Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Another view?
View more of the Las Vegas Sun's opinion section:
• Editorials - the Sun's viewpoint.
• Columnists - local and syndicated writers.
• Letters to the editor - readers' views.
Have your own opinion? Write a letter to the editor.
Regarding reports that the Defense Department plans to expand its spy agency, our Pentagon people in Washington must be on some special medication, but I’ll try to be tolerant. We are letting the world know that the CIA is going to train an additional 1,600 spies for service overseas over the next few years.
That’s pretty sporting of the U.S. to share with our friends and enemies our intensions. I’m waiting to find out exactly where each one of the spies will be stationed and their names, of course.
It seems to me that in order to aid our spies and to make things more convenient for those with whom they will be in contact, we should also indicate specifically the type of intelligence we are seeking. This would make for a more open and cooperative relationship with those we care about and those we don’t give a hoot about.
Good going, Pentagon. Please let us know ASAP about the next secret weapon you are working on.
After Benghazi it is clear that the CIA does not have a clue what is going on
At least the WH told us that the CIA does not know what is happening
So the Defense department is going to do what the CIA should do and failed
But the problem is Obama cut the Defense Department budget by $1 trillion dollars
Where is Obama getting the Money. What other programs is he cutting
Why not fix the CIS
Does Obama have any idea how to run this country
This new intel practice will preempt Generals' scandals so the rest of the world can learn our secrets.
CarmineD
Sorry Sam, you have your government agencies mixed up. The 1600 "spies" are in the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency), part of the department of Defense and many are just data collectors. The DIA's new recruits would include military attaches and others who do not work undercover.
"Sorry Sam, you have your government agencies mixed up. The 1600 "spies" are in the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency), part of the department of Defense and many are just data collectors. The DIA's new recruits would include military attaches and others who do not work undercover." @ Jim Weber
The fact that you, and others, know this intel info, is prima facies evidence of the letter writer's point. At one time, it would take secret or higher clearance to have privy to this information let alone put it in public print.
CarmineD
I wouldn't get too upset about this. It's not really that big a deal unless they go any further than they already have.
I had to laugh back in my Marine Corps days when my platoon commander would tell us on certain deployments that we were not even allowed to write letters that contained deployment data. That, the majority of briefings we received were of a "confidential" nature. I learned later that the news back home had spread the news long before even we knew. Heck, even the people I met in foreign liberty ports I visited knew where our next ship destination was long before any of us. It was a common practice amongst us that if we really wanted to know where our ship was heading to next, just ask any civilian.
BChap, in the odl days we had a saying for what you desribe. "Loose lips sink ships."
"Need to know basis" use to be the mantra. Wonder what ever happened to that intel principle?
CarmineD
Carmine, why ask me? Ask your government!!!
Author: 1) Wrong agency. 2) Much ado about nothing.
And get your facts straight before you publish. Plus, publish on subjects with which you have some familiarity. Defense-related in not in your wheelhouse, obviously.
"Carmine, why ask me? Ask your government!!!" BChap
It was a rhetorical question. The answer is self-evident. It no longer exists.
CarmineD