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The New Intelligence Team * Open Thread

By SusanUnPC on January 13, 2009 at 11:55 PM in Admiral Denis Blair, CIA, Intelligence, National Security, Obama Administration

i found this discussion on Charlie Rose, on Friday night, especially helpful in understanding the dynamics of the imposition of a “parent” national intelligence director over the CIA and other intelligence agencies, as well as the reasoning behind Obama’s selections of former Clinton chief of staff Leon Panetta to head the CIA and retired Admiral Denis Blair as Director of National Intelligence. From Rose’s Web site:

A conversation about National Intelligence with David R. Ignatius author and columnist for “The Washington Post”, Mark Lowenthal, President and CEO of the Intelligence & Security Academy and John McLaughlin, former American Deputy Director of Central Intelligence and former Acting Director of Central Intelligence

What else is going on in the world?

  • Patrick Henry

    French Fries and WHOPPERS..

  • Patrick Henry

    The New Pink Panther Movie …with My Man Steve Martin

  • Mydress
    • BernieO

      And a cigarette afterwards. I thought he was supposed to be a healthy eater? Have to say, the menu sounds pretty good, though.

  • Patrick Henry

    Yummy..What a Menu..bet they can charge a Hundred a plate for Items with names like that..

    Looks Like meat and potatos to me…

    Oh..Susan..Speaking of TATERS..He has a Great Web Site…got all his Music up ther to listen to…

    Nicest guy I Know…

  • Gary McGowan

    I’m just beginning to look at/download this whole discussion at the Charlie Rose site. At the start there is a clip of Obama speaking which I incidentally saw with no sound. Somebody tell me he does not look drugged — as in under the influence of a bit too much “calming” medication.

    The look is much different than “tired,” as some described Hillary at the confirmation hearing; so is the ability to function well, but I have yet to actually listen to his words (I’m just on a short break now, no time now.)

  • TeakwoodKite

    My daughter took her driving test this morning at 08:00. As the DMV driving tester got in, my daughter asked the tester to lock her door. (with a please included.)

    The person said “she was an adult and did not half to lock the door”…08:00am attitude.

    Needless to say, my daughter failed her test after getting off on the wrong foot.

    I have always locked the doors and intructed my kids to do the same for safety reason. That’s how I was taught.

    So I am curious; does anyone else lock the doors when they drive and is this not a saftey issue? Should my daughter have stopped the car until the DMV person complied?

    • Seattle Moss

      Teak,
      Your daughter was right and maybe should have reported the incident. Looks like the driving instructor failed the test.

    • Strawberrybitch

      Um, are you kidding? I’m guessing that DMV tester has never driven down in Southern California. Carjackings, freeway shootings, smash and grab thefts. You don’t come to a stop in LA without your doors locked AND making sure you leave yourself an out in case you do find yourself in a carjacking situation. PS my older brother has been shot at and hit twice down there, and my younger brother had his rear windown smashed out while at a red light for his Nikes.

      • Patrick Henry

        Yeh Strawberry,…Actually thats a Good Point..

        Things are so bad out in that wonderful republican World…that Really Old Ladys get PUNCHED OUT for the buck and a half in thier Purse..

        See TV today..featured an 81 yeqr Old grammy who Took Down a Yong Punk Who Broke In Her House…She got out her 38, held it in Both Hands and Told him to get on the Floor..or she would KILL HIM..

        Then She held him at Gun Point and called 911..

        That was Off topic but so Cool to see featured on TV..

        Granny….You ROCK..!!

        Anyhow Strawberry…Back to Your point..

        One time I flew Into HOUSTON with three other Law Enforcement HOUSTON to testify about a Bank Robber We caught in Our State who Robbed a Bank..in Houston..(Actually Cleaned out the Vault over an Entire Weekend) because his Parter was the one who Installed the security systems..

        They got over a Million Dollars..and were coming to our state to Set Up a Major Drug Operation..

        Anyhow…We Get into a cab and start Driving to the Courthouse in down Town House…The Cabbi tells Us all to Lock Our Doors…we asked Why…he said the closer you get to Down Town Houston, near the Court House, the More Likely that Gunmen will step off the Cur at the Intersections and traffic Lights, Jwerk your door open and stick a Gun in Your Face..

        But don’t tell aqnyone…wouldn’t want to tarnish The SHINY STAR..and discourage IMMIGRATION…

        Oh..Not good for Tourism Either…

    • BernieO

      It is recommended. My car automatically does this but only after you put it in gear.

      Year ago my aunt was stopped at a light when someone tried to get in her car. She managed to drive through the light (red) without getting hit and got away. This was before automatic locks. I have also heard it said that locked doors makes it less likely you or your passenger will be thrown from the car.

      • TeakWoodKite

        BernieO, I was taught that ‘it less likely you or your passenger will be thrown from the car.’, as well.

  • Patrick Henry

    Teak..

    since you asked..your daughter was Ok with asking the DMV Tester to lock the Door…When the DMV tester said…Basically “NO”…Perhaps your daughter could have said..”OK..thats just the what My dad always instructs us to do..”

    The DMV Tester had an Attitude..IMO…and is a Paid Public Servant who should have known better to treat a Nervous Young Teenager that way on her First drive Test..Porbably making her more nervous…

    Your daughter should or could have replied “OK” and just followed directions after that..

    Yes..perhaps someone should have gone in the office and Contacted the Supervisor..and reviewed the Event..Also..The Applicants usually get a test Sheet after the tests with areas where the points were taken off during the drive Test..What did that indicate..

    Major Law Infractions are or violations usually Disqualify Immediately..Lack of Signals, speeding, not following directions..Poor Parking etc vcan Add up and disqualify too…

    There are just Sopme People who Really Abuse the “Authority” they have..and try to intimidate..

    A complaint may have been Proper in this case..

  • TeakwoodKite

    making her more nervous…

    That was the case, as she went straight in a left hand turn lane with the instructor telling her to “go straight,” repeatedly, in attempt to help her out before making the error. It sounded like she was driving with me. LOL.

    Apparently there was a large truck with a trailer covering the direction signs painted in the road and there were none posted on the traffic light post…

    Can’t imaging how many kids screw that one up…

  • rw

    Tidbit from Reuters:

    “In terms of worst-case scenarios for the Joint Force and indeed the world, two large and important states bear consideration for a rapid and sudden collapse: Pakistan and Mexico,” says the study – Joint Operating Environment 2008 – in a chapter on “weak and failing states.” Such states, it says, usually pose chronic, long-term problems that can be managed over time.

    But the little-studied phenomenon of “rapid collapse,” according to the study, “usually comes as a surprise, has a rapid onset, and poses acute problems.” Think Yugoslavia and its 1990 disintegration into a chaotic tangle of warring nationalities and bloodshed on a horrific scale. -

    • Patrick Henry

      Well…Thanks for that Inro RW..

      Welcome to My World…Won’t you please Come on In..

      After what just happened to the American economy..Election results..Wall Street…U.S. Border guards being sent to prison for Shooting drug Runners..Ozzie being a TV Icon …Wondering if I should buy a bicycle or Hummer.. or if I should stockpile or go ahead and eat all those Lentils and Buy Into the HOPE HYPE..Its no wonder..shit like that happens..

      So…Now..we Got Coups going on everywhere and Obama can decide which part of heaven or hell he wants to Visit First..

      I remeber a old Hippy song about sitting in a Burned Out bunker..watching Silver Space ships in the Sky..

      No Time For amatures..

  • TeakwoodKite

    Anyone see the story this am on the BO transition team and the Bush administration “redteaming” ?

    That must have been like the blind leading the deaf. No offense to either.

  • sayitisntso

    Locking the door should be a personal choice, not the law. In the category of motorcycle helmets and seatbelts. I’m sure law enforcement does get tired of scraping people off the asphalt and putting the parts in bags, thus, helmet and seatbelt laws, but locking the door should be totally at the driver’s discretion.

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    • http://ezinearticles.com/?Three-Basic-Parenting-Styles&id=744499 Northwest rain

      That should read –

      GREAT WRITING — Since there are so many talented authors at NQ.

      duh.

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