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Experts: Unclassified Report 'Pure Pablum,' Hides Truth
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ShareJuly 17, 2007 12:10 PM
Intelligence analysts and the former White House counterterror official describe as "pure pablum" the unclassified version of the National Intelligence Estimate released today on terror threats to the United States.
"Nothing in here is going to surprise anybody who's been following this," said one senior U.S. intelligence official.
"It's more about what it doesn't say than what it does say," says Richard Clarke, the former White House official who is now an ABC News consultant.
Read the Declassified National Intelligence Estimate
"What is left out of the version released publicly is the explicit statement that al Qaeda is back and has operations underway," Clarke says.
The 2006 version of the National Intelligence Estimate claimed U.S. efforts had "seriously damaged the leadership of al-Qa'ida and disrupted its operations."
THE BLOTTER RECOMMENDS
"That's no longer the case in 2007, and you have to read between the lines to understand how we have lost ground," Clarke says.
The current White House counterterrorism official, Fran Townsend, the assistant to the president for homeland security, told reporters today, "Al Qaeda is weaker today than if we had not taken strong action against them."
She said she would not address still-classified aspects of the intelligence estimate that al Qaeda had regained strength at levels not seen since before the 9/ll attacks.
The Blotter on ABCNews.com reported last week that senior law enforcement and intelligence officials had "multiple and credible" reports that an al Qaeda terror cell may be on its way to the United States or could already be in the country.
Today's report also concludes that "al-Qa'ida will probably seek to leverage the contacts and capabilities of al-Qa'ida in Iraq (AQI)."
"Given that there was no al Qaeda in Iraq until we invaded there," says Clarke, "it's hard not to draw the conclusion that going to Iraq has created a further threat to the United States."
Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?
July 17, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (37)
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I understand now.
BushCo rants about fighting
"them" in Iraq so "we" don't have to fight them
"here". Therefore, if they are "here", WHY are all the troops "there"?
Posted by: Trout | Jul 17, 2007 5:38:41 PM
RE 'bushisafailure'
When did we pull out of Afghanistan?
Posted by: Dan | Jul 17, 2007 5:39:57 PM
Did you mean "pabulum".
Ironic isn't it.
-duh
Posted by: DUH | Jul 17, 2007 5:45:12 PM
Clarke once again babbling inanely.
Posted by: John Kantor | Jul 17, 2007 5:52:29 PM
teflonnads,
Is there a direct correlation between Saddam's Iraq and Al Qeada. Yep.
Just ask Clarke (at least...when it's a democrat dropping the bombs).
Posted by: Matt | Jul 17, 2007 5:52:50 PM
I fully agree with Tom of Baltimore. I cannot imagine a bigger moron running this country. He keeps talking about Iraq when the real danger is lurking out there in Pakistan. It's high time we got out of Iraq and attacked Pakistan asap.
Posted by: pkm | Jul 17, 2007 6:22:30 PM
You republicans reeling against the criticism better wake the hell up. This isn't a party issue.. this is an American issue... and there is no way you can take the facts and defend this current administration. They have fouled up royally, and the sooner we all realize it, the sooner we can all move on to a better solution. Stop the partisan BS people... you are holding us ALL back!
Posted by: Troy Street | Jul 17, 2007 6:40:06 PM
The Decider (or his policy-makers) chose to
invade Iraq before Afghanistan was cleaned up.
Now both Afghanistan and Pakistan are safe havens for terror groups, named and unnamed.
As a result, this region has enjoyed a record poppy crop, with a heroin supply that exceeds the demand. With so much available product, dealers are busy marketing this 'new' drug. It's called "cheese" and it's in our schools.
Posted by: Chip | Jul 17, 2007 7:01:28 PM
Question for the white house:
Can you explain how the president's policies of unconstitutional electronic eaves dropping and the jailing of people without due process HAS NOT curbed terrorists activity as evidenced in this report. Why hasn't the casper milktoast media asked this question yet?
Posted by: chi | Jul 17, 2007 8:43:08 PM
chi, how do you know if terrorist activity has or has not been curbed?
Posted by: Jazz | Jul 18, 2007 9:11:51 AM
This is setting the stage, conditioning the morons in the American electorate to accept a false-flag attack perpetrated by the Bush administration in order to justify the imposition of martial law and the coming attack on Iran.
Robert
Posted by: Robert S. Finnegan | Jul 18, 2007 10:46:23 AM
Bush is an I-D-I-O-T.
Posted by: artist22 | Jul 18, 2007 11:24:47 AM
Fran Townsend shows what happened to the Stepford Wives: they were given White House jobs.
Posted by: FEO | Jul 18, 2007 11:40:44 AM
sometimes complicated issues have very simple solutions . Impeach bush and cheney , enough said.
Posted by: marcus lovell | Jul 18, 2007 3:50:07 PM
"Security" is a powerful illusion that doesn't exist in reality. I'm so tired of this BS. Bring on the Libertarians!
Posted by: Lana | Jul 25, 2007 5:22:29 PM
Wow! Many of you need to get a job and quit watching Fahrenheit 9-11. Al-Qaeda is a threat and will continue to be a threat for many years to come. They are a world wide network, no matter what the US does, they will hate us. This is not a conspiracy theory; this is a dangerous threat to our existence as a free nation.
Posted by: King | Aug 2, 2007 11:16:37 AM
Will someone please get Richard Clarke a job and get him out of the way? Isn't it amazing how the guy who once claimed to know nothing now knows everything. It is a shame he couldn't convince his former "BOSS (BC)" to do something so clarke could be a real hero.
Personally I hope some of these so called "lame threats" never come through. I would hate for America to one day have to live as some other countries have had to live over the years. With the constant threat that they might be killed by a car bomb or worse if they leave their house. Let's all hope and pray that day never comes. But let's also be ready if it does.
Semper Fi
Posted by: Larry | Aug 5, 2007 3:22:20 PM
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