Officials Lean Toward Keeping Next Iraq Assessment Secret

[Hissyspit]

Source: Washington Post

Officials Lean Toward Keeping Next Iraq Assessment Secret

By Walter Pincus and Karen DeYoung
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, March 7, 2008; Page A07

A new National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq is scheduled to be completed this month, according to U.S. intelligence officials. But leaders of the intelligence community have not decided whether to make its key judgments public, a step that caused an uproar when key judgments in an NIE about Iran were released in November.

The classified estimate on Iraq is intended as an update of last summer's assessment, which predicted modest security improvements but an increasingly precarious political situation there, the U.S. officials said.

It is meant to be delivered to Congress before testimony in early April by Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, according to a letter sent last week by Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell to Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.).

- snip -

In his letter to Warner, McConnell said that separate estimates are also being prepared on the "terrorist threat to the homeland" -- focusing on al-Qaeda and Pakistan -- and on "the tactical and longer-term security and political outlook for Afghanistan." Both are scheduled for publication by early fall.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/06/AR2008030603900.html

[sakabatou]

1. We can't let the public know we're failing

But sir, they already know that.

Well, fuck.

[lligrd]

2. Must Mean The News Is Even Worse Than Most Americans

already think it is. What a joke this administration is!!

[The Doctor.]

3. Gosh... and they've been so forthcoming up until now.

:sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm:

It may not merely be that 'it's even worse than we thought', but it's an election year, and the release of any unusual conditions in Iraq can have a profound effect on the candidate that wants to be there for 100 years.

[SpiralHawk]

4. republicon occultism taken to the next step

"move along, there is nothing to see here. You noisy proles, formerly known as citizens of the USA, have no right to know anything about the republicon homelander cabal that has taken over the land formerly known as America or its Imperial Oil-Profits Crusade. Smirk."

- Commander AWOL & corporate media toadies

[Demeter]

5. It's Not Easy To Conceal A Failure of This Magnitude

Especially when the entire world knows it already and can provide evidence for those in denial.

It's like being 9 and a half months pregnant. Nobody can ignore it.

[liberal N proud]

6. Easier to lie to the people if it is kept secret

You can keep professing the surge is working, even go so far as say there is no violence.

Pure Fascism

[struggle4progress]

7. Chapter 1: Does It Ever Suck. Chapter 2: Updated Suckiness Metrics. Chapter 3: Blows and Sucks

Chapter 4: Skip Town Before This Puppy Goes Out. Chapter 5: New 20008 Plan

[babylonsister]

8. I just love this open government we're enjoying! nt

[eringer]

9. Do You Want to Know A Secret?

Yeah. GWB is withholding his decision until McSame picks his running mate.
Jeb=Top Secret Assessment
All others=Public Release
:popcorn:

[tanyev]

10. Trust us! You don't need to worry your little heads about things like this.

Go spend money!

[RedEarth]

11. Well, I'm guessing the assessment is so wonderful

they don't want the public to know. We just wouldn't know how to handle all that good news.

[DCKit]

12. As usual, it'll only be worse for them when it's leaked...

as they always seem to be.

Nothing like trying to keep it a secret to generate even more interest.

[Supersedeas]

13. time to fire up some Mc'telligence -- cause there's an election round the bend, ya know

[Hissyspit]

14. .

[goforit]

15. Sounds like a total failure to me.

As Bushco would say....."Off to Venezuela"