Comments on: Kissinger to head 9/11 commission

Kissinger to head 9/11 commission

brantstrand — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 13:51:56 -0800

Henry Kissinger has been named head of the "independent commission" to investigate the Sept. 11 attacks. President Bush named Kissinger head upon signing bill to establish the commission. Kissinger has a controversial history and arguable distance from "independence". Given that, can the American people have any reasonable expectation of an honest inspection by their government of what lead up to that day? Will the burning questions even be asked, let alone answered?

By: Ty Webb

Ty Webb — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 14:01:20 -0800

We're discussing this over here.

By: RobbieFal

RobbieFal — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 14:17:38 -0800

"Will the burning questions even be asked, let alone answered?" Did you ever expect Bush to do that? he has something to hide, otherwise, he wouldn't be appointing people like Kissenger to investigate 9/11

By: brantstrand

brantstrand — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 14:25:51 -0800

No, I didn't expect Bush to ask/answer the questions, but I thought maybe, just maybe, a commission created by congress and billed as independent might at least have the appearance of quasi-legitimate independence. Shoot me for being less than 100% jaded.

By: RobbieFal

RobbieFal — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 14:31:04 -0800

Nah.. with the new Terrorism insurance, you could easily die in a 'terrorist incident' and the company struck wouldn't have to pay for it. What a country!

By: RobbieFal

RobbieFal — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 14:33:36 -0800

[/yakov]

By: quonsar

quonsar — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 14:35:10 -0800

no. and no. any more questions? if our kids are lucky, or even interested by then, it'll come out in dribs and drabs in 50 years or so.

By: brantstrand

brantstrand — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 14:47:07 -0800

I thought this news was the most depressing thing, but it's now been surpassed by everyone's resigned and unsurprised reactions. I expect the reluctance to appear less than super cyncical about the state of things in the eyes of one's MeFi peers, but this is deflating.

By: RobbieFal

RobbieFal — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 14:48:03 -0800

Bush is doing alot to improve employment, he did employ relics from the 70s and 80s like Rumsfield, Kissenger, Poindexter and Reich. Although I will question having officials around our Terror War who were part of Vietnam, unless our Terror War turns out to be like Vietnam. if Bush had nothing to hide, then he wouldn't be trying to hide anything

By: Ty Webb

Ty Webb — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 15:07:36 -0800

"No matter how cynical you get, you can never keep up." -Lily Tomlin

By: hama7

hama7 — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 15:26:46 -0800

That's funny, I could have sworn I was just reading this on CNN, but without the spin, if you can believe that! Will wonders never cease?

By: Ty Webb

Ty Webb — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 15:31:07 -0800

Hama7, does that piano have any other notes?

By: paleocon

paleocon — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 15:36:01 -0800

I'd rather know what the hell happened in Oklahoma City than in NYC. If Clinton hadn't been so eager to pin the blame on "angry white men", perhaps we would have had earlier information about Iraq's participation in terrorism.

By: Ty Webb

Ty Webb — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 15:40:16 -0800

If Clinton hadn't been so eager to pin the blame on "angry white men", perhaps we would have had earlier information about Iraq's participation in terrorism. Well, considering building was bombed by an "angry white man" I think we can safely say that Clinton was on the money. Also, we might have had an easier time connecting Islamists to Oklahoma City, if indeed there is any connection, if we hadn't executed the primary witness.

By: son_of_minya

son_of_minya — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 16:00:37 -0800

Further proof that I am not going insane, and that is more terrifying than any nightmare I've had in the past year. Just last night, I scrawled "STOP WATCHING TV" on my wall in red marker, then I wake up to see this. Man, they would have to hire an actual 12' tall reptile (On tv, this morning. I didn't just wake up now.) Charles Manson has gotta be packing his bags. Just waitin' for that call. I'm goin' to Washington!

By: Ty Webb

Ty Webb — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 17:04:23 -0800

Christopher Hitchens comments on the Kissinger appointment.

By: hama7

hama7 — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 17:06:47 -0800

Hama7, does that piano have any other notes? Not when the FPP is the same old song and dance.

