McCain Advocates a New Go-Get-'Em Spy Agency
But his plan, a slap at the CIA, could create a whole new set of problems
The mention of a new organization that would undertake covert action also raises the ugly specter of the CIA's abuses in the 1960s and 1970s. Traditionally, this is the area that has gotten the CIA into the most trouble.
The CIA used to have broader powers to conduct missions to topple governments (with doomed operations like the Bay of Pigs), assassinate foreign targets, and even eavesdrop illegally on Americans. After some of its worst abuses were exposed in the 1970s (along with embarrassing episodes like the CIA's attempt to hire a mobster to assassinate Castro and its failed plot to poison the toothbrush of a Congolese rebel leader), a new, more rigorous oversight regime was put in place, and assassinations were forbidden.
In recent years, the CIA has been authorized to capture—or kill—some of the most high-value terrorist targets, but these orders now require a presidential sign-off.
Reader Comments
Please don't bash a candidate to make a point.
In the last seven years we have sought to make every decision about our security easy; the result has been disastrous. Our current reality is far too complex to dismiss one candidate as not committed to the defence of our country and continues the simple minded tendencies that have cost us much--thousands of lives, trillions of dollars, our status of never having a colonial relationship in the Middle East, our leadership of the democratic world to name a few.
The truth is that we don't know how wise or foolishly either of the two candidates would lead the country. Obama has shown the ability to bring out the best in we Americans and has also shown that he make the kind of foolish short term decisions in his campaign which could make him appear as just another political hack. McCain has shown true valor in his life and stood up for better government at the same time the leaders of his party have given in to the lust for power and personal wealth while at other times in his life he has acted as a an irresponsible member of a spoiled elite and traded on his power to enrich his friends at the expense of the rest of us. Neither of these candidates are paragons of virtue while at the same time both have shown us some of the best we can expect from public servants.
As far as McCain's idea to develop a new intelligence agency, let him develop a consensus that one is both needed and that its formation would actually solve some of our current problems with covert operations and our ability to function in the world of espionage. We had the DHS foisted upon us and if anything it is doing a worse job than what came before. What we don't need is neither a new bureaucracy nor a rouge agency beyond the control of civilian government. To me this sounds like another simple solution to a complex problem and could more easily expand the problem than correct it.
McCain does have the best interest of country in mind.
The flexibility and resolve that we need is apparent in Sen. McCain. However, Sen. Obama's positions, past associations, and practices leave a lot of doubt in me about his commitment to our defense.
Senator Obama’s Patriotism – What it means to this Navy Veteran. I hope you consider the following article: Senator Obama's Patriotism - a Veteran's Perspective
It is found at:
http://zachjonesishome.wordpress.com/senator-obama%e2%80%99s-patriotism-a-veteran%e2%80%99s-perspective/
It is already a matter of conflict that pervades the spy agencies scenario. The apparent rift between FBI, CIA, Homeland Security and Defence Department with unclear lines of demarcation, overlaps, duplication of resources etc. Another 'spy department' would only worsen an already undesireable situation.
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