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The Obama Watch
Saturday Night Alive?
No Christmas Day underwear bomber this time. Just DNI director James Clapper.
We all breathed a sigh of relief when the ball fell in New York’s Times Square and the holiday season this year ended without another terror attack, or attempted attack, on our homeland. You’ll recall that on Christmas Day, 2009, the notorious “underwear” bomber tried to blow up his jet over Detroit. Young Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian citizen, wanted to take down his Northwest Airlines Flight 253 right over Detroit’s airport. Had he succeeded in detonating his BVDs, his victims would not only have been the 288 passengers and crew he was flying with, but doubtless hundreds or thousands on the ground.
This year, thank goodness, no attacks. But that does not mean we didn’t have cause for concern. The newly installed Director of National Intelligence (DNI), James Clapper, was interviewed by ABC TV’s Diane Sawyer. In the company of homeland security secretary Janet Napolitano and the president’s assistant for homeland security and counter-terrorism, John Brennan, Jim Clapper got the first question:
“London. How serious is it? Any implication that it was coming here? …Director Clapper?”
London? What about London? That’s what Clapper’s on-camera face seemed to be saying, but he remained mum. He’s really good at keeping national security secrets, it seemed. Or, as we would soon find out, was London a secret to the Director?
It was. It turned out that everybody but Jim Clapper knew about the Britain’s MI5 arresting a group of terror suspects ranging in age from 17-28. The ring hailed from the English cities of London, Birmingham and Stoke. Cardiff, in Wales, was also the target of the arrests. It was the largest mass arrest of would-be terrorists in recent memory.
Our director of national intelligence didn’t have a clue. Well, that was London, after all. That’s 3,500 miles away.
Presidential assistant Brennan went on TV to try to shovel up what the donkeys had left on the ABC set. “I know there was breathless attention by the media to these [London] arrests and it was constantly on the news networks. I am glad that Jim Clapper is not sitting in front of the TV 24 hours a day and monitoring what is coming out of the media.”
You can’t make this stuff up, folks. It seemed like a skit from Saturday Night Live. Is there anything more bizarre than the Keystone Cops show that was put on TV for Americans this holiday season?
This capital gang voluntarily sat down with a national television news anchor for a group interview. What would be more sensible than for someone who claims to be up on, well, intelligence, to have an aide quickly review the top stories in the world from the war on terror? We used to call a lot of our newpapers intelligencers. Isn’t there an intelligencer somewhere in the bowels of the bureaucracy whose job it is not to let the Director go on TV and look like a fool?
We have created a huge bureaucracy to handle homeland security. The idea in establishing the post of Director of National Intelligence was to gather all the loose strands of intelligence, to weigh and sift them, and to let the relevant agencies know what everyone needs to know when they need to know it.
Is there anything in the world more embarrassing than a prime time demonstration that the Director of National Intelligence doesn’t have a clue? And no, Mr. Brennan, we don’t expect our Director of National Intelligence to sit in front of the tube 24/7. But is it asking too much that national intelligence czar be well-briefed on the latest… intelligence?
It’s a short five hours from London to Washington. As we learned from Abdulmutallab’s attempt, it wasn’t that hard for a young man bearing a passport from an Islamist-afflicted country to get on a one-way flight to the U.S. — with no luggage. Those arrested suspects in London might well have had cohorts who were headed here.
It is completely unacceptable for our Director of National Intelligence to be so woefully
unprepared, so evidently not up to speed. And to allow the world to see this unpreparedness is not just an appalling lapse; it is itself a major danger to our country.
Let’s hope Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), the incoming chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, will hold hearings to determine how it was possible for the DNI to be so out of the loop. Doubtless Mr. King’s committee will find out many other useful things about this unprofessional administration.
It’s clear that on matters of homeland security, this administration is not ready for prime time. We were spared this time. Next time, we may not be so fortunate. And, like you, I’d rather spend next Saturday night alive.
