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Octafish

(55,745 posts)
127. Duppy Conqueror
Mon Dec 21, 2015, 09:11 PM
Dec 2015

Last edited Mon Dec 21, 2015, 09:43 PM - Edit history (1)

From: Treasure Trove of JFK and LBJ Documents declassified by CIA

The CIA’s Historical Review Program on 16 September 2015 released a collection of presidential briefing products written during the Kennedy and Johnson presidential administrations. This large-scale release of The President’s Intelligence Checklists (PICLs) (an acronym pronounced “pickles”) and The President’s Daily Briefs (PDBs) includes almost 2,500 documents exclusively written for the president each day except Sunday. They summarized the day-to-day intelligence and analysis on current and future national security issues. President Kennedy received the first PICL -- a seven-page 8 ½- by 8-inch booklet -- on Saturday, 17 June 1961 at his country home near Middleburg, Virginia. The PICL was replaced by the PDB on 1 December 1964, during the Johnson administration. In addition to the PDBs and PICLs, the collection includes The President’s Intelligence Review and its replacement, Highlights of the Week, as well as ad hoc supplemental products and annexes that featured topics of presidential interest. The CIA originators of the PICL, and later the PDB, strove to craft a daily current product that was true to sensitive source reporting and yet was easily readable by the president and his advisors.

http://www.foia.cia.gov/collection/PDBs


Fascinating peek into history, what before the creation of the National Security State was called the People's business.

Here's something that more people interested in democracy should know:

Truman criticized CIA after the assassination of President Kennedy and Dulles asked for retraction.

Truman's column on CIA cloak and dagger got published in the Washington Post and, evidently, few other newspapers at the time. What could have bugged Dulles -- who was no longer DCI -- so much that he got the Mighty Wurlitzer to hum a different tune?



Limit CIA Role To Intelligence

By Harry S Truman
The Washington Post, December 22, 1963 - page A11

INDEPENDENCE, MO., Dec. 21 — I think it has become necessary to take another look at the purpose and operations of our Central Intelligence Agency—CIA. At least, I would like to submit here the original reason why I thought it necessary to organize this Agency during my Administration, what I expected it to do and how it was to operate as an arm of the President.

I think it is fairly obvious that by and large a President's performance in office is as effective as the information he has and the information he gets. That is to say, that assuming the President himself possesses a knowledge of our history, a sensitive understanding of our institutions, and an insight into the needs and aspirations of the people, he needs to have available to him the most accurate and up-to-the-minute information on what is going on everywhere in the world, and particularly of the trends and developments in all the danger spots in the contest between East and West. This is an immense task and requires a special kind of an intelligence facility.

Of course, every President has available to him all the information gathered by the many intelligence agencies already in existence. The Departments of State, Defense, Commerce, Interior and others are constantly engaged in extensive information gathering and have done excellent work.

But their collective information reached the President all too frequently in conflicting conclusions. At times, the intelligence reports tended to be slanted to conform to established positions of a given department. This becomes confusing and what's worse, such intelligence is of little use to a President in reaching the right decisions.

Therefore, I decided to set up a special organization charged with the collection of all intelligence reports from every available source, and to have those reports reach me as President without department "treatment" or interpretations.

I wanted and needed the information in its "natural raw" state and in as comprehensive a volume as it was practical for me to make full use of it. But the most important thing about this move was to guard against the chance of intelligence being used to influence or to lead the President into unwise decisions—and I thought it was necessary that the President do his own thinking and evaluating.

Since the responsibility for decision making was his—then he had to be sure that no information is kept from him for whatever reason at the discretion of any one department or agency, or that unpleasant facts be kept from him. There are always those who would want to shield a President from bad news or misjudgments to spare him from being "upset."

For some time I have been disturbed by the way CIA has been diverted from its original assignment. It has become an operational and at times a policy-making arm of the Government. This has led to trouble and may have compounded our difficulties in several explosive areas.

I never had any thought that when I set up the CIA that it would be injected into peacetime cloak and dagger operations. Some of the complications and embarrassment I think we have experienced are in part attributable to the fact that this quiet intelligence arm of the President has been so removed from its intended role that it is being interpreted as a symbol of sinister and mysterious foreign intrigue—and a subject for cold war enemy propaganda.

With all the nonsense put out by Communist propaganda about "Yankee imperialism," "exploitive capitalism," "war-mongering," "monopolists," in their name-calling assault on the West, the last thing we needed was for the CIA to be seized upon as something akin to a subverting influence in the affairs of other people.

I well knew the first temporary director of the CIA, Adm. Souers, and the later permanent directors of the CIA, Gen. Hoyt Vandenberg and Allen Dulles. These were men of the highest character, patriotism and integrity—and I assume this is true of all those who continue in charge.

