Obama picks Leon Panetta to head CIA

Yeah, just what the CIA needs, a pussy at the helm.

This is too funny.Those guys at Langley must be going nuts about now.

An Obama transition official and another Democrat disclosed his nomination on a condition of anonymity since it was not yet public.

I never understood this concept...

"we're not supposed to say anything yet, and have sworn not to...but if you say it was anonymous, then I'll tell you everything secret that you would want to know."

Doesn't that in and of itself hold a bit of discredit to the people who are speaking - PERIOD?!?

I don't know much about this Leon person, but let me ask you this:

How many of you thought he was Jamie Farr ('Klinger') from M.A.S.H., even if only for a split second? :)

lol...wasn't going to say it...so glad you did.

Someone please explain to me why not J. Hartman with a lot more knowledge?

Because Jane Harman is on Nancy Pelosi's @!$%# list.  Harman would be a great choice, considering she actually knew what was going on, a rare thing for members of that committee, regardless of party.

Which qualifies her, imho.

Thanks, Mr. Boothby.

 "Doesn't that in and of itself hold a bit of discredit to the people who are speaking - PERIOD?!?"

 In Washington D.C. you should ask dis question ????

Why Obama do dis to us ? Why he do dis?

******************

Mr. Blevins, an astute observation...But if he were Klinger he'd have to be head of the F.B.I. wouldn't he (women's clothes ... Hoover)?

The Republicans love reactionaries, fascists, in the CIA which murders, overthrows governments, puts in military thugs, and supports oligarchies for global corporate fascism. 

Don't worry, Obama put Admiral Blair into the fascist mix, the guy who embraced the INDONESIAN fascist military thugs who carried out GENOCIDE against East Timor. Between "pussies" RIGHT WING EMOTIONAL TERMINOLOGY and fascist diplomats who embrace Mass MURDERERS, whether ISRAELIS IN GAZA or Americans giving the Green light for mass murder by INDONESIA..

WE HAVE A MIX OF BI PARTISAN CLASS ROT

New Trouble For An Obama Nominee: Admiral Dennis Blair Aided Perpetrators of 1999 Church Killings In East Timor

http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/6/dennis_blair_obamas_nominee_for_director

Jane Harman, a Zionist liberal is the idiot who proposed the HOMEGROWN TERRORIST LAWS, to make free speech, thought, especially against Zionist condemnation a crime.  She also sat in on secret committe hearings and knew about the CRIMES OF BUSH AND CHENEY and said nothing, did nothing as American empire serves Zionism and vice a versa.

this is what Tim Boothby means that Harman has experience who knows what fascist, criminal rot she participated in.

Hehehehe Eric, are you translating for me?  You have a fine sense of Irony.

I believe that my exact words were:  "Harman would be a great choice, considering she actually knew what was going on, a rare thing for members of that committee, regardless of party."  Kindly refrain from trying to make it appear that I said something that I didn't. 

To clarify my comment, she was the most knowledgeable member of the intel committee and always well prepared for what happened in those meetings, as opposed to her replacement, first the attempt to replace her with Alcee Hastings and then her eventual replacement Silvestre Reyes who failed a nationally reported Q&A session about the basics of major terrorist groups al Qaeda and Hezbollah.  Not good for a 6-year member of an intel committee wouldn't you say?

Eric, I would agree with you a lot more if you wouldn't write the same comment over and over and over...

Eric likes to use the word, "Zionist". It is attached with 90% of his comments. I am sure if his orders are messed up at McDonald's he would claim the guy working the fryer is also a "zionist".

Would this be anything like letting the chicken guard the den of foxes?

Remember Brownie was doing a heck of a job. Panetta, may do a "heck of a job".

And you libs thought Palin was a bad pick.  This just shows how much of an amateur BO really is.  This position needs to be filled by someone that will give the American people confidence.  This political hack has absoutely no qualifications for this position.  Oh and if you want a real good laugh look who BO wants for Surgeon General.  The CNN nitwit Sanja Gupta.  hahahahahahahahahaahahaha!  What is this country coming to?  I knew BO would be a terrible President I just thought he would have waited until the inauguration to F up so badly.  His bad decisions lately have to be because he is trying to quit smoking.  There is no way a sane man would have done this.  So light up big shot and quit screwing up your cabinet choices.

I for one am not a fan of the CIA and its antics especially under Bush.  There needs to be someone in charge that is free from any taint from the atrocities done by this group in the name of freedom.  I am sure there are good people in the Organization but the time it would take to vet the good ones from the bad ones would result in the same thing going on and on. 

This pick will put all in the Organization on guard that Obama isn't going to have any of the past stuff.  Good choice for the transparency we as citizens have requested and require.

This just shows how much of an amateur BO really is.  This position needs to be filled by someone that will give the American people confidence.

reggie, the American people by and large don't give a @!$%# who the director of the CIA is.  Neither do most people outside our country.  If you think I'm wrong, name the last 3 CIA directors and how they gave you 'confidence'.

His bad decisions lately have to be because he is trying to quit smoking.  There is no way a sane man would have done this.

If you have a problem with Mr. Obama and his decisions, that's fine.  Rant all you want, that's your right.  But don't demonize or belittle people who try to quit smoking, they're not doing anything wrong.  It's a very wise and health-conscious decision, and it's very difficult to accomplish (I tried about 6 times myself before I got it right).  People who are trying to quit smoking need all the motivation and support they can get, and it doesn't help when they see stupid-ass comments such as yours.  You're the amateur here, sir.

Reggie,

Some people just like to find fault with everything.  I too quit smoking after 25 years and three packs a day I admire him for trying and if that is all that he does that doesn't meet the writer standards we have a winner for sure. 

Oh dear, that "transparency" is going to cost lives, not the lives of our enemies, the lives of our own.

Better that Obama dismantle all the operations and we sit like ducks waiting for the worse.

