Gates to shrink/shut down Rumsfeld-Cambone-Feith-Boykin intel operation

[babylonsister]

This article/thread was the precursor to the one you're now clicked on. Sorry, got the info backwards.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3155150



http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/001994.php

An Intelligent Move by Defense Secretary Robert Gates
Steve Clemons

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has told a number of senior national security officials -- current and former -- that he is shutting down (or at least significantly shrinking) the Rumsfeld-Cambone-Feith-Boykin intelligence operation.

Rumsfeld encouraged a massive expansion of the Department of Defense's intelligence operations just at the time that the 9/11 Commission, Congressional enabling legislation, and the White House had worked together to reorganize the vast bulk of America's intelligence machine under the Director of National Intelligence -- who was then John Negroponte.

Rumsfeld's colonization of much of the intelligence operations of government was in direct defiance of the legal operational and budgetary authority that the DNI position theoretically held.

Gates' move is a sign that he is making what are possibly an important set of moves to try and get the government's national security decision-making process back in better shape. DoD's misbehavior in intelligence has generated constant battles and significant mistrust among key players in defense policy.

As this writer has reported before, there was significant rivalry between Rumsfeld and Cambone on one side and then Deputy DNI Michael Hayden and DNI John Negroponte on another. Gates' intentions on getting his operations back under the operational management of current DNI Mike McConnell shows that this institutional rivalry is mostly over.

More important though was that the Rumsfeld-Cambone-Feith-Boykin intel machine included the staff of Vice President Cheney who were key beneficiaries of intel activities and information passed on to the Vice President's Office by DoD. Instructions also flowed from Cheney's office to DoD regarding intelligence initiatives and work that should be done. This entire interaction existed beyond what was legally prescribed and appropriate between the White House and this subcabinet intelligence activity controlled by Rumsfeld and his minions.

more...

[originalpckelly]

1. Oh holy shit!

We really need a smoking gun smiley. This will do :wow:

[Robbien]

2. Gates has to shut it down. An agency working outside his chain

of command? Not good. Not good at all.

[watrwefitinfor]

3. So Poppy's boy is there to clean house and shut out crashcart?

Is this another sign that Cheney is on his way out, or is something else going on?

And what does this mean in terms of intelligence gathering (or propaganda mongering) for the great Iran Adventure?

Wat

[Dr.Phool]

4. I've never trusted Gates.

But, he does seem to be making a few right moves.

We'll see.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. why am I so unsure. . . .

on one hand, on the surface, this seems logical, refreshing, even appealing. The idea that intel will be put back in the hands of intel experts and not folded, mangled, spindled, cut, punched, mutilated, folded or cherry-picked would be a great step forward.

The problem with that is that except for the performance of an underfunded, little known, (and disbanded by Cheney) State Dept. intel group, most of our intel services have been notable for getting it wrong. Except, if they do real intel work, it is bound to be better than Cheney's propoganda machine.

On the other hand, because we are so hungry for even a glimmer of rational behavior from anyone connected with this administration, even the pronouncement that he is no longer beating his wife would be greeted with cheers, flowers, hugs and financial donations. Looking at the past yrs, every single time that this cabal had an opportunity to speak the truth, they spinned it.

Recall some of the most meaningful and accurate statements by this admin: "I'm a uniter, not a divider." "We don't do nation building." (well, at least it was accurate). "The economy has never been stronger."

Hell, I've lost count, what with Cheney, Condi, Rummie and Bush, all saying things that ended up being completely false. This could be nothing more than a transparent effort to confuse and defuse the issues that are burning all of us a new asshole: Intel work by our government domestically. Between the Feebies, the NSA, the CIA, and other groups, our privacy has been eradicated. Gone. Poof. dismantled, destroyed, detained, denied.

[Klukie]

6. Cheney must be going batshit over this.

Things are starting to unravel and I just wonder how these thugs will react as their power slips away.

[babylonsister]

7. One can only hope. nt

[NCarolinawoman]

8. Absolutely great news.

Poppy Bush has sent his truant officer in to take the keys away from the cars of the Neo-cons. Bush Jr. is being separated from his Neo-con playmates.

What will William Kristol and people of his ilk do now?!!!

Good for Gates. This is good for the country.

:applause: