that appointment.

deafskeptic

(463 posts)
8. that didn't work unless u wanted me to down load it.
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 07:51 PM
Sep 2014

I was hoping someone would tag his name. No such luck.

deafskeptic

(463 posts)
17. True. Even remembering that didn't help me at first.
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:03 PM
Sep 2014

I was thinking did I miss something? Who else was in the CIA?

malaise

(269,054 posts)
11. I did it before I suggested that you do the same
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 07:53 PM
Sep 2014

I knew that Bush was the only CIA head who became President.

Response to deafskeptic (Reply #6)

drmeow

(5,020 posts)
36. This is a pet peeve of mine on DU
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:59 PM
Sep 2014

Photos should be captioned with the name of the person. Not everyone recognizes faces and why should I have to right click and look at image info to figure out who someone is. I usually just shrug and ignore posts with unidentified photos - there are plenty of other posts on DU to read - but that doesn't stop it from being a pet peeve.

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
38. I understand, but in this case the subject line itself was a clear identification,
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 09:07 PM
Sep 2014

since there's only ever been one president who was a former head of the CIA.

drmeow

(5,020 posts)
54. Some of us didn't know that
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 11:02 PM
Sep 2014

And most photos posted without identification make the assumption that something is known by everyone when it often is not.

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
58. Wow. I can't understand how people could not know that - but, okay.
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 11:16 PM
Sep 2014

No wonder our country is in such bad shape when people don't know even recent political history.

Sorry, I mean no offense to you personally, but your post really saddens me.

drmeow

(5,020 posts)
64. You are not getting my point
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 12:21 AM
Sep 2014

Regardless of the insult (cause it never occurred to you that someone might not be sure if GHWB was the ONLY CIA head to become President - because apparently you've memorized every past job of every President of the US). What shocked you - your FALSE assumption that I didn't know that GHWB had been the head of the CIA or the fact that I wasn't sure if he had been the ONLY head of the CIA? What level of ignorance did you just assume I had?

Think about it this way - maybe I knew that GHWB had been the former head of the CIA but I'm really bad at facial recognition. I'm always learning new things at DU so when I see the post and don't know who the picture is I think, "Wait, was there another President who was the former head of the CIA?"

SOME of us are open to and comfortable with learning new things at DU and are comfortable with and open to having our existing knowledge challenged at DU so when someone posts something we're not sure about, we DON'T automatically assume our knowledge is complete.

Quite frankly, I find your attitude is one of the things which is wrong with DU these day - the "well, everyone knows (some fact that I know and think is so important that everyone should know it)" combined with the assumption that someone else NOT knowing that particular fact or even just part of that particular fact makes someone else a problem in this country. How F**KING hard is it to just include a name with a picture? How F**KING hard is it not to make assumptions about the age, history, education, memory and knowledge of all members of the DU community and just provide full information in your posts?

dreamnightwind

(4,775 posts)
71. Wow, impressed to see an apology
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 01:28 AM
Sep 2014

I wasn't feeling like you owed one, no dog in this hunt, but it's always nice to see someone make the effort to make things right, happens too rarely around here and frankly everywhere on the internet.

Re photo captions, a useful tool is Google image search. On Windows machines, or at least the way mine is setup, a right-click brings up a "search Google with this image" option, instantly telling me who it's a photo of in most cases. Of course captions are also helpful.

Feral Child

(2,086 posts)
86. Very gracious.
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 09:03 AM
Sep 2014

I admire you for taking responsibility for a mistake. It underscores your credibility as a poster.

malaise

(269,054 posts)
80. No need to be so aggressive to a well respected DUer
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 08:05 AM
Sep 2014

The fact is if you are not sure about a photo - right click it and view image info - in most instances you will find it.

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
81. Well, I wasn't being very helpful or friendly, either.
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 08:17 AM
Sep 2014

So I won't fault the poster for his reaction, I could have done much better in this exchange.

But thank you for your support.

Hippo_Tron

(25,453 posts)
69. Lack of knowledge about George HW Bush's biography has zilch to do with the state of our country
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 01:13 AM
Sep 2014

One does not need to be a political/history junkie to participate as an informed citizen. They do need to understand the issues and which politicians stand where on them.

Knowing that George HW Bush served as RNC chair, then CIA director, Vice President, then finally got a job he couldn't get appointed to (to paraphrase Ann Richards), is interesting knowledge. But it's just not relevant or useful to most people.

 

CanSocDem

(3,286 posts)
85. Not exactly....
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 08:59 AM
Sep 2014


George HWs' appearance in national politics has EVERYTHING to do with the state of your country. It was only after he appointed himself as Reagan's running mate did your media wake up to his background. At the time, some asked in a media scrum following Bush's meeting with Reagan, "Is the fix in....???"

As it turned out, it was. See how easy it was to eliminate Carter...



.

busterbrown

(8,515 posts)
76. People are just plain lazy today..
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 03:33 AM
Sep 2014

especially when it comes to understanding the political state of our country..It really takes an effort to go beyond what local and national dumbed down news coverage does to our general understanding.. And I might add.. It takes years to gather the kind of info needed for one who is trying to circumvent the political mine fields in order to find the facts which lead to the truths...

Listen I knew so little about politics until Fox News went after Clinton ..I had to back track to see where all this right wing bull shit started to get personal..And of course it was Reagan. It took me about a year to get in the right spot..

malaise

(269,054 posts)
12. Wasn't he the architect behind Iran not freeing the hostages
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 07:55 PM
Sep 2014

before the 1980 election - to hurt Carter?

SomeGuyInEagan

(1,515 posts)
34. Though he - unlike everyone else is America - can't recall
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:56 PM
Sep 2014

... where he was that day.

But that's not curious. Not at all.

smiley

(1,432 posts)
79. yet and he can't recall where he was that day.
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 07:52 AM
Sep 2014

I'd think I'd remember where I was the moment the president was shot.

Enthusiast

(50,983 posts)
14. He had to be. He was the only one with the necessary contacts. They kept his name out of it.
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:00 PM
Sep 2014

That just means to me he was central to the operation. I am thoroughly convinced. But then I always think the very worst imaginable of the Bushes.

BobTheSubgenius

(11,564 posts)
21. As an retired employee of the State Dept put it...
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:22 PM
Sep 2014

(paraphrasing) If you are a paranoid conspiracy theorist, take the biggest plot you can think of......and the government is way worse than that.

former9thward

(32,025 posts)
19. President Obama might disagree.
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:07 PM
Sep 2014
Mr. Obama and Mr. Bush have long had a respectful and friendly relationship despite the past tensions between the current president and his predecessor, George W. Bush. Mr. Obama has said publicly and privately how much he admires the elder Mr. Bush and even said he tries to emulate his foreign policy. He gave the former president the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 and brought him back to the White House last year to honor his work on volunteerism.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/10/us/politics/in-houston-bush-41-greets-obama-who-later-assails-gop.html?_r=0

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
22. The way I see it, there are 3 possible explanations for Obama's behavior:
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:23 PM
Sep 2014

Last edited Sun Sep 14, 2014, 09:25 PM - Edit history (1)

1. He's incredibly naive and totally ignorant of the history and machinations of the Shadow Government and the CIA, and has no clue about the reach of the BFEE and how far its tentacles have infiltrated every aspect of the National Security State.

2. He knows, but is powerless to do anything but acquiesce and put the best face on it that he can.

3. He knows, and is okay with it.


If someone else can come up with other alternative explanations I'd be happy to add them to my list.

sanatanadharma

(3,707 posts)
33. My alternative explanation
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:42 PM
Sep 2014

A corollary to point number two, possibly explaining "powerless to do anything".

My belief is that H.W.Bush was the only president since (including) Johnson, who didn't get the 'Welcome Mr President, let us tell you the truth about Kennedy' briefing.
Such a briefing would explain that the kids too are at risk if the prez doesn't play ball with the Shadow Government and the CIA.

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
35. Johnson and GHW Bush didn't need the briefing because they already knew.
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:58 PM
Sep 2014

And I would say that this defintely falls under my explanation #2. "Play ball with us, or else."

valerief

(53,235 posts)
61. Re #2, anyone served up as a party candidate MUST know what they're getting into
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 11:53 PM
Sep 2014

and go along with it, else they wouldn't accept the nomination. Therefore, the only choices are 1 and 3.

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
63. Thank you for your take on this. Imo, both #1 & #3 are rather damning, whichever one is the case.
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 12:11 AM
Sep 2014

#1 would mean he's dangerously unqualified and inept in terms of dealing with the reality of who actually holds the power to manipulate events and policy.

#3 would mean that he is totally compromised and has sold his soul.

valerief

(53,235 posts)
66. Yes, and I actually find #1 hard to swallow, so that leaves only #3. To play the game,
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 12:32 AM
Sep 2014

you must understand it, and I think all the players do. Otherwise you're not offered a seat at the table.

Now, it's possible that someone could be let in as appearing to be #3 with hopes to make changes to the game from within. That means a #3 becomes a #1 and fails because the game is rigged. Rigged in this country, at least.

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
67. I guess I'd prefer #1 - either too naive to grok how things actually worked, or thinking he could
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 12:51 AM
Sep 2014

"make changes to the game from within".

