NY Times Identifies CIA Interrogator Against CIA Wishes

Too bad, because an otherwise fascinating story about the scramble to build a counterterror apparatus after 9/11, the merits of coercive vs. non-coercive interrogation, and the stings that nailed Abu Zubaydah and KSM is going to be submerged in a debate over their decision to publish the lead interrogator’s name against his wishes and those of CIA chief Michael Hayden. Here’s the obligatory editor’s note justifying the decision. Quote:

After discussion with agency officials and a lawyer for [the interrogrator], the newspaper declined the request, noting that [the interrogator] had never worked under cover and that others involved in the campaign against Al Qaeda have been named in news stories and books. The editors judged that the name was necessary for the credibility and completeness of the article.

The Times’ policy is to withhold the name of a news subject only very rarely, most often in the case of victims of sexual assault or intelligence officers operating under cover.

Read the piece and you’ll see that credibility and completeness have nothing to do with it. It’s not a story about him; he’s just the springboard to explore the themes I mentioned earlier.
Hot Air -- NYT reveals name of KSM’s chief interrogator — against CIA’s wishes

Hey, didn't Valarie Plame work for the CIA? This case, like the Plame case did not involve a covert agent -- but unlike the Plame case this agent was overseas within the last 5 years, which I think was of concern when determining Plame's status.
DKK

The Attempted Neutering Of McCain Continues -- Obama Plays Preemptive Race Card

Earlier I posted my explanation of how the Obama campaign neutered the Clintons through a combination of claiming Hillary's attacks were all below the belt while at the same time attacking Hillary in the very same manner. Then came the inevitable race sensitivity. The combination of these two virtually eliminated all of the Clinton's tools from their tool belt.

Previously I noted that Obama had already begun the duplicity by attacking McCain for political posturing even as Obama was political posturing himself.

Well, as expected, Obama has now preemptively played the race card.

Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama said on Friday he expects Republicans to highlight the fact that he is black as part of an effort to make voters afraid of him.

“It is going to be very difficult for Republicans to run on their stewardship of the economy or their outstanding foreign policy,” Obama told a fundraiser in Jacksonville, Florida. “We know what kind of campaign they’re going to run. They’re going to try to make you afraid.

“They’re going to try to make you afraid of me. He’s young and inexperienced and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?”

He said he was also set for Republicans to say “he’s got a feisty wife,” in trying to attack his wife Michelle.

Right Wing Nut House notes the effect:

We expected it, of course. It is his greatest political weapon and he will use it again and again, shamelessly accusing the GOP of bringing up his race (even, as this proves, when they don’t) in order to deflect criticism away from he and his wife for anything they say or any associations in their past.

The press will let him get away with it because they are terrified of being accused of racism themselves.

This neutering worked against the Clintons effectively removing all of the tools from their tool belt by unilaterally changing the game (with the willing help of the MSM).

Let's hope the McCain camp have a workable tactic for this. One suggestion is for McCain to go to BOTH the places Republicans won't go and the places Obama won't go! McCain already started this with his visit to New Orleans, but this won't be enough
DKK

Daily Trek June 22, 2008

What'd I miss?

Basically a link dump of some of the stories that have backed up on my list. Let me know if you like the format.

US News has a list of 7 Ways McCain can use energy to beat Obama.

Barack Obama's foreign policy advisers said Tuesday that Osama bin Laden, if captured, should be allowed to appeal his case to U.S. civilian courts, a privilege opposed by John McCain.

Obama has decided that NAFTA isn't so bad after all! Funny, isn't that what his campaign strongly denied what one of their own told Canada he was just playing politics?

9th Circuit Court overruled a previous decision and has ruled that people can't be fired for having social security numbers that don't match as being theirs. Meanwhile the EU has strengthened their ability to hold and deport illegals.

Obama's campaign had to correct his mistaken words when he told AIPAC that Jerusalem should be the 'undivided' capitol of Israel. "Barack Obama has no grasp of the basics of diplomacy, and doesn't even realize it. That is a frightening thought about a potential commander in chief."

Removing Muslim women from behind Obama is what happens when your image is overly managed and your campaign is supported by people who are so desperate to win the White House they can taste it! Things will only get worse as the election approaches -- the wacko left wants it win after so many losses!

The GAO has ruled in Boeing's favor on issues related to the 35 billion dollar tanker contract that was originally awarded to Airbus/Lockheed partnership.

McCain called for the construction of 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030 and pledged $2 billion a year in federal funds for clean coal development in an effort to reduce dependence on foreign oil.

In an attempt to counter McCain's energy proposal another Democrat, Maurice Hinchey,has called for Nationalizing refineries -- all the better to control every aspect of our lives!

When Obama said there wasn't much difference between his position and Bush's, after opposing the war and now opposing the war again, was he basing his policy on the waxing and waning of convicted felon and FOB (friend of Barack) Tony Rezko's business prospects with the Iraqi government?

"Obama has yet to make one important decision in his adult life."

Senate Housing Bill Requires eBay, Amazon, Google, and All Credit Card Companies to Report Transactions to the Government

China reduces oil subsidy, increasing price. Oil drops on hopes of reduced demand.

"While Michelle Obama was fixing her image on “The View,” Cindy McCain was in Vietnam and working for children with facial deformities."

The US Treasury Department froze the assets of two Venezuelan diplomats who are Hezbollah frontmen. Yet Hugo has the left wrapped around his finger.

Obama goes back on his promise to use public financing in his campaign -- what's worse is that he blamed the flip on non existent Republican 527's that he claims attacked him already and then lied by saying McCain had put campaign finance reform ahead of his political ambition. Anyone remember McCain Feingold that conservatives have railed against for years and even took to the Supreme Court!

"Along with the two mentioned at the end of my earlier post, this makes three separate lies springing from his decision to opt out of public financing."

After the Supreme Court told Mexico that US laws are all that matter they have taken their appeal of the death penalty to the UN for a Mexican National convicted of murdering a Texan!

Republicans have a history of eliminating income inequality by moving people up from the lower levels while the Democrats have repeatedly failed at redistribution of wealth. Now the effects of their programs, including Section 8 have lead to a crime wave in previously crime free neighborhoods.

Mars Phoenix Lander finds ice on Mars!

Oregon's public health care system won't pay for new expensive cancer treatment, but they will pay for assisted suicide if you want to be responsible and end it early and save your fellow citizens some money!

"Obama wants change unless, change might bring down the price of gasoline, in which case, Obama wants to change back to the status quo!"

The government has banned incandescent light bulbs after 2014, switching to Chinese CFL's but one Congressman wonders if that ban was constitutional.

When would 100 professors object to naming a new department after a recently deceased, world renowned professor? When that professor was a conservative economics professor named Milton Friedman!
DKK