Open Thread

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: Monday's National Intelligence Estimate, and the media's response to it.

How can a report stating that Iran stopped its nuclear weapons work in 2003 possibly be viewed by anyone as a negative for America, the world, or the Bush administration?

Coming coincident with the invasion of Iraq, the capture of Saddam, and the suspension of similar activities by Libya, should this report have validated Bush foreign policy in the region post-9/11, or is the press right that this demonstrates his failures?

Finally, if intelligence was so horrible prior to 9/11 and the Iraq invasion, why are media so quick to accept this report as unassailable? Given recent intelligence failures, and the press's continual pounding of such, shouldn't there be some skepticism about the veracity of this NIE? Or, is anything that can potentially be used to bash Bush above reproach?