Official 9/11 Investigation thread (#1)

[Skinner]

If people want to do a play-by-play, you can do so in this thread. We'll lock it when it approaches 100 responses, and open up a new one at that time.

Tenet testifying now...

[Beam Me Up]

1. Thanks!

I'm awake out here in California.

BMU

[DemonFighterLives]

2. Tenet says the war will be long

Well that's nice!

[sadiesworld]

3. Is that a paint brush I see in Tenet's hand?

No big surprise (Faux is covering it), but...

[maddezmom]

4. Fielding: explain and describe how you communicated intell to Clinton?

[revcarol]

5. Is there a listening link?

C-Span 3 not even available here.

[maddezmom]

6. you can listen on CSPAN3, here's a link

http://www.c-span.org/watch/index.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS&ShowVidDays=30&ShowVidDesc=

[remfan]

7. Pacifica and NPR have streaming audio coverage n/t

[maddezmom]

8. might be on CNN

I'm watching on CNNI.

[Paradise]

99. isn't that enlightening!

c-span does not belong to the public, rather,
this administration can pull the plug on them anytime they want!

[maddezmom]

9. Tenet: OBL and AQ was known in the beginning to bushco*

[Vadem]

10. Tenet said he met with Bush six days a week....

(he didn't say how often Bush was out of Washington, stumping for funds or all the days he spent in Crawford). Do you think he was travelling with him on all those days?

on edit, it is even more damaging to Bush because he can't say he didn't know or was unaware of the heightened danger of Bin Laden and Al Caeda.

[robbedvoter]

11. W said the same thing yesterday - they obviously coordinated

CNN: for the first time W admits he was briefed daily on terrorism. Nu? So what did you do about it?

[The_Bearded_Liberal]

12. Good point!

You should be on this "9/11 Commission".
You at least think logically, unlike some of these committee members.

[Vadem]

16. Thanks! I KNOW all of us could ask better and more pointed...

questions of these witnesses than the Commissioners do. On Nightline last night, Gov. Kean stated that the Commissioners were not "permitted" to ask certain questions! WTF?

[livetohike]

15. Would someone please ask him

how he communicated with Bush while he was on vacation for the whole month of August?? Please.

[maddezmom]

13. Tenet: does not believe if we got OBL before 9/11 would not have

stop the plot.

[robbedvoter]

20. uh, so does it absolve...Clinton? Cuz they seem to go there

[maddezmom]

36. seems like it's all a big "cya"

[sadiesworld]

14. Dog and pony show for the masses.

Staged event.

[Vadem]

17. You're right--I'm afraid it is going to be another Warren Comm'n..n/t

[revcarol]

18. Is he trying to fall on his sword for Bush,

but they won't ask pointed enough questions to LET him?

[barbaraann]

21. LOL

At this point, I really don't know how they can coordinate all the deception.

[robbedvoter]

19. he also confirmed working close with Clarke - not so "out of the loop"

then, huh? So far, anything checks! (except for Wolfowittz quotes on Hitler ;-)

[kentuck]

22. He's stonewalling but....

trying to appear that he's not stonewalling....He's a slick one!

[sadiesworld]

23. WTF...deal with charges in Clarke's book privately?!

[robbedvoter]

24. Like a duel maybe?

Cuz I'd like to see.

[robbedvoter]

25. Gorelick: 2 things should be news to American people : how engaged CIA was

on a daily basis and how effective CIA was cooperating with other nations - not just polkice work but "disruptions"

[sadiesworld]

26. That's convenient, give them a massive written statement with no time

to read it prior to questioning.

[skeptic9]

27. Richard Clarke EVIDENCE urls at CFAP

While far-right spinners are bashing Richard Clarke and Clarke himself is testifying this afternoon (Wednesday 3/24) at the 911 Commission, the following links may come in very handy:

Yesterday's Paul Krugman column in the NY times (at http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/23/opinion/23KRUG.html?ex=1081029877&ei=1&en=7402f8a2197b54fd ) summarizes evidence in favor of Clarke's attack on Bush's counterterrorism record:

"Of course, Bush officials have to attack Mr. Clarke's character because there is plenty of independent evidence confirming the thrust of his charges.

Did the Bush administration ignore terrorism warnings before 9/11? Justice Department documents obtained by the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, show that it did. Not only did John Ashcroft completely drop terrorism as a priority--it wasn't even mentioned in his list of seven "strategic goals"--just one day before 9/11 he proposed a reduction in counterterrorism funds.

Did the administration neglect counterterrorism even after 9/11? After 9/11 the F.B.I. requested $1.5 billion for counterterrorism operations, but the White House slashed this by two-thirds. (Meanwhile, the Bush campaign has been attacking John Kerry because he once voted for a small cut in intelligence funds.)"

