1 He has a pulse.  What's the problem?

2 Sandy Burger should have a better library of secret documents by now ...

3 I'm sure he'll be as competent as George Tenet was. 

4 It's a slam dunk.

5 What the fuck did I know?  I was CIA Chief.

6 What.The.Fuck. This clusterfuck of an administration is getting more comical by the hour.

7 It would be nice to have a CIA that didn't leak. I'm not sure this is the best way to get it.

8 He's another Clinton mole.  Obama is causing himself some trouble.

9 Hey now!

If Princess Kennedy can be a senator, then there should be no problems with Panetta heading up the CIA.

K

10 This is not the same Leon Panetta that I knew......oh wait I'm a couple months early on this post.

11 How long until some scandal requires Panetta to be withdrawn from consideration?  I'm starting to think the only people who aren't going to be withdrawn are either too crafty to have their corruption exposed, or too Teflon-coated to be affected by scandal.

12 He's another Clinton mole. Obama is causing himself some trouble.
Posted by: The Obvious

No kidding. Do they have something on him or what?

13 Meh...my money was on Sandy Berger.

14 All this popcorn eatin' is making me sick.

15 2 Sandy Burger should have a better library of secret documents by now ...

Adriane -- Missed you at #2!...great minds think alike.

16

Ace,

I know a bit about Leon Panetta. In my previous life I knew him socially a bit and watched as he built the Panetta Institute in Monterey, CA.

As to his cred as an analyst  of intelligence, etc. I cannot say. But he is an experienced and highly capable administrator.

You'll have to see what he did when he was in Congress. There may have been some role in intelligence.

And whether or not he is a loyal Democrat, there is no doubt.

It's through Leon Panetta that I got to meet John McCain. So I'm thankful to him for that.

That, and he always was a perfect gentleman and very kind to me, a nobody.

Say what you will, but for a ruthless operative he's a nice guy.

Just sayin'.

17 Actually I think we are seeing a pattern emerging finally. Appoint the Clintonistas to the departments you plan to fuck so they take the blame.

Hillary at State when Obama plans to use the UN for most US diplomacy.

Panetta at CIA because intelligence is about to get screwed again like they were in the 90's.

etc...etc.

Where did Obama's pets go?

18 My first reaction - outloud to all and sundry at the office - was "Leon Panetta? What the fuck?" Apparently I am not the only one with this reaction.

19 Great. We are so going to be the laughing stock of the world.

20

And whether or not he is a loyal Democrat, there is no doubt.

It's through Leon Panetta that I got to meet John McCain.

Those two sentences speak volumes.

21

Replacing someone with a distinguished 30+ year career in national security with a partisan hack, when we at war- gotta be a trial ballon. 

Maybe as DNI, but the Pentagon will eat Panetta's lunch as DCI and will he be able to stand his own ground against Hilary?  I thought the the leftys wanted to de-emphasize the Pentagon's role in intelligence - this would enhance it.

22 We are in for a world of hurt.

23 Um, obama where exactly is the change. I am just a wee bit confused here.

24

 Panetta was instrumental in creating CSU Monterey by converting Fort Ord, where he was chief of operations and planning of the intelligence section when he was in the army, into the university.

You want qualifications?  Top intel office of the greater Monterey Bay area in the sixties.  Ha! 

25 Topssekretk9,

Obama is out of his league and knows it.  He was either going to let the Clintions or the Press run him.  For now he's leaning towards the Clintons.  He's a one term guy.

26 Yay to Pelosi for dumping the Contact With America congressional rules!  Good Job your Nubile Highness of Power!  May all your laws be received well.  And if not, a swift nightstick in the teeth to those who resist!

27 Couldn't find his butt with both hands given a map and a mirror.

28 Leon Panetta????!!!!!!!

Hell, he should've picked Al Sharpton.

29 Ooooh, I just hopey-changed in my pants. 

30 Wasn't Panetta Clinton's COS when he de-nutted the CIA in the name of diversity or some crap?  Yes, I see good things coming from this appointment.

31 Uhh, Uhhh, Umm, You know, I don't think Obama is up for the job of President.

32 Hah!! it won't be long before Obama starts appointing some of those Hamas boys to do something. Panetta would not know a terrorist if he was sitting next to him. Paper pushers should do a damn fine job in letting the terrorists take them out.

