Constitutionality of the CIA

**Alexander the Pretty Good** · 07-22-2005, 03:52

In the How we trained Al-Queda thread, Gelatinous Cube said,

More often than not, it's a result of Government incompetence coming up with incompetent ideas, as opposed to anything sinister. I believe we would be better off without a CIA to perpetuate these kinds of thing [referring to the troubles and intervention in the Balkans]--the CIA is terrible unconstitutional. As is the FBI, but at least it has proven it's worth.

I've never heard that before. I mean, yeah, the Constitution doesn't say we should have a Central Intelligence Agency, but it also doesn't say we should have an Air Force. Care to explain, Cube?

**Alexander the Pretty Good** · 07-22-2005, 04:09

It allows the president to bypass Checks and Balances, by giving him a separate organization that is entirely devoid of the checks and balances system. Our Government was made to counter-balance itself, so nobody gets too powerful, but presidents have been using the CIA to make the Executive office more and more important ever since it's establishment.

Sounds like it fits the bill, but could you give me a little more info, maybe some specifics? I don't know much about it.

And what should we do about the situation, in your opinion? The CIA has to be better than having no intelligence agency, right? Even if their wrong or crazy the majority of the time, wouldn't it be better than having our heads in the sand?

**Don Corleone** · 07-22-2005, 04:23

The CIA doesn't live outside the checks & balances philosophy. There's a Senate Intelligence Committee, and if Senator Patrick 'Leaky' Leahy would quit divulging 'eyes only' information to the press, they might start hearing what the CIA is up to again.

EDIT: Okay, GC, just read your post closer. You're right, they're not truly accountable. Why? Because a Senate committee meeting has been deemed unsecure. Why? Why can't your Democratic senators abide the law and keep their mouths shut about what they find out?

And I hate to be rude, but it's Central Intelligence Agency, not Counter.

**Don Corleone** · 07-22-2005, 04:39

So you would agree with the Democrats' policy of publishing committe notes to their staffers, who then diffuse them to the press, possibly jeopradizing agents across the globe?

In light of the Democrats, and their pack of hounds the mainstream American media going after the administration on Valerie Plame, who outed herself, mind you, this is a laughable position.

You guys need to learn to stick to issues you have credibility on. Protecting covert intelligence is not what the Democrats in the senate want to hang their hats on, trust me. It'll get really ugly if you make us trade Karl for Pat Leahy.

**Don Corleone** · 07-22-2005, 04:46

I am so sorry, GC. Your logic is overwhelming, and yet, I, a simpleton, fail to grasp it. On September 12th, the entire country of the United States wanted to know who had done this to us the day before, and why.

Should I understand you properly, it is your argument we need not know these things. I'm sorry, I'm not all that bright, I'd like to, actually. Can you explain to me why I don't need to know? Or, in absence of that, can you explain to me how you intend to explain to me the inner workings of terrorist camps?

**Don Corleone** · 07-22-2005, 05:00

Beghorah! Our next president, and here, sure enough, posting in our Backroom Tavern Forum!!!

Eliminate the CIA and you'll eliminate the need for them!!! Brilliant!!!

Does the same hold true with my taxes, by the way? When you eliminate them, you'll also eliminate the need for them??? Brilliant!!!

**Alexander the Pretty Good** · 07-22-2005, 04:26

Most, if not nearly all, had not commited any crimes, unless you count being a communist a crime. And while I disagree with Communism, ones privilage to express their political viewpoints peacefully is 100% protected under the 1st Amendment.

To nitpick in an off-topic manner so very briefly, I agree with the part about expressing the political viewpoints peacefully and all that. But wasn't the Communist party (or parties?) in the USA actively trying to overthrow the government? My history isn't that great on the subject, but maybe there were a few cases where scrutiny was justified.

But I digress.

The CIA and FBI are more or less autonomous and answerable mostly to the president.

I still wait to hear what you think we should do about this. It's a pretty interesting topic.

EDIT: You're not being rude, Don. Central it is. Thanks for the catch. I wasn't sure, so I went with... the wrong word.