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NYT Asks Homeland Security Sec. Napolitano About Lesbian Rumors

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is the subject of Deborah Soloman's latest column in The New York Times magazine. Two weeks ago Solomon published that lackluster interview with NAACP's Benjamin Jealous, this week she makes up for it with some interesting questions on the color-coded terror alert system, the right-wing extremism report Napolitano was forced to walk back ... oh and those persistent lesbian rumors. 

Men don’t know what to make of women who choose to be single. Rumors of lesbianism have dogged women in politics like you, Condoleezza Rice and Ann Richards.
Right. I think the more people get to know a person, the less that becomes an issue. It’s interesting. In Arizona when I first ran for public office, that’s when the rumors were going around, and of course I’m sure they go around now.

In 2002, during your gubernatorial campaign, you publicly denied rumors that you were a lesbian.
I just happen not to be married.

Are you seeing anybody now?
Yes, my staff.

This is the first time in memory that Secretary Janet Napolitano was publicly asked about the rumors by the mainstream news media. But quite the diplomatic response, no?

(via AMERICAblog Gay)

Condoleezza Rice "Verbally Approved" CIA Waterboard Request

Former national security adviser and secretary of state Condoleezza Rice "verbally approved" the "earliest known request" by the Central Intelligence Agency  to torture and waterboard detainees, reports the Associated Press, which contradicts her own testimony.

As national security adviser to former President George W. Bush, Condoleezza Rice verbally approved the CIA's request to subject alleged al-Qaida terrorist Abu Zubaydah to waterboarding in July 2002, the earliest known decision by a Bush administration official to OK use of the simulated drowning technique.

Rice's role was detailed in a narrative released Wednesday by the Senate Intelligence Committee. It provides the most detailed timeline yet for how the CIA's harsh interrogation program was conceived and approved at the highest levels in the Bush White House.

Last fall, Rice acknowledged to the Senate Armed Services Committee only that she had attended meetings where the CIA interrogation request was discussed and asked for the attorney general to conduct a legal review. She said she did not recall details. Rice omitted her direct role in approving the program in her written statement to the committee.

The revelations come on the same day Attorney General Eric Holder announces "no one is above the law" and weighs potential prosecutions of Bush officials who authorized harsh interrogation techniques.

Holder's claim is lofty—and fwiw, Rice should not be a candidate for investigation, depite obviously lying to the Armed Services Committee—but it will be interesting to see if which if any CIA officials or interrogators are investigated. It is very interesting that CIA's Acting General Counsel John Rizzo was one of the architects of the Bush Administration's "enhanced interrogation" program. Yet Rizzo remains general counsel of Central Intelligence.

French Black Gay Activist Behind United Nations Declaration

There is a brilliant footnote to the United Nations declaration that calls for the universal decriminalization of homosexuality. The resolution is the brainchild of French black gay activist Louis-Georges Tin.

The founder of the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) tells UK Gay News, "We are proud of the historical Declaration that was read. This is an historical event. For the first time ever, such a text has been read in the General Assembly of the United Nations."

Tin was profiled on this blog in November 2006 and in The Advocate by journalist Doug Ireland. The French activist said then he would launch a global campaign for a United Nations referendum to decriminalize homosexuality worldwide. It took two years to materialize but how sweet it is ....

The activist secured the help of Nobel prize-winners such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and, worked closely with the French government and French Secretary of State for Human Rights Rama Yade, seen above. "We have worked a lot on this issue, for us it is a great achievement," Tin adds. "I also want to remind that it is a long-term battle."

Bravo to Louis Georges-Tin.

Tin's Pride [UK Gay News]

You May Enjoy ...
Louis-Georges Tin and IDAHO [R20]
Meet Krystian Legierski [R20]

US Refuses to Sign United Nations Gay Rights Resolution

Liberty and freedom for all—just not the gays. The United States becomes the lone major western nation to refuse to sign an historic United Nations declaration that affirms gay rights and seeks to decriminalize homosexuality.

The unprecedented declaration won the support of 66 countries in the United Nations General Assembly. The United States—represented by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and UN Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, seen above—"refused to support the non-binding measure, as did Russia, China, the Roman Catholic Church and members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. The Holy See’s observer mission issued a statement saying that the declaration “challenges existing human rights norms."

The declaration, sponsored by France with broad support in Europe and Latin America, condemned human rights violations based on homophobia, saying such measures run counter to the universal declaration of human rights.

“How can we tolerate the fact that people are stoned, hanged, decapitated and tortured only because of their sexual orientation?” said Rama Yade, the French state secretary for human rights, noting that homosexuality is banned in nearly 80 countries and subject to the death penalty in at least six.

The United States delegation could not sign the declaration for a very simple reason: There are currently no federal protections for gays, lesbians and transgenders. Same sex marriage is legal only in two states, Connecticut and Massachusetts. In more than half of the states, employers and landlords are free to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. Add this to the growing list of reasons why we need to pass ENDA and federal hate crime protections.

Our neighbors to the north and south—Canada and Mexico—signed this declaration. It's a sad day when the world's largest democracy chooses sides with rabidly, anti-gay human rights violators—such as Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, China and Russia—who claimed the resolution threatened to "normalize" pedophilia and other "deplorable acts. Shameful

In a First, Gay Rights are Pressed at UN [NYT]
US Faces Criticism Over Refusal to Sign [P1Q]

Russia Ignores Cease Fire, Bush Sends Condoleezza Rice to Georgia

New developments in the escalating Russian-Georgian conflict. Only hours after claiming it had "achieved its military goals" and announced a French-brokered cease fire, "a Russian tank battalion occupied the strategic Georgian crossroads town of Gori, and hundreds of Russian soldiers poured over the border from Russia into South Ossetia, where attack helicopters and fuel trucks accompanied a long convoy of dozens of trucks."

Meanwhile, in Washington, The Hill reports President George Bush announces the Pentagon will deliver American aid to the pro-Western Georgia and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will travel there to negotiate a settlement. Bush said, "We will use U.S. aircraft, as well as naval forces, to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies" and warned Russia against interfering with the humanitarian operation.

The former Soviet republic of Georgia is a close ally to the Unites States and would like to join NATO—a position which is opposed by Russia. The conflict began last week when Tblisi launched an offensive to retake the pro-Russian region of South Ossetia, which broke away from Georgian rule in 1992. Moscow responded with a huge counter-offensive.

One must admit there is a certain irony to Bush and Rice lecturing Moscow against invading a sovereign nation which does not pose a threat to its existence.

Bush sends Rice to Georgia [Hill]
Bush Sends Aid to Georgia, Russians Occupy a City [NYT]

Condi Rice Goes Ballistic on "Minimum Wage" Retail Clerk

In his soon-to-be-released biography of Condoleezza Rice, Washington Post correspondent Glenn Kessler says the Secretary of State "has worked hard to soften her edges." The reporter reveals a colorful anecdote when Rice went ballistic on a "minimum wage" jewelry store clerk:

Coit Blacker, a Stanford professor who is one of the secretary of state's closest friends, recalls going into a shop where Rice asked to see earrings. The clerk showed her costume jewelry. Rice asked to see something nicer, prompting the clerk to whisper some sass under her breath.

Blacker remembers Rice tearing the woman to shreds.

"Let's get one thing straight," he recalls her saying. "You are behind the counter because you have to work for minimum wage. I'm on this side asking to see the good jewelry because I make considerably more."

A manager quickly brought Rice better baubles.

These negotiating skills may explain Washington's lack of progress in other venues.

When Condi When Nuclear [NYDN via Think Progress]

Some Background ...
Mistakes? What Mistakes? [R20]
Rice on Libby: "He Served the Country Well" [R20]
Rice Subpoena? [R20]
Libby Sentenced to 30 Months [R20]
Rice Spends Salary on Shoes [Gawker]
Rice on Obama [R20]
Rice Greeted by Racist Images in Mid East [R20]
Rice Swears in Gay Ambassador [R20]
USA Today Gives Rice "Demon" Eyes [R20]

Condoleezza Rice on Scooter Libby: "He Served the Country Well"

If you've ever wondered about the relationship between Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Vice President Dick Cheney, the above photo should answer any questions. Secretary Rice re-affirms their symbiotic ideology in an interview with The Wall Street Journal editorial board where she suggests pardoning Scooter Libby, the vice-president's former chief of staff and now a convicted felon.

SECRETARY RICE: I'm not going to get involved in trying to give the President advice on how he ought to think about this. You know, he has to think about what he wants to do...Let me tell you what I think about Scooter Libby. I think he's served the country really well. I think he did it to the best of his ability. I think that he is going through an extremely difficult time with his family and for him. And you know, I'm just desperately sorry that it's happening to him and I—you know, the legal system has spoken, but I tell you, this is a really good guy who is a good public servant and ought to be treated in accordance with that.

There is a growing conservative chorus for President George W. Bush to pardon Cheney's disgraced aide. You'll recall, last week, Lewis "Scooter" Libby was convicted of four counts of perjury and obstruction of justice and sentenced to 30 months imprisonment. Cheney's former top aide disclosed the name of an undercover CIA agent in order to discredit critics of the Administration's proposed invasion of Iraq.

Rice Gives Props to Scooter Libby [E&P]

Some Background ...

Libby Sentenced to 30 Months [R20]
Rice Spends Salary on Shoes [Gawker]
Rice on Obama [R20]
Rice Greeted by Racist Images in Mid East [R20]
Rice Swears in Gay Ambassador [R20]
USA Today Gives Rice "Demon" Eyes [R20]

Rice Subpoena?

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has given a one-week postponement to a vote on whether it should subpoena Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. In the meantime, Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) has written the secretary and asked her to schedule a voluntary appearance before the Memorial Day recess.

Waxman says Rice has repeatedly"blown off" his requests for an explanation on her pre-war claims about Iraq’s alleged weapons of mass destruction.

Full text of Waxman's letter HERE.

Did You Read ... ?

Rice on Obama [R20] Rice Greeted by Racist Images in Mid East [R20] Rice Swears in Gay Ambassador [R20] USA Today Gives Rice "Demon" Eyes [R20] General Says Bush/Republican Congress "Absolutely the Worst Thing" to Happen to the Military [R20] Escalating the Escalation: Part 2 [R20] Escalating the Escalation [R20] News: Iraq Cost Tops Vietnam [R20]

Rice on Obama [R20] Rice Greeted by Racist Images in Mid East [R20] Rice Swears in Gay Ambassador [R20] USA Today Gives Rice "Demon" Eyes [R20] General Says Bush/Republican Congress "Absolutely the Worst Thing" to Happen to the Military [R20] Escalating the Escalation: Part 2 [R20] Escalating the Escalation [R20] News: Iraq Cost Tops Vietnam [R20]

Four years, $350 billion, 3200 American fatalities and many Iraqi lives later ...

CBS News asks Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice what, if anything, would the Bush Administration have done differently in Iraq?

Answer: "I don't know. When we look back over time we will know the answer to that question."

After some hesitation, the secretary admitted that now may have been too late to begin a troop escalation and perhaps more forces should have been initially deployed to Iraq. Meanwhile, the escalation continues to escalate: The Bush Administration now admits at least "means roughly 30,000 troops eventually will go to Baghdad and Anbar Province", far more than the 21,500 promised by the President. The number may increase within the several weeks.

Rice Acknowledges Iraq Troop Errors [CBS]

2,600 U.S. troops added to buildup [Newsday]

Did You Read ... ?

Rice on Obama [R20] Rice Greeted by Racist Images in Mid East [R20] Rice Swears in Gay Ambassador [R20] USA Today Gives Rice "Demon" Eyes [R20] General Says Bush/Republican Congress "Absolutely the Worst Thing" to Happen to the Military [R20] Escalating the Escalation: Part 2 [R20] Escalating the Escalation [R20] News: Iraq Cost Tops Vietnam [R20]

In an abrupt shift of policy, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced the Bush Administration has agreed to "high level" regional conferences with Iran and Syria on the Iraqi security crisis.

