That "declassified" NIE report...

[PVnRT]

So, a couple of days after the NIE report was leaked, dropping a bombshell on this farce of an administration, Our Great White Father, President Bush, has decided to declassify the report.

Given the history of this administration's creative editing of scientific reports to suit its own needs, someone more paranoid might think that the report had undergone some last-minute "editing" to soften the blow.

Flash back three days ago, when portions of the report http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/world/middleeast/24terror.html?_r=1&oref=slogin">were first leaked:

"The report 'says that the Iraq war has made the overall terrorism problem worse,' said one American intelligence official."

"The report mentions the possibility that Islamic militants who fought in Iraq could return to their home countries, 'exacerbating domestic conflicts or fomenting radical ideologies.'"

"The estimate concludes that the radical Islamic movement has expanded from a core of Qaeda operatives and affiliated groups to include a new class of “self-generating” cells inspired by Al Qaeda’s leadership but without any direct connection to Osama bin Laden or his top lieutenants."

OK, nothing that we haven't been screaming since the beginning of this quagmire, right?

Yet, in the "excerpt" released today, where are such statements? Nowhere. See for yourself.

In fact, Bush himself said that the report was released to "clear up any confusion about the findings."

Clear up any confusion? Or put out some fires?

This administration has demonstrated time and time again that it is more concerned to holding onto power for power's sake rather than to protect Americans, or any of the other empty platitudes politicians mouth to get elected.

They've already shown that scientific fact is, in their minds, pliable when it conflicts with their policy goals, that is, making sure that their corporate string-pullers can get away with murder.

But I digress. Back to the "declassified" report.

Few things here are unable to be spun by the right-wing machine, for instance:

"The Iraq conflict has become the 'cause celebre' for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement. Should jihadists leaving Iraq perceive themselves, and be perceived, to have failed, we judge fewer fighters will be inspired to carry on the fight."

Translation: we have to "stay the course" and not "cut and run" like the "confused" leftists in America say we should do. (That's not what they say, but again, it's doubleplusgood to find new and interesting ways to smear the opposition).

Speaking of those shifty leftists,

"Anti-US and anti-globalization sentiment is on the rise and fueling other radical ideologies. This could prompt some leftist, nationalist, or separatist groups to adopt terrorist methods to attack US interests. The radicalization process is occurring more quickly, more widely, and more anonymously in the Internet age, raising the likelihood of surprise attacks by unknown groups whose members and supporters may be difficult to pinpoint."

Indeed. It's not just "islamists" or "jihadists" now. It's "leftists" and "separatists," far more nebulous terms, labels far easier to apply indiscrimantely to anyone deemed "unacceptable" by the ones in charge.

"We assess that the global jihadist movement is decentralized, lacks a coherent global strategy, and is becoming more diffuse."

This war, as defined, can never be over. It is the perfect method by which the neoconservative Iron Heel can continue to keep the masses in line. Oppose the war? You're "unpatriotic." You "hate America." Hell, who knows, you're probably even one of "them." To Minilove with you.

Orwell was right - the Party seeks power for the sake of power. What will be the next report that the administration edits to suit it's goals?

[whistle]

1. BushCo only wants to declassify selected parts of the NIE report

...as I heard it, but democrats want the entire report, analysis and everything associated with Iraq made public. We'll see where this goes.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

2. You Thought They Were Going To Release Stuff That Makes Them Look Bad?

I could have predicted this the second the words "declassify" left that LYING SACK OF EVIL SHIT'S Mouth!

These guys don't even attempt to hide their hubris anymore. They figure the Corporate SPIN Media WHORES will just let this go away. Heck, they're probably right. And the MORONS and IDIOTS that make up about 1/3rd of the population, will go onto something else, and say...."well, he released it. What's the problem."

We're in a nation of FUCKING MORONS and CORRUPT & EVIL "leaders."