We’re fans of Juan Cole at Planet Waves — his analysis of Middle East politics is the best there is. Juan is an example of how (in the words of Stephen Colbert) reality has a well-known liberal bias. Amy Goodman covers the ridiculousness of the CIA trying to smear his reputation. In my mind, that proves he’s the real thing. Nothing like the CIA trying to make someone look bad to give a guy extra credibility. –efc
Former top CIA counterterrorism officer Glenn Carle has revealed the Bush administration sought damaging personal information on Juan Cole, an academic and prominent critic of the Iraq war, in an attempt to discredit him. Carle says the Bush White House made at least two requests for intelligence about Cole, whose blog “Informed Comment” rose to prominence after the Iraq invasion. Carle refused to carry out the request. In a joint interview, Carle and Cole join us to discuss the explosive revelation and why Cole is now calling for a congressional investigation.
To read the rush transcript of the interview in the video above, click here.
eris/patricia —
that photo is up again; it was up first by way of a scheduling error on my part last night. glad you liked it!
moonflowers, huh? i’ll have to look them up. the only moonflowers i’m familiar with are the type that are like extra-large morning glories, only white and night-blooming. since non of the flowers above were in bloom, i had no idea what they might look like. i was just amazed by these seed puffs that were about 3 times as large as dandelions along with their almost alien look when they’re post-bloom but have not “puffed” yet.
i was tempted to blow on one, but was having too much fun photographing to disturb them. maybe next time. and now i want to check them out at night to see if they’re in bloom.
thank you for sharing the poem — lovely!
The photo of the seed pod – post above — is stunning Amanda and your poem a *treat* Eris/Patricia! Thank you both.
Nighty night peeps zzzzzzzzz
well….I thought I saw moonflowers anyway…It was a great pic!:) I love those too….loved to blow on them and watch them fly into the breeze….make a wish every time!
Peace,
Patricia
Thanks Amanda…..Im not sure who to believe anymore quite frankly, Im glad I can come here to PW and find honest people reporting. Great pic of the Moonflowers reaching up to the sky…reminds me of a poem I wrote a while back.
A flower blooms at night
bathed in Her guiding light
her petals gently open
as if she has a million times before
Nay, her captured heart remembers not
of moonless nights or trampled paths
Only of her lovers kiss
as shadows dance in her dewey mist
each night to start anew
an enchanting frangrance
escapes her lips, carried by the arms
of Zephyrus, to her lovers door
inviting passions bliss once more
A night to soon will end!
Make haste paramour~
that we may start again
Peace, Patricia
You always know a good news source when people like Michelle Malkin, a right-wing blogger, instigates a massive letter writing campaign preventing Cole from professional advancement. Think of all those Obama appointees who aren’t filling their posts because of stupid right-wing obstruction in Congress.
For eight years, we were put under a Corporate-Fascist regime, and its going to take a long time to dig ourselves out. Those opposed to that are interested in hiding the fact. If you feel heaviness on your chest as you read the article, the weight of that regime is still a presence in our media and our social consciousness.
The way out is to be the joy, creativity and competence these very people are trying to suppress. Pressure from within and without.
Amanda,
Thank you. It is important for us to support, affirm and validate people of conscience. This is especially when these courageous people are subject to persecution. If we cannot follow a good example, we can at least be openly supportive. Today, Amanda, you are the good example and this comment is to support you.