Austin Bay explains how to fix our intelligence system:
Intelligence-gathering is tough enough, but producing useful, usable intelligence is an art. It seems very few leaders understand that. Intelligence is a grand exercise in data interpretation, pattern recognition and intuition, requiring expertise in linguistics, geography, mathematics, history, theology, psychology, physics, metaphysics, and every other human means of analysis and explanation. Moreover, the intelligence "jigsaw puzzle" is a dynamic, shifting, changing puzzle. It takes vision to "put the puzzle together," which is what former Schlesinger meant when he said the American intelligence community needs people with "insight."
Unfortunately, government bureaucracies are tough on artists and visionaries. Political infighters and insiders tend to dominate the process.
The fix becomes doubly difficult when the agency with the most troubles - the CIA - is at war with the White House.
The fix becomes doubly difficult when the agency with the most troubles - the CIA - is at war with the White House."
Somehow I think that for a different administration more willing to take up public fights, such a situation would actually make the fix easier.
For example, I suspect that if W's body was suddenly taken over by Andrew Jackson, ole Hickory would waste no time cleaning house in an agency that actively opposed him. (Of course, this would have to occur after Jackson got over the massive disorientation inherent to time travel and body-snatching)
Excellent point, Jody.
One of my biggest gripes about Bush is his unwillingness to fire anyone, no matter how incompetent they are.
That's a lousy way to get results.
Bush's unwillingness to fire incompetents, IMO, is the result of the cronyism in his administration and his own mediocrity as as leader. Consider Micheal "Hell of a Job" Brown. Consider the Miers nomination in that light after what happened with Brown. Consider why Donald Rumsfeld still has his job.
About the only thing I'm confident of is that the generals at CENTCOM are smarter than he is.
