The Intelligence bill, which had been passed by both houses but was in conference, was defeated by last hour savaging by the Secretary of Defense, the Pentagon, and The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. This was a naked power move on their part, as all their stated reasons for last hour opposition had already been addressed. They showed they simply don't want reform. If the President is half hearted about reviving the bill that indicates that he is two faced on this as well. It's his own administration, his own allies in the party and his own people who blocked it in the first place.
I hope the President is serious about reviving it because it's basic reforms are undoubtedly a good thing for the country. I know that genuine democrats Like Senator Levine worked very hard to make sure that it was genuine reform and that it continued various affirmations of human rights and protection of our rights that were much needed. I hope those weren't removed in conference.
We have had multiple intelligence failures recently. If this bill passes it will be further proof that the intelligence is failing where the Buck is supposed to stop.
Of course what I didn't know is that there was more potential for human rights abuse built into this bill. But what can we do? Reforms were needed. And of course we'll have to reform the reforms!
Posted by cholte at November 22, 2004 06:10 AM