Keith D. Milby :: blog

US: Saddam Paid for Lawmakers’ Iraq Trip

Saddam Hussein’s intelligence agency secretly financed a trip to Iraq for three U.S. lawmakers during the run-up to the U.S.-led invasion, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

An indictment unsealed in Detroit accuses Muthanna Al-Hanooti, a member of a Michigan nonprofit group, of arranging for three members of Congress to travel to Iraq in October 2002 at the behest of Saddam’s regime. Prosecutors say Iraqi intelligence officials paid for the trip through an intermediary.

At the time, the Bush administration was trying to persuade Congress to authorize military action against Iraq.

The lawmakers are not named in the indictment but the dates correspond to a trip by Democratic Reps. Jim McDermott of Washington, David Bonior of Michigan and Mike Thompson of California. None was charged and Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said investigators “have no information whatsoever” any of them knew the trip was underwritten by Saddam.

Nothing surprising here. I long felt McDermott should be tried for treason.

Today a coward probably working at the behest of a cowardly group bombed the military recruiting office in Time Square.

Cops Probe Letters Regarding Times Square Bombing

A special place in Hell is waiting for these sick bastards. I only hope they get to it sooner rather than later, and I hope they rot.

I wonder if these guys know that this is not going to turn out well for them.

From FOX News: NYC Subway, Bus Operators Strike

More than 7 million people in and around New York City were forced to walk, find a cab, drive into work or just work from home Tuesday after more than 30,000 Transport Workers Union members walked off the job.

Following days of acrimonious labor talks and one strike deadline extension, subways and buses ground to a halt shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday. Authorities began locking turnstiles and shuttering subway entrances shortly after the ordered the illegal strike. The city braced for a rush hour filled with disorder by placing police officers en masse around the city, among other preparations.

At one subway booth, a handwritten sign read, “Strike in Effect. Station Closed. Happy Holidays!!!!”

They now have about 7 million people who are going to have a hard time getting to work and getting around, at this time of year. How exactly did the unions think this was a good idea?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all those living and working in the Big City. I will have a very nice drive into work today. I hope you are at least able to find an alternative and hope this gets settled real soon.