Dear President Bush,
The official announcement came out just minutes ago. You nominated General Michael Hayden for the CIA Director position. Mr. Hayden is the current Deputy Director of National Intelligence, serving as the number 2 man for John Negroponte. It appears “the Ambassador” wanted his own man heading the cornerstone intelligence agency.
As Mr. Negroponte is the Director of National Intelligence, why would the General refer to his boss as “Ambassador” in his brief remarks in the Oval Office? Does it make the Director sound friendlier, more appealing, and more likeable? Some Hondurans tortured under the Ambassador’s tenure there might not agree with that assessment.
Mr. Hayden happens to be the architect of the “secret spying here at home” program which remains an enigma to Congressional oversight committees. Senator Spector plans to use the nomination process to get Mr. Hayden to address his unanswered questions. In a truly unique spin, White House National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley had the gall to say the nominee was the best person to answer those questions. If that is true, why did the White House not have Mr. Hayden report to the Senate Intelligence Committee? Why did they not instruct him to answer Mr. Spector’s questions?
You did sing the praises of Porter Goss as you introduced your new candidate. In your eyes Mr. Goss is a great patriot, professional, accomplished much and a man of integrity. It is a good thing you left out accountability after his two public talks. The combination of “the CIA makes mistakes” with “admit nothing, deny everything and make counteraccusations” qualifies him to serve right next to Karl. Is that where he is going? Or is it that cushy consulting position on a corporate board forecast by an earlier press story?
General Hayden spit and polished the CIA’s role by saying “there’s probably no post more important in preserving our security and our values as a people than the head of the Central Intelligence Agency”. Somehow I don’t believe a group that admits nothing, denies everything and makes counteraccusations represents American ideals. It may reflect current administration practices, but falls far short of our values.
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