Intelligence report: Iraq prospects bleak

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A highly classified National Intelligence Estimate assembled by some of the government's most senior analysts this summer provided a pessimistic assessment about the future security and stability of Iraq.

The National Intelligence Council looked at the political, economic and security situation in the war-torn country and determined -- at best -- the situation would be tenuous in terms of stability, a U.S. official said late Wednesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

At worst, the official said, were "trend lines that would point to a civil war." The official said it "would be fair" to call the document "pessimistic."

The intelligence estimate, which was prepared for President Bush, considered the window of time between July and the end of 2005. But the official noted that the document, which spans roughly 50 pages, draws on intelligence community assessments from January 2003, before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and the subsequent deteriorating security situation there.

The latest assessment was undertaken by the National Intelligence Council, a group of senior intelligence officials who provide long-term strategic thinking for the entire U.S. intelligence community but report to the director of central intelligence, now acting CIA Director John McLaughlin. He and the leaders of the other intelligence agencies approved it.

The estimate contrasts with public comments of Bush and his senior aides who speak more optimistically about the prospects for a peaceful and free Iraq. "We're making progress on the ground," Bush said at his Texas ranch late last month.

A CIA spokesman declined to comment Wednesday night, and a National Security Council spokesman could not be reached for comment.

Teens Busted for Tossing Fruit

PHILADELPHIA- Two teens face charges after officers found them hurling fruit at traffic along I-95 and videotaping it for a television show.

Philadelphia police say they charged two teenagers with a string of offenses after finding the pair throwing fruit off a highway overpass in hopes of causing an accident that they could videotape for an MTV show.

Inspector Bill Colarulo says they were called at about five o'clock Tuesday afternoon to investigate reports that two teenagers were throwing "something" off an overpass on Interstate 95 in Northeast Philadelphia.

Colarulo says police "actually observed one of the young men throwing fruit at oncoming traffic" while the other teenager held a camcorder and videotaped the incident.
The inspector says some of the fruit struck a SEPTA bus and a school bus. He says no one was seriously injured.

Filmmaker pitching reality TV series featuring Philadelphia Inquirer

PHILADELPHIA - A film company has put together a demo for a reality TV series that would take viewers behind the scenes of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Blue Chip Films, based in Norwalk, Conn., is now trying to find a network to air "Deadline (at) The Philadelphia Inquirer."

"I always loved that movie, 'The Paper,' with Michael Keaton, and it occurred to me, why was that such a great idea as a feature film, but nobody's done anything on TV about it," Blue Chip president Nick Verbitsky said Friday.

"I know they've done dramatic things," Verbitsky said, noting NBC's short-lived drama "Deadline," "... but no one's done anything that's real."

During the summer, Verbitsky's crew went out with city desk reporters on a day when three bodies were found in the city. He said he anticipates following reporters and photographers covering all types of news and sports events.

But until Blue Chip finds a buyer for the show, any talk of how the show might develop is premature, said Mary Flannery, the Inquirer's senior editor for newsroom initiatives.

"We think this is a really fine idea," Flannery said, "but we're not really sure anybody else is going to think that."