The Truth Comes Out

In a distrurbing report in today's Seattle Times the last shred of competence of Condi Rice and George Bush goes up in flames.

Read this account. IT is not speculation but was confirmed by the White House. Contrary to what Tony Snow is saying, this is not old news. Indeed the White House somehow kept any record of this meeting from the 9/11 Commission.

So picture this. A desperate meeting held in July 2001 between the CIA and the White House. The CIA tried to warn Condi Rice and the president about the looming terrorists attack that took place on 9/11. Instead of doing something, the president went on vacation. People risked their careers to warn the White House and instead they were rebuffed.

The Bob Woodward Book State of Denial "...reported that then-CIA Director George Tenet and his counterterrorism chief, Cofer Black, grew so concerned about a possible al-
Qaida attack in summer 2001 that they abruptly decided to drive straight to the White House to get high-level attention.

Tenet called Rice, then the national-security adviser, from his car to ask to see her in hopes that the surprise appearance would make an impression.
But the meeting on July 10, 2001, left Tenet and Black frustrated and feeling brushed off, Woodward reported. Rice, they believed, did not feel the same sense of urgency about the threat and was content to wait for a policy review.

The report of such a meeting takes on heightened importance after former President Clinton this week complained that the Bush team did not do enough to try to kill Osama bin Laden before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., said her husband would have paid more attention to warnings of a possible attack than did Bush.

Rice fired back on behalf of the current president, saying the Bush administration "was at least as aggressive" in eight months as Clinton had been in eight years.
The July 10 meeting among Rice, Tenet and Black wasn't mentioned in various investigations into the Sept. 11 attacks and Woodward wrote that Black "felt there were things the commissions wanted to know about and things they didn't want to know about."

Jamie Gorelick, a member of the Sept. 11 commission, said she checked with staff members, who told her investigators were never told about a July 10 meeting.
White House and State Department officials confirmed Friday that the July 10 meeting took place, although they took issue with the portrayal of its results. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, responding on behalf of Rice, said Tenet and Black had never publicly expressed any frustration with her response. Tenet and Black did not respond to messages Friday."

Washington Post reporter Glenn Kessler contributed to this report. Material from The Associated Press, Bloomberg News and the Los Angeles Times also is included.
Copyright © 2006 The Seattle Times Company

In a nutshell George W Bush and Condi Rice completely own 9/11. That is their final legacy.

Why I Can Never Run For Public Office...

The immortal and stunning beauty of "The Rodeo Princess. "12th Runner up out of a field of 6". Author of Advice Not Worth the Paper Its Written On. Not seen on Project Runway or in Elle.

In fact, not even seen lately.

That's what you get when you hire your stage manager in a bar. 

 

More politics

I received a letter yesterday from a long time friend who wondered if I'd changed my political viewpoints recently.

He wrote that lately it's become kinda hip to be one of those cool dudes screaming that the nation's been bushwhacked.

My buddy thought I'd joined the jackass party suspiciously late.

For the record, I'm an indepedent who currently leans Democrat. I believe that the US Constitution is under assault by the Republicans.

I guess that also makes me an "enemy combatant".

I'm also fiscally conservative. Socially liberal. More libertarian than anything. I tend to believe that the more government you have, the less liberty and freedom that will result. Government has specific roles. Health. Public Safety. Defense. Stuff like that. Still, I've tried hard to avoid discussing politics. Its a losing proposition for both me, and anyone who tries to get into that debate with me.

In other words, relax. My politics have remained unchanged.

I also learned yesterday that "Susie" sent me a long email that I believe was snagged by the NSA. I never received it. She called asking what I thought of her response and claimed that she "Really, really, worked hard on it". Susie so wants to take me on. I had to let her down easy. The great battle of the Pend Oreille County League of Republican Women Voters verses the Rodeo Princess "12th Runner up out of a field of 6" will have to wait...

Dang.

I'm totally bummed that I didn't get her volley. I love dancing with Republicans. I'm a great lead.

Seriously I'm sure the Bush administration most likely has her email. She is going to be so pissed. Susie wanted to have the last word and now the folks she voted into office have stiffled her freedom of speech. What's up with that?

