Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

What does 'faith' in clandestine services mean? The CIA is so powerful (above the law) and secretive that we just have to trust them? With a undisclosed black budget of $50B? more?

Naive and extremely dangerous imo.




There is a higher power in the form of civillian elected government that manage the framework within which the IC members are allowed to operate.

Information is partitioned away from the public so as to partition it away from the watchful eyes of foreign spies. There is no other way to do it.

Intelligence services are a key element of our national strategic footing and our ability to keep our totalitarian adversaries contained.

If you have a better solution where our IC could be both transparent AND effective, put it forward guy.


“ There is a higher power in the form of civillian elected government that manage the framework within which the IC members are allowed to operate.”

they sell illegal drugs to fund operations they could never fund legally. remember iran contra? they also grow opium in afghanistan which becomes heroin. they also are involved in sex trafficking of children (epstein “belonged to intelligence”)


There has probably been little oversight or no oversight of the CIA since the Church committee in 70s. Fumbling the 911 attacks, selling war to the public in 2003, decades long direct foreign intervention in 20th century, etc. They are ineffective at best, and downright criminal at worst.


The interventions in the time from 2003-2021 were interesting and seemed to have some effect on changing the cultures of the middle east. It is still too early to tell.

American elected officials are who started the war, the intelligence agencies are just one of their many tools.

The 911 attacks were a foreign attack on our soil. The intelligence agencies helped us track down and ultimately bring justice to the individual most responsible. Hoorah.


barf




Consider applying for YC's Spring batch! Applications are open till Feb 11.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: