Paris airports authority remove all mention of collapsed 2E
Aeroports de Paris (ADP), the state authority in charge of Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport have removed all mention of the tragedy-struck Terminal 2E from their website within a day of the disaster. see www.adp.fr The authority’s website has no news of the disaster but what is extraordinary is their revision of maps of the airport to make it look as if there never was a 2E.
At left the upper of the two maps is the ADP map which for Terminal 2 shows halls A, B, C, D, and F. But no E! It is still shown clearly in the bottom righthand corner of the lower map which is from the World Airports Guide.
The Soviets redid the photographs of officials on the reviewers stand of past May Day parades whenever Stalin had one of his former close colleagues shot. But they were never as quick as this to rewrite history. [Emphasis added.]
Trying to Grok (TTG) then throws in for good measure:
Wow. Paris airports authority remove all mention of collapsed 2E.
I guess they threw it down the Memory Hole. Scary.
Wow indeed. If only it were true, it would make for a great story. This time however? Sadly, No! We would have expected better from the owner of TTG who makes regular references to her time spent in France (and knowledge of French.) As she was either too busy or lazy to look into this urban legend in the making, we figure we should take a look. Is there no mention of the accident on the web? Sadly, No! Has the map been redone as a result of the accident? Only if you look long and hard — and then only on one map. What a strange “rewriting” of history by those crazy French!
You can see press releases here, here and there. The last link is especially interesting since it offers before and after maps. You can also stop be here, and find information to download.
For even more entertainment, you could click on “terminal map” and end up at this page. Is it just us, or does it show Terminal 2E. Mais oui, it does! You can also see 2E on this parking map.
The map posted on the web site that shows no Terminal 2E is linked to from this page. Remembering that 2E is new, and that it is on every other map on the web site, it seems more just as likely that this is the result of incompetence (an old map not updated) than “Soviet-style” rewriting of history. The charges as outlined above (and now repeated) are, in any case, patently untrue. (For more attempts to hide this story, see also this memorial ceremony planned.)
So the White House is demurely staying out of the fight between John Ashcroft and Tom Ridge over the terror-threat extravaganza scarily telling us nothing has changed on the terror front … but to be on alert for previously-apprehended parties now on the loose.
Some allies of the Department of Homeland Security within the Bush administration and members of Congress criticized Attorney General John D. Ashcroft yesterday for issuing terrorist threat warnings at a news conference on Wednesday [...] Some administration officials also complained yesterday that Justice Department or FBI officials in private conversations with reporters may have suggested that the latest evidence of a terrorist attack is new, when it is about six weeks old, officials said. [...]
Administration officials have been discussing for weeks whether to raise the threat alert level from yellow, or elevated risk, to orange, or high risk, but they have decided not to take the step at this point, informed sources said. (05/28/04 WP/Mintz, Schmidt)
Homeland Security Department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse reiterated Thursday that his agency has not seen any change in the “steady stream of threat reporting.” “We do not have any new intelligence or specific information about al-Qaida planning an attack,” he said. (05/28/04 AP/Anderson)
But even before Crisco’s press conference (transcript), the White House promoted the announcement and underscored the “new” threat in tidy timeframe. From the White House Press Briefing, May 26, 2004:
MR. McCLELLAN: We have received credible intelligence reporting over the last couple of months indicating terrorists may attempt to attack us here at home, or our interests abroad over the next few months, during this summer or fall time period. [...] And the Attorney General, John Ashcroft, and FBI Director Robert Mueller will be holding a news conference today at 2:00 p.m. at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to discuss the threat situation [...]
MR. McCLELLAN: What we’re saying is there’s intelligence indicating that they would like to carry out their attacks over the summer or fall time period, and that you have to keep in mind that there are a number of high-profile events, they’re symbolic events, there are large gatherings of people at those events. (WH May 26, 2004)
The briefing and Crisco’s press conference loosely set the election as a natural cutoff for this non-alert alert, suggesting that the terror they’re dealing with is that felt by viewers of Bush’s speech Monday over the prospect of a certain blithering idiot being reinstalled for four more years of mayhem. The Department of Hooey’s tap dance (see the longer excerpt in the extension to this post) indicates closer coordination with Ashcroft to do an end run around Ridge, making today’s stance utterly ridiculous.
Our thanks to Blair and Scott for their comments, and Scott for technical assistance. Thief of Baghdad picture from uggabugga used with permission. King Ahmad picture courtesy of Billmon. Everything else used without permission.
Hopefully this can keep you folks entertained for a few days, as we are out of here until Tuesday — enjoy the weekend. (We need your help for next week’s Flash Friday — see the extended entry for details.) Read the rest of this entry »
For those keeping score at home, there are three hours and 20 minutes to go until Sadly, No!’s brand new Flash animation… We promise it’s going to be Chalabi-rrific.
At present the combat death rate is running an almost insignificant amount over the accident rate. [...] It will be interesting to see if the end comes with a bang or a whimper. One could imagine a last desperate and suicidal offensive by the remaining Saddamites. Alternatively, if Saddam is calling the shots and is taken out of the picture the remnants might just quit and go elsewhere. The most likely scenario – in my opinion – is an exponential tail-off in as the remnant forces are killed or captured…
Knowing how things turned out subsequently, one would think war supporters might choose to be a bit more careful. Admittedly, they have. Except for our man up north Adam Yoshida that is:
The hysteria in some quarters over the present state of affairs in Iraq actually bears very little relation to facts on the ground. For example, talk of ?escalating violence? is patent nonsense. In truth, the violence in Iraq is in control, reconstruction is proceeding, and an orderly transition to democratic government is taking place. It is only a media-imposed blindness that prevents most of us from seeing this elementary fact.
During April, when US forces had to contend with both an uprising the ?Mahdi Army? of rogue mullah Moqtada al-Sadr and an upsurge of violence by residual Ba?athist forces and al-Qaeda terrorists in the so-called ?Sunni Triangle?, one hundred and thirty-nine American soldiers were killed. A high number, to be sure, but hardly one so high as to be considered astounding or, in military terms, unacceptable.
Adam then goes on comparing casualties in Iraq to those suffered during the Tet offensive, reminding us again that Iraq is, or isn’t it’s hard to tell anymore, Vietnam. Adam continues:
Does anyone else see a pattern here? Certainly, any pattern which does exist is not one of “escalating violence” despite the use of that phrase by the Associated Press on May 15th and the Washington Post on May 16th.
In Adam’s World? of course casualties only count if they are American soldiers. Yet even measuring progress by that arbitrary yardstick, May 2004 is the 4th most violent month (of 15) since the war began.
If you happened to read this blog yesterday, you know that the nefarious Dr. Seb No has been publicly questioning my manhood over at his “website.” In response to his practically unprovoked attacks, I submitted both of our names and information for acceptance to a conservative Christian dating site.
But if there is one characteristic of Kerry’s life that should disqualify him absolutely as a candidate for president, it is the fact that he has sought out millionaire wives to take care of him. Not to put too fine a point on it, he’s a serial gigolo. [Emphasis added]
“Cotton Eye” Joseph has more however:
Kerry has never had these simple life experiences. You may think he’s learned a lot by serving in Congress, serving as lieutenant governor of his state. But he’s never gotten his hands dirty. He’s always had a net underneath him throughout his political career ? in his case, a net woven of homespun 24K gold. [Emphasis added]
How low can a man sink? Tr?s low:
Teresa Heinz Kerry is not sure about her husband’s character. Are you?
No More Mister Nice Blog’s Steve opens up a stockpile of whoop ass on the latest conservative fantasy:
Actually, neither President Bush nor his aides ever said anything about “stockpiles” in describing the Iraqi weapons threat. The Times just made that part up.
