Ridge says Bush Administration pushed to raise terror alert for re-election

Originally posted by FlyersFan

Originally posted by mental modulator
Do you mean a citizen is going to f Ridge up or a Bush gang member?

Bush. Or more accurately ... Cheney. He really ran things. I am of the opinion Cheney kept Bush well medicated, especially in the last couple of years of that administration.

Ya, at first I pictured Cheney rolling up (literally) and sucking the soul out of Ridge
just by opening up his own mouth...

I am under the impression W was messed up myself, great time to cross the divide on that one right?

I agree though, if Dick wanted someone gone so it would be.



[edit on 20-8-2009 by mental modulator] for badness

[edit on 20-8-2009 by mental modulator]

Originally posted by whaaa

Originally posted by FlyersFan

Originally posted by mental modulator
Do you mean a citizen is going to f Ridge up or a Bush gang member?

Bush. Or more accurately ... Cheney. He really ran things. I am of the opinion Cheney kept Bush well medicated, especially in the last couple of years of that administration.

That is a possibility FF, but there was also a rumor that President Bush had fallen off the wagon.

Socialist Liberal media talk my friend, if he drank wouldn't he have made some bad mistakes and disappeared when he got overwhelmed???

Originally posted by whaaa
rawstory.com...


remarkable detail to be published in former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge's soon-to-be-released book asserts that the Bush Administration attempted to wield the color-coded terror alert system for political gain -- a charge often leveled by Democrats but not previously confirmed by a high-ranking Bush Administration official.


Surprise, Surprise! The Bush administration trying to scare us into voting for the neo-cons? What a concept.

Still it's good to see that some people with moral fiber, like Ridge blowing the whistle on those traitors.

[edit on 20-8-2009 by whaaa]

Serious question or observation, rather. If the people's vote do not count and it certainly does not, why does this matter at all? The level-raising had more to do with raising the fear-level in people who actually live by the terror-level (Average American: Oh no, it's burning red!!! It's white hot fire now!!! Terrorist: Hello!). Not only this, but it expands the power, including financing, of Homeland Security which is a front like the War on Drugs.

It seems like he is a part of the move toward to the continuing decline of the Republican party. The favorable Democratic Party with Obama leading could be moved into a more far socialist movement, given these constant "exposures" of how bad the Bush administration was and thus the NAU would make even smoother transition - just thinking out loud here. Funny how these idiots like Ridge didn't bother to come out when necessary.

If you notice, since Reagan, I think we have had two Republicans for one Democrat, so the elections were not surprising at all. What is most surprising is how Americans call Bush an idiot and yet most of them "voted" for him twice.

I leave you with Stalin:

"It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything."

Some vindication for JD140 -

New York Times

Tom Ridge, the first secretary of homeland security, asserts in a new book that he was pressured by top advisers to President George W. Bush to raise the national threat level just before the 2004 election in what he suspected was an effort to influence the vote.

…The most sensational assertion was the pre-election debate in 2004 about the threat level, first reported by U.S. News & World Report. Mr. Ridge writes that the bin Laden tape alone did not justify a change in the nation’s security posture but describes “a vigorous, some might say dramatic, discussion” on Oct. 30 to do so.

“There was absolutely no support for that position within our department. None,” he writes. “I wondered, ‘Is this about security or politics?’ Post-election analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the president’s approval rating in the days after the raising of the threat level.”

Mr. Ridge provides no evidence that politics motivated the discussion. Until now, he has denied politics played a role in threat levels. Asked by Eric Lichtblau of The New York Times if politics ever influenced decisions on threat warnings, he volunteered to take a lie-detector test. “Wire me up,” Mr. Ridge said, according to Mr. Lichtblau’s book, “Bush’s Law.” “Not a chance. Politics played no part.”

He has no evidence. He wasn't invited to National Security Meetings.
He complains that he couldn't get Rumsfield to meet with him.
He just 'suspects and wonders' that it could have happened.

NO ONE backs up his claim and in fact they go out of their way to deny it.
Which could mean something ... or could mean nothing.
But there isn't anyone to back him up on his 'wonders and suspects' statements.

Shades of Scott McClellen.

I'm taking back what I said about this being 'probably true'.
I now will say that Tom Ridge's book is, IMHO, probably not true.
Color me surprised.

[edit on 8/21/2009 by FlyersFan]

Its no coincidence that Obama poll numbers are slipping folks. The media is doing its best to run cover for Obama. How can they do that? By reliving the Bush years and running with a story based on what could have hypothetically happened. I'm amazed at how the media talks about this as if it happened, when it didn't. Thats the dead give away that this is an attempt to stop Obama's falling numbers.