On the other hand, there's the whole expanding surveillance thing and the shiny new Middle East war.

So, is he a gormless fool? Or a cynical phony who fooled us?

valerief

(53,235 posts)
70. I tend to think anyone who makes it to the high ranks is #3.
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 01:14 AM
Sep 2014

I don't think anything else is allowed.

And if you veer from the game, you get a bullet in the head like JFK.

Enthusiast

(50,983 posts)
77. I suspect you have it right.
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 05:58 AM
Sep 2014

What an ugly revelation.

I don't think they need a bullet. They® have a million ways to kill you that would barely arouse suspicion outside of intelligence ranks.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
57. I'm certain that it is a sensitive subject.
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 11:12 PM
Sep 2014

That doesn't mean it shouldn't be discussed. I don't know why people faint over the fact that discussing the CIA and why they shouldn't be involved in Executive and Legislative branches of Government is taboo.

SomethingFishy

(4,876 posts)
60. Obama and I have different opinions on some things...
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 11:25 PM
Sep 2014

And there are few where I can say with absolute certainty that I am right.

On this one, I am right. Bush is a nasty piece of work. Worse than his idiot kid who was just ignorant and easy to manipulate. Awarding this man's behavior was a huge mistake. Epic even. Iran Contra alone was enough to relegate this guy to the dustbin of history.

cstanleytech

(26,295 posts)
23. Not to mention former members of congress or the senate whos only goal is making
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:25 PM
Sep 2014

war upon the american people at the behest of their corporate bosses.

 

FlatStanley

(327 posts)
25. Given my choice of Republican Presidents since Eisenhower, Bush I is not bad.
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:30 PM
Sep 2014

I'm not aware of anything he did as President that was uniquely sinister and only possible from having CIA credentials.

Sorry.

mountain grammy

(26,624 posts)
27. Or even Vice President!
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:33 PM
Sep 2014

For 8 years I was sure that fucker Reagan would die and we'd get CIA Bush. Then he was elected!

tblue37

(65,407 posts)
30. Wow. I never saw much facial resemblance between him and W before, but
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:38 PM
Sep 2014

in that pic he looks just like W, doesn't he?

Octafish

(55,745 posts)
31. Especially those who were in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:40 PM
Sep 2014

That's what Poppy told the FBI. He also reported a threat to JFK, only AFTER the news of the assassination.

Poppy Bush warned FBI -- AFTER -- JFK assassinated.

In the hour of the death of President John F. Kennedy, Texas oilman George Herbert Walker Bush named a suspect to the FBI in a "confidential" phone call. He then added he was heading for Dallas. Skeptics need not take my word for it, that's what Poppy told the FBI:



Here's a transcript of the text:



TO: SAC, HOUSTON DATE: 11-22-63

FROM: SA GRAHAM W. KITCHEL

SUBJECT: UNKNOWN SUBJECT;
ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT
JOHN F. KENNEDY

At 1:45 p.m. Mr. GEORGE H. W. BUSH, President of the Zapata Off-Shore Drilling Company, Houston, Texas, residence 5525 Briar, Houston, telephonically furnished the following information to writer by long distance telephone call from Tyler, Texas.

BUSH stated that he wanted to be kept confidential but wanted to furnish hearsay that he recalled hearing in recent weeks, the day and source unknown. He stated that one JAMES PARROTT has been talking of killing the President when he comes to Houston.

BUSH stated that PARROTT is possibly a student at the University of Houston and is active in political matters in this area. He stated that he felt Mrs. FAWLEY, telephone number SU 2-5239, or ARLINE SMITH, telephone number JA 9-9194 of the Harris County Republican Party Headquarters would be able to furnish additional information regarding the identity of PARROTT.

BUSH stated that he was proceeding to Dallas, Texas, would remain in the Sheraton-Dallas Hotel and return to his residence on 11-23-63. His office telephone number is CA 2-0395.

# # #



Gee. Why was Poppy Bush in Dallas when JFK was assassinated?

Could it be, he was on official business? I suspect he was on Secret Government business. After all, his eldest son bragged during his Texas Air National Guard and Harvard grad school days that his daddy was CIA.

Here's an FBI document from the same week of the assassination in which FBI Director J Edgar Hoover briefed one "Mr. George Bush of the Central Intelligence Agency." Some strange coincidence there, wot?



Here's a transcript of the above:



Date: November 29, 1963

To: Director
Bureau of Intelligence and Research
Department of State

From: John Edgar Hoover, Director

Subject: ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY
NOVEMBER 22, 1963

Our Miami, Florida, Office on November 23, 1963, advised that the Office of Coordinator of Cuban Affairs in Miami advised that the Department of State feels some misguided anti-Castro group might capitalize on the present situation and undertake an unauthorized raid against Cuba, believing that the assassination of President John F. Kennedy might herald a change in U. S. policy, which is not true.

