January 24, 2008

The Bush White House: sex, lies and videotape, except without the sex and videotape

President Bush discusses plans for the invasion of Iraq with a trusted adviser.

According to a newly published study conducted by two nonprofit journalism organizations, President Bush and administration officials made 935 false statements during the run up to the war in Iraq. (Sure, it seems like a lot, but if it were over a thousand lies, we'd be worried.)

Does this mean the U.S. went to war under false pretenses? Undoubtedly. But just how bad was it? 23/6 analyzes the impact of the report by examining two basic questions: What did administration officials know? And when did they know it?

So many lies, so little time

A few of the Bush administration's biggest untruths

What they lied about	When Cheney knew	When Bush knew
No link between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda	One of several facts established during Spring 2002 "lie-storming" session in Oval Office.	Accidentally overheard the news after walking into Cheney's meeting without knocking first.
Whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden	Late November 2002, instructed Special Forces to locate Bin Laden as part of a plan to have him transported to Texas ranch where GOP donors could hunt him for sport	Found Bin Laden while snooping around in White House attic to find out what Cheney got him for Christmas.
Iraq does not have WMDs	Read as part of the conclusions of Spring 2003 intelligence report that also concluded “Threat Estimate” would be an awesome band name.	At state dinner, when Cheney accidentally said, "Pass the falsified WMD documents, I mean, the salt."
CIA has secret prisons in Europe	After receiving invitation to the May 2003 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the “Dick Cheney Secret European CIA Prison and Spa.”	Started asking questions when Dick Cheney was 3 hours late picking him up from Euro Disney.
Scooter Libby leaked classified information	July 2003, after leaking classified information to Scooter Libby.	Briefed by secretary that Scooter went to live with Nana and Pop Pop on a farm with the angels.
Lucy was going to pull the football away from Charlie Brown	After the second panel.	More of a Family Circus guy.