Rove tips his hand: Here's how the pre-election terra thing will play out

[John_H]

Put together these three pieces:

1) Ridge finally comes on board with the pre-election terra scare.

2) Notice the odd little scoop CNN got today--That Bin Laden is pulling the strings on this particular operation directly? They don't know where, when, or how, but they're sure Bin Laden's in charge? Can someone explain how that might happen?

3) Big time pressure on Pakistan to "find" bin laden in two weeks.

The way I put the pieces together is this: There won't be an attack. Bin Laden will be caught. Since he is the pre-election terra strike mastermind, his capture will THWART the terra attack, and chimp will save democracy.

Take this one to the bank folks. And if Americans are that dumb, we deserve four more years of Chimp.

[blm]

1. I agree.

It is exactly what these thugs would pull. I hope the good guys in the intel community find a way to expose them.

[revree]

2. EXCEPT.....

All Kerry has to do is keep asking why this, why now? It would just stink too much to high heaven. Hey, when are a handful of moderate Republicans going to switch parties - they must be cringing in disgust at what their party is resorting to...

[walldude]

9. While I agree that this would stink

to high heaven, when has that ever stopped them. I mean look at the things that stink in the last 2 days alone:

Senate report to sidestep Bush use of misleading intellegance:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/08/politics/08inte.html
get out of jail free

Commision says Cheney had no new information on 9/11:
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/article.php?sid=16904&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
liar

Bush recieves liscense to lie, witholding Medicare costs called legal:
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/article.php?sid=16902&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
I still can't believe this one.

There are alot more I'm just outta time ;)

[John_H]

12. that's the key. ALL dems have to scream "why all this? Why now?"

and they have to start today. That way, when the operation unfolds, there will at least be some seeds of doubt in the voters' minds. Other than Wexler and a couple of decent reporters, I haven't heard anyone outside of DU say anything remotely like this.

[neebob]

29. That'll never happen

They're all too afraid of appearing unconcerned about terrorism and losing their jobs. Their opponents would have a field day, one little attack would prove them all wrong, and the party would never recover.

[Zinfandel]

14. Because moderates have no fucking balls!!!!

[BayouBengal07]

3. yes, I noticed that

every time there's a suspected terrorist attack, bin Ladens name pops up out of the ghosts of our forgotten global wild goose chase for him. The Daily Show played the clip of Ridge's press conference today saying we didn't know who, where, when about the attacks...but we're sure that OBL is behind them I guess!

I really hope this backfires on them.

[Kazak]

4. Yeah, the Bin Laden tie-in is as smelly as hell.

Very manufactured.

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. You give them too much credit

Bin Laden can't be found because either they can't find him or he is dead. To think otherwise ascribes a level of competence that is in conflict with the basic premise that chimp is a chimp. And chimp IS a chimp.

[thecrow]

39. How do you defrost a dead man? How long does it take?

.... about two weeks?

[Insider]

6. more oddness

2001: bush had briefings, and said/did nothing
2004: admin knows nothing, and they won't shut up!

[MajorFlaw]

7. I've read variation on this theme for a couple of years now. The problem

is that bin Laden is presented as the source of all evil. Once he is captured/killed, people will expect terrorism to abate. It's the same problem with capturing/killing Zarqawi. What does shrubco say when things don't change at all after their death/capture.

[Gman]

8. I'm sitting here amazed that all the things we have talked about

here on DU for the last 3 years, along with when they would happen, and even how they would happen are now starting to materialize just as we said they would. The first major pre-November election thing was Reagan dying. If OBL buys it at the end of the month, just do a search on the 'ol DU archives to find out what happens next.

These people are so incredibly predictable.

[MajorFlaw]

10. Well, yes, Reagan dying was predictable.

Even if he did check out right on schedule, I wouldn't read too much into it. He was 93 after all.

[DemBones DemBones]

17. The predictions were about Bush* attempting to milk

Reagan's death for political gain (and the fear was that he'd succeed in convincing people he was another Reagan, and that another Reagan was what they want.)

