Talk:Robert Baer
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From Robert Baer page (emphasized text mine):
- Despite his political leanings, Baer often makes observations that support both conservative and liberal viewpoints.
What are is political leanings? --ErikStewart 18:50, 12 July 2005 (UTC)
- maybe he doesn't play the party game - wouldn't that be great!! www.mollymagdalain.com
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- I just finished reading See No Evil. Baer makes no mention of his political leanings; he seems pretty neutral--equally disgusted with both parties, that that is.--Daveswagon 11:21, 8 August 2005 (UTC)
But the article, which has made no mention of his political leanings, seems to expect us to know what they are. That sentance needs re-writing.
What the article really expects the reader to understand is that members of the U.S. Intelligence community are supposedly "Apolitical" because they are not policy makers per se but rather just collecters of information.
They are "supposed" to be Apolitiical but it is a bit naive to assume they are. How many former intelligence officers have made profitable second careers as demagogues?
I have seen Bob Baer on Australian TV last night, in a Syriana promotion. I have a problem with 'political leanings'. Maybe he prefers to be issue focussed rather than studying a party line and then follow that, come rain or high water? I consider myself an issue focussed person, as opposed to ideology aligned.
It should be noted that Syriana is very loosely based on See No Evil. In fact the movie plot appears to be different than the "plot" of the book.
Having recently read See No Evil and Sleeping With the Devil, I count myself amoung the Baer neophytes. I feel almost too eager to accept all of his criticisms of the CIA and US foreign policy without question. But then again, I've only heard his side of the story. Does anyone have a credible critique of Baer?
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Yes, you should read The CIA at War by Ron Kessler. Unfortunately you'll find your self questioning his thoughts on Baer as his work reads as a praise of everything Baer found disconcerting about the CIA.
[edit] The CIA at War referring to Robert Baer
After reading the last comments here I went to the library and checked out The CIA at War by Ronald Kessler to read his comments about Baer. There's about 4 pages where Kessler mostly discusses the failed plot against Saddam Hussein in 1995. The few pages are interesting to see how the other side felt about Baer's opinion, also why there was no backing for the plot. Kessler quotes George Tenet several times labeling Baer as a 'cowboy', and basically describes him as a descendent of old school CIA who planned assassinations and toppling governments. (My words, not his.)
There was no support for the plot because (even Baer mentions this) the 'plan had been compromised' due to Chalabi's forged letter concerning a Robert Pope (also mentioned in See No Evil). There appeared to be no support for the plot in Washington, but also a belief that Baer was doing all he could to support it. Washington didn't believe the plot would succeed and Baer's reputation as a 'cowboy' didn't help.
Baer's cowboyism makes him a better read, but it also feels more honest than Kesslers party line. The majority of reviews for The CIA at WAR on Amazon.com (for what they're worth) are not very glowing. --Labajas 01:47, 30 September 2006 (UTC)
