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What about Arresting Ahmad Chalabi on the Street Tomorrow at 2 p.m.? Just an Idea
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Iraq Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of Duplicity and Deceit before America's Iraq Invasion Ahmad Chalabi has arrived in Washington.
He is going to speak at the American Enterprise Institute at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow.
The event is so full that several of my New America Foundation colleagues have been uninvited. That's right -- uninvited even though they made reservations before the event closed. The reason is allegedly over-crowding and we'll hope that is the case. They state that there are others from New America attending, but I can't find any -- and I'm going to be in Prague regrettably.
I am racing to post a number of Chalabi's crimes on the blog tonight -- but they may be here first thing in the morning, so keep checking in. Lots of other bloggers are getting into this as well. Check David Corn and Arianna Huffington who have important rosters of Chalabi's misdeeds.
This man must be held accountable for his role in America's mystique-destroying venture into Iraq.
Chalabi is back in Washington attempting to rehabilitate himself and position his candidacy for the Iraq premiership. He doesn't deserve anything but disdain and contempt until he engages in an honest accounting of his role in hyping intelligence about Iraq nuclear WMD programs, comes clean about his ongoing connections to senior Iran authorities (this alone should drive Michael Ledeen at AEI crazy -- but one wonders why not), and should divulge all he knows about the intelligence leaks to Iran and Israel in which he played a role, along with Larry Franklin who has been charged. He has also hovered close to former Under Secretay of Defense Douglas Feith, who helped create Chalabi's machine -- as well as former CIA Director James Woolsey who was the first on 9/11 to allege the direct connection between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda on national TV without disclosing for television viewers the fact that Woolsey was the LAWYER for Chalabi and his Iraqi National Congress.
Chalabi is a nefarious player in the Iraq WMD intel mess in which the White House is now mired.
There are a great number of organizations -- bloggers in the middle of the road, center left, and left -- who are not able to get into the AEI meeting. But they are going to meet Ahmed Chalabi and share their views with him about his role in America's screwed up foreign policy.
While the Citizen's Arrest Law in D.C. seems to require the actual real-time witnessing of a felony, I'm not so sure that Chalabi's violations of American law in the past don't already constitute grounds for Citizen's Arrest. Others may have more to say on this.
Watch for his burly and probably armed body guards -- but American citizens have my support issuing a citizen's arrest against Ahmad Chalabi.
Here is one link on Citizen's Arrest Law:
In the most crime ridden spot in the country, our nation's capitol, District of Columbia Law 23 -- 582(b) reads as follows:(b) A private person may arrest another --(1) who he has probable cause to believe is committing in his presence --(A) a felony, or(B) an offense enumerated in section 23-581 (a)(2); or
(2) in aid of a law enforcement officer or special policeman, or other person authorized by law to make an arrest.
(c) Any person making an arrest pursuant to this section shall deliver the person arrested to a law enforcement officer without unreasonable delay. (July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 630, Pub. L. 91-358, Title II, S 210(a); 1973 Ed., S 23-582; Apr. 30, 1988, D.C. Law 7-104, S 7(e), 35 DCR 147.)
So, do what your conscience tells you to do -- at 2 p.m. (show up earlier if you can) -- at 17th and M Streets NW -- 1150 Seventeenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
I have already been notified by CNN, AFP, Reuters, AP, and others that they are as interested in the protests about Chalabi's presence as they are about Chalabi's speech tomorrow inside AEI.
I also think that we have some good folks inside AEI to pose some legitimate questions -- constructively -- about Chalabi's role in our current Iraq mess.
More later. I'm not done with Chalabi.
For the record, I do support AEI's right to invite Chalabi to speak and to subject him to public questioning about his past behavior and views. I also support the right of the public to share their views and to engage this major player in the Iraq War on city streets and at AEI's meeting.
Share your views with Chalabi. Make him respond. And give him my personal greetings when he steps on to the sidewalk at 2 p.m.
Gotta run.
-- Steve Clemons
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What th...?
Mr. Clemons advocating a little civil malcontent?
Observation:
Mr. Clemons is the apotheosis of democratic processes. Given his opinion here... Chalabi must be a first class prick.
Note:
Guilt by association: Watch whom Chalabi hangs out with.
Double Notoriety:
Can someone get a snap of Chalabi shaking hands with Cheney? That photo would easily usurp the one of Rummy's claw shaking Saddam's paw.
I was thinking along these lines myself, until suddenly it occurred to me that we might be doing a BIG FAVOR to Chalabi. Once back in Iraq, it might lend him greater credibility to have been protested in the U.S. We don't want to give this guy any more clout than he's already gotten (at our expense).
Of course, if we could be pretty certain that we had charges that would stick like glue, and could lock him up for quite a while that might be another thing entirely. But as Deputy Prime Minister, doesn't he have diplomatic immunity anyway?