About the Author
Ken Blackwell, the former mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio is Vice Chairman of the Republican National Committee’s Platform Committee. He also serves on the boards of the Club For Growth and the National Taxpayers Union.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (51) | Leave a comment
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Tina B| 1.6.11 @ 6:55AM
How typical, the community organizer has no clothes, nor do his appointees. No surprise there. It just keeps getting better. And I still work with people who include his quotes in their eml signatures. With a flourish. Will they ever see his (and their) nakedness? I'm beginning to think not. Ya just can't see with yer eyes closed. Squeezed tightly shut. Maranatha, Lord.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.6.11 @ 7:22AM
He's a government employee and he did not do his job.
That's not news.
Interesting perhaps, but not overly surprising.
Richard| 1.6.11 @ 12:02PM
MI5 are government employees too, sir. The fact that they are government employees is not the issue.
Paul D| 1.6.11 @ 12:56PM
You're right. He has a staff. In every large Intel organization there is a morning brief. He should have heard about it that morning. Or, if it was late-breaking news, his staff should have prepped him before he went into the news conference.
There is simply no excuse.
I would not be surprised if some of his staff's heads weren't rolling afterwards. But the damage is done. He is accountable that it happened in the first place.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.6.11 @ 11:37PM
Richard: So we are to take your word for it that MI5 employees are competent?
Appleby| 1.6.11 @ 7:34AM
My opinion is that the 2010 Christmas Bombing was thwarted by the Christmas Blizzard -- and the sullen, striking thugs who did not clear the snow away.
The Christmas Day Bomber spent his holidays trapped on the ground in Paris.
Eric Cartman| 1.6.11 @ 9:50AM
HA! (That's my Chris Mathews' laugh imitation) That's funny. Global warming saved us. That and lazy union thugs. The Inspector Clouseau method of counter terrorism.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXn2QVipK2o
Occam's Tool| 1.6.11 @ 7:57PM
I thought our security policy consisted of heroic Dutchmen.
WilliamInWien| 1.6.11 @ 8:14AM
It would be interesting to know exactly how many official government channels were actually utilized in the reporting of the British security forces. The US has an embassy in London, not to mention a Legal Attache (FBI), DEA, DHS (ICE), CIA, Military Attache (DIA), NSA and possibly an NYPD liaison for starters. With all those channels, who needs cable TV? What has happened since 9/11 is the typical bureacratic approach to any failure, add more people and bosses and increase the budget. It is difficult to understand how Clapper was unprepared and out of the loop but then again we have the lovely DHS secretary visiting the Pakistan/Afghanistan border (which outside of "official crossings" does not exist) instead of visiting the US border with the almost failed state of Mexico. What a state of affairs!
Bruce| 1.6.11 @ 4:42PM
The number of US agencies possibly on the ground in the UK overlooks the real problem here - the standing of the US within the UK at present. Our President has dissed both the monarch and the government itself numerous times since it (unfortunately) came to be. Neither the UK government nor the UK's intelligence agencies trust the US to keep a secret - with good reason. Under previous administrations (even Clintons/Carters) this information would have been sent through the highest channels to it's US counterpart. No longer, with this totally inept band of morons currently holding posts of importance.
Intelligent Design| 1.6.11 @ 8:15AM
Congress should identify Islam as a subversive organization whose goal is to trash the Constitution and replace our system of government with a religious dictatorship, such as that currently in place in Saudi Arabia. Mosques, which are like outposts of Nazism or Communism, should be outlawed. Muslims should be banned from all U.S. airports and aircraft. Muslim immigration should be halted immediately, and Muslims should not be allowed to serve in our government in any capacity. So-called Muslim "charities" should be completely shut down. The threat is not just from Muslim terrorists. Mainstream Muslims are subversive to our Constitution and freedom. Recommended reading: The Grand Jihad, by Andrew McCarthy.
Louis Jenkins| 1.6.11 @ 8:54AM
Dear Intelligent:
We know that. The problem is our government. Islam represents the biggest threat to our national security, of which we don't even have during this current administration, unless you count "home grown" terrorist that they're looking for. The problem is they're looking at us and not at the current and growing danger.
