(2007-08-22) — A recently released two-year old analysis shows that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) under George Tenet lacked an overall strategy for fighting al Qaeda, and missed key opportunities to thwart the 9/11 terror plot.
As America approaches the sixth anniversary of the attacks which killed nearly 3,000 people, this latest report shows the country may be perilously close to running out of Americans to blame for the events of September 11, 2001.
“We’re in the second and third rounds of blaming George Tenet,” said one anti-terror expert. “Perhaps when we run out of U.S. citizens to blame, we’ll direct our attention toward Islamic extremists who appear to play some kind of role, not only in 9/11, but in the slaughter of thousands of unarmed civilians each year.”
The source acknowledged, however, that such a shift in focus is unlikely before the 2008 presidential elections.
57 responses so far ↓
1 MargeinMI // Aug 22, 2007 at 8:45 am
God Bless America!
2 beekabok2 // Aug 22, 2007 at 8:52 am
The butler did it, in the library, with a pipe wrench
3 Maggie // Aug 22, 2007 at 9:09 am
Scott,
I thought ‘who’s to blame for 911′ had been settled. Everyone knows it was GW Bush and Carl Rove.
Sorry I am not able to attend Scrapplefest and get to meet the great Scott Ott.(Brains on loan from God)
4 Just Ranting // Aug 22, 2007 at 9:16 am
OT…
The Seven Dwarfs…
One day, the seven dwarfs left to work in the mine.Snow White stayed home to prepare lunch. When she arrived at the mine with the lunch, she saw that therehad been a terrible cave in.
Tearfully, and fearing the worst. Snow White began calling out, hoping against hope that some of the dwarfs had survived.”Hello, hello,” she called. “Can anyone hear me? Hello” For quite a while there was no answer.Losing hope, Snow White called again,”Hello. Is anyone down there?”
Just as she was about to give up all hope,there came a faint voice from deep in the mine. The voice said, “Vote for Hillary. Vote for Hillary.”
Snow White, somewhat relieved screamed out,”Oh, thank God… at least Dopey is still alive.”
5 R.A.M. // Aug 22, 2007 at 9:45 am
Hey, —let’s blame the “President of Canada” for 9/11!
I’m not sure who he is, but Obama should tell us who he is, any day now.
6 da Bunny // Aug 22, 2007 at 9:45 am
“Blaming islamic extremists?” Nah…not while anyone from the LSM/Daily Kos/Air America/”truthers crowd” still has a breath left in their body.
I, too, wish I could attend the ScrappleFest, but, I will be spending that weekend entertaining some in-laws.
7 R.A.M. // Aug 22, 2007 at 9:52 am
Amazing that almost twenty years have passed since Dan Quale spelled potato wrong and still libs like to laugh at a Vice President making that mistake, but they have a man running for President, and he makes DAILY GAFFS like the “President of Canada”, and others, and you just don’t hear how IGNORANT that is, or ANY ridicule from most of the media!
I’m still laughing at his responce that his favorite show is C-SPAN!
He should be watching the History Channel!
8 conserve-a-tips // Aug 22, 2007 at 9:58 am
Man, y’all are making me sad. I really, really want to come to Scrapplefest and meet all of you! We had planned to make the trip, but can’t now. sigh…… I hope everyone has a great time and please, please have it next year and I will come with bells on!
Now, regarding this “blame game”. We can’t get to the extremists yet (Islamic, that is). We haven’t run out of options yet. We must look at the obvious that has been missed. Listen to the word blame. Say it several times. What does it sound like? Yep. Plame Can we say, Plame, as in Valerie Plame? Huh? Huh? Are you getting it? Yeah, baby. (shaking head up and down, knowingly)
9 conserve-a-tips // Aug 22, 2007 at 10:01 am
R.A.M. ~ my favorite was that 10,000 people died in the Kansas town, from a tornado. Bush lied - people died. What a maroon.
10 Fred Sinclair // Aug 22, 2007 at 10:04 am
From PatriotostUS- today, This says it so well I may get it printed on a t-shirt or the back of a white nylon windbreaker!
“”Sometimes I wish I were a Democrat because Democrats seem to have more fun. At other times I wish I were a Libertarian because Republicans are too much like Democrats. What I actually am is a right-wing independent who is registered Republican because there isn’t any place else to go.” —Lyn Nofziger”
Heirborn Ranger
11 Shelly // Aug 22, 2007 at 10:53 am
In other news, the Seattle bird cage liner has come up with an edgy new way to fight terrorism - a Haiku contest! At this rate, I hope Scott can continue with his satire, because it’s going to get tough.
