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(CIA spying on Senate) Time to tame the intelligence monster - Eugene Robinson
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/eugene-robinson-time-to-tame-the-cia-monster/2014/08/04/d36cd744-1c10-11e4-ae54-0cfe1f974f8a_story.htmlEugene Robinson, Washington Post
The CIA now admits that it spied on a Senate investigation into the agency’s shameful program of secret detention and torture. Do we need any more proof that the spooks are out of control?...An internal “accountability board” will look into the incident, an agency statement said, and might recommend “potential disciplinary measures” or even “steps to address systemic issues.”
Somehow, I don’t feel reassured.
....
The White House has taken a la-de-dah attitude toward the revelation that the agency charged with spying on the machinations of our foreign enemies instead trained its focus on the official work of our elected officials. Asked whether Brennan now has a credibility problem, press secretary Josh Earnest said, “Not at all.”
....
...And there’s more: The CIA also hacked into the e-mail of some of the committee’s Democratic staff members....Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), a member of the intelligence panel, stated the obvious: “This grave misconduct not only is illegal, but it violates the U.S. Constitution’s requirement of separation of powers.” He called on Brennan to resign.
As I said, however, this is bigger than Brennan. At issue is whether a vastly expanded and empowered U.S. intelligence establishment will be fully and properly brought under civilian control and oversight. Bush and Cheney created a monster. Obama, in the time he has left in office, had better tame it.
Somehow, I don’t feel reassured.
....
The White House has taken a la-de-dah attitude toward the revelation that the agency charged with spying on the machinations of our foreign enemies instead trained its focus on the official work of our elected officials. Asked whether Brennan now has a credibility problem, press secretary Josh Earnest said, “Not at all.”
....
...And there’s more: The CIA also hacked into the e-mail of some of the committee’s Democratic staff members....Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), a member of the intelligence panel, stated the obvious: “This grave misconduct not only is illegal, but it violates the U.S. Constitution’s requirement of separation of powers.” He called on Brennan to resign.
As I said, however, this is bigger than Brennan. At issue is whether a vastly expanded and empowered U.S. intelligence establishment will be fully and properly brought under civilian control and oversight. Bush and Cheney created a monster. Obama, in the time he has left in office, had better tame it.