Not at all surprised to hear that some of your New America Foundation colleagues were "disinvited" after registering.
I did notice, however, that Matthew Yglesias mentioned that he would be attending -- maybe whoever "scrubbed" the list didn't know who he was. I sort of doubt they'll open the floor for questions, though, and if they do they'll probably only hand the microphone to carefully selected people.
It does seem, though, like the Bush administration really may be serious about rehabilitating him -- as they tire of dealing with the Shi'ite fundamentalist coalition headed by Ibrahim al-Jafari. Chalabi has parted ways with them, and is trying to sell himself as a candidate in the December elections who can attract support from "secular" elements of all of Iraq's religious communities -- not likely, but, as with the rush to war, sometimes the top levels of the Bush administration tend to believe what they want to believe, not what they should believe based on the facts.
Oh wouldn't that be lovely for him to be arrested. But does he get any diplomatic immunity? Hmmm.
BTW, you have some unclosed something or other on this entry that's shifting the rest of your entries over a bit...
Chalabi has blackmailed his way back into the USA, and the administration, along with Neocon Central, will be at his beckoning call, because he has the goods on the fabricated intelligence they all peddled from his INC. Chalabi's gonna waltz right in and do as he pleases, but he better watch out for the vengeful who want to silence him and will not stand for his blackmail. Although, being the master flim-flam man that he is, all the insurance he kept, as in documents and recordings gathered during the hoodwinking of our government, is undoubtedly safely in the hands of his brother which will come in handy if anything should happen to him. Ole Chalabi's probably livin' high on the hog tonight at the US taxpayers expense because of what he has on Bush and his henchmen regarding their deception of the American people unto War. Truly Chalabi is a man who knows too much and knows too well how to play everyone to dance to his tune.
Chalabi is reportedly to meet with Rice. I wonder what they will talk about??? The smell of napalm in the morning??? The wonderfully long half life of DU? Dead Iraqis??? The wasted lives of our soldiers??? Sheehan??? Saddam's DEAD attorneys??? The poor Iraqis that unwittingly drank water out of Yellow Cake barrels looted from Tuwaitha?? The missing billions of dollars of OUR money that undoubtedly has lined the pockets of Chalabi and his clan? His nephew's, (Salem), partnership with Feith and Zell, and short lived notoriety as a wanted MURDERER in Iraq? The LAST THROES of the insurgency??? Gads, there is just so many interesting topics for these two scumballs to discuss. And if they run out of slime to sling, they can always discuss Condi's new shoes. I understand they are, figuratively, lined with the skins of her dead brethren of New Orleans. Now THAT that should REALLY appeal to dear Ahmed.
Perhaps, after their pow-wow, they can take in a play somewhere. Never mind, that MOST ASSUREDLY, people will die, AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE ACTIONS OF THESE TWO, as they enjoy the entertainment.
Ahmed is rich beyond your wildest dreams. With OUR money, and OUR blood. Makes one proud, don't it?
Steve -
Your tough talk during Bolton advocacy is a mere whisper compared with your strident attack-mode on Chalibi! Better keep on the lookout when you cross streets in Washington and abroad - you may be a marked man.
Great stuff.
The administration's embrace of Chalabi is all the evidence we need to know that they were in on the phony intelligence scam. Otherwise, rather than entertaining him, they would be waterboarding him.
"For the record, I do support AEI's right to invite Chalabi to speak and to subject him to public questioning about his past behavior and views."
I don't. Bringing Chalabi--a known Iranian spy--here means that AEI is conspiring with Chalabi and aiding and abetting his crimes against the United States. At the least, as our charming colleagues on the right would say, it reveals AEI to be objectively pro-treason.
Between this maneuver and its continued support of John Lott, AEI has lost all credibility it might once have had, and tarnished the reputations of everyone associated with it. Norm Ornstein should find himself another home.
This judgment may be harsh, but it's far, far past time to push back against the organizations, like AEI and Cato, that enabled the neocons' rise to power and their disastrous policies.
Citizen's Arrest with a charge of multiple counts of felony murder.
He lied; our citizens have died or been severely injured as a result. He began his lies at the Pentagon shortly after 9/11:
Relevant thread at DU:
I agree with Congressman George Miller -- "Madam Speaker, somebody ought to call the cops."
Hopefully, that will happen sometime in the next few hours.
Peace,
UL
Changing the subject (Chalabi's a discredited yawner:), did anyone here see Hardball tonight?
David Shuster showed two clips of interviews with Cheney, one in 2002 (Meet The Press), the other in 2004 (IIRC). It was about the supposed Mohammmed Atta Iraqi connection in Prague. The 2002 one showed him saying it was definite; the 2004 one, he said he had "never" said that. It was amazing. If anyone could provide (permanent) links to these short video clips, I'd be grateful.
