On Tue, 24 Feb 2009, Richard Silverstein was quoted in Tikun as saying (of Chas Freeman, a prospective very decent appointee to head the NIC):
> http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2009/02/22/obama-picks-israel-critic-for-senior-intelligence-post/
>
> Israel is not used to this. It's used to getting its way when it comes
> to U.S. presidents and U.S. policy. It's used to having virtual veto
> power over personnel appointments it sees as potentially threatening to
> its interests. But it didn't get its way on this one. And this won't be
> the last time.
He's not appointed yet. And here comes the attacks:
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/dreyfuss/411714?rel=hp_picks
One reason they are going nuts is because the NIC is the main agency that will determine whether Iran is making a bomb. They threw a real wrench into things 2 years ago when they said that all bomb making activity had stopped. And it looks like Freeman could be depended on not to be suckered by fake intel.
Michael