Posted on 01/18/2007 9:42:22 AM PST by MikeA
On Dec. 5, Newsweek magazine touted an interview with then-incoming House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rep. Silvestre Reyes as an "exclusive."
"In a surprise twist in the debate over Iraq," the story began, Mr. Reyes "said he wants to see an increase of 20,000 to 30,000 U.S. troops as part of a 'stepped up effort to dismantle the militias.' "
"We have to consider the need for additional troops to be in Iraq, to take out the militias and stabilize Iraq," the Texas Democrat said to the surprise of many, "I would say 20,000 to 30,000."
Then came President Bush's expected announcement last week, virtually matching Mr. Reyes' recommendation and argument word-for-word -- albeit the president proposed only 21,500 troops.
Wouldn't you know, hours after Mr. Bush announced his proposal, Mr. Reyes told the El Paso Times that such a troop buildup was unthinkable.
"We don't have the capability to escalate even to this minimum level," he said.
--snip--
Unfortunately for the new House intelligence chief, this is his second (some would argue his third) major blunder in the space of one month. When asked by Congressional Quarterly reporter Jeff Stein whether al Qaeda was a Sunni or Shi'ite organization, he answered: "Predominantly, probably Shi'ite."
As Mr. Stein wrote later: "He couldn't have been more wrong. Al Qaeda is profoundly Sunni. If a Shi'ite showed up at an al Qaeda clubhouse, they'd slice his head off and use it for a soccer ball."
--snip--
In the same interview, Mr. Stein had asked Mr. Reyes about the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
His now-infamous reply: "Hezbollah. Uh, Hezbollah? ... Why do you ask me these questions at 5 o'clock? Can I answer in Spanish? Do you speak Spanish?"
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
And this fat load Reyes is one of the true idiots of the new Congress. One of the most sensitive committees in Congress is headed by a guy who's a rank partisan and can't understand basic facts about the issues under his jurisdiction unless they're told to him in Spanish. Great choice Pelosi. Because you're a power hungry harpy who wants to be the only woman in Congress with any power, you deep sixed Jane Harman a more moderate and far more intelligent Congresswoman than this Reyes clown as chair of the Intelligence Committee.
Where is the media to call Pelosi on her blatantly partisan and power-driven choice of truly incompetent boob to head a vital national security committee for no better reason than that he's a compliant partisan and a man who presents no threat to her? Can we begin to imagine the media would have cut Gingrich a break had he stacked his committee chairs with mindless partisan hacks like this moron?
It's easy to be a Democrat -- just go against everything a GOP President proposes. No thinking involved, just reacting.
Meanwhile... the troops ARE GOING to Iraq. Will the dems vote to not feed or house them even when they are there or on the way?
My hometown rep. I'm so proud of him. /sarc
I would love to hear GWB say this from the podium during the State of the Union! How dramatic would that be. The truth hurts. The Dems would scream bloody murder but facts are facts. In any case he will not do it as he continues to try to work with these people. It is too his credit that he remains above the fray but I think he would accomplish more if he acted in a more partisan manner.
Not if I'm going to laugh more than I cry with this crew.
BTTT! Sheesh!
Reyes don't know Shiite from Shinola.
And the American public will reward you handsomely with control of Congress. This is today's "Alice in Wonderland" America where ignorance, non-thinking, intellectual laziness, lack of logic, lack of facts and lack of common sense rule the day among the vapid Starbucks guzzling, Desperate Housewives watching, nothing but TV Guide reading, thinks Brangelina is real news, relies on Katie Couric as the source of all their information American electorate! God bless America!
Mike A, you just voiced my current feeling of frustration perfectly. Thanks!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who is really disappointed in the judgement and thought-process, or lack thereof, of Americans these days.
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