Powell, Ridge Endorse New Intel Position

[Khephra]

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: September 13, 2004


Filed at 11:04 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Secretary of State Colin Powell and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on Monday endorsed creating a new national intelligence director to coordinate the nation's intelligence agencies, telling senators that giving the position real power will help keep America safe.

``A strong national intelligence director is essential,'' Powell told the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee at a morning hearing. ``That strength is gained by giving the NID full budget authority.''

The two secretaries also said a new intelligence director will also help them do their job.

``Do you believe that a strong national intelligence director... will improve the quality of intelligence you both receive?'' asked Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the committee's chair.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Congress-Intelligence.html

[bemildred]

1. Translation:

We've really got to get this sniping back and forth between
the Pentagon and the CIA under control, it's messing up our
propaganda campaigns.

[ixion]

2. more big (and covert) government, from the party of small government

will people never learn? :eyes: