Presidential lies and bogus reasons for war ... lessons from the past

Simon

I listened to this on the way into work this morning ... the parallels with today are very striking:

Daniel Ellsberg is one of the most important whistle-blowers of the last century.

A former marine and State department insider during the 1960s, he leaked the Pentagon Papers to the press in 1971. This 7,000-page document, detailing U.S. policy towards Vietnam under four presidents, was shocking stuff: a litany of lies, half-truths and concealment.

Daniel Ellsberg was put on trial as a traitor - but the case against him collapsed spectacularly when it was revealed that Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office had been burgled by the same men who carried out the bugging of the Democratic Party Headquarters at the Watergate Hotel.

Daniel Ellsberg hoped his stand would help shorten the Vietnam War but he could not have predicted it would also precipitate President Richard Nixon's disgrace and downfall.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/takingastand.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/ram/takingastand_20040120.ram

http://www.ellsberg.net/

Virtually never are they telling the truth ... this applies to presidents from both parties and to Prime Ministers from the UK

kls

Hum,,,,,, lies, half trurth concealment, politices=watchtower KLS

shamus

Of course, Simon! The country that you are mentioning in question does this all the time!

The iraq war was only just part of lies that were told. It is an injustice to the American people to be told such lies and they're leaders should be made to account for they're sins.

America is a great country. However, it's no greater than the U.K., or any other country. Most of what is told is something to make you feel better so that you can keep believing. It's too bad.

I wish that I had better ways of communitcating this to Americans. I always come across terse and angry anyhow, and make myself look anti-american. Sorry to all the Americans who I do this too. (Yeru mostly). I didn't mean to call you an American Bigot, or imply that. It was rude and wrong of me.

sf

Another 'biggest whistleblower'; may he rest in peace:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=william+cooper+whistleblower :

sKally

Double Edge

Daniel Ellsberg is one of the most important whistle-blowers of the last century.

A former marine and State department insider during the 1960s, he leaked the Pentagon Papers to the press in 1971. This 7,000-page document, detailing U.S. policy towards Vietnam under four presidents, was shocking stuff: a litany of lies, half-truths and concealment.

Daniel Ellsberg was put on trial as a traitor - but the case against him collapsed spectacularly when it was revealed that Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office had been burgled by the same men who carried out the bugging of the Democratic Party Headquarters at the Watergate Hotel.

Daniel Ellsberg hoped his stand would help shorten the Vietnam War but he could not have predicted it would also precipitate President Richard Nixon's disgrace and downfall.

I remember the time well, and the unfolding of that 'history'... Every country and administration has it's 'dark side', probably due to the fact that they don't have crystal balls and they make decisions, however 'right' at the time, without knowing where the road leads.

minimus

So???? What's your point?

Englishman

So???? What's your point?

Yeah..Our leaders are liars and aren't fit to live with pigs. Now what? Englishman.

heathen

I guess it depends on your definition of greatness . If you admire wealth and strength then America is the greatest nation in the world , leaders in science and medical , education but still none the less a political monster the current policies of globalization are definately causing dissent within the masses , you want to see a bunch of liars, those democrats that voted in favor of the war are now condemning the republican party over it . As citizens we can do nothing but grin and bear it .

stillajwexelder

Churchill was a great leader - -DO YOU TRULY AND HONESTLY BELIEVE HE DID NOT TELL SOME LIES AND MISLEAD -- he certainly took some secrets to the grave with him -- I mean to quote the Watchtower - -so where else do we go --what else do we do -- go into politics ourselves -- do we truly believe we would be any better. In Great Britain what is the left going to do -- kick Blair out and allow the right wing Michael Howard - -where else is there for us to go - -politicians lie, conceal -- so what the hell else is new -- deal with it and get over it

Xena

Politicians lie????? Say it ain't so.....

Presidential lies and bogus reasons for war ... lessons from the past

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