Mr. Ridge provides no evidence that politics motivated the discussion. Until now, he has denied politics played a role in threat levels. Asked by Eric Lichtblau of The New York Times if politics ever influenced decisions on threat warnings, he volunteered to take a lie-detector test. “Wire me up,” Mr. Ridge said, according to Mr. Lichtblau’s book, “Bush’s Law.” “Not a chance. Politics played no part.”


Thank you FlyersFan for that. Even though I sense that it will either go unnoticed(ignored) or there will be a bunch of "yea, buts".

I hope this is a lesson to those who takes crap at face value. Next time you "Deny Ignorance" do so with proof.

Originally posted by Tentickles
Well if you think about it the Dems are doing this right now.... Well trying to scare the public into liking the healthcare bill.

One difference. The Democrats pushing their agenda is perfectly legal. Politicizing National Security is a crime.

Originally posted by jd140
No chance this little tid bit is to raise book sales. I'm sure he will provide sufficient evidence to back what wrote.

Or

He is relying on peoples absolute hatred for Bush to take what he says at face value.

I'm betting on the second one.

riiiigghhhttt!!!....the republican head of FEMA, that helped in the creation of FEMA, is lying...yeah...that's it...he's lying. there should besome prison time for all this crap. they impeached clinton on a morality clause, not telling the truth about having an affair. but actual corruption by republicans gets a pass. yup...business as usual...nothing to see here...move along now. besides republicans are busy shutting down heathcare reform for the middle class and poor, they can't be bothered with traitors to the republican ideal.

reply to post by jimmyx


You can read FlyersFan's post above a few above yours and see that I was right. He has no proof what so ever.

I accept your apology for doubting me.

Bush Cabinet Meeting Official Transcript: 9-21-04

POTUS: . . . and so the cowboy says, "No, bartender, I said two LONG NECKS."

[laughter]

POTUS: Hooo! Oh, boy. [wiping tear] Ah, OK, so where were we?

Mr. MINETA: OK, first item. Kerry has narrowed the gap to seven points. That's Gallup nationwide, released this morning.ﾠ

POTUS: Hey, since when did the Secretary of Transportation get to run these meetings?

[more laughter]

Mr. CHENEY: OK, seriously, though, we have to do something. Seven points. He could close that.

POTUS: But what can we do? The CIA keeps saying there's no credible threat of a new attack. There isn't even any chatter out there.

[silence]

Mr. CHENEY: Fear is our strongest political currency. I think of the wires connected to my heart, and the cold metal case in my chest keeping me alive. How can we make people afraid?

POTUS: We could do one of those things where I go out to those microphones and pretend not to know the details of an issue of great national significance.

Mr. POWELL: You mean a press conference?

POTUS: That's it! Press conference. Yes.

Mr. GONALEZ: I sometimes have those. Had one just the other day. Mine are pretty small.

Mr. RUMSFELD: We need to go bigger. Drive the fear of Jesus into people. This is the fourth quarter.

Mr. RIDGE: I could just raise the threat-level.

[awkward silence]

POTUS: What?

Mr. RIDGE: You know, raise the threat-level. I think we're at purple now, or beige, or something . . .

[laughter]

Mr. RIDGE: But seriously, we kick it up a notch, and issue a press release. Something about new information of a credible threat.

Mr. POWELL: I'm sorry, but we can't do that. The national terror alert system's color codes are precisely calibrated to reflect . . .

Mr. RUMSFELD: Oh, put a sock in it, Colin. My question is, what if this gets leaked? It goes from being an unknown known to a known known. What then?

Mr. RIDGE: I take the fall. It was my idea. The President never knew.

POTUS: I like it. I was never here.

Mr. RIDGE: It was actually Karl's idea. He called me with it this morning.

Mr. MINETA: Dick, why are you clutching at your heart?

Mr. CHENEY: Electrode skipped a pulse. Saw my life flash. I'll be fine.

POTUS: Can we go up to orange? I think orange would be good. Red might be too much.

Mr. RIDGE: Definitely agree. Orange is perfect. We need somewhere to go if, God willing, there's a genuine attack.

Mr. RUMSFELD: One hundred percent. Right in the bull's eye.

Mr. CHENEY: Tom, our story is, if this ever leaks, it was your idea. None of the rest of us ever knew.

Mr. RIDGE: I will never falter, Mr. President. I will never fail.

Mr. CHENEY: [indicating] Uh, Tom, remember he's the, uh . . .

Mr. RIDGE: Oh, right. Right.

POTUS: I think that's a wrap. That's a fine day's work, everyone. Let's call it good.

