Obama 'Concerned and Disappointed' After Journalist Who Exposed US War Crimes Freed

[99th_Monkey]

Last edited Fri Jul 26, 2013, 07:41 PM - Edit history (1)

Obama 'Concerned and Disappointed' After Journalist Who Exposed US War Crimes Freed
Abdulelah Haider Shaye 'put in prison because he had the audacity to expose' deadly US drone strike
Thursday, July 25, 2013 * Common Dreams * Jacob Chamberlain, staff writer


The White House is "concerned and disappointed" over the news that Yemeni Journalist Abdulelah Haider Shaye, who was kept in a Yemeni jail for three years per the request of the Obama administration after he exposed a deadly U.S. drone strike, was released Tuesday.

Following news of Shaye's release, journalist Jeremy Scahill, who has written extensively about Shaye's story, contacted the White House for a comment.

The White House's response was brief and alarming:

We are concerned and disappointed by the early release of Abd-Ilah al-Shai, who was sentenced by a Yemeni court to five years in prison for his involvement with Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

According to Scahill and numerous other journalists who have followed the story, Shaye's only involvement with Al Qaeda was conducting interviews with their members for major news outlets that included the Washington Post, ABC News and the New York Times.

Shaye's legal troubles only arose after he uncovered the deadly U.S. strike that killed dozens of innocent Yemeni civilians, after which he was thrown in prison. At one point Shaye was slated for early release, but a phone call from president Obama urged Yemeni officials to keep him behind bars.

"We should let that statement set in," Scahill said of the White House's response. "The White House is saying that they are disappointed and concerned that a Yemeni journalist has been released from a Yemeni prison."

"This is a man who was put in prison because he had the audacity to expose a U.S. cruise missile attack that killed three dozen women and children."

Watch Scahill in an interview with Democracy Now!, which aired Thursday morning:

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/07/25-8

[Autumn]

1. I'm 'Concerned and Disappointed' that

a Journalist who exposed US war crimes was kept in jail for three years at the request of the Obama administration. Actually I'm more "Disgusted and Sickened" than Concerned and Disappointed.

[1-Old-Man]

2. What we have others do for us today we will do to ourselves tomorrow

Because at the most basic level the precident has been set.

[Autumn]

6. That is a lot of truth.

[zeemike]

29. And once set by a democrat

The GOP are free to take it to the next level...and they will.

[Chaco Dundee]

138. oh my

Has it ever crossed anybodys mind that he might have been handpicked by the opposition?

[woo me with science]

56. Absolutely. nt

[woo me with science]

54. [phone]

[PDJane]

3. I am annoyed and frustrated that Obama is 'concerned and disappointed.

The man should never have been jailed at the US' behest in the first place.

[Fuddnik]

60. And two years ago, when Yemen's Leader was going to issue him a pardon,

Obama personally called him and got it scrapped.

[tblue]

78. I am saddened and exasperated that Obama is 'concerned and disappointed.'

What you said.

[Broward]

4. This Administration has gone off the rails.

[heaven05]

13. we've

Last edited Fri Jul 26, 2013, 03:41 PM - Edit history (1)

been "off the rails" since 2000! I just hope some things are cleaned up before another rethuglicrat or democan crook/murderer gets into office.

[avaistheone1]

5. Who really is this man who is running the White House?

[Brigid]

30. When it comes to this case . . .

I wonder.

[chimpymustgo]

49. It's time to start BELIEVING what we see and hear every day, and know in our hearts.

Our country is not what we thought it was. Our President is not who we thought he was.

[Jakes Progress]

74. He ain't the one who ran for the office.

I heard him speak. Sounded good. This is not that man.

[East Coast Pirate]

103. He's the guy who said we should be teaching Middle Eastern kids

math and science instead of hatred for America. What happened to that guy?

[riverbendviewgal]

113. I am thinking the same thing

He also instigated FATCA .. read the Isaac Brock Society blog. American persons who reside outside of America will be facing a nightmare soon. They are like the jewish people in the 30 and 40s in europe. The American government is going after them. But many do not know what is store for them. Mind boggling.

[NoMoreWarNow]

121. that sounds like hyperbole to me, for anti-tax avoidance legislation

but maybe you can show me where people have been locked up under this.