12 beekabok2 // Aug 22, 2007 at 11:13 am
My entries to the Haiku contest:
Please don’t kill me now
Wait till the next election
we can blame those folks
or
my life must be stopped
so that satan will not win
and they will control
or
I’m a dumocrat
and we can do nothing wrong
win at any price.
OK, I know they are lame but come on, you guys give it a shot.
13 conserve-a-tips // Aug 22, 2007 at 11:48 am
As an edgy way to fight terrorism? Hmmmm. OK. How about -
A belted bomber
Evil in flesh left to lie
in smoking remains.
-or-
Congress Liberals
Eyes stare as blind that denies
the truth before them.
-or-
Muslim terror with
Their god in a name only
a terrorist too.
14 beekabok2 // Aug 22, 2007 at 12:05 pm
nice one C-A-T
A man of many talents
that is you my friend
15 Shelly // Aug 22, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Speaking of a well-turned phrase, I had the good fortune to see the President’s speech this morning. I don’t know how many I have seen, but of the ones I have today’s was his second best in my opinion, his second Inaugural being his best. I haven’t found a transcript or video up yet, but if you didn’t see it and find a chance to watch/read it, take it.
16 Ms RightWing, Ink // Aug 22, 2007 at 12:27 pm
re:14
c-a-t is a woman of many talents-as is her family. Good folk down thata way
c-a-t
You say Plame, I say da plane, da plane, look boss here come da plane.
Rotten planes anyhow.
17 Ms RightWing, Ink // Aug 22, 2007 at 12:30 pm
PS
I sure wish you could make it c-a-t. After meeting your sister, I want to meet the “perky” one.
(inside secret, sorry)
After I started to think this blame over, I truly have an idea that singing toad from Alabama had something to do with it. He is covering it up by singing patriotic songs.
18 beekabok2 // Aug 22, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Hey conserve-a-tips
sorry am I Re:gender
can’t tell from your font
using the “woman” instead of “man” would have rendered my haiku defunct (void where prohibited, cash value = 1/20 cent. residents of Canada please add $3.00 S&H)
19 Darthmeister // Aug 22, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Why it’s Dick Cheney and Karl Rove’s fault, of course.
I wonder if Karl took his weather control machine when he left the White House? That could explain the fereocity of Hurricane Dean and the fifty-eight degree weather in New York City yesterday. IS THERE NO JUSTICE?
“My generation, faced as it grew with a choice between religious belief and existential despair, chose marijuana. Now we are in our Cabernet stage.†Peggy Noonan
moonbat mode/off
P.S. I choose to blame the barking moonbats. Clearly that’s what 9/11 was all about, Islamofascists sending a message of terror to limp-wristed, whiny, spoilt brat liberals. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.
20 conserve-a-tips // Aug 22, 2007 at 12:55 pm
beekabok2: You couldn’t tell by my font? Well, my husband would laugh that you can’t tell by my front.
Kinda small chested, ya know.
Ms Rightwing, Ink: I would love to go so I could meet you too, but maybe next year. I have a wedding to plan! I’ll have to tell you that my sister is really the perky one. She has energy that shames me.
21 woodnwheel // Aug 22, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Scott: Thank you for once again hitting the nail on the head!
22 boberinyetagain // Aug 22, 2007 at 1:38 pm
As though there were some “overall strategy” now?
Funny, both your piece Mr. Ott and the thought of the current “overall strategy” we are in the grips of currently.
Not good, late breaking news is that I have to work for 4 hours on September 1st so, y’all may need to bring your own pinata’s to Scrapplefest!
Maybe i can drop off an effigy with camo for burning
23 Ms RightWing, Ink // Aug 22, 2007 at 2:20 pm
boberinyetagain
Bober, it is not you that I would choose to burn. I may disagree with some of your points, but that would never cause me to hate you.
Yet, there are a couple of whippersnappers who appear at random times that spew hate and foul mannerisms. Maybe I wouldn’t burn them, but instead a whip lash to their bare feet and a honey jar poured upon them near a beehive would be fair punishment.
That way, in my random act of kindness they will have some real sweet honey to enjoy.
