NIE at Brave New Films

The U.S. Cannot Win a War in Afghanistan?

2008-12-16T00:23:21Z

Afshin Rattansi talks to Gareth Porter in Washington DC about the leaked National Intelligence Estimate on Afghanistan.."spiralling into violence and chaos".

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VINCENT BUGLIOSI PUTS LIE TO IRAQ WMD SIGNIFICANCE

2009-01-07T18:44:24Z

WMD is irrelevant since NIE said Saddam was NOT a threat to U.S. even with WMD. Testimony to House Judiciary.

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McCain: Town Hall Meeting 12/05/07

2008-10-27T03:30:56Z

John McCain
Town Hall Meeting
Manchester, NH 12/05/07

TRANSCRIPT
QUESTIONER: Regarding Iran and all the talk that's about the threat of Iran to America's interests, as president what would you do with the situation in Iran today?

JOHN MCCAIN: [...] there's recent information. Apparently, according to a new National Intelligence Estimate [...] the Iranians have ceased one part of the equation (half the equation) in order to build a nuclear weapon. They've stopped the weaponization side and they continue to 'enrich.' [...] that means the material that goes into the weapon they're still developing.

It's a much shorter time span to build weapons. I'm not sure. I'd like to know how we got this intelligence that reversed it, but, at the end of the day I'd like to just remind you that the Iranians are still an oppressive and repressive government.

The Iranians are dedicated to the extinction of the state of Israel. The Iranians are sponsors of terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah and the Iranians are building and sending into Iraq these most expensive--most explosive and most lethal explosive devices and they are killing young Americans with them. So I'm not ready to make friends with the Iranians yet, but, if there's ways we can make progress with the Iranians, fine, but I still think that they are a threat in the region and I'm not convinced they've given up their nuclear ambitions, but I need to have some more information before reaching that conclusion.

LABEL: JM NH 12-5 (JC#25) ABCHK - ClipA

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John McCain Town Hall Meeting 12/04/07

2008-10-27T03:30:50Z

John McCain
Town Hall Meeting
Hooksett, NH 12/04/07

TRANSCRIPT
MCCAIN: "I think President Bush stated, I think clearly, that, as I did earlier, that Iran still does things which are really not in America's national security interests, ranging from explosive devices, to support for terrorist organizations, etc. But I have always said that we can't allow Iran to have nuclear options but we have a lot of other options that we should make sure we exercise before we would consider military. I'm curious as to what new information and how that happened that there has been such a change in our assessment over those last couple of years. That's something that I'm confused about."

LABEL: JM NH 12-4 (JC#24) ABCFK - ClipC

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John McCain Town Hall Meeting 12/07/07

2008-10-27T03:30:48Z

John McCain
Town Hall Meeting
Bedford, NH 12/07/07

TRANSCRIPTION
QUESTIONER: "[...] I read a poll today that 60%, I believe of military families don't believe that the Iraq war justifies the cost. How do you expect to justify the sort of tough talk that you give about Iran, especially in light of the NIE findings that they've suspended their nuclear weapons program?

JOHN MCCAIN: First of all, I always like it when they start a fact is presented as a fact. I don't accept that or believe it. In all due respect, ma'am, I know the military.

"I hear from them by the thousands. I know that I just came back from spending Thanksgiving with them in Iraq so I categorically reject that assertion and I will not accept [indiscernible over applause]. I know these young people are workin' and that are serving and I'll tell you they know they're succeeding. They know they're succeeding.

"So, I know that for a fact. So you and I just have a difference of opinion and I'll respect yours."

QUESTIONER: It was a poll that was taken.

MCCAIN: "I don't care if it's a banana. I don't believe it. Okay? And I will not believe it.

I know them too well. I have spent too many years in the military and associated with the military and so we just have a disagreement with the poll. Okay?

"As far as Iran is concerned, I'm glad that the news may be that Iran has stopped the weaponization part of their nuclear efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. They have not stopped their enrichment part. Let's suppose that there has been some change and I want to look under the hood and see what intelligence there was that caused this change in the NIE.

"Following the facts as I know them, the Iranians are still committed to the extinction of the state of Israel and that's their government policy. The Iranians are still exporting the most lethal explosive devices across the Iraqi border and into Iraq and killing brave, young Americans and Iran is still supporting terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas. So, if they want to communicate with us and we want to communicate with them, fine. We all have blackberries. It's fine.

"The fact is that Iran has to go through significantly more changes in their policy, their attitude and their behavior before I am ready to embrace them. Although, as I've said all along I would pursue diplomatic and trade and other efforts before I would ever initiate a military action. I still believe that Iran cannot be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons because of the threat that they are on the region [...]."

QUESTIONER: As a member of a former serving military member who served overseas, a captain of the navy, to say that people don't believe that is sort of to take. The costs have been enormous--not only for everybody in this room, but especially for the family members who have served overseas.

MCCAIN: I think I'm familiar with that.

