The NIE Fantasy

Well....I liked Hitchens’ likening the CIA to Mark Twain’s cat and I suppose the CIA ought to be disbanded since they have been ineffective and palsied since the Church Committee hearings. But then we'd have to reorganize another agency to do what the CIA is supposed to be doing.

Got the impression that the current NIE was released by the Bush administration for political reasons to deliberately upset the Dems in Congress. Sort of like throwing sticks of firewood to the mob of witch hunters to see who was going to light the fire.....and get burned in the process. (I don't claim any insight on Foggy Bottom politics, never understood them. never liked 'em.)

The NIE is faulty. Given the negative response from our Ally's intelligence agencies and their respective governments, its assumption is erroneous. They've got their own assets and gathering systems to defend and are not happy having shared intel bandied about in a political brouhaha. They don't want hearings and investigations by high profile no name pols into their business; nor do our own effective intel agencies want hard skinny compromised and liaisons damaged.

So.....remember the hell Congress raised over the firing of seven USJD attorneys a year ago, the resignation of Goss from the CIA.....Libby?

An independent review of the intelligence on Iran by a non-partial panel to confirm or deny the conclusions of the NIE would be the right course now. If their review denied the conclusions of the NIE, Bush should fire the authors. I'd love to see the fireworks then.

"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

I think this NIE was leaked to have this whole thing investigated in Congress, thereby planting it in the Democrats head they need to take action.

If Bush took some course of action, he would be wrong...even if Iran launched missiles against Israel, Bush would get blamed, etc. So just change the debate and get all the evidence out in the open. Not to mention France, Germany, Britain and Israel saying the NIE is nuts and that Iran IS a threat. Bush got burned being the front runner on Iraqastan, so I can see him sitting back a little and letting the others figure it our for themselves this time around.

Putting tinfoil firmly in place, I think that this NIE Report was an effort to help the dems. Look the world is now a safe place and there is no longer a need for the WOT. Lets make health care our top priority. Lets bring the troops home and do not elect any mean ole Republicans.After all Bush lied to us and Iran is our friend.

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