KEYES: Now this isn`t the first time on our program, obviously, that we`ve dealt with this question. Back in February, we had a segment called "September 11: Who Dropped the Ball?" We focused in that segment on these very questions, and I want to play a little excerpt from that segment, sentiments that I expressed at the time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEYES: Some of the information that appeared to be on the table before September 11 was in the hands of the intelligence agencies. There were other bits and pieces of information in the hands of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the FBI, other agencies of this kind, including the Coast Guard.
What about the coordination problem? Aren`t we looking at least in part at a problem where these pieces were not put together in a proper interagency process, where folks with the kind of intelligence that was needed could look at them and try to see, sort out what was important, what was not, see the big picture?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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Do you see any disrespect toward or personal attack on President Bush here? I don't.
There is not a scrap of evidence here to show Keyes attacking the President, as was alleged repeatedly on the other thread for the last 2 days.
But I did figure out why some 'never criticize the Administration for any reason' types were screaming like scalded cats...
Keyes had the gall to assume what is a heresy to them...that Condi Rice and Dick Cheney are accountable. Imagine.
Having said that, it is apparent that Keyes said nothing that hurts Cheney or Rice politically in any way shape or form.
Ultimately, Keyes' pursuit of the truth about where our security services stand in terms of readiness strengthens the Administration position...as long as they respond appropriately, which I fully expect them to do.
The Dems are getting squeezed beautifully in the whole thing...I love it...they are being hoist on their own petard.
Regards...EV