What's the rush, John?

Kerry's demands for rapid implementation of 911 commission should concern you...

Published on August 2, 2004 By Draginol In Democrat

Kerry is demanding Bush implement the 9/11 commissions's recommendations immediately. This should scare you. Why?

Because under the commission's design, the new intelligence czar would be part of the President's cabinet and have an office in the white house. You sure you want that? You sure you want some combined FBI/CIA master ultra intelligence czar to be working in the white house with relatively little oversight? Because that's what Kerry is demanding.

Bush, by contrast, seems to be taking a more measured approach. Today he announced the support of the creation of a director of all intelligence but does not want it to be in the President's cabinet nor have its office in the white house. A pretty prudent move I'd say.

One has to wonder about the ethics of a man whose constinuents are paranoid about Ashcroft but is now pushing to rush the implementation of something that could, in the hands of the wrong man, be something that could do real harm to freedom in America.

When the ACLU and George W. Bush are on the same side on something, that should tell you something.

Comments

CS Guy

on Aug 02, 2004

What quality of person can you get to fill such a position months before a national election? Surely anyone qualified for the job would be hesitant to take a major position like this knowing that they may be out of a job soon. I think waiting until after the election is a prudent move. I don't think anyone accepting the position now, before the election and before the position has been thoroughly vetted and described, would be the right person for the job.

ElectronJohn

on Aug 02, 2004

I would take that position. Wait a second, I think I just proved CS Guy's point...

JeremyG

on Aug 02, 2004

I will agree on that, it's not something that should be rushed into. However this is the same guy who wants to renew the patriot act. Sound to me like he's more confused....or perhaps has some vested interest in the situation....moreso than being prudent.

Madine

on Aug 02, 2004

Sound to me like he's more confused....or perhaps has some vested interest in the situation....moreso than being prudent.

Have you been reading too much left-wing propaganda?

... Bush can't be prudent, he must be either dumb or conspiring.

Bush isn't a bleeding-heart civil liberties type, but I think he understands that concentrating lots of power in a high-level office can have bad consequences.

Abe Cubbage

on Aug 02, 2004

When the ACLU and George W. Bush are on the same side on something, that should tell you something.

In other news...the temperature in Hell has just dropped 666 degrees.

Yes, I wonder about Kerry's motive on this.

Pam Johnson

on Aug 02, 2004

Not only is it not prudent, but it is also not wise. Does Kerry really think congress will sit still for a move like that. Remember what they did to "President Wilson at the end of WWI." Oh, for you none history majors the senate did not aprrove the "Treaty of Versailles." Nor, did they approve the United States joining the League of Nations. I have a feeling that before they can assign an individual to this position The House, and Senate will have some say as to what the limitations of the job are going to be.

Pam

eieio

on Aug 03, 2004

Curious that Kerry would be in such a hurry after stating in January's Democratic Presidential debate of this year that the terrorist threat was exaggerated.

Why is he in such a hurry to do something about a threat he feels is exaggerated?

It's become obvious that he will say whatever is contrary to the current administration's statements, oblivious to the fact that it may also be contrary to his own.

bakerstreet

on Aug 03, 2004

"Why is he in such a hurry to do something about a threat he feels is exaggerated?"

He isn't. He knows that if there is a special session of Congress called to deal with this there isn't a prayer they'd agree on anything before the election. Now that the ACLU and the rest have dug in on the subject, you have people on both sides of the aisle that are opposed to it, at least in spirit.

No, this is just a way for him to be "calling on the President" to do something... Next week he'll find something else to accuse the President of "dragging his feet" about.

You can bet your ass that if he did lay off campaigning to go back and vote on it he'd wear his best tie. Of course in order to vote yes the bill would have to revoke Bush's tax cuts. If not, he'd vote for his own version before he voted against the real one...

notsohighlyevolved

on Aug 03, 2004

You sure you want some combined FBI/CIA master ultra intelligence czar to be working in the white house with relatively little oversight?

Does this mean that Americans are scared of their own?

Would it simplify the lines of communication and make intelligence more tangible and accessible for the president, the only one authorised to make effective decisions in time of crisis?

Would it prevent a re-run of national security decisions being made and executed by the VP a la the 9/11 attacks with the president watching on helplessly, stuck in a classroom, doe-eyed and underinformed?

I guess this would be the intention of the new intitiative, but it becomes obvious, with all this power play, that the people Americans trust the least are their own.

Over time you guys have come to know that any concentration of power and any weakening of checks and balances will be abused by the very people sworn in to protect your nation.

This is the real concern - even in a time of international threat you have to look over your shoulder and hope you don't get shived in the back while a train barrels down the line toward you.

Marco

Abe Cubbage

on Aug 03, 2004

Over time you guys have come to know that any concentration of power and any weakening of checks and balances will be abused by the very people sworn in to protect your nation.

This is the real concern - even in a time of international threat you have to look over your shoulder and hope you don't get shived in the back while a train barrels down the line toward you.

Is it not like this in other countries? Seems like human nature to me.

notsohighlyevolved

on Aug 03, 2004

Is it not like this in other countries? Seems like human nature to me.

The last time in Australia would have been 1975. Our politicians are much more likely to do harm to the weaker elements of other countries and our international standing. So in answer to your question - no, probably not. I could use the relative lack of quintessentially Australian conspiracy theories as evidence, unless you start thinking that Harold Holt was actually abducted by aliens.

Marco

Baines

on Aug 04, 2004

Bush's partial acceptance, excluding the full power White House-based Intelligence Czar, also called for further strengthening of the Patriot Act. That should scare people as much or more than a White House Intelligence Czar.

In a way, the Intelligence Czar sounds like the kind of thing that Bush would actually want, at least when you discount that all of the agencies involved would be vehemently opposed. I wonder what Bush's main opposition to the idea is. Is it because he was opposed to the Commission from the start, and thus refuses to accept any more of their ideas than he actually has to? Or is it because he sees political danger in accepting too much of the plan, as it would make him look weak to suddenly accept everything proposed by a commission that he publically opposed, and inept for not making similar changes before a commission was needed? Or is it actually a case where "anti-big government" wins out over "pro-police state"?

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