CFAP (the Center for American Progress) posted much of this evidence online Monday, at http://www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c=biJRJ8OVF&b=39039

See also http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1276543

[DemPopulist]

40. When does Clarke testify?

n/t

[dweller]

48. in the afternoon session i heard n/t

[robbedvoter]

28. CIA reports of "spectacular attacks - some of them in US-

They were faulted for not reporting the possibility of it happening in the US (Condi's lies). Tenet - not specific enough for in the US

[xultar]

29. Georgie was saying that we couldnt' have stopped 9/11 if we got

uncle binny
Rummy said that we coudn't have stopped 9/11

How did we stop the y2k terrorist attacks...the big multiple ones that were supposed to be in the US on new years eve

[robbedvoter]

33. You forget the mighty Clenis - it giveth and taketh

Bushco was deprived of it ;-)
Rummy was saying in October 2001: "We may never get OBL" (whatcha gonna do? let's go in Iraq)

[sadiesworld]

30. Not serious. Jovial. Nauseating. I feel for the 9/11 families.

[sadiesworld]

34. Is he going to be required to answer a specific question?

[xultar]

35. I agree they must be...

:nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke:

[readmylips]

31. Jamie read from Bush at War....

bushie coated: 'BinLaden was not his priority.'

[Vadem]

32. Will they ask WHY Bush went to Crawford for over a month...

in August if they were all so seized with the high level of awareness? There is no way they can excuse that.

[xultar]

37. He went to get his brains out of the barn. n/t

[robbedvoter]

38. They can excuse everything. CNN quits. Radio: Kean now: "We failed"

"In hindsight, what coud have been done to change history - good question..."systemic" answer follows :sigh:

[Vadem]

42. Who is "Bob Moulder" who is building the data system so they

can connect the dots? Anyone ever heard that name before, or did I not hear him correctly?

[librechik]

39. What the hell is he saying?

systemic whaaaaat? "We needed some mechanism to tell us what to do"

yeah, it's called a clue. "Going from threat to threat to threat" is how you catch clues.

Oh, well, we could just figure the attack came from somewhere over there and just bomb at random. That seems to work just fine...NOT!

[BootinUp]

41. He means interagency issues

[librechik]

43. I see--the communications problem that Homeland Security Dep

is meant to solve--but its by laws prevent it from doing so.

[BootinUp]

49. Interesting

laws prevent sharing data between different groups in the FBI let alone FBI to CIA.

[Goldom]

44. Why is it on channel 3?!

Shouldn't this be the TOP story on channel ONE?!

[librechik]

45. yes indeed--but they're carrying it on MSNBC

and proably CNN too.

[xultar]

46. Did that ASSHOLE just plug the Patriot Act? n/t

:grr:

[SoDesuKa]

47. No He Didn't

He mentioned it.

[Fleshdancer]

50. I have NEVER seen Tenet so jumpy before

he looks like a man on the edge, doesn't he?

[Vadem]

54. Methinks he has been around Rumsfeld too long...with the

wild hand gestures and bouncing around in his chair.

[Fleshdancer]

61. probably a natural symptom of being full of shit n/t

[chelsea0011]

51. "Why couldn't you stop them"?

Airport security, anybody? Box cutters. There maybe killers out there looking to destroy but strong airport security could have stopped this. Is there any FAA people scheduled to explain why the airline lobby fought tooth and nail to institute stronger security measures?

[DemonFighterLives]

52. Who are these desk thumpers

They seem to have so much energy, but were miserable failures.

[xultar]

53. I can't believe they are using this to PLUG the war.

:nuke:

[maddezmom]

55. again, calling for Condi to make an appearance & applause

[Vadem]

56. Kerrey: It is time for ABC (Always blame Clinton)....n/t

[librechik]

62. he's a, effin lunatic

How dare he seize this platform to rant about his own personal vendetta? Just ask the effin question fer gods sake!

[chelsea0011]

66. Didn't Clinton kick his ass in 1990 in his no-run for Pres.?

[Neecy]

69. he is nutty

But I like the fact that he ripped into "The Plan" that Rummy and Powell were touting yesterday as the big fix for terrorism, and the reason they didn't do anything prior to 9/11.

"The Plan" appears to be an empty shell.

[Catherine Vincent]

57. Has the investigation been extended thru the end of July?

[Vadem]

59. The 9/ll report is due 7/26/04....n/t

[leftchick]

60. yes, begrudgingly so from the desk of hastert...

Jamie gorelick said they actualy would like even more time.

