Clarkes testimony

[sidwill]

For those of us who couldnt watch, what were the most damaging revelations made by Clarke?

[boobooday]

1. Everything he said was devastating

However, in particular there was the urgent memo on January 24th that he sent to Condi to meet about the "imminent Al Qaeda attack." But even more devastating, on September FOURTH, he sent them a memo warning them that hundreds of Americans were about to die if they didn't do something.

Oh, and very interesting was a line of questioning about the Saudis being flown out of the country, and the revelation by Clarke that he was the one who put the FAA on the alert status that apparently gave Ashcroft his tipoff on not flying commercial.

Check out C-Span, they will have it up soon, I think. It's worth watching all of Clarke's testimony.

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[jean]

2. Every word he spoke was effective cspan 2 is repeating at 7:30 est

[Manwithchildeyes]

3. Sadly, the most damaging is likely yet to come

If all the previous statements by Clarke that run counter to his testimony today get out to the press and public I feel that will damage Clarke the most.

[LSparkle]

4. like the statements in the "backgrounder" report?

Why the eff isn't the fact that Faux News leaked this getting more airtime? It's a total breach of journalistic ethic (as if those lame asses care).

[orwell]

7. Answer Man

He answered those questions beautifly.

Did you listen to the testimony?

Thompson, who attacked him with the leaked backgrounder was speechless. He left the podium in a huff.

O

[ThomWV]

5. The Most Important Thing He Said - And Most Striking

He stated quite clearly that the invasion of Iraq was a distraction from the war on terrorism. He followed that by simply staring at the panel, not a sound was heard in the room for about 15 seconds. It was one of the most striking moments in live television ever. It had the same effect for me as seeing Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald, live on TV. I am old and saw both.

[jean]

8. The silence in the aftermath of his simple statement was striking

C-span cameras focused on him from the front until about 5 seconds into The Silence.

The camera shot changed to a side view, showing Clarke still leaning in to the microphone (on the right) and the 9-11 commissioners ( on the left ) ...then Clarke straightened up and leaned toward the back of his chair like, another job well done.

His entire testimony, highlighted by his opening apology and the silence, was overwhelming and exciting to watch.

[Lefty48197]

6. I liked Clarke's testimony about the "aspiring factory" in the Sudan

I can't quote him exactly, but he said something like this,
"To this day, there are people who believe that facility was not related to a terrorist organization, or to chemical or biological weapons. Those people are wrong".

Another Dick Clarke "in your face" to the lying lying right wingers.