Who, Me?

George is shocked. Just shocked. AP (09.22.06):

"President Bush said Friday he was 'taken aback' by a purported U.S. threat to bomb Pakistan back to the Stone Age if it did not cooperate in the fight against terrorism after the Sept. 11 attacks."

Bush 'Taken Aback' by Musharraf Comment

Remember now, this is something Pervez himself said, so it isn't exactly rumor or hearsay.

As to the deals the Pakistanis have been making with the tribes along the border with Afghanistan? Pervez says the media has "mischaracterized" the the entire affair. "'The deal is not at all with the Taliban. This deal is against the Taliban. This deal is with the tribal elders,' Musharraf said."

Well that explains it, eh? Pervez couldn't be, uhhh, lying or anything, could he?

George says he believes Pervez because "Musharraf had looked him in the eye and vowed that 'the tribal deal is intended to reject the Talibanization of the people and that there won't be a Taliban and there wont be al-Aqaida (in Pakistan).'"

Ha!! Boy is that rich. From a couple weeks back. ABC (09.06.06)

"Osama bin Laden, America's most wanted man, will not face capture in Pakistan if he agrees to lead a 'peaceful life,' Pakistani officials tell ABC News."

Pakistan Gives Bin Laden Free Pass

Cut through the bullshit, and here's where it's at. McClatchy (09.01.06):

"Zia Mojadedi, a senior national security aide to Karzai, criticized the Bush administration for accepting Pakistani assurances that the new truces include rebel promises not to join the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan."

Truces fueling resurgence of Taliban, critics say

"'The thrust of (Pakistan's) strategy remains the same: how to milk the Americans' for more money, he said."

As in George and the boys are getting led around by their noses.