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We need to strongly support Obama on his decision to nominate Leon Panetta as the new CIA director. If you live in California, I strongly suggest that you e-mail Feinstein expressing your dismay with her non-support of Panetta. Here's my e-mail:
January 6, 2009VIA E-MAIL ONLY
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Washington, DC
Dear Senator Feinstein:
I am deeply dismayed and shocked by your non-support of President Elect Obama on his selection of Leon Panetta as the next director of the CIA.
First, and foremost, most of the “intelligence professionals” that you cite as a preferred alternative have been tainted by the last eight years of lawlessness and torture by the worst administration in history, the Bush Administration. Barack Obama wisely chose someone outside of the intelligence services precisely because that person is not tainted by the illegal wiretapping and torture scandals of Bush and Cheney.
Second, Leon Panetta is an outstanding public servant, having served as a congressman from nearby Monterey County, and later, as President Clinton’s chief of staff. He is an excellent choice for the position, despite his ‘lack’ of intelligence experience. He is no one’s crony, at least in the intelligence community, and that is a GOOD thing, not a bad thing!
Third, Barack Obama wants to reshape the intelligence gathering for this nation in a way that will both benefit our safety and that will restore the respect that this nation once garnered for its handling of world-wide affairs.
I strongly suspect that you are more concerned with your own potential liability as a “gang-of-eight” member who has been briefed on Bush’s illegal activities, than you are concerned with the future of this nation.
Sincerely,
farbie
Belmont, California
cc: Senators Reid and Rockefeller