[iconoclastic cat]

11. I really don't think bin Laden is going to just be caught during his lunch

or something. I bet that bastard surrounds himself with a good number of well-armed fans at all times. I doubt that he's going to let Musharraf just scoop him up.

As for the terror attack, of course he still wants to hit the US; nobody doubts that. But I doubt it would happen according to the campaign schedule.

[cprise]

13. All they have to do

...is say they caught SOMEONE who was supposedly planning an attack.

The election would only have to be postponed a day or two for the effect they'd hope for. Details about the invividuals would only come much, much later anyway and by then it will all be 'top secret' and too late.

[sweetheart]

15. they can try, but it won't work

The dam has burst and no rovian manipulation will change this as
we move in to the election heat.

Spookier is the new requirement to eliminate foreign journalists
and likely election observers as well.

The democratic party should request international assistance and
election observers, just like the opposition party in mugabe's
zimbabwe.

No matter what ploy, the awakened america will toss the repukes
out on their ears, congress and the senate as well.

[DemBones DemBones]

18. Eliminate foreign journalists??? Tell me more,

I have houseguests and am out of the loop.

[sweetheart]

20. They've changed the visa rules

For foreign journalists to renew, they have to leave the country
and pursue the interview process at a US embassy abroad. This is
causing something like 20,000 journalists to be expelled during the
election period, who will likely have difficulty getting back
to cover said election. It worries me the "coincidence" of this
little factoid.

[John_H]

37. This is an outrage. Literally purging reporters not under their control

Bet they won't take Hitchypoo's visa though. Hell, he's probably feeding them the names of who to get rid of first.

[thecrow]

40. Ah, but they ARE under our control

They have to have visas to be here.
Still, does anyone know if the 20,000 that will have to leave (BEGINNING NEXT WEEK!!!) represent ALL of the foreign journalists?
How long is their visa for?
Will they ALL be out by the election?

[Oggy]

19. Hi Sweetheart

long time no speak.

Anyway where did you get this snippet from "Spookier is the new requirement to eliminate foreign journalists
and likely election observers as well."? This is new to me.

I hope you are well up there in the sticks :-)

[sweetheart]

21. yesterday's guardian

or times... or ?press and journal (aberdeen).

Yes, i've been offline with serious virus infections, (the PC).
Methinks the republicans are using viruses to render the internet
ineffective during this coming election season... as truth be told,
the internet is not good for republicans, as truth is too easily
exposed.

I'm well in the sticks :-)... the winter of london's discontent
has been quite mild up here near orkney.

Imagine you are a journalist with a regioinal paper currently
standing in florida, and you have to return to your home country,
apply for a long delay visa and be interviewed by a US embassy
acting as agents of the bush-criminals abroad. You may not get
a visa in time to get back to cover this election period... its expulsion by another name.

[Oggy]

22. You need a decent firewall

to go with the Anti-virus software you must have!

I LOL at the idea of the repubs targeting the internet with virus's. Way too much money to lose by business :-)

Get your point on the journalists, I had thought it may have been a more overt thing.

Glad you are well. See you later :-)

[kayell]

33. This is really, really serious. One of the most alarming things

I have read in a couple of days of alarming signs from the BFEE. I must have missed earlier discussions of this.

Found one link about it so far.
http://www.ascribe.org/cgi-bin/spew4th.pl?ascribeid=20040706.113034&time=12%2012%20PDT&year=2004&public=1
Society of Professional Journalists Calls on State Department to Continue Renewing Visas to Foreign Journalists

INDIANAPOLIS, July 6 (AScribe Newswire) -- The Society of Professional Journalists has learned of the recent decision of the State Department to discontinue its domestic reissuance service for nonimmigrant I visas (foreign media representatives).

