By Steve Clemons

<em>Nelson Report</em> Gossip: Bob Zoellick Not Amused by Panda Antic

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Chris Nelson shares some fun insider gossip in today’s Nelson Report about Deputy Secretary of State Bob Zoellick’s recent “Panda Diplomacy” at a “Principals Meeting” in the White House: BUSH NAMES…in the amusing gossip department, we hear Deputy Secretary of State Bob Zoellick was presented with a large stuffed Panda at a Principals Meeting at…

“ Is it really possible to have THAT HAIR and be amused in the same incarnation?? ” Trip on February 4, 2006

Scooter Libby’s Trial Date Set After November Elections

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This is a bit of a bummer. U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton wanted Libby’s trial to begin in September 2006, which would have been a nice reminder to American citizens of the abuses of power that have occurred in the lead up to and prosecution of the war against Iraq.

“ "the Dems have been handed everything from gay whores doing sleepovers in the West Wing to the Downing Street Memos,… ” avaroo on February 6, 2006

TWN Co-Hosting Eugene Jarecki’s Award-Winning Film, “Why We Fight” Tonight & Some TWN Thoughts on Bush and the State of the Union

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Tonight, come watch the film and meet director Eugene Jarecki for a Washington, DC pre-release premier of “Why We Fight“. The Washington Note, the American Strategy Program of the New America Foundation, the NYU Center on Law & Security, and the Coalition for a Realistic Foreign Policy are co-hosting this evening’s screening.

“ Im surprised Steve is getting so much criticism in this thread. Hes performing a service to us IMO, with some… ” JS on February 3, 2006

President Bush: On 20 April 2004 States Must Get “A Court Order” Before Wiretapping Suspected Terrorists

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I wonder how long this speech is going to stay on the White House website. I was directed to it by a thoughful lawyer/blogger Glenn Greenwald today In a speech in Buffalo, NY on April 20, 2004, Bush states that “a wiretap requires a court order.

“ donailin, What are you doing to help spread the word? Are you outside of the big media studios demanding they… ” Charlie on February 2, 2006

What About Us, Mr. President? No Japanese? And We Have Our Troops With You in Iraq. . .

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The State Department website is going to “audio stream” tonight’s State of the Union address by President Bush in several languagues. From a State Department release: President George W. Bush will deliver the annual State of the Union Address to a Joint Session of Congress, Tuesday, January 31, 2006.

“ Hello everybody, I ran across the perfect symbol to protest the war in Iraq and yet still show my patriotism… ” Sandra Stammberg on February 3, 2006

New PIPA Poll Has Disturbing Message about “Real State of the Union In Iraq”: By TWN’s Count, 62% of non-Kurdish Iraqis Support Attacks on U.S. Troops

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Today, the Program on International Policy Attitudes is releasing a new World Public Opinion poll on Iraqi public opinion. Here are the poll results. Among the findings: The poll has found that 80% of Iraqis believe that the U.S. plans to have permanent military bases in Iraq. 76% thought America would not withdraw if asked….

“ Not surprising, but very very interesting! Will our NSC listen? Doubtful. The agenda is set, and the PNT carries out… ” GW 2 on February 1, 2006