The Cheney-Gates Cabal (Ray McGovern)

[laststeamtrain]

The Cheney-Gates Cabal
Ray McGovern

<snip>

In 1991, when President George H. W. Bush nominated Robert Gates for the post of Director of Central Intelligence, there was a virtual insurrection among CIA analysts who had suffered under his penchant for cooking intelligence. The stakes for integrity of analysis were so high that many still employed at the agency summoned the courage to testify against the nomination. But the fix was in, thanks to then-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, David Boren and his staff director, George Tenet. The issue was considered so important, however, that 31 senators voted against Gates when the committee forwarded his nomination. Never before or since has a CIA director nominee received so many nay votes.

Gates is the one most responsible for institutionalizing the politicization of intelligence analysis by setting the example and promoting malleable managers more interested in career advancement than the ethos of speaking truth to power. In 2002, it was those managers who then-CIA Director George Tenet ordered to prepare what has become known as the “Whore of Babylon”—the October 1 National Intelligence Mis-Estimate on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. He instructed them to adhere to the guidelines set by Vice President Dick Cheney in his infamous, preemptive speech of August 26, 2002, and complete it in three weeks—in order to force a congressional vote before the mid-term election. To their discredit, the managers complied and issued the worst NIE in the history of American intelligence.

<more>
http://www.tompaine.com/print/the_cheneygates_cabal.php

[williesgirl]

1. k&r

[cspanlovr]

2. Really interesting article. I think Ray McGovern is great. Of course,

I wouldn't expect them to nominate someone who disagrees with them. It's just a crime that there's been so much cooking of the intelligence, you can't trust it any more. Thanks for posting this.:hi:

[spindrifter]

3. How is Gates going to draw the distinction

between the military and intelligence interests in a panorama that already contains misinformation as the operative engine? I have real concerns that he and Negroponte will be misinforming us all and using DeadEye Dick's script for their parts.

[Nothing Without Hope]

4. K & R - and here are some other Gates-related DU threads:

11-9-06 Robert Gates' Involvment In The "VOTE COUNT GAME"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x457552

11-9-06 Robert Gates (Rummy's Replacement) = bin Ladin's Teacher and Protector
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2656227

11-9-06 Iran/Contra criminals were not held accountable and we are now reaping
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2664127

11-9-06 Gates is Poppy's guy-this takes us to another data-dumping thread
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2665635

11-9-06 Robert Gates’ Main Qualification for Secretary of Defense
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2669025

11-9-06 Robert Gates and Iran/Contra (Lawrence E. Walsh)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x245118

It would be a disaster to confirm this man for Rumsfeld's job. He's just as dishonest and corrupt - just sneakier and better-connected to the military/corporate/political power structure. As has been said at some of these links, we are still harvesting the poison from failing to probe and prosecute after the Iran/Contra crimes. Very grave consequences of "tolerance" of huge crimes.

[gordianot]

5. Biden voted against Gates in 1992 but is inclined to vote for in 2006.

Not good enough for the CIA but OK for the Department of Defense.

see link: http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=116779&version=1&template_id=43&parent_id=19

[jazzjunkysue]

6. This senate will approve him. Can we fire him in january?

Probly not.

Gonna have to find a way to connect him to the january investigations and subpoenas in order to get him to step down.

Then, we can appoint a real replacement.

[Boo Boo]

7. Here's a longer version of the same article, on BuzzFlash

Ray McGovern Guest Contribution

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/550

[chill_wind]

8. Very informative thread and replies. K&R& Bookmarking. Thnx. nt