[riverbendviewgal]

127. not yet but 2014 the law takes effect

Many European banks kicking off Americans who have accounts. Some Americans losing jobs. Mortgages being cancelled, even if non American spouse has an account.
Read the blog and maplesandbox.ca. There are others. American persons who live abroad for decades are facing this nightmare. . So many different situations. Read IBS blog. It is huge!
Many Americans renouncing and relinquishing their American citizenship and not because of taxes as most don't owe a dime but PENALTIES for not filing and also cash grab by tax accountants. The banks where American persons reside are to report to IRS every year from 2014 onward. Yet USA will not reciprocate per House Rep Posey in his July 1st letter to US Treasury.
so the world countries are being strong armed and lied to.

you are the only one on DU that has shown any interest, sadly.
Obama is not the man I thought he was.

[NoMoreWarNow]

166. thanks-- I am new to this issue and it does sound bad in some ways

The sentiment for the law seems reasonable, I guess-- if the goal is to keep corporations and the super rich from hiding their money overseas. But the law does also sound overly harsh the way it is being enacted and really shouldn't apply to people with average incomes.

I think there are a couple problems with this issue:
1) it really only affects a relatively small scattered population of Americans
2) there are so many issues that are more pressing for Americans

[840high]

132. Not the man I voted for.

[liberal_at_heart]

7. What the hell have we become?

[Puzzledtraveller]

14. power for the sake of power

[heaven05]

15. ask

bushmokey and cheney.

[Hydra]

8. Controlling information about our "non-existant" war crimes again

Funny, they call Snowden "Snowjob," but that's the first word that came to mind about the WH in this matter.

[leveymg]

115. Obama is evidence that the DC bubble can capture and control even the strongest mind.

Or, it's proof that Obama wasn't what he said he was, and is actually just a highly-competent politician who understands the difference between public perceptions and how American Presidents really operate.

Sick 'em, Rover:

[reusrename]

9. Is this just another one of those right-wing libertarian lies?

You know, the false narratives that are being invented in order to make this Democratic administration look evil.

Doesn't this Scahill character date a pole dancer or something? Maybe he has some boxes in his garage?

[99th_Monkey]

12. I'd heard about pole dancers before

but not the "boxes in the garage" ... I just started seeing this reference today.

what's that from or about? can u say?

[reusrename]

28. It was No.3 of Politico's: Ten Things to Know About Snowden.

3. Wasn’t a friendly neighbor. Snowden most recently lived in Hawaii with his girlfriend before leaving in early May, and neighbors say he didn’t stop to chat much. According to The Telegraph, a neighbor told a local television station: “We occasionally saw him as he was coming or going, or checking mail, or getting the garbage. We would say ‘Hi, how’s it going? How are you?’ and he would just rush inside.” Neighbors also said Snowden had boxes piled floor-to-ceiling in his garage for the entire six months he lived there.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/10-things-to-know-about-edward-snowden-92491.html#ixzz2aB4sMVUq

Can't make this stuff up.

[99th_Monkey]

31. Wow, thanks!

no you certainly can't make this stuff up.

Now excuse me, while I go update my "terrorist profile" so I know which
of my neighbors to turn in to the NSA as a suspected terrorist.

[matthews]

38. Good God, my neighbor must be bin Ladin's mother. She's been next door

for two years and I think she's got more boxes in the garage than when she moved in. She and her partner pack their trucks in the driveway and the street.

Seriously - why are boxes in a garage supposed to be so sinister?

[riverbendviewgal]

128. my mother and dad moved to a newly built house in the late 80s

The huge mayflower van that usually held 3 family households just held theirs.
Dad died in 2000. Mom died in 2009. The two car garage was filled to the brim of stuff they shipped in the move. NEVER OPENED. My mom was a hoarder. When she died there was only a chair to sit in the whole 3 bedrome house. So sad. She was not a terrorist, in fact she hated Obama.

[chimpymustgo]

57. OMG, I've got boxes stacked in my garage, going on 20 years, now! Please don't put me on the TERRA

list!

We laugh now, but this is where this country is heading. Report your neighbor - in case we missed something in your phone calls and emails...

[99th_Monkey]

69. Gotta either laugh or cry, and laughing is more fun. eom

[chervilant]

131. OMG!!!

You'd better turn me in, then! I've got empty moving boxes stacked almost to the ceiling of my basement! I've been aiming to recycle them, I swear!

[99th_Monkey]

141. Well, just this once

you get a second chance.

now take care of those boxes.

last warning, or else I'll have no choice but to turn you in.

[chervilant]

150. O, many thanks to you,

Benevolent Being!

(I do strive to remain positive; the alternative just pulls me into a bottomless abyss of doom and despair...)

