Hysterics over the NIE.

Putz totally loses it after reviewing the newly-declassified NIE, prepared by the 16 intelligence agencies that report to George W. Bush, and have been staffed by people appointed by George W. Bush.

It's late but I'll add one more thought: While we should fire the leakers on general principles, we should probably also fire whoever wrote this -- for producing a meaningless document full of empty bureaucratic twaddle. If the jihadists win, they'll have more prestige! And they will probably use the internets! Do tell. Jesus Christ, if this is the quality of intelligence we're getting, no wonder we haven't won yet.

This is the blogging equivalent of stomping up and down and throwing a temper tantrum. Nothing about the NIE is factually disputed here, the whole thing is just dismissed as "empty twaddle" simply because Putz disagrees with its conclusions, and because it contains passages like this:

We assess that the Iraq jihad is shaping a new generation of terrorist leaders and operatives; perceived jihadist success there would inspire more fighters to continue the struggle elsewhere.

It's important to keep in mind that the new NIE report agrees with the annual reports on terror attacks issued by Condi Rice's State Department over the past two years, making Putz's non sequitur hissy fit ("Do tell?") even more bizarre . But it really doesn't take a foreign policy expert to see that Iraq has been a boon for terrorists, does it?

UPDATE:

HFN comments on Putz's unhinged reaction to the NIE.

UPDATE #2

Putz has added several updates. To sum them up for you: "Though I just called it 'meaningless' I like this report more now that I see an angle which can be used politically against the Democrats."

Too funny.

UPDATE #3

Andrew Sullivan wrties about the report, "We know now that Rumsfeld and Cheney just wanted to bomb the crap out of the place to prove they had more testosterone than the Democrats and to scare a few leaders in the Middle East. But the time for their amateurism is over. Either get serious or leave, guys. And make up your mind soon."

Ouch.