There are hopeful signs of resistance from the CIA. While the Company has a history of playing fast and loose with the rules, they're also very smart and very independent. The Plame affair has stirred up the hornet's nest.
While the FBI projects a more stolid image, the revelation that Mark Felt was instrumental in bringing down Nixon lo these many years ago gives me hope that even the guys in black ties have their limits
But the President's picks for the directorates don't get the scrutiny that Supreme Court justices or UN ambassadors do. Further, bringing other agencies under the umbrella of Homeland Security (under a hand-picked Cabinet member), while admittedly increasing efficiency, also brings enforcement under tighter direct control of the White House. And Bush's team seems to be doing everything in their power to limit the ability of the legislature and especially the judiciary to exercise checks and balances against the Executive branch.
I just really don't trust these guys with that much power. I'm sorry to say it, because it's a sad thing to say, but I'm more afraid of my own government than I am of any terrorists.
While the FBI projects a more stolid image, the revelation that Mark Felt was instrumental in bringing down Nixon lo these many years ago gives me hope that even the guys in black ties have their limits
But the President's picks for the directorates don't get the scrutiny that Supreme Court justices or UN ambassadors do. Further, bringing other agencies under the umbrella of Homeland Security (under a hand-picked Cabinet member), while admittedly increasing efficiency, also brings enforcement under tighter direct control of the White House. And Bush's team seems to be doing everything in their power to limit the ability of the legislature and especially the judiciary to exercise checks and balances against the Executive branch.
I just really don't trust these guys with that much power. I'm sorry to say it, because it's a sad thing to say, but I'm more afraid of my own government than I am of any terrorists.
Well, there's Felt (and if he hadn't taken action perhaps someone else would have?), and more recently there's the FBI observations in Guantanamo which are being investigated. Like I said, you don't lose your conscience when you join the FBI...maybe that even applies to the CIA!
I guess you're right that some presidential nominations get more attention than others, but even then the same laws apply--"the new director isn't a dictator" when you start to approach the boundaries of what could be considered immoral. (Of course they do get what they want in other cases!)
During times of war (if you accept that we're in a type of war) I think the executive branch needs (and typically gets) a power shift in it's direction, due to need. I'd be concerned if I felt it was going too far, as would many, but nobody's up in arms yet...other than those who are always up in arms when the Elephants are in control..