[snappyturtle]

32. If my memory serves me correctly, the pole dancer and the boxes

in the garage were early attempts at Edward Snowden's character assassination.

Oops....someone beat me to it by a long shot. I was busy contemplating what the
apologists would use for defense on this lastest WH statement. Doesn't look good
for them. imho

[chervilant]

134. The apologists have been scarce of late.

Those remaining seem desperate and shrill.

[snappyturtle]

136. I think you're right. Posting pictures of Putin on

a fishing trip was a desperate attempt to change the topic. Like we
wouldn't notice this OP if we had some photos to bemuse ourselves.

[chervilant]

137. And, now we have Weiner,

who is pathetically hounded about his addiction disorder at a time when much more relevant issues should garner our attention and activism.

[snappyturtle]

149. Exactly. nt

[Aerows]

39. He doesn't stop to pet his neighbor's dogs

if I remember correctly.

[reusrename]

44. He cut the tags off his pillows.

[Aerows]

45. When he was ticketed for jaywalking

six years ago, I knew we were dealing with a hardened criminal.

[GeorgeGist]

107. It's even more sinister ...

He tears them off with his teeth.

[ctsnowman]

135. lol

[onyourleft]

50. Thank you. I...

...was just going to post that tidbit.

[LondonReign2]

10. There must be some frantic spinning going on

at Team Defend Obama headquarters trying to figure how how to position this one.

[Maedhros]

18. Yes, it's been a full 39 minutes and no apologetics.

They must be waiting for the talking points from central command.

[MisterP]

33. "DOMA! GOTV!" note that they're not even using words anymore n/t

[heaven05]

19. I'm

Last edited Fri Jul 26, 2013, 04:24 PM - Edit history (1)

beginning to see a lot of RW Democans crawling out the woodwork on this site and others. You're no better than those rethug clowns killing our system solely because B.O. is in office. I get caught up in my disappointment with promises broken by our President, but it's slowly sinking in that B.O. is doing what he can given the obstructionism of the RW,, both party's. Blue dog democrats have never been in our President's corner and usually vote with the rethugs. The vile underhandedness of some of the democans and rethuglicrats is beginning to be seen by me and many others. You're no better than snakes in the grass.

[LondonReign2]

20. So...

...we can mark you down as In Favor of having journalists jailed for reporting on the results of the Administration's actions?

[heaven05]

52. no

Last edited Fri Jul 26, 2013, 04:20 PM - Edit history (1)

you can't. I am not pro-Obama administration abuse of powers. It's an observation of people climbing out from the woodwork or from under rocks to cast stones and I wonder what their political agendas may be.

[Fearless]

97. Show me who isn't espousing progressive values in this thread. n/t

[heaven05]

126. could

Last edited Sat Jul 27, 2013, 10:52 AM - Edit history (1)

it be possible that something about this journalist is known to which are not privy? Maybe, just maybe he is someone who would walk into a crowd of innocents and blow himself and many of them to kingdom come? Just a question. Not everything this administration is doing fits MY bill as progressive. There was no dismantling of the BUSH_CHENEY nightmare, gitmo, ect. Holder is not fighting, out in the open at least, hard enough for human rights in this country that are slowly being eroded by TP rightwing, rethuglican and bluedog democrats who are dyed in the wool,typical, fearful, ignorant, backward, racist idiots that call themselves 'leaders'. This last tragedy in fla and some of the support for a murderer I found here by longtime DU'ers, pitiful!! Not related to this thread or your question but descriptive of my take on the 'progressives' and 'liberals' on this thread and many more on this site. My opinion? Don't really care if you agree or not. You have a good day.

[Fearless]

143. You're invoking state secrets??

I'm sorry that's ridiculous.

[heaven05]

155. not

because you say so. We do not know the full story on this journalist. God! I'm having fun with this journalist.

[Fearless]

163. What on Earth are you talking about?

Because I said so?

[heaven05]

164. point

same thing you are. NOTHING that is going to change just because YOU have an opinion on it. At most it must be a cathartic experience for you to spout off about what you feel is right or wrong, just like me. But in the end, things WILL BE where the PTB want them.

[Fearless]

165. Likewise

Just because you keep saying something doesn't give it any more validity. In the face of evidence your rebuttal is to say I'm wrong because I mentioned that it existed?

[Chemisse]

110. If you are not in favor of jailing a journalist for revealing an atrocity

Then it is perfectly okay to say so.

In fact, only a bunch of sheep (ie Republicans) would follow the leader wherever he goes (such as Bush).

It is our obligation as citizens to keep our leaders in line. Criticizing actions like this is really the only tiny power we have.

[heaven05]

123. no

problem with that reasoning.

[tumtum]

21. Except that it was President Obama that called the Yemeni president

to keep this journalist in prison for longer.
Judging by what you said, you approve of this and he shouldn't be questioned or criticized.

[frylock]

24. really, what the fuck does that have to do with the thread?

did the republicans obstruct Obama from imprisoning a journalist? you may want to ask yourself why you're even a democrat if that's your take away from this article.

[heaven05]

59. My

take is no I am not pro Obama administration abuse of power, all Presidents abuse their power and I am against that. Yet I can wonder about the political agendas at work here with all these individuals crawling out of the woodwork and from under rocks to slam Obama, constantly and most times without merit. This has merit if this journalist was not an enemy of innocent americans.

[Th1onein]

95. Good grief.

Do you know how many of us have been here for years and years; worked our asses off for Democrats? And, NOW, all of a sudden, all of these people are turning on Obama and voting rethug?

Get a grip.

[heaven05]

120. oh

Last edited Sat Jul 27, 2013, 10:58 AM - Edit history (1)

and I have read some scurrilous garbage on here from plenty of dyed in the wool democrats. If I ruffled anyone's feathers, about the hypocrisy I see and have seen, then so be it. You know me stating that TM is a murder victim. Scream was all I needed to hear for that deduction. zimPIG the murderer's longtime DU supporters. I color them racists. As soon as Obama made a mistake right after first election all you so-called democrats piled on. You are typical expecting Obama to climb two mountains to prove his worth to SOME dem's on this site, that I never saw or read as being demanded from any other President. YOU GET A GRIP!!! Not everyone is as stupid as lot of you think some are who respond to your hypocrisy and loud protestations of faux outrage.

[Th1onein]

153. You think it's "faux outrage" to be pissed off about being spied on?

You really need to join another group--one that leans right.

[Skeeter Barnes]

37. A journalist spent three years in jail and Obama is the victim?

[woo me with science]

58. Wow.

War is Peace.
Freedom is Slavery.
Ignorance is Strength.

[heaven05]

64. I

am aware of orwell and you. No I am not saying that. The RW democans on this site sometimes get to me with their bullshit. I can ignore most of the time. No one knows who this 'journalist' is/was. He could be bonfied, but just like the enemy journalist in the political party's pockets, both democan and republicrats, we don't really know who is who anymore.

[vanlassie]

73. No one knows? Umm. Actually, it sounds like YOU don't know.

Just a suggestion. Do your homework. You could start by listening to Jeremy Scahills speech. You DO know who Jetemy Scahill is, right? Right??

[heaven05]

80. well

Blackwater and the threat they presented to amerikkka was made abundantly clear to me with them shooting people in the streets of New Orleans, people just trying to survive, postKatrina. His writing doesn't take away from the democan and rethuglicrats on this site with mixed and contrary political agendas or MSM 'liberals' who backed Bush and his war and now hate Obama. Makes me say hmmmmm? Yeah a lot of holier than thous crawling from the woodwork and from under slimy rocks. Right? Right!!!

[GeorgeGist]

108. Ignore is your friend.

[L0oniX]

62. YAwn n/t

[heaven05]

66. get

some sleep, you do look tired.

[L0oniX]

70. ...

[heaven05]

71. go ahead

baby jane ended up where? I am glad to give you rethuglicrats and democans a hard time. You think you're sacrosanct, none of you are.

[L0oniX]

75. It's good to have goals and dreams. Graham4anything ...is that you?

[Apophis]

83. Doing what he can given the obstructionism?

He's continuing with taking away our freedoms with the NSA spying, killing innocent people with drone strikes, and appointing corporate shills to cabinet positions.

Those are more than mere "disappointments." And I'm no "RW Democan." I'm a Democrat that wants to see my Democratic leaders acting like, well, Democrats. I'll be damned if I have to live in a country where we're supposed to follow in lock-step with our leaders and never be allowed to question them, as you're implying.

You are no better than a snake in the grass.

[heaven05]

86. nope

never lock step and those things you mention are worrisome. No more or less than any of our recent administrations and their abuses. War, torture, spying, rendition and wire tapping. Not excusing my President's abuses, yet it's the nature of the beast. Been here from before Reagan and his 'death squad' forays in central america. No, not right or wrong just be right when you're right and yes you will be called out when you're wrong.

