Inside the Ring (Anti-Bush)

The Washington Times ^ | 3-14-08 | Bill Gertz

[JZelle]

Anti-Bush

Richard Immerman, the assistant deputy director of national intelligence for analytical integrity, has written a journal article harshly critical of President Bush and his administration for what he charges is their role in the "politicization" of intelligence.

The article echoes liberal academic criticism of the president and his advisers, but with one significant difference: Mr. Immerman is now the top U.S. intelligence official in charge of checking politicization within 16 U.S. intelligence agencies.

The appointment of Mr. Immerman as the analysis' "ombudsman" is raising questions among intelligence analysts about whether the office of Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell is politicizing U.S. analysis.

DNI spokesman Michael Birmingham and Mr. Immerman declined to comment. A White House spokesman also declined to comment.

"Immerman has put his political partisanship on the record and allowed it to shape his views," said one U.S. official critical of Mr. Immerman. "He has in the process done the very things that intelligence analysts are typically taught to resist. The kind of loaded language he's thrown around in public won't help his credibility or relevance as an intelligence officer."

Fallon fallacy

The Esquire magazine article that led to the resignation of U.S. Central Command commander Adm. William Fallon was written by former Naval War College professor Thomas P.M. Barnett, and it angered naval aviators — but not because of Adm. Fallon's resignation over policy differences with President Bush.

Two fighter pilots contacted us to take issue with Mr. Barnett for falsely reporting that Adm. Fallon was a "fighter pilot" whose call sign was "Fox." Mr. Barnett said Adm. Fallon is knowledgeable because he's "had his hand on the stick for a very long time," another pilot reference.

[JZelle]

Brigade America

A group of conservatives, including former CIA officer Duane "Dewey" Clarridge, are taking on the city of Berkeley, Calif., and others who oppose the U.S. military by setting up a new Internet site called Brigade America.

The new site "came about as a result of the Berkeley City Council orally trashing the U.S. Marines as 'criminals,' and worse, and passing a resolution attempting to force the Marine recruiting post out of the city of Berkeley," Mr. Clarridge said.

The Berkeley action against the Marines prompted one businessman, Brian G. Dennard, principal director of the Meridian Development Group, to write Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates to inform him that the company will no longer do business with the city because of the insults.

"In that my company is in international resort real estate development, and do business with and am associated with, developers and investors worldwide, I am informing all of my contacts, associates and patrons that we will no longer do any business of any sort with anyone living in the Berkeley area," Mr. Dennard stated in the Jan. 31 letter.

The boycott is likely to affect Berkeley area marina construction, building material suppliers and many others from doing business in Berkeley.

"You have every right to choose to take the obnoxious anti-military stance you have taken, and as stated, that right was bought for you with the blood of better men than you," he stated. "I too have every right to do all that I can to insure that your city suffers consequences arising from that obnoxious, sickening stance."