Way of the World: R. Suskind

[Dancing David]

In a soon to be released book, R. Suskind alleges that he has documented the following facts about the Bush administrations war in Iraq.

1. That there was a contact through the British with an iraqi intelligence chief that there were no WMD in Iraq.

2. That the Bush administration ordered george tenant and the CIA to fabricate a letter in 2003 say that Iraq had tried to purchase 'yellow cake uranium' through Al-Qayda.


"Gear up the smear machine Karl, heh heh."



Promotional ad for the book:
http://www.ronsuskind.com/thewayoftheworld/
cbs2chicago:
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/ron.suskind.book.2.787983.html
Politico:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12308.html

 

[Mat3k]

My understanding is that Christopher Hitchens has always insisted that Al-Qaeda and Saddam worked together on 9/11. On one of his last appearances on Real Time with Bill Maher Hitchens insisted that there was proof.

Is the forged CIA letter in Suskind's book the proof Hitchens is always mentioning? I did some brief Googling but was unable to find anything.

Also, while it's early yet, has there been any response from Hitchens regarding Suskind's allegations? Just wondering.

Matt A

 

[Darth Rotor]

In a soon to be released book, R. Suskind alleges that he has documented the following facts about the Bush administrations war in Iraq.

1. That there was a contact through the British with an iraqi intelligence chief that there were no WMD in Iraq.

This means Tony Blair is to be put up on charges, soon, for fraud and lying to the House of Commons, right? Or would British Intelligence not inform the PM of something this important?

2. That the Bush administration ordered george tenant and the CIA to fabricate a letter in 2003 say that Iraq had tried to purchase 'yellow cake uranium' through Al-Qayda.

I have a hard time believing that Tenet, for all his imperfections, would willingly do so. Really. A hard time believing such a two dimensional, Hollywood characterization of that person. Granted, it is not impossible, but is it very unlikely.

DR

 

[GreNME]

1. That there was a contact through the British with an iraqi intelligence chief that there were no WMD in Iraq.

Apparently that Iraqi officer was a security officer, and his claims weren't specific and weren't considered reliable based on other things he is supposed to have claimed. This guy supposedly fled Iraq and was seeking refugee status.

2. That the Bush administration ordered george tenant and the CIA to fabricate a letter in 2003 say that Iraq had tried to purchase 'yellow cake uranium' through Al-Qayda.

I hate with a burning passion that the administration basically smeared an opponent to its arguments by allowing the leak of an active operative (thus ruining their intelligence career). It seems to exemplify the general attitude of the administration whenever it doesn't get its way.

Still, Tenet has denied such a charge and it's very unlikely that he would do such a thing. I didn't like the guy, but I just can't imagine him being that kind of outright and wanton evil.

 

[Lisa Simpson]

Still, Tenet has denied such a charge and it's very unlikely that he would do such a thing. I didn't like the guy, but I just can't imagine him being that kind of outright and wanton evil.

Perhaps he could have been convinced that doing so would have beeen for the greater good?

 

[Darth Rotor]

Perhaps he could have been convinced that doing so would have beeen for the greater good?

Perhaps, but he'd been around government long enough (see his bio on Wiki, he was no babe in the woods, and no fool like Deutsch) to know that things often get traced back to their originators, over time. Again, it is possible, but unlikely.

DR

 

[GreNME]

Perhaps he could have been convinced that doing so would have beeen for the greater good?

Perhaps, but he'd been around government long enough (see his bio on Wiki, he was no babe in the woods, and no fool like Deutsch) to know that things often get traced back to their originators, over time. Again, it is possible, but unlikely.

Precisely.

Wasn't Tenet forced to resign when the FBI began investigating a certain hotel in DC that was being used for 'liaisons' of the paid and sexual nature where some names were dropped and his was a possibility? That might just be urban legend or speculation, though. It always amuses me to hear stories about how the FBI and CIA can often be on each other's butts like two siblings who can't get along even in good circumstances.

 

[firestorm]

I think we've all accepted that Bush is wacked, unfortunately we chose him for our leader and turn a blind eye to his criminal activity. Our fault.

 

[Pardalis]

Kind of strange that instead of going public with this the minute he got the information, like a good journalist should have done, he decided to keep it to himself and write a book?

 

[skepticalcriticalguy]

Precisely.

Wasn't Tenet forced to resign when the FBI began investigating a certain hotel in DC that was being used for 'liaisons' of the paid and sexual nature where some names were dropped and his was a possibility? That might just be urban legend or speculation, though. It always amuses me to hear stories about how the FBI and CIA can often be on each other's butts like two siblings who can't get along even in good circumstances.

No, that was Porter Goss, Tenet's "successor."

 

[Darth Rotor]

No, that was Porter Goss, Tenet's "successor."

Having been a Congressman for some years before being CIA direction, I suspect he was used to the "hot chicks for free to politicians, and some for pay" stanard within the beltway.

Fannie Foxx for fifty, Alex.

DR

 

[BPSCG]

Having been a Congressman for some years before being CIA direction, I suspect he was used to the "hot chicks for free to politicians, and some for pay" stanard within the beltway.

Fannie Foxx for fifty, Alex.

DR

I didn't know you'd been a congressman and DCI. You should be in charge of all US national security if you can keep that kind of secret.

You meant to say this, right?

I suspect that having been a Congressman for some years before being CIA director, he was used to the "hot chicks for free to politicians, and some for pay" standard within the beltway.

 

[GreNME]

No, that was Porter Goss, Tenet's "successor."

Thanks for the correction. I knew it was one of the recent guys.

Still, I'd have less skepticism thinking that Tenet at least tacitly allowed something like that as opposed to the story that he allowed the creation of fake documents to start a war.

 

[HereticHulk]

Still, Tenet has denied such a charge and it's very unlikely that he would do such a thing. I didn't like the guy, but I just can't imagine him being that kind of outright and wanton evil.

Did you hear his 'non-denial' denial?

Blah blah blah I don't recall blah blah blah?