The espionage allegations against Defense Department official Larry Franklin have given rise to more questions than answers. One question stands out: Why wasn't Franklin fired last year when he undermined U.S. policy by holding unauthorized secret meetings with an expatriate Iranian?

Last August, a strange story emerged of Larry Franklin and another Defense Department official meeting with Iranian arms dealer Manucher Ghorbanifar of Iran-Contra fame. One upset U.S. official believed the purpose of the meetings was to "antagonise Iran so that they get frustrated and then by their reactions harden U.S. policy against them." Secretary of State Colin Powell complained directly to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and the White House reportedly instructed Rumsfeld to put a stop to meetings that go against official policy.

I've never worked in government, but my understanding is that it's unusual for Pentagon staffers to conduct their own foreign policy without the knowledge, and against the interests, of their superiors. The freelancing by underlings of Douglas Feith, according to one senior Department of Defense official, was the accidental result of an "unplanned, unscheduled encounter." Isn't it a bit strange for an Iran wonk to meet by chance with a famous Iranian dissident--in France and Italy no less?

The meeting was set up by Michael Ledeen, whose writings exhibit a not so mild obsession over Iran. "I'm not going to comment on any private meetings with any private people," Ledeen commented at the time. "It's nobody's business." Private people? These are government officials. It is our business.

Whether Larry Franklin was working for his own or some other party's objectives with these sub rosa meetings is unclear. What is clear is that he wasn't working towards the objectives of the government that employs him. We don't know if the allegations of espionage against Larry Franklin are true. We do know that he should have been fired more than a year ago.

Well, maybe he had a secret gay lover he was blackmailing? Just teasing.

One thing I do not like about this administration is it's secrecy for "our own good." Some things need to be secret, but as a member of the board of directors (VOTER) I think I have a right to know more than I am being told.

See you all at the next stockholders meeting November 2. I still am not sure who will get my vote. They have some convincing to do.

Be well,

Sponge

Maybe firing him would be anti-semetic?