Ping to article and entire thread!
I can't read the thread but did read the entire article and think that Barone has written a sensible and well thought out thesis about this entire matter and what is happening behind the scenes.
I thought the ending was stunning:
Barone: I recall that some years ago Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan argued that the CIA should be abolished, and I argued that that was a ridiculous and irresponsible position. As usual when Pat and I disagreed, Pat turned out to be right.