INTEL Overhaul

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CONGRESS_INTELLIGENCE?SITE=NCFAY&SECTION=HOME

Anyone know a great link on this subject?

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[Martin]

The agreement would create a powerful position to oversee the CIA and several other nonmilitary spy agencies. A new national counterterrorism center would coordinate the fight against foreign terrorists.

Do you think this is a way to force integration, cooperation between and evolvement of the agencies and organizations?

(rather than to actually be an entirely seperate entity working with what everybody else provides, it would just be there to transform the providers)

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http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/11/20/164553.shtml

Didn't make it in the House.

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[CRad]

But critics led by Hunter said the bill would interfere with the chain of military command and potentially place troops at risk in combat.

Hastert said Hunter had concerns that shifting some intelligence operations from the Pentagon could hurt combat troops. Hastert said lawmakers want to "make sure that our men and women who serve this country have the real-time intelligence that they need."

Absolutely right. There are too many people looking only to enhance themselves or to push their own agenda for my taste. The military has enough to do without playing stupid games thought up by assholes trying to protect percieved turf.

[Goggles Pizano]

"Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House, and the blame for this failure is theirs alone," said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California."



Hmmmm. Aside from the obvious political shot at Republicans this raises the question "did backroom deals sink this bill?" I find it hard to believe Pelosi would not have her dander up unless her interests were slighted in some fashion (sweet pork deals for CA perhaps, or maybe just San Fran?). I agree CRad the rush to get this bill through would be strange unless you look at it from a political perspective; When the commission made their recommendations POTUS siezed upon the opportunity in an election year even when experts were screaming to stand by and think it through. Now that POTUS is reelected are the phone calls a formality for cover? Inthis light it seems Sensenbrunner and Hunter are falling upon their swords for the good of the country.

[CRad]

"Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House, and the blame for this failure is theirs alone," said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California."



...Sensenbrunner and Hunter are falling upon their swords for the good of the country.

What failure? Failure to pass the bill or failure to rush into something without having a clear view of what needs to be done? Nancy Pelosi is too stupid for words.

What do you mean about Sensenbrunner and Hunter? I don't catch your meaning.

[Goggles Pizano]

To clarify;
I meant that POTUS made a shrewd political move getting ahead of the commission's report and calling for complete adoption of it's findings pre-election day. This is not to say the President does not believe in reform, in fact I believe his sincerity is genuine and support him fully. With the victory on the 2nd I think President Bush fell back for a moment, reevaluated his original position, then decided his advisors may be correct and this should be debated at greater length (thus throwing a burr in Nancy's saddle). Unfortunately he cannot reverse himself publicly without daggers flying from every Democrat with a cellphone hence my reference to Sensenbrunner and Hunter who took the lead and scrapped the vote.

[CRad]

Thanks for the answer. I don't see how the White House could have done any differently without getting trashed in the press with more leaks.


I can't thank Jim Hoagland enough for saying this outloud and publically!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64026-2004Nov19.html

The ousted officials and/or their admirers at the agency fight back by doing what they do best: getting their story (and Goss's first operational memo) into the press, without identifiable fingerprints on the leaks. Schooled in the black art of camouflaging propaganda for national purposes, they can adapt the technique for personal aims.

The desire for celebrity and for the wages of spin now burns brightly even in the shadow world. This became unmistakable when best-selling author and nonetheless spy Michael Scheuer greeted Goss's appointment by announcing his resignation from the CIA and referred inquiries "to his publicist," as The Post reported without a hint of irony, surprise or incongruity.