FBI Fell Short?

" The FBI is looking into whether it mishandled early information about the army major accused of killing thirteen people at Fort -- last week. Nearly a year ago terrorism investigators conducted an assessment of the army psychiatrist. Major -- all Malik Hassan. At that time the agency decided hosts on did not pose a threat. But it seems there were plenty of warning signs leading many to ask in hindsight. Could this attack have been prevented. Lieutenant colonel Shaffer is now director of external communications at the center for advanced defence studies and he's our guest now. You participated colonel -- and something called operation Able Danger can you describe what that was all about."

" Able Danger was specifically focused on looking at trends and relationships of individuals we thought were affiliated. With al-Qaeda leadership and we did that through looking at frankly and I know this is controversial. Relationships of individuals with mosques and individuals who were known to preach radicalized messages within those mosques. As specifically in this case it links to. Has signed by the fact that the mosque in Falls Church was one of those that we were very interested relating to. Pre 9/11 relationships. And affiliation so that the Able Danger did that plus data mining. And the idea was to cut two create a database with huge amounts of data points and that's -- connecting the dots. Well here you have this guy who you know is is saying some pretty bizarre things giving lectures talking about how Muslims should -- Required to kill Muslims and how any Muslim soldier ought to be. Allowed to quit the army as a conscientious objector you've got those things -- going on. You've got in sending emails to a known radical cleric who is apparently -- in Yemen these days. Why weren't there any red flags popping up. This is the same problem I testified back in 2005 about. The battle of commission -- certain recommendations regarding creation of the NI and sharing information. This was -- problem before 9/11 we had this information I'm talking about irrigate regarding these individuals. And relationships with al-Qaeda. And we weren't part we were not permitted to share that with the FBI here sounds like the reverse -- the FBI critical information the army should have known about. It was obligated -- and my judgment to share. And that way those pieces regarding what the army had and what the FBI had could have been shared it could have -- looked -- and therefore you -- had a a clear indication. Of baucus on was going to do and -- that that appears that that that did not happen here. A friend of mine a former army captain and West Point graduate spent part of weekend what does he was complaining about the fact that. He says there's too much political correctness in the army yesterday's that you can't go laughter some of these people for fear of offending them is that the case in your view. I think have speaking as -- center for best defense study academic not an army guy yes I think that there's far too much. In the way of being overly cautious protecting people's. Police -- there's nothing wrong with having a belief -- religious belief is protected under the constitution. What is not protected is radicalization. And Biel and and being willing and saying if you will do something to hurt someone else that they don't share your views in this case you're talking about a uniformed member of the military. Staying very radical things having very radical contacts. And John mature much about security clearance process when you go through and get vetted for your security clearance they look at your associates and affiliations for that very purpose to figure out. -- you might jump based on your affiliations. And so this is something that is required that we actually pay attention to we can do look at associations we do look at who you're talking to. And you do give up some of your protection relating to your privacy. But that's the sacrifice you must make when you put on the uniform here is that we got we've got to -- of that here's this guy has."

" who -- is an army psychiatrist supposed to help soldiers deal with you know stress that kind of thing. He gave this lecture in which he said of Muslim groups can convince Muslims that they are fighting for god against injustices of the infidels IE enemies of Islam. The Muslims can become a potent adversary I. When he said that I mean should -- shouldn't the rest of that conference have jumped up and don't -- and irons -- and hauled him away."

" While we're -- gone that far but yes someone should've taken note that this is not quite right. I spoken in front of Muslim groups not talked about the fact that this is not a war on Islam. This is a war that the the the the the fundamental believers in Islam should be on our side. Because -- talking about going about radicals who would kill them. That the that the basic Muslim believer as quick as it would kill us because we don't believe like them so yes this should have been a huge indicator that something's dreadfully wrong and I get much at stake is John clearly. If the FBI was looking at and -- somebody should come together you know these two -- should have been connected."

" Apparently there are some red faces at the FBI right now over some of these red flags that apparently were out there and just weren't paid attention to lieutenant colonel Tony -- now percent of -- defense studies thanks thank you."