Each year roughly 20,000 I visas are provided to international journalists to come and visit the United States for reports, interviews and other news coverage. In addition thousands of accredited foreign reporters are semi-permanently stationed in the United States. The discontinuance of the reissuance service will directly affect the semi-permanently stationed reporters, while bringing havoc upon the many that visit us on short notice. Currently a renewal of an I visa in the United States will take sometimes four to six months, while renewing an I visa abroad at a U.S. consulate may take four to six weeks, and in some cases longer. Neither situation provides a professional journalist with a realistic option for renewal of his visa status. Foreign journalists travel, and cannot do their work without proper travel documents.

SPJ is very concerned that this action prompts reciprocal actions by foreign governments to American journalists living and working overseas. We remind the U.S. government that this regulation creates a serious gap in information about the United States for overseas viewers and readers, and about the world for American news consumers. Such a vacuum of responsible reporting provides opportunities for rumors and innuendo instead of facts. Moreover, if American journalists are limited in their ability to work overseas, due to introduction of reciprocal restrictions, we are directly deprived from our news sources as well, and fewer reports from abroad will reach the United States for our audiences. American journalists are stationed in almost every country and many nations have reporters stationed in the United States, or dispatch daily journalists to the States for coverage of spot or breaking news. Both depend highly on the mutual courtesy and flexibility of the respective governments to assure swift and accurate international reporting.

SPJ reminds the U.S. government that by deploying an extremely short term to introduce the new rule, many foreign media representatives semi-permanently stationed in the U.S., and most foreign journalists who may get coverage assignments, will not know about the new rule. This will create additional conflicts and confusion for all parties concerned. In addition, many American journalists stationed abroad may also be suddenly confronted with embarrassing, unpleasant and unjustified decisions of foreign governments taking retaliatory actions.

Those journalists with visas or an established record of work as a journalist in the United States should not be faced with additional restrictions after the fact. SPJ urges the U.S. government to change its immigration policy to allow foreign journalists to enter the United States for a short stay as easily as any other traveler. In fact, it should be easier for legitimate journalists to visit the United States on assignment than nearly anyone. Any exorbitant costs or excessive delays or additional bureaucratic paperwork in the acquisition of visas for journalists should not be tolerated.

Therefore, the Society of Professional Journalists suggests the United States government introduce an interim arrangement for all foreign journalists permanently stationed in the United States, and all foreign media representatives visiting us frequently, allowing for more lead time, and an expedient renewal process. Renewals of I visa should be available both in the country of origin and in the United States within two weeks from request. Such renewals in the United States could be issued by the field offices of the Department of Homeland Security throughout the nation and by immigration authorities at ports of entry.

[sweetheart]

36. Yes, it is quite serious.. especially with this timing

It could well force 10's of thousands of journalists to return to
their home countries and miss the reporting of the election... like
fewer witnesses to a pending crime. Why now? The timing stinks and
its all cloaqued in "good intentions" like the rest of BFEE lies.

[thecrow]

38. Some did ask the UN to monitor our election

but because it was a group of Democrats the UN refused.
The request has to come from a nation i.e. the Smirk at Large, not from a group of concerned citizens.

[Pachamama]

16. Damn your good....your a "Forensic DUer"....

Thanks JohnH for putting together the puzzle pieces from Karl Rove & Co.

sounds like what the boys there are up to....unbelievable ain't it?

[Disturbed]

23. Osama bin Laden

Does anyone here believe that he is in the Afghan/Pakistan region?

I suspect that he left that area several years ago and is in Indonesia. I highly doubt that he will ever be found. If he is dead or dies his group have or will bury him where no one will ever find him. Alive or dead he is the Icon of Fundie Islamics.

[jukes]

24. public america

wd fall for it, if they can pull it off. i think they'd have to already have him in secret, for this tactic to work.

or a good "double".

[dusty64]

25. Don't doubt this either.

x

[birdbrain]

26. One more piece...

There will be some "coercive interrogation" connection, which they will claim provided the knowledge to get OBL and stop the attack, thus providing a retroactive justification (at least in the minds of the sheeple) for their embrace of torture techniques.