[Th1onein]

94. Right wing Democans? Are you fucking serious?

We are DEMOCRATS. DEMOCRATS, you got it? How DARE you call us Democans just because we are standing up for what we believe in: DEMOCRATIC IDEALS.

I doubt ONE of us voted for a Republican in any election in the recent past. And most of us worked very hard to get Obama elected. HOW DARE YOU.

WE are DEMOCRATS. What are YOU?

I'll give you a little hint: Anyone who would support putting this journalist in prison because he reported that our missiles had killed innocent women and children is NOT a Democrat.

[heaven05]

117. i

did not support any journalist being jailed for reporting our administration's wrongdoing. You are twisting and turning in the wind like loose sail on a ship full of air.

[Th1onein]

154. You come on here and accuse us of being rightwingers because we are against jailing

journalists and I'M the one twisting shit?

Who do you think you're kidding?

[nadinbrzezinski]

147. So I am RW for standing up for the First Ammendment?

I love this shit.

[heaven05]

156. I

never said that. And I love this shit, also. I'm really serious about some of the democrats on here causing me consternation because I seriously just don't know where they are coming from. zimPIG supporters on here told me everything I needed to know about the current state of 'democrats' on this site. Until I know everything about this 'journalist' he gets no pass from me. At least B.O. hasn't started a new war on the ground, yet. Did people on here raise all this hell with Clinton? Drones were his weapon of choice also.

[nadinbrzezinski]

157. I take it you are fairly new

To this site and I will leave it at that.

[heaven05]

158. fairly

and thank you. Seems you've been around awhile. Did Billyboy get all this flack when he was droning the shit out of enemies? I would like a reasonable answer. Sun-7-28--I didn't think an answer to my last query would be forthcoming. Transparent duplicity. geez

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. So, reporting murders is a crime while committing murders isn't. Got it.

[Jakes Progress]

77. Welcome to the new democratic party.

Sort of like new coke.

[NorthCarolina]

116. Same "look" about the outside

but far far less satisfying on the inside.

[limpyhobbler]

133. And reporting on US war crimes is terrorism.

[heaven05]

159. Does

this administration have a right to kill people that are trying to kill us? Based on credible information? Just a fucking question. Should we just stop protecting americans from outside threats that grew all out of proportion because of the stupid, misguided wars of the neocons? Obama inherited this situation. Bush and cheny created how many enemy's of this state? Yeah he couldn't just stop military action. He did deescalate things in a large way in one area, on the ground, and took up the slack in the air. What was B.O. supposed to do with the enemies of this state?

[tomg]

16. The only trhing that comes to my mind is

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

[juajen]

142. That is a very good quote! Who coined it?

[tomg]

167. Martin Luther King from

Letter from Birmingham Jail - 1963.

[G_j]

17. he couldn't be any where near as disappointed

as those who hoped he would hold real war criminals and traitors responsible. What a joke!

[xocet]

22. Now - this is how one would expect a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate to behave!!!!

[JackRiddler]

23. Here's one the automatic defenders of authoritarianism...

will not touch. They know there is no excuse no matter how contrived.

[LondonReign2]

25. Oh, I don't know

I'm going to predict they go with "there's no proof Obama was involved", just like with Morales' plane. Then maybe some links purported to show what a bad guy the journo is.

[JackRiddler]

26. He didn't make that phone call? It's public record.

More likely if they touch it the story will be that if the admin says he's AQAP, then he must be! They know a lot more shit than we do and we should trust them! If you don't trust them you're a Paulbot, a dupe of RW propaganda, a personal hater of Obama because he's so wonderful, or a racist.

[LondonReign2]

34. I can't imagaine them letting facts get it the way at this ppoint

[Aerows]

43. Snowden flight paths

[nadinbrzezinski]

161. Facts? What are those?

Squirrel.

[L0oniX]

63. Nonsense.

[woo me with science]

67. I think they are fast approaching the point

where they don't even care about justifying anymore.

We will get the call to religion, Supporting and Trusting the Party.
Or there will be mocking at the "poutrage," because there's nothing we can do about it anyway.

[nadinbrzezinski]

162. And we all say Amen

(I could not help it)

[Recursion]

82. No idea what the evidence against him was

Scahill may be right or wrong. If he's right, this is yet another shitty thing. If he's wrong, then I'd be concerned at his release too.

[SMC22307]

152. Give it time. The hacks at peoplesviewwhatever.com...

will come up with something, and members of the BO Group will breathlessly share it on DU. They've already trotted out "Scahill is racist," so the next one oughta be a real whopper.

