re: As an aside...
"n the Charlie Rose interview, Thompson said that it was possible Iran had fed our intelligence agencies false information in recent years. Is this really that implausible?"
Oh, comeon. Thompson looked like an idiot during that interview, if its the one I am thinking of (can't recall if it was with Rose, but I think it was). Surely you are capable of picking up on that? Let me put it this way: I can't believe we are both sharing the same world if it did not at least cross your mind that 'Hmmm.... this guy is talking like he doesn't know anything about what he was just asked!?'
And again we go with that: 'Ah-HA! something that contradicts my beliefs about the world! it must be a conspiracy!!!!'
Yeti