33

I can has four year long train wreck?

34 The only credential this guy has is that he can be counted on to safely hide such information from the public, and vigorously go after those who might leak it.

I sure wish Bush had thought to get someone with these credentials in his administration.

35 Never in my wildest imagination could I have foreseen this possibility. There will be much to write these next four years.

... much to write.

36 We could have used a whole lot more

vigorously go after those who might leak it

in the past eight years.

37

OK, John Clark this guy is not.  But is he a moonbat like Dennis Kucinich?  Or a race baiter like Cynthia McKinney? 

 

Just wonderin'.

38 Admit it: You post dated it.

As to his wiki bio, I love the lie that he switched parties in 1971 because he felt the GOP was blocking civil rights legislation. Just the opposite, pal.

39 This is NOT the hope and change that I voted for...I Want MY Hope and Change!

40 and vigorously go after those who might leak it

Then Panetta's job will be very easy.  I have no doubt that the MSM will suddenly discover that turning in their sources for national security stories to be patriotic and the right thing to do.

41
His wiki bio sez he enlisted in 1964 and was discharged in 1966 with an Army Commendation Medal.

Anybody who can verify this and explain how he got this commendation?

42

We could have done worse. He is a hack and keeps his mouth shut, but I don't think he is as dishonest as you all make him out to be.

He's a nice Catholic boy, give him a chance.  That means he's way over his head and the agency won't trust him and will fuck him.

Welcome to the real world "Magical Negro"

Kemp

43 Jane Harman who has been a member of the House Intelligence Committee for ten years and is highly regarded by both sides just got butt fucked by O'Bambi.  She's a tough chick who can handle the naval gazers, butt lickers, and fags. 

44

A quick google search and I find that Panetta is against "torture" and warrantless wiretaps.  Not surprising but not real encouraging either.

I see negotiating with terrorists in our future.  France is gonna dig us the mostest!

45

CIA head -

blowjobs you want to keep secret

46 Anybody who can verify this and explain how he got this commendation?

A departing ARCOM is de rigueur for commissioned officers who leave active service without stepping on their dick. It really isn't much to brag about for an officer.

47
Do Bill and Hillary have Obama locked in a closet somewhere?

This whole Obama thing is starting to sound made up.

48 In related news, Magic Negro has appointed the cast of El Sabado Gigante as Ambassador to Mexico, and Zombie Liberace as Surgeon General.

49

She's a tough chick who can handle the naval gazers, butt lickers, and fags. 

Man that sounds like some kind of circus act.  

50

I've met him as well, he should be running something as he is one of the best managers on the Democrats sidelines - however DCI is a not an ordinary job.  It requires years of experience in plush carpet spook land. 

He will be pointman with foriegn intelligence services, who can trust (to some degree) Hayden - but a politcal guy, mmmh.  As DCI he will have to do more then manage a complex agency - he, personally, will be a player.

51 #42  "Magical Negro"

I find this very offensive!   

You should be more precise and call him the Magical Mulatto!    After all, he is half white.

52

As DCI he will have to do more then manage a complex agency - he, personally, will be a player.

Posted by: Jean at January 05, 2009 03:22 PM (L64A6)

He's in way over his head. I wonder how long he'll last.

53 48 In related news, Magic Negro has appointed the cast of El Sabado Gigante as Ambassador to Mexico, and Zombie Liberace as Surgeon General.

Now this would be change that I'd subscribe to!

54

New Year's Resolutions:

-Finish last 40 pages of novel

-Lose 11 pounds

-Build NBC bunker in basement

55 One, Jane Harman did get screwed. She would have been a 10000 times better.

Two, he enlisted for two years? I thought one was drafted for two years, but enlistment was longer.

Wiki sez The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military award which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service.

So, if he didn't commit a sustained act of heroism, it must be for meritorious service. It's sort of fucked to give the same medal for heroism to some guy who pushes paper well.

56 http://www.truthout.org/article/panetta-why-bush-surge-wont-work

57

She's a tough chick who can handle the naval gazers, butt lickers, and fags. 

Man that sounds like some kind of circus act.  