–John Hinderaker of the Claremont Institute, at Power Line Blog (“The blog is excellent–I’ll make it regular reading!” –Rich Lowry, editor of National Review)
In a little-noticed development amid Iraq’s prison abuse scandal, the U.S. military is holding dozens of Iraqis as bargaining chips to put pressure on their wanted relatives to surrender, according to human rights groups. These detainees are not accused of any crimes, and experts say their detention violates the Geneva Conventions and other international laws. The practice also risks associating the United States with the tactics of countries that it has long criticized for arbitrary arrests.
One of the things I keep expecting to see is an uprising of regular fed-up Iraqis. ? la Superman II, when the Krypton criminals pin Superman behind the bus and the people of Metropolis, thinking he’s dead, grab whatever they can find and say, “Let’s get ‘em.” Or like in The Three Amigos, where the regular townsfolk defend their city against the bullies.
We think it would be even more wicked awesome if it was an uprising like in Independence Day, where the Iraqis find some abandoned space ship and use it to kill all the terrorists in the world. Yeah, that would be kewl.
This just in: John Kerry is a mimbo! Don’t believe us? Well then perhaps you should read this, from Rabbi Shmuley Boteach:
John Kerry is married to Teresa Heinz Kerry, a half billionaire, whom he married even though she was five years older than him ? a practice which, while not unheard of, is certainly highly uncommon for a man who was in his 50s.
It’s not unheard of you see, but it sure is uncommon! If John Kerry wanted to prove that he is fit to be President, he should have done what most old men do: marry a 23-year old Playboy model. How dare he marry someone roughly his age — we can’t have any of that around here. But the good Rabbi has more:
Now, before I go on, let me say immediately that speculation as to why people choose whom they marry is immoral and out of place.
Of course it is! Why, what kind of a man would engage in such speculation, when it’s so obviously immoral and out of place? The answer is: Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, that’s who!
But I mention Kerry’s predilection to marry extremely wealthy women not to question his motivation but rather to argue that this is proof that he will probably never be president.
Why not?
If there is one thing we have learned about the presidency of the United States, it is that attaining the office involves immense determination. A man who is prone to taking shortcuts won’t make it there.
A man like… George W. Bush:
George W. Bush, while born into wealth and privilege, had to summon vast spiritual resources to give up drinking and being directionless and commit himself to a demanding spiritual regimen.
Demanding spiritual regimen?
Now, having a wife who provides you with a private jet and eight multimillion-dollar vacation homes provides for a comfortable life. But is this the right preparation for becoming president?
Well, is it?
Sadly, No!
Ha ha — just kidding dear readers — the Rabbi didn’t actually say that.
To be sure, that does not mean Kerry never did an honest day’s work in his life. On the contrary, he was a successful prosecutor, lieutenant governor and distinguished senator. But even while he did these jobs, his wives’ wealth always gave him a safety net. He was going to be taken care of whether he succeeded professionally or not.
Unlike our current President of course, who always had to rely on his smarts and business sense to succeed in life, and never had to use family connections. Never. Not even once.
Alas, there is yet one other important consideration that should get us all thinking. Before they married, Teresa Heinz made John Kerry sign a prenuptial agreement. Which begs the question: If his own wife doesn’t trust him with her money, why should we trust him with ours?
So on the one hand, Kerry knows he will always be taken care of no matter what, except if his marriage falls apart in in which case not:
John and Teresa Kerry signed a prenuptial agreement and have kept their premarital assets separate. The Boston townhouse (which John Kerry mortgaged in 2003 to finance his presidential bid) is the only one of these homes that they own as a couple…
John Kerry: All he ever did was graduate from Yale, volunteer to go to Vietnam, receive a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three awards of the Purple Heart, graduate from Boston College Law School, and work as a public prosecutor, lieutenant-governor, and Senator.
Writing about Jessica Cutler (you knew she would, didn’t you?) Michelle Malkin offers this:
Cutler, who aspired to be a journalist, spouted: “I’m sure I am not the only one who makes money on the side this way: How can anybody live on $25K/year??” When I was 24 and making less than that, I did it by eating Spaghetti-O’s, Ramen noodles and Swanson pot pies for dinner; driving a Toyota Tercel with no air conditioning; and sleeping on a $30 futon. [Emphasis added.]
