The Dogs that Didn't Bark [Powell and Tenet re: Clarke]

[carolinayellowdog]

An intriguing piece by Fred Kaplan in Slate argues that Powell and Tenet are implicitly supporting Clarke.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2098067/

excerpt:

In the short story "Silver Blaze," Sherlock Holmes solves the mystery of a stolen racehorse by observing that the stable's guard dog didn't bark—hence, the intruder was not a stranger.

The mystery of whether Richard Clarke is telling the truth about President Bush's counterterrorism policies might be solved the same way: Which dogs aren't barking? Amid all the administration officials bombarding the airwaves with denunciations, who has stayed mum?

The answer: Secretary of State Colin Powell and CIA Director George Tenet, and their silence speaks loudly.

[AverageJoe]

1. Wonderful observation!

Now, if only those silent dogs would start barking the truth....

[carolinayellowdog]

2. Maybe they will, in Woodward's book

I'm with the skeptics on Woodward, but it is at least possible.

[salin]

5. the... what a great war president we have... woodward?

That guy? Tend to rely on his current track record as a 'journalist' than his record of thirty years ago as a predictor of what he will produce next. I don't really expect any kind of mea culpa.

[sam sarrha]

3. interesting

[xchrom]

4. nice -- i like that

and it does speak volumes -- if i can say that in this context.

[teryang]

6. With the remote possibility of indictments

...and the likelihood of numerous reinvestigations, I am sure that Tenet and Powell, as the two most intelligent men in the administration will leave their past lies undisturbed and uncompounded. They are both dirty, this gives them the image of being above the fray.

[wabeewoman]

7. I agree. It continues to amaze me

when I hear people say they are surprised by Powell. The man is a liar and has 'played the game' his entire life. The fact he isn't speaking up means no more than if he were. He likely has a reason but it sure isn't because of his integrity or honesty. I just wonder what it takes to change his image to the liar he is...