A Matter Of Intelligence

[John Kilduff]

CNN excerpt and link below:

"Monday, December 11, 2006
Incoming House intelligence chief botches easy intel quiz

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas, who incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tapped to head the Intelligence Committee when the Democrats take over in January, failed a quiz of basic questions about al Qaeda and Hezbollah, two of the key terrorist organizations the intelligence community has focused on since the September 11, 2001 attacks.

When asked by CQ National Security Editor Jeff Stein whether al Qaeda is one or the other of the two major branches of Islam -- Sunni or Shiite -- Reyes answered "they are probably both," then ventured "Predominantly -- probably Shiite."

That is wrong. Al Qaeda was founded by Osama bin Laden as a Sunni organization and views Shiites as heretics.

Reyes could also not answer questions put by Stein about Hezbollah, a Shiite group on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations that is based in Southern Lebanon."

All I can say is, what the...?

CNN Report

[WordWhiz]

At least he didn't invade Iraq without even knowing that Islam had two major branches, unlike some presidents.

[peritonlogon]

[ QUOTE ]
At least he didn't invade Iraq without even knowing that Islam had two major branches, unlike some presidents.

[/ QUOTE ]

The bar has really been set too low.

This isn't just for elected officials either, it's pretty much accross the board. How many times have you heard someone say "well at least we're not in China?" We used to picke a country in Europe...now, China doesn't even cut it for all things, especially for things like corruption instead we have to say Russia...not, 1960s Russia, mind you, todays Russia...people actually defend the USA by comparing it to one of the most corrupt countires of all time! And when the civil liberties go away...what do you hear? We're not as bad as Stalin Russia, Hitler Germany or North Korea...We really need to give ourselves a round of applause for maintaining more freedom than those 3 countries.

But... it is really doubly said, when the deffense for an astounding display of ignorance and stupidty is to compare him to the leader of the country!

[canis582]

You don't have to know anything to be in government besides how to hold a paper bag open (for donations)...what do you think the 'terrorism experts' on the news know that you don't?

Al Queda is just a propaganda tool used to control american debate at this point.

fwiw Reyes is the corporate choice for this position. Progressives wanted someone else.

[Copernicus]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
At least he didn't invade Iraq without even knowing that Islam had two major branches, unlike some presidents.

[/ QUOTE ]

The bar has really been set too low.

This isn't just for elected officials either, it's pretty much accross the board. How many times have you heard someone say "well at least we're not in China?" We used to picke a country in Europe...now, China doesn't even cut it for all things, especially for things like corruption instead we have to say Russia...not, 1960s Russia, mind you, todays Russia...people actually defend the USA by comparing it to one of the most corrupt countires of all time! And when the civil liberties go away...what do you hear? We're not as bad as Stalin Russia, Hitler Germany or North Korea...We really need to give ourselves a round of applause for maintaining more freedom than those 3 countries.

But... it is really doubly said, when the deffense for an astounding display of ignorance and stupidty is to compare him to the leader of the country!

[/ QUOTE ]

as if there were any truth in the comparison.

They should all be Sufi anyway.

[MoreWineII]

Bad pick even before this quiz stuff.

[wacki]

[ QUOTE ]
At least he didn't invade Iraq without even knowing that Islam had two major branches, unlike some presidents.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is this true? Link?

[Poofler]

It was an allegation by an ambassador.
Link

[Mickey Brausch]

From the link:

[ QUOTE ]
When asked by CQ National Security Editor Jeff Stein whether al Qaeda is one or the other of the two major branches of Islam -- Sunni or Shiite -- Reyes answered "they are probably both," then ventured "Predominantly -- probably Shiite."

[/ QUOTE ] I would say that, for Washington, this is par for the course, but actually it's a birdie.



[ QUOTE ]
Stein said Silvestre Reyes is "not a stupid guy."

[/ QUOTE ]

[Copernicus]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
At least he didn't invade Iraq without even knowing that Islam had two major branches, unlike some presidents.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is this true? Link?

[/ QUOTE ]

their are numerous mentions of shiite's vs sunni's by George HW Bush. GWB certainly discussed those issues with dad.