A Threat Assessment

A Threat Assessment

by digby

Tom Ricks' Best Defense issued a new threat assessment for the United States and it's scary as hell:

Two large but shadowy organizations headquartered near Washington, D.C. have undermined key aspects of the American way of life over the last 13 years, according to a “threat assessment” written for Best Defense.

One, which calls itself “the CIA,” did so in two ways, through operating incompetently and with reckless disregard for American law and for human rights, the report alleged. The second group, reportedly far larger, is dubbed “the NSA,” similarly has infringed on the U.S. Constitution, the report’s author stated. Even though they have done lasting damage to the image of the United States, both organizations also have resisted legal oversight by the U.S. Congress, he added.

“They stained our national honor, did much harm and little practical good,” said Sen. John McCain, who hadn’t seen the Best Defense report but who appeared to have independently arrived at the same conclusions regarding torture.

The two organizations are part of a larger, loose affiliation of agencies and contractors believed to control tens of billions of dollars to fund their activities. The CIA and NSA are said to be uneasy allies, ideologically similar, and sometimes cooperating with each other, but not always. Like some other extremist groups, both subscribe to the radical belief that they work for a higher god, or “mission,” and so do not need to obey laws as most people do.

Especially since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, its members have conducted operations that appear to have been designed to challenge fundamental American ideals. Indeed, the report concluded that the actions of the two organizations are in some ways anti-American in effect, if not intent.

I thought this was an especially nice touch:

Like some other extremist groups, both subscribe to the radical belief that they work for a higher god, or “mission,” and so do not need to obey laws as most people do.

And like those other extremist groups they are protected by state sponsors who either agree with their ideology or are frightened of their power.

The "report" recommends that congress exercise oversight but hold out little hope that it will do it. And it recommends that the president offer amnesty to anyone who will admit what they did and prosecutions for those who refuse to come forward. I would just add that I think that unlike the dreaded whistleblowers these people could easily take a chance with a jury. They'd almost certainly beat the rap or at least get a hung jury if the people we see on television are any guide --- half of them think torture is great because the "bad guys" are so evil and we're so awesome. Torturers are the new American heroes.


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