Griper News: Shocking Ignorance of the Mideast and Islam in FBI Counterterrorism Unit

MSNBC has a story that's more than a little frightening. Bassem Youssef, the FBI's highest-ranking Arab-American agent, sued the agency in 2003, claiming discrimination after 9/11. "To be totally set aside, blackballed since 9/11, makes absolutely no sense," he told NBC News.

In fact, it's total idiocy, as taped depositions from his suit show. Youssef was instrumental in investigating the 'blind sheik,' Sheik Omar Abdul Rahman. This work earned him the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal.

The depostions show the people who sidelined Youssef were absolutely clueless.

Dale Watson, now retired, was the FBI's top counterterrorism official before and after 9/11.

In a deposition taken on Dec. 8, 2004, Youssef's lawyer Stephen Kohn asked Watson: "Do you know who Osama bin Laden's spiritual leader was?"

Watson: Can't recall.

Lawyer: And do you know the differences in the religion between Shiite and Sunni Muslims?

Watson: Not technically, no.

John Lewis was until recently the FBI's deputy assistant director of counterterrorism. During his deposition on May 17, 2005, he was asked if he knew the difference between Shiites and Sunnis.

Lewis: You know, generally. Not very well.

Lawyer: Was there any relationship between the first World Trade Center bombing and the 9/11 attacks?

Lewis: I'm aware of no immediate relationship other than all emanates out of the Middle East, al-Qaida linkage, I believe. Not something I've studied recently that I'm conversant with.