NationStates Jolt Archive

Below I have quoted from a website the proposed intelligence structure by the 9/11 Commission. To me, this seems like a dangerous thing to put so much power into the hands of one person. Perhaps it will make things more efficient, but I doubt it. What do all of you think?




Proposed intelligence structure

The 9/11 commission has recommended putting existing agencies like the FBI and CIA under the auspices of a national intelligence director and creating other new intelligence coordination resources.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

President of the United States

Proposed: National Intelligence Director (NID)
To oversee national intelligence centers and the agencies that contribute to them.

Proposed:

National Counterterrorism Center
A knowledge bank to collect and integrate intelligence from domestic and foreign sources and coordinate operational planning. Would operate under the authority of the White House.

Deputy NID, Foreign Intelligence (CIA director)
Oversees the CIA and a new Open Source Agency.

Deputy NID, Defense Intelligence
Oversees the Defense Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, National Reconnaissance Office and other programs.

Deputy NID, Homeland Intelligence (FBI director)
Oversees the FBI, the Directorate of Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection and other Homeland Security Department programs.

Proposed

National Intelligence Centers
To jointly collect and analyze data on various subjects, such as proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the Middle East, international crime and narcotics.

Source: The 9/11 commission report

its a matter of faith...

lol, if you have faith enough to believe in democracy you can believe in this too

I think it's a great idea....we have umpteen oodles of intelligence assets out there all running around with the heads stuck up their asses..bout time they proposed such a change..get that damn intel community squared away with far fewer chiefs to go around and more assets grouped together.

God no.

A politically appointed position?

I bet Nixon would have loved to have that guy around!

God no.

A politically appointed position?

I bet Nixon would have loved to have that guy around!

Oh dame, I just thought of that, that is scary. It is a cabinet appointed poisition, I wonder if there are any more stipulations than the other cabinet positions? This now puts a lot more power under the President, more than there already is. How are the Directors of the CIA, and FBI currently appointed?

This gives the White House too much power, one step closer to The Gestapo, eek.

God no.

A politically appointed position?

I bet Nixon would have loved to have that guy around!

But surely you can see the need for such a Position?...actually I'm all for just combining all the damn intel groups....CIA, FBI, DEA, ATF, NSA, NIS, DIA,CID,BP...you name it....one unit...the United States Intelligence Agency.

But surely you can see the need for such a Position?...actually I'm all for just combining all the damn intel groups....CIA, FBI, DEA, ATF, NSA, NIS, DIA,CID,BP...you name it....one unit...the United States Intelligence Agency.
I feel you on this Salishe, but at the same time I'm scared shitless of the potential of some J. Edgar Hoover type holding the position. Imagine Dick Cheney in that position 4 years ago instead of as VP--would we have gotten any better intelligence on Iraq then than we did anyway? Or would there have been even more of a concerted effort to tie Iraq to 9/11?

I'm still up in the air on this one, mainly because I fear that much concentrated power in one, unelected person.

But surely you can see the need for such a Position?...actually I'm all for just combining all the damn intel groups....CIA, FBI, DEA, ATF, NSA, NIS, DIA,CID,BP...you name it....one unit...the United States Intelligence Agency.

Sure there needs to be a redesign. Much of the system was based on dealing with Russians.

There are elitists in every group! Don't get me going about those NSA MFers! I had a couple run-ins with them!

The position needs to be clear from politics as much as possible.

For example, the shrub had a hard-on for Sadaam the moment he entered the White House. Do you want the Intel agencies focused on what ever the polictical agenda of the Commander and Chief? Or do you want them looking for threats against this country?

I am not comfortable with the idea. However, I admit I need more info about the design.

I am still contemplating it, and find it dangerous. Even more so as it is Presidentially appointed.

That much control of information under presidential control is very dangerous. That much control of information under military control is very dangerous. That much control of information under its own control is very dangerous.

While I can see the advantages of having one centralized location for intel, where to put it becomes the problem.

I don't have a good suggestion, nor do I think anyone else does. Until we as a country and government become less reactive and restrictive I think this would become an unmitigated disaster. And as a result of a fully-enforced Patriot Act, I could be disappeared simply for saying that. :gundge:

I have read the book and I think they should make all the agencies suggested.