Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, 9/11, and Iraq

It is imperative that every caring and concerned United States citizen read about and watch “The Dark Side,” an hour-long documentary done by PBS’s award-winning Frontline. Originally aired on June 20, 2006, “The Dark Side” delves into the immediate aftermath of 9/11, and the White House’s response to the tragedy. This is not another conspiracy theory “documentary,” but an actual report done by professional journalists.

Much of America and the world regard Bush and his administration as a blemish in history, incompetent, or downright evil. It is important that, whatever one’s political views are, they be based on facts and true information, not just on the latest overblown news story or political misinformation.

Today, much of the negative publicity surrounding President Bush is focused on the wrong person or persons. Without excusing the mistakes that he has made, President Bush’s current legacy of misjudgment and failure (as he is viewed by most) is unfairly attributed to him alone.

Upon election in 2000, Mr. Bush found himself an inexperienced and uneducated President and a Commander in Chief of the world’s most powerful nation. Wisely, he surrounded himself with political, military, strategy, and intelligence heavy-weights, such as Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and Colon Powel (all hardened veterans of past administrations).

Going in, Bush’s cabinet appeared powerful and experienced. What resulted from it, however, were world-changing decisions that stemmed from power struggles, distrust, over-confidence, and interpersonal communications meltdowns.

Is it surprising to know that Dick Cheney is the most powerful vice-president in American history? Or that while serving for 10 years in congress, Cheney dealt heavily in “Intelligence Maters” (as in the CIA)? Perhaps most surprising is the fact that Bush originally relied on George Tenet’s and Colon Powel’s advice to enter Afghanistan, and was later convinced by Cheney and Rumsfeld (who were desperately grasping for power) to enter Iraq.

Through Frontline’s documentary, it becomes clear that the events of the past seven years are events that occur when an inexperienced person is placed in a position of great power, and listens to only those closest to him.

Perhaps the Bush administration means well, and through all its secrecy, mistakes, and apparent “aloofness” to world opinion, is simply a victim of seemingly good decisions that went bad.

Contained in the Frontline show are interviews, facts, and quotes that can be chilling, infuriating, and damning. Although the perception of the Bush administration as a whole may not change, after viewing “The Dark Side” it is almost guaranteed that the blame resting on Mr. Bush will shift to others in the Executive branch.

Each and every person needs to watch “The Dark Side” to understand the actual events of post-9/11 America, and the real story behind the war in Iraq.

Watch Frontline’s The Dark Side on PBS.com now.

The "Bionic Hornet" - Israel's Newest Weapon

Note: Although the "Bionic Hornet" was announced to news media many months ago, it was not covered by much of the mainstream U.S. media, and is still a newsworthy item.

As if straight from Frank Herbert's Dune, the Israeli military (surely in conjunction with the Pentagon) has announced plans to create what they are calling a "bionic hornet." A robotic device the size of a normal flying, stinging insect, the device will be capable of chasing, photographing, and killing its "target." Similar to the flying darts in sci-fi books and movies (such as the hunter-seeker in Dune), the futuristic weapon is estimated to be created as soon as 2009.

The device is heralded by some as the new "super weapon" that will increase efficiency and efficacy of military actions and spy agencies, as well as tremendously reduce the "collateral damage" created through rocket attacks and stray bullets. The "bionic bug" will be especially useful in fighting in urban combat zones, similar to terrorist situations, hostage situation, and (not stated but nonetheless implied) assassination attempts.

Israel especially will have great use for the little "insects;" they claim the device will greatly aid them in countering terrorism attacks. However, to many, the concept of human- or AI-controlled lethal bugs is little more than completely terrifying.

What is concerning, however, are the choice words stated by Shimon Peres, Israel's Deputy Prime Minister, when talking about the bug:

"The research integrates nanotechnology into Israel's security department and will find creative solutions to problems the army has been unable to address."

The stressed ambiguity is particularly curious. Just what kind of "creative solutions" are available to the Jewish state, backed by the world's only hyper-power? And just what can be classified as a "problem," to be dealt with the 'creative solutions?" Answers to such questions go, needless to say, answered insufficiently by either Israel or the United States.

Such disturbing information is topped by the terrifying thoughts of events should any number of "bionic hornets" fall into the hands of a terrorist or rouge nation-state; the events could be catastrophic. Is it even possible to shield oneself or others from a "smart weapon" that looks, sounds, and acts like a bug, and is guided by human or artificial intelligence?

Inevitably, as with all other weapons and weapon systems throughout history, confining such advanced and powerful tools to those persons and countries "responsible" enough to control them will prove to be impossible; military-technology proliferation is unstoppable. Complicating the situation is the argument that even Israel and the United States themselves are too irresponsible to wield such a weapon.

Original news item printed November 17, 2006; Reuters.