• General

    NSA Surveillance Leak Case Watch: CIA Director Goss – “Leaks About the NSA Program and Other Intelligence Efforts Have Caused “Very Severe” Damage”

    (L-R) Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Gen. Michael Hayden, U.S. Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte, CIA Director Porter Goss and FBI Director Robert Mueller listen to opening remarks at a Senate Select Intelligence Committee hearing on world wide threats to the United States, on Capitol Hill in Washington, February 2, 2006. Negroponte said Thursday that the al-Qaeda terror network remains the ‘top concern’ of the U.S. intelligence community, followed closely by the nuclear activities of Iran and North Korea.

    Washington Post: Intel Chief Says al Qaeda Is ‘Top Concern’

    Appearing with the chiefs of the intelligence agencies, including the CIA, FBI and National Security Agency, Negroponte sparred with committee Democrats over a controversial NSA eavesdropping program that critics have charged violates U.S. law. The intelligence chiefs defended the legality of the program and strongly denounced leaks about it, but they refused to provide details in open session.

    The CIA director, Porter J. Goss, said in response to a question that leaks about the NSA program and other intelligence efforts have caused “very severe” damage, and he expressed hope that journalists would be forced to testify before grand juries on the sources of the leaks.

    Haul Russell Tice’s ASS before a federal Grand Jury and then prosecute him. Same for James Risen and see how long it takes for him to give up his sources.


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  • Liberal Morons,  Politics

    NAACP Chairman Julian Bond UNHINGED

    WorldNetDaily: NAACP chairman compares GOP to Nazis

    Bond delivers blistering partisan speech in North Carolina

    Civil rights activist and NAACP Chairman Julian Bond delivered a blistering partisan speech at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina last night, equating the Republican Party with the Nazi Party and characterizing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her predecessor, Colin Powell, as “tokens.”

    “The Republican Party would have the American flag and the swastika flying side by side,”
    he charged.

    Calling President Bush a liar, Bond told the audience at the historically black institution that this White House’s lies are more serious than the lies of his predecessor’s because Clinton’s lies didn’t kill people.

    Over the Top and UNHINGED……..

    He referred to former Attorney General John Ashcroft as J. Edgar Ashcroft. He compared Bush’s judicial nominees to the Taliban.

    The talk so infuriated at least one black family in attendance among the 900 in the auditorium that they got up in walked out in protest.

    “He went on and on name calling,” said Lee Wilson. “I walked out in the middle of his speech with my wife and three kids”

    Is he taking DAY-O lessons from Harry Belafonte?

    Hey Julian how about an apology……..doubtful.


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  • Iran Nuclear Watch,  Politics

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens Full-Scale Enrichment Work

    IAEA Director General Mohamed El Baradei briefs the media during a board of governors meeting in Vienna’s U.N. headquarters, February 2, 2006.

    ASSociated Press: Iran Threatens Full-Scale Enrichment Work

    Iran threatened to retaliate Thursday in the face of almost certain referral to the U.N. Security Council for its nuclear activities, and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said the dispute was “reaching a critical phase.”

    Ahead of a decision by the IAEA’s 35-nation board, U.S. and European delegates turned to behind-the-scenes diplomacy to build the broadest possible support for reporting Iran to the council over concerns it is seeking nuclear weapons.

    Cuba, Venezuela, Syria and a few other nations at odds with Washington remained opposed. India was said to be leaning toward supporting referral.

    Diplomats accredited to the meeting said backing for Iran had shrunk among the U.N. nuclear watchdog’s board since Russia and China swung their support behind referral at an overnight meeting with the United States, France and Britain – the other three permanent council members – that started Monday.

    “There’s a solid majority in favor of reporting,” Gregory L. Schulte, the chief U.S. delegate to the IAEA, told The Associated Press. “There’s even a more solid majority after Monday.”

    Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA Aliasghar Soltaniyeh reads at the beginning of a board of governors meeting in Vienna’s U.N. headquarters, February 2, 2006.

    And Iran will eventually (probably March) be referred to the United Nations Security Council……. then……..

    Flap handicaps Iran will then make a response besides bloviating rhetoric…….

    Stay tuned…….

    Previous:


    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Says BACK OFF Or…

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Bush – United States Will Defend Israel Against Iran

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Will Resist “Bully Nations”

    Iran Watch: Bush: Iran ‘Held Hostage’ by Clerical Elite

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Documents Point to Nuclear Warheads


    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens End of Diplomacy


    Iran Nuclear Watch: Permanent Five Say IAEA Must Report Iran to U.N. Security Council

    The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.


