Ray McGovern: Poor George Tenet; He Still Doesn't Get It

[babylonsister]

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/042907Y.shtml

Poor George Tenet; He Still Doesn't Get It
By Ray McGovern
t r u t h o u t | Guest Contributor

Sunday 29 April 2007

"If you can't say something positive about someone, don't say anything." This was drummed into me by my Irish grandmother and, as most of her admonishments, it has stood me in good stead. On occasion, though, it been a real bother - as when I felt called to comment on George Tenet's apologia, "In the Center of the Storm," coming to a bookstore near you tomorrow.

On the verge of despair, I ran into an old schoolmate of Tenet's from PS 94 in Little Neck, Queens, who told me that George was more handsome than his twin brother Billy, and that his outgoing nature and consummate political skill got him elected president of the student body.

Positive enough, Grandma? Now let me add this.

George Tenet's book shows that he remains, first and foremost, a politician - with no clue as to the proper role of intelligence work. He is unhappy about going down in history as "Slam Dunk Tenet." But, George protests, his famous remark to President Bush on December 21, 2002 was not meant to assure the president that available intelligence on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was a "slam dunk." Rather he meant that the argument that Saddam Hussein had such weapons could be enhanced to slam-dunk status in order to sell war on Iraq. Those of you tuning in to CBS's "60 Minutes" tonight will hear Tenet explain what he meant when he uttered the words he now says everyone misunderstood or distorted in order to blame him for the Iraq war. What he says he meant was simply:

"We can put a better case together for a public case." (sic)

Tenet still doesn't get it. Those of us schooled in the craft and ethos of intelligence remain in wide-mouthed disbelief, perhaps best summed up by veteran operations officer Bob Baer's quip:

"So, it is better that the 'slam dunk' referred to the ease with which the war could be sold? I guess I missed that part of the National Security Act delineating the functions of the CIA - the part about CIA marketing a war. Guess that's why I never made it into senior management."

more...

[lyonn]

1. After listening to Tenet you'd wonder if he was actually head of the CIA

He can never explain why he did george's bidding and not do the job he was hired to do, Intelligence work, sorting out fact from fiction. It wasn't his job to promote george's war plans.

[acmavm]

2. Tenet soooo wanted to be a part of this corrupt administration that he

would (and DID) say anything that he thought they wanted to hear. And now he has the gall to be offended when he was used, abused, and thrown onto the trash heap.

He knew what kind of people he was dealing with.

He needs to quit his crying and face up to the fact that he is also responsible for the mess the country finds itself in today.

[marylanddem]

3. Great, coherent analysis - great insights...

Thanks for posting this.

[LuckyLib]

4. George, you were sleeping with flea-ridden dogs. Now you have fleas.

What part of you're in this up to your ass have you missed here?