Reply #54: Did you catch the senate intel hearings into the intelligence?

[salin]

Just before the first round ended (where they agreed not to pursue the WHYS of the funky intel - but Roberts promised a later batch of hearings after the elections... and then declared no need) - there was one little item of keen interest surrounding the NIE.

The NIE that was originally prepared at the request of a Senator (highly unusual that one wasn't prepared for the WH before pushing for the invasion as a means to force inspections) was seen and much of the intel listed had caveats included - that is cautionary words when it referred to specualtion, or footnotes on items indicating that intel agents couldn't verify x or y. Yet the version that was presented to congressmembers - had ALL of the caveats stripped out. The question was asked - at whose request was the report changed to appear much more dire and quite misleading? There was no answer.

Therefor the intel the WH had to push for the war was very different than the intel presented to congress - those voting for the IWR were given intentionally misleading information.