Well sir it is, and we call it Congress!

 

58 Two, he enlisted for two years? I thought one was drafted for two years, but enlistment was longer.

Posted by: A Plover In Every Pot! at January 05, 2009 03:31 PM (wFYko)

He was an officer, not enlisted.

59

The only credential this guy has is that he can be counted on to safely hide such information from the public, and vigorously go after those who might leak it.

You mean like Panetta's complicitness in the cover-up of TWA 800?

/tinfoil

60 This is an awesome trainwreck beginning to be put in motion.  In the middle, you have an untested, idiotically self-confident person with no executive experience put in charge of a cabinet and government.  Then you give reigns to an untested, unqualified, supremely self-confident and delusional secretary of state. Then you give the CIA a nobody like Panetta. 

This administration is going to be as harmonious as a bag of cats thrown on a fire. 

Unfortunately, I don't live in the delusional world that the reality based community found itself in when they started opposing Bush at every turn, somehow thinking that they would be isolated from the consequences if he failed..  I think building an NBC shelter now has to be on my New Year's resolution list too. 

61
His wiki bio sez he "joined" which I would assume meant enlisted as opposed to drafted. Do officers who "join" have shorter lengths of commitment than a private?

62

At this rate Obama is going to name Monica Lewinsky to an ambassadorship somewhere  - The One is running out of people associated with Bill Clinton to name to his administration.

63 Gates is going to be an untouchable rock.  Anyone fucks with the building and he can simply mention how much he misses fishing with his grandkids to a reporter, and all hell will break loose.

64 Good lord.   Panetta's entire career has been mostly at odds with issues that seem allied against our national security.   He's against offshore drilling (which is in our national interest) and he's probably against undersea defense technologies  (such technologies may screw up whale migration, etc).

65 I would love to know the background on why Harman did not get the pick.  Did Pelosi backstab her?

66 I'm actually growing embarrassed for Obama.  He obviously has no idea what the fuck he's doing.

67 #66, but I am sure he thinks he's doing an awesome, groundbreaking job.

68

If there's a successful terrorist attack on America while this intelligence lightweight is in charge of the CIA a lot of people are going to be very mad at both Barack and Leon.

69

61
His wiki bio sez he "joined" which I would assume meant enlisted as opposed to drafted. Do officers who "join" have shorter lengths of commitment than a private?

 

ROTC (Reserve) officers served two years active duty.

70

At the rate the messiah is picking members of the Clinton administration by next week he'll name Monica Lewinsky as head intern.

71 Intern of Head ?

72 61
His wiki bio sez he "joined" which I would assume meant enlisted as opposed to drafted. Do officers who "join" have shorter lengths of commitment than a private?

Posted by: A Plover In Every Pot! at January 05, 2009 03:44 PM (wFYko)

I read elsewhere he was a military lawyer or or something of that nature, which means he may have gotten a direct commission, which I think can be resigned whenever.

73 What's an "NBC" bunker? A bunker where you are safe from the asshat reportage that passes as journalism on the NBC channels?

74 Great. A carreer bureaucrat whose minimal experience in intelligence/national security consists of being part of the totally discredidted and rightfully ignored "Iraq Study Group". For all our sakes, let's hope he surpasses himself.

75 I saw this coming but I didn't say anything because I figured it was too out there to be believed.

Lesson learned...never underestimate Obama's willingness to do something stupid.

76 Hamas has succeeded in smuggling in 70 km range missiles that can reach Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. They are trying to get them into position in Northern Gaza. The IDF is conducting secret ground operations in Northern Gaza as we speak.

God help them if they launch them. Actually, if one hit the Dome of the Rock, maybe they would see it as an omen.

http://muqata.blogspot.com/

77 #16-You actually want to praise someone because they introduced you to McCain??? That tells me all I want to know about your judgement. And it's not good.

78

Leon Panetta is a decent, but delusional, man.  He will be pitiably in over his head.

If confirmed, I suggest that everyone send him pictures of your children, along with letters pleading with him to keep them safe.  If these cause him to man up, then good for him and us.  If they cause him to go insane, then someone harder will have to replace him.