Our sources and informants familiar with Cuban matters in the Miami area advise that the general feeling in the anti-Castro Cuban community is one of stunned disbelief and, even among those who did not entirely agree with the President's policy concerning Cuba, the feeling is that the President's death represents a great loss not only to the U. S. but to all of Latin America. These sources know of no plans for unauthorized action against Cuba.

An informant who has furnished reliable information in the past and who is close to a small pro-Castro group in Miami has advised that these individuals are afraid that the assassination of the President may result in strong repressive measures being taken against them and, although pro-Castro in their feelings, regret the assassination.

The substance of the foregoing information was orally furnished to Mr. George Bush of the Central Intelligence Agency and Captain William Edwards of the Defense Intelligence Agency on November 23, 1963, by Mr. W. T. Forsyth of this Bureau.

# # #



I do remember that GHWB was head of the CIA when the Church Committee was looking into the CIA assassination programs. He made things all friendly-like and turned what had been a serious hunt for truth under previous DCI Colby into another dog-and-pony show that was big on show and light on facts.

Regarding Dallas: Now I don't know if Poppy was a trigger man, was only there to watch what happened or what just happened to be there. I do know Poppy Bush has never explained these memos. He's never even admitted where he was the day JFK was killed.

Seeing how he would go on to become President, as would his dim son, I believe it's vitally important that we learn the Truth.

Why? The United States and the world haven't been the same since November 22, 1963. And not a single major player in the nation's mass media have stepped up and demanded a real investigation. So, it's up to us, We the People.

What's more, Poppy Bush sheltered mass-murdering jet-bombing terrorists like Luis Posada Carriles.

Major Hogwash

(17,656 posts)
73. No more Bushes, either!
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 02:13 AM
Sep 2014

Because you know Jeb would just go back to where his brother left off and start it all over again.

 

OnyxCollie

(9,958 posts)
32. Former heads of the CIA should never, ever be contracted for "terrorist surveillance."
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 08:42 PM
Sep 2014

The Carlyle Group Has Made $2 Billion Off Of Booz Allen
http://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2013/06/10/the-carlyle-group-has-made-2-billion-off-of-booz-allen/

In 2008, the Carlyle Group made a large $910 million investment to buy a majority stake in Booz Allen’s government consulting business. The deal saw Booz Allen’s big government advisory unit, which produced most of the firm’s revenue, split off from its corporate consulting group, on the eve of the financial crisis.

But Washington-based Carlyle, which has a long and successful history doing deals involving government contractors, has really made the Booz Allen deal work. It has been an amazing transaction for Carlyle. The private equity firm has made $2 billion in realized and unrealized profits on the Booz Allen Hamilton deal so far. Its $910 million investment is now worth $3 billion.

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

 

Legalequilibrium78

(103 posts)
37. So this is how we operate now?
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 09:00 PM
Sep 2014

Last edited Sun Sep 14, 2014, 09:48 PM - Edit history (1)

Always try to blemish someone's character, reputations, and integrity just because they happen to be of different political ideology and party? How the fuck are we any different from the people on the other side? The circumstantial evidence you have posted here does not provide nor proof of motives nor does it show concrete solid evidence that Pres.Bush Sr. had a hand in the killing of Pres.John F. Kennedy.

I for one don't think that serving, working for the military and or intelligence part of the gov't. should disqualify anyone from seeking political office. Believe it or not, there are liberals that were and are part of the military and intelligence agency, yes that includes the much maligned, hated C.I.A.

nationalize the fed

(2,169 posts)
41. This is how "we" have operated since the founding of the CIA
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 09:18 PM
Sep 2014

and "WE" is in quotes because there haven't been any votes on these despicable actions

The United States has been involved in and assisted in the overthrow of foreign governments (more recently termed "regime change&quot without the overt use of U.S. military force. Often, such operations are tasked to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Regime change has been attempted through direct involvement of U.S. operatives, the funding and training of insurgency groups within these countries, anti-regime propaganda campaigns, coups d'état, and other activities usually conducted as operations by the CIA. The United States has also accomplished regime change by direct military action, such as following the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989 and the U.S.-led military invasion of Iraq in 2003...

