Alan Rozenshtein offers a grain of salt to the ex post geniuses who claim the Boston bombing is a clear intelligence failure.
Although I mostly concur it is not too soon to label it a 'non-success', and do keep in mind - like Tamerlan Tsarnaev, Rozenshtein is the kind of guy who could probably elude an FBI surveillance. I know the feeling.
First?
Posted by: Mark Folkestad | April 23, 2013 at 08:21 AM
The fact, that this is the fifth time, such a thing has happened suggests the system is broken, TM.
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 08:22 AM
Agreed, Narciso.
Posted by: Mark Folkestad | April 23, 2013 at 08:27 AM
Then again, I didn't go to Harvard, so what do I know,
http://freebeacon.com/five-terrorists-who-struck-after-being-interviewed-by-the-fbi/
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 08:32 AM
I still think the Malthusians in this administration want to use an attack for their own ends. And it will be difficult to dissuade me of that belief.
Posted by: Melinda Romanoff | April 23, 2013 at 08:35 AM
BHL, to the redcourtesy phone;
http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Car-bomb-targets-French-embassy-in-Libya-4455057.php
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 08:48 AM
Another Harvard know-it-all under 30. What's new?
Posted by: Jim Eagle | April 23, 2013 at 08:53 AM
'this isn't the droid, we're looking for' right;
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/04/22/dhs-official-provides-new-details-maintains-innocence-of-saudi-national-once-considered-a-person-of-interest-in-boston-bombings/
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 08:55 AM
"New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg didn’t fault the government but argued that, in light of the violence, 'our interpretation of the Constitution [will] have to change.'"
The day our interpretation of the Constitution changes according to Michael Bloombeg's wishes may just turn out to be the day I embark upon a shooting spree.
Posted by: DoT on iPad | April 23, 2013 at 08:56 AM
Nice that these Ivy Leaguers are discovering "hindsight bias" now that The One is in office. Not so much with Bush and 9/11.
But the real issue is whether there is a bias to tread lightly when Muslims are under suspicion. Then hindsight bias becomes a CYA exercise.
Posted by: jimmyk | April 23, 2013 at 09:00 AM
'Non-success'-- there's some winning jargon for you.
Posted by: NK | April 23, 2013 at 09:02 AM
I get TM's point, but even granting it, I still think it's perfectly fair to criticize, and to hold the authorities to a possibly unfair or even impossible standard.
For two reasons. First, because they volunteered for their jobs. They walked into them eyes open, they wanted the power and the authority and the priviledges tat come with it. And they've asked us time and again for more and more money, and power, and to restrict our freedoms, because they know best how to protect us. They've raised the bar themselves by doing that.
Second, and even more importantly, we citizens are subject to an increasing number of "strict liability" laws - it doesn't matter if the law/regs recently changed and we didn't (or even couldn't, reasonably) know; or if we tried our best to comply - there are a whole host of things that, if we do them, we're guilty under the law. Motive and intent don't matter. If our lawmakers want to subject us to that standard, and our law enforcement will implement it, then they ought to be subject to the same strict liability in return. Fair is fair.
If they don't like it, they can start by dismantling the reams and reams of incomprehensible, often contradictory and sometimes impossible to comply with laws on the books. Until then, I've got less than zero sympathy for anybody in government or intelligence or law enforcement, at least as far as facing criticism for their actions in Boston is concerned.
Posted by: James D. | April 23, 2013 at 09:02 AM
James D.-
Did you read a book that describes these arbitrary rules recently? Is there a way to combat this stifling form of government other than just withdrawing from society?
(PS. I think I'm going to have to pick up some of your stuff if you keep writing this lucidly here.)
Posted by: Melinda Romanoff | April 23, 2013 at 09:10 AM
I'd like to know why the Russian tip didn't trigger an application for a FISA warrant.
Posted by: DoT on iPad | April 23, 2013 at 09:17 AM
The Journal asked that question, in their Editorial yesterday.
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 09:28 AM
Don't withdraw from society; withdraw excess government from society.
Posted by: sbwaters | April 23, 2013 at 09:30 AM
DoT@1:17-- that is a very fair question... and not mere hindsight. A tap on their cell phones would have saved lives and dozens of limbs.
