Intel Reform Debate

Much has been made about the debate that is going on inside the beltway in regards to the intelligence reform bill that is currently before congress. President Bush has stated on numerous occasions that he supports the bill and wants to see it passed. The media, looking for some consolation following the defeat of their pet John Kerry last month, have jumped on the fact that it hasn't passed. Since it is a few House Republicans holding up the bill, namely Duncan Hunter and James Sensennbrenner, the media has tried to advance the theory that President Bush can't rein in his own party and that the "mandate" he has claimed doesn't really exist. Lets be clear; if President Bush really threw his whole weight behind this, like he is sure to do with Social Security reform and tax-code simplification, there is little doubt that the intel bill would pass in congress.

It has been estimated by some GOP aides on the hill that 80% of Republicans really don't support the bill, and the only reason the Bush Administration has supported it is because they don't want to be pointed at as having dragged their feet should another terrorist attack occur. This for the most part is probably true. This bill really looks like a bad idea, and those who are reluctant to support it are completely justified.

First of all, most people jumped off a cliff to support this bill simply because the 9/11 Commission supported it. This in itself is flawed logic. While the commission's reports and recommendations should clearly be taken into consideration, blindly jumping to support and push for everything the commission wants is bad governing. Simply thank the commission for it's hard work and advice, and than tell them to shut up and let those who have been elected by the people get to the work of deciding which measures we take up and which ones we do not. It's getting old and annoying listening to commission members declaring that blood will run through the streets if Washington keeps dragging it's feet. You guys aren't the all-knowing gods you think you are, so go away.

Secondly, this bill is a bad bill because all it does is create more bureaucracy and red tape. Our intelligence has not been subpar due to a lack bureaucracy, our intelligence has been subpar because we do not have enough spies infiltrating the leadership apparatus of rogue nations and terrorist organizations. What we need to do if we really want to improve our intelligence is concentrate our effort and resources on developing good, human intelligence personnel. Satellites can only do so much, we need people on the ground to help give us more of a clear picture.