Mr. MINETA: Meeting is adjourned. Tom, you'll get a draft of the press release to Karl and we'll go from there?

[sounds of meeting breaking up.]

POTUS: Mr. Swift boat. We'll show him how we do things.

Mr. RUMSFELD: Yes we will, sir. Yes we will.


www.huffingtonpost.com...

[edit on 21-8-2009 by TrainDispatcher]

reply to post by TrainDispatcher


I'm assuming that was an article written in jest.

I found it slightly humerous.

Mr. Ridge is a stand up guy, a brief review..........

He earned a scholarship to Harvard College, where he paid his way through with construction work, played intramural baseball and football,and graduated with honors in 1967.

In 1982 he successfully ran for a seat in Congress...and was re-elected six times. Ridge was notable as the first enlisted Vietnam combat veteran elected to the U.S. House. As of 2009, Ridge has never lost an election for public office.

In 1994, ...Ridge ran for governor of Pennsylvania, winning the election...He was reelected in 1998 with 57 percent of the vote in a four-way race...Ridge's share of the vote was the highest for a Republican governor in Pennsylvania ... in more than half a century.

In 2000 election...

Ridge served as a close advisor to GOP presidential nominee George W. Bush...

In 2008 election...

Tom Ridge served as a senior aide to Republican Presidential candidate Senator John McCain of Arizona, and was considered by some as a possible running mate for McCain...

Source

IMO, Ridge is a credible and honorable man. (Also a Vietnam Veteran) If you review his private sector credentials, you’ll realize he is highly marketable and vital. Anyone suggesting the motivation is “book sales” has no grasp of the real world or profitability of such. I suspect the attempts to discredit him are yet another example of the Republicans turning on one of their own who dare chastise the Bush administration.

This man has integrity and simply wants the truth to be told.


[edit on 22-8-2009 by kinda kurious]

reply to post by jd140



Who's Tom Ridge?





Who would buy this book?

Edited to say,

You mean to tell me this is the dirt?

Is this all they have?

What else is in the book?

Anyone read it?

[edit on 103131p://bSaturday2009 by Stormdancer777]

Originally posted by Stormdancer777

Who's Tom Ridge?

A former US Governor and former GOP potential VP candidate. Kinda like a real-life male version of Sarah Palin except he walks the walk, has a brain, is a true patriot and his "pair" are anatomically lower.

Who would buy this book?

Me for sure. I dig non-fiction and history. Borders, here I come.

[edit on 22-8-2009 by kinda kurious]

Originally posted by Stormdancer777
reply to post by jd140

 

Who's Tom Ridge?

Quite possibly a man with high moral fiber that wants to save the GOP by exposing the graft, corruption and lies of the neocons.

I know who Tom is, I was joking, let's see what else can I say,

Oh he is one of the good guys?

I didn't know that.

Edited to ask,

Did he do what he was told?

Did he resign over it?

Why do they always tell this stuff after the fact?

www.politico.com...



[edit on 103131p://bSaturday2009 by Stormdancer777]

Originally posted by Stormdancer777
Oh he is one of the good guys?

A coy question deserves a coy response: Depends
( And I'm not referring to underpants)


Honest answer, IMO an emphatic YES. I merely question his choice of Party.

Born Aug. 26, 1945, in Pittsburgh's Steel Valley, He was raised in a working class family in veterans' public housing in Erie. He earned a scholarship to Harvard, graduating with honors in 1967. After his first year at The Dickinson School of Law, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as an infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for Valor. After returning to Pennsylvania, he earned his law degree and was in private practice before becoming assistant district attorney in Erie County. He was elected to Congress in 1982. He was the first enlisted Vietnam combat veteran elected to the U.S. House, and was overwhelmingly re-elected six times.

Full Bio at Fight the Bias

Originally posted by Stormdancer777


Oh he is one of the good guys?

at least he's not one of these guys.

www.geocities.com...

Perhaps Ridge is an actual Republican that adheres to "Family Values" that the GOP so proudly touts.

[edit on 22-8-2009 by whaaa]

of course they wanted to do this. Remember the Bin Laden tape that came out days before the election? How convenient. He dared people to vote for Bush making Kerry look weak in the process. I should say CIA produced tape, Bin Laden has probably been dead for years.
Whenever Bush was in trouble they could always come out with a new tape or change the threat level.
These scumbag politicians and manipulators use ever trick in the book.
See Obama and his goons using racism as their bailout technique.

reply to post by kinda kurious


"This man has integrity and simply wants the truth to be told."

Thats all fine and good. But the truth isn't worth a whole lot when you don't provide proof.

But as I said before, since its showing Bush in a bad light, little or no proof is generally required.