“I Don’t Know” is the Phrase of the Day at Senate Hearings
Posted on 22. Jan, 2010 by James Devere in Political Commentary
The Senate’s inquiry into the Christmas Day attempted terrorist attack, did not bear much fruit for anyone looking for answers. Even more disturbing is the fact that the hearings offered no level of comfort that after a year on the job (more for some), our top terror officials are still in the dark.
On the question of who authorized the civilian arrest of Abdul Farouk Abdulmutalla, each witness (FBI director Robert Mueller, National Counterterrorism Center director Michael Leiter, Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano) said they did not know. When asked if they were consulted, each answered that they were not.
What we do know is that after his arrest, Abdulmutalla was answering questions and providing information with regard to his handlers in Yemen. Shortly afterwards, he was mirandized and advised by his lawyer to stop answering questions.
The first day of hearings included additional revelations. Senator McCain repeatedly asked the panel about disciplinary actions, suspensions, and the like. Each time he was confronted with the same non-answer; essentially that a comprehensive review was underway.
It is not the initial mistake in letting a known terrorist on the plane that should concern us; mistakes happen. It is the continued gaffes in a plan to address the problems that leaves us wondering if anything was learned from the incident.
Way to go team Obama! In just one short year, you have taken the image of a first world military down to a rag-tag group run by a bunch of ass-clowns.