So who's been running the secret program(s) since Jan 20th?

[BR_Parkway]

If Panetta didn't know about them (nor the POTUS by that implication) and had to "shut it down when he found out about it" that means that the program's still been running within the CIA under the direction of someone for almost 6 months.

So who? Cheney? Addington? This seems like treason if it's true, I can't think of another word to use

[eShirl]

1. Cheney's moles?

It definitely sounds illegal to me.

[endarkenment]

2. The shadow government runs itself.

There is no good evidence that the Obama administration has managed to take control over anything other than the white house press room.

It is the kleptocracy, it has always been the kleptocracy for the last 60 years or so, that is in charge.

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Nobody?

The program may have been in place but not operating.

[BR_Parkway]

5. I doubt that - it was so secret, only a few knew - so you'd have a couple

people dedicated to it. I can't imagine they were sitting around watching internet porn for the past 6 months.

Well, they were selected by Republicans....maybe that's exactly what they were doing

[KharmaTrain]

4. It's Called Housecleaning...

Just because an new administration takes over on January 20th doesn't mean the entire government is changed. Most departments, including the CIA, are mostly run by the "lifers"...full-time government employees who generally are apolitical and stay through administration changes. Their bosses come and go and some may move from one agency to another, but without these people, the country would cease to function.

That said, Panetta, like many of President Obama's cabinet, have walked into major messes...both in command and morale. We were told by Sy Hersch months ago that cheney had his moles throughought the CIA, DOD, DOJ and other agencies and still operating as if the election never happened.

It's treason if we learn that orders were still being given after Jan. 20...and this revelation opens the door to what other moles are still operating inside the government.

This situation is a sticky wicket for President Obama that he's now being forced to confront. He wants to avoid being viewed as going after the past regime as it's all but certain a future GOOP regime would use it as precedence to do the same to his administration. But that excuse falls short with each new revelation of war crimes and other violations of the Constitution.

The only way we'll find out the answer to your question...investigate! Be it the Legislative, the DOJ or, even better, both!

[BR_Parkway]

7. Certainly makes "plumbers" breaking into hotel rooms look pretty mild

by comparison. Sure wish these jerks would have been prosecuted the first time around instead of left to reclaim power all these years later

[SmileyRose]

6. Civil servants don't come and go with every president.

The system more or less runs itself.

[Historic NY]

8. remember those deep implants * made, they're not there for pay checks.