House Intelligence Chairman Opposes Hayden as Next CIA Chief

[dogday]

May 7 (Bloomberg) -- The chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee urged the White House not to nominate Air Force Lieutenant General Michael Hayden to head the civilian Central Intelligence Agency.

Hayden, 61, a veteran intelligence official, is likely to be nominated, perhaps as soon as tomorrow, a senior administration official said May 5.

Hayden is principal deputy director in the Office of National Intelligence, the agency recently created to coordinate a wide array of U.S. intelligence functions now carried out by more than a dozen civilian and military units. Previously he served as director of the super-secret National Security Agency, which runs massive electronic surveillance programs over international communications.

``I've got a lot of respect for Mike Hayden, and he's done a good job, but I do believe he's the wrong person at the wrong place at the wrong time,'' said U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra, a Michigan Republican. ``We should not have a military person leading a civilian agency at this time.''

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=ai3E.MJ6VklA&refer=top_world_news

[Hubert Flottz]

1. I hope Bush picks him and that the democrats eat him alive...

when he goes befor congress! Think of the questions about the spying on Americans deal the dems COULD put to the guy.

[acmavm]

2. And the dems eat him alive? Was there an election when I wasn't

looking? Are there different dems in the Senate? You mean we have some guys who might actually stand up to the bush** administration now?

Shit, I should have been paying attention.

[Hubert Flottz]

3. The chance to do it would be there!

They know the voters are tired of the "Do Nothing Democrats!"

[acmavm]

6. You're right, this is a golden opportunity. But there have been soooooo

many.

[Avalux]

4. Just watched Pat Roberts on CNN -

vehemently defending illegal wiretapping and criticizing Specter for having tough questions about Hayden. Of course Specter has a lot of questions because he hasn't been briefed on the wiretapping 'program' - when asked by Blitzer if Specter should be briefed, Roberts said no and defended the right of the adminstration to not inform Congress members other than members of the Intelligence Committee.
Roberts said Specter has a "philisophical" problem with wiretapping and dissed him for it; claiming there's nothing wrong with the 'program'and it must remain secret.

Roberts has turned his position as head of the Intelligence Committee into one of running interference for this adminstration against his colleagues - obstructing their right to information concerning activities that violate our rights as citizens.

Hearings for Hayden will be a chance for not only Democrats but Republicans who still have a shred of decency to go after Roberts and demand information. Might be a really good thing.

[H2O Man]

5. I think there is

a film, and there should be a transcript somewhere, of a press conference that took place around January 23 (I may be off on that date). Mr. Hayden was having a discussion with James Bamford, and a question regarding the constitution came it. It centered upon the wording of part of the Bill of Rights. Mr. Hayden proved himself to be dangerously unfamiliar with the Bill of Rights. It would be to the nation's advantage if some folks could find that film clip, or the transcript. A CIA director who is so unfamiliar with the Bill of Rights is, by definition, dangerous.

[H2O Man]

7. I found it.

I think I know what my next essay will be about!

[Jazzgirl]

8. Go write that essay H2O Man!

Impatiently waiting..... }(