The Boy who Cried Wolf

[The Diabolical Biz Markie]

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20...2643-5367r.htm

This is why this whole WMD charade was so harmful. Now, no one will believe it even if it's true.

I agree with the Wolf issue - this is a problem.

I'm also curious wrt how Bush will spin the fact that his CIA chief is saying that Al Qaeda is still a major threat.

I mean, is his campaign based on the "fact" that he's been really effective at reducing the threat of terrorism?

Or, is it based on the "fact" that we need him in office to reduce the threat of terrorism?

"Look! I've decreased the threat! But the threat is still very real and dangerous, so you must re-elect me so I can reduce it some more..."

More Tenet damage...

I can't believe this guy still has a job; of course I guess firing him would have to imply the administration actually did something wrong...

[Guerilla poster]

Originally Posted by Titania

I agree with the Wolf issue - this is a problem.

I'm also curious wrt how Bush will spin the fact that his CIA chief is saying that Al Qaeda is still a major threat.

I mean, is his campaign based on the "fact" that he's been really effective at reducing the threat of terrorism?

Or, is it based on the "fact" that we need him in office to reduce the threat of terrorism?

"Look! I've decreased the threat! But the threat is still very real and dangerous, so you must re-elect me so I can reduce it some more..."

More Tenet damage...

I can't believe this guy still has a job; of course I guess firing him would have to imply the administration actually did something wrong...

Hopefully his job ends in 8 months.

[Moe Szyslak]

Someone should be fired, although I am not sure it should be Tenet. The intelligence he provided may have been so skewed by the administration by the time it ever got to us, we really have no idea what he provided. It would be nice if it were at least seriously investigated. That is why I think it is more on the end of the administration, Tenet could speak out about what really happened if fired, or if there is an open investigation, it might lead to Cheney's door.

Why would they protect Tenet? Isn't he fairly replaceable, he was hired by Clinton, correct?

But back to the story, Tenet commented

"Over the last year, we've ... seen an increase in the threat of more sophisticated chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear capability,"

Well, we went into Iraq a year ago which we said had these weapons, and none have been found, so is this related to missing Iraqi weapons?

It seems now the Iraq war for the purpose of beating terrorism has been a complete failure. They either had no weapons, or the weapons are now more dangerous because they are indeed in the hands of terrorists.

Why would they protect Tenet?

Cuz they based the justification for their war on what his agency "told" them (supposedly). To fire him for incompetence is an admission of their own incompetence. So they will let him stick around and talk about how he had to babysit Cheney and make pronouncements as to the ineffectiveness of GWB's efforts to reduce the threat. I for one am enjoying watching them twist in the wind.

[O. Hannah]

I agree with a lot of what WS says.

One thing I'm not sure about are the comments about more nuclear proliferation etc. I think that the proliferation is coming to light now....but happened a while back. (See Iran, N. Korea as key examples).

I don't think that calling Al Queda a major threat implies they haven't been reduced. After all, they were able to pull off perhaps the most successful terrorist attack of all time on the heels of blowing up one of our ships, an embassy etc. I believe that the Iraq invasion will stoke the fires of their recruitment and donations but at the same time I've seen many many signs that a lot more countries are working with us behind the scenes (mainly out of fear that they'll be next after Iraq). (Egypt, Syria and Iran have all nailed Al Queda figures and imprisoned them but don't turn them over to us for fear of ticking off the masses....which is fine by me.)

[Westley]

Originally Posted by Work Sucks

Why would they protect Tenet? Isn't he fairly replaceable, he was hired by Clinton, correct?

Did you read this part of your post?

Originally Posted by Work Sucks

Tenet could speak out about what really happened if fired,

[The Diabolical Biz Markie]

Originally Posted by Guerilla poster

Hopefully his job ends in 8 months.

Nitpick: 11 months? Kerry won't be done demanding recounts in 8 months.

[Guerilla poster]

Originally Posted by duncan idaho

Nitpick: 11 months? Kerry won't be done demanding recounts in 8 months.

I don't doubt that George has already put together a staff of his own to demand recounts in the unlikely event he ends up on the short end.

[O. Hannah]

There will only be calls for a recount in the unlikely event of an extremely close race in a state that actually matters. I doubt we'll see something like FL happen again in the next 50 years...but not saying it's impossible.