The CIA has received secret presidential approval to mount a covert "black" operation to destabilize the Iranian government, current and former officials in the intelligence community tell The Blotter on ABCNews.com.
The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject, say President Bush has signed a "nonlethal presidential finding" that puts into motion a CIA plan that reportedly includes a coordinated campaign of propaganda, disinformation and manipulation of Iran's currency and international financial transactions.
And the FReepers respond. The comments following were posted at the link above and are quoted in their entirety, including lousy spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
David Reid thought we were opening trade negotiations:
"If it was a secret, it isn't any longer. I will turn off ABC News and never watch again.
I consider ABC News Traders to the United States"
Philip R. Cramer says:
"Seems you & the media will go to any extreme to show you bias agains the Bush Administration. Revealing classified operations is consorting with the enemy. I hope you can live with your tresonous actions!!!!!!"
concerned thinks Mr. Ross' stories are "obsured". How obsured?:
"Not so secret anymore is it? This is why more than half of the stories Brian Ross reports are obsured. If it's so secret how'd did your team get the scoop? Secondly, if it is true, you should be arrested for espionage."
At least Tim has learned to spell "morons":
"I hope they do destabelize the government of Iran. The stoy would be if you had suggestions for readers to HELP you morons!"
Margie Davis thinks that the President should put a stop to that pesky First Amendment:
"ABC News: Please stop helping our enemys. I don't understand why you would tell our business to everyone in the world. Mr. President can't we stop this reporting???"
Susan H. has a point here....somewhere:
"Wouldn't we rather be fighting a covert war to destabilze Iran than a war in the streets? If we were fighting a war in the streets in cities of Iran ABC would be bringing us the "dreadful" news every night."
stephen is, well, a little miffed:
"who thinks abc news and others are part to blame for our soliders being killed for leaking to m u c h information.. think about it, dont you think the bad guys watch and read this crap?"
stephen hare gives me pause. I'm not sure whether he is kidding or not:
"we want responsible news networks like fox news!!!!!!!! they would never stoop this low."
Nicole thinks we live in Latte Land:
"To anyone condoning ABC's action in reporting this story citing constitutional rights and freedom... I could ALMOST agree with you if we were in a DRAFT situation like Vietnam. At that time, men were FORCED to participate in the war. Today, you have BRAVE men and women CHOOSING to defend your country, your freedoms. Don't they deserve safety? While you sit and blog, thanking the press from your comfy desk or cafe laptop, take a moment to think outside of your latte land. Each day out there may be their last, and stories like this don't improve the odds. Think before you speak."
Finally, I have to agree with David Lemieux. Almost. Until...:
"Oh GOD! What do we do!!?? The Iranians knew nothing of our covert doings until YOU, ABC, decided it was fitting to foil our entire destabilization strategy. Let us, the real Americans, rise up with the force of Jehovah's thunder and take back our most holy country from the depraved media who seeks to destroy us with their treason, lies, and rap music. Grrrr. *side note* I almost posted this as is until I realized, unfortunately, that a slim majority of folks on here wouldn't sense the sarcasm."
There's more like this (if you can stand it).
