Posted on 12/11/2006 9:40:23 AM PST by rfp1234
Monday, December 11, 2006 Incoming House intelligence chief botches easy intel quiz WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas, who incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tapped to head the Intelligence Committee when the Democrats take over in January, failed a quiz of basic questions about al Qaeda and Hezbollah, two of the key terrorist organizations the intelligence community has focused on since the September 11, 2001 attacks.
When asked by CQ National Security Editor Jeff Stein whether al Qaeda is one or the other of the two major branches of Islam -- Sunni or Shiite -- Reyes answered "they are probably both," then ventured "Predominantly -- probably Shiite."
That is wrong. Al Qaeda was founded by Osama bin Laden as a Sunni organization and views Shiites as heretics.
Reyes could also not answer questions put by Stein about Hezbollah, a Shiite group on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations that is based in Southern Lebanon.
Stein's column about Reyes' answers was published on CQ's Web site Friday evening.
In an interview with CNN, Stein said he was "amazed" by Reyes' lack of what he considers basic information about two of the major terrorists organizations.
"If you're the baseball commissioner and you don't know the difference between the Yankees and the Red Sox, you don't know baseball," Stein said. "You're not going to have the respect of the people you work with."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
At this rate, maybe Pelosi will suggest William Jefferson to run the House Ethics Panel.
This article actually gives me hope because Reyes sounds like a garden variety nimrod rather than a committed fifth columnist. Someone like Jane Harmon might actually educate him and pull his strings.
"Sunni, Shiite, Hezbollah, Hamas, what's the difference? We're Democrats! Celebrate Diversity!"/s
Why would anyone of intelligence be in our government?
Again, Pelosibitch puts her petty personal concerns above the welfare of the Nation. What a despicable person.
I would guess that most Freepers know more about the history and current events in Iraq than Reyes does. I guess I can be thankful they didn't put Hastings in that chair, but it still makes me groan.
Link doesn't work. Is this CQ via CNN? Or the other way around?
He also notes that the previous Republican in that position were asked the same questions and also failed miserably.
True. Unfortunately, the republicans on the very same "intelligence" committee were equally ignorant.
The link you provided for this article does not work. Please provide a correct working link and source.
"Why would anyone of intelligence be in our government?"
We are governed largely by the mediocre, at best.
I know more than that guy, I'm actually more qualified for his post! What a joke, we are SO screwed. Time to stock up on water, canned food and ammo!!
It's been style over substance for eons.... Sheeple like you if you "look good". Doesn't matter that you're dumber than a post
Amazing stupidity on the other side, isn't there?
This info is flipping scarier then terrorism itself.
http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2006/12/incoming-house-intelligence-chief.htm
This should work.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.