Comments on: State Dept. Warned About Bin Laden in 1996

By: Conservative Outpost

Conservative Outpost — Thu, 18 Aug 2005 21:18:24 +0000

Hmmm

Pretty sure this won't get much play, but for what it's worth, the WaPo has a story demonstrating that the State Department warned Bubba and his administration about the danger from Bin Laden as far back as 1996. (h/t Outside...

By: Anderson

Anderson — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 22:47:11 +0000

Ken, do you really think Gorelick invented this policy?

If so, then you haven't tried very hard to get informed on the subject.

If not, then what is the big deal?

(For that matter, if not for the supposed Gorelick scandal, how many of us would've even paid attention to this whole "wall" thing?)

By: Ken Taylor

Ken Taylor — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 21:46:22 +0000

Once again all I am hearing concerning the, "Able Danger " intel is the Pentagon, The State Department and The FBI. Where is the investigation about the Clinton White House putting the brakes on this intel because of fear about political fall out after the Waco debacle. In addition how about Jamie Gorelick and the memo that prevented the passing of this intel in the first place. This was a huge conflict of interest with her involvement on the 9/11 commission. She should have been asked the questions and not asking them !

By: Anderson

Anderson — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 20:39:45 +0000

Steve, my possibly mistaken point is that, given the cuts you describe, State has been the last best resource for the kind of humint that's been so lacking ... often not even based on having agents on the scene, but just in actually knowing something about the country, etc. That's why State has done relatively well in the guessing-game.

By: Steve Verdon

Steve Verdon — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 20:19:02 +0000

... intel reports should be composed by people who have spent their careers studying the regions and peoples in question?

I actually question that this is the case. Our intel community focussed so much on sigint and elint that humint has suffered...at least that is what I've read (i.e. I may be wrong). If the above is not true, then maybe the cowboy who calls 'em as he sees 'em may not be any worse and maybe even better.

By: Anderson

Anderson — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 19:55:15 +0000

Note to self: cut irony output.

By: ICallMasICM

ICallMasICM — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 19:38:24 +0000

'Much better to have straight-shootinâ cowboys come in and call âem as they see âem.'

Agreed

By: Anderson

Anderson — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 19:19:24 +0000

Come now, Mr. Henley---are you suggesting that intel reports should be composed by people who have spent their careers studying the regions and peoples in question? I mean, these guys are practically natives! Much better to have straight-shootin' cowboys come in and call 'em as they see 'em.

By: Jim Henley

Jim Henley — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 19:09:48 +0000

We should basically toss everybody in the intelligence community out on their ear except INR.