Posted by Frank James at 2:01 pm CST
Rep. Silvestre Reyes, the Texas Democrat who has been named to chair the House Intelligence Committee, has taken a drubbing lately after a reporter wrote that Reyes, in an interview, didn't know that al Qaeda is a Sunni Muslim organization and drew a blank on Hezbollah.
The interview was done by Jeff Stein of CQ Homeland Security. What's odd about Reyes lack of knowledge is that Stein had asked other federal officials similar questions earlier and publicized the results.
Reyes has also been on the intelligence panel for years, another reason his failure to answer fairly simple questions makes one wonder what else he doesn't know.
Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi chose Reyes to be the intelligence committee chairman after she rejected fellow Californian Rep. Jane Harman for the top post because of tension between the two.
Pelosi reportedly says she stands by her choice of Reyes though she has to be wishing he had done more homework before that interview. Maybe she needs to get him a tutor.
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Comments
I don't have any problem with this guy. I'd wager that most congressmen didn't know Al Qaeda's a Sunni group. Give him a chance.
I'd be more concerned that the Wash Post has reported today that Pelosi is going to acquiesce to old-timers demands and put William "90 Gs in the fridge" Jefferson on a committee. That's another nail in the coffin of the clean congress Pelosi promised us. Great.
Posted by: Bill | December 12, 2006 3:41 PM
Oh,this is a great choice by Pelosi,just what America needs in a time of war...a dopey nitwit to replace Jane Harman!
How about Barak-"HUSSEIN"-Obama,he's got ALOT of experience...right!He may be nothing more than a media creation,but he must know something about Muslim organizations with a Muslim father and a middle name like his...Oooops,forgot,Barak "Hussein" Obama may be running for president of The United States.
How do we now spell lose a war on terrorism,
D-E-M-O-C-R-A-T-S!
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | December 12, 2006 4:02 PM
Bill stop watching Fox News the bull crap news. Pelosi told Jefferson he could run for Committee but she would not support Him./
Posted by: Dale Peters | December 12, 2006 4:08 PM
Paulo-
His father is a muslim? ohhhh noooo! Does he have cooties too?
Incidently, since you find people's names so indicative of their politics and patriotism, what's up with "Paulo"? Don't sound too Amurkin to me. Sounds like you must be some sort of furriner. Probably one o' them illegal immigrants stealing jobs from us. If you were a real Amurkin, Paul would be good enough for you.
You're an idiot and a bigot. Be gone.
Oh, and it's B a r a C k.
Posted by: Tony | December 12, 2006 4:31 PM
The Repubs have a clueless guy in the Whitehouse,and he dictates policy,which is why we are in this mess in the first place.
Posted by: John E. | December 12, 2006 4:44 PM
Paulo - is that the best you could do? try to create an association between Senator Obama and Saddam in a sad smear attempt?
And besides... how could a SENATOR be on the HOUSE Intel Committee?
It saddens me that there are so many people like you out there. How do you spell Pathetic?
P-A-U-L-O
cj
Posted by: CJ | December 12, 2006 4:53 PM
Paulo,
Easy, buddy. You're gonna hyperventilate or something. Relax. Fight the fear. It might cause a gas attack. They will have to land the plane. Carry matches.
Serenity now, serenity now,,,,,,,
Posted by: c.morris | December 12, 2006 5:15 PM
Dale, that's not what the Washington Post is reporting today. Here's the news with link:
"Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), poised to be the next speaker, stripped Jefferson of his seat on the influential Ways and Means Committee in June and has hinted that she may place him on no committee when the 110th Congress convenes next month. But a source close to Pelosi said yesterday that she is more likely to place him on a lower-profile committee and hope the controversy dies down."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/11/AR2006121101136.html
Posted by: Bill | December 12, 2006 5:28 PM
Bill read a little closer I also posted the link youread what you want. Its said hint NO COMMITTEE OR LESSSER
Posted by: Dale Peters | December 12, 2006 5:46 PM
"Tutor for new House intel chair?"
At least he is willing to learn!
Believe me, Reyes, you, me, FesterBesterTester, will do a better job than the half steppers now in charge.
This is a reason for hopefulness, not regret.
Any of us would make a better chair. Why? We have a conscience.
The last 6 years of TeamBush! have come close to destroying this nation. There will be a learning curve, but in the end, it will be better.
Posted by: c.morris | December 12, 2006 6:47 PM
Why does Paulo hate so much?
Posted by: lochnessmonster | December 12, 2006 6:53 PM
Prior to the invasion, Dunce-in-Charge did not know that three distinct groups of Muslims were present in Iraq.
The Peter Principle is applicable to both sides of the aisle.
Posted by: johnf | December 12, 2006 8:01 PM
Ignorance of all things islamic is endemic in America.
Even alleged experts appearing through the Ministry of Truth are dullards.
Example, what is the difference between a white turban and a black turban?
This is very important yet not one American expert presented through the Ministry of Truth Media has been able to answer that question.
Posted by: Mullah Cimoc | December 12, 2006 10:15 PM
Ignorance of all things islamic is endemic in America.
Even alleged experts appearing through the Ministry of Truth are dullards.
Example, what is the difference between a white turban and a black turban?
This is very important yet not one American expert presented through the Ministry of Truth Media has been able to answer that question.
Posted by: Mullah Cimoc | Dec 12, 2006 10:15:35 PM
What is the difference since most Arab men don't wear turbans?
Most Arab men wear a Taqiyah covered by a Ghutra. The Ghutra is also called a Shmagh, or Kaffiyeh depending on the country.
Nice try anyway.
Posted by: Stan | December 13, 2006 6:51 PM