My ears were ringing....
Posted on 05/20/2002 7:12:29 AM PDT by mattdono
"What did he know? When did he know it?"
This is the ever-present claptrap coming from Democrats since the release of information that the President had an intelligence brief that had (gasp) non-specific information! While it is fairly transparent what the Democrats are trying to do --score political points in hope of unseating Republicans for the mid-term elections, senselessly ramble on and on and on, and make the President appear as the coordinator of the 9/11 attacks-- they have yet to propose a legitimate solution to the problem. They are far too engrossed in the refined process known as political hay-making to do so. Unfortunately, Republicans inside the beltway don't seem to be doing all that much better. Arlen "still-looking-for-some-direction-in-Scottish-law" Specter has recently been calling for all kinds of investigations, threatening subpeonas, refusing to acknowledge reality...the whole bit. Other Republicans, who are slightly more in touch with reality, are calling for investigations, as well. Most are focused on the President and the White House with only a smattering of questions for the intelligence community. Their attentions, however, are woefully misdirected.
The events of 9/11 were, plain and simple, an intelligence breakdown. Could we talk about how the Democrats (specifically, the embattled Bob Torcelli) have slashed at the intelligence community for years? Yes, it is accurate to say this. Could we talk about the visceral hate for the military of our last President and how his inattention to the terrorists bolstered their resolve? Again, yes. But, while all that is true, it won't change what happened on 9/11 and it certainly won't help for the future. So, who can get the intelligence community(ies) to pay attention to the myriad of reports that come in through each field office?
Jim Robinson!
That's right! Jim Robinson, the beloved founder of Free Republic, has the solution that I think would help resolve the intelligence breakdown: the Free Republic forum (or at least the "stuff" that powers it). Let me explain.
First, we have to look at the problem: lack of information. While some FReepers are more prolific posters than others, it is almost a sure bet that you will get the comment "Been Posted Here", or the ever-sarcastic, "Posted Here...Here...and Here". The amount of information that is available on Free Republic is truly astounding. No, it isn't a Google or DogPile, but the wealth of information is undeniable. And, yes, sometimes finding something after it has exited the "Breaking News" section isn't the easiest, but you can find it.
Second, there appears to be a wholesale dysfunction regarding interaction inside each agency and between agencies. The tools that power Free Republic could allow agents to post their reports to a similar forum. Then, specific personnel would review all the reports looking for common "threads" and trends. The intelligence agencies could even have their own "Barf Alert" to indicator potentially sour issues.
Third, the equity of the Free Republic forum would be key to solving the political in-fighting amongst the hierarchy in the agencies. This would allow members of the agencies to post and comment without the politics. Surely there are some posters that are better than others, but the comments and opinions could be laid out for all to see regardless of rank. I mean after all, when it comes to photographic manipulation, is there anyone better than Registered? What would be a day on Free Republic without the illuminating comments from JohnHuang2? I miss, as do all FReepers, the comments from BKO (Barbara Olsen) and BCM (Battalion Commander John Moran, brother of the now-famous Mike Moran of the "Osama-can-kiss-my-white-Irish-ass-fame"). What is a science post without some comments from Boris? What is unique is that these folks posted just like all the rest of us. We really don't know who these folks were/are, but we are able to read their comments for what they are. These folks could span the race and gender categories (and do), but others don't know it. Their posts and opinions are reviewed (and praised or excoriated) on their merits. This type of equity is absent in most organizations, most especially the involved government agencies.
Fourth, the common focus of Free Republic. The Free Republic has a mission statement, if you will. Most FReepers (save that of the DU disrupters) believe similar things or have a similar focus. These agencies, not withstanding the politics, have a focus as well. The agents are very serious people who are dedicated to doing their job. The politics never seem to emanate from the field ranks and most field agents can't stand the politicization of their organization. Most agents will tell you that it detracts from accomplishing their objectives. A tool like Free Republic would allow for a common focus and provide that focus to every level of the organization.
Fifth, this would also benefit all of us regular FReepers because Jim would/should get a hefty government contract for implementing such a tool. Then, maybe we wouldn't have to go a day without our beloved (and addicting) forum, JIM! <wink>
Now, all we have to do is teach all the agents some basic HTML.
Oh, boy, there goes my idea...
My ears were ringing....
I suppose the picture could have been with someone better than a rapist and a whore, but, hey, I guess I can't complain
Better?
Oooooooh Nooooooo!
I'm with you on "Slander"--can't wait!
Oh, okay. I'll be happy with 90% of them.
That's my final offer, though, so don't push it.
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