Hannity: ‘The NIE Report In 2005 And The One In 2007 Are Basically The Same’
Hannity: ‘The NIE Report In 2005 And The One In 2007 Are Basically The Same’
In September, armchair Gen. Sean Hannity detailed on his Fox News show “what a U.S. strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities would look like.” He called Iran a “ticking bomb.”
Armchair intellgence analyst Hannity is now refusing to accept the recent National Intelligence Estimate, which concludes that Iran has halted its nuclear weapons program. Interviewing John Bolton yesterday, Hannity argued that it “is not the case” the the administration overinflated the Iranian threat. “The headlines that we’re reading about the NIE are misleading,” he argued.
Hannity then claimed the 2005 NIE — which falsely concluded that Iran was “determined to develop nuclear weapons” — was “basically the same” as the 2007 NIE:
HANNITY: Because substantively you’re pointing out that the NIE report in 2005 and the one in 2007 are basically the same. And you say, moreover, the distinction between military and civilian programs is highly artificial. Explain why that’s the case.
Watch it:
In this NIE, the intelligence community makes clear that the new report is an “extensive reexamination of the issues in the May 2005 assessment.” It explicitly states, “Tehran’s decision to halt its nuclear weapons program suggests it is less determined to develop nuclear weapons than we have been judging since 2005.” Some key differences between the two NIEs:
| 2005 NIE | 2007 NIE | “Assess with high confidence that Iran currently is determined to develop nuclear weapons.” | “Judge with high confidence that in fall 2003, Tehran halted its nuclear weapons program.” |
| “Iran could produce enough fissile material for a weapon by the end of this decade.” | “[T]his is very unlikely.” |
Bolton never disputed Hannity’s false judgments. “They’re still doing it, building up an inventory” he maintained. Indeed, Iran is still enriching uranium for civilian purposes, as the NIE states, but it is unlikely to achieve nuclear capability until after 2015 “because of foreseeable technical and programmatic problems.”
The 2005 NIE’s conclusions “appeared to have been thinly sourced and were based on methods less rigorous than were ultimately required.” The 2007 NIE is “one of the most well-sourced” ever. Yet even this isn’t good enough for Hannity or Bolton.
Transcript:
HANNITY: I want our public and our viewing audience out there to understand something here, because you infer this very clearly in this piece here. And that is the headlines that we’re reading about the NIE are misleading, that it was meant for people to draw a certain conclusion, is that, quote, our intelligence got it wrong again, and they misread the facts, and they made a mistake just like on weapons of mass destruction. That is not the case.
BOLTON: Right. There’s — there’s a lot in these two or three pages, much of which I agree with. But the thing that has grabbed all the headlines is the suspension of the weapons program in 2003, very narrowly defined.
The report goes on to say Iran has been enriching uranium steadily since then. That’s critical to a weapons program, just as it is to a civil program.
HANNITY: Because your knowledge here is so important. Because substantively you’re pointing out that the NIE report in 2005 and the one in 2007 are basically the same. And you say, moreover, the distinction between military and civilian programs is highly artificial. Explain why that’s the case.
BOLTON: To either get fuel to power reactors or to have nuclear weapons, you need enriched uranium. Different levels, but you need to enrich uranium. So every intelligence analyst would tell you, the long pole in the tent, in assessing how long it takes to get weapons, is enriching uranium. They’re still doing it, building up an inventory.
HANNITY: Thank you.
COLMES: They’re very clear. They halted their covert weapons program in 2003. It’s very clear.
HANNITY: He doesn’t get it.
BOLTON: What part of the weapons program? The weaponization design. And this same judgment says we have only moderate confidence that that suspension is still in place.
COLMES: We’ve got to run.
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52 Responses to “Hannity: ‘The NIE Report In 2005 And The One In 2007 Are Basically The Same’”
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So Sean Hannity is stupid. This is news…?
December 7th, 2007 at 6:04 pmI would be dissappointed if Hannity didn’t goose step.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:06 pmSean Hannity makes that no talent a$$ clown Michael Savage look like a fricking genius.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:07 pmReading hard. Hulk head hurt.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:08 pmWhat is sad is that he still has an audience. This frightens me for America—that there could be so many drunks.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:09 pmWhat is sad is that he still has an audience. This frightens me for America—that there could be so many drunks.
