Rush was right: Now Obama is releasing photos and the CIA is out in the cold

[Iggy]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/04/obama-adminis-3.html
But some experts say the move could have a chilling effect on the CIA even beyond President Obama's decision last week to release the so-called "torture memos."

Calling the ACLU push to release the photographs "prurient" and "reprehensible," Dr. Mark M. Lowenthal, former Assistant Director of Central Intelligence for Analysis and Production, tells ABC News that the Obama administration should have taken the case all the way to the Supreme Court.

"They should have fought it all the way; if they lost, they lost," Lowenthal said. "There's nothing to be gained from it. There's no substantive reason why those photos have to be released."

Lowenthal said the president's moves in the last week have left many in the CIA dispirited, based on "the undercurrent I've been getting from colleagues still in the building, or colleagues who have left not that long ago."

"We ask these people to do extremely dangerous things, things they've been ordered to do by legal authorities, with the understanding that they will get top cover if something goes wrong," Lowenthal says. "They don't believe they have that cover anymore." Releasing the photographs "will make it much worse," he said.
So much for intelligence gathering. Might as well close the doors at Langley.

[Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese]

I wonder why the CIA would think they don't have top cover?:think: Hmmmm.

[deportalllibs]

CIA the latest road kill trailing Obama's bus

[SFC(R)L]

The case was initiated in 2004 as a FOIA by the ACLU, according to what I heard.

Not that obama cares; it's within his agenda to villianize America.

[mozalf]

The democrats stop at nothing to get power. National security? eh.

[toreyj01]

"Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” ---U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis

[MadazzVeteran]

I'll bet their budget is going to suck in the next 3 years. They'll probably be selling used cars in the parking lot just to make salary; forget any operations OCONUS. But then again, maybe they won't; their new mission may be the monitoring and tracking down all the "Domestic Terrorist Threats".

[Iggy]

"Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” ---U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis

When we get hit again, there are going to be a lot of libs whining "why didn't we connect the dots?" Well, here's the answer.

[TX_AGGIE'06]

A sad reality is today and what we do to the people who help keep us safe.....

(also wanted to test my new signature)

[spinach]

I see it differently.

the idiots voted for communists and national suicide on Nov 4.

they will get what they voted for.
since the people voted these idiots in, the people have themselves to blame if we have no protection and take another hit.

they chose to elect people who hate the country and people who cannot discern evil.

Its time the people learned their lesson. If we get hit, they can cheer and faint at the feet of obama, like they always do. They can praise how well he has made the world love us.

Remember, the people chose national suicide.


That said...if we take a hit, I will mourn any loss of life of those who voted against the communists.

[Crystal]

I see it differently.

the idiots voted for communists and national suicide on Nov 4.

they will get what they voted for.
since the people voted these idiots in, the people have themselves to blame if we have no protection and take another hit.

they chose to elect people who hate the country and people who cannot discern evil.

Its time the people learned their lesson. If we get hit, they can cheer and faint at the feet of obama, like they always do. They can praise how well he has made the world love us.

Remember, the people chose national suicide.


That said...if we take a hit, I will mourn any loss of life of those who voted against the communists.

Only half the country voted to commit suicide. Can we please split the country into two and protect the half that knows liberals are idiots?

[Trinka]

Only half the country voted to commit suicide. Can we please split the country into two and protect the half that knows liberals are idiots?
I think that's happening as we speak..........it's just the terrorists won't know the difference

[MrShotShot]

CIA let me introduce you to Obama's grandmother.

Have fun under the bus. Maybe check the oil while you're down there.

[tinydancer]

"Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” ---U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis

It took more than sunlight to put New York City back together again. If we get hit again Democrats are going to own the whole enchilada.

All Democrats. Voters and politicians and media who are enjoying playing this insane game of Russian roulette with national security.

[penner01]

The case was initiated in 2004 as a FOIA by the ACLU, according to what I heard.
And apparently was stalled until Obama got the call.

[mboncher]

CIA let me introduce you to Obama's grandmother.

Have fun under the bus. Maybe check the oil while you're down there.
:))

Tha's funny right 'chere.

