Eugene Robinson: Time to Tame the Monster (CIA)

[marmar]

from truthdig:


Time to Tame the Monster

Posted on Aug 6, 2014
By Eugene Robinson


The CIA now admits that it spied on a Senate investigation into the agency’s shameful program of secret detention and torture. Do we need any more proof that the spooks are out of control?

An internal “accountability board” will look into the incident, an agency statement said, and might recommend “potential disciplinary measures” or even “steps to address systemic issues.”

Somehow, I don’t feel reassured.

You will recall that when Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., alleged in March that the CIA was rummaging through her panel’s computer files without permission, CIA Director John Brennan scoffed at the complaint with high-handed derision. “I think a lot of people who are claiming that there has been this tremendous sort of spying and monitoring and hacking will be proved wrong,” he said.

Oops. An internal CIA probe discovered that, well, a good deal of spying and monitoring and hacking did take place. Brennan has reportedly apologized to Feinstein and Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., the ranking Republican on the committee—both of whom have been among the CIA’s staunchest supporters on Capitol Hill. ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/time_to_tame_the_monster_20140806

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

1. One fundamental problem...

Is that much of our national security posture -- including NSA surveillance and what we'll allow the CIA to do in our name -- was formulated in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. At a time when the country was collectively scare shitless. That's not the best time to determine "how much security do we need?" It's sort of like going grocery shopping when you're hungry -- you're bound to end up with too much, and a lot of stuff you don't need.

[AngryAmish]

2. Mr. Robinson is about to be found driving drunk

Or maybe kiddie porn.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. I had no idea his heart was so weak.

[AngryAmish]

8. These things sneak up on you.

[redqueen]

3. K&R nt

[hifiguy]

4. K'n'R for the always-great Gene Robinson.

[TheKentuckian]

5. There is no taming the monster, put a stake through its heart or it will consume our democracy

and the whole world.

[Comrade Grumpy]

7. It is the nature of the beast. It needs to be neutered.

[leftstreet]

9. DURec