Steve:  unfortunately, not a whole lot more.  I am shocked that, of all bad choices, he picked Mr. Panetta.  Just an incredibly poor choice.  Did Mr. Obama or his advisors do ANY homework on Mr. Panetta, or did they just pick the guy with the funniest sounding last name?

Most of  the existing cia agents are loyal to the bush sr.  Its important that most of them get fired or else the Bush agenda would just continue.

John:

Really?  All of those humint folks are loyal to Bush.  And we should fire them all. 

Please, do you know how difficult it is to garner humint?  You just don't "fire" and "replace" those folks.

As to the "Bush" agenda, you mean not being attacked by terrorists again?

Yeah, that's a terrible agenda.

A tainted CIA agent is useless.  THe CIA's main loyalty should be  to the whole nation, not to one man who wants all his sons become president.

Get a new batch, younger,not as old as Bush sr.

John, you're wrong. All CIA agents are loyal to Bill Clinton. They were very busy covering up evidence from people that ended up dead. They neglected to do their job, and then came 9-11. You see, Bill wants Chelsea to be president and the agents were just being loyal followers.

Sounds incredibly stupid doesn't it?

Most CIA personnel are union, good luck getting rid of them.

Jimmy Carter got rid of alot of the CIA's human intellegence group and we suffered for decades.

Ah yes, the Halloween Massacre, Stansfield Turner claimed that he eliminated 820 slots from the CIA, outside estimates range up to 2,800.  Turner was to intelligence what Custer was to tactics, but he was a bureaucrat of the first order.  He didn't fire or get rid of anyone, he pushed through a budget and administratively defunded positions.  He figured that satellites, reconnaissance and intercepts were all that were needed for intelligence.  If bureaucrats were put in charge of sex they'd ban physical contact.

Oh well, it will suffice many of the anti-Bush crew into thinking that "sweeping changes" in the CIA upper administration and management levels. But really, a person who has no counter intelligece, strategic intelligence, or basic military intelligence analysis experience is the pick to lead the CIA?

Back to basic block. Instead of a person with knowledge and understanding, we'll have a political minded leader at the controls of the CIA. Maybe he can hire Bill Mayher to run the NSA, he is funny and he thinks he knows geo-political issues but has no security clearance so that would be along the same lines as this selection. Well back to the 1990s mentality to intelligence gathering, where we stuck are heads in the sand and hoped for the best.

Let us look at the facts as they are obvious (not the ones which are hearsay and rhetorical spit)....

Hummm? September 11, 2001 Bush had been in office how long?

Hummm? Invasion of Iraq happened March 20, 2003, Bush had a couple of years under his belt by this time.... invasion was (supposedly) based on false info provided by CIA.  

Whom?... CIA ...What? ...CIA WHERE... IRAQ ... WHEN... 2001 to 2003 .... How long had those guys been in the field ?????

Bush legacy now largely considered a series of failures due to CIA operatives working for the benefit of what political party (?)

And remember now, we haven't had another major attack in the intervening years since September 2001.

I'm an independent - and I don't care for Bush Jr. (not one iota) - But I don't blame him for a Democratic president's screwed up policies - policies that left more flak to clean up with regard to foreign policy since a peanut farmer sat in office! The king of oval office blow-jobs, who lied not only to congress but on live television to the whole world (not just American citizens - he lied to the whole frigging world)! He also left our armed forces weaker than they'd been since before Reagan took office, He'd installed the head of the CIA during his tenure too... Allowed his hand-picked Attorney General to send in the military to burn out over eighty men, women and children in a religious compound (most people had called it a church before Washington politicos started in with their double-speak).

When the heck are the American people going to wise up and elect a governing body with more than only two corrupt political parties in power? !!!!!!!

I could go on and on, but what's the use of bashing an ex-president who has no reputation and/or record of any repute to stand on? He left Bush Jr. with a screwed up CIA, a screwed up FBI and a defence department that gave praise to god when Bush took the oath of office!

I am tired of people perpetuating the falsehood that Bush's big thing was that he kept us safe since 9/11.

Excuse me, but he was president when we were attacked on 9/11, he was president when he ignored intelligence that said "Bin Laden determined to attack within the US." After receiving the info while at his ranch, what do he do, he stayed on vacation for 22 more days.  He never called a meeting about it when he got back.  BTW, remember the anthrax attack that killed 5 people and almost killed   more?  They pinned it on a dead guy, who knows who was behind it.  Doesn't this count as a terrorist attack, doesn't it cause a emergency response when white powder is put in an envelope and mailed?

Margo:

Hint, there has been no terrorist attack on the continental USA since 9/11.

No matter where your twisted path based on your hatred of GW takes you, this is an undeniable fact.  Plus, there have been terrorist attacks on other sovereign nations, Britain, Spain, others.

I assume you are in the 21st century; where the president is, so is his office and his capability of communications. 

I sincerely hope that Obama's decisions in this regard continue GW's track record.  I hope this for all Americans, especially those in larger cities.

Please !!!!!!!

With socialist (the Democratic Party) in control of both the Congress and the Presidency, shouldn't we be more concerned with retaining our U.S. Sovereignty, period?

Bin Laden determined to attack within the US

Margo, Please, don't embarrass yourself anymore.

OBL was in the cross hairs several times in the previous administration during the 1990s and we either waited too long or struck locations to draw attention from our own problems. There are a number of books written by people in the intelligence community who warned that an attack would occur during or just after Bill's watch. I spoke to a person who worked for the CIA during the 1990s. It was very political minded personnel and his administration did not want to know or do anything that might create bad public opinion polls. We cut operational budgets, restricted source operations, placed restrictions on means to acquire intelligence, and left the bulk of our overseas intelligence to our European allies.

I guess on paper it seemed like a good plan.....

wmolaw,

Your mistake is that you didn't qualify the statement by saying, 'no foreign attack'...see, we're at a point where we have all the foreign terrorists at war with our soldiers, and now it's just our Red/White/Blue Americans that are trying to kill us all...

awesome, huh?

