NEWS AND OPINION:
“Our partnership with Congress is crucial. In my view, there is no more important oversight relationship than the CIA relationship with its intelligence committees, particularly because we do so much of our work in secret that Congress serves as a critical check on our activities, closely monitoring the agency’s reporting and programs when the public cannot,” CIA Director John O. Brennan told reporters in the lead up to a press conference addressing the Senate Intelligence Committee Report.
“One of the most frustrating aspects of the study is that it conveys a broader view of the CIA and its officers as untrustworthy, that the institution and the workforce were willing to forgo their integrity in order to preserve a program they were invested in and supposedly believed to be right. This is no way comports with my experience in the CIA. While the agency has a traditional bias for action and a determined focus on achieving our mission, we take exceptional pride in providing truth to power, whether that power likes or agrees with what we believe and what we say or not and regardless of whether that power is affiliated with any particular political party. And as long as I am director, I will continue to defend and fight for these ideals as CIA’s legitimacy is closely tied to its credibility and we can afford to lose neither,” Mr. Brennan said.
“We know we have room to improve. And I am committed to addressing the issues identified by the committee that remain a concern. In light of the fact that these techniques were abandoned seven years ago, however, my fervent hope is that we can put aside this debate and move forward to focus on issues that are relevant to our current national security challenges. In doing so, this agency will only grow stronger.”
GRIDLOCK: IT’S PERSONAL
For the second time in 24 hours, a major poll reveals a nation driven to melancholy and anger by their politicians. First it was an AP survey that said 86 percent of Americans say political gridlock will never be remedied, and there was only a 16 percent chance the public would ever trust their government again. Now comes a dramatic Pew Research Center poll that describes a “deeply pessimistic” citizenry who believes that partisan gridlock will “wreak significant damage on the country.”
The numbers: 87 percent say gridlock will hurt the nation, 81 percent say the nation is more politically divided than in the past, 78 percent expect it to continue — or get worse. Another 76 percent say that the White House and Congress will not make significant progress solving national problems while 73 percent say gridlock and political division hurts them “personally.”
SEE ALSO: John Brennan: Senate report on CIA interrogations ‘flawed’
Message to politicians: The public is not a passive audience this time.
PANACEA TO PARTISANSHIP
The aforementioned polls show Americans with gridlock fatigue and a wariness towards government that no one can afford in the age of national security threats and a troubled economy. The Ripon Society Forum is addressing this disquieting phenomenon with “Trust in Government,” a series of essays from four leading Republicans that confront this daunting challenge: “the fact that the American people have lost faith in Washington and the ability of their elected leaders to get things done.”
Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Charlie Dent, Bill Flores and Sen.-elect Shelley Moore Capito are the authors in this significant project; other contributors include Pew Research President Michael Dimock, veteran strategist John Feehery and Bipartisan Policy Center president Jason Grumet.
“Washington needs to be recalibrated so that it is smaller, less intrusive, and more accountable,” says Mr. Flores, incoming chairman of the Republican Study Committee. Find it all at RiponSociety.org and check under the “forum” heading.
GORETOPIA
SEE ALSO: Voters support CIA waterboarding, harsh interrogation tactics: poll
“Hope is a path on the mountainside. At first there is no path. But then there are people passing that way. And there is a path.”
“Traveler, there is no path. You must make the path as you walk.”
“After the final no, there comes a yes. And on that yes, the future world depends.”
— Al Gore to the United Nations Climate Conference talks in Peru on Thursday, quoting three poets from China, Spain and the U.S.
ONE FOR THE CIVIL AIR PATROL
At last, a Congressional Gold Medal has been awarded to the founding members of the Civil Air Patrol, which began operation under the Office of Civilian Defense on Dec. 1, 1941. Using civilian aircraft and their own money, the unpaid volunteers provided essential support to the U.S. Army and Navy, including armed convoy and antisubmarine patrols off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
The heroic aircrews escorted 5,600 convoys, reporting 173 U-boats and attacking 57 of them; they flew 86,685 missions, logged 244,600 flight hours — and flew 24 million total miles. The medal was awarded collectively to World War II-era members of the patrol this week at the U.S. Capitol. Three cheers, and thanks.
There are some who should be recognized next, perhaps: The original members of the Office of Strategic Services — the OSS — the amazing predecessor to the CIA and U.S. Special Forces which also made a definitive and patriotic mark in the 1940s. Some efforts are in the works here; a good resource: OSSsociety.org
THREE FOR ARMSTRONG
One federal agency has announced it is making good on the promise of independent minority-ownership of television stations. In an online blog, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and Commissioner Mignon Clyburn revealed it had approved transactions that will result in 10 new minority- and women-owned stations.
Among those transactions: WMMP in Charleston, South Carolina; WCFT in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and WJSU-TV in Anniston, Alabama — sold by Sinclair Broadcasting to Howard Stirk Holdings, owned and controlled by Armstrong Williams. FCC officials call Mr. Williams “a well-recognized African-American political commentator with years of experience in the broadcast industry,” and note that he “has said that he will obtain programming by, among other things, producing original local public affairs programs aired during prime time.”
Armstrong Williams Productions is already producing meanwhile. Airing through Friday on Newsmax: “A Breath of Fresh Air: A New Prescription for America,” an hourlong documentary on potential presidential hopeful Ben Carson. Both Mr. Williams and Mr. Carson write columns for The Washington Times.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
For sale: Mistletoe Bough, built in 1895 in Alexander City, Alabama; completely restored Queen Anne-style Victorian home. Seven bedrooms, 6 baths, 5,500 square feet; custom paint and original woodwork interior and exterior, on 1.5 acres of landscaped lawn and “strolling garden.” Two-story turret and circular porch, multiple chimneys, wrap-around verandah; includes carriage house and greenhouse; currently a working bed and breakfast in historic town. “Property will be sold turn key including all furniture and furnishings (linens, dishes). Has been a successful B & B since 1993. Close to Auburn University.” Priced at $550,000; for sale through the owners (MistletoeBough.com)
POLL DU JOUR
• 70 percent of Americans say there “should be a way” for illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S. legally: 53 percent of Republicans, 70 percent of independents and 83 percent of Democrats agree.
• 92 percent of Hispanics, 75 percent of blacks and 64 percent of whites agree; 42 percent of tea partyers also agree.
• 66 percent of Americans overall say they have sympathy for illegal immigrants; 52 percent of Republicans, 64 percent of independents and 78 percent of Democrats agree.
• 32 percent overall do not have sympathy for the immigrants; 45 percent of Republicans, 33 percent of independents and 21 percent of Democrats agree.
Source: A Pew Research poll of 1,507 U.S. adults conducted Dec. 3-7.
• Wistful thoughts, ultimate truths to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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