[robbedvoter]

58. kerrey attacking Tenet (and Clinton) - some applause in the background

Why not more attacks on the terrorist camps? he's still fixated in '98 - wou'd think this was the Tanzania/Cole investigation
But kerrey mentioned the August 6 2001 memo - the only time Tenet disagreed

[leftchick]

63. Bob "the bomber" kerrey

he is fucking obsesive... why not bring up the cut in terroism funds bob? :grr:

[chelsea0011]

70. After admitting the slaughter of innocents in Vietnam

you'd think he wouldn't be into carpet bombing.

[dmr]

77. Exactly ...

Funds that the Clinton administration asked for were denied by the GOP controlled congress. In fact, the Bush* administration had cut terrorism funding before 911.

Bob Kerrey was on a grandstanding soapbox, and ended up making himself look like the ass he is.

[Vadem]

64. Hah! Kerrey: "I guess there is no question here" (I just want to

hear my own voice when I rant and rave)!

[remfan]

67. Quite interesting that today Kerrey is getting applause

I think some wingnuts picked up on the fact that Kerrey despises Clinton yesterday, and decided to make a showing today.

[leftchick]

71. it was for a condi appearance

I believe the families applaud for the request for condi to show her lying face.

[0007]

65. George Tenet is nothing more than a blathering, hand & arm gyration

clown that is telling lies that idiots love to hear. Kerrey is getting after Tenet.

[robbedvoter]

79. kerrey is after Clinton, Clinton and only Clinton (except for making news

for ...kerey). Couldn't care less about W, 9.11, dead civilians (see his record in Vietnam). IT'S KERREY TIME! IT'S MY TIME ON TV WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!

[jean]

68. Richard Ben-Veniste up now questioning Tenet

Aug 98 missile attack - bin Ladin escapes with hours to spare...yesterday Rumsfeld described it as "bouncing the rubble" - is this how you would characterize this attack?

Flying of the Predator in its reconnaissance mode would have produced intelligence...

CIA provided massive support to the mujahaddin (sp) - what has troubled me is why didn't the CIA, knowing the extreme xenophobia of these jihadists, seek to penetrate these orgaizations in the following years? People trained in lethal modalities and hateful towards foreigners in muslim countries...why didn't CIA keep track of these people, like UBL?

Tenet says to this - nothing substantive

[leftchick]

73. I love that guy, smooth as silk n/t

=

[maddezmom]

74. either can't or won't answer the question

[robbedvoter]

72. Pacifica comment: "sitting behind Tenet are 9 "suits" - conferring now

August 6 PDB (famous Crawford memo) - product of CIA - without prompting from the president
Now, back to 1998 and the Clenis...

[readmylips]

75. that guy boob kerrey...what a lunatic...

He didn't ask any questions. He's trying again to capture the soundbite of the day. Tenet sounds, looks like a Mafia goon.

[Catherine Vincent]

76. I know they are trying to loosen up a bit but I think they are having too

much fun with their little snide jokes. This is supposed to be serious.

[Malva Zebrina]

82. I thought the same thing

it seems like the good old boy club-we will go back to our assigned script in a moment. I have little faith and trust in this commission

[leftchick]

87. it is deplorably insulting behavior

given the presense of the victims' families.... disgusting

[The_Bearded_Liberal]

106. I agree

I was so pissed yesterday seeing Bob Kerrey and others whooping it up with Rumsfeld, both during his supposed testimony and at the end of the day when Rummy approached the commisioners table to talk to them.

As you said, this is serious stuff and there is Kerrey and his mates joking with Rumsfeld.
Not only that, later in the night both Kerrey and Slade Gorton appeared on Tweety's show.
WTF are they doing appearing on a so called "news show" while they are conducting a serious investigation?

This is such a joke.....a complete and utter whitewash!

[chelsea0011]

78. "Our enemies enemy could be our friend"

Pakistan, anyone?

[robbedvoter]

81. OR, TALIBAN? OR SADDAM? eom

[kentuck]

80. They could talk aobut the drones but .."not on my nickel.."

That was an important line of questioning. If Bush had not done away with the drones, we may have been able to make contact with bin Laden and do away with him, but BenVeniste did not feel he had enough time to follow the question. They are so pressed for time, they will never get to the bottom of anything.

[Vadem]

83. Thompson is picking up it again re the drones...quoting Clarke's book..n/t

[robbedvoter]

84. tenet about to contradict Clarke - then caught himself - didn't read

the book - not wanting to be on record on it....Amazing!

[Vadem]

86. Could you hear what the disrupter was saying?...n/t

[maddezmom]

90. wonder what will happen to that guy?

:scared:

[readmylips]

85. Thompson: Making it political...

so what's new Thompson...you repig shit.

[robbedvoter]

89. Every word this guy said was: "W is a good guy, non?"

[Vadem]

92. Right! He is another ABC guy.....n/t

[NewsTalk]

105. Dear God, the audacity!

Did Thompson really ask Tenet if the CIA had said anything that could have allowed the President* to predict that four airplanes would be used to strike specific locations on the morning of September 11?