Doesn't the Republican bumper sticker scream that they protect freedom? What about freedom to marry? Freedom of choice? Freedom of religion?

See what happens when you give up your liberty Susie? Even you're fellow Republicans turn against ya!

I wish I could be there as she reads...

But back to the story.

Trucking has taught me much about power and corruption and that many times governmental intervention defines the problem rather than the solution. The CDL scandals in Illinois. The court-ordered dismantling of a corrupt Tennessee trucking regulatory agency. The mess that still defines the California Highway Patrol. The completely unconstitutional stuff I've witnessed happening in Texas for years.

As my family will attest, I've never supported President George W. Bush.

I've never voted for him.

I sorta liked his father but that seems a long time ago now.

I have spent a lot of time in Texas. Especially when GW was governor, I saw the ignorance that defined so much of his policies. I also knew and followed the numerous financial disasters that defined his business history.

And remember, anytime anyone starts citing their faith in Jesus as some sort of politically charged character endorsement, be instantly suspicious.

I proudly admit I was a big Clinton fan. During his administration the US enjoyed budget surpluses, responsible policies and unlike Bush, Clinton actually considered Bin Laden a very real and present threat. Today's news is full of reports that grave warnings prior to 9/11 were ignored by the current administration.

Remember Whitewater, Troopergate, and the rest of the "scandals"? Not one of them proved to have any substance. Most of the players have later admitted they were paid by powerful neocons to fabricate those accusations. You probably haven't heard that on Rush.

Compare Clinton and Bush. Clinton never sealed his presidential papers under executive order. His policies were never wrapped in secrecy. He was not repeatedly rebuked by the Supreme Court.

Yet the forthcoming Bob Woodward book unravels the last thread of credibility G W Bush has in regards to his presidency and his ability to protect our country. The Bush legacy already stands as the most corrupt in our nation's history. We are all unsafer because of "the war on terror" being transferred from Afghanistan to Iraq.

The recent disclosures about the many, many contacts between Karl Rove and Jack Abramoff sound more like business as usual in Mexico or Moscow than what our system of checks and balances, transparency, and accountability to the people is supposed to stand for.

Clinton wasn't perfect. Although I think he was sincere and that he believed in the policies he tried to introduce.

Yet I admit when Clinton eventually ratified NAFTA, I felt betrayed.

Clinton's later courage in standing up for US and Canadian Truckers was commendable. President Clinton would successfully protect hard working and patriotic drivers who make up the trucking industry and drive our economy.

(Remember, most of the 500 contractor fatalities in Iraq are Halliburton employed truckers. Some of whom, as reported on CNN today, were actually abandoned by their military escorts during ambushes or intentionally sent into unsecured areas in Iraq to drive up Halliburton war billings.)

Contrary to popular opinion Clinton never sold us out. NAFTA was not subject to ammendment, change or line item veto. Where he could, the President stood strong against unfair competition, lax safety standards, and corporate, greed-based exploitation of developing world labor.

Truckers knew about "outsourcing" long before it was a popular buzz word in the US and despite all his faults, Clinton still defended truckers against trucking firm outsourcing strategies even as those same massive US trucking companies lobbied shamelessly to open up the border. Clinton held fast against industry pressure knowing that US truckers in places like Oklahoma, New York, and Florida could not fairly compete against south of the border drivers who did not have the same insurance, safety, or training requirements.

Especially when one considers that Mexican Drivers are paid cents on the dollar in real North American wages.

Clinton demonstrated that public safety was more important than "productivity gains" and that the economies of the United States and Canada were not similar to what one finds in Mexico. He kept artificially lower Mexican wages and lax safety standards off our highways.

What has Bush done?

The Bush administration has quietly lobbied for the development of secret port deals in Mexico that bypass western ports such as Seattle and Los Angeles. Behind the scenes, he's pushed for the opening up of the United States to Mexican trucking industries, while also lobbying for new limited-access "trade corridors" from Mexico to Canada that are not subjected to domestic oversight.

