tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12597943.post6445974457310292537..comments2024-02-28T04:20:40.719-06:00Comments on THE LAST LIBERAL STANDING: Managing From WeaknessBob Kellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18171655256407149176noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12597943.post-56151954626461176352009-01-12T11:45:00.000-06:002009-01-12T11:45:00.000-06:00Yeah, but what about from 9/10/01?Yeah, but what about from 9/10/01?Vigilantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07640246609540057997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12597943.post-60062170221163578682009-01-12T11:19:00.000-06:002009-01-12T11:19:00.000-06:00"Under Bushencheny, the CIA became dysfunctional, ..."Under Bushencheny, the CIA became dysfunctional, politicized, demoralized and unreliable. That is the major problem that has to be fixed."<BR/><BR/>This is the agency that thought Iraq had WMDs even before Bush took office. Not sure how you manage to blame any problems with the CIA solely on this administration.<BR/><BR/>No attacks since 9/11: clearly the CIA is doing something right.shoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18072061163666081867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12597943.post-18656982067476292312009-01-11T11:01:00.000-06:002009-01-11T11:01:00.000-06:00I'm not reading da NEWZ as attentively as I have i...I'm not reading da NEWZ as attentively as I have in the past, so I'm not going to make a balls-out argument here. But just a few comments as a reaction.<BR/><BR/>1st and foremost, Panetta was not on my short list as far as whom I expected to be nominated. Not even on the list. There were many other candidates, well-schooled in the intelligence field.<BR/><BR/>I've read that Panetta might serve just as the external face of the CIA, and that the Deputy Directors will run the CIA. Fine with that.<BR/><BR/>If Panetta's appointment is a symbolic certification that torture will be ended, then I'm also fine with that. Especially fine, in fact. My reading of the history of the French Republic years ago convinced me that torture doesn't create actionable intelligence so much as it creates rot up and down the chain of command-in the entire polity. So, if Obama means, by appointing Panetta, to send a signal and message that torture is no longer U.S. policy, I'm okay with that.<BR/><BR/>But, that said, abolishing torture does not fix the CIA problem. Under Bushencheny, the CIA became dysfunctional, politicized, demoralized and unreliable. That is the major problem that has to be fixed.<BR/><BR/>The CIA will have an expanding role to play in national security for the decades to come. <BR/><BR/>If Panetta can fix that political gate-keeping problem, then that's major.Vigilantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07640246609540057997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12597943.post-16266028020473489672009-01-11T10:58:00.000-06:002009-01-11T10:58:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Vigilantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07640246609540057997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12597943.post-84794622496430205802009-01-10T21:03:00.000-06:002009-01-10T21:03:00.000-06:00You're right, Wizard. Great report from NPR. Pan...You're right, Wizard. Great report from NPR. Panetta is rather moderate. I'm the ultra left wing of the party, but I also recognize we're a nation that must get along.<BR/><BR/>I think your post about Panetta is excellent. We certainly need someone well-heeled and highly schooled in intelligence for the CIA Director.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure if I agree that Obama made his decision in weakness. He's a thoughtful individual. All presidents have their personal advisers who tend to have the ear of the leader.<BR/><BR/>Really great post, Wizard.Stella by Starlighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16385761338190877425noreply@blogger.com