We need to do away with the CIA - or at least overhaul the entire thing

[BushOut06]

For one thing, why in the world do we need so many damned intelligence agencies in this country? There's the CIA, NSA, Defense Intelligence Agency, National Reconnaissance Office, the various military intelligence agencies, DEA, FBI, and who knows how many secret agencies. We've all seen how the CIA has been involved in dubious and downright illegal operations over the past few decades. Whatever the CIA's original purpose was, it seems to have evolved itself into a KBG-like monster. Now we have reports of the CIA running secret prisons, conducting torture procedures that violate international law, destroying incriminating documents, etc.

I realize that we do need some sort of intelligence agency, but we can do MUCH better than what we have now. I propose that we disband the CIA and all other intelligence agencies, and simply have a single intelligence gathering agency. The new agency would be subject to Congressional oversight at all levels. No more secret and covert operations shrouded in complete secrecy - such actions lend themselves to the kind of shit we see happening with the CIA.

[JohnyCanuck]

1. That's what JFK said, and we all know what happened to him. n/t

[Donnachaidh]

2. burn it down to the ground.

All this bullshit needs to go. Cheney, Bush Senoir and all the rest of them have used this agency for their own whims. Take it OUT.

[BushOut06]

4. The worst part is that even with all these "intelligence" agencies, 9-11 still happened

To me, that says that either they knew about it in advance at allowed it to happen, or they were just completely inept.

Either way, it's a good reason to scrap the entire system and start over.

[AX10]

8. The CIA gave Bin Laden his start in the 1970's.

I'm with former Senator Frank Church(D-Idaho) when it comes to the CIA.

[BuyingThyme]

3. The CIA's purpose was to allow/enable Fascists/Corporatists to do what they're doing.

[mmonk]

5. It will all be privatized soon anyway.

[flashl]

6. Congressional oversight? Remember Hookergate?

[BushOut06]

9. Somebody has to oversee it

Congress ain't perfect, but it's a far cry better than what oversight there is now. Which is basically none.

[AntiFascist]

7. Without oversight, the CIA can take control of government n/t