That's right. We lose control over our own highways as enforcement is exempt. They call this "reducing trade barriers." Nice huh?

President Bush repeatedly promised Mexican President Fox that he would open the US to Mexican truckers. Only congress has kept Bush from fulfilling that promise. But barely.

Don't believe me? Go here: http://www.spp.gov . Its the slickest PR piece...but remember none of this has been approved by congress. It's all happening under the radar, inspired by rich and powerful multinational corporations who are not accountable to anyone.

Already the recently completed US Customs facility in Kansas City is online and will bypass current domestic border protections.

International freight will move "in bond" between Mexico and North America. No US inspections until the freight is deep into the heartland. No accountability.

All it takes is one bribed Mexican Port official, a terrorist with good connections and we end up with a potential terrorist nuke in Oklahoma.

True conservatives are up in arms over these developments. Republican Texas Governor Perry is facing an outright revolt from within his own party as folks in Texas learn about this new corridor and the possibility of weapons of mass destruction making their way undetected into the US.

As Clinton demonstrated quite forcefully last Sunday on the FOX Network, the current administration has done nothing to make us safer.

So to my concerned friend so far away...have no fear. Nothing's changed here.

And to my dear friend Susie...I'd suggest you send that next letter via pony express. It might just get here.

Twilight Fall Color

 

Get R Done-with a bit of Alberta Flava'

Canadian Cowboy Hank Jackson does a fine two-step exhibition in Los Angeles. (Sorry this caption didn't appear earlier. Photo credit unknown...)

From the mailbag...

Readers thoughts....

My name is Tim and I too am a Hotwheel collector.

I have a collection "not for sale" of over 2000 loose cars including opened treasure hunt vehicles that force me to listen to "for value" collectors complain " why did you open that?". I also have 1000s of unopened cars I plan on opening someday. My future retirement plans are to build cities in my basement that rival HO train setups. I do not like trains but I like cars! Keep on opening them cars and playing with them. I do!

Tim

Thank God Hot Wheels are so dang cheap or I'd have been priced out of this hobby a long time ago. I don't know how many cars are in my collection now...but I've kept up with my collection-Hot Wheels only came out with 38 new cars for 2006. I've found, or friends have found, about 3/4's of them...

To read the story Hot Wheels, Hooves, And the Illusion of Happiness go here: http://www.highmountainranch.com/SomeDay/Ch1.shtml

Enjoy...

Glad to have read your soap box meanderings on your current political debacle.

It always amazes me and it truly makes me happy that my grandparents slipped north of the border to be with other branches of family. Though the other day I was asked what sort of Canadian I was "French Canadian or English Canadian? No I responded guess I am either just "Canadian" or if I have to be tagged "American Canadian", with 1 parent and 3 grandparents that were citizens of your fine country.

Sigh I like "Just Canadian" best. I have found I am tired of being anti American because you have an idiot president. You have so many wonderful and fine people in your country, I don't feel as family that we should slag you. You need all the friends you can get to help you realize that you are more than the lowest common denominator.

I kind of think that the Chinese Government is chuckling at your country for throwing your resources away like the Spanish Armada at England with your war in Iraq. While they are taking over your ability to produce your own products. Anyway good luck to you and yours, we have our own idiots to deal with here.

Henry, Alberta Canada...

I learned some interesting bits about my family several years back. I spent a couple weeks of my vacation with my grandmother Billie Lopeman. I didn't know it at the time but it would be the last vacation we'd take together.

For weeks, we debated whether we should take the trip, and if she was up for the journey. Finally in early september of 2001 we hit the road. I had to lift Billie into my 4x4 at every stop, but that was her only limitation. Indeed with each mile, she seemed to lose a decade.

At 85 she was completely up for the trek, so longing to return to Montana to visit old family homesteads, longtime friends and neighbors and to validate where she came from.

It was the best vacation I've ever had. Once that journey started, so also began a dialogue of not only where she came from, but also where I came from. Five generations suddenly had context.

