Precisely. So why did Joe Wilson go to Nigeria?
Wilson, the Amabassador, and the General were selected because they had extensive, high-level contacts in business and government. Specifically, Wilson has such experience and contacts with both Iraqis and Nigeriens.
And all he did with his "experience and contacts" was to drink sweet tea, ask a few questions of folks who had a vested interest in lying to Joe Wilson. That's by his own admission. And then he wrote a widely circulated report that said "there's no yellowcake," thereby contradicting the reports of those agents who (through real intel work) had concluded otherwise. The sheer arrogant incompetence of Joe Wilson's "investigation" and "report" is stunning.
And dear Ms. Plame recommended her husband for just that job.
He went to Niger because talking to high-level people is important and often yields more and better information than talking to traitors, spies, pimps, and assorted low-life.
ask a few questions of folks who had a vested interest in lying to Joe Wilson. That's by his own admission.
I don't think so. Where did he say that?
The sheer arrogant incompetence of Joe Wilson's "investigation" and "report" is stunning.
That's your characterization. And if the Ambassador and the General agree with him...are they, ipso factor, also stunning in their incompetence? And, in this day, why would you decide that "real" intelligence work yields better results by definition? Do you really think the truth is written in secret ink on gifts inside of wheaties boxes?
And dear Ms. Plame recommended her husband for just that job
The strongest evidence indicates that she provided his resume when asked (and probably said he was a good and competent fellow with the requisite experience). No doubt your wife would do considerably less? :)