CIA fights back! Refutes Bush claim on SYRIA's WMDs

[JustJoe]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/6310763.htm

CIA: Assessment of Syria's WMD exaggerated
By WARREN P. STROBEL and JONATHAN S. LANDAY
Knight Ridder Newspapers

WASHINGTON - In a new dispute over interpreting intelligence data, the CIA and other agencies objected vigorously to a Bush administration assessment of the threat of Syria's weapons of mass destruction that was to be presented Tuesday on Capitol Hill.

After the objections, the planned testimony by Undersecretary of State John R. Bolton, a leading administration hawk, was delayed until September.

more

[Um_Yeah]

1. Shrub Jr is like Humpty Dumpty

Hanging precariously over the edge WEEEEE!!!11

[lanlady]

2. interesting catch, JustJoe

I think it merited posting in LBN.

[RichM]

3. This is a very signficant development.

"Bolton's planned remarks caused a "revolt" among intelligence experts who thought they inflated the progress Syria has made in its weapons programs, said a U.S. official who isn't from the CIA, but was involved in the dispute....

The conflict appears to illustrate how battles over prewar intelligence on Iraq have spread to other issues and have heightened sensitivity among Bush aides about public descriptions of threats to the United States...

The first U.S. official said that after months of complaining about pressure to skew their analyses, rank-and-file intelligence officials "have become emboldened" by the recent public debate over Iraq.

"People are fed up," he said...

==================

It shows that there is ill-will festering at high levels. This increases my confidence that the issue won't disappear.

[JustJoe]

6. It looks like a CIA am-bush

"The CIA's objections and comments alone ran to 35 to 40 pages, the official said."

That means much preparation. And the fact that the Bush guy
was ready to testify & got dumped on shows the CIA was not
going to get caught out like they did on the SOTU. The
inter-agency war is on. I mean, if they wanted to, the
CIA could have gone privately to the WH & said hey dont
go there & here's why & we aint playing this time.

[Dudley_DUright]

4. Thanks John

for helping to demonstrate our point. What a fool. Can't anyone in this maladministration think straight? First rule of holes: when in one, stop digging!

[mlawson]

5. No war on Syria. No war on Iran.

Those nigthmare scenarios are fading quickly. bushco wouldn't DARE try to start such wars now. Even the most spineless Dem would not vote for it (I think).

[ConLaw]

9. please, as a friend, for all of our sake,

now is not the time to turn into a dove. This is no longer a debate between doves and hawks, this is a debate between realists and hard liners.

[Code_Name_D]

12. Well, their is always North Korya

:eyes:

[robbedvoter]

7. Ha!ha! CIA won't be accused again for "not energetically opposing

Bushco's politicizing of information". Tenet's apology had sharp teeth! Me thinks Bushco just lost their brass ones! :bounce:

[Eloriel]

11. ROTFL -- good point!

IOW: Hey, Bush! How's THAT for a vigorous objection?

Eloriel

[ConLaw]

8. PNAC

>>The CIA and other intelligence agencies said that (Bolton's)assessment was exaggerated.<<

>>Officials provided conflicting explanations of why the hearing was canceled.

A Bolton aide said it was because of a scheduling conflict <<

These guys are bald faced liars. You can't trust them. You just can't trust them.

[caledesi]

10. Hello? Could someone please tell me what these thugs have

said ISN'T a lie? The arrogance of all of them is beyond my comprehension? Guess that's why I am a liberal? Don't understand lying, cheating, exaggerating. Get very offended when I hear someone cavalierly say "Are more going to die? You bet!".......

[goforit]

13. Way to go CIA!!!!......You are our NEW founding Fathers!!! Bravo!!!

Where ever you guys are........
I just want ta give y'all a great big HUG!!!!

My faith in true Patriots.........has been renewed!!!

I stand by y'all 150% and more!!!!

And never give up!!!!