An Honest Man

It makes sense to appoint someone to executive office who has had experience at the lower levels of activity and administration in an association tasked by a government to be responsible for the security and intelligence gathering that will aid that security of the country. There are even times when such heads of security apparatus attached to government, become president of the entire country. The experience gained in one discipline aids in the execution of responsibilities for another, allied discipline.

Governments have a duty and an obligation first and foremost to ensure that their populations, their geographies are safe and secure, both internally and from external threat. And, reputation for skulduggery, doubtless earned in some areas aside, the United States' CIA is a premier institution that Americans rely upon to ensure their safety and security.  It, along with the FBI, is responsible to Congress, and to the President of the United States, and by extension the American public, to ensure public safety and security.

What better candidate then, other than a man who has the inside track on the Central Intelligence Agency, someone who served as a deputy manager there. That that service took place during the Bush administration, and that the current president, a Democrat concerned with social justice and having inherited the governance of the world's remaining super power that has sustained dire existential threats from a number of sources, has chosen this man, speaks volumes as to his suitability for the position.

During an interrogation session that he must undergo, prior to confirmation, being questioned by a Senate confirmation hearing, tough questions were put to him and he responded thoughtfully and honestly, concealing little, indulging in no obfuscation to further his prospects for success. Admitting that he does "not know what the truth is", relating to extreme interrogation methods when he had been convinced they resulted in yielding valuable information, and later reading an exhaustive report denying that to be accurate.

His current service to the president, as top counter-terrorist adviser to the White House results from his three decades in intelligence work.  He was involved in "enhanced interrogation" of suspected terrorists.  Procedures which have been disowned by the current president, and discontinued as representing torture.  Mr. Brennan reminded his interlocutors that their country remains at war with al-Qaeda and other terror groups. He spoke of the transforming events sweeping North Africa and the Middle East.

During his questioning he emphasized the distinct threats posed to world stability and the United States in particular posed by nuclear technology in the hands of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Peoples Republic of North Korea. Their indomitable search for perfecting intercontinental ballistic missile delivery systems and nuclear warheads must be countered. And who else is there to do just that?

In the background, protests centering on CIA drone strikes killing American citizens who just happened also to be premier jihadis echoed. In this kind of terrorist-combat war there is no room for Marquis of Queensbury rules.