Wednesday, August 17, 2005
DANGER ABLED/DISABLED/ABLED ETC
The Able Danger story is weaving around like Jimmy Carter’s stoner grandson. At first, it seemed a score against the 9/11 Commission (and Media Watch, believers in the Commission’s version of events). Then serious doubts emerged, partly due to the anonymous nature of primary Able Danger sources. Now we have a name for one source:
[Lt. Col. Anthony] Shaffer said in an interview that the small, highly classified intelligence program known as Able Danger had identified by name the terrorist ringleader, Mohammed Atta, as well three of the other future hijackers by mid-2000, and had tried to arrange a meeting that summer with agents of the F.B.I.‘s Washington field office to share the information.
John Podhoretz: “If he’s telling the truth, then the entire history of the last five years needs to be rewritten.”
Powerline: “At this point, we have absolutely no way to know who is right about Able Danger and Mohammed Atta.”
That’s about where we’re at; somewhere near level, possibly leaning a little towards the Commission. That’ll change, and probably change again, in coming days/weeks.
(Several links via Instapundit, where Glenn is back in the chair)
UPDATE. Captain’s Quarters has further views, specifically examining the Commission’s Clinton coverage.