CIA replacement bad news for country

Proposed CIA chief too closely tied to domestic wiretapping program

THE RECENT “PLANNED” resignation of CIA Director Porter Goss is the first step in Bush’s plan to strengthen his national surveillance program. The second step is likely to be the nomination of Gen. Michael V. Hayden who is the Deputy Director of National Intelligence.

Unfortunately for Americans, if Hayden is confirmed as the Director of the CIA, he will be in a stronger position to advocate and expand the policies of the Director of National Intelligence, John Negroponte.

Negroponte’s position was created as a response to the Sept. 11 attacks, and he oversees all 16 components of the intelligence community including the CIA.

Negroponte was appointed by Bush and confirmed in April 2005. Since becoming the DNI, he has changed how American intelligence agencies gather intelligence, opting for more technologically oriented techniques.

More importantly, he has tried, and to many succeeded, in changing the ideology of how it is constitutionally legal to gather information on domestic soil, virtually ignoring the anti-domestic spying clause in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Hayden’s background as an Air Force specialist of technical intelligence systems is an indication that he will not be relying on more traditional spying techniques, which the CIA has long relied.

The old image of clandestine meetings in secret locations will be replaced by techno-geeks wearing pocket protectors listening to digital tapes of Aunt Martha’s secret apple pie recipe.

The only good side to this whole scenario will be Hayden’s confirmation hearing. This will give Congress the opportunity to question Hayden about the domestic spying program, and may provide some insight into this secret world.

But I don’t expect to hear too much useful information. I do expect to hear a lot of statements such as “I apologize Senator, I’m unable to answer that question due to its sensitive nature to national security.”

But if you ask me one thing is clear, answers such as these will only be precursors to Hayden’s future responses with regards to the DNI’s and the CIA’s domestic spying policy. Hayden will be nothing more than a puppet with his strings being pulled by Bush and Negroponte.

On another point, I’d like to say I’ve had a great time writing my column this semester, and I’d like to thank the Collegian for the opportunity they provided.

For those of you who are graduating, good luck. And for those of you who are returning, enjoy your summer.

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