24 Ms RightWing, Ink // Aug 22, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Oh no, the evil queen bee stole my thoughts
25 Fred Sinclair // Aug 22, 2007 at 2:42 pm
I’d like to see a sifi movie about where we would be today if that downed plane on 9/11 had actually made it through the doors of congress aka “The Tom Clancy Effect”
Heirborn Ranger
26 Effeminem // Aug 22, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Martyrs, murderers
Sand in the place where I live
I need some Prozac
27 Just Ranting // Aug 22, 2007 at 2:59 pm
OT…
Elvis must be spinning in his grave. I recently saw a commercial where his “Viva Las Vegas” tune was being used to promote a drug that helps ol’ hound dogs get over their case of limp weenie. Could Elvis ever have imagined that his gyrations on the Ed Sullivan show could lead to this? These geriatric rejects from a high school garage band are howlin’ their modified tune in praise of their new found prowess. Any woman could tell guys like this ain’t never caught a rabbit and they sure ain’t no Elvis anymore. Face the music, little Elvis has left the building.
28 conserve-a-tips // Aug 22, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Just Ranting: We saw that ad the other night too, and my hubby just shook his head and said that we are going to the dogs. I am assuming he was referring to your “hound dogs”.
29 boberinyetagain // Aug 22, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Ms.
I have no doubt that you would freely offer me a chocolate chip cookie and we’d have a fine time chatting (agreeing with someone is not a condition of a “fine time” in my book, sometimes quite the opposite)
I’ve just hung arond long enough that most have realized that it’s a good thing to heare from “the other side” once in a while.
Heck, even Hank and I have gotten to civil with each other even though there is precious little on which we agree (at least politically, other areas…perhaps, one never knows!)
If the stars align perfectly, there’s still a chance that I could drop by.
30 boberinyetagain // Aug 22, 2007 at 3:17 pm
doh!
31 boberinyetagain // Aug 22, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Elvis would love it!
32 Just Ranting // Aug 22, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Bober,
Look I know Elvis took a lot of drugs in his later years. But the idea of “The King of Rock & Roll” having to pop a little blue pill to satisfy a hunk a hunk of burnin’ love, …well it just leaves me all shook up. I don’t care if she was telling him it’s now or never. No hard headed woman would get him to surrender that way. It’s just too much.
33 boberinyetagain // Aug 22, 2007 at 4:20 pm
On a roll JR, funny stuff!
But, the king would have loved the concept (goes perfectly with those hip thrusts don’tcha know?) and, as you point out, he probably would have taken just about anything near the end. I’m guessing that he may have had that specific problem by then, don’t see how he wouldn’t have.
34 Just Ranting // Aug 22, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Bober,
Why thank you, thank you very much.
Okay, I’m gonna stop now. I’m starting to develop a twitch.
35 gafisher // Aug 22, 2007 at 4:56 pm
While the hijackers are ultimately to blame (well, penultimately anyway) it’s a sad fact the Bad Guys were trying since before 9/11 and have been trying even harder since. All they need is for the Good Guys to get it wrong once.
The question isn’t “How did this one attack succeed?” but “How many have been foiled?”
The answer to that question, if it could be given, would include a great many American heroes.
36 Ms RightWing, Ink // Aug 22, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Jeesh, I lost my post again.
Senator Matt McCoy D-Des Moines told reporters his gayness is likely not the reason he is being investigated for extortion by the Attorney General.
According to the Des Moines Register:
” “However, on Tuesday he told The Associated Press that he no longer believes he was targeted because of his sexual orientation.
“At the time I was interviewed, I had a lot to say, and those were suspicions at the time,” he said. “Since then, I honestly have to say, I have found no evidence to support some of the thoughts that I had at the time that I shared with the media.”
McCoy said he does still have concerns about the motivations of the U.S. attorneys office, and said that of about 3,000 elected officials currently under federal investigation, 80 percent are Democrats.
Unquote.
Wow, I think 80 percent is an awfully ugly number for the party that was going to clean up politics.
37 Fred Sinclair // Aug 22, 2007 at 5:33 pm
vigilante |ˌvijəˈlantē| |ˈvɪdʒəˌløn(t)i| |ˈvɪdʒɪˌlanti|
noun
a member of a self-appointed group of citizens who undertake law enforcement in their community without legal authority, typically because the legal agencies are thought to be inadequate.