[John_H]

30. READ BIRDBRAIN'S POST. That is exactly what they'll say

"If it weren't for us getting tough with the guy(s) we would never have caught Bin Laden and saved all those 'merican lives."

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

27. I've been predicting this since last year

absolutely plausible if not probable

:(

[Philostopher]

28. See, I predicted a flashy capture during the Dem convention.

They planned an attack, but were caught, and I see Dim Son frogmarching some brown people in Arab garb down the streets of Boston, effectively riding in on his white horse to save the Democrats. What a guy -- he even risked his life to save them lib'ruls! He's the Terminator, Walker Texas Ranger and Robocop all rolled into one!

And when I said it, a couple of months ago, I assure you all I was joking. Really, I was -- I knew they'd try something. I'm starting to think I may have been right -- or something a whole lot like the scenario above.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

31. From January 6, 2004:

Hell Hath No Fury (1000+ posts): "They've been waiting for this opportunity since...the late 80s and are in the first stages of their Pax Americana.

They are NOT going to let this go without a fight -- and a dirty one at that.

How far are they willing to go?

I have come to the conclusion after three years that they may go to lengths that will blow our collective minds.

Personally, I am thinking some sort of massive attack that is "foiled" by Bush et al right before election time, or a national emergency that pulls the country together or delays elections."

[ElementaryPenguin]

32. I can definitely see it playing out that way. Wish Kerry/Edwards would

Predict an extremely "timely" capture of Bin Laden before it happens - to underscore the disgusting, and very transparent way BushCo is using their bogus war on terror for sheer political manipulation!

:puke:

[jackstraw45]

34. Many Americans ARE that dumb but we don't deserve the chimp

George Bush is Hero of the Stupid but many of us had our eyes open in 2000 and still have them open in 2004.

We're in a war here folks...this isn't over by a LONG shot.

[VolcanoJen]

35. Kick! Excellent (and pretty scary) discussion in this thread.

I'm especially freaked out about the sudden confluence of all this information.

The Senate Intelligence Committee's report is being set up to blame the entire Iraq war not on the president, but on the CIA. "Phase 2" won't appear until after the election, when it really won't matter anymore.

So... Bushie off the hookie for Iraq, at least that's what they're going for... which sets up the next part, where he looks like a strong leader:

Next, this news about Bin Laden determined to attack before the end of the year, and the news about Pakistanis being strong-armed into producing OBL smack-dab in the middle of the Democratic Convention.

Bush will get the credit for thwarting a disaster (they'll over-hype how awful it would have been, too), and the credit for capturing OBL.

There's only one unsolved part of the puzzle, though... what if an attack really does happen? If they weren't expecting it, and it happens, I think the administration will be caught of guard and they're likely to screw up their response just like with 9/11. I mean, Rove just can't control events... OBL and terrorists certainly aren't obligated to follow this "plan."

The part about expelling foreign journalists is the most frightening part of the whole story to me. :-(

[Zan_of_Texas]

41. nice job on plucking out the story on foreign journalists!

That IS scary! That means, if something DOES happen, the world press will HAVE to rely on American journalists to tell the tale.

That is a problem.

No crook likes witnesses to a crime.

Holy crap.

Meanwhile, I have to take issue with the previous post. Volcano, there are too many indications that the Bush administration knew 9-11 was coming to believe that their response was a fuck-up. When you look at all the layers of protection that are supposed to be in place (and that we pay well over $400 billion a year for -- NSA, CIA, Echelon, NORAD, FAA, Air Force, you name it) -- it's hard to believe anything but that there was a stand-down on potential responses. When the capital city AND the military headquarters of the world's most powerful country can be attacked without ANY response at all, after several other attacks have already taken place, it puts into question the intention to respond.

(Oh yeah, one more thing -- if it WAS a fuck-up, why was NO ONE fired?)