Won't be a foreign attack---as such---Clinton allowed them to come into the US. The attack will come from with-in.

From the Desk of Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton:

Judicial Watch Obtains New Information On What Clinton Administration Knew About Bin Laden Threat

The more we uncover about the Clinton administration's response to the bin Laden threat, the worse it looks for Bill Clinton.

Judicial Watch made headlines when it obtained documents from the State Department in August 2005 related to what the Clinton administration knew about the threat posed by Osama bin Laden in the lead up to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Judicial Watch's discovery led to a barrage of media coverage, including a front-page story in The New York Times.

Well three years later, on August 5^th, we received from the State Department that had been blacked out on the original documents released to Judicial Watch. (Immediately after noting the redactions, Judicial Watch had filed an appeal with the Department of State Appeals Review Panel on October 13, 2005.)

As far as I can tell, two important news items emerged from this new information:

First, according to new information on a document entitled, "" dated July 18, 2006, the Clinton administration was warned of a bin Laden suicide car bombing threat in London: "[redacted] . . . indicated bin Ladin planned to sponsor suicide car bombings against US interests in the UK, in part to punish London for 'submitting' to US pressure to bar his entry into the UK." The information about the terrorist threats to London had previously been redacted.

Secondly, the documents also suggest the leadership of Sudan, President Al Bashir and Hassan Turabi, had nefarious ties with bin Laden: "National Islamic Front (NIF) leader Turabi...agreed to the expulsing of terrorist financier Usama bin Ladin on the condition that in the future he be allowed to return.... Turabi and President Bashin hoped that when bin Ladin visited he would use false documentation and provincial airports...to avoid publicity."

These new pieces of information help to complete the picture with respect to the Clinton administration's shocking failure to respond to the bin Laden threat.

The State Department documents were first produced to Judicial Watch in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed with the agency on December 11, 2001 concerning the government of Sudan's reported offer to share intelligence files on bin Laden. (The Clinton administration, of course, rebuffed an offer by Sudanese officials to turn bin Laden over to the U.S.)

Overall, the obtained by Judicial Watch in 2005 discuss bin Laden's travels, his prolonged stay in Afghanistan, financial networks, anti-Western threats in press interviews, his ties to the Khobar Towers bombing and his "emboldened" threats against U.S. interests.

According to the declassified documents, bin Laden's many passports and his private plane allowed him considerable freedom to travel "with little fear of being intercepted or tracked." Bin Laden reportedly even traveled to London where he gave a press interview subsequent to his departure from Sudan.

The report also warns that bin Laden's prolonged stay in Afghanistan "could prove more dangerous to U.S. interests in the long run than his three-year liaison with Khartoum." The intelligence predicts that even if bin Laden were forced to keep on the move, it would prove no more than an inconvenience since, ". . . his informal and transnational network of businesses and associates remains resilient." The report goes on to explain that bin Ladin on the move, "can retain the capability to support individuals and groups who have the motive and wherewithal to attack U.S. interests almost worldwide."

Over five years before 9/11, the Clinton administration was warned about bin Laden's murderous intent - including specific threats to attack U.S. interests through suicide car bombings in London. And yet the Clinton administration took no meaningful action against bin Laden. As a result of this inaction, not only did 9/11 come to pass, but so did massive suicide bombings in London's Underground in 2005.

Gardasil Under Fire

For more than two years, Judicial Watch has led the way in raising questions about Gardasil, the vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2006 to prevent certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) which may lead to cervical cancer.

We tracked adverse reaction reports from the FDA documenting the dangerous and deadly side effects of the vaccine and we have published this information for the world to see. Check out a we filed against the Food and Drug Administration to obtain more information. Our report not only focused on questions about Gardasil's safety, but also questions about its efficacy. The report concluded that Gardasil was a vaccine that may not work and which has potential serious (deadly) side effects.

So after millions in advertising and lobbying by Merck, the creator of Gardasil, our concerns have been confirmed. The news this week is that researchers haven't a clue as to whether or not Gardasil even works!

had the story this week. Here's an excerpt:

"Two vaccines against cervical cancer are being widely used without sufficient evidence about whether they are worth their high cost or even whether they will effectively stop women from getting the disease, two articles in this week's New England Journal of Medicine conclude.

"Both vaccines target the human papillomavirus, a common sexually transmitted virus that usually causes no symptoms and is cleared by the immune system, but which can in very rare cases become chronic and cause cervical cancer.

"'Despite great expectations and promising results of clinical trials, we still lack sufficient evidence of an effective vaccine against cervical cancer,' Dr. Charlotte J. Haug, editor of The Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association, wrote in an editorial in Thursday's issue of The New England Journal. 'With so many essential questions still unanswered, there is good reason to be cautious.'"

Talk about an understatement! The article also goes on to note that because cervical cancer develops only after years of chronic infection with HPV, researchers really have no idea if the vaccine even prevents cervical cancer.

Here's what we do know. The FDA has documented at least 8,864 adverse reactions associated with the vaccine, including seizures, paralysis, blood clots and hemorrhaging. And as many as 18 young girls died after the vaccine was administered to them. (Click for the full details.)

We hope federal and local governments pushing this vaccine educate themselves and pull back from pushing this evidently dangerous, expensive and perhaps useless vaccine on our children.

Judicial Watch Lawsuit Against Iraq for Role in Oklahoma City Bombing Moves Forward

On Thursday, a federal judge ruled that Judicial Watch's on behalf of victims of the April 19, 1995 Oklahoma City bombing can move forward. Judge Reggie B. Walton rejected a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by lawyers on behalf of Iraq. Finally, after many years of delay, the families of the Oklahoma City bombing will have their day in court. The Iraqi government was determined to end this case, but failed.

