are false, calling it inaccurate and misleading information. clapper said, quote, while we're not going to discuss the details of our activities, we've repeatedly made it clear the united states gathers intelligence of the type gathered by all nations. the u.s. collects intelligence to protect the nation, its interests and allies from, among other things, threats such as terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. so there's a lot here, chris, and i imagine we'll be working on this for a few days. >> all right, joe, this is intriguing to say the least, when that which is always kept hidden is now out in the open. what's going to happen? we'll have to follow it. thank you for the reporting this morning. two u.s. citizens kidnapped by pirates off the coast of nigeria. the captain and chief engineer on a u.s. owned oil supply ship are the latest victims of violence in west africa's pirate infested waters. cnn's barbara starr is live at the pentagon this morning.