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I live in the Florida Keys. I've been in the military and worked inside the Beltway. I've had 22 technical books and two novels published. I fly, boat, dive, shoot, and swim pretty damn well.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Thoughts on Panetta for CIA

I am a pretty strong conservative and no fan of the Democrats, but I have been pleasantly surprised by the Obama appointments, with the notable exception of the Attorney General, and I think the negative commentary about Panetta at the CIA is uninformed and just plain silly. 

If I was in the Agency right now, I would be thrilled that the new boss understands and is connected to the levers of power inside the Beltway.  I would NOT want some "Intelligence Professional" at the top.  I want someone who can call the legislators on the Intelligence Committees and the Appropriations Committees by their first names and who knows the names of all of their kids.  That's Panetta

The job of CIA Director is more about getting money and forgiveness than it is about issuing analysis. There are card-carrying certified Intelligence Analysts for that.  There are plenty of bright Agency folks who can sit at the Director's shoulder and whisper Intelligence things in his ear.  People who can successfully navigate the Beltway are much more rare.  

As far as comments about Panetta being a human rights type?  He is certainly more of a realist than he is being painted and ...by the way... they did win.  They get to play their agendas.  Save your outrage for stuff that matters.  There will be plenty of it.  

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