Why does everyone always act so surprised when the intelligence services do things to make it harder to investigate them or provide (necessary) government oversight over their activities? The destruction of the CIA interrogation tapes that involve "waterboarding" is a perfect example.
Doesn't anyone remember the history of these agencies? They get out of line every decade or so and only congressional investigations act to provide any outside restraint. Remember the Church and Pike committee hearings in the 1970's? The Iran-Contra hearings in the 1980's? It is a pity our congress is so pathetic these days, because they would never take the political flak that such hearings would generate today for them. Which means that the word "oversight" has lost any meaning.
2007-12-25 22:06:20 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
It is still oversight when congress agrees. You seem to forget that while Congress may howl about something it does not always mean that they disagree only that they want to appear on the record as in opposition.
2007-12-25 22:23:10 · answer #1 · answered by Locutus1of1 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Congressional oversight disappeared when the Republicans controlled both the presidency and congress. They are beginning to exercise it now, and that's why they are inquiring about the interrogation tapes.
The CIA is under the control of the executive. Waterboarding, rendition to secret prisons, were ordered by Cheney or Bush. Capable and ethical career agents and supervisors resigned left and right under Bush's hand picked CIA director, Porter Goss. Let's not fault the agency alone, high level officials of the Bush administration changed its policies and direction. Let's follow the chain of command, and lay the blame where it is due.
2007-12-26 06:50:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It has gotten too political, Congress of the same party as the Exec won't dare criticize any more. Pres gets arrogant, thinks the exec doesn't have to cooperate.
That is what's wrong with all one party in charge; even now, just a few of sens or reps can screw up the vote of the majority in congress by upholding a pres veto.
And when the congress does start hearings we get the otherside whining like a two year old about them interfering. What a joke, doing their constitutional job is interfering! Makes me pretty disgusted.
2007-12-26 06:35:37 · answer #3 · answered by ash 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Congress overlooked it.
2007-12-26 07:03:46 · answer #4 · answered by Darth Vader 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
cheney burns it.
2007-12-26 07:10:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