79 73 What's an "NBC" bunker? A bunker where you are safe from the asshat reportage that passes as journalism on the NBC channels?

Posted by: ParanoidInSeattle at January 05, 2009 03:59 PM (AJ4xq)

Either that or Nuclear/ Biological/ Chemical.

80
He probably had ROTC. There was a time when ROTC was mandatory in most universities.

81 Hopenchange didn't last long did it. So crooked Leon joins the crooks and liars club. Pay for Play, Leon did a good job with his stooge group. And just what experience does he have in intelligence analysis? Well, you know .... Shall we start a pool, where will the terroist strike this time?

82 After 4 years of this dope, if a terrorist blows something up 2 months into the new Republican's term, leftists will have no problem blaming the Republicans for it.

83 Since when is "relevant experience" relevant?  Obama doesn't have any.

84

He's against offshore drilling (which is in our national interest) and he's probably against undersea defense technologies  (such technologies may screw up whale migration, etc).

He's actually for UNCLOS, which is majorly supported by the oil n' gas peeps and the US Navy.

85

If you don't need experience to be POTUS, why would you need it to be head of CIA?

Regards,

Caroline Kennedy

86 His wiki bio sez he "joined" which I would assume meant enlisted as opposed to drafted. Do officers who "join" have shorter lengths of commitment than a private?

First, remember that Wiki is often updated and edited by Kostards, so don't be surprised if the terminology is all wrong.

Officers are commissioned, and the most common commission is 6 years, either 2 or 4 years active and the remainder as a Reserve.

87 There was a time when ROTC was mandatory in most universities.

Especially if you are of a certain age and wanted to avoid the draft.

88 My bet is that Los Angeles will be hit.  Then there's the invasion from the south in conjunction with the terrorist hit.  I've mentioned it to a couple friends, so far.

89

a lifelong partisan hack who can be trusted to hide the stuff that might be embarrassing for Obama.

That's the only requirement for anyone in this establishment.

90
I wonder how many times Obama has accidentally dialed Dick Morris' number.

I think Obama received Bill Clinton's Rolodex for Kwanzaa.  Along with a subtly threatening note.

91

Everyone is missing something very important from his Wiki bio:

Panetta has long been an advocate for the health of the world's oceans.

We are in good hands.  With Aquaman at our side, we will sail.

92 Is Panetta a good community organizer?

93

#90-Now that's funny, I don't care who you are.

#91-I've seen Aquaman, Panetta is no Aquaman. More like Keith OlberMANN.

94 This is prove BO is way way out of his league.

You appoint loyal asskissers to sweet, soft ambassador positions in places like England.

You don't appoint know-nothing amateurs to supremely important jobs involving national security during a time of war.

Bye-bye New York!
So long, DC!
Hasta la vista, LA!

95 @blogRot,

re: Panetta's (and Bush's) support for UNCLOS. .

then I'm opposed

96

These guys all have to Clinton re-treads; or else they would be Republicans -only a few Carter guys are left not needing oxygen. 

He has few choices from industry or the services that would be interested in working with the clowns he is putting in at NSC staff, and I'm sure he is dictating a bunch of far-left hacks for sub-tier jobs that noone notices.  So these Clinton guys are not going to get to pick their own staff, nor trust the guys under them not to go around the Secretary to the NSC or White House.

97 All this popcorn eatin' is making me sick. thirsty. 

There will be an 18% tax on beverages in New York soon also.  That's after the tax they will charge to go into New York.  Hope.Change Inc.

98 Leon fancies himself an "above it all" moderate with his gasbag "Institute" in Monterey where he has debates  with people like David Gergen about why the world hates us.
His reaction to 9/11 would have been to appoint a blue ribbon panel.
Mind- boggling bad choice which is completely unsurprising.

99 Panetta? I thought that was a sandwich.

100 Panetta used to "sit in on briefings". Hey, not everyone can edit a book of their mother's Best Loved Poems.

101 67 #66, but I am sure he thinks he's doing an awesome, groundbreaking job.

We do, too!...why, he's better than Lincoln!!!

102 So Harman did not get the gig because of her support for wiretapping terrorists; but on the same day the european leftys authorize warrentless, remote searches of peoples PCs - not just the traffic - the actual contents of the HD, etc.  Sweet irony.

103 So, when The One runs out of Clintonistas, will he start looking for Carter people? Think of that horror!

104 mikeyslaw: Panetta? I thought that was a sandwich.

No, no, no - he manages the Cubs!  "Panetta" would be a sweet name for a barista, though.

105 Sockpuppetry and amatuerity do not mix!

106

There was a time when ROTC was mandatory in most universities.

No, only in the land grant schools (many Big State universities, all the A&M's), and the six senior military schools (Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, VMI, The Citadel, North Georgia and Norwich).

It's surprising how many people do not remember this era. Many Aggies still wear their own Corps uniform; I don't remember seeing any during VTech's extensive TV coverage.

The term of regular service, and the amount of financial aid, changed over the years; perhaps some ex-ROTCers on board here can relate the time periods involved. 

 

  

  

  

  

107 Dianne Feinstein, senate intel committee chair, is pissed. She says the post should be filled by an intelligence professional, and she was not informed of this pick

108

I guess saner voices informed Obama that Ayers wouldn't be confirmwed as CIA head.

 

But there is always hope for Wright.

109 Leon Panetta????  What?  Was Jamie Gorelick not available???  Good God.  Stand by for 9/11 part Duex or Duh in this case.

110

We all just need to be patient – Big O’s image will tarnish in due time.  Panetta's appt. is just more proof as to why:

 

First, leaders are usually only as good as their worst subordinates and seeing who O has thus far appointed I’d say that this is more about payback than competence.  More evidence that O doesn’t know what he’d doing – on par for someone that’s never really had to work or be responsible for anyone/anything.  These folks won’t do a good job for O and in time it’ll show.  For all of Bush’s faults he did surround himself with some of the best around and it showed.  Can’t say the same for O.   

 

Second, I read somewhere that O may have lost by winning the election.  IOW’s, so long as he’s allowed to project a soft image that allows others to define him by their best standards, he’s OK.  But now he has to perform, something that he’s never really had to do and I don’t think that he’ll wear well, not in this hectic domestic and international environment.  He’s kind of like the guy that wows everyone in an interview but once hired and assigned a desk turns out to be a dud and is fired in short order.  O is all show and no go IMO.      

 

Finally, O makes a mistake when he tries to scare in order to persuade.  His success was built on inspiration but now he’s preaching fear (the economy will only get worse, etc.) which is straight from Carter’s playbook and won’t work for long.  Dick Morris predicted that O would be radioactive by YE ’09 and based on what he’s done thus far, I’d say Morris could be right.

 

 

111 Was Jamie Gorelick not available???

I laughed until I choked.  Didn't someone here call Gorelick the Forrest Gump of Democratic politics?

112 Gorelick IS Forrest Gump of whatever she does!  I can't believe this pick.  Christ, he could've picked at least Colin Powell or something.  Anything would be better than Leon.

113

well, at least pancetta, an italian dry cured bacon, and panini, the pressed sandwich, have some use in this world.  you wouldn't appoint either, however, to be director of the CIA.

114 I would love to know the background on why Harman did not get the pick.  Did Pelosi backstab her?

There's some seriously bad blood between those two. Remember the tussle over the Intel committee chair after the mid-terms? Wouldn't surprise me if Nancy lobbied against Harman.

115

forrest gump wasn't a disaster and a menace.  gorelick is.  I find the comparison inapt.

116 All that talk about Sarah Palin being inexperienced but we get nothing but crickets from the MSM on all of these nominations and Senate selections.  Crazy times.

Ed, see your point on Forrest.  Maybe a better one would be to say that she always goes "full retard" in whatever job she does ala the reference from Tropic Thunder!  Speaking of which, Reid has sure gone "full retard" inre the success of the surge.

117

51 #42  "Magical Negro"

I find this very offensive!   

You should be more precise and call him the Magical Mulatto!    After all, he is half white.

I believe if you check the constitution, and the first census, he qualifies a as Negro.  He only get counted as 1/3 or 1/6 can't remember which.  That count was put in by YANKEES to prevent Virginia and the Southern states from getting more Representatives in the House.  It was a YANKEE idea to screw the South.  Some things never change.

Kemp

118

I'm hoping on Bush to cancel the election anyday now!

I was told it was going to happen by the nutroots.

Please, Bush, please, for the good of the country, cancel the election.

119 #46, I've got three of the things, two from OIF1 and one from 5-7. After that I started declining awards and shifting them to people who didn't have as many. My ribbon rack passed the limits of good taste some years back. Pretty common award on deployments if you don't have the rank/connections to get a Bronze Star without the valor V. Being a mere E-5, mine got downgraded to an ArCom at 4th ID HQ, for example.

Look, he's a hack who will get along great with the career closet-lefty civil servants who really run the CIA. It could be worse.

120 The CIA is so disfunctional,so FUCKED UP that the best thing to do is disband it entirely.We have the NSA and all the services own intel corps and SOCOM should handle covert action.The only thing we need a CIA for(human intel ie agents in the field)is what they are absolutely useless for.

121 Hey, surely Panetta is no less qualified to run the CIA than Obama to run the nation... In lieu of intelligence, Panetta will serve up a daily dose of Hope & Change to Obama!

122 Obama now has a full deck of cocksuckers and dick skinners. Ya baby, we are just waiting for Billy Boy to get back in the mix. After all, its not sex to him, so he can suck cock now legally. !!! Go Team Obama !!!

123 But on a serious note: Leon Panetta will head up national intelligence during two wars with a Commander-in-Chief as experienced to run a war as my barber Lenny is.

OMG.

We're gonna die.

124 Hussein O wants to outdo Slick Willie. We only lost around 4,000 citizens due to a blind, deaf and dumb intel services and president in the 90's. You really didn't expect him to put someone who could read and write in any office did you? Can't overshadow the 'chosen one'. Even Hussein O's replacement in the senate says 'god ordained' the senate seat for him. I guess they will have world respect, if the world respects untalented clowns.

125

@ 107

I wonder if Pelosi and DiFi are gonna take down over this (in private of course!), especially if Pelosi is working against Jane Harmon.  I haven't read the Chronicle in years, but I might have to peek at it tomorrow.

126

What is needed is both a good manager, and someone who understands what it is he is managing.  Not an easily-found combination, and the Obama administration looks like they are going for a good manager.  Certainly a good understanding of the intelligence trade hasn't helped anyone recently with all of the leaks, etc.  Perhaps a hard-ass who can make accountibility important is needed now.

It may be too difficult to find someone with both administrative skills and intelligence chops, and Team Obama is defaulting to management.  I hope Mr. Panetta knows enough to know when he doesn't know; and knows enough to rein in the experts when they start to act like they know everything.  An expert who thinks he knows everything about his field and all of the other fields it can impact on can be very dangerous, also.

127 Now, it's conceivable that as a long-time bureaucratic knife-fighter who, through his participation in the Iraq Study Group might have come to believe in the culpability of the CIA in the decision to go to war, might now know what needs to be done over there. 

Or he might just be a political consigileri who just knows how to keep buried the bodies the Dems would prefer not to see autopsied in public.

Michael Ledeen over at the NRO Corner puts it down as a good appointment, and notes Bush's failure to get the CIA under his control early on - another example of Bush's letting some of his subordinates have enough rope to hang the entire administration.

Still, it's interesting that the Golden Calf named something of a professional to be the National Intelligence Figurehead, and a career bureaucrat to run the CIA.

128 126 - mikey, for the textbook example of what you warn about, witness Les Aspin as SecDef under Clinton.

129

Yeah I was saying "WTF" too when I heard the announcement.  But Obama really has no choice at this point.  He cannot appoint anyone who actually has experience, because these are people who understand that the CIA must occasionally do some less-than-angelic things, and will immediately piss off the idiot nutroots "don't hurt a terrorist's feelings until you've first read him his rights" supporters.  Remember what happened to John Brennan, Obama's original pick.  And Adm. Dennis Blair, Obama's pick for DNI, is going to go through his own personal hell during confirmation hearings because of what he did in East Timor, if he's not swept aside before it gets that far.  So Obama really has no choice but to give the job to a party hack because that's the only type of appointment that won't inspire a nutroot rebellion.

