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State Dept. Won't Release Terror Statistics

By TChris, Section War on Terror
Posted on Mon Apr 18, 2005 at 05:31:15 PM EST
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by TChris

The State Department seems to have a new philosophy: if you can't do the job right, don't do it at all.

The State Department said on Monday it will stop releasing annual statistics on terrorism deaths after officials botched last year's count, leaving the intelligence community to publish and explain the data.

TalkLeft discussed last year's misleading report here.

The National Counterterrorism Center is now tasked with compiling and releasing the data. When it will do so is unknown.

Critics suggested the State Department might be removing the data from its terrorism report because they could show a rise in attacks and deaths and raise questions about the Bush administration's claims to be winning the war on terrorism.

Former intelligence official Larry Johnson said in a Web log he believed the State Department was dropping the data because the 2004 statistics would show a sharp increase in the number of "significant" international terrorist attacks to at least 655 from about 172 in 2003.

"For Secretary of State Rice these numbers are a disaster," Johnson wrote. "It is tough to argue we are winning the war on terrorism when the numbers in the official government report will show the largest number of incidents" since the State Department began reporting on such events.

Rep. Henry Waxman admonishes the administration for hiding the numbers, and urges it "to provide the facts -- not propaganda or political spin." Voice, meet wilderness.

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    State Dept. Won't Release Terror Statistics | 10 comments (10 topical)
    Re: State Dept. Won't Release Terror Statistics (none / 0) (#1)
    by scarshapedstar on Mon Apr 18, 2005 at 06:05:41 PM EST
    Wow, I wish I had that option in my classes - if I can't get a homework problem, just drop the assignment with no penalty. Good to know we have hard-working, salt of the earth Republicans protecting us, as opposed to welfare queen Democrats who hate having to do work.

    Re: State Dept. Won't Release Terror Statistics (none / 0) (#2)
    by Che's Lounge on Mon Apr 18, 2005 at 06:44:09 PM EST
    Remember, it's only terrorism if it's done against us.

    Re: State Dept. Won't Release Terror Statistics (none / 0) (#3)
    by Sailor on Mon Apr 18, 2005 at 07:03:38 PM EST
    bush approval ratings 45% incidents of terror increased airports less safe Anybody else see a 'terra alert' coming?

    Re: State Dept. Won't Release Terror Statistics (none / 0) (#4)
    by john horse on Mon Apr 18, 2005 at 07:11:09 PM EST
    According to former intelligence official Larry Johnson, terrorist attacks increased from 172 in 2003 to 655 last year. "It is tough to argue we are winning the war on terrorism when the numbers in the official government report will show the largest number of incidents" since the State Department began reporting on such events. Doesn't he know that the increase in terrorist attacks only shows that we are winning? (warning: code red sarcasm alert)

    Re: State Dept. Won't Release Terror Statistics (none / 0) (#5)
    by Che's Lounge on Mon Apr 18, 2005 at 07:56:31 PM EST
    We haven't had any terror alerts since before the elections.

    Re: State Dept. Won't Release Terror Statistics (none / 0) (#6)
    by aw on Mon Apr 18, 2005 at 08:11:23 PM EST
    OK. It must be groundhog day. Where are the wingnuts? Cat got your keyboards?

    Re: State Dept. Won't Release Terror Statistics (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Apr 19, 2005 at 06:01:32 AM EST
    john h - Is there a list of the 655? Seems quite an increase.

    Re: State Dept. Won't Release Terror Statistics (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Apr 19, 2005 at 07:52:23 AM EST
    Ask and you shall receive, aw.

    Re: State Dept. Won't Release Terror Statistics (none / 0) (#9)
    by kdog on Tue Apr 19, 2005 at 07:58:12 AM EST
    Anybody else see a 'terra alert' coming?
    They will start coming before the mid-term elections.

    Re: State Dept. Won't Release Terror Statistics (none / 0) (#10)
    by Dadler on Tue Apr 19, 2005 at 03:19:42 PM EST
    anyone in this administration refusing to release these kinds of stats is doing so for one, and only one, and obviously only one reason --'cause the numbers don't look good. if it don't add up, why show your math?

    State Dept. Won't Release Terror Statistics | 10 comments (10 topical)