L. Ross| 1.6.11 @ 10:48AM
Well put. Problem is, what chance do we have to turn this country around when we elect a muslim president? God save us all.
Rich Fisher| 1.6.11 @ 8:25PM
Wow, that's the best definition of the Democrat Party I've heard in my 62 years. You're on to something here Intelligent Design.
Ken (Old Texican)| 1.6.11 @ 8:25AM
Design,
You nailed it.......but as I have said before....there is an "event" coming that will turn everything upside down. "The Grand Jihad" is haunting, and "America Alone" is an absolute must read.
Occam's Tool| 1.10.11 @ 11:09PM
Yes, indeed, Ken, America Alone is very good, and so is your stuff. My problem is that Mark lays out the problem, but not the solution, which is asymmetrical response. Or, to paraphrase our President in a different situation (when dealing with Republicans)"they bring a knife to the fight, you bring a gun."
Next on the reading list is Caliphate by Tom Kratman, the most prophetic piece of writing that you will ever see. (Unfortunately)
The Bishop| 1.6.11 @ 8:26AM
Keystone Cops is right on target for this inept, unqualified administration. Our major national intelligence weakness was on full display for all the world -friend and foe - to see. As eschewed by me is this administration, even I was embarrassed by this display.
Louis Jenkins| 1.6.11 @ 8:50AM
Stupid is as stupid does. Even I had heard of the massive arrests in England. But I'm not the Director, and we must give him a break. He must have been working on more important top secret Intelligence documents. Can't waste his time on what is happening in England.
Petronius| 1.6.11 @ 10:01AM
Clapper probably thinks MI 5 is an old phone exchange. Here we have a scene redolent of a bit of dialogue from the musical Lil Abner in which a couple of government "scientists" are discussing lab equipment, and the super says to his subordinate, "you mean to tell me that you, a government scientist, do not know what a diaphonoscope is?" And the shave tail responds, "no, I was just terribly loyal."
Exeunt
the permanent newbie| 1.6.11 @ 2:13PM
"The country's in the very best of hands!"
Where IS Johnny Mercer now that we need him?!
Publius| 1.10.11 @ 8:39AM
I think it's John Galt we need.
Franklin| 1.6.11 @ 10:02AM
Islam is not the enemy.The enemy is Islamo-Fascism. This is a tough distinction to draw but we need to.
Rick V.| 1.6.11 @ 10:20AM
Franklin,
I agree it is tough to draw a distinction where none exists - a distinction which only non-Muslim sympathizers and sycophants insist is a reality. The "Team B Report" (Shariah-The Threat To America) couldn't find that distinction either. I suggest that "distinction" is either a fabrication or a hallucination, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
L. Ross| 1.6.11 @ 10:51AM
Franklin:
Sir, I understand your hopes and dreams for peaceful coexistence between people around the world. However, if you took the time to educate yourself about islam, you would soon realize that there has never been a period of peaceful coexistence with muslims and anyone else since mohammed attacked Medina. islam is the problem.
missbosslady| 1.6.11 @ 11:58AM
Franklin,
I just had to pile on here as I am so tired of this canard.
There are none so blind, than those who refuse to see.
At some point you may realize that you are a tool of this oppressive and violent ideology, as it relies heavily on sentiments such as yours.
If there is a distinction to be drawn, it is not to be drawn by non-muslims. It is not my job to "pretty-up" their image. Let muslims clearly delineate between their sub-groups, if such a thing exists.
If Islam is the most populace religion in the world, and the majority of them are peace-loving, then why oh why are they unable to overcome this tiny fraction that seems to bedevil the entire planet?
Aiding and abetting makes one just as guilty. If there really is a disction then let it show itself, in this respect, I will not believe what I do not see.
Franklin, people like you scare the cr*p out of me!!
Ray| 1.6.11 @ 3:19PM
I agree with you, Franklin, no particular religion is the enemy. It's the people who use that religion as a justification for violence that is the enemy. A LOT of people, even people here, have a real problem understanding that. They follow the same "path" as the "Islamic" terrorists themselves, demonizing an entire religious following, or society for that matter, because of the actions of just a few of that religion's, or societies, members. But you'll NEVER get them to admit that. Just like the Islamo-fascists, these people will attack you for even suggesting it, just as is happening here.
missbosslady| 1.6.11 @ 5:33PM
Tell ya what Ray, I'll get in line with your thinking right behind the so-called "moderate, peace-loving" muslims.
Now, where is that line forming?
Ray, you're a dhimmi.
Frisbee| 1.6.11 @ 7:22PM
Moslems are not the enemy per se. Islam as an expansive and violent culture has been an enemy to the west since the 6th century. I agree with Franklin that we need to draw a distinction.
I would also add that Moslems with extroverted jihadistic tendencies (like Major Hasan (?)) need some exclusion.
Ken (Old Texican)| 1.6.11 @ 10:56AM
Franklin,
I am very sorry sir. Islam IS the enemy.
I have studied the koran in depth, and the other Moslem texts relating to Mohammed himself.
"GOOD MOSLEMS" are "slaves" in their own words. They demand that each of us be "slaves' slaves."
"moderate moslems" are simply "backslidden moslems".
Accept it.
wbheff| 1.6.11 @ 4:06PM
There are no "'moderate muslims," (although I prefer to call them "mohammedans," for the sole reason that they don't like that term), but there are two types, "active muslims," and "passive muslims." There is but one koran, yoiu see, and the active muslims are the ones who are doing, or trying to do to us "non-believers" what their book tells them to do. The passive ones are those who don't take do anything themselves, but do nothing to rein in those who are trying to kill us. Well, maybe they do some things, like celebrating in the streets when a bunch of us are blown up.
You cannot "co-exist peacefully" with people who's approach to all who do not subscribe to their so-called "religion" is convert, submit, or be killed. As some wise individual once said, "When a person says that he wants to kill you, you should believe him."
Will| 1.6.11 @ 11:08AM
Yeah, I'm all set with the Islam thing as well. Witnessing the planes hit the buildings in real time was enough for me. The ten years that followed with additional attempts, denials, sympathizers here and abroad...and wait for it, STILL NO MONUMENT!! to the massacre, means we got a real problem. I can't believe Clapper is that dense. It had to be a staged event designed to provoke outrage. Remember who his boss is, and his organizing pedigree.
virginia| 1.6.11 @ 11:11AM
obama's appointees especially the recess appointments are a danger to the country. Clapper is the latest example but the best role model of the obama administration incompetence is AG holder followed closely by napalitano.
Richard Baker| 1.6.11 @ 12:01PM
Clapper must be doing something everyday. Wonder what that could be? If he is totally unaware of this very public incident, what else is he clueless about?
rjh| 1.6.11 @ 12:07PM
Let me begin by saying that I am a conservative, and I believe that the day this country elected the community organizer was a truly dark one for our country. Now let us be honest and lay the blame for this incompetent bureaucracy where it belongs, at the feet of George Bush and fellow politicians after 9/11. Instead of handling the problems which led to 9/11 by appropriate high level firings and a shake up of existing dysfunctional agencies, in an act of political cowardice to show some kind of action, they created a beast which was destined to become even more incompetent, DHS. Instead of creating more of these monsters with even more unelected bureaucrats to run them, we need to do away with DHS and its associated agencies, and clean out some of the deadwood in already existing and redundant intelligence fiefdoms. By the way, G.W. Bush, although immeasurably superior to the present hack in the White House , was no conservative.
WilliamInWien| 1.6.11 @ 3:54PM
rjh...Could not agree with you more! Instead of taking the appropriate actions and changes after 9/11, Bush and Co. went ahead and created a management nightmare, put a benign PA GOV in charge and solved the "problem". Now DHS continues to grow and continues to have incompetent management. On "deadwood", deadwood management cannot recognize deadwood for obvious reasons.
