[GAsux]

Kev,
Let's not fight anymore. Please? Anyway, I'm not saying so bad shit likely didn't go down. What I'm saying is that I have very little confidence in the idea that any significant member of the current administration will suffer any consequences as a result. My point was, it's going to take a photograph of Professor Dubya in the library with the candlestick to make anything work. Short of blatantly obvious proof, my feeling is that ultimately it will be much ado about nothing. The Dems will cry foul, the Republicans will rally, and ultimately there won't be enough concrete proof to lead to an impeachment, or even a resignation.

But I want to re-emphasize something that I brought up in another thread somewhere that I think is very relevant. 9/11 changed a lot, for everyone. Administration officials, intel agencies, etc have historically been intensely loyal to the administration, even when they disagree privately. Those who've worked inside have always said that they felt a certain obligation to "serve" the administration even if they personally disagreed.

After 9/11, the finger pointing was all geared towards the intel agencies. There are men and women who have worked in those agencies their entire lives busting their ass. I don't think they so much appreciated being called out like that. The CIA/DIA/FBI became the fall guys. I don't think they intend to let that happen this time.

What I'm saying is it's relatively unprecedented for so many intel types to come forward and admit that they were pressured by administration officials, etc. Its not a case of one random crusader ala Dan Ellsberg taking a stand. It's the whole of the agencies. Its they who will be the thorn in Dubyas side because I don't think they are so eager to take the blame again.