But there are now some searching questions that need to be answered. I, therefore, would like to see the CIA be restored to its original assignment as the intelligence arm of the President, and that whatever else it can properly perform in that special field—and that its operational duties be terminated or properly used elsewhere.

We have grown up as a nation, respected for our free institutions and for our ability to maintain a free and open society. There is something about the way the CIA has been functioning that is casting a shadow over our historic position and I feel that we need to correct it.

SOURCE: http://www.maebrussell.com/Prouty/Harry%20Truman's%20CIA%20article.html



So. One month after the assassination, President Truman expressed public concern CIA had strayed off the reservation from intelligence gathering of foreign news sources to cloak-and-dagger operations. Time -- and the Church Committee -- has since shown CIA operated, illegally, domestically.

Allen Dulles, on behalf of CIA, even asked Truman to retract it. From Ray McGovern...



Fox Guarding Hen House

The well-connected Dulles got himself appointed to the Warren Commission and took the lead in shaping the investigation of JFK’s assassination.

Documents in the Truman Library show that he then mounted a small domestic covert action of his own to neutralize any future airing of Truman’s and Souers’s warnings about covert action.

So important was this to Dulles that he invented a pretext to get himself invited to visit Truman in Independence, Missouri. On the afternoon of April 17, 1964, Dulles spent a half-hour trying to get the former President to retract what he had said in his op-ed. No dice, said Truman.

No problem, thought Dulles. Four days later, in a formal memo for his old buddy Lawrence Houston, CIA General Counsel from 1947 to 1973, Dulles fabricated a private retraction, claiming that Truman told him the Washington Post article was “all wrong,” and that Truman “seemed quite astounded at it.”

No doubt Dulles thought it might be handy to have such a memo in CIA files, just in case.

A fabricated retraction? It certainly seems so, because Truman did not change his tune. Far from it.

In a June 10, 1964, letter to the managing editor of Look magazine, for example, Truman restated his critique of covert action, emphasizing that he never intended the CIA to get involved in “strange activities.”

CONTINUED...

