Never Bullshit a Bullshitter

Bullshit is not a derogatory term. As defined, Bullshit is:

Foolish, Deceitful, Boastful language,

Something worthless, Deceptive, or Insincere.

Bullshitting is an art form that requires creativity, talent, and imagination. It requires years of practice like any other art form.

Leon Panetta is, in my view, a Bullshitter!

As CIA Director he begrudgingly released a CIA report on interrogation and in a letter to his staff said:

"Today, as part of a number of Freedom of Information Act cases, the government is responding to court orders to release more documents related to the Agency's past detention and interrogation of foreign terrorists."

For the sake of good order he could have said "... 'alleged' foreign terrorists," but what the hell it is only one itsy bitsy word that should have been added. He went on to say:

"The use of enhanced interrogation techniques, begun when our country was responding to the horrors of September 11th, ended in January. For the CIA now, the challenge is not the battles of yesterday, but those of today and tomorrow. It is there that we must work to enhance the safety of our country. That is the jobhe American people want us to do, and that is my responsibility as the current Director of the CIA."

I am basically a linear, truthful person, who pays attention to words. A person who believes words have meaning. When Panetta says, "For the CIA now, the challenge is not the battles of yesterday, but those of today and tomorrow," I want to just sit down and cry. We tortured people for goodness sake.

A question: Mr. Panetta, how about the President Clinton matter with Monica Lewinsky; at that time was the same true for you as "...the challenge is not the battles of yesterday, but those of today and tomorrow." Did anyone bother to tell this to a vengeful Congress then? Our nation was paralyzed for a long time. President Clinton committed "a sexual indiscretion". The torturers committed a big deal crime.

Not to look back on the horrid things about our use of torture as well as a few minor Constitutional violations would be a travesty.

Panetta also said "...enhanced interrogation techniques...Never Bullshit a Bullshitter

Panetta went on to say:

"The CIA obtained intelligence from high-value detainees when inside information on al-Qa'ida was in short supply. Whether this was the only way to obtain that information will remain a legitimate area of dispute, with Americans holding a range of views on the methods used. The CIA requested and received legal guidance and referred allegations of abuse to the Department of Justice. Is this not another way of saying don't blame me, I was only following orders?

GOOD GRIEF. WE TORTURED PEOPLE AND NOW WE ARE USING NICE WORDS TO JUSTIFY WHAT WE DID!

Surely he can't be serious.

And now, for me, the worst part of his statement.

"...American is a nation at war."

We are a nation at war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The "War on Terror" was and is an abomination perpetrated by the "criminals" at the Bush/Cheney White House.

I know there is a dictionary handy at the CIA and I suggest that Secretary Panetta check the meaning of the word "WAR", then use it correctly in the future. Terrorism is a crime, and we should treat it as such. As a smart aside, is it reasonable to assume that Mr. Panetta would suggest that we use enhanced interrogation techniques with other suspected criminals. How about suspected arsonists? Bank robbers?

And now a moment about "transparency."

The CIA document was heavily "redacted."

Why?

Because redacted sounds better than censored. "... legitimate area of dispute..."?

Secretary Panetta is a "high quality" Bull Shitter and I mean that in the nicest possible way.

I too am a Bull Shitter, yet I pale in comparison to Mr. Panetta, in these substantive matters.

Is torturing possibly innocent people the New American Way?

How distasteful.

Norman Horowitz