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  • Global War on Terror,  Iraq War,  Liberal Morons,  Politics,  President 2008

    President 2008 Watch: Senator Evan Bayh Urges Democrats to Challenge Bush on Security

    H/T Marvin Scott

    Reuters: Bayh urges Democrats to challenge Bush on security

    Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh a potential 2008 White House contender, urged Democrats on Thursday to confront Republicans on the campaign trail over President George W. Bush’s failures on national security and “stunning incompetence” in Iraq.

    Please do Senator.

    And your policies are?

    Another light-weight Democrat LIBERAL MORON for President……


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  • George W. Bush,  Iraq War,  Liberal Morons,  Politics

    Cindy Sheehan Watch: Charges Dropped for State of the Union T-Shirt

    Anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan is escorted out of the spectators’ gallery of the House of Representatives prior to the State of the Union Address by US President George W. Bush. Police apologized to Sheehan and a US lawmaker’s wife for kicking them out of Congress for wearing T-shirts about US troops in Iraq.

    ASSociated Press: Police Apologize to Sheehan, Drop Charge

    Capitol Police dropped a charge of unlawful conduct against anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan on Wednesday and apologized for ejecting her and a congressman’s wife from President Bush’s State of the Union address for wearing T-shirts with war messages.

    “The officers made a good faith, but mistaken effort to enforce an old unwritten interpretation of the prohibitions about demonstrating in the Capitol,” Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer said in a statement late Wednesday.

    “The policy and procedures were too vague,” he added. “The failure to adequately prepare the officers is mine.”

    The extraordinary statement came a day after police removed Sheehan and Beverly Young, wife of Rep. C.W. “Bill” Young, R-Fla., from the visitors gallery Tuesday night. Sheehan was taken away in handcuffs before Bush’s arrival at the Capitol and charged with a misdemeanor, while Young left the gallery and therefore was not arrested, Gainer said.

    “Neither guest should have been confronted about the expressive T-shirts,” Gainer’s statement said.

    Both women failed the code of good conduct test.

    It may be legal but in poor taste and Flap bets next year that a signed state of the union conduct code will be a prerequisite for admission to the gallery.

    On one of Flap’s trips to the House Gallery he was explicited warned by Capitol Police that NO reading of printed materials was allowed, while the House was in session.

    Mrs. Sheehan and Mrs. Young have ample opportunities to protest in a non-disruptive, non-violent way or they may practice civil disobedience and suffer the consequences…….


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  • Arnold Schwarzenegger,  California,  Election 2006,  Politics,  Proposition 73,  Proposition 74,  Proposition 75,  Proposition 76,  Proposition 77,  Special Election 2005

    California Special Election Watch: Governor Schwarzenegger Outspent

    Sacramento Bee: With re-election bid ahead, governor’s cupboard is bare

    After a special election with a price tag that topped $275 million, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s personal war chest is virtually empty as he begins his 2006 re-election campaign, according to reports filed Tuesday with the secretary of state.

    Schwarzenegger’s ballot initiative committee alone exhausted $45.5 million during last year’s special election campaign in which voters rejected eight ballot proposals, including four specifically backed by the governor.

    With all the large campaign committees reporting, opponents of the governor spent about $121 million to defeat those four initiatives, while Schwarzenegger and his allies fought the battle with $76 million of their own.

    Outspent by $45 million Schwarzenegger’s opponents have a significant advantage in the media buys. But, the Governor ran a POOR campaign and the poor fundraising followed.

    Schwarzenegger managed a NO-LOSE campaign into a LOSER.

    The California Teachers Association spent $58.5 million to defeat Arnold.

    On Proposition 73 – the abortion parental notification initiative – opponents outspent proponents $5.6 million to $1.9 million.

    Record setting spending – the nature of California politics.

    California Correctional Peace Officers Association president Mike Jimenez, left, and California Nurses Association president Deborah Burger celebrate their victory over Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ballot initiatives at a rally in Sacramento, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005.


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  • Iraq War,  Liberal Morons,  Morons,  Politics

    United States Military Chiefs Outraged Over Tom Toles Cartoon

    Tom Toles in the Washington Post, January 29, 2006

    AFP: US military chiefs denounce Washington Post cartoon

    US military chiefs expressed outrage over a “reprehensible” Washington Post cartoon which used a soldier who has lost his arms and legs in battle to portray the state of US military readiness.

    “We’re all very upset about that,” General Peter Schoomaker, the army chief of staff told reporters.

    Schoomaker and the other military chiefs took the unusual step of signing a a joint letter to the Washington Post blasting the cartoon by Tom Toles, the newspaper’s editorial cartoonist.

