More good news from the brain-trust that is running this country. The FBI doesn't consider expertise about terrorism or the Mideast to be important in choosing agents for promotions to the
top jobs.
"A bombing case is a bombing case," said Dale Watson, the FBI's terrorism chief in the two years after Sept. 11, 2001. "A crime scene in a bank robbery case is the same as a crime scene, you know, across the board."
The FBI's current terror-fighting chief, Executive Assistant Director Gary Bald, said his first terrorism training came "on the job" when he moved to headquarters to oversee anti-terrorism strategy two years ago.
Asked about his grasp of Middle Eastern culture and history, Bald responded: "I wish that I had it. It would be nice."
Yes, wouldn't it be nice? And btw, did I mention that this sworn testimony is at odds with the FBI's previous, public statements?
This came to light because of a lawsuit filed by FBI agent Bassem Youssef.
The hundreds of pages of testimony obtained by The Associated Press contrast with assurances Mueller repeatedly has given Congress that he was building a new FBI, from top to bottom, with experts able to stop terrorist attacks before they occurred, not solve them afterward.
I'm sure the investigation into lying to Congress will begin any day. <breath not held>
I know that we've passed the "this is unbelievable" line long ago, but come on! The FBI person in charge of fighting terrorism is getting on-the-job-training and knows nothing about the Middle East? But hey, I'm sure he's surrounding himself with qualified experts. From the assistant Bald brought in to help run the division:
It's a tremendous learning experience, the seat that I'm sitting in. You learn every single day about this.
Wow. I feel better.