DERIVATIVES
vigilantism |-ˌtizəm| |ˈvɪdʒəˌløn(t)(i)ˈɪzəm| noun
ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: from Spanish, literally ‘vigilant.’
Vigilantes…. builders of the New Empire of the West. Stern Frontiersmen of the day’s of ‘49. Men who gave their lives to purge the new frontier of lawlessness
Today’s legal agencies are not thought to be inadequate - they are inadequate. The democrat party was a somber bunch of party poopers last year when they were “given” control of the Congress, when compared to the frolicking gaiety, partying, dancing in the streets hilarious merrymaking that took place in the al-quida arena of terrorists. Their best friends had “won” the control of the American Congress.
Where are the vigilantes of today? Where are those men who are willing to give their lives (if necessary) to purge America of it’s internal enemies. The terrorists in Iraq, Iran and around the world are a cinch to be defeated by our military. America has never been defeated in war. In Viet Nam, The “Tet Offensive” was a flop, our military stomped the snot out of the Viet Cong Communists. While the Viet Cong was running, tail between their legs, it was our commies within that snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory forcing a “cut and run” by de-funding the military - just as they would like to do now in Iraq.
Washington D.C. is in need of purging, far more than Dodge City or Abilene.
Wash. D.C. and San Francisco somehow bring to mind a couple of other cities that weren’t nearly as bad, a bit south of the Dead Sea (or under the south end of the Dead Sea) there used to be cities known as Sodom and Gomorrah.
I read somewhere that the price of freedom was eternal vigilance - but without action, vigilance isn’t worth a poot in a whirlwind!
Heirborn Ranger
38 da Bunny // Aug 22, 2007 at 5:49 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAGGIE!!!
39 conserve-a-tips // Aug 22, 2007 at 5:56 pm
But Ms Rightwing, Ink - don’t you see? They are investigating them because they are democrats! It’s political profiling don’t ya know? They didn’t want the gay guy because he’s gay. They wanted the gay guy because he is a democrat. Those evil people in the justice department investigating crimes! How dare they look into a culture of corruption. And that brings to mind a song for your edification, about “friends in low places” er, I mean “wrong places”.
Blame it all on those rubes
In that department of boobs,
That say they’re upholdin’ the law.
‘Cuz we all see
That they came after me
since a “jackass” was all that they saw.
They’re corraling us in
To broadcast our sin
Because of the party we hail…
‘Cuz we luv Obama and Chelsea’s strange mama
They’re aimin’ to stick us in jailllllll…..
Oh, I got friends in the wrong places
With a ‘D’ in their names and sour faces
t’ward the USA…
Not ’cause I’m gayyy.
I broke the law in sev’ral phases
But that shouldn’t matter
’cause I know my case is
only based on my friends
in all the wrong places.
Thenk yew. Thenk yew very much.
Oops soory. Yee haw! (ala Garth)
40 Effeminem // Aug 22, 2007 at 7:35 pm
lol@ c-a-t.
41 JamesonLewis3rd // Aug 22, 2007 at 8:12 pm
During the recent festivities surrounding the Gala InterGalactic Celebration of the Demise of Elvis, countless near-delirious, Elvis-sequin-bell-bottom-cardboard-collar-fake sideburn-costumed fans were seen running amok throughout the highways and byways of the Entire World striking impersonating poses with their imitation guitars and shouting such things as: “Yay!” “Yippee! Elvis is STILL DEAD!” “He’s Dead!” “Yee-HAW! Elvis! Dead!” and “Yes!” in various languages; eye-witness accounts report that, at sporadic, random times and locations, vast uncountable throngs were seen flicking lighters above their heads.
Shirt sales were brisk. Black Velvet Portraits flew off the shelves by the train-load. Sequin sales skyrocketed. Placard and placard-making paraphernalia showed good gains in the marketplace, as well.
42 Maggie // Aug 22, 2007 at 9:13 pm
da Bunny…re#38……Thank you.It has been a wonderful day.
