Iran flap exposes public skepticism of US intelligence, intentions

[rodeodance]

maybe this is the only silver lining of the iraQ mess------it does make people leary of the WH!



http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070218/pl_afp/usiraniraqmilitary_070218110905;_ylt=AjJfSneBIt5iGRfux2AOPU_MWM0F

Iran flap exposes public skepticism of US intelligence, intentions

by Jim Mannion Sun Feb 18, 1:13 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Unfounded intelligence claims that paved the way for war in Iraq blew back like a ghost last week to haunt US charges that
Iran is arming Iraqi extremists.

President George W. Bush and his top aides had to admit by week's end that they did not know whether Iran's leaders knew that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard was supplying Shiite militias with sophisticated bombs and training.

And "for the umpteenth time," as US Defense Secretary Robert Gates put it, they denied that the United States was trying to prepare the ground for military action in Iraq.

But the flap exposed how deep public suspicion of US intelligence claims runs nearly four years after the United States went to war with Iraq on the strength of erroneous intelligence that it had weapons of mass destruction.

"I think this controversy is traceable to one big problem," said Loren Thompson, director of the Lexington Institute, a private Washington research group.

[sam sarrha]

1. true.. How Do We Stop HIM.. he's gonna do it..!!

[UpInArms]

2. more from your link:

"I think there's no question that the skepticism has less to do about competing explanations than just generalized doubt about the administration's judgment," said Thompson.

"You really can prove that the munitions in question came from Iran. But the question is what interpretation to make of that. And on that score the public really doesn't much trust the White House's interpretation of events," he said. (emphasis mine)

The allegations themselves were not new, which suggested to some analysts that the briefing was timed to step up pressure on Iran at a time when a diplomatic confrontation over its nuclear program is reaching a critical stage.

Bush had already ordered a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf and stepped up raids in Iraq on networks supplying Iranian arms to Iraqi militias.

Why would anyone believe the lying liars and the lies they spew?

[Barrett808]

3. "The US intelligence community does not have an adequate network of agents in Iran"

And whose fault is that? Oh right, the Vice President's, after he blew Valerie Plame's cover and the whole Brewster-Jennings operation.

Thanks, Dick.

[ohio2007]

4. Is that statement admitting agents "ARE ACTIVE " in Iran ?

hmmm, the mullahs may read that quote as an admission of foreign saboteurs are operating freely in their holy land .

[LynnTheDem]

5. "the United States went to war with Iraq" ...What's this "with" shit, Kemosabe.

"the United States launched an unprovoked war on the people of Iraq"

Reality; only difficult for MFing rightwingnuts.

[Hawkowl]

6. fool me once....

Don't get fooled again! Heh, heh heh.

[gratuitous]

7. The public may be skeptical

But the major media continue to hand on verbatim the press releases and blast faxes they receive from their governmental and party overlords without so much as a raised eyebrow. After all, May is sweeps month, and boy oh boy will ratings be up if they have lots of pretty pictures of stuff blowing up in Iran to shock and awe the yokels with.

[Zhade]

8. KandR

NT!

[Mandate My Ass]

9. I'm suspicious of Bush's interpretation & reporting of intelligence

not the intelligence itself, per se. Big difference.