A smeared Johnson

Ever notice that right-wing "newsmen" often start spouting the very same line all at once?

It's almost as though Karl Rove or Ken Mehlman sends these guys a script. It's almost as though conservative "reporters" are so thoroughly lacking in self-respect that they prefer to recite the prescribed text, as opposed to applying any independent research or thought to their task. It's almost as though they can hear a starting gun which remains silent to everyone else.

Yeah, I know...anyone who thinks that way must be paranoid.

Even so, consider today's case in point: The coordinated attacks on CIA analyst Larry C. Johnson, who testified during Senate hearings on Treasongate. His testimony helped the Wilsons' case -- thus, the attack dogs went a-snarling after Johnson.

Leading the pack was none other than Dubya's close friend -- yes, everyone's favorite he-whore, the one invited for purely innocent overnight stays at the White House -- Jeff Gannon. Following right behind Gannon (you should pardon the expression) were the Murdoch crew, who raised the very same talking points.

All within the very same hour, yesterday morning.

"Gentlemen, start your engines...!"

That rightist "talking point" fixates on an inconsequential piece written by Johnson in the days before 9/11, a piece which the rightists now claim ignores the terrorist threat. The very idea of a Bush admirer scoring anyone else for ignoring the terrorist threat in that period is pretty damn hilarious. There's a certain Presidential Briefing Memo I could mention...

But why should I say anything, when Larry Johnson can defend himself so eloquently? Check out his response here.

The rightwing is resurrecting an op-ed I wrote in July 2001. I stand by the full article. It is still relevant today. I am accused, incorrectly, of ignoring the threat of terrorism. In fact, I correctly noted that the real threat emanated from Bin Laden and Islamic extremism.

President Bush, for his part, ignored the CIA warning in August of 2001 that Al Qaeda was posed to strike inside the United States.

Reprinted below is the article I wrote in January 2003. My key warning is contained in the second paragraph. I wrote, "In fact there is a serious risk that a U.S. led war against Iraq may crystallize the diffused anger in the Arab and Muslim world--a heretofore unattained goal of bin Laden and his followers--and persuade more Muslim youths to take up the terrorist banner against American and her citizens."

Thanks go to Brad Friedman for bringing this matter to our attention.