Comment by leftcoast — December 7, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
###
I would like to complain on behalf of the United Drunks of America. Please do not lump hard drinking individuals such as myself in with this stupid a$$
December 7th, 2007 at 6:11 pmhannity and Bolton,
Which is the “toe tap-ee”, and which is the “toe tapper”,
We report you decide;
December 7th, 2007 at 6:18 pmSean Hannity and Ann Coulter are essentially the same (gender)…
December 7th, 2007 at 6:21 pmSean Hannity and Ann Coulter are essentially the same (gender)…
Comment by republicans hate facts — December 7, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
And which one would that be?
Because these two are in a category of their own…
December 7th, 2007 at 6:24 pmThey make their own reality, a false an sick one, but it is all their own.
Bush/Cheney/Hannity
Hague Trials ‘09
Buck Fush
December 7th, 2007 at 6:26 pmHannity: ‘The NIE Report In 2005 And The One In 2007 Are Basically The Same’
December 7th, 2007 at 6:29 pmExcept that they say different things……..
Way to catch that , She-Yawn Insanity.
Sean Hannity=Nazi on Steroids.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:30 pmYet even this isn’t good enough for Hannity or Bolton.
Nothing will ever be good enough for any of these neoCONs unless it says what they want it to say. To tell the truth, this NIE would probably be the same as the 2005 NIE if it wasn’t for the fact that the people in our intelligence community have come to realize that if they don’t tell the truth soon, Bush is libel to get us into another war and start WWIII. They are smart enough to realize that sooner or later, it will come out that there never has been any evidence that Iran was enriching uranium to make a bomb, and they (the intelligence community) would be held accountable.
I am very glad that these people finally found their conscience. It’s about time and it may already be too late.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:30 pmThe same weapons of mass distraction they’ve been using for years; fear & lies.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:30 pmI certain that he was just afraid mustache Bolton would clock him if he didn’t toe the line…
December 7th, 2007 at 6:32 pmAnd which one would that be?
Because these two are in a category of their own…
Comment by Gregor Samsa — December 7, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
That’s a great question, unfortunately only THEY know the answer to it! ;)
December 7th, 2007 at 6:35 pmBolton & Hannity - Two Treasonous Individuals who need to be wearing orange jumpsuits.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:38 pmHi RU ! You mean Captain Kangaroo Bolton?
December 7th, 2007 at 6:38 pm#12 I’ll up you one: Sean Hannity = An Impotent nazi/fascist on steroids.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:39 pmBilbo: Thankfully there are some true patriots in our CIA who probably couldn’t sleep at night or look at themselves in the mirror each day knowing that they were “aiding and abetting” Bush’s disinformation campaign. Also, they were kicked to the curb by Bush and these same tactics with the lies and bogus intel which perpetuated the illegal war which is tanking this country.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:41 pmSean Hannity and John Bolton debating the US preemptive war policy is a mutual masturbation society.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:42 pmAha! Maybe that’s why Bush threw a tantrum this past week by saying that he’s cutting our intelligence agencies in half. The “I’ll fix ‘em” of a schoolyard bully or a junkyard dog. Actually, both of these descriptions don’t even come close to the maniacal, demonic description which this misanthrope fits. They’re too complimentary for a whacko like him.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:42 pmClumberfeet: #21 Good one! How apt.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:43 pmJust happened to catch some news on CNN - Dana Perino lying her ass off and looking as pale as a ghost. Sickly and stammering would be the way to characterize her obvious meltdown. I suspect that she’ll hightail it outta there soon.
Then Chris Dodd scored some genuine points and facts tonight with his assertions that Bush knew about NIE long, long ago; and if he didn’t find out, then he’s a bigger buffoon than we even know. Either way he deserves to get the boot for being “unfit to serve” any longer. (as if he ever was….haha!).
He also mentioned the problem with the destroyed torture tapes and how it further reduces our reputation internationally and how we’ve been disgraced by our violations of the geneva conventions. There will be a criminal investigation into this ‘destroyed evidence’ because it is a crime to do so. Of course, Bush is pretending that he didn’t know the evidence as destroyed. Yeah, right! As if anyone can believe one thing which foams from his filthy mouth any more!