[mboncher]

Carter part deux. Remember that Carter screwed our foreign intel as well by banning us using... more permanent means of changing governments and insulted enough of our erstwhile allies feeding us good info because Jimmeh didn't like how they operated. Now assassination would probably have been a much more preferable method to deal with Saddam than the whole invasion thing I think? Just think of how much smoother things in the world would have been without say the Ayatollah Khomeini, Mookie Al Sadr, Osama Bin Laden or a few other extra governmental agents of chaos? I keep thinking of Barry Pepper's line in "Saving Private Ryan":

"You get me and this rifle anywhere within a thousand yards of Hitler, and this war is over."

Naive? Maybe. History changing? Definately. Right thing to do? That's what he's being paid the big bucks for.

You cannot continually damage our heroes who operate in secret and expect to stay safe. When you are blind, deaf and dumb to the activities to what the rest of the world is doing behind closed doors, you leave yourself open to a horrifying array of disasters.

But, what P-BO wants, it seems, P-BO gets. Make sure he gets the bill and the blame too when the butcher comes calling.

[STEEL]

I see it differently.

the idiots voted for communists and national suicide on Nov 4.

they will get what they voted for.
since the people voted these idiots in, the people have themselves to blame if we have no protection and take another hit.

they chose to elect people who hate the country and people who cannot discern evil.

Its time the people learned their lesson. If we get hit, they can cheer and faint at the feet of obama, like they always do. They can praise how well he has made the world love us.

Remember, the people chose national suicide.


That said...if we take a hit, I will mourn any loss of life of those who voted against the communists.

You'll mourn the loss of the idiots libs as well.

They are human...just stupid humans.

[toreyj01]

When we get hit again, there are going to be a lot of libs whining "why didn't we connect the dots?" Well, here's the answer.
'The End justifies the Means' is a maxim which originated in an accusation made by Protestants against the Jesuits. Although few would openly proclaim such a cynical maxim, it is clearly the conception which justified the atrocities of Stalinism and the use of terror by some who claimed to be pursuing the socialist objective.

[Maelstrom]

You'll mourn the loss of the idiots libs as well.

They are human...just stupid humans.

Please stop confusing an evil desire to impose Stalinism against the USA with stupidity.

The two are quite different, and stupid people sometimes get things right.

[Iggy]

'The End justifies the Means' is a maxim which originated in an accusation made by Protestants against the Jesuits. Although few would openly proclaim such a cynical maxim, it is clearly the conception which justified the atrocities of Stalinism and the use of terror by some who claimed to be pursuing the socialist objective.

Your moral equivalency holds no water. Contrary to what you, Obama and the rest of his disciples think, we're the good guys.

[obomanation]

Isn't this the same party that wanted the exposure of Hillary Blaine investigated to the hilt? This still the same party?

What will they say when"waterboarding" is still being used to gain information? It's still a viable option left to on ground commanders. It's lynching Republicans for being of the wrong party.

[ModerateVoice]

Isn't this the same party that wanted the exposure of Hillary Blaine investigated to the hilt? This still the same party?

What will they say when"waterboarding" is still being used to gain information? It's still a viable option left to on ground commanders. It's lynching Republicans for being of the wrong party.

The fundamental disconnect for liberals began when they started demonizing the GOP like they are the terrorists whilst re-defining Islamic radicals who attack America as "man-caused disasters."

[fallenturtle]

While I do worry about the releasing of the photos causing further violence against US interests, I don't see how it will negatively hurt the CIA. Obama has said that he will protect their identities and it seems that he won't push for persecution of those who were just following orders from above. At most, won't it just discourage the CIA from torturing people, and isn't that a good thing, morally speaking? I don't see how any Christian could support torture.

[fallenturtle]

The fundamental disconnect for liberals began when they started demonizing the GOP like they are the terrorists whilst re-defining Islamic radicals who attack America as "man-caused disasters."
And the GOP has never demonized liberals?

[Beccaria]

"Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” ---U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis

Even Obama's own Leon Panetta said this was a bad idea.