43 Ms RightWing, Ink // Aug 22, 2007 at 9:49 pm
As always, a little slow on the draw. Happy Birthday Maggie
Can you hear me singing Happy Birthday? If not, I will sing a little louder. I’m out on my 7th floor balcony looking your way
44 Darthmeister // Aug 22, 2007 at 10:33 pm
bober, I must be losing my touch. If we ever get the opportunity to meet one another maybe we can play a nice friendly game of horseshoes … or lawn darts! [(~;]Å“
I can be someone’s best friend or their worst enemy … but generally I don’t have the memory or the energy to hold grudges for very long. I take a page from the Apostle Paul who once wrote in II Corinthians 10:10 - For they say, “His (Paul’s) letters are weighty and strong but his personal presence is unimpressive …”
In person I’m a less-than-serious, let’s-have-fun kind of guy. I can’t hate like the liberals have been effectively demonstrating lately, but I will vigorously advocate for what I think is true and honorable. I work hard, think hard but in the end I play hard. Life is too short to cultivate the kind of arrogant enmity liberals have for conservatives.
45 Darthmeister // Aug 22, 2007 at 10:34 pm
…ooops. Italics off
46 da Bunny // Aug 22, 2007 at 10:44 pm
I’m glad it’s been a wonderful day for you, Mags!! You deserve it!!!!!:-)
47 Libby Gone // Aug 23, 2007 at 5:57 am
Morning All,
48 JamesonLewis3rd // Aug 23, 2007 at 6:30 am
I don’t know how long it took them to decide that Tenet was a liability when he was Head Spook but I could have told them that a decade ago. The same goes for his being solely to blame for 9/11.
49 mig // Aug 23, 2007 at 6:43 am
Service Announcement:
THE AMERICAN’S CREED
I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principals of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American Patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; support it’s Constitution; to obey it’s laws; to respect it’s flag; and to defend it against all enemies.
William Tyler Page
50 JamesonLewis3rd // Aug 23, 2007 at 6:53 am
I’ve probably read too many John le Carré and/or Robert Ludlum and/or et al Espionage Novels. I suspect that, perhaps, I set the bar a little too high in my expectations regarding the performance of what should be the premiere Intelligence Gathering outfit in the Entire Universe but I think the bar was left laying on the floor, unattended, there for a while (and I only have their word for it that it has henceforth been lifted and secured in a lofty position).
51 JamesonLewis3rd // Aug 23, 2007 at 7:06 am
I would like to congratulate President George W. Bush for the excellent speech he gave yesterday.
52 Just Ranting // Aug 23, 2007 at 7:19 am
c-a-t re: 39
ROTFL. Very well done!
53 Darthmeister // Aug 23, 2007 at 7:21 am
JL3rd,
Speaking of a “bar”, given the performance of the CIA the last eight or so years with respect to the growing tide of Islamofascism, I would say many within the CIA were at a bar slugging down some Jack Daniels along side Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson.
That’s probably where they concocted the plan for elements within the CIA to leak false and sometimes classified information to the liberal media in hopes of undermining the Bush Administration. Funny how the libs who typically hate the CIA now have grown to love the agency because it has recently demonstrated itself to be a fifth column for leftists as it attempts to undermine the war on terror with its anti-Bush/anti-war disinformation campaign.
54 ref // Aug 23, 2007 at 8:04 am
Careful Darth! they may be listening.
55 Just Ranting // Aug 23, 2007 at 10:56 am
Darth,
Sharing information between CIA and FBI has never been good. Partly because of an “us vs. them” mentality / turf wars, and partly because legislation passed in the Clinton years prevented the departments from sharing information. Also the Clintons wanted to cash in on the “peace time dividend” when they took office and cut funding to the military and intelligence services by 1/3. They prevented the CIA from gathering HUMINT from known criminals and terrorist types. 9/11 was almost inevitable given these circumstances. Why Republicans haven’t made headway getting the voters to undersand this is beyond me. But until they do more to secure our borders they really won’t have any higher moral ground to stand on.
56 gafisher // Aug 23, 2007 at 11:59 am
JR, I think your note about “legislation passed in the Clinton years” requires clarification.
The famous “Wall of Separation” which separated our intelligence and enforcement services was not “passed” by our legislators, but was invented by Jamie Gorelick, Clinton’s Deputy Attorney General. A detailed analysis of the issue can be found here.
Gorelick later excused and obfuscated her responsibility when she served on the 911 Commission.
57 gafisher // Aug 23, 2007 at 6:13 pm
More Americans Found, Blame Problem May Be Solved
In a stunning revelation, Presidential hopeful John Edwards surprised C.I.A. investigators today by effectively doubling the list of potential candidates for blame in the 9/11 attacks.
“There are two Americas,” said Edwards, “and it’s about time we put the second one to work.”
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