    “Using the likeness of a service member who has lost his arms and legs in war as the central theme of a cartoon was beyond tasteless,” the letter said, which the Post published Thursday.

    It was signed by General Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the vice chairman and the heads of the army, navy, air force and marine corps.

    Toles is just a MORON.

    The letter is here.

    Tole’s response is in Howard Kurtz’s column:

    In an interview, Toles called the letter “an understandable response” but said he did not regret what he drew. In thinking about Rumsfeld’s remarks, he said, “what came soon to mind was the catastrophic level of injuries the Army and members of the armed services have sustained . . . I thought my portrayal of it was a fair depiction of the reality of the situation.

    “I certainly never intended it to be in any way a personal attack on, or a derogatory comment on, the service or sacrifice of American soldiers.”

    As for the Joint Chiefs’ letter, he said: “I think it’s a little bit unfair in their reading of the cartoon to imply that is what it’s about.”

    So, it is all a misread or a misunderstanding?

    Toles is still a MORON…….


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  • California,  Politics

    Metropolitan Water District Watch: Former Assembly Democratic Leader Richard Katz Applies for MWD CEO/General Manager

    Former San Fernando Valley Democrat Assemblyman and former Assembly Democratic Leader Richard Katz is BACK…….

    Sources at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California have revealed to Flap that Katz has recently applied for the position of CEO/General Manager of the MWD.

    The position opened in November 2005 with the passing of Dennis Underwood, MWD CEO/General Manager.

    Katz, a member of the California State Water Resources Control Board has since leaving the California Assembly (due to terms limits in 1996) been running a small business providing strategic consulting in public affairs for clients involved in transportation, banking, education, and entertainment. He was appointed to the California State Water Resources Control Board by Governor Gray Davis in 2001.

    So, what is the FLAP?

    The good folks at the MWD are afraid a newly constituted board with four new appointees by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa may give favorable consideration to an old political hack like Katz rather than a qualified water management professional.

    Are their concerns justified?

    Let’s look at some of the other candidates. Although this is not a complete list, Flap is assured that sources within the MWD and outside will soon provide the names and biographies of everyone who has applied.

    Debra C. Man, Interim CEO/General Manager and COO of MWD

    Man began her career at Metropolitan in 1986 as an engineer in the district’s resources division, developing groundwater storage programs. She advanced to become a principal engineer in the planning division in January 1990 with the responsibility of overseeing facility plans for the district’s capital improvement program. She progressed to assistant director of planning in September of 1990, director of planning in November 1992, and chief of planning and resources in July 1994. She became Vice President for Water Transfers and Exchanges in July 1999. She was named the Chief Operating Officer in December 2003.

    A native of Honolulu, Man earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Hawaii and a master’s degree in civil/environmental engineering from Stanford University.

    Prior to joining Metropolitan, she was a project engineer for CH2M Hill, Inc., in Santa Ana for four years, planning and designing water and wastewater treatment and distribution facilities.

    A registered professional civil engineer in California and Hawaii, Man is a member of the American Water Works Association and the Association of California Water Agencies.

    Gilbert F. Ivey, Executive Vice President, MWD

    Gilbert F. Ivey is the Executive Vice President of The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, having served as interim Chief Executive Officer during the agency’s five-month search for a permanent replacement in 2005. Ivey is the chief liaison to the board chairman and directors.

    Ivey joined Metropolitan 35 years ago as a summer trainee in the District’s Engineering Division. He has held various positions in Finance, Right-of-Way and Land, Operations, Human Resources and Executive Offices. Additionally, he negotiated several major transactions such as the lease for the District’s former headquarters at California Plaza for below-market rates, and favorable above-market sale transactions for the District’s former Sunset Boulevard headquarters and its Bolsa Chica property.

    He was the project director in charge of development and construction of Metropolitan’s headquarters at Union Station. At 535,000 square feet above ground and another 317,000 square feet below ground, he delivered this $135 million facility two months ahead of schedule and under budget. Since the official opening December 11, 1998, his team and the project have won several awards and accolades. The Building Operators and Managers Association recently recognized Metropolitan’s headquarters building as an outstanding government building in Los Angeles.

    Born in Oceanside and raised in Compton, California, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills. He also has earned several professional designations and certifications in management from both Pepperdine University and the University of Southern California.

    The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California does NOT need a retread POL from the Gray Davis School of State Mismanagement.

    Flap is sure that the MWD executive search committe has at least two candidates and perhaps more (as the candidates names become known) that are MORE QUALIFIED than the Leftie Katz.

    Stay tuned………


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