Quote Originally Posted by Jedburgh View Post
Sounds almost like another urban myth.

Hell, even after the Agency refuses an RFI from State, State has its own Bureau of Intelligence and Research staffed with professional analysts. They are just as good as any analysts at the Agency, although there is a significant difference in type, capability, and availability of collection resources.

I just don't see an RFI of consequence being filled by a cherry FSO in a cubicle when they have professional analysts on-hand. I see this story being leaked in this manner by someone at State as providing a public view of ongoing bureaucratic infighting.
I would tend to agree. This just sounds too "pat" to me. It could also be someone with the proverbial political ax to grind, since the Google spin would be a good way to discredit the accuracy of anyone's name who turned up in said memo.