After the September 11 disaster, linguistic excesses have been boundless within Washington's intelligence circles. The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Bob Graham (D-Fla.), told the Los Angeles Times an anecdote he had heard at a dinner party with intelligence experts.

Graham described how a U.S. army officer known as "Black Jack" Pershing had put an end to a Muslim insurgency on the Philippine island of Mindanao during the Spanish-American War in the late 19th century.

Graham explained that at one point U.S. soldiers captured 12 Muslims, killing six of them with bullets dipped in hogfat.

Later soldiers wrapped the Muslim rebels in funeral shrouds made of pigskin and buried them face down, so they could not see Mecca. Then they poured pig entrails over the bodies. The other six were forced to watch. And that was the end of the insurrection on Mindanao, Graham noted.

In his article, the journalist pointed out that, in fact, the Mindanao insurrection continues to this day and is allegedly aided by Bin Laden's Al-Qaeda organization.

Graham stressed that he was not advocating the use of such methods. However, he added that when terrorists are not motivated by political ideology or money, U.S. intelligence can prey on other weak points, including families, relations, religious beliefs, etc.

A charming mentality, especially coming from the Capitol's number one intelligence man.  
 
 
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