Do you think that intelligence gathering methodology should be left solely to the CIA?

Question

So long as it does not run counter to the Geneva Conventions?

Answer 1

No, but not for the reasons Ive seen stated already. The CIA was formed with a SPECIFIC charter (mission) in mind: To influence foreign leaders and countries, in the American interest. They are not chartered for domestic operation and should not be, as that is for the FBI. Communications Intel is done by the NSA, Hi Def Satellite Photography by the OSI, etc.

The CIA has a black budget in the hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars, (a recent news report shows the US spent $42 Billion on intel gathering in 2006, but not all of this was the CIA's budget) and are seeking more all the time. There have, over the years, been hundreds of unconfirmed reports of assassination attempts, staging coups in countries unfriendly to US interests, kidnappings, druggings of foreign officials, blackmail and extortion, seducing and turning foreign officials, bribery, etc. all done either by the CIA directly or by its paid underlings.

I just do not believe it is in the National Interest to have too many intelligence "eggs" in one basket. We have, for the past 6 years, seen how one party's dominance (with the resultant lack of oversight) in Washington has resulted in uncontrolled graft, earmark spending, cronyism, etc. Repeating this same mistake with an agency whose whole purpose is to keep the American people from finding out what it does, is not a recommended course of action.

Answer 2

Intelligence gathering needs to be done at all levels, by all sorts of organizations. The CIA is NOT equiped to do intelligence/counter intelligence for the military; they can not perform at the local level.
That would be like calling an Abrams tank into every 7-11 robbery...

Answer 3

There are a variety of organizations that gather intelligence. Then, when it comes down to it, those organizations compare notes and make sure everyone got the same intel. It's a matter of checks and balances and really makes for better intelligence.

Answer 4

That's easy. Our enemies of today aren't covered by the Geneva Convention so I say let them have at it and what ever they want to do to the enemy is fine with me.

Answer 5

Absolutely. Sometimes you have to pay a thug to catch a thug.

Are you reading this, Mr. Lautenberg?

Answer 6

no way! they might torture suspects! no one deserves to be tortured