Incoming Democratic intelligence chief botches easy intel quiz- thinks al Qaeda is Shiite

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Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas, who incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tapped to head the Intelligence Committee when the Democrats take over in January, failed a quiz of basic questions about al Qaeda and Hezbollah, two of the key terrorist organizations the intelligence community has focused on since the September 11, 2001 attacks.

When asked by CQ National Security Editor Jeff Stein whether al Qaeda is one or the other of the two major branches of Islam -- Sunni or Shiite -- Reyes answered "they are probably both," then ventured "Predominantly -- probably Shiite."

That is wrong. Al Qaeda was founded by Osama bin Laden as a Sunni organization and views Shiites as heretics.

Reyes could also not answer questions put by Stein about Hezbollah, a Shiite group on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations that is based in Southern Lebanon.

Stein's column about Reyes' answers was published on CQ's Web site Friday evening.

In an interview with CNN, Stein said he was "amazed" by Reyes' lack of what he considers basic information about two of the major terrorists organizations.

"If you're the baseball commissioner and you don't know the difference between the Yankees and the Red Sox, you don't know baseball," Stein said. "You're not going to have the respect of the people you work with."

[...]

Calls from CNN to Reyes' office asking for reaction to Stein's column have not been returned.

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politica...ence-chief.html

[Ban Hammer 14,408]

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Yep that's pretty embarrassing.

Still its surprising that no other reporters have tried this sort of vox-pop with other elected officials - its probably more common than you think.

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Sounds like Reyes is ready to run for President of the US http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/199...5/bush.popquiz/

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Yep that's pretty embarrassing.

Still its surprising that no other reporters have tried this sort of vox-pop with other elected officials - its probably more common than you think.

Yeah...lets quiz Dubbya and put him under a bright light so he can't read any cue cards. On second thought, he can't read, either.

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Why do you guys keep bringing up Dubya? I thought the whole point was that ya'll were supposed to be smarter than him?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Why do you guys keep bringing up Dubya? I thought the whole point was that ya'll were supposed to be smarter than him?

Well Bush (for example), did make a direct comparison of Hitler, Lenin and Bin Laden - a comparison which would astound any student of history or politics.

I don't think that this is a partisan issue - its more to do with elected officials actually having the qualifications and the ability to do the jobs they are elected to do. When you hear something like this - where a guy has absolutely demonstrable knowledge of the job he is being appointed to do, the obvious question is why would someone vote for someone like that in the first place?

Edited December 12, 2006 by erekose

[Ban Hammer 14,408]

Yep that's pretty embarrassing.

Still its surprising that no other reporters have tried this sort of vox-pop with other elected officials - its probably more common than you think.

Yeah...lets quiz Dubbya and put him under a bright light so he can't read any cue cards. On second thought, he can't read, either.

steven, we both know that's untrue, so why bother saying it to begin with?

[Caladan 19]

They ran a thing about a month ago where they asked the current security council who was Shi'ite and who was Sunni, and one of the Representatives professed shock that there were different sects. Unbelievable, really. What's next?

"Oh, there's two Koreas? Gee, no wonder it's so complicated over there."

Hopefully the guys who advise Congress have a better clue, but I'm mostly feeling worried about how this would affect our treatment of prisoners. "I can't be part of al-Qaeda, I'm Sunni!" "So?"

[kaydee457 13]

Well Bush (for example), did make a direct comparison of Hitler, Lenin and Bin Laden - a comparison which would astound any student of history or politics.

LOL... erekose, are you smarter than the President of the United States? If so, why do you think so?

Let's hear some stats and quals.......How long have you governed? How long did you serve your country, England, or your adopted country, the United States?

Hmm, that's what I thought. Nothing to put forth that's substantive in terms of any practical experience to support your indignant and pompous stance(s).

Bush bashing is your "handle". If you actually knew what you were talking about people would probably take you seriously.

Here's my opinion. If you don't like the policies of our president and country then GO HOME! Really a no brainer!

Why continue to whine incessantly in an immigration forum? We're getting the idea that you're not happy here in the U.S.

Why not chill out, pop in a Dixie Chick's CD in the player and don't worry about such lofty issues....

Edited December 12, 2006 by kaydee457

[Jenn! 918]

If you don't like the policies of our president and country then GO HOME!

What do the rest of us non-immigrants do?

[Ban Hammer 14,408]

If you don't like the policies of our president and country then GO HOME!

What do the rest of us non-immigrants do?

well, there is always canada

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If you don't like the policies of our president and country then GO HOME!

Kaydee,

Were you born with your head up your a$$ or did the disability develop with old age?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well Bush (for example), did make a direct comparison of Hitler, Lenin and Bin Laden - a comparison which would astound any student of history or politics.

LOL... erekose, are you smarter than the President of the United States? If so, why do you think so?

Let's hear some stats and quals.......How long have you governed? How long did you serve your country, England, or your adopted country, the United States?

Hmm, that's what I thought. Nothing to put forth that's substantive in terms of any practical experience to support your indignant and pompous stance(s).

Bush bashing is your "handle". If you actually knew what you were talking about people would probably take you seriously.

Here's my opinion. If you don't like the policies of our president and country then GO HOME! Really a no brainer!

Why continue to whine incessantly in an immigration forum? We're getting the idea that you're not happy here in the U.S.

Why not chill out, pop in a Dixie Chick's CD in the player and don't worry about such lofty issues....

Wow - do you have any more handle you can fly off?

The only reason I quoted Bush is to suggest that "lack of knowledge of the issues" is not untypical in elected officials (Since it offended you so much lets elaborate a little). It is also not untypical for intelligent and cynical elected officials to play on the naivete and self-righteous indignation of certain members of the electorate. I'll leave it to you to decide whether comparing Hitler, Lenin and Bin Laden is an example of the former, or the latter.

A guy who doesn't know $hit about the basics of terrorism, has no business in a job where that is his primary responsibility. Clearly. Similarly, is a guy who chokes and mangles his words in front of TV cameras and demonstrates zero charisma and even less knowledge and intelligence the best choice for President? That'd be a big, fat smelly "no" for me.

Edited December 12, 2006 by erekose

[Ban Hammer 14,408]

A guy who doesn't know $hit about the basics of terrorism, has no business in a job where that is his primary responsibility. Clearly. Similarly, is a guy who chokes and mangles his words in front of TV cameras and demonstrates zero charisma and even less knowledge and intelligence the best choice for President? That'd be a big, fat smelly "no" for me.

welcome to politics, where the party faithful are rewarded with a position not based on their aptitude but their butt snorkeling ability.

as for those demonstrating 0 charisma, they got elected somehow.