Posted on 08/26/2006 6:29:11 AM PDT by kellynla
Our national intelligence system will never meet our unrealistic expectations, nor can it ever answer all of our needs. No matter what we do or change or buy, intelligence agencies will remain unable to satisfy our government's appetite for knowledge. This isn't defeatism, but realism. We had better get used to the idea.
This does not mean that our intelligence system cannot be improved. It can. Nor does it imply that our leaders should be less demanding. Stressing the system enhances its performance. But our fantastic expectations must be lowered to a level more in accord with our present and potential capabilities.
And we must end the decades-old practice of blaming flawed intelligence for broader policy failures. For all of its indisputable shortcomings, the U.S. intelligence community has become a too-convenient scapegoat for erroneous decisions made by a succession of leaders indifferent to the substance of intelligence, but alert to the advantages of politics. If we want to improve our comprehensive security, we need to begin with a sharp dose of realism regarding what intelligence can and cannot deliver. We do not expect our health-care system to return every patient to perfect health. It is just as foolish to expect perfect intelligence.
While there are real, endemic problems within our intelligence system, the greater problem may be with the expectations of the public, the media, and our Nation's policymakers. From indefensible defense-contractor promises to the insidious effects of Hollywood's long-running fantasy of all-seeing, all-powerful intelligence agencies, the lack of an accurate grasp of what intelligence generally can provide, occasionally can deliver, and still cannot begin to achieve results in reflexive cries of "Intelligence failure!" under circumstances in which it would have been impossible--or a case of hit-the-lottery luck--for intelligence to succeed.
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
Thank you.
Thanks. That bad General should have been more considerate to the MI types. How did we make do without those fancy typewriters? Let me look in the garage for the electric typewriter make an LTC bought in Saigon in 70.
Yes,but; there are always exceptions. One made MG.
My favorite mustang made it to 4 stars and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General John W. Vessey, Jr.. His military career lasted from 1939 to 1985. He began his career in the Minnesota National Guard and received a battlefield commission during the battle of Anzio in World War II. General Vessey also served in Korea and in Vietnam. He graduated from college at the age of 41 and also attended the Army helicopter school.
In 1982, President Ronald Reagan appointed him as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_W._Vessey_Jr.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.