Somewhere, Daniel Ortega is Smiling

nicaragua-graphic.gif Possibly here!

Today in History

“On this day in 1981, President Ronald Reagan signs off on a top secret document, National Security Decision Directive 17 (NSDD-17), which gives the Central Intelligence Agency the power to recruit and support a 500-man force of Nicaraguan rebels to conduct covert actions against the leftist Sandinista regime in Nicaragua.”

It was going to be great. nicaragua-save-the-contras.jpg

Our proto “Coalition of the Willing” allies in the Argentinian death squads would train the Contras, who’d be welcomed as liberators. Later, as things dragged, there was Saudi money funneled by Prince Bandar, key-shaped cakes to Tehran, and Congress failing to impeach.

Everyone was there! Bush Ambassador for Troubled Situations John Negroponte was holding the fort in Honduras, current NSC advisor Eliot Abrahms aka “Mr. Kenilworth” was lying to Congress.

And now Danny’s back! ortega-chavez.jpg

No Smoking [or not] Gun

nixon-elvis-gun.jpg When Guns Come Calling, Elvis Edition

Shh! Don’t tell! california-concealed-weapon-permit.jpg

shoulder-holster-graphic.JPG Gun totin’ history buffs have no right to pack at Presidential Libraries, special-agent-magnum-hidden-holster.jpg

according to the California CCW – concealed carry forum.

Experts responded to a question about bringing weapons to the Nixon and Reagan Libraries. reagan-gun.jpg

Write Me When I’m Gone

Further emanations from the ghost of Gerald Ford. Or rather his publisher.

Hard to tell what exactly though. FlatSigned Press re-published the Warren Commission report two years ago with some later ad-ons from Ford. BULLETIN: OSWALD DID IT! It came in several versions, including the leather bound with a ribbon marker edition. For extra swank and to keep one foot in the conspiracy camp, you could order the boxed $889 version, containing “artifacts from the Oak Tree and White Picket Fence from the “Grassy Knoll!” ford-leather.jpg Classy!

Then in April this year they published still another edition, retitled ford-a-presidential-legacy-and-the-warren-commission.jpg “A Presidential Legacy and The Warren commission.” And lord only knows what’s in this one.

The breathless and way incoherent press release tries to hint at everything, then wanders off into dead ends.

“This week is the first ever anniversary since the passing of all members of the Warren Commission. The book, “A Presidential Legacy and The Warren Commission,” provides a new look into the mind of a former president in his final years and is the only source for Ford’s final written words in book format on the subject of the John F. Kennedy assassination, 9-11 and other major events of American history leading up to his death just months ago in December of 2006…A major retailer had negotiated for an exclusive offering of the hand- signed version of this book but later backed out fearing negative ramifications. So the American people heard this news because they heard it here.”

And more:

.” President Ford specifically and by name, debunked Oliver Stone’s theories and his movie and for the first time anywhere, gave us great information about how his brief administration and key figures he appointed then, still determine policy for the American people.”

How exactly did good old Gerry Ford fall in with these shysters?

Oprah-size Your Holiday: Ditch Family, Friends & Football for Clinton Repeat!

clinton-oprah.jpg Bill’s Back and Oprah’s got him

Re-running her legendary September interview, America’s Quizmaster grills Bill on just how come he gives away all his money? clinton-giving-book-cover.jpg

Plus, the former fatty discusses his campaign against childhood obesity on the nation’s lardiest holiday.

clinton-former-fatty.jpg The Big Wind

clinton-foundation-logo.jpgMeanwhile, the Clinton Foundation joins the tidal wave of Thanksgiving holiday recipe and advice giving, offering broadly sensible tips while targeting canned cranberries for annihilation.

cranberry-canned.jpg Umm, Death Sauce

Now More Than Ever

nixon-time-cover.jpg

The historic toothlessness of the National Archives is reviewed at History News Network by a former Archives employee who worked on the Nixon tapes. Maarja Krusten recounts once more the sordid history of Nixon whining and demanding, rapidly followed by Archive caving.

She says overturning Bush’s Executive Order which has knotted up document releases of any past president would be only a beginning:

“That the Archives felt unable to say no to Nixon, a president who resigned from office, suggests that it needs more legal protection.”