SOURCE: http://www.consortiumnews.com/2009/122909b.html



Your kind words have made my day, nationalize the fed. You me and malaise got a quorum. Please know that your friendship means the world to me.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Recommended. H2O Man Dec 2015 #1
You are most welcome, H2O Man! Octafish Dec 2015 #2
I like to remember H2O Man Dec 2015 #4
Great memory, yours. Octafish Dec 2015 #8
Wow, your link at the bottom of post (tag line?) is truly arthritisR_US Dec 2015 #31
Vincent Salandria was on the case, starting Nov. 22, 1963. Octafish Dec 2015 #35
I read Specter's request as an admission of a coverup of the actual facts. arthritisR_US Dec 2015 #46
You are most welcome, arthritisR_US! Octafish Dec 2015 #52
Another rec. Don't stop doing this Octafish. panader0 Dec 2015 #3
Thank you, panader0! Octafish Dec 2015 #5
There's a forum for this edhopper Dec 2015 #6
Please, show what's speculation. Octafish Dec 2015 #7
pleas discuss edhopper Dec 2015 #9
So, you can't show what's speculation. Octafish Dec 2015 #10
okay then edhopper Dec 2015 #12
Funny. I never thought I needed your permission. Octafish Dec 2015 #16
Didn't intend it that way. edhopper Dec 2015 #17
+1000 & k&r nationalize the fed Dec 2015 #41
Duppy Conqueror Octafish Dec 2015 #127
The OP is not H2O Man Dec 2015 #14
That's why we have forums for this edhopper Dec 2015 #15
DU:GD H2O Man Dec 2015 #20
same to you. edhopper Dec 2015 #22
Thanks! H2O Man Dec 2015 #23
I love some of the non political discussions edhopper Dec 2015 #25
The title of the OP. LanternWaste Dec 2015 #11
What's wrong with it? Octafish Dec 2015 #13
Actually no the title reflects the context. Rex Dec 2015 #19
Please SHOW absolute proof. It is all shit rehashed for 50 years. nt Logical Dec 2015 #81
You call me obsessed, yet all you got is ad hominem. Octafish Dec 2015 #96
There is a forum for this. And it is not GD. nt Logical Dec 2015 #97
Some posters are exempt from Forum SOPs...nt SidDithers Dec 2015 #50
Next up .... chemtrails, mind control via vaccine, the pope piloted the 9/11 planes n/t etherealtruth Dec 2015 #56
Ad hominem shows all you know is smear. Octafish Dec 2015 #73
Truly... some really are... nt villager Dec 2015 #76
Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2015 #62
I would disagree that it is edhopper Dec 2015 #72
So what, exactly, do you find wrong with the OP? Octafish Dec 2015 #75
The topic is edhopper Dec 2015 #79
So, evidence -- including what the Director of CIA did -- for conspiracy is to be hidden. Octafish Dec 2015 #80
look edhopper Dec 2015 #84
He loves the CS shit. An obsession. nt Logical Dec 2015 #82
Speaking of obsessed... Octafish Dec 2015 #85
Otca, where is the proof? This would be WORLD WIDE NEWS if it was proved. It is like all the.... Logical Dec 2015 #86
I didn't ask you to prove anything - just to support your contentions. Octafish Dec 2015 #92
The burden of proof is on the person making a nutty claim. nt Logical Dec 2015 #95
So, it should be easy for you. Yet, you don't. That's telling. Octafish Dec 2015 #98
For god sake, then why isn't the fact the CIA killed Kennedy on the.... Logical Dec 2015 #99
Nice disinformation. Where did you get the CIA killed Kennedy? Octafish Dec 2015 #100
I was 15 and nothing added up. I became suspicious with LBJ reading a few cold words in near nursery Zen Democrat Dec 2015 #128
Here's video that shows Secret Service ordered off JFK's limousine. Octafish Dec 2015 #140
thank you, edhopper! librechik Dec 2015 #115
Your welcome edhopper Dec 2015 #118
The CIA sits on its secrets hoping enough time will pass Rex Dec 2015 #18
I agree H2O Man Dec 2015 #21
Once no one is around who remembers, CIABCNNBCBSFauxNoiseNutworks can tell the tale. Octafish Dec 2015 #24
I feel like crying. I wonder if we can ever change this world jwirr Dec 2015 #26
That feeling of powerlessness... Octafish Dec 2015 #27
Once again thank you. I really do understand this and try jwirr Dec 2015 #28
Beethoven. Octafish Dec 2015 #37
I had no idea that is where he got this. That is totally inspiring. jwirr Dec 2015 #40
The guy was a Democrat before there was a Party. Octafish Dec 2015 #55
Good way to start the morning. We are part of a very long jwirr Dec 2015 #58
Amazing. nt raouldukelives Dec 2015 #47
"The heart grows stronger by facing the evils of the world." -- Ludwig van Beethoven (Fidelio) Octafish Dec 2015 #57
This IS inspiring. SalviaBlue Dec 2015 #119
Am I the only one that was not involved in the JFK assassination plot? cpwm17 Dec 2015 #29
Were you director of the CIA? Octafish Dec 2015 #32
This shit is just like 9/11 truthers. So old and so wrong. nt Logical Dec 2015 #64
No, I'm not involved either treestar Dec 2015 #68
I'm your age, but I don't remember the 1960's cpwm17 Dec 2015 #88
Nixon is the first one I remember too treestar Dec 2015 #89
Unti the CIA papers are Wellstone ruled Dec 2015 #30
Agree completely. Octafish Dec 2015 #42
The Russians have more info than the Wellstone ruled Dec 2015 #45
Sad to say I wrote this on DU in 2005... Octafish Dec 2015 #54
Boyhood Bud did Wellstone ruled Dec 2015 #63
KickandRecommend!! elias49 Dec 2015 #33
What the Warren Commission Didn’t Know Octafish Dec 2015 #60
K&R #20 bobthedrummer Dec 2015 #34
Thank you for keeping that most important history alive. Octafish Dec 2015 #61
Octakick. . . . . n/t annabanana Dec 2015 #36
Coming from you, that means a lot... Octafish Dec 2015 #66