QUESTIONER: Absolutely. And so to say that they just don't--especially when polls tell us they do--they don't believe that this war is justified the costs I just don't understand how you'd go about justifying the costs of a future war in another very hard, difficult place [...].

MCCAIN: [...] Nobody hates war more than the veteran [...]. There are worse things than war, unfortunately and we found that out in the rise of Hitler [...].

LABEL: JM NH 12-7 (JC#29) ACEGH - ClipA

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John McCain: Town Hall Meeting 12/19/07

2008-10-27T03:30:34Z

John McCain
Town Hall
Pelham, NH 12/18/07

TRANSCRIPT:
MCCAIN: "Let me just say that it's a huge problem in my view. This National Intelligence Estimate, I believe was an assertion of influence over national policy by our intelligence agencies which was inappropriate, to say the least. [...] it said it's clear that they've stopped the weaponization, and then there was a very small footnote that clarified that.

"When you build a nuclear weapon the major two components are the enrichment of the material and the building of the weapon of itself. That's a much shorter process. They're still proceeding with the enrichment.

"But yet that National Intelligence Estimate, which is supposed to be secret was broadcast all over America as that the Iranians have ceased their activities. They haven't. They have not.

"And I'm very concerned about the effect on our European allies and our abilities to impose sanctions. So frankly I am very concerned about our intelligence agencies and exactly what they're doing. I can't imagine why they destroyed those tapes of an interrogation.

"They were told apparently by the White House and others not to destroy the tapes. I do not think that this National Intelligence Estimate was something that was in the purview of the intelligence agencies. I think the intelligence agencies should provide the facts and then the policy-makers make the decision.

"We've got a lot of work to do on intelligence. Human intelligence is sadly lacking. There's a lot of intelligence capabilities that we are missing.

"But most importantly I don't think that this NIE did America any good service, and I think it's going have to be fixed."

LABEL: JM NH 12-19 (BH#34) EHAGO- Clip A

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Bugliosi: The Prosecution of George W Bush Pt.4

2009-01-07T18:44:26Z

See the entire talk at www.hotpotatomash.com

"In George Bush's first speech to the nation on Hussein and Iraq, October 7, 2002 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Bush told Americans that Saddam Hussein was a great danger to this nation either by his attacking us with the so-called weapons of mass destruction or by giving these weapons to a terrorist group to attack us. And Bush said that this attack could happen, 'on any given day,' meaning what, that the threat was imminent.

The only big problem for George Bush is that on October the first, six days earlier, the CIA sent Bush its 2002 National Intelligence Estimate -- a classified top secret report that represented the consensus opinion of all 16 US federal intelligence agencies on the issue of whether or not Hussein was an imminent threat to the security of this country and on page 8 of that 91 page report it clearly and unequivocally says... that Hussein was not an imminent threat to the security of this country. That he would only be a threat if he feared we were about to attack him."

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John McCain: Town Hall Meeting 12/05/07

2008-10-27T03:29:24Z

John McCain
Town Hall Meeting
Manchester, NH 12/05/07

TRANSCRIPTION
MCCAIN: "Umm, I want to mention a just a couple of things with you very quickly. One, I'm sure you have seen that there is a new Intelligence Estimate, they call it the NIE, National Intelligence Estimate, concerning Iran and the state of their progress on Nuclear weapons. I haven't seen anything quite like that before, there probably has been. But uhh, there was really a reassessment that indicates that perhaps the Iranians are not as heavily engaged in development of nuclear weapons as we had previously thought.

"And, uhh, I would just like to know, what it is that information that we have that changed that Intelligence Estimate. I also would like to remind you that the Iranians still are supporting terrorist organizations, Hamas, Hezbollah. They are still dedicated to the extinction of the state of Israel. They are still providing the most lethal explosive devices to people who are coming into Iraq and killing young Americans with those devices.

"So, I hope that this is a sign of progress, that maybe they are not as dedicated to building nuclear weapons as we had previously supposed, but I don't think they have found themselves on the road to Damascus yet. So I think they are still a force that we need to contend with, which I do not see sharing our goals, our vision, our ideals, our principles, and our Judeo-Christian values."

LABEL: JM NH 12-4 (JC#24) ABCFK - ClipA

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https://issuealliance.box.net/shared/f21xtx1wck"

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Shhhh. Let's not tell America what's happening in Iraq.

2008-03-07T13:52:34Z

Just when the Associated Press was asking for more transparency, we get this:

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.

You can go here for the details.

Fox News Creates Barack Obama Gaffe That's Not There?

2008-10-16T21:31:23Z

When Steve Brown appearing on "The FOX Report with Shepard Smith" yesterday claimed that Barack Obama supposedly made a "gaffe," I was not surprised to find that the real mistakes came from Fox News and not Barack Obama as I show in this video.

You can find additional information refuting the gaffe accusation (as picked up by Hillary Clinton's campaign) on Barack Obama's campaign website at: factcheck.barackobama.com

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Bush: My Job Is Not To "Defend Our NIE"

2008-10-20T09:31:36Z

President George W. Bush interviewed by FOX News's Greta Van Susteren, January 16, 2008

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Headzup: Bush's Gut On Iran

2008-10-21T03:30:48Z

President Bush talks about his aggressive rhetoric towards Iran.

