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I think Tom Clancy is worth mentioning too Madman, and I also recall reading that, because I read EVERYTHING that Clancy writes, at least everything in the "Jack Ryan" series. In fact, my reading of Clancy was in part what motivated me to post what I did.

I believe the CIA could benefit from people who think in terms of the "real world," knowing that very basic human emotions like greed, love and hate, pride, megalomania, and more are a natural part of the human condition. As field agents, the "security types" you mention would be perfect. But even at the analysis level, you need people who are not so prone to fall into those traps that "nations act in terms of their interests" and that "no one wants to undermine the system that preserves the right of nations." The reality of human life is subjective and people with plain common sense and an exposure to the real world understand "the human factors" and the way they impact the behavior of nations much better than the "academic types."

And by the way, as an individual with an advanced college education in the Liberal Arts, I fall under the heading of the "academic type." I think I know them better than anyone.

Yes, I understand. I am a high school dropout that worked his way through over 20 yrs in the AF and I am now a cop. I have a personal affection for Clancy's theory.

I think we can be served better by people that have done some "living" along the way than Ivy league Theorists.

If you look at President Bush's history, he has an Ivy League background coupled with some "living" along the way.

Personal trials, successes, failures, and an understanding of life. It may be the philosophy he directed Mr Goss to have.

We can only hope it is true and that it has results

I happen to believe that the State Department is a bigger problem than the CIA when it comes to "leaks" and attempts to torpedo the Bush Administration. I realize that unloading the communists and Clintonistas from that place is a near-impossible task ("civil service" protection, etc.) but the scumbags can at least be relocated to dark basement cubicles or otherwise made uncomfortable enough to consider resigning and getting real jobs.