lol - you crack me up . . .n/t annabanana Dec 2015 #87
I'm not sure rsexaminer Dec 2015 #38
POLITICO as the fountainhead for this story is interesting, too. Octafish Dec 2015 #67
K&R Important stuff. JEB Dec 2015 #39
Why Mr. Slawson is a hero -- even if he thinks Lee Harvey Oswald is the lone assassin. Octafish Dec 2015 #69
Yes, Bush 41 was CIA at the time, and yes, he was in Dallas. KamaAina Dec 2015 #43
Wish that was taught in school, printed in the paper and broadcast on tee vee. Octafish Dec 2015 #70
The smoking gun! KamaAina Dec 2015 #74
It really bothers some people when it gets mentioned. Octafish Dec 2015 #141
Well, what does he care? He's Canadian. KamaAina Dec 2015 #143
Where and Why is JFK's brain missingj after it was in government hands? Ichingcarpenter Dec 2015 #44
JFK's doctor -- Admiral George Burkley -- thought more than one shooter was involved. Octafish Dec 2015 #71
Three levels of information Ichingcarpenter Dec 2015 #133
C-SPAN has an excellent program discussing Lee Harvey Oswald, CIA and Mexico City Octafish Dec 2015 #145
K&R nt raouldukelives Dec 2015 #48
The Disinformation Continues to the Present Day Octafish Dec 2015 #77
Kickin' the Sat mornin' history lesson. CanSocDem Dec 2015 #49
Lots more to learn. For instance, FBI and CIA continue to obstruct Justice. Octafish Dec 2015 #83
Thank You For Sharing These Truths cantbeserious Dec 2015 #51
You are most welcome, cantbeserious! Octafish Dec 2015 #90
Thanks Octafish. Your posts are important to me! haikugal Dec 2015 #53
Here's a truly important source of information: ABRAHAM BOLDEN. Octafish Dec 2015 #101
Oswald acted alone. Sometimes people get lucky! You love CS shit. nt Logical Dec 2015 #59
If that were true, you wouldn't spend so much time trying to stop its discussion. Octafish Dec 2015 #102
The ONE ARMED MAN Did it!!!!!! nt Logical Dec 2015 #65
What is your problem? Octafish Dec 2015 #103
The humor is that we are still discussing who did it when we know who did it. nt Logical Dec 2015 #105
No, we don't know ''who did it.'' Octafish Dec 2015 #114
FFS, you are gullible! How many murderers say "I didn't do it"??????? You have to be.... Logical Dec 2015 #116
Who's ''gullible,'' really? Octafish Dec 2015 #121
You also need to investigate this also...... Logical Dec 2015 #124
George deMohrenschildt knew both Lee Harvey Oswald and George H.W. Bush. Octafish Dec 2015 #125
Excellent...KNR Hepburn Dec 2015 #78
Allen Dulles in WC secret session said that was to be expected. Octafish Dec 2015 #104
K & R AzDar Dec 2015 #91
Thanks, AzDar! You know how different this world would be... Octafish Dec 2015 #107
K & R and a million thanks, not only for the OP, but for the entire thread mountain grammy Dec 2015 #93
Thank you for sharing that amazing and important history, mountain grammy. Octafish Dec 2015 #108
I'm adding this December 11, 2003 thread to this discussion, if it isn't already linked upthread bobthedrummer Dec 2015 #94
JFK debunker John McAdams hosts one of those... Octafish Dec 2015 #110
Here's an excellent thread from Bolo Boffin proving Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone assassin: cpwm17 Dec 2015 #106
The hilarious thing, here: Spider Jerusalem Dec 2015 #109
I guess, then, the CIA and FBI would be part of a let-it-happen-on-purpose conspiracy. n/t cpwm17 Dec 2015 #123
Hardly Spider Jerusalem Dec 2015 #134
I don't believe it was any kind of conspiracy, cpwm17 Dec 2015 #135
Vincent Bugliosi doesn't consider the Chicago Plot when talking about Oswald. Octafish Dec 2015 #112
Retired FBI Special Agent Don Adams interviewed Joseph Adams Milteer... Octafish Dec 2015 #131
Great Post. K and R. PCIntern Dec 2015 #111
The Warrant Report Octafish Dec 2015 #113
I find Shenon a troublesome source. librechik Dec 2015 #117
A Thank You to Phil Shenon from Dan Hardway Octafish Dec 2015 #120
K&R G_j Dec 2015 #122
You are most welcome, G_j! Politico seems to be bolstering Shenon's Dallas expertise. Octafish Dec 2015 #130
Movie please LOL but seriously, I never believed the official story...this is fascinating randys1 Dec 2015 #126
The thing missing from the coverage: Context. Octafish Dec 2015 #136
K&R smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #129
The CIA Keeps (Accidentally) Legitimizing JFK Conspiracy Theories Octafish Dec 2015 #137
It's amazing how so many people implicitly trust the government and think they are smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #138
K&R!!!!!! burrowowl Dec 2015 #132
Both McCone and Dulles hid CIA-Mafia assassination plots from Warren Commission and America Octafish Dec 2015 #139
Both McCone and Dulles hid monitoring of Oswald in New Orleans from Warren Commission and America... Octafish Dec 2015 #148
The CIA had every reason to hide Operation Mongoose from KingCharlemagne Dec 2015 #142
Excellent points. But if Oswald did it, why does secret government continue to cover-up? Octafish Dec 2015 #144
Let us begin with a fact about LHO : he was a firm believer in and KingCharlemagne Dec 2015 #146
Good analysis, based on the story as reported by FBI/CIA. Ignored was CIA monitoring Oswald... Octafish Dec 2015 #147
K&R for the original post and subsequent informative posts and links. Bookmark. JEB Dec 2015 #149
Richard Helms obstructed Justice in 1964...CIA still does... Octafish Jan 2016 #150
Sounds good to me... JEB Jan 2016 #152
Kicking So we never forget. n/t Hotler Jan 2016 #151
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