It’s called “culpable negligence” when you’re the commander in chief and you are totally ‘CLUELESS’ about things as critical as your intelligence agencies and evidence of violation of our own definition of torture as well as the Geneva conventions on torture. If he’s this clueless, he needs to be OUT! Unfit to serve.
But of course, that would be the easy way out for this pathological liar whom we’ve come to distrust because everything he utters is either an overt lie, an excuse, or some intentional play on words - DoubleSpeak. If this is the case, then he needs to be held accountable for his lawlessness in a court of law and an international tribunal. This is where justice will be served to Senor Bush.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:49 pmBasically, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney have done things which are now compromising the national security of this nation. It’s beyond time for them to go!
December 7th, 2007 at 6:50 pmHayden is also a bushwipe who is blaming Porter Goss now for the destroyed evidence. Maybe it’s time to subpoena Porter to the stand, under oath, and really get to the heart of where these orders originated.
I suspect that when we do, Tricky Dick will have another heart palpatation which will sideline him and Georgie will have a breakdown and find himself in some looney bin.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:52 pmIn remaining loyal the the topic of the thread, I will add that Sean Hannity is an “assclown” and Captain Kangaroo Bolton is a “buttwipe”.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:53 pm….’and the easter bunny is REAL and will be coming to your house soon’.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:55 pmHey veritas… Now what in the world would scare a moustache as white as his, when all the rest of his hair is mousy brown>>>???
December 7th, 2007 at 6:57 pmAnswering the call for impeachment. This are the reasons why it is not a choice but now a mandate with these new crimes and misdemeanors. Great piece.
http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/11437
December 7th, 2007 at 6:58 pmRU: I suspect that his moustache caught a glimpse of his face and turned white in fear! LOL
December 7th, 2007 at 6:59 pmAs for the rest of Captain Kangaroo-Bolton, his entire persona is what one would call “mousy brown”. Ewwwwwwww…..
December 7th, 2007 at 7:00 pmI’m certain that the 16 agencies involved in the NIE report have plenty to say about how the white house handled this report. I can’t wait for them to be subpoenaed under oath as well.
December 7th, 2007 at 7:01 pmThanks Hannity for entertaining us throughout the writers’ strike!
December 7th, 2007 at 7:07 pmHannity and O’Reilly and Coulter and Malkin and the rest of the demagogues need to take their act on the road. Perhaps vaudeville is due to make a comeback. The only problem is that they need someone to play the straightman so that their comedy acts can maintain a certain air of credibility. Or they can take turns squirting each other in the face with a seltzer bottle. That might produce more laughs than all of them pretending that what they spout today on the airwaves has any semblance of accuracy or believability.
December 7th, 2007 at 7:08 pm36 - I think it’s treasonous to insult our Intelligence Professionals that way, Frank. I doubt you work as hard at your job as they do at theirs.
December 7th, 2007 at 7:20 pmAnd I know Bolton and Hannity don’t.
December 7th, 2007 at 7:20 pmhannity is not making the claim; bolton is.
what you are implying is that hannity agrees with bolton, and i agree.
December 7th, 2007 at 7:25 pmthat is, i agree with thinkprogress
December 7th, 2007 at 7:25 pmAlarmist f#cks. They should be thrown in jail for yelling “fire” in a crowded theater, or inciting a mob. Goddamn thugs.
December 7th, 2007 at 7:28 pmBush is one Captain that’ll never go down with the ship. He doesn’t have the honor, or the dignity, or the stones. Look at the trail of looted companies and broken shareholders he left in his wake. Real patriot, there.
December 7th, 2007 at 7:34 pmHi RU ! You mean Captain Kangaroo Bolton?
Comment by Veritas — December 7, 2007 @ 6:38 pm
The guy who’s still looking for directions to the Wilford Brimley look-alike contest ………..
December 7th, 2007 at 7:44 pmFor years Faux Snooze rode high with their disingenuous slogan “Fair and Balanced”. What they preached was either held in high regard (by the right) or at least given the benefit of the doubt (by the majority of the public.) Their (neocon) talking points were widely used to preach the BushCo line by a great many ordinary people. People could not accept that the “great” Faux Snooze could be dishonest or unfair.