I haven't written about this case in quite some time, so here's a quick refresher. Judicial Watch filed its lawsuit on March 14, 2002 in a district court for the District of Columbia on behalf of 14 survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing, which took place on April 19, 1995.

As you may recall, the federal government prosecuted Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, two "domestic" terrorists, for perpetrating the bombing, which killed 168 people. Both were convicted. McVeigh was executed and Nichols is now serving a life sentence. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of over twenty of the bombing's victims, alleges that "the entire plot was, in whole or in part, orchestrated, assisted technically and/or financially and directly aided by agents of The Republic of Iraq."

You can read the complaint . Below are just a few pieces of the allegations in our complaint:

• "Prior to the Gulf War, Iraq had developed a covert network in the United States to acquire materials for weapons of mass destruction. After the Gulf War, Iraq converted that network into organized terrorist cells. Those covert Iraqi procurement and terrorist activities directly involved Oklahoma City, Oklahoma."
• Ramzi Youssef, the mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, was identified by the U.S. Customs Service as an Iraqi government agent assisting with Iraq's weapons and technology programs.
• After the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, Youssef went in search of willing accomplices to carry out terrorist activities, focusing his recruitment activities on Southwest University in Cebu, Philippines. At some point, Youssef "recruited a willing convert in the person of Terry Nichols who witnesses say went to the Philippines seeking technical help in learning to build a bomb. Meetings between Terry Nichols and Ramzi Youssef were witnessed by a Filipino government informant."
• After the Oklahoma City bombing, Abdul Hakim Murad, an associate of Youssef arrested for his part in a plot to bomb 5 American 747s, "admitted verbally on April 19, 1995 and in writing that Ramzi Youssef's 'liberation army' was responsible for the [Oklahoma City] bombing."
• According to a CIA intelligence report, "there was a 'squad' of people currently in the United States, very possibly Iraqis, who have been tasked with carrying out terrorist attacks against the United States." One of the three targets specifically mentioned in the report was Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

As I say, I suggest you read our for all of the details. And I'll be sure to keep you posted as this lawsuit moves forward to discovery.

Until next week...

Tom Fitton

President

Judicial Watch is a non-partisan, educational foundation organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. Judicial Watch is dedicated to fighting government and judicial corruption and promoting a return to ethics and morality in our nation's public life. To make a tax-deductible contribution in support of our efforts,

Ya I know most here HATE judicial watch!! Facts are Facts!!

I always check in Judicial Watch.  I am a believer of your cause.

From your lips to Diane Feinstein's ear.

What was BO thinking?  I mean Richardson, Panetta, and know Gupta.  BO is playing the part of a fool.  He is once again embarrassing himself.

The master of "change" is almost finished installing another Clinton white house

The same people who complained that Obama didn't have the experience to lead the country are the same people who are complaining that Obama is tapping into the people with experience on the hill, there is no pleasing some people.

I think if people knew that Obama was going to have the same old players in the White House they should have just voted for Hillary.  At least then they wouldn't be surprised right now.  They actually fell for the "change" mantra.  I guess when a person votes for change they actually expect some "change" after election day.  Suckers!

I am happy about his picks but then again I voted for Hillary in the primaries.

3sheets, my point is Obama ran his two year campaign with the slogan "change". I guess the "change" he meant is moving from Chicago to Washington. As far as pleasing "some people" (me), how about appointing someone with experience to a critical post when we're at war with terrorists? Although it is obviously important, being "smart" isn't always the only qualification for the job.

Experience is no longer a qualification or requisite for any government post or position.

Who needs network reality TV when you can watch the Democrats disgrace themselves in a show I like to call “Pay to Play.” The latest episode features New Mexico Governor and Obama-pick for (ironically) Commerce Secretary Bill Richardson, who withdrew his nomination amid reports he is under investigation for another seemingly all too common political quid pro quo.

From Governor Rod, to Rangel, to Rezko (I could go on) a theme is developing: Obama’s got some ethically challenged friends and Democrats don’t bring reform.

Whats a "PUPPET on a string look like?" Question I was asked by an Iraq Marine Veteran--Answer=OBAMA, Clintons and the Democrats--Wonder if OBAMA even has a brain to think with instead of PAYING back those who helped him into politics!

Call the VA,Social Security OR any other Government office AND see if you can speak to ANYONE who--a)SPEAKS english to be understood--b)UNDERSTANDS english so that they can carry on a conversation--c)IS QUALIFIED to answer OR even handle your question! answer to the previous a-c====NOPE don't have to be qualified!!

NOT even for the office of president!!

Experience is no longer a qualification or requisite for any government post or position.

Which is very very disturbing... and the American people better start demanding better people in office. Obama just prooved that a smooth talking campaign and rants about "change" can get you elected... even with no experience. Sad. I hope he picks all his top positions well because its going to be them running Washington in reality.. and not him.

Simplistic:  well put.  It is indeed the the top picks running things...  How very sad.

John-761164

Master of "change" is almost finished installing another Clinton white house. Now he can appoint Al Franken as secratery of clowns.

Youre just sore because republicans got caught cheating in the election,  ONCE AGAIN.

John, please clarify your comment regarding the election cheating. I'm not aware of cheating from either side this past election. Perhaps it was a comment to make you feel better about yourself? I'm always sore when the opposition wins. Ever play sports? People who gladly accept losing is a loser. My point above is, you suckers were promised a new Washington, and a wonderful "change". You got the Clinton administration. Wow, what a change!

Oh Pleazzzzeeee.  The bushes cheated in Florida with the help of another Bush.  8 years of misery because we let a cheater with all his men and relatives rig the the elections.

I love the Clinton administration, are you out of your mind?   You dont like them because they regulated greedy people like you.  When it comes to money, greedy people are the noisiest.

 Change from Bush in whatever form is good.  hell if the Gecko Geiko mascot ran against republicans last election, that mascot would win.  HAH!!!

