Regarding "Beyond the CIA's Veil" [August 6], the interview with Tim Weiner, and his historical book about the CIA, Legacy of Ashes: I'd like to refer to Merle Miller's interview book with Harry Truman, Plain Speaking: An Oral Biography of Harry S. Truman.
Truman was quoted as saying that the organization and chartering of the CIA was a mistake. Truman added that had he known what was going to happen, he never would have authorized the agency. He also chided President Dwight Eisenhower's administration for letting the CIA get out of hand. As a Marine officer in Vietnam in 1969, I had the occasion to bump into two "spooks" on a helicopter pad. Both were wearing safari jackets and .38-caliber revolvers in shoulder holsters. As we were waiting for the helicopter, I asked them where they were going. They smiled and looked away, never answering my question.
Frank McAdams
Dana Point , Calif.
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