Woodward reveals Iraq operations secret

60 Minutes on Yahoo! News ^ | Fri., Sep. 05, 2008, 6:00 PM ET | Bob Woodward

[freepersup]

Journalist Bob Woodward discusses "secret operational capabilities" against militia and insurgent leaders in Iraq, and spying on Iraq's prime minister.

[Grampa Dave]

Who besides Woodward says that it is secret.

Woodward has the Jayson Blair style of creative writing while drunk, copyrighted.

[brytlea]

I have no idea if it’s a secret. Perhaps the fact that he knows it means it’s not.
susie

[elpadre]

and if he has exposed state secrets can he be held accountable?? If the USAG doesn’t take him to court, can a citizen??

[Tallguy]

I'd be surprised if the US was NOT spying on the top echelon of the Iraqi Government. With a multi-faceted insurgency going on (pre-Surge), you have to worry about the Iraqi coalition being penetrated by the enemy.

Come at this from another angle. Kennedy had Diem, a democratically-elected president of Vietnam, killed. Every subsequent president of Vietnam was viewed a an American puppet. Which would you rather have: a little spying or an assassination?

Finally, in the Real World friends will spy on friends.

[PghBaldy]

The funny thing about this book is the quote attributed to McCain which further helps him separate himself from Bush. It would be ironic if Woodward’s book helps to elect McCain. ,i>”Everything is f-—ing spin,” McCain is quoted as saying of Bush in a new book by Bob Woodward, according to the Fox report which appeared on its website Thursday.</i> I disagree with McCain on many issues, but know he is a patriot (as is the President) while Obama is not.

[brytlea]

I guess that’s where I was going. I dont’ know if these are secrets, but if so, whoever gave him the info should be liable, but so should he. If someone gives you stolen goods, and you know they are stolen, you are guilty by law, yes?
susie

[SunkenCiv]

Demwit Traitor ping.

[BluH2o]

Very interesting ... watched the Bob Woodward interview this evening on ‘60 Minutes’. Bob Woodward spoke very highly of Bush concerning the surge in Iraq ... making GWB out to be close to President Lincoln (Civil War) in terms of his foresight and resolve in bringing the war in Iraq to a successful conclusion. Did a search and nothing has been posted (as best I can tell) that makes any reference to Woodwards very positive comments on Bush's competent handling of military strategy in Iraq.

[freepersup]

Thank you for the update/review. I'm sure the inflammatory nature of the 1:39 teaser was designed to draw an audience, both for the benefit of CBS (market shares) and Woodward (book sales). In hindsight, one can ‘google’ Task force 88 and find some information ‘out there’. What really gripes my arse, is the plethora of unnamed sources employed in our gov., often assigned to sensitive positions, and whom goes out of their way to leak intelligence to guys like Woodward.

The upbeat comments about Pres. Bush by Woodward, surprised me...

[Mitt Romney]

Woodward said that if the terrorists knew about this new technology that they would realize it is time to get their "asses out of town". Anyone have an idea what this is?

[freepersup]

Guessing... something to do with listening or viewing, meaning; either drones, satellites, or fixed wing aircraft are getting a fix on the HVTs, due to advanced technology. On the other hand, it could be something else entirely... maybe a heat signature that, come to find out, is as individualized as DNA? Or a voice print?

Thankfully, Woodward didn't run his mouth too much and reveal the technology.

Leave it to the press... we'll know sooner rather than later.

[theken101]

Actually, since Woodward referred to the tank and airplane as similar advances, this would suggest some sort of weapon rather than surveillance device.

Say, a kilowatt-class solid-state laser on board a Predator drone? Coupled to advance thermal recognition systems, it could easily separate friend from foe, as well as virtually eliminate collateral damage.

Just a thought...

[freepersup]

You might be right... (I hope you’re right), and thanks!

-an excerpt from an article found with a quick www search-

“A laser beam is silent and invisible. An ATL can deliver the heat of a blowtorch with a range of 20 kilometres, depending on conditions. That range is great enough that the aircraft carrying it might not be seen, especially at night.”

http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn14520-us-boasts-of-laser-weapons-plausible-deniability.html