THIS FAR AND NO FURTHER
A Timeline of Events Surrounding the Radical Right's Attempt to Subvert American Democracy
Written and Compiled by Black Max
May 2004
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50 US soldiers die in Iraq when a mail convoy is bombed; their deaths are not reported by the military. British soldiers are shown abusing Iraqi prisoners. Private mercenaries and intelligence agents are involved in the prisoner abuse. Taguba report shows abuse to be systematic and approved at high levels. Ahmad Chalabi shown to have passed critical intelligence to Iran. Disney refuses to distribute Fahrenheit 9/11.. "swift Boat Veterans" organizes to smear Kerry's military record. Private mercenaries heavily involved in torture; not accountable to military law. Torture shown to have occured as early as April 2003, and involves prisoners in Afghanistan and Fallujah as well. Bush outpaces Kerry in lobbyist funds raised by more than 3 to 1. Red Cross warned of abuses since the beginning of the occupation. Conservatives defend Abu Ghraib torture as equivalent of fraternity pranks. Further prisoner abuse photos and videos, including ones showing rape and murder, coming out. Blair administration admits knowing about abuses in February. Decapitated body of Nicholas Berg discovered in Baghdad; video of his beheading airs on Internet, sparking worldwide outrage. "Free Republic" to blame for Berg's detention? Missile defense shield proven unreliable. US lies about not having Berg in custody; Berg family blames US for holding Berg so long without charge. GOP lawmakers resist letting more pictures be seen by public. Powell says US will leave Iraq if asked. Three Army divsions officially unready for combat. Rumsfeld's SAP at heart of Abu Ghraib scandal; Copper Green. Investigation documents the AARP's seduction by the GOP into supporting devastating Medicare legislation. Abuse documented at Guantanamo Bay prison facility. Rumsfeld proven to have authorized torture during interrogations. US and Britain block investigation into finances of arms runner Victor Bout. Powell says CIA misled about Iraqi WMDs. White House believes a terrorist attack on Washington will happen before the elections HAVA exposed. Calls for investigation of links between Riggs Bank, the Bush family, and Riggs' laundering of terrorist funds. NBC refuses to allow footage of Bush to be used in a documentary because "unofficially, we don't think it makes the President look good." Army may recall 6,500 retired soldiers to duty. Wolfowitz admits key errors in planning and says US forces will remain in Iraq indefinitely. Memos reveal legal steps taken to protect Bush officials from being charged with war crimes. More photos, of soldiers posing over an Iraqi beaten to death by CIA or civilian interrogators, released. Bush campaign accepts money from India, and outsources fundraising efforts to Indian call centers. Stories of children being tortured in Abu Ghraib surface. Confirmation that military intelligence officials directed the Abu Ghraib abuses. Delta Force soldiers accused of prisoner abuse. Proof that Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, and White House lawyers authorized the abandonment of Geneva Conventions in regard to Iraqi and terrorist detainees. Former Centcom commander General Anthony Zinni harshly criticizes Iraq invasion, and says Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz should resign. Investigation proves Bush administration errors led to North Korean nuclear capabilities; described as one of history's biggest diplomatic blunders. Chalabi on the run. Entire Iraqi war and occupation proven an Iranian intelligence operation. Testimony of rape of Iraqi boys by male interrogators. Fahrenheit 9/11 wins acclaim at Cannes. A third of Taguba report "missing" after its release to the Senate. General Ricardo Sanchez directly linked to Iraqi prisoner abuse. Rumsfeld and two top aides at top of Iraqi abuse orders. Sanchez replaced as top military commander in Iraq. Terry Nichols convicted in OK City bombing. Former vice president Gore gives a fiery speech calling for the resignations of Rumsfeld, Rice, and Tenet. Perle admits Iraq occupation "a grave error."
SubMenu for May 2004
"I was dumbfounded by the way the Bush Administration pushed aside the Constitution to launch their war on terrorism." -- lawyer Samuel Dash, shortly before his death on May 29, quoted by FindLaw/Buzzflash
"Seems to me we need to start at the bottom and invade these guys again. Maybe we'll get it right this time. Hell, a plan would have been good." -- American soldier overheard by Wasit governor Mark Etherington