1 Prior to Cold War
1.1 Russia

2 During the Cold War

2.1 Communist states 1944–89
2.2 Syria 1949
2.3 Iran 1953
2.4 Guatemala 1954
2.5 Tibet 1955–70s
2.6 Indonesia 1958
2.7 Cuba 1959
2.8 Democratic Republic of the Congo 1960–65
2.9 Iraq 1960–63
2.10 Dominican Republic 1961
2.11 South Vietnam 1963
2.12 Brazil 1964
2.13 Ghana 1966
2.14 Chile 1970–73
2.15 Argentina 1976
2.16 Afghanistan 1979–89
2.17 Turkey 1980
2.18 Poland 1980–81
2.19 Nicaragua 1981–90
2.19.1 Destablization through CIA assets
2.19.2 Arming the Contras
2.20 Cambodia 1980–95
2.21 Angola 1980s

3 Since the end of the Cold War

3.1 Iraq 1992–96
3.2 Afghanistan 2001
3.3 Venezuela 2002
3.4 Iraq 2002–03
3.5 Haiti 2004
3.6 Gaza Strip 2006–present
3.7 Somalia 2006–07
3.8 Iran 2005–present
3.9 Libya 2011
3.10 Syria 2012–present
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covert_United_States_foreign_regime_change_actions

Do you think those actions are "spreading democracy"?

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
42. Who is this "we" you speak of? Speak for yourself.
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 09:21 PM
Sep 2014

Some of us have spent years pouring over the record of dirty deeds committed by our government and GHW Bush's hand in many of them.

Personally, I'm agnostic on the JFK assassination - but there are plenty of documented connections between Bush I and the whole Bay of Pigs thing.

And, leaving that aside, there's lots more "hidden" history of the Shadow Government and Bush I's place in it.

This isn't about partisanship, it's about the toxic stranglehood that the National Security State has on our "democracy".

 

Legalequilibrium78

(103 posts)
49. Seriously? you don't understand the context of that speech?
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 09:52 PM
Sep 2014

Last edited Sun Sep 14, 2014, 11:59 PM - Edit history (1)

You simply focus on the "New World Order" stuff as if somehow it means something more nebulous and nefarious than what Pres.Bush was meaning to say. You like to delve into conspiratorial non-sense and innuendos. I thought us "Liberals" are that much superior intellectually.

ProudToBeBlueInRhody

(16,399 posts)
59. Do you think George HW Bush was a good president?
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 11:18 PM
Sep 2014

Did you vote for him?

This is Democratic Underground. Bush was a Republican. He helped rig the 1980 election and kept hostages from being released early. His spawn was the worst President of modern times. We're supposed to kiss his ass? Maybe you should leave.

 

Legalequilibrium78

(103 posts)
62. Just because I happen to take a less adversarial position
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 11:58 PM
Sep 2014

On Pres.Bush - it does not mean I voted for the man, nor have I voted and supported any Republicans in the past - but what's interesting is your quick call for me to leave this place (not a liberal trait am afraid) This country is a constitutional republic and the sad facts are that Pres.Bush Sr. and Pres.W. Bush were elected by our fellow Americans. I suspect some of which were our fellow Democrats.

We have, no we must have a healthy respect with the processes of our country. From time to time there will be choices that will be reprehensible and will contradict our own set of values and principles, that we as Liberals can't, won't and should not accept. That does not mean we should treat our fellow Americans - that have different views and of different political ideologies, as enemy - I am accepting of the facts that not everything we want in politics and more importantly in life we can or will have.

The other side is pretty much busy doing the same damn thing some of us are doing on this forum. So I wonder how are we supposed to elevate the political discourse on this country, to move this country forward, to have a meaningful path of economic opportunity to all Americans; regardless of political-socio economic class.
I am not that cynical to think and as a proud Liberal, that we can't advance our cause without emulating the tactics and vile - nonsense the other side employs. We're better than that, than this.

P.S. don't you ever try to tell me to leave posting on this site. I have been a lurker of this site since 2003 and have just recently decided to become a member, so that I maybe able to learn amongst you - my peers and fellow Liberals - I only hope that any future disagreements we'll have and there will be, you will have learned to restrain yourself from telling people to leave, if they happen to disagree with your opinions.

ProudToBeBlueInRhody

(16,399 posts)
68. I'm telling you if you can't stand people bashing Republicans, you should leave
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 01:00 AM
Sep 2014

Otherwise, get over it and stop with the tut-tutting and tsk tsking.

This place is a safe haven from the M$M, who kisses the ass every single day of people like GHWB. If someone wants to take a shot at him on this board, they have every right to, without the "Now, now I respect him" bullshit.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
75. How do we elevate the discourse? By continuing to do what we have always done, tell the TRUTH.
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 03:15 AM
Sep 2014

I see no reason to defend people like the Bush dynasty. They have a history and it has not been good for this country.

