Able Danger Latest

The Able Danger story just isn't going away and the editors at the NY Times know this is a significant story:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 - A military intelligence team repeatedly contacted the F.B.I. in 2000 to warn about the existence of an American-based terrorist cell that included the ringleader of the Sept. 11 attacks, according to a veteran Army intelligence officer who said he had now decided to risk his career by discussing the information publicly. The officer, Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer, said military lawyers later blocked the team from sharing any of its information with the F.B.I.

Colonel Shaffer said in an interview that the small, highly classified intelligence program known as Able Danger had identified by name the terrorist ringleader, Mohammed Atta, as well three of the other future hijackers by mid-2000, and had tried to arrange a meeting that summer with agents of the F.B.I.'s Washington field office to share the information.

But he said military lawyers forced members of the intelligence program to cancel three scheduled meetings with the F.B.I. at the last minute, which left the bureau without information that Colonel Shaffer said might have led to Mr. Atta and the other terrorists while the Sept. 11 plot was still being planned.

Over to you former Secretary Cohen.

The wall that Jamie Gorelick constructed between agencies and the overall tone set by the Clinton administration allowed something like this to occur.

Mary Jo White should be commended for at least attempting to end this dangerous policy. Too bad Gorelick didn't listen.

Update: The looney's all went nuts when a whisper, never proven, of conspiracy about what Bush knew and when he knew it concerning 9/11 and his (alleged) attempts to cover it up until after the election. With the new info on Able Danger, will they slam Clinton, Allbright, Cohen, Berger and the the like? Don't hold your breath.