Smear Without Substance

townhall.com ^ | May 27, 2004 | Joel Mowbray

[Tailgunner Joe]

Back in the mid-1990’s, Chalabi and his group, the Iraqi National Congress, were still on speaking terms with the Central Intelligence Agency. When a coup attempt was being cooked up against Saddam, Chalabi warned the CIA that it would fail. It did, and Chalabi was not bashful about defending his prediction-slash-warning.

He has been deemed an enemy of the CIA ever since.

The administration hawks are just as hated, though for different reasons (explained below). The New York Times on Monday ran a story, seemingly based solely on “intelligence officials,” with the headline: “U.S. Steps Up Hunt in Leaks to Iraqi Exile.”

The “news” in the Times piece was that “intelligence officials” (read: CIA) are investigating “a handful of officials in Washington and Iraq who dealt regularly with Mr. Chalabi.” Who are these potential traitors? Well, according to the Times, “Most of them are at the Pentagon.”

[JasonC]

And why is every nuance of it coordinated with the Guardian and other notorious commie media supporters?

Bona fides are being presented to Kerry, that's why.

[Steve_Seattle]

This excerpt and/or commentary is very confusing, almost worthless. Why are people being called "traitors"? Traitors to who or what, and for having done what?

[Steve_Seattle]

I think it's the CIA that needs to be investigated.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

I keep wondering if maybe both the US and Chalabi have found a very public break to be in both of their interests. What I wonder is if there might still be some very private behind the scenes cooperation that would also be of benefit to both.

[Paul Ross]

It is kind of odd that Mowbray appears to be condemning Richard Armitage, Deputy Secretary of State, for attempting to quell the internal state dept. opposition with career-ending threats...isn't Armitage one of the few 'hawks' and therefore, a GOOD GUY???

[MoralSense]

b

[Steve_Seattle]

On another thread, someone speculated that the "fall" of Chalabi was a ruse by the US to garner him popular support in Iraq, so that he could get one of the top spots in the new government.

[DarkWaters]

On another thread, someone speculated that the "fall" of Chalabi was a ruse by the US to garner him popular support in Iraq, so that he could get one of the top spots in the new government.

Interesting thought, but we haven't shown much creative initiative in the CIA and forget State to pull it off imho, not to mention some little back stabber in one of these agencies would have thrown the wrench into the works. The only conclusion I can see is that those who didn't want Chalabi in there, received their wish. It was nothing but politics being played out when it should have been a consideration of real leadership.