Students at Stanford stood still as they listened to former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice speak. As the scholars pondered the words of the prominent woman who presented her case for waterboarding, many mused; "Is it Richard Nixon, or Condoleezza Rice? Which person thinks a President is above the law?" One might wonder. Those who viewed a video taped classroom conversation with Secretary Rice, today express astonishment as well. In her defense for actions she took to advocate for this extreme interrogation techniques Condoleezza Rice both blamed her former boss, George W. Bush and justified his decision.
"The president instructed us that nothing we would do would be outside of our obligations, legal obligations under the Convention Against Torture."
In his attempt to counter a perceived threat to America, Philip Zelikow, the policy representative to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the National Securities Council (NSC) Deputies Committee, unexpectedly became the threat from within the White House.
The Bush Administration believed the best way to deal with suspected terrorists was to inflict extreme physical and psychological pressure on these perilous persons. Mister Zelikow offered his dissent. In a written and verbally stated opinion, Philip Zelikow contradicted what the occupants of the Oval Office accepted as necessary. "Individuals suspected of terrorism, can be legally tortured."
A short time after the Office of Legal Council (OLC) issued the now infamous judgments which allowed for officially sanctioned torment, Mister Zelikow, his superior, who was then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and her Legal Adviser, John Bellinger, gained access to the torture memos. After a review, Philip Zelikow stated his concern. He sensed others within the Administration might share his angst. However, no one, inclusive of Mister Zelikow, publicly voiced an apprehension, that is, not until this past week.
Americans are five years into a battle gone awry. Citizens of the United States cry out, "too much blood has been spilled, too many lives and limbs were lost," we the people want to, "Bring the troops home." Hence, Congress holds hearings. The inquiry is intended to help define the future. For many it is time to exit Iraq and end a futile war. The people have questions; when and how will we complete a failed mission. On April 8, 2008, the Senior Commander of multinational forces in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, American envoy to Baghdad, spoke to United states Senators and attempted to address the public's concerns.
Today, in hearings on Capitol Hill, I confronted Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on her role in the lies, exaggerations, and misdirection that led us into the Iraq war.
During my questioning, Secretary Rice falsely stated that she never saw intelligence casting doubt on the Bush Administration claims that Saddam possessed weapons of mass destruction. This unbelievable statement is flatly contradicted by numerous government reports and CIA testimonials.
Sources such as the 2006 Senate Intelligence Report, a January 2004 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace report as well as former CIA agents (including Tyler Drumheller) have disclosed that there was contrary intelligence to the information provided to the Bush Administration in the lead up to the Iraq war.
Tonight, Condoleezza Rice clarified the terms, trials, and tribulations. Secretary Rice spoke of a transformative energy. She discussed the questionable "Civil War" in Iraq. The Secretary of State noted the President's continued "conviction" and "commitment." Miss Rice was a featured speaker on the News Hour. Margaret Warner interviewed the honorable Secretary, Condoleezza Rice. This esteemed Cabinet member, known for being "closer to the President" than the rest of his staff declared
There is no doubt that the president went into this phase with the same conviction and the same commitment that he's held throughout this war.
And that is that the decision to go into Iraq was because it was in the interest and the security interests of the United States to do so, and that failure in Iraq would have grave circumstances, grave consequences for American interests, for the interests of our friends and allies in the region, and, indeed, for global security.
Pray tell Miss Rice how secure are we as the violence escalates in Iraq and travels beyond Middle Eastern borders. Since the invasion of this Persian Gulf nation, terrorism has been on the rise. Occupying the country furthered the strife. Currently, throughout the world anti-American sentiments, thrive.
9/11 Photograph, By Ted S. Warren, Associated Press. WABC News. Photograph July 10, 2006.
A building in New York City is buried. Fires are blazing. It is highly possible people were killed or injured. The public speculates. Could it be a bomb blast, an act of terrorism, homegrown or international? Might the cause be a gas leak or an electrical explosion? Perhaps, it is a crime of vengeance. Early on, suicide was not considered. For me, while the cause is important, it pales in comparison to the fact.
War is in the air; it blows with the wind. Acts of violence travel. They cannot be isolated or contained to lands far from our shores. If we accept war anywhere, we consent to it here. Warfare is not a concept; it is concrete. Combat comes easily to the minds of men or women in conflict. Witness today, yesterday, and everyday. We as a nation are at war. While the struggle is far from our shores, it looms large in our collective psyche.
George W. and Condie chat easily; they seem to agree on everything. Publicly they have no differences. Some say "sports" is there only bone of contention; at times she may support one team and he another. Politically, it seems Miss Rice and the President share views, implicitly.
Then I turned on the television. I was looking forward to my daily dose of News Hour viewing. Journalist Jim Lehrer was interviewing Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. I listened intently, always wishing to understand the views of this administration, and then it happened. The Whitehouse, through Miss Rice, is promoting a stance similar to the scary one of Pamela Foster. The email that I read earlier is now, virtually, United States policy.
The words of Secretary of State Rice will, henceforth, be pushed on the people, "When are we going to stop making excuses for the terrorists? No one is making them do it [engage in violent behaviors]. They're doing it because they want to create chaos and to undermine our way to life."
President Bush nominated John R. Bolton for the office of United Nations Ambassador. There is much public support for Mr. Bolton; however, there are those on both sides of the aisle that do not believe that he would serve this nation well. Privately, there are questions and concerns. However, the President stands strong; he wants the former Under Secretary of State to represent our country. The President is very vocal in his support of Bolton. He is certain that he made the "right" choice and "Right" it is. Though many express qualms; the president continues to persevere.
There are those that speak softly of their reservations; among them is Republican, Senator George V. Voinovich of Ohio. After hearing testimony from people that voluntarily came forward to testify against this nominee, twenty of them staunch republicans, Voinovich publicly voiced his concerns. The hearings were postponed; the vote to approve was delayed. Karl Rove, the "architect" and the president's most powerful political adviser stepped in; he called Mr. Voinovich to stress the need for unity. Chief of Staff, Andrew H. Card Jr., chimed in as well. Each reminded the Senator that publicly support must appear solid.
Condoleezza Rice sings the party line; she also supports the appointment of this nominee with resolve. She has reason.
No this title does not tell the tale that you might suppose; we have not closed the door on international terrorism, only the reporting of it. We have not conquered the problem; we have only restricted information concerning it.
The State Department, under the auspices of Condoleezza Rice has abruptly decided not to release its annual report on international terrorist incidents. In the past twenty years, two volumes were routinely published. One was for public review, and another for classified personnel only. Now, there will only be one report available and it will not be widely released.
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Forbes declares Condoleezza Rice is the 