Kissinger to head 9/11 commission

November 27, 2002 1:51 PM

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?
posted by brantstrand (46 comments total)

We're discussing this over here.
posted by Ty Webb at 2:01 PM on November 27, 2002

"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
posted by RobbieFal at 2:17 PM on November 27, 2002

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.
posted by brantstrand at 2:25 PM on November 27, 2002

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!
posted by RobbieFal at 2:31 PM on November 27, 2002

[/yakov]
posted by RobbieFal at 2:33 PM on November 27, 2002

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.
posted by quonsar at 2:35 PM on November 27, 2002

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.
posted by brantstrand at 2:47 PM on November 27, 2002

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
posted by RobbieFal at 2:48 PM on November 27, 2002

"No matter how cynical you get, you can never keep up."
-Lily Tomlin
posted by Ty Webb at 3:07 PM on November 27, 2002

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?
posted by hama7 at 3:26 PM on November 27, 2002

Hama7, does that piano have any other notes?
posted by Ty Webb at 3:31 PM on November 27, 2002

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.
posted by paleocon at 3:36 PM on November 27, 2002

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.
posted by Ty Webb at 3:40 PM on November 27, 2002

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!
posted by son_of_minya at 4:00 PM on November 27, 2002

Christopher Hitchens comments on the Kissinger appointment.
posted by Ty Webb at 5:04 PM on November 27, 2002

Hama7, does that piano have any other notes?

Not when the FPP is the same old song and dance.
posted by hama7 at 5:06 PM on November 27, 2002

My favorite part was when hama7 said that CNN didn't have any spin.
posted by Ty Webb at 5:13 PM on November 27, 2002

CNN didn't have any spin.

It's a comparative thing, spin is, Mr. Webb.
posted by hama7 at 6:12 PM on November 27, 2002

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.
posted by brantstrand at 6:48 PM on November 27, 2002

The Hitchens article is worth a read. I like that guy.
posted by chaz at 6:59 PM on November 27, 2002

"That's like putting Robert Mugabe in charge of the Department of Agriculture."
posted by homunculus at 7:19 PM on November 27, 2002

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.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:30 PM on November 27, 2002

But you know, comedy with tears in your eyes and all.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:33 PM on November 27, 2002

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.
posted by timyang at 7:54 PM on November 27, 2002

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!
posted by hama7 at 7:56 PM on November 27, 2002

"Who would have been a better choice, then, imperious questioner!"

Somebody who isn't in danger of being indicted for War Crimes?
posted by RobbieFal at 8:10 PM on November 27, 2002

this is good...there's precedent for at least one of Kissinger's bosses getting impeached...
posted by amberglow at 8:13 PM on November 27, 2002

Everybody knows that the head of a comission doesn't really do anything.
posted by hama7 at 8:18 PM on November 27, 2002

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.
posted by homunculus at 8:23 PM on November 27, 2002

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.
posted by jpoulos at 6:51 AM on November 28, 2002

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.
posted by Kiell at 9:01 AM on November 28, 2002

*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!
posted by y2karl at 6:31 PM on November 28, 2002

Why don't you start a campaign to appoint Al Gore to the head of the commission? I heard he needs a job.
posted by hama7 at 6:44 PM on November 28, 2002

     Freep!
              Freep!
    Freep!
         Freep!
  Freep!
        Freep!
posted by y2karl at 7:47 PM on November 28, 2002

hama7, are you seriously going to sit (stand) there and defend the appointment of the lyingest, killingest, fuckhead to ever hold high American office?
posted by Optamystic at 8:07 PM on November 28, 2002

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.
posted by Optamystic at 8:17 PM on November 28, 2002

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.
posted by hama7 at 8:18 PM on November 28, 2002

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

      Freep!

          Freep!

            Freep!

        Freep!
Freep!           

                Freep!
posted by y2karl at 9:17 PM on November 28, 2002

I mean, thank God that Suharto saved us from those genocidal Stalinist East Timorese maniacs!
posted by y2karl at 9:27 PM on November 28, 2002

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?!
posted by muppetboy at 9:40 PM on November 28, 2002

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.
posted by hama7 at 9:47 PM on November 28, 2002

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."
posted by hama7 at 10:58 PM on November 28, 2002

Kissinger Brings Controversial Legacy to Post - Reuters
posted by sheauga at 12:42 PM on November 29, 2002

"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."
posted by homunculus at 5:16 PM on November 29, 2002

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.
posted by homunculus at 5:18 PM on November 29, 2002

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?)
posted by hama7 at 7:31 PM on November 29, 2002