Obama delivers his spymasters, and a reminder: 'The United States does not torture' - Los Angeles Times

Obama delivers his spymasters, and a reminder: 'The United States does not torture' - Los Angeles Times

Reporting from Washington -- President-elect Barack Obama formally introduced his choices to lead the U.S. intelligence community today, nominating retired U.S. Navy Admiral Dennis C. Blair to serve as director of national intelligence, and former California Rep. Leon E. Panetta to head the CIA.

Obama pressed ahead with the picks despite resistance on Capitol Hill earlier this week to putting Panetta, a veteran of the Clinton White House with little intelligence experience, in charge of the nation's premiere spy agency.

If confirmed, Blair and Panetta would step into key leadership positions at a time when the nation's intelligence services face the challenges of two ongoing wars, the pursuit of Al Qaeda, and the proliferation of dangerous weapons technologies.

The president-elect also made it clear that Blair and Panetta would be charged with carrying out Obama's campaign pledges to dismantle some of the controversial intelligence programs authorized by President Bush, particularly the CIA's use of harsh interrogation techniques.

"Under my administration, the United States does not torture," Obama said, adding that it "is important for us to do that not only because that's who we are but also because ultimately it will make us safer and help change hearts and minds in our struggle against extremists."

AMEN!

Now, let's see if you can follow through. All of Dubya's intelligence programs must be thoroughly examined, and most will have to be scrapped. The Bush Reich wiped their asses on the Constitution in the name of 'homeland security'.

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