Must Read from John Brennen: 'We Need No Lectures'

[flpoljunkie]

'We need no lectures'
Administration disrupts terrorists’ plots, takes fight to them abroad.

By John Brennan

Politics should never get in the way of national security. But too many in Washington are now misrepresenting the facts to score political points, instead of coming together to keep us safe.

Immediately after the failed Christmas Day attack, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was thoroughly interrogated and provided important information. Senior counterterrorism officials from the White House, the intelligence community and the military were all actively discussing this case before he was Mirandized and supported the decision to charge him in criminal court.

The most important breakthrough occurred after Abdulmutallab was read his rights, which the FBI made standard policy under Michael Mukasey, President Bush's attorney general. The critics who want the FBI to ignore this long-established practice also ignore the lessons we have learned in waging this war: Terrorists such as Jose Padilla and Saleh al-Mari did not cooperate when transferred to military custody, which can harden one's determination to resist cooperation.

It's naive to think that transferring Abdulmutallab to military custody would have caused an outpouring of information. There is little difference between military and civilian custody, other than an interrogator with a uniform. The suspect gets access to a lawyer, and interrogation rules are nearly identical.

more...

John Brennan is Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2010/02/opposing-view-we-need-no-lectures.html

[Jennicut]

1. The thing is Abdulmutallab gave up info even after he was read his rights.

The Rethug argument doesn't even make sense.

[flpoljunkie]

2. No, it doesn't, but Andrea Mitchell said yesterday, the R's are getting the better of the argument.

With more than a little help from their media friends, of course, Andrea.

[cadmium]

3. From what I have seen this guy is good

when he is on the tube. Doesnt seem to take any shit