By: Ty Webb

Ty Webb — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 17:13:26 -0800

My favorite part was when hama7 said that CNN didn't have any spin.

By: hama7

hama7 — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 18:12:22 -0800

CNN didn't have any spin. It's a comparative thing, spin is, Mr. Webb.

By: brantstrand

brantstrand — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 18:48:15 -0800

Bla bla bla FPP. What is this, the opinion vacuum? Take my "spin" to task with counter arguments if you have any, but spare me the "FPP not totally scrubbed of anything not a cold hard fact" junk. Kissinger was appointed, he's controversial, and there are questions to be asked (hence the commission.) The facts, which I stated, are true. My questions have a slant, but were meant to start debate. Tell me why Kissinger was a good choice to head the commission, hama7.

By: chaz

chaz — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 18:59:34 -0800

The Hitchens article is worth a read. I like that guy.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 19:19:50 -0800

"That's like putting Robert Mugabe in charge of the Department of Agriculture."

By: stavrosthewonderchicken

stavrosthewonderchicken — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 19:30:40 -0800

Tell me why Kissinger was a good choice to head the commission Because he's a lying sack of shit? Oh wait, maybe that's why he's not a good choice. Damn, I'm all flustered and bewildered now! "That's like putting Robert Mugabe in charge of the Department of Agriculture." Now that's comedy! Heh.

By: stavrosthewonderchicken

stavrosthewonderchicken — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 19:33:11 -0800

But you know, comedy with tears in your eyes and all.

By: timyang

timyang — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 19:54:15 -0800

How can Kissinger help Bush and "future presidents understand the nature of the enemy" when the US has refused to address the reasons why there's so much angst against it among muslims? It's not a solvable equation.

By: hama7

hama7 — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 19:56:27 -0800

Tell me why Kissinger was a good choice to head the commission, hama7. *pounds on table* Who would have been a better choice, then, imperious questioner!

By: RobbieFal

RobbieFal — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 20:10:27 -0800

"Who would have been a better choice, then, imperious questioner!" Somebody who isn't in danger of being indicted for War Crimes?

By: amberglow

amberglow — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 20:13:28 -0800

this is good...there's precedent for at least one of Kissinger's bosses getting impeached...

By: hama7

hama7 — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 20:18:51 -0800

Everybody knows that the head of a comission doesn't really do anything.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Wed, 27 Nov 2002 20:23:51 -0800

Who would have been a better choice Hart or Rudman would have been a good choice, IMO, since they were aware of the danger before anyone else.

By: jpoulos

jpoulos — Thu, 28 Nov 2002 06:51:10 -0800

The fact that hama7 is bitching that we're bitching about this destroys all credibility to the argument that "the left takes cheap shots at the right on mefi". Kissinger is lying, cheating, partisan scumbag who will defend The Administration at all costs, and putting him in charge smacks of rubbing the mid-term election in the Democrats' face.

By: Kiell

Kiell — Thu, 28 Nov 2002 09:01:40 -0800

The Guardian amused me this morning when it desribed Kissinger as having "been accused of war crimes by his critics" before quoting Bush stating that Kissinger "will bring broad experience" to the task. On a more serious note, the appointment of this man is also worthy of question.

By: y2karl

y2karl — Thu, 28 Nov 2002 18:31:25 -0800

*pounds on table* Who would have been a better choice, then, imperious questioner! Everybody knows that the head of a comission doesn't really do anything. Taken in order. Reversed: Everybody knows that the head of a comission doesn't really do anything. *pounds on table* Who would have been a better choice, then, imperious questioner! Why, Inanimate Carbon Rod, of course! Which handily anagrams to Canadian moron tribe, Manitoban coriander, Manitoba acorn diner, drab American notion, Canberra admonition and Inert Canadian broom. Oh, Romeo and Britannica, too!

By: hama7

hama7 — Thu, 28 Nov 2002 18:44:54 -0800

Why don't you start a campaign to appoint Al Gore to the head of the commission? I heard he needs a job.

By: y2karl

y2karl — Thu, 28 Nov 2002 19:47:04 -0800

Freep! Freep! Freep! Freep! Freep! Freep!