Okay John, I'm greedy? You don't know anything about me. Cheating? Didn't Bush win every recount in 2000? Yes. Did Bush cheat in 2004? No. I'm sure you think Bush kills kittens, starts hurricanes, started the war because he wanted to have revenge for his father. He must have storage tanks in his yard full of crude oil.

John, let the hate go, you'll feel much better!

John 761164,

Most people in this country will never let the hate go. George W and his cronies have COMPLETELY ruined the state of this country! Go outside of the USA and hear what other people are saying about this country. It was embarrassing to admit that I was from a place that preaches peace yet displays hatred to some.  And the war on terror you are so concerned about fighting is not a war at all. Rather it is two completely different ideologies fighting one another. One side is demanding they know the best way to run a country and that if democracy is not instituted then that country will not survive. The war on terror is an illusion in most people minds. This country has invaded, occupied, and destroyed an entire country in the world. Can’t that be enough?  Must we keep fighting this “fake” war on terror?  Haven’t enough innocent Iraqis and Americans died?  Or must we have a seasoned CIA agent run this agency only to be tainted by the system it is supposed to protect?  Little experience is not always a negative attribute. Sometimes it can be an asset.

Ya I did did not empress me one damm bit! I remember Billy Boobs VA head --also thought he would be great--- Vietnam Vet wounded in combat --THATS what the Demos and Clitoon tried to hand out ---WE all  FOUND out later he was playing baseball with a live grenade REAL SMART!! HE made such an impression I cant remember his name!!  Name started with a G  I think!

NOPE don't have to be qualified!!

NOT even for the office of president!!---YUP--I stand by this statement!!!  OR he's not as smart as he was made out to be--I Mean really RECYCLED Clitoon CRAP!!!

Robert, I'm sure you can go into taverns all around the world and find people that agree with your "blame America first" rant. Perhaps we should be like China, North Korea, or Russia? If only George Bush was a great leader like those murderers...

The war on terror started with the wimp called Carter. Then we had Clinton. He was too busy testing his zipper to do ANYTHING about it. Maybe he could have gone to the almighty United Nations and got tough on Saddam. I would argue that 9-11 might not of happened if Clinton concentrated on the main function of the federal government; protect its citizens.

Call it fake or an illusion if you wish, but the cowards that strap bombs on their kids wanted to kill you and me before Bush got into office. The difference is, Bush was forced to deal with it because others before him chose not to.

As far as having someone without experience being a asset, I guess you had the same thought when you voted for the Messiah.

smart as hell.

He is that and more excellent choice.

smart as hell.

That is what we need, smart people. Now that is a change

Smart does not = experienced. He may be a great guy to have a conversation over a beer with but this choice is a scary one. At a time we should be immediately concerned about intelligence and our operatives, we should not be putting an amateur in a position a pro should be in. That seems the mantra to this cabinet so far though. I just hope it doesn't take forever to bring him up to speed ... and that no one is watching.

Smart does not = experienced.

And likewise, as I was taught in algebra...

Experienced does not = smart.

I don't think I agree with this pick either, something tells me that there is certainly someone within the CIA that is qualified and can be trusted with the position.  But putting an 'experienced' person in the position is not an assurance of success either.  (see Richard Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld)  We're just going to have to wait and see.

And keep this in mind:  It's not necessarily the person directing the CIA that keeps the country safe... it's the operatives in the field.  I think we'll probably be OK by many estimates, at least no worse off than we are now.

We need someone with experience in giving us the faulty intelligence that led us into our current war.  You have to either blame Bush or blame the C.I.A. on that, logically.  Bush has gotten off scott free -- fine, then it's clearly the fault of the C.I.A.!

Bush has gotten off scott free -- fine, then it's clearly the fault of the C.I.A.!

Only if you want to give the 95% of congress that never even read the report before the vote a free pass.  I don't, but since almost all of them have been reelected at least once I guess most people do.

"At a time we should be immediately concerned about intelligence and our operatives, we should not be putting an amateur in a position a pro should be in. That seems the mantra to this cabinet...."

The problem appears to be that some people assume that once you've won a local election, that (by itself) qualifies you for a state or federal office. But the main qualification still appears to be, if you're a lawyer/attorney you are automatically qualified. Which is why Common Law has taken the backseat to the Law of Precedent.

"Don't like a law already on the books? Look for a new angle and attack the old law from a perceived point of disadvantage - presto; a qualified politician!"

YUP Business as usual in the Democratic party and waghington!!King Billy Bob  still controls Someone said "Puppet on a string=Obama" Wish who said that on CNN would respond to this Joke!!

CHANGE is Comeing WELL if this is change what do you call a TURD???

Wow, jimmy.  Erudite.  You'll probably get extra vine points for that one.

I hope and pray for all the agents under this new (old hat) guy in the CIA, as I mentioned the KGB is alive and well and now even better equipped as a result. People in this country who voted for BO are in for the shock of their lives along with the rest of this country! 

Watch the front page of the NYT for the "leaks"

Hopefully it's only dangerous for right wing repubs.

BA:

Sorry, this sort of "danger" is for all Americans, and even for all of those living in democracies.

But, hey, don't worry about it. I'm quite sure that the nuke the terrorists smuggle in due to failure of humint won't go off in your city/location.

BA, cute statement. Al Franken would be proud!!

for all of those living in democracies.

Well, good thing we live in a Republic then, isn't it. 

the nuke the terrorists smuggle in due to failure of humint won't go off in your city/location.

Well, unless they want to be responsible for the deaths of countless cattle, deer, and squirrels, I wouldn't advise it.  Not so many people out my way.

Ba:

We don't buddy.  We live in a representative democracy.

No, wmo... we are a Republic.

lisaed

More confirmation that the world will soon be an even more dangerous place. This is a mistake.

 Another CODE ORANGE security alert terror warning from the bushies!!  LOL..

