President Bush yesterday endorsed the creation of a new national intelligence chief. Isn't this a bit redundant? One of the main selling points of the Homeland Security Department, after all, was that it would more effectively coordinate intelligence to defend America within its borders. Additionally, we already have an intelligence director who oversees the more than a dozen intelligence gathering outfits within the government. He is called the director of Central Intelligence. Get it, Central Intelligence.

Just saw Kerry on TV talking about how since 9/11 nothing has been done about terrorism.

Hello!!!!

Is this guy for real? There have been many programs and protocols adopted by the Bush administration to help safeguard this country, not the least of which was to take the fight to where the enemy lives.

But Kerry continues to rant even though as a Senate member of the National Security committee out of 43 meetings, he attended 11. This was before, during and after he voted for and against the War in Iraq.

Reporting for duty my azz! This guy has been AWOL through most of his career.

Very scary to think this guy could be President.

I don't like the fact that some are calling this an "intelligence Czar." The fact that this person will have power to intrude on my life and know how many times I wipe my rear end every day already reminds me of Russia (USSR to be exact).

Anyone else think it has gone too far? Anyone else think that this will only foment fear? Anyone else think that we now have less freedom than those living in the old Soviet Republics? Anyone else think that the terrorists have acheived their goal...taking away the freedom that makes America great?

Just curious.

Be well,

Sponge

Isn't "Central Intelligence" in government-speak (no particular party!) an oxymoron?

Ha ha ha

...I don't get it.

I too don't see the oxymoron in "central intelligence," what would the non-oxymoronic form be . . . "diffuse intelligence," "peripheral intelligence"?

We aren't quite Soviet Russia yet but we certainly put up with a state hundreds of times more onerous and intrusive than good King George III and the British Parliament ever was.

What I find disturbing is the impression I have gotten over the last several years that the DC pols are kind of having an epiphany about the fact that the Preamble to the Constitution exists. One of the enumerated (and limited) legitimate powers of the federal government of our constitutional Republic is to "provide for the common defense" and the creation of the cabinet level department of "Homeland Security" and now this idea floating about an intelligence czar is really frustrating. What I mean is what the hell is the military and related branches as well as current intelligence agencies for if they weren't for the "common defense"? After decades of turning our military into a foreign police force no wonder DC is now scrambling to figure out how to provide for the common defense. But thank God we have Headstart, and Americorps!

If Bush thinks he needs these new cabinet officers that is a sign of his (or the office of President in general's) lack of personal authority and ability to control those below and around him.

What is WITH this guy? Does Bush ever disagree with ANYthing or ANYone? I'll never understand why he always has to meet these stupid ideas halfway.

Really, it seems like everyone Bush has ever met has a "good heart...a good soul" or some other nonsense. Remember when he "gazed into" Vladimir Putin's soul??? WTF is that? I suppose if the "President gig" doesn't work out, he can do Tarot Card readings.

It's an admirable quality, I guess, to try to find the good in every person or situation or whatever... But this guy really stretching it to the point where he's finding "good" that simply isn't there.

For the record Mr. Prez (in case you ever end up a fortune teller): There is no basement in the Alamo. But, being from Texas, I guess you knew that.

Some one has GOT to say it:

Joey Joe Joe Jr., that is the worst name I have ever heard of.

Although a lot of his policies go against my grain, and I would have to admit if there were a better alternative to him I would take it, but I think the consensus has to be that Mr. Bush is a good and fair man and he sees good in mostly everybody he meets.

That can be an unfortunate trait for the leader of a very powerful country.

I mean, Bush even tried to meet Fat Teddy half way and F.T. hates anybody who is not completely in the tank for his agenda.

Just hope he stays tough and tells it like it is with regards to his current opponent.