[forestpath]

27. This is chilling. But typical for Obama.

[snappyturtle]

35. Why would the WH say this? Is it a backdoor way of warning Yemen and

Last edited Fri Jul 26, 2013, 04:10 PM - Edit history (2)

other countries contemplating going against U.S. wishes?

I wonder if the drone in the reported attack by Shaye was housed
in Yemen or in another country? Or would that make a difference?

Back to the OP. I am 'concerned and disappointed' the WH would
make such a statement.....not that it counts. Living in the U.S.
today is almost surreal.

edit: I don't no where Igot the idea that the attack was drones..
from the video it was a cruise missile that killed the innocents.
Can drones deliver these missiles?

[Brigid]

40. If our founding generation could see us now . . .

They would all break down and cry. Every single one of them.

[Skeeter Barnes]

36. This administration is a disaster.

[kelliekat44]

41. Compared to what?

The President is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. When you can name one ordinary citizen whose 4th amendment rights have been denied...let us all know.

[Skeeter Barnes]

42. Compared to candidate Obama.

[99th_Monkey]

53. +10 eom

[snappyturtle]

55. Me, and others like me

The collection of the data is a violation of my privacy rights guaranteed
in the Constitution. imho

[Th1onein]

96. We can't name them, of course, because it's all SECRET.

Fuck that.

[99Forever]

112. Everyone's. ALL of us.

Read and reread this till you finally comprehend it:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Next stupid fucking question.

[L0oniX]

68. There's a reason Obama didn't go after the Iraq war criminals. n/t

[Skeeter Barnes]

72. Bad for business?

[damnedifIknow]

46. I'm going on a decade drunk now

So who cares?

[Initech]

47. I'm concerned that the military industrial complex continues to profit handsomely.

And they're never scrutinized or punished for it. They looted our treasury and bankrupted our government, and got away with it.

[juajen]

146. I have to agree with this sentiment. Cut the damn defense department.

When have we needed defending, and don't say 9/ll. I believe this was a put up job, so we could go into Iraq and give away more money to defense contractors. It was murder for sure, but the previous administration committed many murders, with impunity.

[snappyturtle]

48. I haven't watched the video yet but I read the comments

section first. Oh boy! I think the WH may rue the day of their statement.
I wished instead it had issued a statement along the lines that the U.S.
had advised Yemen to keep Shaye in custody for the totality of his
sentence but at the same time recognizes Yemen as a sovereign state.

[Rex]

51. I'm concerned that nobody cares about regulating Wall Street

or the MIC.

[ellie]

61. What the hell?

This is disgusting.

[Blue Palasky]

65. "concerned and disappointed"

are what the people who supported you are saying, Barry!!

[TBF]

119. "Barry"?

[FiveGoodMen]

76. "The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them."

― Maya Angelou

[MotherPetrie]

79. Just like it's still 2008.

[LittleBlue]

81. I regret ever donating a penny to this fraud

The next election can't come soon enough. Though I fear there won't be a choice for people like me, what with Clinton's likely candidacy.

On the verge of just throwing my hands up and saying "fuck it".

[99th_Monkey]

84. I hear you.

At some point it feels that way, like why the fuck bother anymore.

Then I think of my kids, and their kids, and I come full circle back
to caring & paying close attention, painful as it may be.

At some point, like with Occupy, shit can and will happen, and happen
fast, along the way to wherever it is we end up. So I pay attention.

but yes. Obama has been a holographic sock-puppet all along, dancing
to the tune of the greediest most corrupt 1%-ers.

fucking amazing.

[NorthCarolina]

118. I'm done with the third-way neo-con crowd.

They can take their "but we have to run conservative DLC New Democrats (ie Republicans) to be competitive in red districts" BS and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. I won't buy that message anymore, nor will I vote for another Clinton or ANY other third-way dem, again. I will cast a write in vote if not presented with party candidates that align with traditional Democratic Values.

[heaven05]

160. good luck

[Brewinblue]

85. Deceit, paranoia, thuggery, cronyism, suppression of a free press, illegal bombing of civilians,

imagined enemies, domestic spying, and utter contempt for the rule of law and the Constitution.

I've seen this movie before.

[John2]

90. What are you

talking about? Which enemies are imagined? Domestic spying on whom? Utter contempt for which rule of Law and what Constitution? Which movie have you seen before the Republican or Democratic?

He is better than the Republicans or any rightwinger. I don't think Obama is deceiving anybody, muchless he thinks that he is doing the right thing. Paranoia, that isn't President Obama. There is not a paranoid gene in his DNA, but it might be arrogance. Cronyism, I doubt that either, but he might be loyal to his friends.

