From: Black Unicorn <unicorn@access.digex.net> Subject: Re: CIA & FBI, a marriage made in ___? To: 71431.2564@CompuServe.COM (Bradley W. Dolan) Date: Wed, 27 Apr 1994 22:06:25 -0400 (ADT)
Does it concern anybody besides me that the CIA [with a bunch of underemployed manpower] is jumping into bed with the FBI [whose spokesman recently testified to Congress that they didn't have enough manpower to enforce the Crime Bill on us]?
Yes it bothers me, but not for the reasons that you think.
First, be careful about characterizing the change as the CIA jumping in bed with the FBI. What is really happening is that the FBI is taking over some of the counterintelligence functions of the CIA. [...]
Believe me, the CIA is more upset about it than you are. They are hardly "jumping into bed" with anyone. Bent over a chair is more like it.
O.K., so it's rape. They're still in bed together. And I don't think I'm going to like the progeny.
The usurpation of CIA's CI functions bothers me because of the doctrinal distinction, not because it empowers the FBI.
Both aspects bother me. Further empowerment of the FBI bothers me more.
Does it make anybody nervous besides me that this is occurring at the same time that the 2ond and 4th amendments are being dispensed with? While the Clipper chip and digital telephony bill are being foisted on us?
Yes it makes me nervous, but not for the reasons you think.
See below.
Is there a trend here?
Yes. I'm not sure if my version is close to yours, however.
Opposite side of the same coin, I think. You worry (correctly) that a politicized intelligence/law enforcement establishment won't be very good at intelligence/law enforcement. I worry that it may become good at something else.
The trend is to use the intelligence and federal law enforcement agencies for domestic politics. The NSA to promote the economic regulation of the crypto market. The FBI to further the executive's domestic survell. technology agenda, and put out the crime fire at home. The CIA to demonstrate, via a parade of horrors, how bad the problem is, and be the fall guy for the FBI. [...]
This is a perversion. I discussed this before on the list and in usenet. Using the NSA as a public relations tool to the degree you see today is an idea that only the intelli-clueless Clinton would think of. Intelligence and law enforcement are not the President's personal program advocates.
It detracts from real business and it destroys the credibility of the agencies in the eyes of the public.
Yes
This makes it hard for real business to be addressed.
Yes
I have the greatest respect for the office of the Presidency, however.
If I keep an image of Washington or Jefferson firmly fixed in mind, I can maintain just a shred of respect.
-uni- (Dark)
bd