Read more about it here--
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080114/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_mideast_265

Download daily Catch and Release Comedy™ political cartoons to your mobile phone or iPod at www.headzup.tv

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MIR: 2007

2008-10-19T21:29:31Z

From Saddam Hussein's execution to Iran 's Nuclear program, 2007 has been a horrific year for the Middle East. What were the surprises of the year? And will peace prevail in 2008?

The answers to these questions and more on Link TV's Mosaic Intelligence Report presented by Jamal Dajani.
For more: linktv.org

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"The Malevolent Ignorance Of Robert Novak"

2008-10-21T09:29:39Z

This is a piece by patriot and all around great guy, former CIAer Larry Johnson. Larry is so much fun to read and talk to, because when he believes something, well, let's just say he ain't shy about sharing:

When Forrest Gump, aspiring shrimp boat captain, was asked, “Are you stupid or something?” He replied, “Stupid is as stupid does.” So what is Bob Novak’s excuse? Stupidity seems too simple an explanation. I wonder how many people will be required to pull Novak’s fat head out of his ass. It is obviously lodged in a deep, dark place.

Please go read the rest about Larry's view of Bob Novak's general treachery and specifically, his lack of understanding of the NIE.

It's well worth it. I promise.

But before going, watch the music that should accompany Bob Novak any time he walks in a room...

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New Intel Discounts Iran's Nukes - CAP's Korb on CNN Pt 2

2008-10-25T09:31:44Z

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/02/iran_report.html

Center for American Progress Senior Fellow Dr Lawrence Korb joined CNN's Wolf Blitzer to discuss the revelation in the latest National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that Iran's nuclear program isn't as robust or dangerous as the President has claimed. Part 2 of 2

What if our most powerful weapons were ideas?
THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS
www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org

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Stand Down on WWIII -- Bush Wrong on Iran Nukes

2008-10-16T09:30:55Z

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/02/iran_report.html

What if our most powerful weapons were ideas?
THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS
www.AMERICANPROGRESS.org

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White House Rocks! The NIE & U!

2008-10-21T15:31:12Z

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Keith "Special Comment" - December 6, 2007 - Neocon Job

2008-10-21T15:31:14Z

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Bush: What did he know? When did he know it?

2009-01-07T18:28:24Z

Did President Bush lie about Iran? President Bush and his press secretary find themselves saying opposite things about the NIE's findings on Iran.

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CNN's Ed Henry Tells Viewers What Times And WaPo Won't

2008-10-21T21:29:32Z

about Bush and the Iran NIE, from CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, December 6, 2007

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Who Knew What, and When on Iran?

2009-01-07T18:55:58Z

Republicans call for Who Knew What and When on Iran? NIE report shows that Iran stopped its program in 2003

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Bush Addresses Iran's Nuclear Activities

2008-10-21T21:30:08Z

December 5, 2007

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Headzup: The Iran N.I.E.

2008-10-17T13:34:30Z

President Bush responds to the National Intelligence Estimate which states Iran hasn't been pursuing a nuclear weapons program since 2003.

Read more about it here--
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/04/bush-never-learned-of-nie/

Download daily Catch and Release Comedy™ political cartoons to your mobile phone or iPod at www.headzup.tv

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Mid Week Mutterings

2008-01-12T20:39:55Z

Brrrr. About 6 inches of snow plopped down overnight. Here's some bits and pieces to get you started.

Chief of staff to former Rep. Weldon charged in corruption probe
WASHINGTON (CNN) - The one-time chief of staff to then-Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., has been charged in a criminal conspiracy for failing to disclose income his wife made for doing "little work" at a firm with connections to Weldon's family. Full Story

Chicago Tribune: Huckabee Says He's Unfamiliar With Intel Report
Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said Tuesday he was unfamiliar with the National Intelligence Estimate that reported that Iran had not had a program to develop nuclear weapons since 2003, and he questioned the intelligence work behind it.

Washington Post: Nonprofits Become A Force in Primaries
Nonprofit groups created to educate the public and lobby on issues have started inserting themselves into the presidential primaries, adding an unexpected wild card to wide-open elections in both parties.

USA Today: Domestic concerns rise in poll
Growing anxiety over the economy, health care and immigration rival Iraq as the central issues in the presidential campaign, shifting an election landscape once dominated by the war.

New York Times: New Data, New Methods, New Conclusion
How could American intelligence agencies have overstated Iran's intentions in 2005 so soon after being reprimanded for making similar errors involving Iraq?

Talking Points Memo Gets The Lies On Video

2008-10-21T21:30:21Z

TPM-

Watch'm Squirm
Look at the expressions on Bush's face and the evident discomfort as he gets ready to fib and weave about when he knew the intel on Iran.
Pay particular attention to when he says he was told there was new information back in August but supposedly didn't ask what the 'new information' was. And then: "He didn't tell me what the information was." (Right ...)

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