Posted on 11/21/2004 10:33:22 AM PST by wagglebee
In a series of bizarre comments that show the depth of the failed thinking at the nation's premier intelligence service, the former head of the CIA unit charged with capturing or killing Osama bin Laden said on Sunday that the terror mastermind was a "remarkable," "great" and "admirable" man.
"He's really a remarkable man," former CIA agent Michael Scheuer told NBC's "Meet the Press." "[He's a] great man in many ways, without the connotation positive or negative. He's changed the course of history."
Scheuer's book "Imperial Hubris," which the CIA allowed him to publish anonymously earlier this year, was touted during the presidential campaign by critics of President Bush based on its claim that the U.S. is losing the war on terror. Scheuer ran the agency's bin Laden unit from 1996 to 1999.
While he insisted he didn't mean to praise bin Laden, moments later the ex-CIA man told host Tim Russert that the al Qaida chief was "an admirable man. If he was on our side, he would be dining at the White House."
"He would be a freedom fighter, a resistance fighter," Scheuer added, suggesting that the U.S. would welcome an ally who killed 3,000 innocent office workers in a kamikaze sneak attack.
In more revealing comments, Scheuer went on to blame America's "unqualified support for Israel" for bin Laden's rise.
"There is a perception in the Muslim world, and I think there's a perception on the part of many Americans, that the tail is leading the dog on this case," he told NBC. "And perception, for better or worse, is often reality."
In fact, bin Laden bombed U.S. embassies in East Africa, attacked the USS Cole and planned the 9/11 attacks during the height of the Clinton administration's efforts to pressure Israel to cede territory to the Palestinians, a proposal accepted by then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak but rejected by Yassir Arafat.
Scheuer continued as a senior analyst with the CIA's bin Laden unit until Nov. 12, when he went public in-person with his complaints.
His days of fame are coming to a close.
I hope he finds himself ostracized and depressed.
If this jerk is typical of the CIA agents, no wonder Osama has not been caught. Good luck and God speed to Peter Goss in cleaning out this snake's nest.
At least Barney is on our side.
Insofar as it has been the objective of bin Laden's offensives against the U.S. not to overthrow our form of government and destroy our nation, but simply to "get us out of the Muslim world," the analyst asserts, the U.S. invasion of Iraq has only strengthened his hand, underscoring the need to achieve al Qaeda's goals in the minds of countless fresh recruits to the cause.
Bush, he said, "is misguided to think that bin Laden hates us and our democracy."
"He's far more calculating than that. Khomeini was like that, hating democracy, voting and equality for women. But not bin Laden. He doesn't hate us for what we are, but for what we do," he said.
Among the U.S.'s crimes against the Muslim world that he wants to stop, the analyst said, are the U.S.' presence on the Arabian peninsula and support for Russia, China and other tyrannies that suppress the Muslims under their control.
"Bin Laden represents the Islamic resentment for the U.S.'s policies, not our system of government. It's a great mistake to think of him as a ranting mullah. He's very calculating and specific, and focused on the actions of the U.S., not our beliefs or systems."
What is Scheuer's background? Is he the son of one the WWII German Espionage agents brought here? His anti-semitic vitriol is evident.
Then again, maybe he is Dutch. They seem willing to bend over for any Muslim.
The guy belongs behind bars!
He is not an analyst. He is an Anal'yst! IOW, he has his head up his A**!
and his main point of seeking bin Laden was to ask for his autograph?
True too.
Clinton and Scheur both traitors.
Instead of a public hanging, he will get the Berger-Burglar Award.
Scheuer is a Jewish name.
why would a guy with a Jewish name who looks probably Ashkhenazim Jewish in his pics say flattering things about Osama.
It's a neurosis I will never understand...to admire those who wish to exterminate you.
His surname is often Jewish and look at his pic....go figure.
What a tool. He's the definitive useful idiot. There's nothing wrong with observing OBL's intellect and his prowess as a mastermind, but that's where the compliments should stop.
Scheuer is a traitor. Scheuer contacted Officers in the US miliary and
told them to not execute orders from the Commander in Chief.
If that book was non-ideological, then so is anything by Michael Ledeen.
If America is hit again, it is because Scheuer helped
the terrorists, and undermined the President as he
encouraged treason in the Pentagon, State Dept and CIA.
So, now that the election is over, the new TROLLS will be those who favor an incompetent CIA.
He has to be an unreconstructed RAT of the clintinoid variety that infested the CIA in the 90's. A relative of mine was interviewed at the time by the CIA and was told that they "welcomed Democrats" and other left-leaning candidates.
It's not relevant...please.
If he were a neo Nazi Christian Identity peckerhead it damn sure would be wouldn't it?
He is a self hating Jew who would rather heap respect on the very man trying to exterminate his "tribe" from the face of this planet .....and you know why?
Because he is probably a Red Diaper Doper Baby who's hatred for an evangelical born again Christian trumps everything
But you are right sort of....his religion is not relevant.
THE REJECTION OF HIS RELIGION AND HENCE HIS CULTURE IS.
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