Suppression of the Free press, what free Press? They are all owned by private individuals and Corporations. Most of them agree with what he is doing until he gets out of line, then you see the revenge. Illegal bombing of civilians, where was the Press doing the Bush Administration? That is what he gets when you trust snakes. You never know when they will turn around and strike you in the back. It is more like appeasement for acceptance to the group. He just forgot who gave him power and who he is working for.

And if you are so upset, run yourself or go out and recruit a candidate. It doesn't have to be Hillary Clinton or Joe Biden. That is like taking your marbles and running home. You can even start a grass roots petition you get a person to challenge the establishment. There has to be somebody in politics you trust?

[JackRiddler]

91. Yes, and it's called every president in the American empire...

since at least Johnson, with the partial exception of Carter.

[John2]

87. I don't

see how you seperate whatever military actions the U.S. Government takes in a Foreign Country, from that Foreign country's own Government? It is the same case in Pakistan.

The Yeman Government allowed it. They have a military right now fighting a sectarian War. Saudia Arabia was also involved in Yemen with military action against rebels, the same as in Syria. These rebels are backed by Iran. So I wouldn't say the Obama Administration is committing War Crimes by themselves, when the Yemeni Government allies themselves with the Americans. They are all committing War Crimes, but it just depends on what side you are on. Yeah, they are killing women and children too.

In Syria, Americas' Allies call them loyalists to the regime, even though they are actually civilians that reject the foreign invasion. The rebels in Syria also kill the families of the soldiers and politicians, as well as kidnap them. The Syrian Observatory don't tell people that part.

The U.S. Government does not want to admit they comit crimes, because they are the U.S. Just why do you think they want allow any U.S. politician or soldier be prosecuted for War Crimes? It is the same case with every Western Leader including the Israelis. There is one standard of Laws for the U.S. and her Allies and another for whomever opposes them. They even dictate to the U.N. who to investigate for Nuclear weapons. They all hate the Liberal Left because they are all like Jane Fonda. President Obama feels he is defending the interests of the United States and her Allies. That is why they have secret courts. They believe in the philosophy of might makes right. They just don't see the hypocrasy of it. That is the reality of the World you live in. I doubt a U.S. President will ever be convicted of War crimes unless you have the power to invade and conquer the U.S. in a War.

[99th_Monkey]

88. Can't swing an international cat, without hitting a war criminal or two.

true dat.

Still, the USA champions itself as the "beacon of democracy, justice and liberty",
so there's a harsher view of US war criminals.

[Catherina]

89. Well said n/t

[Octafish]

92. ''Constitutional Scholar.''

Yee-ah.

[idwiyo]

93. Too fucking bad WH is nor concerned with torturers and war criminals running free all over the US.

Fucking hypocrites.

[Douglas Carpenter]

98. knr

[mick063]

99. We have no argument against the Tea Billies anymore

President Obama has disarmed us. Our arguments ring hollow.

All we can do is babble in the middle of the room. He has made a mockery of us.

[DeSwiss]

100. 'Concerned and Disappointed'

- Yes. We know this feeling. It has become the story of our lives. Disappointment.

Protect Whistleblowers: Often the best source of information about waste, fraud, and abuse in government is an existing government employee committed to public integrity and willing to speak out. Such acts of courage and patriotism, which can sometimes save lives and often save taxpayer dollars, should be encouraged rather than stifled. We need to empower federal employees as watchdogs of wrongdoing and partners in performance. Barack Obama will strengthen whistleblower laws to protect federal workers who expose waste, fraud, and abuse of authority in government. Obama will ensure that federal agencies expedite the process for reviewing whistleblower claims and whistleblowers have full access to courts and due process. ~Barack Obama, Change.gov. 2008

K&R

[Scootaloo]

101. Okay, for fuck's sake, someone call Father Merrin...

Obama's been possessed by the ghost of Richard Nixon.

[99th_Monkey]

102. LOL - That's one of the more plausible explanations I have heard

When he said "Change" I didn't think he was talking about his positions
on fundamental human rights, gitmo, spying on citizens, etc.

[Enthusiast]

104. K&R.

I believe every word of it. When you are surrounded by neo-cons what do we expect.

[Waiting For Everyman]

105. "Caviar correspondents", Scahill's term for the MSM.

I like that one. Very apt.

