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Condoleezza Rice avows; President is above law

Condi Rice Pulls a Nixon: If the President Orders Torture, It Must be Legal

copyright © 2009 Betsy L. Angert.  BeThink.org 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.  Today, those who viewed a video taped classroom conversation with Secretary Rice express astonishment as well.  In her defense for any action she took to advocate for this an extreme interrogation technique 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."

Condoleezza Rice Sees Renewed Spirit. Surge! ©

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.

Perseverance, The President, the Cabinet, and Me ©

No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.
~ Albert Einstein

I have been working on a project, for what feels like forever. I am attempting to expand my Hyper Text Markup Language [html] horizons. I am working to broaden my comprehension of Cascading Style Sheets. Though I have heard many say, learning to create a wed page is easy, as I broached the construction, I did as I do, I freaked. When stretching beyond my own limits I often feel paralyzed. Each time I begin a novel endeavor I quietly and subtly panic. I live in fear though few would ever know this.

I suspect we all do. When the common utterance is stated, “We are all our own worst critic,” we substantiate that humans are insecure. They [we, I] question their achievements and their limitations. They [we, I] ask are they [we, I] worthy, wonderful, or weak.

Bush. Rice. The “Root Causes” of War. ©

Twenty-seven long and bloody days have passed. Early on there were calls for help. People, pundits, and political leaders were requesting America assist with negotiations. They stated someone must stop the fighting. Many thought only the world’s singular superpower could do it. However, the Bush Administration declared the time was not right. Thus, they waited.

America allowed its friend and ally Israel to pummel the Lebanese countryside. Thus far, 700,000 people have been displaced within Lebanon. Women and children are killed day after day; and all Bush can say is “Hezbollah is to blame.” Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers and had they not done so Lebanon and Israel would be at peace, or so is the world according to the Shrub.

Iraq, Israel, Lebanon; Trees of Life in a Wilderness of War. ©

Our countrymen see the diseased and devastated trees and speak of the color of the leaves. People in the United States ponder the slow death of the foliage. They think caterpillars are the cause. Others, here and abroad dispute this theory and say, “No, it is blight.” A scientist enters the scene and voices his hypothesis. His neighbor started the spread of this syndrome; yes, that man is to blame. Had the national not introduced the dynamic of destruction, all would be well.

Another quiet dissenter enters the fray. She says, “This virus has existed for centuries.” No one can change what is and has always been. A group gathers and grows. They all argue amongst themselves. Finally, there is a loud explosion, or was it an implosion. The tree and all those surrounding it are engulfed in flames. Within minutes, there is silence. This world exists no more.

For well over a week now I have witnessed the whirlwind of discussions, disagreements, and dialogues pertaining to rhetoric, religion, and rage. People are discussing the crisis in Lebanon and Israel.

War in the Wind, Blast Buries New York City Building ©

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.

FORBES: THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL WOMEN, CONDOLEEZZA RICE ©

Forbes declares Condoleezza Rice is the “Worlds Most Powerful Woman.” Many regard Secretary of State Rice as “number one.” Miss Rice stands at the side of the man that some say, is the “most powerful man in the world,” President George W. Bush. She is the strength that King George II relies on. It is said, during her first four years in the Bush Junior Whitehouse Miss Rice was both a protégé and mentor to President of the United States. There are those that believe this relationship continues.

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.

During the President’s first term, Condoleezza Rice served as National Security Advisor. In this position, Condie guided King George II. She assisted him, helping him to understand foreign policy and security issues. Miss Rice is decisive, an authority, and she delegates well. Then, Security Advisor Rice offered her views; she shared her expertise, and assisted a novice leader.

As a friend and fellow, Condoleezza Rice is invaluable. The lovely and loyal advisor helped Baby Bush respond to the September 11, 2001, attacks. Declaring war on terrorism was was thought to be her dictum. Miss Rice played a powerful role in drafting many Presidential plots. The war on Iraq was, in large part, influenced by her wisdom.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE SAYS STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR THE TERRORISTS ©

This is a day of daft. Earlier, I received and posted an electronic mail, that for me was an enigma. I wondered; would I want to publish this passionate plea, one filled with party line propaganda. I struggled with the idea. This epistle stressed a thought that I disdain. “I do not care” disturbs me. Finally, I resigned myself. I decided it is important to share what is truth for many Americans. I surmise if we do not recognize what is within the minds of others, we know little. Therefore, I offered a glimpse into the mind of a “Compassionate Conservative.” You may wish to read, SCARY! SONG OF COMPASSION? FROM CONSERVATIVE PAMELA FOSTER ©

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.”

BOLTON. CONDIE, WILL THE OBSTRUCTIONIST BE THE VICTOR? ©

From the beginning, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has pushed for the passage. She wanted John R. Bolton to reign supreme at the United Nations. Secretary Rice has her reasons; she does not want Mr. Bolton to serve in the position that he covets, Deputy Secretary of State. In that post, he would be too close to her.

In her former position as National Security Advisor, Miss Rice experienced the rancor of John Bolton. She knows that she does not want an intimate working relationship with a man such as he. She acknowledges that others feel the same. Nonetheless, she is loyal to her President. She understands his position. Mr. Bolton helped the President get into office in 2000 and the Administration feels a need to return the favor. Rice can accept this. Yet, she wants to ensure that while John Bolton is repaid, and reimbursed well, it will not affect her directly.

Therefore, the Secretary of State does all that she can to ensure his appointment. She routinely calls Senators; she reassures them. Miss Rice is known to have said, “We think that we can control him. If he strays from the reservation, he's out.”

CONDOLEEZZA RICE CLOSES DOOR ON TERRORISM! ©

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.