SwiftVets.com

[PC]

Now Bush is a bad prez cause he exercises too much. The moonbats must be running out of spears to toss.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-chait22jul22,0,3359930.column?coll=la-news-comment-opinions

[davman]

You will probably notice that, quite frequently, former intelligence personnel who critcize the president were analysts. During the Clinton administration, analysts were heavily promoted, and filed officers were not. The lack of HUMINT hurt our intelligence gathering ability more than anything. We stopped dealing with individuals who were may have been involved with criminal activity. Those who would know the most about possible criminals and terrorists! Rules were put in place that required field officers to get permission from HQ in order to deal with such individuals. Most often, it was denied! This also caused many good field officers to resign! Well, now President Bush and Porter Goss are trying to repair the damage that ws done by the prior administration, which includes the persuit of more and better HUMINT. This will naturally include promotion of field officers, and possibly less emphisis on analysis. Probably more of a balance. This, and the fact that they think they were blamed by the administration for 9/11, is what is upsetting these former CIA officers. Too bad!

Ex-CIA Officers Rip Bush Over Rove Leak By DONNA DE LA CRUZ, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 23 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - Former U.S. intelligence officers criticized President Bush on Friday for not disciplining Karl Rove in connection with the leak of the name of a CIA officer, saying Bush's lack of action has jeopardized national security.

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In a hearing held by Senate and House Democrats examining the implications of exposing Valerie Plame's identity, the former intelligence officers said Bush's silence has hampered efforts to recruit informants to help the United States fight the war on terror. Federal law forbids government officials from revealing the identity of an undercover intelligence officer.

"I wouldn't be here this morning if President Bush had done the one thing required of him as commander in chief — protect and defend the Constitution," said Larry Johnson, a former CIA analyst. "The minute that Valerie Plame's identity was outed, he should have delivered a strict and strong message to his employees."

Rove, Bush's deputy chief of staff, told Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper in a 2003 phone call that former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Wilson's wife worked for the CIA on weapons of mass destruction issues, according to an account by Cooper in the magazine. Rove has not disputed that he told Cooper that Wilson's wife worked for the agency, but has said through his lawyer that he did not mention her by name.

In July 2003, Robert Novak, citing unnamed administration officials, identified Plame by name in his syndicated column and wrote that she worked for the CIA. The column has led to a federal criminal investigation into who leaked Plame's undercover identity. New York Times reporter Judith Miller — who never wrote a story about Plame — has been jailed for refusing to testify.

Bush said last week, "I think it's best that people wait until the investigation is complete before you jump to conclusions. And I will do so, as well."

Dana Perino, a White House spokesman, said Friday that the administration would have no comment on the investigation while it was continuing.

Patrick Lang, a retired Army colonel and defense intelligence officer, said Bush's silence sends a bad signal to foreigners who might be thinking of cooperating with the U.S. on intelligence matters.

"This says to them that if you decide to cooperate, someone will give you up, so you don't do it," Lang said. "They are not going to trust you in any way."

Johnson, who said he is a registered Republican, said he wished a GOP lawmaker would have the courage to stand up and "call the ugly dog the ugly dog."

"Where are these men and women with any integrity to speak out against this?" Johnson asked. "I expect better behavior out of Republicans."

[wwIIvetsdaughter]

J. Chait's editorial is petty and childish. That anyone can read it and come away thinking Chait is a deep thinker is impossible.

[PhantomSgt]

I have to disagree with the author on this one. You need to be a Superman to fend off the slings and arrows of the Liberal Media. Could you imagine what the President would be like if he didn't vent his frustrations on that cycle? He would Morph into Hilliary.


_________________
Retired AF E-8

Independent that leans right of center.

[Me#1You#10]

[GenrXr]

[Ohio Voter]

Wimpy, limp wristed Dems are just jealous. <EG>

[minnie presley]

I don't know if this is the place to post this,but I am so angry, in Albuquerque Journal today Hanio Jane was quoted that because so many vets have approached her she is going to travel the country protesting against the Iraq war, and will have some of the families of troops fighting over there with her, I think veitnam vets need to take care of her now just like we did to silky pony. this is outrages