By: Optamystic

Optamystic — Thu, 28 Nov 2002 20:07:08 -0800

hama7, are you seriously going to sit (stand) there and defend the appointment of the lyingest, killingest, fuckhead to ever hold high American office?

By: Optamystic

Optamystic — Thu, 28 Nov 2002 20:17:27 -0800

Sorry if that came off as a bit strident, but when I read about Kissinger's appointment to this sham of a commission, my head exploded, so I've been having trouble thinking clearly.

By: hama7

hama7 — Thu, 28 Nov 2002 20:18:12 -0800

Well yes, I guess I am, although I think there's a lot of unnecessary sound and fury about it. Frankly I don't see the problem, but I suppose we shall have to agree to disagree, because this is really not going anywhere.

By: y2karl

y2karl — Thu, 28 Nov 2002 21:17:43 -0800

Oh, excuse me, let me rephrase that... Freep! Freep! Freep! Freep! Freep! Freep!

By: y2karl

y2karl — Thu, 28 Nov 2002 21:27:21 -0800

I mean, thank God that Suharto saved us from those genocidal Stalinist East Timorese maniacs!

By: muppetboy

muppetboy — Thu, 28 Nov 2002 21:40:19 -0800

hey, why not have him lead the commission? after all, it can't trump this: http://www.nobel.se/peace/laureates/1973/ i think that was the year tom lehrer threw in the towel on political satire. think he was right about that. i mean what can you say after *kissinger* receives the nobel peace prize?!

By: hama7

hama7 — Thu, 28 Nov 2002 21:47:15 -0800

y2karl: If you insist on making these outlandish overtures, and following my every post harpy-like with insults, attacks and diatribes as the *Swedish Chef*, I can really do nothing but sit back and laugh. Honestly, you are doing nothing but mugging and hooting. Calling me a "lying shit weasel" (as you did in the fifth 'freep' menu) does wonders for your credibility and will certainly encourage people to take you seriously in the future. I have done the stand-up thing to prevent this kind of bandwidth waste by e-mailing you yesterday, politely requesting you to dial it down with the nonsense and inane ad hominem attacks, and asking that if you must attack me personally, then at least do it by e-mail so that every MetaFilter member does not, by necessity, have to read your asinine interjections. Since you did not respond, and instead have decided to increase your shrill hysterics, you have convinced me that you are not interested in civility or discourse, and instead would rather just read your own guttural bayings and count the number of them on some other website, apropos of nothing.

By: hama7

hama7 — Thu, 28 Nov 2002 22:58:34 -0800

John O'Sullivan makes an interesting case against the label "war criminal" in this transcript of a discussion. And William F. Buckley adds: "A Canadian reviewer of the Kissinger film wrote wryly, 'If one considers Dr. Kissinger's policies of accommodation with various Communist powers, it would be easier to suggest he is a peace criminal.' The historic view that will prevail is that he was the most consistent and resourceful anti-Communist on the scene during a decade in which two presidents sought out his counsel, and the republic profited from it."

By: sheauga

sheauga — Fri, 29 Nov 2002 12:42:41 -0800

Kissinger Brings Controversial Legacy to Post - Reuters

By: homunculus

homunculus — Fri, 29 Nov 2002 17:16:14 -0800

"For many in the world, Kissinger is a symbol of US arrogance and the misuse of American might. In power, he cared more for US credibility and geostrategic advantage than for human rights and open government. His has been a career of covertly moving chips, not one of letting them fall. He is not a truth-seeker. In fact, he has prevaricated about his own actions and tried to limit access to government information. He should be subpoenaed, not handed the right to subpoena. He is a target, not an investigator."

By: homunculus

homunculus — Fri, 29 Nov 2002 17:18:23 -0800

Thanks for the William F. Buckley link, hama7. I don't agree with him, but he is a great writer and always a pleasure to read.

By: hama7

hama7 — Fri, 29 Nov 2002 19:31:55 -0800

My pleasure. Thanks for the Nation link. While Kissinger's appointment is controversial, and his abilities are without compare, I do wonder why an octogenarian was chosen for this position, among probably many other similarly qualified candidates, (not that his age should preclude his appointment, but wouldn't he rather be playing golf or something?)