/JC
David Shuster showed two clips of interviews with Cheney, one in 2002 (Meet The Press), the other in 2004 (IIRC). It was about the supposed Mohammmed Atta Iraqi connection in Prague. The 2002 one showed him saying it was definite; the 2004 one, he said he had "never" said that. It was amazing. If anyone could provide (permanent) links to these short video clips, I'd be grateful.
/JC
Posted by JC
Oh that Cheney. A laugh a minute, isn't he??? Someone ought to ask him to define "last throes". If its a race between his longetivity, versus that of the "insurgency", I am afraid he will lose. So who REALLY is in their "last throes", the Bush administration, or the insurgency????
JC -- and other readers:
If we removed the title VP. If we put aside the Office. And view this individual as say, some average joe in your neighborhood. OK .... So if this guy in your neighborhood behaved in the manner u just described----- I don't know 'bout u. but for me, i'd begin thinking this guy probably needs to be admitted in some psychiatric ward. And as a safety precaution, this person must be removed any and all duties calling for any decision making.
Be still my heart: front page of the the NYT on-line is saying that Libby has opened up a legal defense fund.
Are you ready for some football?
From the NYTimes Libby story:
With Mr. Libby having left government,
there is no legal requirement for any public disclosure.
Does that mean Libby really isn't on the public dole anymore?
Really? As in really?
If so... Yippee!
(Note: Brownie continues to haul in $148,000-a-year.)
[Aside: Hey Brownie whatcha doin' on the public dole?
Can'tcha find a real job?
Or do you enjoy being just another welfare babe with a caddy?]
Who among us is as incensed as I at the media itself for acting like third grade "reporters"? The reporter, cited above on Hardball tonite, accused Cheney of making a comment he obviously had made and when LIED TO by Cheney through his response to her accusation, accepts his statement and ANYONE watching could believe the V-P was telling the truth! The nite before Matthews had the Congressmen(and women) dead in his sight and could have held them to THEIR RESPONSIBILITY as elected officials but instead meeked out and didn't even suggest they were as negligent in their office as the executive branch. And why do you oh-so-wise people think your "representatives" behaved thusly? Do you think they have character or principles? He** no. They are power hungry FOOLS and those here guilty of constantly, reactively, faithfully offering the Democrat's gambit instead of the Republican's deserve what you are getting. You are the fools who play their game. Simpletons all.
Ahmed Chalabi has made a personal alliance with the new Iranian President.Since the Bush Administration publicly has turned dumb in relation to the Iran President, Chalabi is no doubt promoting himself as a valuable conduit between the State Department and the Iranian Pres.. He once again is blackmailing the USA.
Arrest him. Fully debrief him and then send him back to Lebanon so he can serve his time as a convicted embezzelor.
Most of this is nonsense and disproven rumor. But when you are willing to believe anything, such thin gruel is digested as if it were informed comment. But if any of you are interested in the actual history of the war, not this loony fiction, you would do well to read any of the bipartisan reports on the larger intel failure on wmds instead of pretending this was all chalabi's fault. You may also entertain how iyad allawi's intel program, run by the cia, also provided numerous poor ledes. But please refrain from engaging in this orgy of lies and defamation and then act as if it is a noble act of citizenship.
paleoregressive, defending the indefensible, or perhaps you weren't there when this all happened, perhaps you are terribly ill informed, perhaps you are merely a defender of War Criminals. Haul your paleo ass to one of the demonstrations and shout your support for your War Criminal, and we'll take care of your orgy of lies there in a noble act of citizenship, evil punk!
Lily white you repeat the lies you've swallowed like an obedient dog. These rabid frothings only betray the ignorance you share with clemons and the rest of the feckless liars. What you should have known on day one, you will on day seven.
I'm being pedantic, I know ... but *don't* try the 'citizen's arrest' stunt unless a lawyer has your back: since the felonies that would be the basis for your arrest were not committed in your (physical) presence.
As a result, Chalabi could sue you. Of course, that would be a *great* opportunity to generate more publicity about his crimes.
Just make sure you have your lawyer's number written somewhere on your person in indelible ink when you try this!
Remember the line-- 'Heroes in error'.
I hope someone does the citizen's arrest. Or just loads up with rotten tomatoes and pelts the bastard.
Chalabi fullfilled his end of the bargain. BushCo paid him to say what we wanted to hear. When we didn't find WMD's, it was agreed he would be blamed, and investigated so it wouldn't look like what it really was, but he's in charge of Iraqi oil now, which is exactly where BushCo wants him to be, so he can sign our American company oil leases. Under Saddam, it was State owned, now it will open to capitol investment. It's more likely that Condi and Chalabi were discussing the Chevron Superanker named after Condi,and how to keep it full and running.
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