Letter: Criticism of Goss was dishonest

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004 | 9:52 a.m.

Former Rep. Porter Goss is one of the best selections President Bush could have made to serve as CIA director. He has experience, education and political smarts going for him. Therefore, I sincerely resent Frank Pelteson's letter of Nov. 1 criticizing Mr. Goss.

First, Pelteson tries a little bit of guilt by association and cites an interview Goss had with the dreaded Michael Moore before he was even proposed for the CIA directorship.

Then he added a quotation completely out of context, which would appear to have Goss saying he was incompetent. Not unlike an engineer who 20 years later is the head of a high-tech company, Goss was stating he was like an engineer of 20 years past who would not meet current hiring standards.

Then Pelteson moved on to the Council on Foreign Relations conspiracy. Yes, Goss is a member, but so is anyone who subscribes to Foreign Relations Magazine, just as I am a member of the National Geographic Society because I subscribe to the magazine.

For a final garnish, Pelteson took out the big black brush and painted over everyone who has ever served as CIA director.

The leaders of the conspiratorial John Birch Society must have been pleased with Pelteson's letter.

KENNETH RECORD