Global politics example set: CIA releases ‘Family Jewels’ documents
The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency has posted previously classified historical documents online.
The two sets of material released by the CIA on Tuesday come as a response to a Freedom of Information Act request in 1992. Government has never been known to do things at warp speed. But the fact this material is being released at all says a lot about the United States.
We are one of a handful of countries who air our linen, dirty or lavender-scented, old or new, in public.
Can you imagine reading previously classified material from some of the world’s most repressed societies? Consider what a scribble or two from Al Qaida—and I am loosely characterizing this organization as a society—might relate. For example: “To-Do List: 1) Find naïve men with a death wish, 2)Buy extra Qurans, 3)Pray for suitable quantities of virgins.
Or Venezuela. Imagine the president, Hugo Chavez, commissioning a report, “Notes on the Vulnerability of the United States and Benefits of Using American Media as a Propaganda Tool.� Sidenote: “Earmark oil for donating to New York poor. Publicize.�
Or Iran—talk about quirky reading. President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad might benefit from a report, “How-to for diplomats—Making Friends with Egypt.â€? Or “Consortium for nuclear weapons proponents—tips for confounding other nations about policy and procedure.â€? Or “Working out debt to Russia–ideas for discounts.”
I’ve been reading former CIA Chief George Tenet’s book, At the Center of the Storm. As I read, I was astounded at how much information was approved for publication.
Now the CIA releases the “Family Jewels.�
America airs our linen.
So in the interest of global cooperation, I call on other countries to do the same. Who needs a spy novel when you can get the real thing online?
(Photo shows former CIA director George Tenet introducing former President George Bush in ceremonies dedicating the Headquarters compound as the George Bush Center for Intelligence.Photo courtesy of CIA Web site.)
Word Press, Technorati, Tags, Spy novel, global politics, CIA, American Government, Human Rights, Terrorism, Freedom of Information Act
March 4th, 2008 at 6:32 am
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