My concern is this:

Panetta and Gore were in the West Wing when President Clinton I was embroiled in the scandal that we all know.

How come they did not notice Monica and tried to relocate her when both decent men saw how she dressed in non professional outfits for the Office of the President of the USA.

Your concern is about Monica, det? 

Fluff?

Why not J. Hartman, TJG?

BA, semantics won't make Panetta a good choice for CIA.  Our federalist republic need reliable intell as it pursues democracy.

I just wonder how much our Country will suffer.

Not as much as it has suffered under ANY republican administration. 

You sound like one of those people that no matter who Obama picks in his cabinet you will not be pleased.

You sound like one of those people that no matter who Obama picks in his cabinet you will be pleased.

3sheets:  I would like you to cite the facts how this country suffered worse under GOP Administrations. 

I think we need to hear your evidence.

2sheets:

Oh, bull.  Come on, this guy has NO experience, none at all.

When will you biased folks get off your fricking hatred horses for the republicans and realize that we are all in the soup if Washington continues on its merry way of paying  back political favors at the expense of our security and country?

Oh, bull.  Come on, this guy has NO experience, none at all.  When will you biased folks get off your fricking hatred horses for the republicans and realize that we are all in the soup if Washington continues on its merry way of paying  back political favors at the expense of our security and country?  

OK and where the hell were you people at when Bush picked Michael Brown to head FEMA?  I don't remember any like-minded uproar back then.  On vacation that day, hmmm?

I just wonder how much our Country will suffer. 

New Orleans might be a good measuring stick.

Hurricane Katrina was the fault of the Mayor of NO and the Governor of La.  Their responsibility to have an emergency action plan of evacuation etc.  They are the one's who have the "ground" knowledge of what and how to do.  PERIOD.

The Feds can intervene of course, but the inital response is up to the state and the state must request help. Called States Rights. 

Now back on topic:

Actually Michael Brown was a poor pick AND was even called so during confirmation, but they still confirmed him.

I voted for Palin.

Steve, you nailed it. It is the responsibility of the state to have a plan in place and request help. None of the Bush haters are willing to see the truth in that fact. According to them, Bush is responsible for anything that's bad in the world; Hitler, sleet, Rocky movies, mosquitos, humidity, hunger, bad breath, warts..

Wayne:

Hmmm, FEMA versus the CIA.  Gee, I wonder which is more important?

In your mind, FEMA, right?

Sheesh.

Frankly, neither one.  Not to degrade or belittle anyone in the CIA or the sacrifices they make, that is one job I would not wish on anyone.  They have to lie for a living, they don't get to see their families, they don't get to talk about their jobs, and if they're killed in the line of duty, no one ever knows about it... the only record is a concrete wall full of stars.  And as for FEMA, well a lot of us owe our lives and livelihood to our emergency responders.  You never even realize it until you're put in that position (and I have been on more than one occasion), but then you never forget it afterwards.

But in all honesty, this country got along just fine for 150 years before the CIA ever came along.  A terrorist is not going to come and attack me where I'm at.  I live out in BFE, and if a terrorist somehow found us out here, he wouldn't get 50 feet from our property before I or one of our neighbors would blow his head off.  I don't fear being attacked, we know how to defend ourselves out here.  Same goes for FEMA.  I know how to prepare for an oncoming disaster, I've been through hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, and blizzards.  And I know how to survive on very little in case one hits where I'm not prepared.  I'm thankful for both agencies, but frankly, I think I could do just fine without either one.

So since you put the question to me, both agencies are charged with protecting us in one capacity or another.  If I had to choose between the two... I would say FEMA, and that's simply based on mathematical probability.  We have more of a likelihood of injury or death from a natural disaster than from a terrorist attack.  I'll probably take a lot of heat on here for that answer, but you did ask the question.

Wayne, I agree with some of what you wrote, but the point you made was about Bush's pick for FEMA and New Orleans was a "measuring stick." Steve wrote the truth about the process; the Governor, along with the local officials must have a plan in place and, if needed, request help from the federal level. It's not the feds place to barge into a state and take charge (thank God). The N.O. Mayor and LA Governor were incompetent from the start. The fact of the matter is the locals could have done so much to protect it's citizens, but chose not to. Now it's just another "Bush's fault." There's plenty to stick on Bush, but I'm tired of hearing this one! Maybe if the Mayor or Governor were Republicans, they would be blamed instead.

Wayne:

Hell, at least you answered rationally and honestly.

Me, given the world we live in today, I go for the CIA.  Beef up the Humint, that's what we need and what Clinton destroyed. 

...the point you made was about Bush's pick for FEMA and New Orleans was a "measuring stick."

Perhaps I should clarify myself, everyone.  It's not the Fed's emergency response to the immediate aftermath that I suggest is the 'measuring stick'... it's everything that has happened since then.  It's the formaldehyde trailers.  It's the 'rebuilding' of the levees.  It's the fact that we're coming up on 4 years after the fact, and much of New Orleans is still in shambles.  It just seems really obvious to me that President Bush doesn't give a flying @!$%# about the people there.  His administration has had 3-1/2 years to prove us wrong, and he's done NOTHING.

How much more suffering would you suggest is in order under Obama?  I can't fathom anything much worse than this... everything you have is destroyed, and your president sweeps you under the rug.

Wayne:

It's pretty clear that the people there don't give a @!$%# about themselves.  In other areas of the Country when a natural disastor hit they put together relief efforts themselves, THEY worked constantly to help their neighbors and to rebuild, they didn't just rely on the government.

The government is not an effective way to react to these sorts of emergencies.  There are lots of examples of these facts, I am sure you know them.

Seems to me that NO is the perfect example of people who have become so used to government largesse, be it Federal, STate, or City that they are incapable of acting on their own to help themselves, much less their neighbors.

