And, last weekend, after President Bush produced this brainfart, which --under the radar--became an executive order as well, Walter Pincus was busy doing his job. Kudos to his research and effort. Here's what Pincus unearthed:
Be careful what you say and whom you help -- especially when it comes to the Iraq war and the Iraqi government.President Bush issued an executive order last week titled "Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq." In the extreme, it could be interpreted as targeting the financial assets of any American who directly or indirectly aids someone who has committed or "poses a significant risk of committing" violent acts "threatening the peace or stability of Iraq" or who undermines "efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform" in the war-torn country.
However, the text of the order,
if interpreted broadly, could cast a far bigger net to include not just those who commit violent acts or pose the risk of doing so in Iraq, but also third parties -- such as U.S. citizens in this country -- who knowingly or unknowingly aid or encourage such people.