Dumb answers of intelligence chief

[spindrifter]

The Times December 13, 2006

Tom Baldwin in Washington

He is expected to have an acute understanding of terrorist groups and their threats to American interests. But the incoming chairman of a congressional intelligence committee was yesterday struggling to explain his ignorance of al-Qaeda and Hezbollah.

Silvestre Reyes, the Democrat chosen to head the House of Representatives committee, was asked whether members of al-Qaeda came from the Sunni or the Shia branch of Islam.

“Al-Qaeda, they have both,” he answered, adding: “Predominantly probably Shi’ite.”

<snip>

Jeff Stein, a reporter for Congressional Quarterly, then put a similar question about Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia group. “Hezbollah. Uh, Hezbollah . . .” replied Mr Reyes. “Why do you ask me these questions at five o’clock? Can I answer in Spanish? Do you speak Spanish?” Go ahead, said Stein. “Well, I, uh . . .” said the congressman.

<more>

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-2501237,00.html

[mike_c]

1. OMG....

Lame.

[niyad]

2. and how did the former republican head of the committee do on those questions?

[Leilani]

3. He's been on the committee for 6 years

& doesn't know who Hezbollah is, or that Al Qaeda is Sunni?

Pelosi should dump him as soon as possible.

And Dems wonder why they are perceived as weak on security.

[screembloodymurder]

5. He's an old man. He should be retired and playing golf.

He reminds me of Ross Peroe's running mate.

[Leilani]

7. You mean

"Who am I?"

"And what am I doing here?"

What was his name? Stockdale, I think.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Time to write them letters

[Leilani]

8. Good Idea!

My first will be to Pelosi.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. I wrote her a note and put it in the mail

if you are not in her district the email system will block you... I also sent it to the san fran office...

District Office - 450 Golden Gate Ave. - 14th Floor - San Francisco, CA 94102 - [phone]
Washington, D.C. Office - 235 Cannon HOB - Washington, DC 20515 - [phone]

[Printer70]

4. Somehow

I don't think this matters as much as people think. Memorization of details is less important than judgment. You need the details; but thats why you have briefing books. This is also why I don't give Bush as hard a time as others on his ability to recall minutiae. Although it may mean the "intelligence" committee is now a misnomer.