[mango smoothie]

While I do worry about the releasing of the photos causing further violence against US interests, I don't see how it will negatively hurt the CIA. Obama has said that he will protect their identities and it seems that he won't push for persecution of those who were just following orders from above. At most, won't it just discourage the CIA from torturing people, and isn't that a good thing, morally speaking? I don't see how any Christian could support torture.


Obama *says* that he's Christian. I don't see how any Christian can support abortion, patrial birth abortion, and infanticide.

How do you suggest the US combat a group of people who for centuries have either murdered, forced to convert, or turned in to slaves people because of their religious beliefs?

IMO, what we did was nothing compared to what they have done and are capable of. We still respect human life. They hate anyone who is not like them. Their religion tells them it's okay to do this. Ask the Jews. They've been tortured by these people for years.

[Imperialparadox]

Its time the people learned their lesson. If we get hit, they can cheer and faint at the feet of obama, like they always do. They can praise how well he has made the world love us.

Remember, the people chose national suicide.


That said...if we take a hit, I will mourn any loss of life of those who voted against the communists.

The first sentence in the quote makes it sound like you are almost advocating that we get attacked to 'teach a lesson' to those (those being American citizens) who voted contary to your political opinions. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt though because I don't like to believe that anyone would support such a disgusting and idiotic sentiment.

[GregMartin]

This is all expected when the most severly retarded man in history becomes president. He did in Jan 2009.

[fallenturtle]

Obama *says* that he's Christian. I don't see how any Christian can support abortion, patrial birth abortion, and infanticide.

I know plenty of Christians who are pro-choice. Though when I said Christians, I didn't mean specifically Obama as much as I just meant in general since many of the people who approve of us torturing also happen to be Christians.

How do you suggest the US combat a group of people who for centuries have either murdered, forced to convert, or turned in to slaves people because of their religious beliefs? On a case by case basis. Not all Muslim extremists have the same goals.

IMO, what we did was nothing compared to what they have done and are capable of. We still respect human life. They hate anyone who is not like them. Their religion tells them it's okay to do this. Ask the Jews. They've been tortured by these people for years.
So because they did it its okay for us to do it because we aren't as bad as they are? Isn't moral relativity?

[mango smoothie]

I know plenty of Christians who are pro-choice. Though when I said Christians, I didn't mean specifically Obama as much as I just meant in general since many of the people who approve of us torturing also happen to be Christians.

You answered your own statement. You know people who call themselves Christian who are pro-choice and obviously you've run in to Christians in this forum who don't object to the techniques the CIA used on terrorists, even though you think it's torture.

Obama thinks we tortured terrorists yet he's all for killing the unborn and born.


On a case by case basis. Not all Muslim extremists have the same goals.

The techniques used by the CIA were on a case by case basis. I don't believe every Muslim extremist was water-boarded. The US didn't have every Muslim extremist in custody.


So because they did it its okay for us to do it because we aren't as bad as they are? Isn't moral relativity?

Again, anyone who is pro-choice has no argument when it comes to this issue, imo. You can't justify it w/ moral relativity or authority when our country has legally approved abortion and infanticide. If you don't think burning an unborn child with acid is torture then I don't know what to tell you.

[mboncher]

Isn't this the same party that wanted the exposure of Hillary Blaine investigated to the hilt? This still the same party?

What will they say when"waterboarding" is still being used to gain information? It's still a viable option left to on ground commanders. It's lynching Republicans for being of the wrong party.
You mean Valerie Plame?

[cyph3r7]

While I do worry about the releasing of the photos causing further violence against US interests, I don't see how it will negatively hurt the CIA. Obama has said that he will protect their identities and it seems that he won't push for persecution of those who were just following orders from above. At most, won't it just discourage the CIA from torturing people, and isn't that a good thing, morally speaking?

Uninformed and uneducated public opinion should NEVER dictate how ANYTHING should be done. Especially national security.

I don't see how any Christian could support torture.

and when in doubt the intellectually challenged throw out that bogus line.

[cyph3r7]

Carter part deux.

More like Carter 2.0. SO far in his first hundred days he has done more to undermine national security than Carter did in 4 years. So far Obama is making the Carter Presidency look spectacular.