In other areas of the Country when a natural disastor hit they put together relief efforts themselves, THEY worked constantly to help their neighbors and to rebuild, they didn't just rely on the government. 

Oh, I'm sorry, you're right.  All the citizens of New Orleans should just get up off their lazy asses and rebuild those federal highways and levees and sewer systems themselves.  Everything in that city was destroyed.  Even if the people in that city had the means to rebuild (money, materials, etc.), they would be limited to rebuilding just their houses.  Everyday people can't rebuild infrastructure, you know, things that actually help a city function.

The government is not an effective way to react to these sorts of emergencies.  There are lots of examples of these facts, I am sure you know them. 

Are you suggesting we do away with federal disaster aid?  That's a nice notion, and it probably would save taxpayers a ton of money, but try telling that to the people in Galveston, TX or Greensburg, KS.  Again, rebuilding homes is one thing, but rebuilding the rest of the community and the infrastructure are something else entirely.  If it's just homes that are flattened, it's a relatively easy fix.  But when it's the entire city, that's a whole different ballpark... maybe even a different sport.

Wayne:

I am not saying they should not have help, but the facts show that those who lived there have not put much effort into rebuilding. In fact, many, many who left haven't come back.

It is a city function, and a state function, why do you put it on the feds?  Why do you blame Bush?  You get it right, then you go directly past go to the feds. 

What I am saying is that FEMA should be the bastion of last resort. 

By the way, the whole city was not demolished, sorry.  Not even fricking close.

You know, I am good friends with the guy that was in charge of the Red Cross relief effort at NO after Katrina.  He showed us aerials of the damaged areas, and the areas that were not damaged.  Most of the city proper was not damaged because it was built on high ground, not reclaimed ground.

Then he showed us where, 250 years ago the population resided in NO.  Guess what, it was exactly the same as the portion was not damaged.

This danger was known to NO, its politicians, to Louisiana, its politicans YEARS nad YEARS before it happened.  Guess what, all of the money ear marked to repair and upgrade the levies was diverted to "other" areas.

This situation was the perfect, and I mean perfect, example of government (state and local) not giving a @!$%# about what might happen (and would happen with certainty) to its citizens.  Instead, they dithered and spent money elsewhere, ignoring all of the clear and present facts.

Want to lay blame, lay it on the governmental structure of NO and of the state of Louisiana for they are the ones truly to blame.  They allowed this to happen, and ignored and actively diverted funds away from projects which would have prevented it.

wmolaw: I could not have said that better.

The Federal Govt. is not permitted to intervene unless the State cannot fend for itself OR the State requests such assistance. Unless we are discussing Law Enforcement, which is a different subject.

The people of NO were expectant of the government to be there and solve all of the problems. This is called Socialism.

Now, I would agree that Panetta would make and EXCELLENT FEMA director.  Although I do not support his politics, he is in fact a very bright man with a successful track record in Senior Management.

wmolaw: I could not have said that better.

Same here wmolaw! One dose of 100% reality for the blind Bush haters!

The people of NO were expectant of the government to be there and solve all of the problems. This is called Socialism.

Well said also Steve. People just waited for big brother to rescue them. I do feel bad for those in this situation, but if I lived in a bowl next to a large body of water, I'd have a plan to save my family before big brother could screw it up for me!

NOPE it's your Government NOT at work!! Just wait till allthe other dems are in congress and see what happens!!! Your not in Kansas anymore toto!!

Change - (according to dictionary.com Thesaurus) -
Definition: something made different; alteration
Synonyms: conversion, exchange, flip-flop*, interchange, swap, switch, trade, turnaround

This is a reversion to the same old Clinton administration. I don't see change, I see history repeating itself. You can not predict the level of corruption or scandal in the new administration. I am open to wait and see ... because I have absolutely no choice in the matter.

Theyreallcrooks:

Himmm, he was going to appoint Richardson, OOOOPPPPS.

Please, it's all the same ole, same ole.

Steve W ... I think I will have to agree.

BODIES---

SUPPOSED SUICIDES

Vincent Foster (Whitehouse Deputy Counsel, Gunshot to mouth, neck wounds)
Kathy Ferguson (ex-wife of Clinton co-defendant, Gunshot to head)
Bill Shelton (Arkansas state trooper, Kathy Ferguson's fiancee, Gunshot to head)
Susan Coleman (Alleged Clinton Girlfriend, 7.5 months pregnant, Gunshot to head)
Jon Parnell Walker (RTC Investigator on Whitewater, fell from top of Lincoln Towers)
Niko Junic (In charge of the radio beacon/Brown Crash, Gunshot)
John A. Wilson (Former Wash D.C. councilman, hung)
Terrance Yeakey (First policeman at the Murrah Building, gun shot wound/slashes)
Ian Spiro (Inslaw Witness, Gunshot to Head)
Sharlott A. Donovan (Ret TechSgt/WH Comm Office, Plastic Bag over Head)
Admiral Boorda (CNO, gunshot chest)
Frank Aller (Clinton roommate at Oxford, repentant of draft dodging, Gunshot to mouth)
Robert Bates (Mena mechanic, witness) - drank himself to death on mouthwash
James Bunch ("Black Book" keeper, gunshot)
Wallace Blaylock (husband of Lenora Steinkamp - lady in Drudge video taped 93 aired 9/98, gunshot)
Raymond Albright (shot 5 times in chest, ruled suicide by M.E. Malak)
Charles Wilbourne Miller, Exec of Alltel - successor to Jackson Stephen's Systematics (gunshot)
Gordon Matteson (Clinton friend/associate, Shot to head)
Danny Casolaro (Investigator Inslaw, "Octopus" - Wrists Slashed)
Calvin Walraven (Witness Jocelyn Elders son's drug case, Gunshot)
Marine Cpl Eric S. Fox, assigned to helicopter squadron for president (gun shot to head)
Peter John Berwick, shot to death witness in federal investigation Arkansas company
John Arthur Paisley (CIA, gunshot to head, found in river…)
Laurence Martin (OKC surviver, suicide by plane crash)
Kenneth Trentadue (OK prisoner)
Li Fuxiang (foreign exchange, jump)
John I Millis (House Intelligence, CIA)
Evan Hunziker (held in North Korea)
Charlene Edwards (INS Miami)
Franz Lanz (ARL scientist, informant)

