George Tenet: Bu$hCo. Lied about my "Slam Dunk" comment

[Cypress]

Tenet: "Slam Dunk" Comment Misused

Ex-CIA Director Explains Phrase He Says Bush Administration Has Dishonorably Clung To

(CBS) Ex-CIA Director George Tenet says the way the Bush administration has used his now famous "slam dunk" comment — which he admits saying in reference to making the public case for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq — is both disingenuous and dishonorable.

It also ruined his reputation and his career, he tells 60 Minutes Scott Pelley in his first network television interview. Pelley's report will be broadcast Sunday, April 29, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

The phrase "slam dunk" didn't refer to whether Saddam Hussein actually had WMDs, says Tenet; the CIA thought he did. He says he was talking about what information could be used to make that case when he uttered those words. "We can put a better case together for a public case. That's what I meant," explains Tenet.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/25/60minutes/main2728375.shtml

 

[uscitizen]

More and more will be coming out of the woodwork. Bush might wind up being rated with Sadam.

 

[evince]

his book will be interesting

 

[Damocles]

Tenet: "Slam Dunk" Comment Misused

Ex-CIA Director Explains Phrase He Says Bush Administration Has Dishonorably Clung To

(CBS) Ex-CIA Director George Tenet says the way the Bush administration has used his now famous "slam dunk" comment — which he admits saying in reference to making the public case for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq — is both disingenuous and dishonorable.

It also ruined his reputation and his career, he tells 60 Minutes Scott Pelley in his first network television interview. Pelley's report will be broadcast Sunday, April 29, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

The phrase "slam dunk" didn't refer to whether Saddam Hussein actually had WMDs, says Tenet; the CIA thought he did. He says he was talking about what information could be used to make that case when he uttered those words. "We can put a better case together for a public case. That's what I meant," explains Tenet.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/25/60minutes/main2728375.shtml

When did Woodward become part of the administration? That comment is part of that great book presented to the public by Woodward.

 

[Beefy]

When did Woodward become part of the administration? That comment is part of that great book presented to the public by Woodward.

Tenet (isn't he a medal of freedom recipient?) is saying that the administration misrepresented his assertion, not woodward.

 

[Damocles]

Tenet (isn't he a medal of freedom recipient?) is saying that the administration misrepresented his assertion, not woodward.

I understand. However the assertion came to light from Woodward's book. He had access, and was in the room.

I haven't heard it from the Administration, just from the book.

 

[Beefy]

I understand. However the assertion came to light from Woodward's book. He had access, and was in the room.

I haven't heard it from the Administration, just from the book.

Well, now you're hearing it from the horse's mouth.

The assertion may well have come from Woodward's book, but what Tenet is saying is that the Admin took it like a Hail Mary and ran to the end zone with it.

Realistically, assertions and journalistic license is taken all the time, all day long. So there's plenty of fodder for that discussion. But the fact that Woodward said it does not detract from the fact that he was scapegoated by the administration. Not in the least.

 

[Damocles]

Well, now you're hearing it from the horse's mouth.

The assertion may well have come from Woodward's book, but what Tenet is saying is that the Admin took it like a Hail Mary and ran to the end zone with it.

Realistically, assertions and journalistic license is taken all the time, all day long. So there's plenty of fodder for that discussion. But the fact that Woodward said it does not detract from the fact that he was scapegoated by the administration. Not in the least.

I just don't remember anybody in the Admin stating that Tenet said it was a "Slam Dunk". The only time I have read or heard it other than in forums is in that book.

I can see how it could be taken out of context. Either way saying, "It's a slam dunk to get people to buy into the war." or "It's a slam dunk that they have WMD." both are pretty bad.

He also stated that the CIA thought he had them.

 

[Beefy]

I just don't remember anybody in the Admin stating that Tenet said it was a "Slam Dunk". The only time I have read or heard it other than in forums is in that book.

I can see how it could be taken out of context. Either way saying, "It's a slam dunk to get people to buy into the war." or "It's a slam dunk that they have WMD." both are pretty bad.

He also stated that the CIA thought he had them.

The spin machine was alive and well. They gambled on this guy, and if the wmd had shown up, he would have been their Messiah, and when they didn't he "stepped down" and got a medal of freedom.

He is saying that after the feces hit the oscillator, he got thrown under the bus. He was the fall guy, and it sure looks that way to me, although the administration didn't count on the fire that was to follow.

Either way you slice it, Tenet is saying that he was misconstrued by the administration with his slam dunk comment. And we both know that the administration could do whatever they wanted with that little tidbit.

I give far more creedence (good or bad) to what the administration does over Bobby Woodward.

And I have no love lost for Tenet either. He was less an architect that Wolfy or Cheney, but he took the biggest fall.

 

[Lao Tse]

So "slum dunk" refers to the wmd case? WHo thought otherwise? This is a non-story.

 

[Lao Tse]

I understand you bush-obsessed dems hate bush, but endlessly reinterpreting the past is not a substitute for good ideas relevant to the present.

What IS your approach to terrorism? Compliance?

 

[Lao Tse]

Make the neocons wrong when they say "If we don't fight them in iraq, we wil fight them in america". Stop muslim immigration.

 

[uscitizen]

So "slum dunk" refers to the wmd case? WHo thought otherwise? This is a non-story.

That sounds so Toby....

 

[uscitizen]

I understand you bush-obsessed dems hate bush, but endlessly reinterpreting the past is not a substitute for good ideas relevant to the present.

What IS your approach to terrorism? Compliance?

My approach to terrorism is to respond accordingly, not invade and occupy and oil rich country based on the lie of terroristic involvement in 911.
Going into afganistan in the manner we did was acceptable to me, but Iraq was NOT!

 

[LadyT]

I don't think this fool should highlight that he thinks of "the case" for the existence of WMDs was completely separate from there actually being WMDs in Iraq.

He thinks its okay that he tried to sell us on something he doesn't seem to stand by now?

 

[Damocles]

I don't think this fool should highlight that he thinks of "the case" for the existence of WMDs was completely separate from there actually being WMDs in Iraq.

He thinks its okay that he tried to sell us on something he doesn't seem to stand by now?

There ya go. That was what I was saying. Either of the statements is bad, I think the "new" interpretation is worse.

 

[LadyT]

.....I'm not saying there actually were WMDs.......but I could convince the american people there is one and it'd be a slam dunk.......

Ummm yeah, that makes everything okay.

I'm glad his careers ruined. I wonder if he could be charged with fraud.

 

[Cypress]

I understand. However the assertion came to light from Woodward's book. He had access, and was in the room.

I haven't heard it from the Administration, just from the book.

I don't think woodward was in the room when it happened. It was reported to him by adminstration officials, and evidently Tenet never denied that he said the words "slam dunk".

 

[LadyT]

I hope this slimy POS book sales burn in he**

 

[Damocles]

I don't think woodward was in the room when it happened. It was reported to him by adminstration officials, and evidently Tenet never denied that he said the words "slam dunk".

That makes some sense. But I had the impression that Woodward had "unprecedented access" to write his book.