White House Considers Releasing NIE
The White House is seriously considering the release of the National Intelligence Estimate, portions of which have been leaked for partisan political purposes. Releasing the document would show, presumably, that the information leaked to partisans is fragmentary and taken out of context.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said officials were "giving serious consideration" to releasing the National Intelligence Estimate on the U.S. terrorism threat to demonstrate that the section being seized on by Democrats is only one part of the overall picture.
The report, part of which was leaked to the media, has become an issue in the runup to November 7 mid-term elections when control of both houses of Congress is at stake.
Part of the report said U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded the Iraq war has made the worldwide threat from Islamist extremists more dangerous.
It has inspired their growing militant movement and created a ready source of anti-American rhetoric, current and former intelligence officials familiar with the document say.
Perino said one paragraph in the lengthy report was "wildly taken out of context" and that some officials believe the whole document, provided to the U.S. Congress in April, should be released to put that paragraph in context.
It should be very troublesome to people in this country that the rest of a classified document has to be released to counter the ill effects of an illegally leaked portion of that document. Is this really how we want this country operated? We want rogue elements in the government, unelected officials, to intervene in partisan politics with selective leaks?
Do the Democrats really want to operate the government this way? Are they really that unprincipled and so desperate to seize power? This is a horrible way to run this country, folks. Those on the left should be extremely careful what they are wishing for. For the precedents that are being set in this election cycle do not bode well for the future. You are bringing about that which you say you fear.
UPDATE: I no sooner hit the publish button when this popped up from the AP. President Bush HAS ordered the release of portions of the NIE, specifically to counter the out of context information that partisan elements released to the press.
UPDATE: Others: In From The Cold, Political Pit Bull, A Blog For All, Sister Toldjah, Mac's Mind, Security Watchtower,
By Brian, Tuesday, 26 September , 2006 @ 10:50 am
It should be very troublesome to people in this country that a classified document is being released for no other reason than to bolster the political position of the sitting Administration. Is this really how we want this country operated? We want rogue elements in the government, elected officials, to intervene in partisan politics with selective classification and declassification for no reason other than political gain?
Do the Republicans really want to operate the government this way? Are they really that unprincipled and so desperate to maintain power? This is a horrible way to run this country, folks. Those on the right should be extremely careful what they are wishing for. For the precedents that are being set in this election cycle do not bode well for the future. You are bringing about that which you say you have always opposed.
By Gaius, Tuesday, 26 September , 2006 @ 10:55 am
The difference, of course, being that one action is legal, the other is not. One is by an elected official, one by an anonymous person who broke their oath and handed classified material to the media.
Nice try.
By Dan, Tuesday, 26 September , 2006 @ 11:09 am
We could start in on the unprecedented amount of secrecy that the Bush Administration employs over information. When the information was as stupid as the president getting fellated in his office, everyone had a right to know. But now that there are significant consequences to the information being witheld…well, make it classified and informed public be damned.
Just out of curiousity though, Gaius, how did you feel about leaking during the Plame affair?
By Black Jack, Tuesday, 26 September , 2006 @ 12:02 pm
Not too long ago, comments like Brian’s would have been considered so low, so dishonorable, so disingenuous, that no responsible individual would associate themselves with such an obviously despicable pronouncement for fear of being held in universal contempt.
Brian, the magnitude of your hypocrisy stuns me. I’m not new to blogs and I’ve seen my share of mendacity and duplicitousness, but you have taken unprincipled attack to new heights so far beyond the norm as to distinguish yourself with ignominy.
I’m appalled by your comment. Retract it.
By Dan, Tuesday, 26 September , 2006 @ 12:36 pm
“Not too long ago, comments like Brian’s would have been considered so low, so dishonorable, so disingenuous, that no responsible individual would associate themselves with such an obviously despicable pronouncement for fear of being held in universal contempt.
Brian, the magnitude of your hypocrisy stuns me. I’m not new to blogs and I’ve seen my share of mendacity and duplicitousness, but you have taken unprincipled attack to new heights so far beyond the norm as to distinguish yourself with ignominy.
I’m appalled by your comment. Retract it. ”
LOL…Now that’s funny stuff.
By Blackhawk, Tuesday, 26 September , 2006 @ 3:30 pm
Dan, and others,
The issue that bothers me is that the constitutional checks and balances should be taking care of this. The legislative branch should be the ones fighting the executive over release of information (or agreeing that it should stay classified). Partial, partisan releases like this NIE serve only to show, yet again, that Congress is broken.
And that’s both parites in Congress. Crap like this has been going on no matter who was President.
By Dan, Tuesday, 26 September , 2006 @ 10:08 pm
I’m so proud. I got principal billing in Black’s comment. Do I win something? Am I know king of the ‘and others’?
By Gaius, Tuesday, 26 September , 2006 @ 10:12 pm
You win a popsicle. Which you have to buy for yourself. At your own expense. Congrats!
By Dan, Wednesday, 27 September , 2006 @ 6:14 am
Do I get to choose the flavor? Cuz then it’s a good prize…