HOMICIDES

Mary Mahoney (Former White House intern shot multiple times in a Starbucks, pockets picked, no cash register money taken)
Luther "Jerry" Parks (Provided security for Clinton's campaign, multiple gunshots)
Kevin Ives (Witness to Mena, skull crushed, left to be run over by train)
Don Henry (Witness to Mena, stabbed, left to be run over by train)
Eric Butera (Starbucks informant, beaten to death in sting)
Jeff Rhodes (Ives/Henry Witness, gunshot to head)
Ed Gould (Clinton's HIV/AIDS Advisory Council, Toxic)
Florence Martin (Accountant with info on Barry Seal, Gunshot to head)
Alder Berriman (Barry) Seal (Mena, Murdered)
Keith McKaskle (Ives/Henry Informant, Stabbed)
Gregory Collins (Ives/Henry Informant, Gunshot to Head)
James Milon (Ives/Henry Informant, Decapitated)
Richard Winters (Ives/Henry Suspect, Shotgunned)
Jordan Ketelson (Ives/Henry Informant, Shotgunned)
Larry Guerin (Inslaw Investigator, unknown)
Alan Standorf (NSA, Inslaw Investigator, unknown)
Dennis Eisman (Inslaw attorney, Shot)
Mitchell D. Abel, (Cocaine dealer and student re Tyson, Gunshot)
Mike Samples (Ives/Henry witness)
Eric L. Henderson (financial advisor to Ron Brown, shot while riding bicycle)
Steve Leung (investor in China, beaten)
Mary Beth (Pixie) Grismore (politically connected, murdered)
Judy Danielak (journalist, sniper

Cecil Boren (by escaped inmate, tainted blood whistleblower)
Lee Scott Hall (stabbed, Lawrence Livermore Lab employee)
JohnD Muskopf (CIA Analyst, murder in robbery attempt)

Barbara Wise (ITA John Huang Associate found dead, nude, in a locked office at Commerce)
Paul Tulley (Democratic National Committee, in Hotel Room)
Boonie Bearden? Disappeared (Ives/Henry Witness)
Paul Wilcher (Mena Investigator)
Henry Hamilton (Bag man for payments from McDougal to Gov. Clinton

Just a few!!LOLOL

Because Niether have any HONEST experience ! If you go honest, you go on the list just above !SEE jscusmc 69 . Are they playing "DIRTY LAUNDRY" yet ? The band is warming up! The anointment ceremony is days away! They have to wait for the new paint job to dry !

Russ:

Exactly.  And to take it a bit further, that is why CEO's are now "fungible" and can get such high compensation.

All bull@!$%#.

Ooooo, that isn't a half bad idea, and she's a Democrat !

Barney Fwank, good one, Retiree.  That's just too funny!

VOTE for me!I'll take care of it! I'll claim my PTSD overwhelmed me !

""""Panetta is smart enough to let the spies do their job - but savvy enough to make sure we're not crossing the line""""

.

Is Panetta to be called @ 3:00 a.m. to read the Miranda to the other side?

This will be a good subject for a book.

Stop guys, you are crossing the line -

What line?

You have to protect the enemy with your life.

Now.....I can go to sleep in/on peace w/my soul.

SO MUCH for that idea! INTEGRITY ? That and common sense are left at the door when sworn in!

I suggest you read his book Bring Us Together: The Nixon Team and the Civil Rights Retreat before smearing his reputation catagorically.

Game, I agree with the management part, but one should have a clue of what the people below them actually do.

Bush was the Governor of Texas and Palin is the Governor of Alaska.

Obama was a community organiser and a state senator in Chicago. The a U.S. Senator for a brief moment before he started his two year campaign.

I guess running a state is child's play, but a community organiser......

HEY Jarhead, I saw Clinton's military force. It was an Aircraft Carrier, Solar powered, with one F18, whose nose over reached the bow & the tail over the stern! It had no takeoff ability. MAYBE a Harrier could have taken off, burning Both deck hands! OORAH!

 He was to busy with his Harem ! Squirt Squirt!

Thank you God, this author stands up for the people in the USA, I agree 100% with you as I suffered the set backs in the Navy due to Clinton.

Additionally, Clinto opened the door for the North Koreans for fissionable material production and Richardson of New Mexico, the greatest idiot that ever walked in Clinton's footsteps tried to be the big Un-official contact with the NKs to convince them to stop the testing of the new warheads. I know what the NKs did with the agreement, they used it for toilet tissue!

OH HELL I forgot that Billy Bob GAVE to the CHINESE The largest NAVAL BASE on the west coast--LONGBEACH!!

Shame on me--dumb marine!!!LOLOL

jscusmc69 This is not to mention about HOW the Chinese got ahold of Some of our super-computers and nuclear weapons tech.

EXACTLY, THE current CIA group is useless. How come you werent able to stop this??

How come you didnt stopped 911 attack?   See?

I can answer that one about how the Chinese got our systems....J F Taylor...they are defense contractors. We gave it to them legally. Look them up.

Again,  why did the CIA let it happen?  Arent Defense contractors investigated before getting hired?    WHy were there no reports from CIA that certain persons  are  dangerous? 

EH?   Or do you just keep blaming it all on Clinton?  Lets see, your girlfriend dumped you in 1990, just blame Clinton...

Wonders if Leon will join Obama in the "fireside chats" with the terrorists?

Hahaha!

retiree-736578, I'm only voting you up because you're funny!

Hahahaha!