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September 27, 2006

Who is Paul Pillar?

Topics: War on Terror

Keep in mind that none of these CIA officials were ever elected to anything, and that they are employed to provide accurate information to officials who present their policy choices for voter judgment. Yet what the CIA insurgents are essentially doing here, with their leaks and insubordination, is engaging in a policy debate. Given the timing of the latest leaks so close to an election, they are now clearly trying to defeat President Bush and elect John Kerry. Yet somehow the White House stands accused of "politicizing" intelligence? [ WSJ: The CIA's Insurgency - The agency's political disinformation campaign. (September 29, 2004)]

Moving forward to the present, September 27, 2006, we see that nothing's changed.

In its original report leaking details of the National Intelligence Estimate on the Iraq war, the New York Times relied on anonymous, unnamed leakers to spin its contents and embarrass the White House. Today, the Times includes comments from some named sources. Michelle Malkin suggests that old habits die hard and explains why we should know more about Paul Pillar.

After reading Michelle's piece you'll be wondering as I am, just why is it that unelected CIA officials feel perfectly comfortable in attacking the democratically-elected administration of the government which is their employer? Furthermore, why was it that before his retirement, a senior, unelected CIA official--Paul Pillar--was given agency approval to anonymously attack Bush administration policies less than two months before the November 2, 2004, presidential election?

Indeed, for the CIA, old habits do die hard, as we are seeing yet again, just weeks before the November elections of 2006. Another "Paul Pillar" is apparently already busy at work - leaking classified information. Is Pillar the recipient of that information from "a friend" in the agency, or is it just another agency-authorized leak? From what we've seen of the CIA during election time - there's likely an entire tribe or leakers, with Piller possibly playing a role in one or more events. Unsubstantiated rumor, or tip of an iceberg?

Interesting, is it not? Piller is not a journalist - perhaps it's time for the FBI to have a little discussion with our anti-administration "ex-CIA official".

Posted by Richard at September 27, 2006 1:43 PM

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