Right-wing Rationalization

Scooter Libby is being indicted for leaking information. He had to resign for this indictment. He says that Bush approved the leaks. Bush confirmed that he approved the leaks.

Right-wingers are stepping forward to defend Bush. They suggest that since he is president, he can declassify anything. If they truly believe this, I must ask if they subscribe to Richard Nixon's belief that "When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal" (Richard M. Nixon on The Nation, 1977).

For the sake of argument, let's say Bush is within his rights to declassify information and authorize the leaking of information. Why didn't he simply step forward and absolve Libby?

According to Bush, he was within the law to authorize these leaks. He asked Cheney to have the info leaked. Cheney asked Libby. Why is Libby on trial if he did nothing wrong? Furthermore, why didn't Bush step forward and bail Libby out for following orders?

And why did Bush say on the record two years ago that he did not authorize leaks and did not know of anyone within his adminstration that would leak information? Was he lying then or lying now?

If Bush is legally able to release classified information, why leak it selectively through other parties instead of simply declassifying the info? Why the clandestine nature of the information getting out?

If this was designed to smear Joe Wilson, why not say that? And why go to the trouble of smearing him; why not simply release the intelligence to prove him wrong (if in fact he was wrong or simply "lying" as some right-wingers have suggested)?

My Hero

How'd this dude slip by the screeners? And check out the woman seated next to him.

This made my day.

Eww.

Here's a tender moment form earlier today, as Bush bid a fond adieu to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.



And from Monday, January 23rd...

Question: You're a rancher, a lot of us here in Kansas are ranchers-I just wanted to get your opinion on Brokeback Mountain, if you'd seen it yet?

Bush: I hadn't seen it.

Really?

Happy Birthday

Today marks the 30th anniversary of Apple Computer. I bought my first Mac over ten years ago: the Power Macintosh 7500 with a 100 mHz processor, running OS 7.5.

I followed that up with a blue & white G3 that tripled the processing speed (300!). Then my first laptop, the PowerBook G3 with a 550 mHz processor. It served me well until last fall, when the hard drive finally sputtered out. I swapped it out for a new HD and got it purring again. It was my main computer until my MacBook Pro arrived two weeks ago.

And how about the iPod? I'm on my third one. Got the first gen 10 gig model, then the four button third gen and finally the 60 gig video iPod last fall.

Apple's products just fucking rock.

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A recent e-mail from a copywriter I used to work with:

Ron,
I was walking to work last week wearing jeans and a suit coat (I had a client meeting) and about half way there I had a epiphany... Wearing a suit coat and jeans is the "Clothing Mullet": Business on top, party down below. I don't think I can ever wear that again. From now on if I need a suit coat I wear a fucking suit. I just thought this seemed like the kind of information one should share with Ron Lim.
- Pat

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Why I hate telemarketers...

PHONE RINGS.

ME: Hello.

CALLER: Hello, may I speak to Jerry please?

ME: Uh, no. He hasn't had this number for years. Sorry.

CALLER: May I know who am I speaking to?

ME: No you may not.

CALLER: You don't want to give me your name?

ME: No. What is this regarding?

CALLER: You don't want to give me your name?

ME: No.

CALLER: Then go to HELL!

CLICK.


This particular asshole was calling from India. Then, for the next three hours, his co-workers called me every hour. I stopped answering. For the record, I did add my name to the National Do Not Call list, but they called looking for Jerry Gerber, the man who used to have my number.