130 This just in: Obama to nominated Bill Ayers to head the FBI.

131 At least Ayers KNOWS something about the FBI...

132 So...much...cock...in my mouth!

mmmphh!!mmmm!slurp!mmmphhh!

133 MiniTrue has some fresh new language for Barry's picks.

WASHINGTON – President-elect Barack Obama's decision to fill the nation's top intelligence jobs with two men short on direct experience in intelligence gathering surprised the spy community and signaled the Democrat's intention for a clean break from Bush administration policies.

The term "no experience" will be replaced with "short on direct experience" comrades.

Obama is sending an unequivocal message that controversial administration policies approving harsh interrogations, waterboarding and extraordinary renditions — the secret transfer of prisoners to other governments with a history of torture — and warrantless wiretapping are over, said several officials.

These methods will now only be used against anyone who speaks out against Big Barry.

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who will chair the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Monday she was surprised by the pick, and neither was informed nor consulted.

"I know nothing about this, other than what I've read," she said. "My position has consistently been that I believe the agency is best served by having an intelligence professional in charge at this time."

Veterans of the CIA were caught off guard by the selection.

"I'm at a loss," said Robert Grenier, a former director of the CIA's counterterrorism center and 27-year veteran of the agency who now is managing director of Kroll, a security consulting company.

Why worry? Come Jan. 20 the whole world will be at peace.

134   I would have accepted the position if it didn't interfere with my book club.

135 Brian, get back to selling wolf nipple chips while they're still 'ot...

136 Panetta, get me a batch of gnocchi's. Now.

137
After watching the CIA run it's own foreign policy department and fuck over the President whenever convenient, I don't blame the guy for going for loyalty in this appointment. I'm getting the idea that all the hopey changey shit was just campaign talk for the brain damaged fucking liberals he needed to vote for him.

Let's see how this plays.

138 Well, according to Biden, we're gonna get hammered within six months of the inauguration, right?  Nothing but Clinton retreads in all of the key positions, specifically the ones that would get fired and disgraced in the event of a major attack on the homeland.  Smart - The Messiah will get to have a quick Night of the Long Knives and sweep away all the Clintonite detritus.

139 Jamie Gorelick is likely either to head the FBI or the DOD in about a year's time.

Bend over, here it comes for perhaps the last time....................

140 Did anyone catch the irony of the Clintons "dropping the ball" in Times Square on New Year's Eve?

After all, Bubba dropped the ball on terrorism 16 years ago...

With this nomination, Obama looks to "drop the ball" all over again.

141 The best choice for CIA Director would have been Monica Lewinsky.  She sucked in the past, but we know that's behind her so she wouldn't suck in the future. 

142 SICK BUT TRUE: HE'D'VE DONE BETTER TO PICK VALERIE PLAME.

143 Brian: both Harry Reid and Dianne Feinstein are pissed about this selection. Go on a progressyve site like HuffPo and you'll see commenters saying they should've just voted for Hillary, since the Clinton admin is being restored.

You guys control the WH and both houses. If you can't take a little criticism, you shouldn't be governing a democratic republic. If you want every emission from Dear Leader to be accepted without question, move to N.Korea.

Personally, I'm taking a wait'n'see position. I can't figure what this guy is up to. If he doesn't enable our enemies, I'll be surprised but happy.

144 What does it matter?

Name 5 things the CIA ever got right? 3?  1?

145 Brian: fuck you.

If even a single American dies because some loony asshole like you didn't beat some terrorist like a rented donkey, I hope you and your entire ilk rot in hell.

Oh, and Happy New Year, asshole...

146

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

 

I feel bad for my friends at Langley.

Shit, I feel bad for my country. Eh, then again, they voted for it.

Fuck, I'll just feel bad for myself.

But cheer up Ace. Obama's more likely to bomb the Iranian nuclear program than McCain was - he's got the Senate support if the Dem's are willing to flip - and they always are if political expediency calls for it. Dipshit McCain wasn't getting it.

That said, look at the map again and be careful what you wish for.

147

The Democratic leadership spent so many years demonizing the people who implimented intelligence policies believed necessary to protect the country, that they by and large approved of but turned on when it was convenient, that there's no one of stature left unblemished to play ball with them.

Fucking scumbags.

