What We Can Learn From Tenet
Tenet's revelations are an important confirmation.
April 30, 2007 — -- George Tenet's revelations that the Bush-Cheney administration exaggerated intelligence to stampede us into war -- without debating the costs and consequences -- do not significantly add to our knowledge.
We already knew that.
After Paul O'Neill's and Richard Clarke's insider books, we knew that the Bushies early decided to use 9/11 as a pretext for war.
After Secretary Rumsfeld told Tim Russert that Bush never asked him his opinion of the merits of going to war, we knew there wasn't a serious debate.
After Cheney's claims about reconstituted nuclear weapons and last throes and Valerie Plame, we knew he was a convincing liar.
Still, when a CIA director exposes the fecklessness of armchair warriors itching to fight, it's an important confirmation of what was once a controversial conclusion. The only people still supporting Bush's war are either folks who don't read newspapers or who are in need of serious therapy -- oh, and Fred Barnes and Bill Kristol.
Given Tenet's book and bitter appearance Sunday on "60 Minutes," there are four lessons to be learned here:
Mark Green is president of Air American radio.