Monday, August 31, 2009
Former Homeland Security director Tom Ridge recently caused a kerfuffle with the news of his upcoming autobiography, The Test of Our Times, which claims in 2004, the Bush administration pressured him to raise the color-coded threat level to help Bush win reelection.
The news was explosive and confirmed what many on the left had suspected all along about the Bush administration: Bush’s approval ratings typically went up when the threat level was raised. They used fear as their currency in the realm to control the American people.
In The Test of Our Times, Ridge writes, “Ashcroft strongly urged an increase in the threat level, and was supported by Rumsfeld. There was absolutely no support for that position within our department. None. I wondered, ‘Is this about security or politics? “
But 48 hours before The Test of Our Times hits the stores, Ridge now says he did not mean to suggest he was pressured to raise the threat level, and he is not accusing anyone of trying to boost Bush in the polls. “I was never pressured,” Ridge said. “I’m not second-guessing my colleagues.”
Which begs the question? If Tom Ridge is a bald faced liar, will his publisher take legal action against him for not telling the truth about his experiences at Homeland Security?
Donald Rumsfeld and John Ashcroft screeched and Ridge folded and ran home to mommy.
Another rightwing pussy.
And this guy was in-charge of Homeland Security? LMAO!
Clearly, something happened from the time Ridge submitted his story to editors and they were proofed and approved by him. Publishing doesn’t happen in a vacuum without the author’s awareness of what will go to print. I was an editor for more than 25 years and I know how this world operates. I suspect he’s feeling the pressure and all the duct tape in the world isn’t going to help him now.
If Ridge’s book is a work of fiction, then it belongs in the fiction section of Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
Just don’t market it as an autobiography.
Lets see, Ridge writes one thing and now claims another…
McCain claimed to be against torture and the CIA says he never raised an objection during numerous briefings….
One thing about Republicans they sure can spin in the wind….
His publishers should definately take legal action. If you are going to write fiction then write fiction.
I disliked him as Director of Homeland Security and I dislike him as private citizen Ridge. He’s a classic conservative: dishonest, self-serving slippery and a wimp. I predict his “book” will be in the $5 bin after the first week it hits the stores.
The last time I was in a Borders Books, one of Ann Coulter’s hate books was on the discount table for $3.99 and there was a stack of them. Tom Ridge’s book of deception shouldn’t even command $3.99 in my opinion. More like in the “Free Bin” outside on the street.
It’s too bad he is changing his story. If he had stayed the course his book might remain in the $20.00 bin for awhile.
Between Rumsfeld, Cheney, and Bushy I wonder how the wingnuts even have any voice left at all.
What would you expect, really? You can’t stay in the Rushpubliscum good graces unless you’re a two-faced liar. Just ask Colin Powell.
I assume the goon squads got to Ridge pretty soon. Amazing what a few threats to his family can accomplish.
I hope the public takes action by not buying his book and then the publisher can sue him for destroying the potential market. That would be sweet.
Like Chuck Barkley, he was misquoted.
he thinks he is this noble conservative
yeah right – there is no such thing
i bet he got a call from the Cheney Mafia