Reagan's speech on signing the 1982 Intelligence Identities Protection Act

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

I'm certainly no fan of Ronald Reagan and I recall that his own administration was guilty of its share of criminal wrongdoings. But when I hear right wing hatchet men/women in the media suggest that Karl Rove should receive a medal for blowing the cover of a CIA Agent, or that it was no big deal, I think it would be interesting to immediately cut to a tape of Reagan's speech that he gave upon signing the 1982 Intelligence Identities Protection Act into law and throw it back in their faces in the words of their own sacred icon:

http://foi.missouri.edu/iipa/remarks.html

(...)

"Whether you work in Langley or a faraway nation, whether your tasks are in operations or analysis sections, it is upon your intellect and integrity, your wit and intuition that the fate of freedom rests for millions of your countrymen and for many millions more all around the globe. You are the trip-wire across which the forces of repression and tyranny must stumble in their quest for global domination. You, the men and women of the CIA, are the eyes and ears of the free world."

"Like those who are part of any silent service, your sacrifices are sometimes unappreciated; your work is sometimes misunderstood. Because you're professionals, you understand and accept this. But because you're human and because you deal daily in the dangers that confront this nation, you must sometimes question whether some of your countrymen appreciate the value of your accomplishments, the sacrifices you make, the dangers you confront, the importance of the warnings that you issue."

(...)

"This carefully drawn act recognizes that the revelation of the names of secret agents adds nothing to legitimate public debate over intelligence policy. It is also a signal to the world that while we in this democratic nation remain tolerant and flexible, we also retain our good sense and our resolve to protect our own security and that of the brave men and women who serve us in difficult and dangerous intelligence assignments."

[kestrel91316]

1. Oh, dear. Why does Reagan hate America?????