"Republican National Security"

Now that the political Svengali Karl Rove has apparently dodged an indictment in L'Affaire Plame, it is incumbent upon those who still believe in the Republic to review the Republican National Security record.

The Plame scandal itself is an outrage. The Republican Party, led by the scion of a former CIA Director, claimed the mantle of National Security in the 2000 election by arguing against the "nation-building" done by Clinton. Then after 9/11 they proceeded to invade Iraq and Afghanistan and are now engaged in . . . nation-building.

To retain their national security advantage in the 2004 elections, and to bolster support for the Iraq War, the "Wartime President" and company countered Joe Wilson's critique of their claim that Iraq had attempted to buy yellowcake uranium in Niger by revealing the identity of his wife, Valerie Plame, a CIA case officer and counter-proliferation operative, to Robert Novak. Novak later published her classified identity in a column, effectively ending her career, possibly jeopardizing the work and lives of hundreds of her contacts, as well as other case officers. Had Bill Clinton perform such an act of treason, he would have been impeached, convicted and removed from office. Not so for the best friend of the Saudis and Israeli right.

But what of the War on Terror, you say? Surely, they've done well there? Well, it is now almost axiomatic that Sandy Berger, Bill Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Richard Clarke and a host of others warned the incoming Bush Administration in late 2000 and early 2001 that Osama bin Laden and terrorism would be their biggest challenge - a dire warning promptly ignored by the Arbusto Wartime President, Chevron Oil's National Security Adviser and the former Halliburton Head Honcho.

After the greatest attack on American soil in American history - curiously, no one was sacked - except Bill Maher. And the "Great Republican National Security Administration" and its lapdog Commission - which issued a report that makes the Warren Commission report look thorough - have never fully explained how or why 9/11 happened or attempted to answer the many questions that have remained unanswered. And these people are defending the Republic?

Do we really have to say anything about Iraq - the biggest national security debacle since Vietnam? Almost 2,500 dead and almost 20,000 wounded, losing a battalion a month in this Lone Ranger mission - and the national security of the United States has not improved at all. Indeed, this appalling Administration itself stokes the national fire of fear every so often to boost its own poll ratings - a tactic right out of Mein Kampf or 1984. Who's secure thinking about "the Terror?" Who thinks we are safer today than in, say, 1999, when Bill Clinton was President? No one.

Well, almost no one. The big defense contractors might think we're safer - they can buy security. Under the Big Dog defense spending was decreasing in real terms. Now, take a close look at the earnings climb recorded by the likes of General Electric, Halliburton, Schlumberger, Raytheon and so on. It's a damn good thing those working class and middle class soldiers are dying.

Big Oil's happy too. Prices and profits are skyrocketing and their shock troops in the Administration are leading quite well. Isn't State Capitalism grand!

What are the next national security steps for the patzers of the Grand Chessboard? Perhaps Richard Perle and friends will get their wish and the Draft Dodger Administration will strike at Iran in an attempt to take out Iran's facilities at Arak, Natanz, Bushehr and elsewhere, driving up oil prices. I wonder who would benefit from that - somehow I doubt it's the citizens of the United States.

Or maybe Hugo Chavez of Venezuela will become the next terrorist danger to the United States. He has oil too and sometimes he almost gives it away - to poor people in Boston and New York. Yep, he's a terrorist alright.

Next time someone criticizes the "liberal Democrats" on national security, remember that Iraq, 9/11, rising oil prices, a faltering currency and our lone ranger global strategy have hardly made us more secure. Recall that it's Republican power in the Republican boss' world that has denied us peace and security. Remind yourself who's fault it is - and tell that someone off.