I can see where Bush Sr compared to his son might now seem to be somewhat less of a threat, but to think that requires not knowing too much about him and HIS father. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Bush Sr was Reagan's Cheney imo. The puppet master.

In many ways Bush Sr is WORSE than his son, who was at least more obvious about his goals for this country.

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
78. "...so that I maybe able to learn amongst you" Well, this is one of those opportunities to learn.
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 07:05 AM
Sep 2014

You won't learn much if you reject new-to-you information out of hand just because it challenges your comfort zone.

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
92. Heh.
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 07:09 PM
Sep 2014

I'll always give the benefit of the doubt, until such benefit becomes clearly unsupportable.

And if space aliens are signing up to post on DU - how cool would that be?!?

Octafish

(55,745 posts)
82. Here's how Poppy operates.
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 08:29 AM
Sep 2014
Know your BFEE or "Hey, America! Wake Up and Smell the Sulfur!"

Few today remember a most heinous terrorist act: The assassinations of former Chilean ambassador Orlando Letelier and American Ronnie Karpen Moffit.



Ms. Moffit was an American citizen murdered by agents of a foreign government on U.S. soil. Her only crime was being with Orlando Letelier, whose crime was to speak out against the military coup that toppled the democratically elected Chilean government he served. Because he refused to turn over the Chilean secret police and their American contacts, these assassinations were allowed, if not sanctioned, by George Bush, then director of central intelligence and head of the CIA.

As with all things having to do with the BFEE, the world get worse. So, a reminder:

October will mark the 30th anniversary of another most heinous terrorist act: The bombing of a Cuban civilian airliner that killed 73 passengers and crew. The pilots reported the blast caused their aircraft to catch fire and they were burning up as they attempted an emergency landing. The plane crashed into the Caribbean, a few miles west of Barbados. All aboard perished, including a close friend of the Great DUer malaise.



Cubana Airlines DC-8 like the one bombed by BFEE members Luis Posada Carriles and Orlando Bosch. Both turds have been protected by Poppy and Baby Doc Bush and the CIA, which strangely has been loyal to them rather than to various presidencies before and in-between.

Here’s an excellent essay based on the facts:



The Charmed Life of a Mass Murderer

Posada Carriles and Bush's Anti-Terror Hoax

By SAUL LANDAU
Counterpunch June 9, 2005

President George W. Bush has emphasized that if one of the myriad of U.S. police agencies even suspect someone of planning, abetting or carrying out a terrorist act, he will, at a minimum, get tossed into a dark hole. Indeed, Bush has thrown the Magna Carta into the garbage heap when it comes to Muslims suspected of pernicious thoughts toward the United States.

But if suspected terrorists turn their rage toward the detested Fidel Castro, these rules don't apply.

Indeed, those who try to bomb Cuban targets, or those related to Cuba, receive special treatment. This double-standard casts a shadow over the president's commitment to fight terrorism.

For example, TV footage showed Homeland Security cops arresting Posada in mid May. But the arresting officers didn't even handcuff the Western Hemisphere's most notorious terrorist. (Remember how Bush's pal Ken "Kenny Boy" Lay ­ ENRON's CEO ­ got handcuffed?) Justice Department spokespeople said they plan to charge the foremost terrorist in the western hemisphere with "illegal entry into the United States."

The FBI has reams of files on Posada, affectionately called "Bambi" by his terrorist friends. Former FBI Special Agent Carter Cornick told New York Times reporter Tim Weiner that Posada was "up to his eyeballs" in the October 1976 destruction of a Cuban commercial airliner over Barbados. All 73 passengers and crew members died. Recently published FBI and CIA documents not only confirm Cornick's statement, but also reveal that U.S. agencies had knowledge of the plot and did not inform Cuban authorities or try to stop the bombing.

SNIP…

One wonders: Did Posada announce his illegal presence in the United States with the idea that U.S. government complicity in aiding and abetting his past acts of terrorism would protect him? U.S. authorities didn't inform Cuba or try to stop the 1976 air-bombing plot, and in 1971, as Veciana stated, the CIA made the gun that Posada's agents placed inside the camera to assassinate Castro. And Ollie North has knowledge of Posada's covert activities for U.S. intelligence as well.

CONTINUED…

http://www.counterpunch.org/landau06092005.html



[font color="red"]What ties these two events together is the involvement of George Herbert Walker Bush, as then-CIA director, in their cover-up as crimes and in the protection of their perpetrators, as in the person of one Luis Posada Carriles, Orlando Bosch and their colleagues-in-terror.[/font color]

Think about it: A murder-forgiving CIA director Bush went on to become President of the United States. Today, Bush’s son, George, acts as president. The younger Bush has used his office from Day One to protect and cover-up the crimes of his father.