President Obama -- I don't even know what to say anymore. I wish I could say he doesn't know any better, but I can't. Shrub could claim that defense, but not BO.

It isn't us the public who are at fault this time. Unlike in years past, we elected someone who we thought would do a good job for us, and has the ability to do a good job for us... he just won't. Things like this aren't Congress' fault, although Congress is at fault a lot, this isn't part of that. Neither are his other abuses of the Constitution.

Things that Nixon's evil brain could only dream of, this president is doing. Imprisoning journalists in other countries. He must feel like such a big man for that. Wow. (It's probably a similar rush to picking up the phone and grounding another head of state's plane.)

Really, really, really, really, really sickening, and from a Constitutional lawyer. If he can do this, then when he pays off banksters and turns right around and screws us over on trade deals while giving a nice smiling, folksy speech -- it is more of the same drone-strike-journalist-jailer, it is no mistake at all. It is the same cold fuck you, predatory killer personna. I don't know how we can come to any other conclusion.

Up until recently, I could believe that he meant well. I just don't believe that anymore. I even wanted to believe that maybe he was being blackmailed, but I believe he is being paid off instead. I think that the way he has acted in office is what he wants to do, and chooses to do, but he will be paid for it afterward, I have no doubt of that.

That guy, who made the phone call in this article, has no conscience. Like the rest of them, it's only about what he can get away with. (Of course that makes whistleblowers and journalists the enemy. Without them, he has no limits at all.)

Yeah, Congressional Dems' masks fell off with the NSA vote, now it's POTUS' mask falling off. Effing trick or treat! Only gee too bad , we're out of treats. I can only hope Grayson's hearing next week is going to be a barn-burner because it's getting depressing.

[Laelth]

106. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth

[davidn3600]

109. The Obama administration's war on whistleblowers continues

[Progressive dog]

111. A little perspective

From wikipedia, might be the actual reason the US wanted him jailed.

He has used his relation through marriage with radical Islamic cleric Abdul Majeed al-Zindani to help him gain interview access to Al Qaeda leaders, including the late Yemeni-American Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.[1]

Obama has to remember that defending the US from terrorists is not part of his job and dealing with foreign governments is not part of his job. He's trying to make people believe he's the President.

[99Forever]

114. Who the fuck is this man...

... and where did he hide the body of the Democratic Presidential candidate of 2008?

[riverbendviewgal]

129. you are expressing

What I feel

[LondonReign2]

122. Kick

Very telling that even the most ardent defenders aren't touching this one.

[randome]

124. I guess it's not possible he used his position as a journalist to aid some terrorist organization.

Last edited Sat Jul 27, 2013, 10:45 AM - Edit history (2)

I'm not saying that's what this is but Obama, despite what some choose to believe, is not a vindictive, evil man.

If he wants to clarify this, he should tell us why they preferred that Shaye remain in prison.

'Conducting interviews' with Al Qaeda sounds like he was promoting their cause.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]You should never stop having childhood dreams.[/center][/font][hr]

[Scuba]

125. I read an article about Al Qaeda on DU ....

... so I guess I'm "involved with Al Qaeda" too. How 'bout you? You involved?

[dgibby]

130. This has got to be one of the most depressing things

this POTUS has done. Right up there with indefinite detention, extrajudical assassinations of American citizens, drone strikes, and out of control spying on innocent American citizens without probable cause, failure to prosecute the war criminals of the previous administration, etc. No wonder he keeps appointing republicans to his administration. No self-respecting, law abiding Dem would agree to serve.

I really have no hope for this country. If this is what a Dem. is capable of, then we have truly lost our way.

[WillyT]

139. K & R !!!

[treestar]

140. "According to Scahill, his only involvement was . . ."

So then he set up so the WH would say whatever was the WH opinion and that was supposed to be interpreted in light of Scahill's conclusions.

Whatever happened to journalism? It appears they think we are just to trust their conclusions. They report their opinions and we are just to adopt them. The underlying facts are no where to be found.

[randome]

144. At the very least, good journalism means contacting relevant entities.

Even if "No comment" was the result, that's something that should be reported. A journalist's opinion should not be part of a news story.

Yes, what did happen to good journalism? I guess we can say it's the Internet, where everyone on the planet can 'report' on their opinions.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]You should never stop having childhood dreams.[/center][/font][hr]

[nadinbrzezinski]

145. Ain't empires great? Especially declining ones?

[MuseRider]

151. Well I K&R'ed this

but I can't think of anything to say that would not get me booted off this site faster than an American President can say, "When the President does it, that means that it's not illegal."