Iraqi Documents Are Put on Web, and Search Is On [FR's jveritas makes the news]

NY Times ^ | March 28, 2006 | SCOTT SHANE

[neverdem]

WASHINGTON, March 27 — American intelligence agencies and presidential commissions long ago concluded that Saddam Hussein had no unconventional weapons and no substantive ties to Al Qaeda before the 2003 invasion.

But now, an unusual experiment in public access is giving anyone with a computer a chance to play intelligence analyst and second-guess the government.

Under pressure from Congressional Republicans, the director of national intelligence has begun a yearlong process of posting on the Web 48,000 boxes of Arabic-language Iraqi documents captured by American troops.

Less than two weeks into the project, and with only 600 out of possibly a million documents and video and audio files posted, some conservative bloggers are already asserting that the material undermines the official view.

On his blog last week, Ray Robison, a former Army officer from Alabama, quoted a document reporting a supposed scheme to put anthrax into American leaflets dropped in Iraq and declared: "Saddam's W.M.D. and terrorist connections all proven in one document!!!"

--snip--

All the documents, which are available on fmso.leavenworth.army.mil/products-docex.htm, have received at least a quick review by Arabic linguists and do not alter the government's official stance, officials say. On some tapes already released, in fact, Mr. Hussein expressed frustration that he did not have unconventional weapons.

--snip--

"I'm trying to pick up documents that shed light on the political debate," said Joseph G. Shahda, 34, a Lebanese-born engineer who lives in a Boston suburb and is spending hours every evening on translations for the conservative Free Republic site. "I think we prematurely concluded there was no W.M.D. and no ties to Al Qaeda."

Mr. Shahda said he was proud he could help make the documents public. "I live in this great country, and it's a time of war," he said. "This is the least I can do."

[eureka!]

Joseph-Congrats, I think. Thanks for all you do.

That said, this article shows the Clymers at the Slimes read FR, and, in particular, your work on the prewar docs. They do not, however, report that which is said in them. No surprise there, eh?....

[RugerM77]

From the article>>>"All the documents, which are available on fmso.leavenworth.army.mil/products-docex.htm, have received at least a quick review by Arabic linguists and do not alter the government's official stance,"<<<<<

Does a "Quick review" count as intelligence analysis at the NYT? One would think that a true study would require extensive cross-comparisons and collations and so forth between documents, looking for patterns and stuff that may be missed by a quick review.

That appears to be happening now.

[JerseyDvl]

Most sincere thanks from me too. Way to go Jveritas, you da man!

[GOPJ]

"I'm trying to pick up documents that shed light on the political debate," said Joseph G. Shahda, 34, a Lebanese-born engineer who lives in a Boston suburb and is spending hours every evening on translations for the conservative Free Republic site. "I think we prematurely concluded there was no W.M.D. and no ties to Al Qaeda." Mr. Shahda said he was proud he could help make the documents public. "I live in this great country, and it's a time of war," he said. "This is the least I can do."

Thank you freeper Shahda -- whoever you are... ( anyone know?)

[sageb1]

"I'm trying to pick up documents that shed light on the political debate," said Joseph G. Shahda, 34, a Lebanese-born engineer who lives in a Boston suburb and is spending hours every evening on translations for the conservative Free Republic site. "I think we prematurely concluded there was no W.M.D. and no ties to Al Qaeda."

Wow! Congrats and well-deserved praise for jveritas!

[W.Lee]

Thank you for your service to our country. But remember who you are fighting, both the phony news media and the killers of women and children. They have published your name and town. Watch your back Patriot, watch your back.

[JRochelle]

jveritas,
You are on your way to reaching Buckhead greatness!
Good job!

[gov_bean_ counter]

Intelligence officials had serious concerns about turning loose an army of amateurs on a warehouse full of raw documents that include hearsay, disinformation and forgery.

These docs were found in the stinking Iraqi Defense Ministry building. Why the he!! would there be hearsay and forgeries there? Arrogant pieces of excrement.

[finnman69]

keep up the good work

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[Steve_Seattle]

"But now, an unusual experiment in public access is giving anyone with a computer a chance to play intelligence analyst and second-guess the government."

It should say "anyone with a computer who can read Arabic." But notice - all of a sudden - their skepticism is directed towards those who want to "second-guess" the government, rather than towards the government itself? I guess "second-guessing" the government is only ok when it fits the agenda of the NYT.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Everything is on the prewardocs keyword list,...assuming you know how to use that facility!

[Steve_Seattle]

"Of course, it NEVER occurred to the NYSlimes to start translations of the docs on their own...FReepers, doing the jobs the LameStream Media won't do..."

Again. The MSM already has their "Bush lied/no WMD" storyline, and aren't going to try very hard to change that. They have too much invested in it.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

It was on that thread that started with the Globe interview I think.....

[Panzerlied]

"But now, an unusual experiment in public access is giving anyone with a computer a chance to play intelligence analyst and second-guess the government."

Having lived in NYC for 10+ years, here's my translation of this phrase from the NYT: Bush is circumventing our elite experts and allowing unwashed non NYT persons to translate these articles and second-guess our contentions.
This is grossly unfair as it undermines our ability to Print Only the News we see Fit to Print!

[blinachka]

Could not read past this sentence. Jveritas is doing original translations. That is not second guessing the government.

Excellent point.

And thank you jveritas for all of your hard work!

[BlessedByLiberty]

Thank you for the ping, neverdem. Thank you jveritas for your work.

I add my voice to others here worrying about your safety and being exposed by the MSM.

Ironically the MSM are admitting that the conservative FR site has thoughtful people willing to do the work they won't - find the truth. :)

[jveritas]

Thank you very much for your nice posts. Let us remember that the real effort and great sacrifice are done on a daily basis by our brave troops and to whom we should continue to send our great thanks and deep gratitude.

God bless our brave troops.

God bless America.

[RandallFlagg]

Hell, you deserve it. Take a break with a good laugh, FRiend.

Something funny.

[Proudcongal]

Thank you, jveritas! Keep up the excellent work!!!