[dizzy3a]

May be a dumb question...but will this expose that the CIA was working as shadow government against the Bush administration? The Plame case was handled by the CIA with the leak coming from the CIA. Did the CIA choose to support the dems in their attacks against President Bush? The CIA has never been liked by the Democrat party...seems like Goof Ball has it in for them now.

[cyph3r7]

May be a dumb question...but will this expose that the CIA was working as shadow government against the Bush administration. The Plame case was handled by the CIA with the leak coming from the CIA. Did the CIA choose to support the dems in their attacks against President Bush? The CIA has never been liked by the Democrat party...seems like Goof Ball has it in for them now.

HIstorically the CIA hasn't liked any President. They have a mission, one they fully believe in and they do not want to get mixed up the political wranglings like they are right now.

It is a fact that to effectively collect intel you must be insulated from political meddling. The CIA (and other intel agencies) are between a rock and a hard place. They have a very, very tough job to do and if they screw up...people die.

How does it help their job to have pictures splashed all over the papers simply so one political party can beat up on another?

AND as soon as the American people whine about it and these agencies can not effectively do what we have asked them to, the next time 3000+ people die we will be yelling at them for not doing their job.

Cycle of stupidity

[dizzy3a]

HIstorically the CIA hasn't liked any President. They have a mission, one they fully believe in and they do not want to get mixed up the political wranglings like they are right now.

It is a fact that to effectively collect intel you must be insulated from political meddling. The CIA (and other intel agencies) are between a rock and a hard place. They have a very, very tough job to do and if they screw up...people die.

How does it help their job to have pictures splashed all over the papers simply so one political party can beat up on another?

AND as soon as the American people whine about it and these agencies can not effectively do what we have asked them to, the next time 3000+ people die we will be yelling at them for not doing their job.

Cycle of stupidity

Thanks for the info...Just wanted to learn.

[ogibillm]

HIstorically the CIA hasn't liked any President. They have a mission, one they fully believe in and they do not want to get mixed up the political wranglings like they are right now.

It is a fact that to effectively collect intel you must be insulated from political meddling. The CIA (and other intel agencies) are between a rock and a hard place. They have a very, very tough job to do and if they screw up...people die.

How does it help their job to have pictures splashed all over the papers simply so one political party can beat up on another?

AND as soon as the American people whine about it and these agencies can not effectively do what we have asked them to, the next time 3000+ people die we will be yelling at them for not doing their job.

Cycle of stupidity

i guess i'm stuck wondering how the release of the pics stops them from doing their jobs?

[cyph3r7]

i guess i'm stuck wondering how the release of the pics stops them from doing their jobs?

Because we, the uneducated and uninformed masses will react negatively. We will have no context, no background and no understanding of what it is we are actually looking at. Our only response will be a negative emotionally based one about how bad and horrible this looks. That will drive policy to change the way the CIA operates.

Do we REALLY want public emotion running the intelligence community?

**** no

[BostonPatriot]

Wasn't there outrage from Dems. when Valerie Plame's named was "leaked" to the press? How things change...

[cyph3r7]

i guess i'm stuck wondering how the release of the pics stops them from doing their jobs?

In the same vein you have to ask yourself, why is it necessary to release these pictures?

What do we have to gain from this?

[darknessesedge]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/04/obama-adminis-3.html

So much for intelligence gathering. Might as well close the doors at Langley.

why does the left hate the CIA?
do they want the USA to be without a intelligense agency?

[cyph3r7]

why does the left hate the CIA?
do they want the USA to be without a intelligense agency?

IMHO this is Obama's awkward attempt to pacify the idiotic far left wing of the party. They weren't happy with just the memos. Obama probably thought releasing the memos would satisfy the lunatic fringe which is why he tried to play the middle on this. Instead (and as I would have expected), like sharks in the water the fringe went bat **** crazy.

So now let's release some obscure photos that really serve no purpose what so ever in the scheme of things.

Which will further fuel the nutjobs....never ending cycle of stupidity.

[Mike88]

And the GOP has never demonized liberals?

Show me a time whre conservatives simultaneously demonzied liberals while changing language about the enemy to be more "politically correct" (according to libs that is).

