For those of you concerned about the CIA-DOD game of musical chairs, face historical reality

[MadHound]

The CIA and military have always worked hand in glove, going back to the days right after WWII. The CIA has always relied on the military to provide operational support, and also cover for their activities abroad. Furthermore, Petraeus will not be the first DCI to come from the military, not by a long shot. In fact the first four CIA heads came over from the military, as have many since then.

This game of musical chairs is not some sinister plot, but rather a continuation of a long established policy, which is bad enough as is.

[JackRiddler]

1. The national security state, a permanent government.

Petraeus: War criminal.

[MadHound]

2. Well d'uh

We've been heading down that road for a long, long while. And yes, Petraeus could very well be a war criminal.

But to act like these latest appointments are part of some sinister plot is simply to ignore historical reality, historical fact.

[EFerrari]

3. Historical reality re-enforces the need for concern, not the other way around.

lol

[MadHound]

4. Not saying that it shouldn't,

But face it, where were you folks with all this concern, fear and outrage ten years ago, twenty years ago, thirty years ago, etc.?

That is my point, this is not some sinister, new development, but rather an ongoing, direct result of the CIA-DOD relationship of the past sixty plus years.

[EFerrari]

7. Where was I?

I was wherever I was, doing exactly the same thing I'm doing now, speaking up wherever possible.

And of course you're right about the history.

[scarletwoman]

5. Exactly. Well and pithily said. (nt)

[TheKentuckian]

6. True, but it should loudly and firmly be opposed

This particular General is a few more feet down the rabbit hole, in my opinion.

[MadHound]

8. LOL!

While I agree that Petraeus should be hauled up for war crimes, he is nowhere near getting near the deep end of the rabbit hole. Go read your history on Allan Dulles, Richard Helms, and William Casey. Compared to those three, Petraeus is pretty damn tame.

[TheKentuckian]

15. Fair enough, I haven't thought on those names in some time.

[TheWraith]

9. Actually, I'm less worried about this than I would be about a CIA vet getting the CIA job.

The advantage of having people like Petraeus or Panetta in the job is that they haven't spent years inside the CIA culture, building up IOUs, allies, and getting invested in protecting the status quo.

[MadHound]

11. Oh, don't be so sure about that, at least in the case of Petraeus

Since the CIA turns to the military for its operational support, I'm sure he's stashed his fair share of IOU's among the suits at the CIA.

[Marblehead]

10. the whole thing

reeks. The CIA tells congress what to do and Cheney still runs the CIA, he lives right down the street.

[Odin2005]

12. The CIA is our Praetorian Guard.

[Sonoman]

13. Just look at our current SecDef. nt

[ElsewheresDaughter]

14. Petraeus will manipulate intel that will support his warrior soul