Moore footage shows new CIA boss ruling himself out

Marksist · Post by **Marksist** » 2004-08-13 11:31am

Michael Moore yesterday released unseen footage of the new CIA boss explaining his own unsuitability for the role. The scene, which didn't make the cut for Fahrenheit 9/11, shows Porter Goss pointing out that his lack of language and computer skills means he "wouldn't get a job" with the CIA.

Only Senate approval lies between Republican Congressman Porter Goss and the office of America's most senior intelligence chief following his nomination by the president, George Bush, earlier this week.

Just six months ago, however, Goss told Moore's production company he doubted he could even find employment with the agency.

Goss, who served in army intelligence and the CIA 30 years ago, said: "I couldn't get a job with the CIA today. I am not qualified. I don't have the language skills."

Porter Goss is set to take over from George Tenet, who resigned before the 9/11 commission delivered its damning verdict on the state of the US intelligence community.

He explained, "My language skills were romance languages and stuff. We're looking for Arabists today. I don't have the cultural background probably.

"And I certainly don't have the technical skills, as my children remind me every day: 'Dad, you got to get better on your computer.' So, the things that you need to have, I don't have."

The White House dismissed the footage as "hearsay". Goss was described as the "right man" by the president on Tuesday.

What pisses me off isn't even so much as this guy thought he was unfit for the job, but that the White House said the footage was "hearsay." It's not fucking hearsay and rumors if there is video footage of him deeming himself unfit for this job.

Said video footage of Porter Goss deeming himself unfit for job of CIA director

Post by **Vympel** » 2004-08-13 11:41am

Fucking morons don't know the definition of "hearsay".

Illuminatus Primus · Post by **Illuminatus Primus** » 2004-08-13 01:18pm

A video cannot be hearsay by definition, but this won't stop the Ingsoc party members...er...Republicans from swollowing this whole.

And to think all the crap on Clinton for lying. The Bush Administration makes is a daily press conference event.

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2004-08-13 01:21pm

Here's where I have to say big fucking deal. I may hate the administration but some guy says sometime ago he's not fit for the job and now is nominated for it? Big fucking deal, I know plenty of people in management who were highly doubtful they'd get higher than a middle management position and now they're running the show. Obvioiusly someone thought higher of their work than they did or he's brining something to the table that he did nto know at the time was valuable.

Now as to the administration response. That's pure horse shit and they should be called on it. Unfortunately the press of late seems to be rather mute in their criticism of the administration's play on words and heavy use of spin. Its sickening when the opposition party doesn't do much opposing and the media doesn't do much criticizing.

Illuminatus Primus · Post by **Illuminatus Primus** » 2004-08-13 01:26pm

Stravo wrote:Here's where I have to say big fucking deal. I may hate the administration but some guy says sometime ago he's not fit for the job and now is nominated for it? Big fucking deal, I know plenty of people in management who were highly doubtful they'd get higher than a middle management position and now they're running the show. Obvioiusly someone thought higher of their work than they did or he's brining something to the table that he did nto know at the time was valuable.

YOUR ACQUAINTENCES IN MANAGEMENT ARE NOT BEING TASKED WITH PREVENTING THE NEXT NINE-ELEVEN. NOT FUCKING COMPARABLE.

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2004-08-13 01:28pm

Illuminatus Primus wrote:
Stravo wrote:Here's where I have to say big fucking deal. I may hate the administration but some guy says sometime ago he's not fit for the job and now is nominated for it? Big fucking deal, I know plenty of people in management who were highly doubtful they'd get higher than a middle management position and now they're running the show. Obvioiusly someone thought higher of their work than they did or he's brining something to the table that he did nto know at the time was valuable.
YOUR ACQUAINTENCES IN MANAGEMENT ARE NOT BEING TASKED WITH PREVENTING THE NEXT NINE-ELEVEN. NOT FUCKING COMPARABLE.

Sorry IP but those cabinet level posts are really just management positions. Th elower level staff is the one out hunting terrorists and tracking down any threats to the US. The head of the CIA is a glorified paper pusher.

CJvR · Post by **CJvR** » 2004-08-13 01:51pm

Plenty of people have been assigned jobs they didn't think they were good enough for and preformed very well.

Axis Kast · Post by **Axis Kast** » 2004-08-13 02:38pm

What kind of job with the CIA was he speaking about?

Obviously, Goss was good enough at one point to seize a position. His experience in the necessities of field work alone will be a good asset.

A lack of language skills isn't going to keep him from being a solid decision-maker.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-08-13 03:05pm

You have to wonder if the Republicans are trying to make it easier for Moore.

Instead of just saying 'While he feels he is not up to the task, professionals have studied his background and feel he is the best choice, and we wish him the best of luck', and thus being logical(Come on, lots of people feel like a job is too big for them, even if they're qualified), they start screeching 'HEARSAY!' and looking like retards because they can't even figure out what hearsay means.

This would damage my view of politicians if I didn't already think they were all scum.

TheDarkling · Post by **TheDarkling** » 2004-08-13 03:42pm

It seems to me Goss is saying he wouldn't be qualified to actually work for the CIA (not enough technical skills or knowledge of the correct languages) not that he couldn't run the operation.

I think making this out to be Goss ruling himself unqualified to direct the CIA is misrepresenting what he actually said, although it obviously isn't hearsay.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2004-08-13 03:45pm

The guy from Spinsanity put it best when he said that journalists, in their effort to seem non-partisan, actually end up favouring the side which is most dishonest, because they are very reluctant to bash either side for dishonesty so the distortions and deceptions are pretty much unchallenged.

Even if it was completely true, a newscaster could not say "The White House issued a press release which took the entire situation out of context" without being instantly labelled as a partisan commentator. That's the Golden Mean fallacy in action.

Sir Sirius · Post by **Sir Sirius** » 2004-08-13 04:24pm

To me it sounds like the guy was just being modest, he even joked about what his kids say about his computer skills, if this is all there is to the story I wouldn't make much of the matter. Besides I doubt that language or computer skills are all that important to the head of CIA, he is after all an administrator and as such more of a glorified pencil pusher/PR-rep then an analyst or a field agent.