The Tenet Fiasco - Discussion Thread

self

[Cathryn Crawford]

George Tenet's admission last night that it was his mistake that caused President Bush to use faulty intelligence in his State of The Union address is interesting at the same time as it is convienent. In the statement itself, which is lengthy and filled with reasons as to the intelligence failure, Tenet wholeheartedly takes responsility for his agency.

"Let me be clear about several things right up front. First, CIA approved the President's State of the Union address before it was delivered. Second, I am responsible for the approval process in my Agency. And third, the President had every reason to believe that the text presented to him was sound. These 16 words should never have been included in the text written for the President. "

On the face of it, this admission seems like the perfect solution to the growing problems for both the Bush and Blair administration. It's all CIA's fault, they can claim. But is that really viable?

On the face of it, perhaps. But Bush is the President. He has to take final responsibility, doesn't he?

If Bush can truly claim to know absolutely nothing, then don't we have a serious problem - wouldn't that imply that Bush is either incompetent or is simply not paying attention?

For discussion purposes - has Bush been conned by Tenet? And if he has, isn't that rather serious?

And if he wasn't conned by Tenet, what is the alternative?

[madison10]

Why not, HILLARY did it? ;) Point taken.

[PhilDragoo]

What an excellent find.

Joseph C. Wilson:

It did not take long to conclude that it was highly doubtful that any such transaction had ever taken place.

George W. Bush:

The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa.

Wilson said the deal wasn't closed. Bush did not say the deal was closed.

Bush said:

The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa.

Apparently Joseph C. Wilson was not merely drinking sweet mint tea, but was also smoking crack.

[PhilDragoo]

File photo of Ray McGovern former CIA analyst.

[huck von finn]

Also, the "Wilson" info was ultimately shared with the Brits. I'm getting so confused now that I'd better take a break from searching.

[Lauratealeaf]

Apparently Joseph C. Wilson was not merely drinking sweet mint tea, but was also smoking crack.

LOL! Did you see Cap Weinberger on Fox News the other night? He was contemptuous of Joseph C. Wilson and stated that Wilson spent more time drinking tea in Niger than anything else. He also stated that Joseph C. Wilson did not go to Niger on Cheney's orders. Wilson did not turn in an official report to the CIA after returning from his trip either. Just a few memos.

[Howlin]

Yeah, I noticed she caught you.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Laurie has been saying that for years. Bush hasn't listened to her, yet.

[marron]

That means that the error is even more grevious.

I just want to re-visit this one more time. No one has refuted the British intel report. They continue to stand by it. Wilson has simply repeated the denials of the Niger government, and has accepted them at face value. And, for reasons of their own, the press (and the Democrats) are accepting Niger's word in preference to the Brits'.

You have to decide whose word is more reliable; British intelligence, or the government of Niger.

And, as others have pointed out, MI 6 claims that Saddam was trying to make the purchase. Wilson claims that the purchase didn't take place (according to his friends in Niger). But he has still not responded to the original claim, which is that Saddam was attempting to obtain uranium from Niger.

And now, to a different subject, most of the regulars here know that you commonly post your opinion columns here to get feedback. It is no secret that you write, I am hardly think it necessary to remind everyone each and every time that you write. If you enjoy the feedback, I enjoy providing it. And certainly, since the purpose of all this is the exchange of ideas, one can hardly complain about the opportunity for debate.

So keep it up.

[Mo1]

Maybe NOW President Bush will see fit to clean the Clinton left-overs out of the White House, out of the CIA, out of ANY organization having to do with our government/nation. Keeping them in to be "nice" or "bi-partisan" was foolhardy.

He can't just fire them .. many of them are civil employees

[carton253]

Thank you for that. I hear all the time that the President needs to clean out State, CIA, etc., but the Pendleton Act makes this impossible. But I wasn't clear on my facts.

You have just clarified that my understanding of the Pendleton Act is correct.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

and the proper actions taken to right it.

In your estimation, what is the proper action?

[Miss Marple]

That was my question back in post #366. If the LEAST that should be done, according to Cathryn, is Tenet's firing or resignation, I am wondering what else she thinks are possible options.

[frnewsjunkie]

After reading many posts on your subject, I have one thing to say.

UNTIL the left (or anyone who would now start in on President Bush) has taken care of the last President... one who was NEVER held accountable for ANYTHING he did. One who was NEVER held accountable for his lying, rapes, bombing for pleasure, and many other things,.. by the press nor his own administration... nor Congress.

UNTIL all you have settled it with Clinton... UNTIL you have held him accountable... UNTIL you have stopped the buck at his feet.... You have no right to pile on this President.

Those LONG 8 years we had to listen to you all defend that man.... and now you jump at the chance to devour President Bush. And you would suggest a "fiasco" here? Your words betray your intentions.

And you posters who are giving her amunition... Tsk, Tsk.

[Quix]

CAT is a tremendous gal.

I like what she writes and rarely disagree with her and certainly so far have not disagreed with anything significant.

I respect her writing skills, her opinions, her maturity and her perspective. I think she does much better than a lot 2 & 3 times her age.

I was actually glad to see someone post a thread like this to kick around the Tenet issue. I figured we'd tease it out a lot more rationally and productively than the liberal media in general.

I still think the carping toward CAT is bad faith, narrow, ungracious and petty if not off the wall.

[Quix]

I have a lot of respect for Rummy, too.

He was the next level up boss of a good friend of mine.

I still suspect Rummy of being on of the leading puppet masters working for one world government to be led by the Anti-Christ. I do NOT respect that.

And I don't trust Rummy's personal lust for power. Nor would I put it past him as a puppet master to exercise some control over Bush.

[Miss Marple]

Posts 416 and 417, when read together, comprise an unintentional irony that is breathtaking in scope.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Quix, care to disclose for the rest of us mere mortals who the anti-Christ is? I think it is highly significant that you put Rummy in the same circles as the anti-Christ.

[Quix]

I just took the title as an effort to trigger a lively discussion--even a kind of sounding board effort to help sort through her own opinions with. But I haven't asked her.