That’s what Hugo Chavez was talking about when he smelled the sulfur and called Bush “The Devil.”

America needs to wake up and smell the sulfur, too. Here’s some background on the above:



LUIS POSADA CARRILES
THE DECLASSIFIED RECORD


CIA and FBI Documents Detail Career in International Terrorism; Connection to U.S.

National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 153

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB153 /

Don’t forget to check out Orlando Bosch, while you’re at it. GOOGLE with Jeb Bush for some interesting connections to the present day.

Democracy Now’s Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez interviewed National Security Archive’s Peter Kornbluh and Letelier’s son, Francisco:

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/09/21/153...



Another important point to remember, is Kissinger's close association with Operation CONDOR, the assassination program run out of "The Cone" to silence democrats, liberals, union leaders, progressives, socialists, communists or anyone who stood for justice and equality.



Chile security chief was CIA informer

BBC Tuesday, 19 September, 2000, 23:24 GMT 00:24 UK

Recently declassified documents in the United States show that the former head of the secret police in Chile, Manuel Contreras, was a paid informant for the US intelligence agency, the CIA.

The report, comprising CIA documents requested by the US Congress, show that contact with Contreras began in 1974 - a year after the military coup that brought General Augusto Pinochet to power.

Contreras oversaw the much-feared security service DINA

The report adds that the contact was maintained until 1977 - a year after Contreras plotted the killing of the then Chilean Foreign Minister and foe of General Pinochet, Orlando Letelier, in Washington.

A BBC correspondent in Washington, Nick Bryant, says the documents reinforce the view that the US turned a blind eye towards political repression in Chile during the Pinochet era and that the CIA was complicit in many human rights abuses.

Pinochet's confidant

As head of the security service, DINA, Contreras became the one of the most feared men in Chile, second only to General Pinochet.

The general's iron rule was underpinned by the tactics of brutal repression that saw thousands die and thousands more flee into exile. Others disappeared or were tortured.

CONTINUED…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/932897.stm



Of course, there are even more sulferous friends than these…



Bush s Longstanding Criminal Mexican Amigos

The disturbing ties of some of George W. Bush's Latino advisors

More on Bush-Amigos links in PBS Frontline interview with Gary Jacobs


By Julie Reynolds
Research assistance by Victor Almazán and Ana Leonor Rojo

LOS AMIGOS DE BUSH

“Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres. (Tell me who you side with and I will tell you who you are.)” – “George W. Bush for President” web site

Those who say that George W. Bush has scant knowledge of foreign affairs don't understand his family's relationship with Mexico.

If one event could be said to make that relationship visible, it had to be the state dinner given eleven years ago by President Bush for Mexico's president, Carlos Salinas. It was an elegant yet boisterous gala, where the biggest movers and shakers in Texas and Mexico congregated and celebrated. This group was to become W's Mexican legacy, a gift of ties and connections passed on from the father to his son.

SNIP…

The Mexican president had spent a long day with President Bush signing trade pacts, the precursors of NAFTA. Salinas brought his so-called Dream Team: his commerce secretary, finance minister, and his personal Machiavelli, Jose Córdoba. It would later be astounding to see, as the decade unfolded, how many of that administration's proud men and women fell shamefully from grace - some exiled, some imprisoned and some assassinated.

No one knew it then, but many at that banquet would survive to one day help young W beat a path back to the White House. There were loyal "Bushfellas" who were old friends of the family: Commerce Secretary Robert Mosbacher Sr., General Colin Powell, and George Bush Senior's ever-present friend, Secretary of State James Baker. Gary Jacobs, whose Texas bank was about to be bought by the son of Mexico's billionaire-politico Carlos Hank González, was also a guest. Tony Garza, then a young judge, is now a Bush cabinet contender. Today, all are advisors or contributors to W's campaign.

Hidden among the glitterati were two relative unknowns. They were, however, familiar to the group at hand. They were the loyal "Amigos de Bush" from San Antonio: criminal defense lawyer Roy Barrera Jr. and car dealer Ernesto Ancira Jr. In contrast to the Salinas group, the ties of Barrera and Ancira to drug cartels would remain unnoticed for another decade. Their ties to George W. would grow stronger.

CONTINUED…

GOOGLE cache:

http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:Th5_dq9beuYJ:www.el...

May also be at:

http://www.newsmakingnews.com/contents10,2,00.htm





Henry Kissinger and Agusto Pinochet

“I don't see why we need to stand by and watch a country go communist due to the irresponsibility of its people. The issues are much too important for the Chilean voters to be left to decide for themselves.” -- Henry A. Kissinger

Remember: If the guy W wanted to appoint head of the 9-11 Commission feels that way about democracy in Chile, what’s there to make us think he and those for whom he toils believe differently about democracy in the United States of America?