I learned that my great grandparents originally homesteaded in Sask. & Alberta, Canada and that my great grandfather's gambling debts eventually led to the "encouragement" for their quick resettlement in Montana-although many of my great grandmother's sisters remained in the Calgary area. My great uncle Ed Loskot was actually born in Canada-but because he was born at home without a birth certificate, when the family resettled in Montana, his Canadian birth was quickly "forgotten".

I have great fondness for Canada...as Canadian politics have evolved, their economy stands tall and with their humanitarian commitment to their people- as well as the rest people of the world, Canadians are a fine example of what we can be.

Here's the story about Billie's last adventure:
http://www.highmountainranch.com/TalesFromtheRoad/tremendously.html




Timbo, that's a very thorough list of reasons you posted.

Maybe you should go back and add the secret meeting Cheney had to set the energy policy. the meeting with all the big oil executives. the executives who refused to testify to congress as to the content of their meeting with the VP. then be sure to remind everyone that the price for gas is simply market forces at their best. thats how it works in our capitalist economy. our democratic way that now includes govt policy meetings that are secret from the population. democracy. yeah

Brad, Georgia

It looks like the Bush Administration is getting the roll over from congress. Some pundits are referring to Senator John McCain as the Mcrollover man. The US Constitution now stands as the greatest causalty of The War on Terror, followed by the Geneva Conventions, with congressional oversight and checks and balances bringing up the rear.

Anyone, anywhere can be arrested and labeled as an enemy-a terrorist. Forget about due process. Forget about your rights under the Geneva Convention. It is a very scary time for Democracy...

Tim,

Beginning with the next Oct 1 issue, Spokane Public Schools will be distributing Stonewall News issues to High School and Middle School staff as well as administrative staff. These Stonewall issues will also be available to students and their parents. Spokane School District website will also provide a link to Stonewall website to enable access to current and back issues as well as other information available on the Stonewall website.

This is being done as part of a larger effort by the Equity Dept of the school system to be supportive of its student population in a truly non-discriminatory manner. The school system is finding itself trying to cope with students who are coming out at younger and younger ages.

The GSA's within the school district will also begin using the online Stonewall GLBTQA calendar and their events will be published in the printed edition of the Stonewall. Discussion has begun to engage GLBTQA students through the GSA's in contributing their own writing in the Stonewall just as other GLBTQA organizations currently do. Further, Spokane School District will begin rotating 3 1/4 page color ads every month in Stonewall beginning with the next issue. I was shown the ad ideas yesterday and they're wonderful!

I share this with you because this bold progressive partnership between Stonewall and the public schools is monumental, particularly in (conservative) Spokane. With school system staff of 5,000 and 29,000+ students, Stonewall's circulation will increase dramatically and the dynamics of Stonewall's readership will shift. Our audience will trend younger and more mainstream, and this presents new opportunities to engage, educate, and enlighten in our columns, writings, and overall presentation as a publication.

As contributors to Stonewall - thank you for the work you've done and continue to do. :)

Mike, Publisher Stonewall News Northwest http://www.stonewallnews.net/index2.htm



I am really excited about this. As a monthly contributor to Stonewall News Northwest, I've been so proud that under Mike's leadership, Stonewall News has become something I'm not ashamed for someone in my family to see. Even my very conservative parents.

Unlike the Seattle Gay News, which has an entire section that seems more appropriate for an adult bookstore, Stonewall is far more progressive and professional. I applaud Mike's courage and willingness to go in new directions and lead rather than follow. Although the rest of the country might think of Spokane as Out in the Middle of Nowhere-I'd offer that we are actually poised front and center on the crest of the new cutting edge. I am humbled that I get to be part of that exciting new direction.

If you have comments on anything you find here, or on www.highmountainranch.com , you can send them here:
highmountainranch@povn.com Write on!

Light & Day

The following images were taken within about 15 minutes of one another last week while I was in Spokane. All of these shots were also taken within a few blocks of one another. This first bridge image is the Monroe Street Bridge. It's on the historic registry, and was recently restored last year. My father used to ride across the railing on his bicycle back when he was a kid. Not a very smart thing to do eh?

The rest of the shots are of the sky mall, the former site of Expo 74-the worlds fair and of well, you can figure it all out...Enjoy.