Posted by: NK | April 23, 2013 at 09:34 AM
Big Sis Napolitno testifying before Senate Judiciary on C-SPAN , cannot wait until Cruz gets to quuestion her .
Posted by: BB Key | April 23, 2013 at 09:36 AM
Mel, I haven't read it, but I was thinking of "Three Felonies a Day". but also about the incidents in NYC (there were 2 or 3 of them in the last year) where people who were travellng through with a gun (locked in a case, etc) and actually reported it to authorities as they thought they were supposed to were arrested (and charged with a felony in at least one case).
But also the gibson Guitar raid (wrong kind of wood, even though it used to be legal), and the little girl who got fined $500 for bringing home a wounded bird and saving it, because it was on an endangered list or somesuch.
The problem, as I understand it, is that short of living in a cave, you can't escape it - government just gets bigger and bigger, and regulates more and more aspects of life. And the rules aren't always (or even usually) enforced, but they're there, and can be brought to bear whenever someone in an position of authority gets a bee in their bonnet about someone or something.
At the end of the day, though, it's really simple for me. I actually believe what it says in the Constitution, and in the Declaration of Independence. We're all equal. We are all citizens, with inalienable rights, and all power flows FROM us to TEMPORARILY ELECTED leaders who are NO BETTER than we are, with NO MORE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEDGES than the rest of us, who are subject to the SAME LAWS AND RULES as everyone else.
I may be naive, but I really do believe that, and expect that the men and women who take oaths to protect and defend the Cnstitution to actually do so.
Posted by: James D. | April 23, 2013 at 09:36 AM
Sounds like the excuse for ignoring the bin al shibh call from Yemen;
http://reason.com/blog/2013/04/23/why-didnt-the-fbi-take-the-tsarnaev-bros
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 09:40 AM
Ted Cruz and Butch Napolitano.... the referee will have to step in and stop that one.
OT-- well at least someone seems to be going after Corzine the criminal-- Louis Freeh as bankrutcy trustee sues Corzine: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-23/corzine-sued-by-trustee-freeh-over-mf-global-failure.html
Posted by: NK | April 23, 2013 at 09:45 AM
I'd like to know who exactly in the Boston Office of the FBI, disseminated the intelligence offered by the Russians? And how could they not recognize the older brother once his pictures surfaced? FAIL!
Posted by: Rocco | April 23, 2013 at 09:51 AM
Baucus retiring!?!?
Posted by: Melinda Romanoff | April 23, 2013 at 09:56 AM
" Baucus retiring"
Mel: I think he knows the Senate is going Republican in 2014.
Posted by: maryrose | April 23, 2013 at 10:04 AM
maryrose-
Not just yet, with this new level of fraud, a lot can happen.
Posted by: Melinda Romanoff | April 23, 2013 at 10:12 AM
I think 5 incidents where the FBI interviewed people who shortly afterward committed acts of terror is enough. The FBI counter terrorism operation is in my opinion a patent failure as is the entire ICE operation.
Posted by: Clarice | April 23, 2013 at 10:32 AM
Mel,
The "hot key" is the 15% OHP limit for the Northeastern run insurance skimmers. If they don't get their begging bowls filled they'll turn the heat up on BOzocare through premium bumps to the point where fraud can't save the Dems. Right now, it appears they believe the "kinder, gentler" GOP plods will offer a better deal than the Commiecrats.
I'm watching for a little more organization on the part of the medical profession as well. The correct political move for them is to steadily dump Medicare patients, especially if they're located in swing states.
The insurance grifters have the stronger hand. They can turn BOzocare into pure Commiecrat poison.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | April 23, 2013 at 10:36 AM
I think he knows the Senate is going Republican in 2014.
I have faith in the party of stoopid to squander any and all opportunities
Posted by: Captain Hate | April 23, 2013 at 10:39 AM
Alan Rozenshtein offers a grain of salt to the ex post geniuses . . .
Oh, please. Yeah, the average geographic imbecile probably can't find either Chechnya (or the Czech Republic) on a map. But we've been putting up with hand-wringing stories (like this one) for years about how evil George Bush emboldened Putin's persecution of the Chechens with the WoT: Yeah, it was. Also sensational and interesting was the Russian use of a crowd-control nerve agent in Moscow. This is hardly obscure stuff. Most folks would probably not choose them first as a likely suspect--because their targets have been almost entirely Russian--but the idea that "Russian/terrorist" wouldn't bring "Chechen" to mind is nonsense.and do keep in mind - like Tamerlan Tsarnaev, Rozenshtein is the kind of guy who could probably elude an FBI surveillance.
