1. Intelligence Community Assessments (just like NIEs and SOCMs) are drafted under the management of the National Intelligence Council (NIC), a DNI organization. The NIC, normally through the pertinent NIO, selects the drafter(s) — normally from the all-source agencies — and manages coordination.

2. Brennan clearly bypassed this process and apparently went VFR direct to Obama to get concurrence on the CIA doing the drafting and cutting the NIC out of the process. (Obama probably did not know he was being played.)

3. The CIA, NSA, and FBI cut out two of the three all-source Intelligence “agencies” that are almost always involved in NIC products: DIA and INR (State Dept). FBI and NSA are not all-source agencies.

4. CIA played squirrelly games with intel access, cutting out key analysts by not “reading them in” to certain intelligence reporting (Iraq, anyone?).

5. Brennan (who should never have been in charge of an IC document like this), allowed the FBI to add a completely unvetted annex to the ICA. Highly unusual, perhaps unprecedented.

Brennan is a political tool, not a real intelligence officer. He deliberately manipulated a non-political process for political purposes. Shameful.

“I believe truth, goodness, and perhaps even God are on our side.”
Or as Lincoln said, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”

In the best of all possible worlds, the two statements are tautologies:
God is on our side when we are on His.

https://www.socratic-method.com/quote-meanings-and-interpretations/abraham-lincoln-sir-my-concern-is-not-whether-god-is-on-our-side-my-greatest-concern-is-to-be-on-gods-side-for-god-is-always-right

While Lincoln acknowledges God’s inherent rightness, it also raises the question of our human ability to fully grasp and comprehend God’s intentions or define what is ultimately “right” in a complex world. Consequently, we find ourselves engaged in a contemplation of the role of human agency and the correlation between divine knowledge and human conduct.The juxtaposition of being on God’s side and God always being right introduces a nuanced examination of our own fallibility and the limitations of subjective interpretations. It highlights the significance of personal growth, reflection, and continuous efforts to align our actions and intentions with immutable ethical principles.In the quest to be on God’s side, we encounter a journey of self-discovery and personal transformation. It compels us to delve into the depths of our souls to discern our true motivations, shedding superficial desires and ambitions to uncover a higher purpose. Being on God’s side becomes a lifelong commitment to seek wisdom, pursue justice, and cultivate love, compassion, and empathy for others. It challenges us to make decisions not based on personal gain or subjective biases but with an unwavering commitment to what is inherently good, just, and righteous.Lincoln’s enduring wisdom reminds us that the relationship between God and humanity goes beyond transactional exchanges. It urges us to transcend temporal concerns and embrace a more profound connection with the divine. Being on God’s side is not about seeking divine intervention to fulfill our desires but about sincerely pursuing a life of moral excellence, righteousness, and service to others.

Couldn’t have said it better myself!

Happy Independence Day!

I see history as a three steps forward, two steps back sort of thing.

Zinn was a couple of steps back. While Zinn has written an influential history book still assigned to high school students (and viewers of “Good Will Hunting” 🙂 ), he’s still not considered real history by professional historians, even in this degraded age of academia.

Despite setbacks I remain optimistic. I believe truth, goodness, and perhaps even God are on our side.

What say you?

Related?

“Oops, Narrative Fail”—
https://tinyurl.com/4kxh5ckd
Concluding graf:

…The [Democrats’] story is always changing to fit the desired result.

https://x.com/HansMahncke/status/1940873182207996394

Do these really count as intelligence anymore

https://instapundit.com/730085/

(Though one may well imagine that Ratcliffe et al. feels the need to tread rather lightly in such dismal, dark and murky matters….)

https://www.racket.news/p/explosive-new-cia-report-details

Depends on who writes the history books.

Howard Zinn got a pretty long run with a lot of lies.
https://thenewneo.com/2022/09/24/teaching-zinn-part-i/
https://thenewneo.com/2022/09/29/teaching-zinn-part-ii/

Course I’m all for prosecuting the bastids too.