The Lost C-SPAN Tape

[Winderlust]

On this last Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009 I watched, on C-SPAN, the Senate Intelligence Committee hold a hearing with Adm. Dennis Blair, our new Director of National Security. He give his assessment of the state of our National Security.

I tried to find the link on C-SPAN, so you all could form your own opinion, but curiously they have no record of it on their website. They have his conformation hearing and his testimony to the 9/11 commission. How very curious.

I decided to still post my letter here which I sent to the Senators on the committee and to our President. It follows:

February 16, 2009

From Winderlust
(Name and address redacted)

To Senators:
Dianne Feinstein, Chairman, California
John D. Rockefeller IV, West Virginia
Evan Bayh, Indiana
Barbara A. Mikulski, Maryland
Russell Feingold, Wisconsin
Christopher S. Bond, Vice Chairman, Missouri
Orrin Hatch, Utah
Saxby Chambliss, Georgia
Tom Coburn, Oklahoma
Richard Burr, North Carolina
And President:
Barack Obama

And The media at large

Tonight I witnessed, on C-SPAN, the Feb. 12, 2009 presentation to the Senate Intelligence Committee by Mr. Dennis Blair, newly confirmed Director of National Security and it was at best embarrassing but mostly it was terrifying. He was clearly ill equipped to handle the obvious questions from Senators, yet alone true National security matters in the future. It was also clear that you had the same feelings despite some very unmistakable party line cover for the poor scared man.

Mr. Blair’s answers to questions about Iran’s missile program, Pakistan/India relations, Cyber wars, Gaza; you name it, had him looking down at his fidgety hands and speaking like a twelve year old caught in a lie. I know party politics has reached an all time priority, these days, but has it really become more important than National security? Is it more important than your countrymen?

Is it really the “hope” of the Senate Intelligence Committee that our adversaries did not watch that pathetic performance on C-SPAN and that our Nation some how didn’t invite a challenge and an attack from our enemies? The disingenuous assertion, that the economy is the biggest National security threat, was belied by the obvious shame in Mr. Blair’s demeanor if not his muddled answers.

The beautiful thing is that it got out. Coughing and coaching did not help that week man. I think it might help 55% of the Nation to see where we have quickly ended up. Will the Senate Intelligence Committee do a better job of oversight than the Senate Banking Committee?

I’m asking each of you to be honest to yourself. Do you really think this guy is the right man for the job? Or, is it too late?

[PorFin]

Winder,

I missed the testimony, so I can't comment on specifics. I also don't know ADM Blair, so I've got no dog in that fight either.

That said, I'd withold judgement based on an unclassified, televised dog and pony show. Having spent a fair number of years in the -- shall we say -- "dimmer" shadows myself, I can understand why he was probably unable to deliver reassuring and articulate answers to what are indeed very complex and sensitive topics. Although Congressional members and staffers are notoriously glib (and all too often completely ignore the laws) concerning public release of classified info, ADM Blair does not have that leeway.

I'm willing to give the guy a little more maneuvering room.

Just a thought --

[sailhog]

I'd second Captain Porfin's statement. A long time ago I worked with a fellow who had to testify to Congress on a number through the course of his career in the FBI. He described each episode as something of a dog and pony show, as Congressmen often seemed to be playing for the cameras -- even though this was probably before there was CSPAN. They would vent, pound their desk, AND DEMAND ANSWERS, DAMN IT! He wasn't the kind of guy who was intimidated by knuckleheads who are elected to office for a whole two years, but many of his very brilliant hard working colleagues were. I didn't see the testimony mentioned and frankly I've never even heard of Adm. Blair. However, I'd trust that the qualities that made Blair an admiral are more significant than the ones that elicited some awkward Congressinoal testimony.

[Winderlust]

Originally Posted by sailhog

I'd second Captain Porfin's statement. A long time ago I worked with a fellow who had to testify to Congress on a number through the course of his career in the FBI. He described each episode as something of a dog and pony show, as Congressmen often seemed to be playing for the cameras -- even though this was probably before there was CSPAN. They would vent, pound their desk, AND DEMAND ANSWERS, DAMN IT! He wasn't the kind of guy who was intimidated by knuckleheads who are elected to office for a whole two years, but many of his very brilliant hard working colleagues were. I didn't see the testimony mentioned and frankly I've never even heard of Adm. Blair. However, I'd trust that the qualities that made Blair an admiral are more significant than the ones that elicited some awkward Congressinoal testimony.

Good! That should end it for you. By the way it was the Senate (6 yrs), and in case you missed some of it, the guy, Adm. Blair, is now our Director of National Security. But hey, if the fact that he was an admiral and it was just a dog and pony show, than Putin/Medvedev shouldn't read to much into it. Thanks for your well considered insight sailhog.

Never mind.

[HermitScott]

I don't think one guys nervousness is going to insite canada to attack us. The real enemies still have images fresh in their minds of a young american running a z patten on their friends with a M60 from a humv screaming "get some! get some mother f^@$@$!" They know it's not ADM. Blair that will come looking for them.

[Winderlust]

Duuu... What!

[HermitScott]

Sorry I was trying to post that in the recipe thread.

[Winderlust]

Originally Posted by HermitScott

Sorry I was trying to post that in the recipe thread.

That makes a lot more sense. What would it be, a substitute for an enema?

[sailhog]

Winderlust,
Have you been skipping your anger management classes?

[Winderlust]

Yes I'm angered at a weak appointment and his confirmation. I just hope not all you Navy boys are this timid under questioning. I've seen your dog and pony shows on C-SPAN many times. Condoleezza Rice handled those shows quit handily, but not our new Director of National Security.