Posted on 09/26/2006 7:27:17 AM PDT by bobsunshine
While I am against leaks, it seems someone in the Intel Community has had it with the liberal-slanted leaks going to the NY Times and has provided some interesting (and apparently harmless) excerpts of the complete NIE to one of the blogosphere’s former spooks. Check out a fuller context of the NIE at In From The Cold. Judge for yourself. (JUMP to In from the Cold - by Spook86 at:
http://formerspook.blogspot.com/2006/09/more-of-what-you-wont-read-in-nyt.html
Yesterday, we noted that the MSM (along with their fellow travelers in the intel community), had apparently "cherry-picked" information from a recent National Intelligence Estimate, making their case that the Bush Administration's War on Terror had actually made the problem worse. In closing, we observed that if the NIE was that biased, it represented a grave disservice to both the community and the nation.
Thankfully, the actual NIE is not the harbinger of disaster that the Times and WaPo would have us believe. According to members of the intel community who have seen the document, the NIE is actually fair and balanced (to coin a phrase), noting both successes and failures in the War on Terror--and identifying potential points of failure for the jihadists. The quotes printed below--taken directly from the document and provided to this blogger--provide "the other side" of the estimate, and its more balanced assessment of where we stand in the War on Terror (comments in italics are mine).
In one of its early paragraphs, the estimate notes progress in the struggle against terrorism, stating the U.S.-led efforts have "seriously damaged Al Qaida leadership and disrupted its operations." Didn't see that in the NYT article.
Or how about this statement, which--in part--reflects the impact of increased pressure on the terrorists: "A large body of reporting indicates that people identifying themselves as jihadists is increasing...however, they are largely decentralized, lack a coherent strategy and are becoming more diffuse." Hmm...doesn't sound much like Al Qaida's pre-9-11 game plan.
The report also notes the importance of the War in Iraq as a make or break point for the terrorists: "Should jihadists leaving Iraq perceive themselves to have failed, we judge that fewer will carry on the fight." It's called a ripple effect.
More support for the defeating the enemy on his home turf: "Threats to the U.S. are intrinsically linked to U.S. success or failure in Iraq." President Bush and senior administration officials have made this argument many times--and it's been consistently dismissed by the "experts" at the WaPo and Times.
And, some indication that the "growing" jihad may be pursuing the wrong course: "There is evidence that violent tactics are backfiring...their greatest vulnerability is that their ultimate political solution (shar'a law) is unpopular with the vast majority of Muslims." Seems to contradict MSM accounts of a jihadist tsunami with ever-increasing support in the global Islamic community.
The estimate also affirms the wisdom of sowing democracy in the Middle East: "Progress toward pluralism and more responsive political systems in the Muslim world will eliminate many of the grievances jihadists exploit." As I recall, this the core of our strategy in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Quite a contrast to the "doom and gloom" scenario painted by the Times and the Post. Not that we'd expect anything different. But the obvious slant of their coverage does raise an interesting question, one that should be posed to their ombudsman or public editor. If sources used by the papers had access to the document, why weren't they asked about the positive elements of the report? Or, if sources provided some of the more favorable comments regarding our war on terror, why weren't those featured in articles published by the Times and the Post?
The ball's in your court, Mr. Keller and Mr. Downie. We'd like an answer to these questions, since they cut to the heart of whether your publications can actually cover a story in a fair and objective manner. We won't hold our breath waiting for a response.
bump
ping
Especially if it yanks the pants of the MSM down a litlle further.
ping for later
Bump!
I say, let the people watch TV. They will catch on that there is more to life.
bump
It really doesn't matter because just like the points left out of the 9/11 report, liberals have their 'talking points' and they aren't going to change them, no matter what the evidence shows.
There are reports day after day about Saddam's ties to Al Qaeda and still you hear the Libs state 'There are no ties'.
Evidence be damned.
It sounds like a compilation of what is already out there on the White House websites...
It's not a big jump from leaker to spy to traitor!
blogs, MySpace, YouTube, podcasts etc. are goldmines for the lieberals to turn the young totally against Conservatie/Christians!
"It's not a big jump from leaker to spy..."Your right on the money.I'll bet our "intelligence" agencies are loaded with employees/agents who wouldn't hesitate to sell out the US to further the left's agenda.
So the NY Slimes has proved even more dishonest and fraudulent than usual, presenting only highly selective one-sided leaks.... actually, I should say "the NY Slimes has proved JUST AS dishonest and fraudulent as usual."
All I have to say is Rove, you magnificent bastard..
Theres a special heated seat saved in Hades for Keller.
Who is Keller? (Can you tell I'm behind on this story?)
He's the editor of the NYTimes..
BTTT
Of course; thanks for reminding me!
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