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Aeon commented on the blog post Wither Stephen Kappes?
The Stein link is working fine for me.
Also, the word is that Kappes’ departure was due to the Khost fuckup that resulted in the deaths of 7 CIA officers and contractors, not for any interrogation-related malfeasance.
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Aeon commented on the blog post Panetta: No Detainee in CIA Custody Revealed Courier’s Real Name
Nope, EW got them in the right place.
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Aeon commented on the blog post Official Bin Laden Story Changes in Various Places
There were two backup choppers in the area.
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Aeon commented on the blog post Official Bin Laden Story Changes in Various Places
Initially, the story was that one of the helicopters made a soft landing before the raid began, as it malfunctioned. Now the story is that the helicopter malfunctioned after the raid and could not take off. CBS’ report splits the difference – saying that the helicopter took fire after the SEALs rapelled into the compound, and then made a hard landing, from which it could not be resuscitated. No other story mentions incoming fire on the helicopters.
ABC’s correspondent Nick Schifrin – the first reporter to gain access to the compound says this happened:
And contrary to official reports of one of the helicopters crashing due to mechanical failure, Mr. Schifrin said the helicopter “was firing at the house when it was shot down.” -
Aeon commented on the blog post Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad: Pakistani Incompetence or Complicity?
I still have a nagging feeling that Kayani and Pasha’s visit to DC two weeks ago isn’t unrelated to yesterday’s events. Media portrayed tone of meetings to be hostile.
Perhaps ducks were getting lined up.
A “Pakistan didn’t know” narrative would be necessary whether they did or didn’t know.
Thanks for the link to the Ambinder piece, and for the reply.
(Thanks too to Scribe and BoxTurtle for their input.)
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Aeon commented on the blog post Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad: Pakistani Incompetence or Complicity?
I wouldn’t be so sure.
Pakistan has AWACs, and an integrated air defense system.
Also, target was within Pakistan air defense intercept zone for the national capital.
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Aeon commented on the blog post Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad: Pakistani Incompetence or Complicity?
Well, the Guardian captured Palin’s Facebook posting on this op and noted she praised the troops and intel services, thanked God and said nothing about Obama, said “God Bless America” and then noted “No credit for the Obama administration from Palin, which seems both churlish and in character.”
So, does that count?
No, I am expecting something more retarded.
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Aeon commented on the blog post Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad: Pakistani Incompetence or Complicity?
Someone in Pakistan military had to know. There is no way US could have gotten choppers into that part of the country without being detected.
Pakistan has jet fighters and all the radar that goes with them. We would have had some shot down helicopters without help from somebody.
On a side note, I can’t wait to hear “what took Obama so long?”
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Aeon commented on the blog post Roger Ailes to Be Indicted?!?
Well, shit my britches.
Looks like I might have been on the right track after all then.
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Aeon commented on the blog post Roger Ailes to Be Indicted?!?
Politically impossible for Obama DOJ to take action here.
Ailes could run a full-fledged propaganda program against the interests of the USA and wouldn’t be touched.
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Aeon commented on the blog post Who Is Paying for Dewey Clarridge’s Old Spy Novels?
The Clarridge op is pretty much the textbook definition of a circle jerk.
The quality of the intel product is little better than the resulting limp biscuit.
