General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Does the President fear the CIA? [View all]H2O Man
(73,537 posts)The Agency can knee-cap a domestic leader, without posing any physical threat to him or his family. The best recent example was Dick Cheney's fall from power in 2003-04. Although he remained in office, his "juice" was dehydrated after he crossed the line per Wilson-Plame.
On the ride for Senator Obama to be sworn in as President Obama, he rode with George W. Bush. On the ride, almost all of the discussion was monopolized by Bush's complaining that Cheney was still -- even that day -- insisting Bush grant Scooter Libby a full pardon. The divide between Bush and Cheney was thus complete, and soon rather public. Bush, for reasons beyond his father's connection with CI, had come to hold Cheney in contempt. (Thus, Cheney's rather desperate, though inaccurate, attempts to portray Bush as fully informed on torture.)
President Obama took Glenn Carle's word that John Brennan had actually voiced opposition to torture. While this may be true (more likely, half-true), Brennan was obligated by oath to resign in protest. Any claim today that old John was "troubled" is best understood in light of his knowing that the torture could not be kept secret for long. He knew very well it was highly illegal, regardless of the "lawyer shopping" that gave the green light.
Does that make sense? I think that could be mistaken for "making excuses" for some in power today. It's not. If you take an oath, live it.