Come on, Tenet, did you give him the flight numbers? Did you tell him they were going to hit the WTC at 8:46am? No? Well, then, what was the poor guy to do? Cancel his vacation on the basis of such imprecise, vague reports like "Terrorists are preparing to hijack American aircraft and maybe use them as missiles, but we don't know exactly when"?

:grr:

[Fleshdancer]

88. what just happened? someone started saying something in the audience?

damn I wish I knew what that person said.

[chelsea0011]

95. It's funny. Tenant turned to protect his back I guess

[The Backlash Cometh]

91. Tenet is far too flippant.

Cocky individual. Like someone who knows the goods on everybody, but has his own secrets to hide. He's not coming forth the way that Cohen and Albright did yesterday.

I'm very shocked to hear that no one in the CIA has read Dick Clarke's book. How's that for staying current?

[leftchick]

96. I don't believe no one read it..

not for a minute. Your right about tenet's demeanor. I think it is a slap in the face to the families.

[dmr]

109. My bet is that they have

which is why they are doing a better job than usual at saying nothing.

This is so freakin' frustrating. There is no time to delve into anything. No teeth to hold them to answer quality questions, but yet they are allowed to skirt on answers.

"I want to proceed this in private" - oh how easy is that!?

I want to scream.

[DemonFighterLives]

93. Ben Veniste brought up the Aug 8, 2001 PDB

Caused much confusion for Tenet and the other monkey and the 9 suits. They are on drones now.
Some disruptor just removed, but you couldn't hear what he said.

[robbedvoter]

94. Roemer asking now.Role in the PDB's mentioning Clarke

Hoping Rice would come. PDBs are not policy.
PDB=Presidential daily Briefings (pacifica0

[Vadem]

97. Tim Roemer calling for Condi Rice to appear again.....

Roemer: The NSC is primary policymaker for the govt. PDB of 8/01 was declassified from a conversation with the CIA provided to the joint inquiry, quoting:

Why weren't you concentrating more on possibility of attacks in the US. Why wasn't the US gov't more concerned about the domestic issues?

[The Backlash Cometh]

107. Wasn't there a major discrepancy here with Condi and the report

she claims she requested? Tenet's biggest confused moment was when one of the Senators said he had a letter stating that the report (that all of Condi's spokespeople claims she requested) was actually instigated by the CIA. In other words, Condi was not as involved as she claims to be. The letter the Senator was reading, came from one of the CIA operatives sitting behind Tenet. But this issue was put aside because Tenet refused to commit a response.

[robbedvoter]

98. Roemer reading from the August 6 PDB (the declassified parts)

talked about Alquaeda, hijackings, attacks in the US with explosives.
Why didn't you do something about it?' Tenet: "Ask Clarke"

[tandot]

103. Didn't Cheney yesterday say that Clarke was not in the loop about

everything that was going on? That he had only a minor part in all of it?

So, why then did Tenet say "ask Clarke"

[IronLionZion]

100. almost time to get locked

at 100 now

[kentuck]

101. But..but..but.he was out of the loop....

Wasn't he? Tenet is saying Clarke would know more about the process than he... Cheney may disagree with him?

[jean]

102. Timothy Roemer up now

Interested in the PDB’s and whether they establish policy…wants to have Dr Rice testify as well as Clarke to help clarify how policy was or was not established

Tenet says he provides data regularly and occasionally his opinion (this happens rarely)

Roemer - YOU were upset about the threat of al-Queda... WHY wasn't the gov't upset about it???

Tenet - ask Clark

Roemer - you're saying it IS the responsibility of the Security Council...it's them, not the CIA who is responsible...to underscore my concerns I really believe we need better data mining in the CIA to track the info in the PDB's...we'll ask Clarke and Rice as well

[robbedvoter]

104. John Lehman asking (raygun guy) - Clinton again - the 1st WTC

bombing - that eas Poppy's fault . kahane's assassination happened dusing Poppy - and no one translated those papers DURING POPPY.
His question was about links with Al Quaeda - there was no Al Quaeda in 1993 idiot! Blame Clinton again! The Cole again.

[Vadem]

108. John Lehman (PNACer) up questioning now...

Linkages from the 93 attack on WTC, when did you learn about these linkages?

Tenet: I didn't get to CIA until '95. I'll go back and check.

Lehman: USS Cole--Albright was given no evidence of linkages of Al Caeda and Cole attack--CIA did not say there was a link to AC until early admin of Bush.

Tenet: We believe there are operatives in AC related to this attack...We could not make it conclusive that AC was involved...

[indigo32]

110. Locking

new thread here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1278149