At the age of 24, Michelle Malkin had been a Los Angeles Daily News columnist and editorial writer for two years.
Following up on what we pretend is the great success of our Iraq Flash animation posted earlier this week, we are happy to announce that from now on every Friday will be Flash Friday here at Sadly, No! Enterprises Limited. This week’s entry will take a special look at everybody’s favorite member of the Iraqi Governing Council (no, not Abdel-Karim Mahoud al-Mohammedawi, the other favorite one.) Stay tuned…
The management will entertain special requests for subsequent animations.
Now we find out most of the abuse happened on one day. A day when a riot went down and guards were understandably upset. [...]
Well, let’s get some facts straight. Those who abused prisoners at the prison are being prosecuted for crimes. Secondly, there is no evidence that I’ve seen that any Iraqis were murdered in that prison. That remains to be seen. Of course, many people on the left have already decided the U.S. is guilty of murder, as they always assume the worst about anything the U.S. does.
Abuse of Captives More Widespread, Says Army Survey
An Army summary of deaths and mistreatment involving prisoners in American custody in Iraq and Afghanistan shows a widespread pattern of abuse involving more military units than previously known.
The cases from Iraq date back to April 15, 2003, a few days after Saddam Hussein’s statue was toppled in a Baghdad square, and they extend up to last month, when a prisoner detained by Navy commandos died in a suspected case of homicide blamed on “blunt force trauma to the torso and positional asphyxia.”
Among previously unknown incidents are the abuse of detainees by Army interrogators from a National Guard unit attached to the Third Infantry Division, who are described in a document obtained by The New York Times as having “forced into asphyxiation numerous detainees in an attempt to obtain information” during a 10-week period last spring. [...]
But the details paint a broad picture of misconduct, and show that in many cases among the 37 prisoners who have died in American custody in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army did not conduct autopsies and says it cannot determine the causes of the deaths.
David Frum, writing on May 4 about good pal Ahmad Chalabi:
Chalabi is one of the very few genuine liberal democrats to be found at the head of any substantial political organization anywhere in the Arab world. He is not consumed by paranoid fantasies… [Emphasis added]
First of all, the charges about giving classified information to Iran by me or by any INC officer are false, non-existent. They are charges put out by George Tenet and his CIA to discredit us, and I want to go to Congress. [...] It is no good quoting unnamed sources to say that they have a case. These are allegations that are put forward and directed by the CIA. [...] Well, you can see the quality of the information then. Iraq is not Latin America. It’s not Honduras.
Following SullyWatch’s lead, we’ve always clicked on the link when the Daily Dish’s proprietor links to something that he presents as supporting something, such as:
NOT IN THE PAPERS: Jeff Jarvis does a useful summary of the Iraqi blogs. Big surprise: they’re not as gloomy as the Western press. [Emphasis added]
What does Jeff Jarvis do? Quote at length from a single Iraqi blog, a Thomas Friedman column, an article by Jay Rosen of NYU, before ending with a link to a blog run by two sisters in Florida. Some summary.
She needn’t have worried. Her son wasn’t suffering. In one of the several pieces of startling video exhibited for the first time in Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11,” we catch a candid glimpse of President George Bush about 36 hours after his mother’s breakfast TV interview – minutes before he makes his own prime-time TV address to take the nation to war in Iraq. He is sitting at his desk in the Oval Office. A makeup woman is doing his face. And Bush is having a high old time. He darts his eyes about and grins, as if he were playing a peek-a-boo game with someone just off-camera. He could be a teenager goofing with his buds to relieve the passing tedium of a haircut.
Caipirinha, who posted the entry, added this:
The German news magazine Frontal21 aired the footage (made into a “silent movie” for the satiric clip of the show) in April 2003 and I’ve been sending the link to it to friends and family. It shows once more the compassionate president in action.
In our never ending quest to improve German-American relations, we offer the entire clip here in Windows Media Video format. [You know the drill: right click, save target as, ...] Enjoy. (File is 4.7MB.)
