TRUTH AWARD: NPR's Adam Davidson

Our inaugural TRUTH AWARD goes to NPR's Adam Davidson, for his reporting on the truth of the Dubai Ports World story. Among many good points, he exposes the political lies being spread regarding this deal:

"I actually called most of the leading politicians who are critical of this sale. I called the offices of Senator Schumer, Senator Clinton, Senator Frist, Senator Menendez, several House members, and I asked each one of them the same thing: I said "I have not been able to find a single port security expert who agrees with you that this is a real concern. Can you please give me the name and contact information for a port security expert with agrees with you." None of them were willing to give me a name, except for Senator Chuck Schumer of New York. His office gave me the name of two experts who they said agree with them that Dubai Ports World is a real security threat. I called both those experts and both of them said: No, there's no security threat here, we're not at all concerned with the National Security issues here. I have to say that I cannot think of another story I have ever covered where what seems to be the facts are so far away from the public debate."

LIE OF THE WEEK: 02-23-2006

Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota discussing the Dubai Ports World purchase of Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which would give DPW control over six American shipping ports:

"The Bush administration stance allowing a United Arab Emirates company to purchase the rights to provide security at some major U.S. ports is 'unbelievable,' Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota said today... Dorgan called it "nuts" to allow Dubai Ports World... to manage U.S. port facilities. "Two 9/11 hijackers also came from the United Arab Emirates," he said. "

THE TRUTH: What's unbelievable is that so many members of Congress and state officials are so blatantly racist in their reaction to this deal. Trying to to block it by saying that two of the 9/11 hijackers came from the UAE would be no different than saying that all American companies should be shut out of government contracts because Timothy McVeigh and "Unabomber" Theodore Kaczynski are Americans. Not to mention the fact that the company currently running the ports is a UK company and there are many notable terrorists from that country, ranging from would be shoe-bomber Richard Reid to thousands of members of the IRA. Come on now, we're a democracy here, guilt by association isn't legal (yet).

LIE OF THE WEEK: 02-16-2006

From the congressional hearing yesterday, run by Congressman Weldon, (who deserves credit for pressuring the Department of Defense regarding these lies) regarding the lack of documentation on known pre-2001 information regarding the September 11th terrorists:

"Mr. Cambone testified that the reason the documents were destroyed during the Clinton administration was to comply with laws prohibiting keeping data for more than 90 days."

THE TRUTH: This is no different than the excuse used by Enron and Anderson Consulting during the Enron accounting scandal. They also claimed that "document retention policy" was the reason that so many documents were destroyed at exactly the most "convenient time" for them.

LIE OF THE WEEK: 02-07-2006

From yesterday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the domestic surveillance program authorized by the president, who bypassed the normal court warrant procedures:

"A few members of Congress have suggested that they personally did not intend the force resolution to authorize the electronic surveillance of the enemy, al Qaeda. But we are a nation governed by written laws, not the unwritten intentions of individuals. What matters is the plain meaning of the statute passed by Congress and signed by the president." - Attorney General Gonzales

THE TRUTH: Clearly, the Bush administration is not interested in "the plain meaning of the statute passed by Congress and signed by the president." Otherwise, they wouldn't have to go to these extraordinary lengths to formulate ridiculous legal justifications for going outside the of written law, especially FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act).

The saddest part of all is that the committee did not even put the Attorney General under oath during the hearing. I guess it's easier to lie if you're not at risk of being charged with lying under oath.

"I told the truth then, I'm telling the truth now" I'm sorry Mr. Attorney General, but it's clear that you're not.

LIE OF THE WEEK: 02-01-2006

President Bush has some good policies and some bad policies, but he needs to stop smearing anyone who opposes any small part of his policies:

"My worry is that people see that uncertainty and decide to adopt isolationist policies or protectionist policies," Bush said. "In other words, in uncertain times it's easy for people to lose confidence in the capacity of this country to lead and to shape our future." (Source: Associated Press via Yahoo! News)

THE TRUTH: Opposing some parts of the present administration's foreign policy does not make you an isolationist. And opposing some parts of his economic policy does not make you a protectionist. The President plays this political game far too often: another example is calling Congressman John Murtha a fleeing coward for proposing a phased withdrawal (which is now occurring) and also calling him a hero and patriot. Let's support the free-speech rights of those who question certain policies without insulting them. Can't the administration defend it's policies based on merit alone?