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?

[Cathryn Crawford]

If only we were as intelligent as those powerful media pundits.

Kudos for your sarcasm.

Actually, what I was referring to was the fact that the media has latched onto this, and is not likely to let go. We understand that the media is a powerful medium in this country, and it has the ability to sway public opinion.

[Libertina]

I personally have never known for sure why George Bush didn't get rid of Tenet, Norman Minetta and others when he took office...Clinton appointees who would do him no good anyway... perhaps the getting along thing. (As if that has ever stopped the rats from pulling fast ones.)

I heard yesterday that the bogus paper (re: purchasing uranium in Africa)was only one of SEVERAL sources the Brits had. They still stick by their guns and say the general information is true. (They also refuse to share these other intelligence sources.) Why doesn't the President and CIA refer to this information? It's as if they won't fight. Perhaps they just want the outcry to stop so they ignore it...

But Tenet probably should resign for this and hopefully the administration will start getting rid of some of the holdovers. The State department seems to be awash in them, always proceeding down their own path with no adherance to anything the current President says is policy.

But this is a bad day to get my take on President Bush. I am absolutely livid with him, Jennifer Dunn, and Senator Istook for giving 500 MILLION $ to the RATS in WA state so they could REVIVE a dying boondoggle of a transportion project- Light Rail. The conservatives have been shafted but good. The project supporters, PATTY -daycare centers in Irag - MURRAY and Baghdad Jim McDermitt are in heaven. Can anyone explain this to me? Did I misread the title of the party I voted for? Now they are interfereing in State politics FOR the democraps? As I said on the WA forum, I need an aspirin. Today, I've given up. I have NO representative government here in WA, and it's getting WORSE with "help" like this, thank you very much. I am disgusted. :(

[Dog]

As I said let's get a message to Saddam and tell him he can have his country back..

[Scenic Sounds]

How would you suggest doing so?

The White House itself should make a full disclosure of all disclosable facts. And perhaps it has already done so. Then respond to all relevant questions and, if errors were made, concede that they were made.

The American people want an honest president, but they do not expect a perfect president.

[Dana113]

I don't know, I just don't see how this incident is going to "work" for the democrats. It's too weak. I mean, of course, Bush is responsible for his statements but there is no evidence that it was anything but an innocent mistake. Every one makes them.

It's really much ado about nothing and a very laughable attempt by politically craven dems to discredit Bush. They have no issues so they are reduced to manufacturing scandals. I am afraid the dems are on their way out if this is the best they can do. The Republicans already have both houses and the presidency, they seem intent on handing them everything.

The fact is that Bush didn't lie and anyone can see that. Just because he unwittingly reported inaccurate information does not negatively reflect on him.

I think the dems need to concentrate more on finding some REAL issues other than scandal mongering Republicans. I mean, the "republicans are big meanies" is hardly a party platform.

Another thing that really stands out in my mind is that the very people who told us that "all presidents lie" and "everybody does it" are the same ones who are trying to use this innocent mistake [if you can even call it that] to bring down Bush. These are the people who support PERJURY. They support sexual predators in the workplace. We all know they are not in any moral position to judge ANYONE. Its about like Charles Manson self righteously lecturing about the evils of murder.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

You poor fools! We are at war. This story has no legs and will never have legs. It is as empty as the pages in Hillary Clinton's book "Living History". Each day, the 911 causing Clintonite, Democrat Party and it liberal lock steppers move closer and closer to treason. IMHO, the blood of every dead American soldier drips from the treasonous hands of the Democrat Party. Every statement they make emboldens the enemies of the USA and puts our troops in further harm's way! Bin Laden prays daily for a Democrat victory every day! I am tired of making nice with these traitors. How's that for a discussion!

[Mr. Mojo]

I guess I am in the minority. I don't consider anything of the Niger/uranium tempest in a teapot to be of the utmost importance.

I'm with you.

Btw, the Rats are gearing up for their (seemingly) bi-monthly "this is the next Watergate" mode. I wish I had a Ben Franklin for every "next Watergate" they've predicted.

[PhiKapMom]

I don't see that happening. The media smells blood.

YOU ARE PART OF THE MEDIA! DO YOU SMELL BLOOD?

Found this to be interesting and think some others may too -- from your homepage: I am a contributor and columnist for The Washington Dispatch.

Do you want Freepers to provide you comments for your next article so you can use to bash President Bush and/or CIA Director Tenet! I think before you put up another thread asking for opinions, you might want to disclose on that thread that you are a columinist for the Washington Dispatch! It is one thing to make comments on threads but another to put up a vanity saying the press smells blood when you are a member of the press.

[Dog]

Now easy there ....you are throwing logic and common sense at them.

This is all Bush's fault and he should fire that bum Tenet while he is at it..

/sarcasm

[PhiKapMom]

Check out my #48 -- this person is a columinist for the Washington Dispatch who put up this thread! She is part of the media!

[Jim Noble]

I am the last guy in the world who gives two sh*ts about the Euroscum or the "rest of the world".

I would have made Iraq green glass on 9/12/01, just to show we could.

Nevertheless, that's not on Cathryn's point.

GWB has a lot at stake here, and I hope he's proven right.

[PhiKapMom]

Can you imagine how rich you would be?

[huck von finn]

On the face of it, yes. Yet it did not come without its own qualifications. Take another look at the last paragraph:

Portions of the State of the Union speech draft came to the CIA for comment shortly before the speech was given. Various parts were shared with cognizant elements of the Agency for review. Although the documents related to the alleged Niger-Iraqi uranium deal had not yet been determined to be forgeries, officials who were reviewing the draft remarks on uranium raised several concerns about the fragmentary nature of the intelligence with National Security Council colleagues. Some of the language was changed. From what we know now, Agency officials in the end concurred that the text in the speech was factually correct — i.e. that the British government report said that Iraq sought uranium from Africa. This should not have been the test for clearing a Presidential address. This did not rise to the level of certainty which should be required for Presidential speeches, and CIA should have ensured that it was removed.

[Jim Noble]

Ok lets get a message to Saddam .....tell him we didn't mean to invade his country and he can have it back..

You've got the wrong guy, buddy.

I would have nuked Saddam on 9/12/01.

[RJCogburn]

Ms. Crawford needs no defense by me, mom, but your remarks are intemperate. It is well known she writes for Washington Dispatch and has had several articles posted here.

You oughta calm down and not shout.

[Mr. Mojo]

I am the last guy in the world who gives two sh*ts about the Euroscum or the "rest of the world".

I know, and I cerainly wasn't suggesting otherwise. I was merely saying that I believe he has a lot less at stake than many are suggesting. (Evidence: the poll #'s I mentioned).

[PhiKapMom]

Check this out and read my #48. We have a member of the press saying "Press smells blood" about the Niger deal!

[Spidey]

There is no Wilkinson.

My apologies for being off topic.

[AAABEST]

She does "disclose" that she writes for them in her profile. What is she supposed to start every post with "I write for the Washington Dispatch"?

If that's the case I think you gals ought to start every post with "I often post in those insufferable 'daily dose' ninny pic threads".

Fair and balanced.

[PhiKapMom]

You don't put up "the press smells blood" when you are member of that very press corps without disclosing that fact on the vanity.

I don't care if she posts articles or makes comments -- this is a vanity and I sure didn't know she was a member of the press.

She can post all the articles she wants of her columns -- makes no difference to me -- this is different! Sorry you don't see the difference!