Clarity on Obama's Investigation of CIA
(Panetta Must Go)

I traffic on several discussion boards throughout the week but most commonly in the daily threads sponsored by my (news)paper, the Boston Globe (Boston.com).

This week, every column or article that addressed President Obama's investigation of the CIA was dominated by truly unhinged and hate-filled comments by the liberal extremists. These delusional contributors continued to direct hate at President Bush, Vice President Cheney and a handful of then-government attorneys who wrote the position papers in support of enhanced interrogation techniques; it's not necessary to mention the attorneys' names here. The delusional contributors actually think Bush, Cheney and the attorneys are in jeopardy.

For clarity, President Obama is not investigating Bush, Cheney, the attorneys nor the legality of the enhanced interrogation techniques. Let me repeat that for the benefit of any delusional liberal extremists who happen upon this site: President Obama is not investigating Bush, Cheney, the attorneys nor the legality of the enhnaced interrogation techniques.

President Obama is investigating whether a handful of specific CIA officers EXCEEDED the limits of authorized techniques. Let me repeat that for the benefit of any delusional liberal extremists who happen upon this site: President Obama is investigating whether a handful of specific CIA officers EXCEEDED the limits of authorized techniques.

To wit, President Bush is no more responsible for a CIA officer who went too far than President Obama is responsible for an Army Private who exceeds the rules of engagement in Pakistan. Let me repeat . . . .

Here is what I concede I do not know: I do not know why Obama is re-opening the investigation into these specific CIA officers. These officers were investigated by career attorneys at Justice and cleared of any wrong-doing. President Obama knows the most he'll ever get in any trumped-up prosecution is just the heads of these CIA officers. So, I do not know why he is doing it. In two or three years time, Republicans will be noting the tremendous expense of the President's investigation and the completely demoralized CIA. Obama knows this . . . that's the thing that does bother me just a little, Obama knows this and he's doing it any way. If anyone can let me know why, I'd appreciate the education.

Months ago I called for the resignation or firing of CIA Director Leon Panetta. Time and again the President has left this man, who he just had to have at CIA, twisting in the wind and without any Presidential support. The pattern was repeated again this week when Panetta argued against the re-investigation and lost. Either the Nation's top spy has the confidence of the President, whose primary responsibility is the Nation's security, or he does not. If he does not, I repeat my May 25, 2009 call that the President fire Panetta or that Panetta resign.