Kinda went on a rant at Danger Room about how the CIA's "killing machine" is a direct outgrowth of its humiliation before the 9/11 Commission in 2004. The thing hinged off the Washington Post's excellent trip excavating the Counterterrorism Center, the central nervous system of the drone strikes. You get amazing details, like how "every paid informant is given a unique crypt’ that starts with a two-letter digraph designating spies who are paid sources of the CTC."
Then the Post turns to CIA public affairs to get a quote and hilarity ensues:
CIA spokeswoman Jennifer Youngblood said, “While we don’t discuss the details of our counterterrorism operations, the fact that they are a top priority and effective is precisely what the American people expect.”
Your agency just discussed lots of details about your counterterrorism operations! With reporters! Who evidently strode through the halls of the Counterterrorist Center! And who heard current and former agency employees describe the evolution of drone strikes, JSOC-CIA raids, and CIA informants with astonishing granularity! All for a lengthy, front-page story that you surely helped arrange. What do you mean you don't discuss details?
Hi Attackerman, cool post...
Posted by: Dan | 09/16/2011 at 09:00 AM