Frisbee| 1.6.11 @ 7:32PM
I agree with you about rjh's comments. The real reason the attacks stopped is that Americans realized the planes were being used as missiles so they stoped cooperating (Flight 93).
The only thing we have to be grateful to GWB for is Justices Roberts and Alito.
Steve A| 1.6.11 @ 12:21PM
rjh, I read your comments 3 X, just to be sure, & I am unable to disagree in any way.
TURK| 1.6.11 @ 1:52PM
Mr Blackwell
Your piece is right on and makes one wonder why the decrepit media didn't go bonkers when this leftist moron displayed the shallowness of this White House.
On a more important point---your joining the solid group of conservative senators (i.e. Rubio et al) when the uber leftist, Brown, runs for re-election, would be another blow to those who wish the Republic harm. I was severely distressed when your candidacy for Ohio Gov fell short. Retrospectively, I find as much or more enthusiasm picturing you joining in the progress made in the Congress recently. You would be a memorable addition, not only in the U.S. Senate but as a prestigious Ohio Conservative, to combat the Ohio republican tendency to the RINO.
JeffT| 1.6.11 @ 2:24PM
The Three Stooges would be proud. They live on in our federal government.
pjwrites| 1.6.11 @ 2:34PM
"It turned out that everybody but Jim Clapper knew about the Britain's MI5 arresting a group of terror suspects ranging in age from 17-28."
Maybe Jim Clapper is the one who knows something.
NDanger| 1.6.11 @ 10:46PM
This is all to miss the point. The creation of the Director of National Intelligence was the beauracratic response to the problem of interagency cooperation. As a career Intel Professional I can tell you that this was the worst answer to a bad question. A partially empowered political appointee with limited authority over the multiple agencies he nominally "directs" was the worst compromise. Instead of real authority over the 16 member Intelligence Community, you got a mouthpiece with a small staff in rented office space whose biggest fight was who would give the President his daily brief. Subsequent adjustments have not made any difference in the subtantive issue, which is, who is in charge of intelligence in this nation? The current answer is, sadly, no one.
dicktater| 1.7.11 @ 1:24PM
Still catapulting the official panty bomber propaganda, eh? The panty bomber was a useful idiot, a tool to usher in the TSA's bodyscanner death-ray machines and make Chertoff rich beyond your wildest dreams. Look up this story by Webster Tarpley published at at infowars.com February 11, 2010. - "The State Department Admits: Detroit Christmas Bomber Was Deliberately Allowed to Keep US Entry Visa, Board His Flight"
tdiinva| 1.7.11 @ 1:59PM
I am going to come to the defense of my former boss. Lt Gen Clapper is an honorable, patriotic man who has served his country well for ober 40 years. He took the job knowing full well that the DNI has become the designated scapegoat for all of the Obama adminstration's intelligence and security failures.
Like all senior officials he relies, perhaps over relies, on his daily briefers to tell him what is on today's plate. If he asked me I would have told him he should at least listen to a morning newscast to get a heads up on stories that fall in between the uninportant and the proverbial 3AM phonecall. That way he would be aware of developing stories that could wake him up early next morning. As was stated by someone above their is someone on the DNI's staff who had even a worse day the his boss. And let it be known that Jim Clapper is a great person to work for.
Occam's Tool| 1.10.11 @ 11:05PM
tdiinva,
I'll take your word on General Clapper. OK, here's the real problem: the US DNI did not know of THE MOST IMPORTANT active antiterrorist development before the MSM knew. That means London is not sharing completely with us. I have a feeling they were when Bush was in charge.
That's a major problem. That's a MAJOR problem.
Adidas | 8.11.11 @ 5:57AM
is good
العاب بنات | 4.10.12 @ 12:26PM
Islam is not the enemy.The enemy is Islamo-Fascism. This is a tough distinction to draw but we need to.
nic