The Washington Post reports the first talks will be on the ambassadorial level and held next month. At a second conference, Rice will sit down at the table with the foreign ministers from Damascus and Tehran. The second meeting will be held "elsewhere in the region, possibly in Istanbul."

Washington's last major diplomatic initiative with Tehran was in late 2001, when both sides met before the American invasion of Afghanistan to topple the Taliban—whom Tehran also opposed. Iran backed the invasion, only to hear President Bush name the country part of the "axis of evil" several months later.

U.S. Will Join Talks With Iran And Syria (WaPo)

You May Have Missed ...

Video of CNN Comparing Obama to Axis of Evil (Rod 2.0) CNN Compares Barack Obama to Ahmadinejad (Rod 2.0) CNN Apologizes for "Osama" Typo (Rod 2.0) Rice Greeted by Racist Images in Mid East (Rod 2.0) Rice Swears in Gay Ambassador (Rod 2.0) Lucifer vs Hillary vs Condi (Rod 2.0) Rice: Anti-War = Pro-Slavery (Rod 2.0) On Tonight's Love Connection (Rod 2.0) USA Today Gives Rice "Demon" Eyes (Rod 2.0) Condoleezza Rice on 'Time 100' (Rod 2.0)

Mistakes? What Mistakes?

Four years, $350 billion, 3200 American fatalities and many Iraqi lives later ...

CBS News asks Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice what, if anything, would the Bush Administration have done differently in Iraq?

Answer: "I don't know. When we look back over time we will know the answer to that question."

After some hesitation, the secretary admitted that now may have been too late to begin a troop escalation and perhaps more forces should have been initially deployed to Iraq. Meanwhile, the escalation continues to escalate: The Bush Administration now admits at least "means roughly 30,000 troops eventually will go to Baghdad and Anbar Province", far more than the 21,500 promised by the President. The number may increase within the several weeks.

Rice Acknowledges Iraq Troop Errors [CBS]

2,600 U.S. troops added to buildup [Newsday]

Did You Read ... ?

Rice on Obama [R20] Rice Greeted by Racist Images in Mid East [R20] Rice Swears in Gay Ambassador [R20] USA Today Gives Rice "Demon" Eyes [R20] General Says Bush/Republican Congress "Absolutely the Worst Thing" to Happen to the Military [R20] Escalating the Escalation: Part 2 [R20] Escalating the Escalation [R20] News: Iraq Cost Tops Vietnam [R20]

Talks with Iran and Syria

In an abrupt shift of policy, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced the Bush Administration has agreed to "high level" regional conferences with Iran and Syria on the Iraqi security crisis.

The Washington Post reports the first talks will be on the ambassadorial level and held next month. At a second conference, Rice will sit down at the table with the foreign ministers from Damascus and Tehran. The second meeting will be held "elsewhere in the region, possibly in Istanbul."

Washington's last major diplomatic initiative with Tehran was in late 2001, when both sides met before the American invasion of Afghanistan to topple the Taliban—whom Tehran also opposed. Iran backed the invasion, only to hear President Bush name the country part of the "axis of evil" several months later.

U.S. Will Join Talks With Iran And Syria (WaPo)

You May Have Missed ...

Video of CNN Comparing Obama to Axis of Evil (Rod 2.0) CNN Compares Barack Obama to Ahmadinejad (Rod 2.0) CNN Apologizes for "Osama" Typo (Rod 2.0) Rice Greeted by Racist Images in Mid East (Rod 2.0) Rice Swears in Gay Ambassador (Rod 2.0) Lucifer vs Hillary vs Condi (Rod 2.0) Rice: Anti-War = Pro-Slavery (Rod 2.0) On Tonight's Love Connection (Rod 2.0) USA Today Gives Rice "Demon" Eyes (Rod 2.0) Condoleezza Rice on 'Time 100' (Rod 2.0)