Last week, a large number of FBI memos written after interviews and “casual conversations”–that’s how the FBI described them–with Saddam Hussein were released to the public. The press is, predictably, hyping the memos as evidence that the FBI extracted valuable intelligence from Saddam through mostly polite conversation.

James Meek of the Daily News says the memos demonstrate “How the FBI Broke Saddam.” And the Washington Post cites the memos, and Saddam’s statements contained therein, uncritically. The press is even acting as if the memos contain valuable information about Iraq’s WMD programs and (supposed lack of) ties to al Qaeda.