PS: Thanks for reading and giving a damn, DUer.
 

Tierra_y_Libertad

(50,414 posts)
97. Right. Those humanist liberal CIA folks were just "patriots and under a lot of pressure".
Tue Sep 16, 2014, 03:17 AM
Sep 2014

While they performed assassinations, torture, sabotage of democracies, just plain murder, and other all-American acts of protecting us from...something.

 

YoungDemCA

(5,714 posts)
44. And anti-intellectual, anti-historical conspiracy theories...
Sun Sep 14, 2014, 09:35 PM
Sep 2014

..should never be allowed in GD.

I don't always get what I want, either. Such is life!

Octafish

(55,745 posts)
83. What a professor of criminology said...
Mon Sep 15, 2014, 08:33 AM
Sep 2014

...not that he knows everything, but he does know what the meaning of the word "Integrity" is:



The Bush Family: A Continuing Criminal Enterprise?

Gary W. Potter, PhD.
Professor, Criminal Justice
Eastern Kentucky University

The S&Ls, the Mob and the Bushs

During the 1980's hundred of Savings and Loan Banks failed. Those bank failures cost U.S. taxpayers over $500 billion to cover federally insured losses, and much more to investigate the bank failures (Pizzo, Fricker, and Muolo, 1989; Brewton, 1992; Johnston, 1990). More than 75% of the Savings and Loan insolvencies where directly linked to serious and often criminal misconduct by senior financial insiders (Pizzo, Fricker and Muolo, 1989: 305). In fact, less than 10 percent of bank failures are related to economic conditions, the rest are caused by mismanagement or criminal conduct (Pizzo, Fricker and Muolo, 1989: 305).

A good example of the Savings and Loan failures can be found in the activities of Mario Renda, a Savings and Loan insider who often worked in close collaboration with organized crime (Pizzo, Fricker and Muolo, 1989: 123-126;302). Renda served as a middle man in arranging about $5 billion a year in deposits into 130 Savings and Loans, all of which failed (Kwitny, 1992: 27). Many of these deposits were made contingent on an agreement that the Savings and Loan involved would lend money to borrowers recommended by Renda, many of whom were organized crime figures or people entirely unknown to the banking institution involved (Kwitny, 1992: 27).

SNIP...

Prescott Bush: The Yakuza’s Frontman

Finally, and perhaps most seriously, the Bush family pioneered the practice which has now become commonplace of collaboration between corporate and organized criminals. Prescott Bush, uncle of the current President and brother of the former President, played a key role in helping the Japanese Yakuza extend their financial and real estate holdings to the United States. In 1989, Prescott Bush made arrangements for a front company for Japanese organized crime groups to buy into two U.S. corporations and to make a sizeable real investment in the U.S. (Helm, 1991a: 1; Isikoff, 1992: A1). West Tsusho, a Japanese corporation, was identified by Japanese police officials as a front company for one of that country’s largest organized crime syndicates. Prescott Bush was paid a fee of $500,000 for his help in negotiating West Tsusho’s purchase of controlling interest in Assets Management, a U.S. corporation (Helm, 1991a: 1; Isikoff, 1992: A1). Bush also assisted the Japanese mob in investing in Quantam Access, a U.S. software company, which was ultimately taken over by the Japanese (Helm, 1991b: 10; Isikoff, 1992: A1). Both companies ultimately went into bankruptcy (Isikoff, 1992: A1; Moses, 1992).

George Bush Sr.: Shutting Down the Organize Crime Strike Forces

Despite assessments from senior law enforcement officers and experts on organized crime that efforts to control organized crime would be crippled, in December 1989, the administration of George Bush, Sr. abolished all 14 regional organized crime strike forces (McAlister, 1989: A 21; Struck out, 1990). The organized crime strike had been created as independent entities so they would not be subject to political influences or bureaucratic wrangling within federal law enforcement. In the two decades of their operation the strike forces had secured convictions of major organized crime figures in several U.S. cities (Struck out, 1990). It is at the very least curious to note that the federal strike force in Miami had been responsible for indicting Miguel Recarey, the man for whom Jeb Bush had intervened with regulators. Organized crime strike forces had similarly indicted Mario Renda, the organized crime liaison to the S& L’s, as well as several other key figures in the Savings and Loan Fiasco (Pizzo, Fricker, and Mulolo, 1989: 112, 120-123, 303, 337).

CONTINUED...

http://critcrim.org/critpapers/potter.htm



That's the way a professor of criminal justice puts it.



Me, to get a better handle on War Inc's first family, I call them the "BFEE" for short.
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