I'm not buying this at all. And this bit from the linked story is also a crock:
That might explain the flight out . . . but Tsarnaev got back into the US because he had a green card (otherwise he would've needed a visa). If they're seriously suggesting we can't match the passenger list with the entry on a green card, and that with the electronic record of an investigation . . . well, it ain't just broke, it's ridiculous. And somebody needs to be fired.Posted by: Cecil Turner | April 23, 2013 at 10:40 AM
CT;
I agree. Someone screwed up big time and it just shows how ineffective the FBI and TSA are. All this money spent and we still have terrorist attacks. If that CUNY professor had had his legs blown off I think he would be singing a different tune.
Posted by: maryrose | April 23, 2013 at 10:48 AM
CT@10:40-- agree completely. this losing track of Tamerlan on his Jihadi Tourism trek -- is outrageous. Butch Napolitano has got to be tossed out on her fat ass. Outrageous!
Posted by: NK | April 23, 2013 at 11:13 AM
--But here’s the thing: before last week, the Tsarnaevs’ homelands were far from the public consciousness.--
So the FBI rates terrorist threats by the odds somebody could find their homeland on Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?
This is an argument to make us feel safer and more confident in counter terrorism?
Posted by: Ignatz | April 23, 2013 at 11:14 AM
Here is a summary of what Glenn Beck is claiming about a Saudi being involved. I can't determine whether he claims to have seen the documentation he's describing, nor--if he has--why he doesn't display it. Glennbeckreleaseyourrecords.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | April 23, 2013 at 11:16 AM
Yes, that raises more questions, then it answers,
so he first he was on the NTC, then not, then it wasn't him, then another guy with the same last name, who was 1,000 miles away from where he should be.
Then again the DHS, had that twit, with the talking points from Benghazi, far cry from Division.
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 11:35 AM
the idea that "Russian/terrorist" wouldn't bring "Chechen" to mind is nonsense
Rozenshtein (3rd yr Hahvahd Law) quotes not only The Onion, but also The West Wing in support of that idea. After all, there are only so many parts of the world the government can keep track of. He actually says that.
Posted by: bgates | April 23, 2013 at 11:39 AM
the Kirghizstan/Kasazktan trope is a common one with Sorkin, he used a variation of it, on Sports Night, when he wanted to seem sophisticated.
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 11:42 AM
This blog being about "hindsight" and all, I thought I would share this short piece:
http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/go-ahead-admit-it-george-w-bush-is-a-good-man-20130422
Posted by: centralcal | April 23, 2013 at 12:03 PM
Posted by: cathyf | April 23, 2013 at 12:05 PM
Precisely, Cecil.
Posted by: Clarice | April 23, 2013 at 12:14 PM
No doubt about it! What will be done to correct it?
http://weaselzippers.us/2013/04/23/official-fbis-decision-to-scrub-islam-from-counterterrorism-documents-hampered-probe-into-boston-terrorists/
Posted by: pagar | April 23, 2013 at 12:14 PM
Well, apparently the story has shifted:
I'm not sure whether to file this under "first liar doesn't stand a chance" or "things Lindsey Graham believes." But either way, it's a bit more believable (if no more excusable).Posted by: Cecil Turner | April 23, 2013 at 01:45 PM
Well the real question is simply "five out of how many?"
Five out of 1000, pretty lousy. Five out of a million, I might be willing to cut the FBI some slack.
Posted by: cathyf | April 23, 2013 at 02:23 PM
I think they are doing this backwards;
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2313709/Boston-bombing-U-S-investigators-interview-suspects-Tamerlan-Dzhokhar-Tsarnaevs-parents-Dagestan.html
Posted by: narciso | April 23, 2013 at 08:57 PM
Official: FBI’s Decision To Scrub Islam From Counterterrorism Documents Hampered Probe Into Boston Terrorists…
And from an excellent American Thinker story earlier in the week,
Page 261 of Obama's The Audacity of Hope, in which he writes, "I will stand with them [Arab and Pakistani Americans, among others] should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."
Posted by: daddy | April 23, 2013 at 11:29 PM