[BostonPatriot]

why does the left hate the CIA?
Because in their distorted world view it represents the evils they believe we stand for.

do they want the USA to be without a intelligense agency?
Unfortunately yes.

[Mike88]

You'll mourn the loss of the idiots libs as well.

They are human...just stupid humans.


I have become so jaded to liberals, so hateful of them because of their hate of anyone not following their thinking, so angry at the blatant effort to destroy the nation, that I will find it rather difficult to mourn leftwingers who are victims of their own social darwinism.

[Gray]

When we get hit again, there are going to be a lot of libs whining "why didn't we connect the dots?" Well, here's the answer.

Wrong.

They will be trying to blame others. Bush, most likely.

What you say implies that they will accept a small amount of blame for not connecting the dots. Liberals NEVER accept blame.

[Gray]

'The End justifies the Means' is a maxim which originated in an accusation made by Protestants against the Jesuits. Although few would openly proclaim such a cynical maxim, it is clearly the conception which justified the atrocities of Stalinism and the use of terror by some who claimed to be pursuing the socialist objective.

Can I get a translator in here?

Does anyone speak Gibberish?

[mboncher]

Can I get a translator in here?

Does anyone speak Gibberish?
Sorry, that won't help. That's Libberish.

[Blemonds]

When we get hit again, there are going to be a lot of libs whining "why didn't we connect the dots?" Well, here's the answer.If we do get hit again, at least we know that Obama won't cherry pick the intel, because there won't be any intel

[notluzn]

the military needs to make a Giant OUT OF THE OFFICE sign so that when we get attacked again, the Libs can't call us for help.

[Gray]

the military needs to make a Giant OUT OF THE OFFICE sign so that when we get attacked again, the Libs can't call us for help.

Ironically if we do get hit again it will likely be a Liberal Stronghold such as New york.

[DaveKlassix]

You'll mourn the loss of the idiots libs as well.

They are human...just stupid humans.

I wouldn't. They will get exactly what they deserve.

[notluzn]

Ironically if we do get hit again it will likely be a Liberal Stronghold such as New york. And LA and San Francisco. But but but but the terrorist we defend love us.

[DaveKlassix]

And the GOP has never demonized liberals?

Not to this extent. And why is the libs excuse all "THE GOP DID IT TOO!". The whole point (at least I thought) of this "Hope and Change" was supposed to CHANGE how DC operates, not make it even more corrupt than in the past.

[Gray]

And LA and San Francisco. But but but but the terrorist we defend love us.

Blaming this on Bush will be very tough.

I recommend that the Liberals soon begin laying the groundwork as to how Bush has aggravated the terrorist situation and made it worse so it will be more plausible when it happens.

[Gray]

I wouldn't. They will get exactly what they deserve.



That avatar ought to be bannable.

:angel:

[AvgGuyIA]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/04/obama-adminis-3.html

So much for intelligence gathering. Might as well close the doors at Langley.If I was President, the last thing I would do is to mess with the people who are responsible for my personal safety when I go overseas.

[Gray]

If I was President, the last thing I would do is to mess with the people who are responsible for my personal safety when I go overseas.

That thought occurred to me also. I think they are to professional to have a lapse, but you never know.

[rodeo]

"Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” ---U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis

"Ignorance is our most expensive commodity" --- Rush Limbaugh

[AvgGuyIA]

Blaming this on Bush will be very tough.

I recommend that the Liberals soon begin laying the groundwork as to how Bush has aggravated the terrorist situation and made it worse so it will be more plausible when it happens.
If we get hit, I am going to join the throng of ****ed-off citizens throwing rocks at the windows of the White House. Hopefully it will make the storming of the Bastille look like a housewarming party.

[MarkyS]

"Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” ---U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis

American soldiers will be killed specifically for what will be seen in these photos. Why are you okay with that, and more importantly, why is Obama okay with that?

M

[Gabby]

I'll bet their budget is going to suck in the next 3 years. They'll probably be selling used cars in the parking lot just to make salary; forget any operations OCONUS. But then again, maybe they won't; their new mission may be the monitoring and tracking down all the "Domestic Terrorist Threats".


My bet is that at least half of them voted for Obama.... they are getting what they voted for.