And, fuck, to a slightly lesser extent, the Republican fools who let them get away with the demagoguery.

148

Meanwhile, Obama, the golden boy, is determined to destroy himself in the military cul de sac known as Afghanistan, largely on the basis of emotional sentimentality completely unrelated to strategic concerns.

Now, this, is going to be interesting. God willing, we're now going to get to see what would have happened if Kennedy hadn't died so conveniently. Presumably, this time there'll be no LBJ to blame for the new golden boy's misstep.

149 This appointment is to ALLOW terrorist strikes. Obama WANTS terrorists to hit America, and hit us HARD.

That way, he can make a big speech, get all weepy and new agey, (women love that stuff) straight out of Oprah, and then offer a host of concessions:

*Sharia.
*Restrictions on stuff Muslims don't like, such as Christianity, Judaism, free speech, monogamy, etc.
*Throw Israel over the side.
*Jail for those who are critical of Islam.

That's Obama, he LOVES terrorists. He WANTS them to hit us. He was after all raised a Muslim. He hangs out with terrorists. He'd be happier than when he won the Presidency if Iran or AQ terrorists nuked NYC out of existence. What? You expected anything else out of this guy?

He's at the height of his power. The Dems/Press can't really touch him. And already he's pushing Leon Panetta to keep the CIA on a leash and keep the doors open for terrorists.

150

Now let me see: Korean War (Democrats) we lost, V iet Nam war (Democrats), we lost, Gulf War 1 (Republican) we sort of won, Gulf War II (Republican) being won but will be lost by the incoming regime,(Democrats) GWOT, will continue til hell freezes over but will be lost when BO strips the rest of the Army from Iraq (where it can fight a battle) and throws it in to Afganistan (where it can only fight skirmishes). And then there will be his cutting the legs off Israel.....2009 What a fun year

TomP  Ohio

151

>Leon Panetta is a decent, but delusional, man.  He will be pitiably in over his head.

This whole administration is gonna be in over its collective head.

We are so fucked.

152 I can't wait for zombie Vince Foster: Supreme Court nominee!!!!

153 I don't know Panetta that well but this comment is interesting.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/
q=NjZhOTc2MDM1OWJjNmQ0NmJkYTM
wMjhlYWM0NjI2MDY=

In the very early days of the Bush administration, Karl Rove asked a Washington policy wonk what personnel changes he'd recommend to newly arrived George W. The wonk said "there is one matter of life and death: he must replace Tenet at CIA and put in one of his own people, someone he absolutely trusts." Rove said "well, good luck with that one." Obama knows better, and he's putting Leon Panetta in Langley.

I always liked Panetta. He served in the Army and is openly proud of it. He seems to be a good lawyer (oxymoronic though it may seem). He's a good manager. And he's going to watch Obama's back at a place that's full of stilettos and a track record for attempted presidential assassination second to none. But Italians know all about political assassination; you may remember Julius Caesar. Or Aldo Moro. The self-proclaimed cognoscenti will deride his lack of "spycraft," and he's never worked in the intel bureaucracy or, for that matter, in foreign policy or national security. But he's been chief of staff, which involved all that stuff.

I think it's a smart move.

154

You would think that democrats would be worried enough about votes that they would be strict on national security. What I mean is that a terrorist target is NOT going to be Perry, GA unless they wanted to disrupt the state fair and all the delicious pork products there. (Unless they wanted a psycological target.) A better target for terrorists is still, first and foremost, NYC. Big population, small space. Good target. Hell, GREAT target. Considering that NYC is a democrat bastion of millions of votes one would think that a democrat government would want to be assured it's survival and prosperity.

Appointing a guy like Leon Panetta is insane. I grew up in the Bay Area and thought that it had to be some OTHER Leon Panetta because it couldn't have been the one I knew through reputation. As far as I know Leon Panetta is just another democrat politician. Bleeding heart, sort of dopey. Kind of a doughy looking accountant type. He always reminded me of Snuffleupagus. But to head the CIA? You have got to be kidding me!?

155 If Panetta is against torture then why is he working FOR duh1? Huh?

I guess S&M games don't count.

My head hurts.

156 You mean he didnt select BILL AYERS this rotten peice of  human putrididy

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