But that was then! They have lost their credibility and stand naked as they proclaim they have bright new shiny clothes. Their sorry attempts, like this one, to bolster and support a failed Presidency with a totally corrupt policy, stamp them for the soulless enablers they are. The general public no longer buys their snake oil to cure a disease that they helped to create.
They sound desperate these days, and that desperate, last gasp effort to revive the corpse called BushCo truly stinks. It is time to bring on the undertakers.
December 7th, 2007 at 7:45 pm“moderate confidence”. Tell me about it Bolton, by all means…
December 7th, 2007 at 8:04 pmLook, this is the time that our democracy stands on the edge. Even if this petty and moronic shrub does not institute a full fledged fascist state, he and the Republicans have eroded the underpinnings of freedom and democracy. Unless these precedents are set aside in the most forceful manner and unless those who instituted these actions are not punished by lengthy prison sentences or death; we have only postponed the time when the next aspirant to dictatorship or oneparty state will go through the looking glass.
1. The Republican party has proven itself to be a criminal organization. It must be dissolved. Its senior members tried for treason and forever barred from running for or holding public office or appointment.
2. The president and vice president should be tried for treason, crimes against humanity and the myriad of other crimes that they have committed. They need to be convicted and sentenced to death.
Too many have complained that the German people, the Japanese and Russians got what they deserved under dictatorship. These people failed to take the appropriate actions against leaders who showed the same disregard for the law and democracy as did Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin and many other petty tyrants.
The first step should be the persecution of the right wing press. Hannity, Coulter, Beck and others should be targeted and subjected to the same kind of attention that the right has long given to abortion doctors. We need to publish their addresses, confront them in front of their homes, their places of business and any other public place in which they are found. Identify and treat them as the scum that they are. Their lives should become a living hell.
December 7th, 2007 at 8:33 pmI don’t understand why he wants give this piece of sh!t fake report any free publicity.
Comment by Frank M — December 7, 2007 @ 7:12 pm
Frank M, please explain your reasoning behind describing this NIE as a “fake report”.
I mean, besides the fact that you don’t like what it says…
December 7th, 2007 at 8:52 pm#46 Comment by JMOHR — December 7, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
The first step should be the persecution of the right wing press. Hannity, Coulter, Beck and others should be targeted and subjected to the same kind of attention that the right has long given to abortion doctors.
As much as I share your fear of “our democracy stands on the edge” and your anger toward these sick enablers, I don’t believe that this solution has any value other than to make the messengers suffer a bit. (Not that they shouldn’t.) I am in favor of attacking the leaders at the top first and formost. Impeach, convict and sentence. Sick enablers can be dealt with later.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:03 pm#46 Comment by JMOHR — December 7, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
The first step should be the persecution of the right wing press.
I agree. (Well the second step really.) The question is, how do you punish the corporations that are the power behind the false and misleading messages these scumbag pundits keep spewing as they are instructed? Punishing Hannity and his ilk would be easy in comparison.
Any thoughts?
December 7th, 2007 at 9:14 pmThese reactionary crackpots see ticking time bombs everywhere.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:29 pmEvery day I have to see Hannity’s disgusting, goose-stepping mug on a clear channel billboard coming into work each morning.
I’d love to drop kick with an iron boot the gonads of the a** spelunker who gave the ok to put up that billboard!
December 7th, 2007 at 9:37 pm“National leaders do not usually call upon their people to risk life and limb to advance the glory, wealth and power of those same kings or prime ministers, largely because damn few would. Instead, wars must be packaged as necessary to preserve the national honor, protect national security, or to bring the benefits of some political system or religion to other people.”
The latest from David Michael Green:
http://www.regressiveantidote.net/Articles/Getting_Past_Oh.html
December 8th, 2007 at 4:08 amHey veritas… Now what in the world would scare a moustache as white as his, when all the rest of his hair is mousy brown>>>???
Comment by RUCerious — December 7, 2007 @ 6:57 pm
Must have been something pretty huge and menacing, something a lot bigger than the teeny girl thing Sean Hannity has in his pants.
December 8th, 2007 at 12:33 pm