by Kimberly L.
Member since:
October 29, 2006

Breaking News: Who is Panetta and...

January 05, 2009 03:34 PM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 11

why is he now going to be the Director of the CIA?

He was a Clinton Chief of Staff and a representative in the House.  So why is he qualified to be head of the CIA?  I mean, does he have any military experience or covert missions experience or intelligence experience?

I've never heard of him before and am just curious how he was picked for this position.

Does anyone know who he really is and why he might be qualified for this position?

Comments: 11

William Dotani Jan 5, 2009, 3:48pm UTC
I know who he is. I imagine he's qualified, but if not, you're next on Obama's list, you sleuth you.
Alta B. Jan 5, 2009, 3:49pm UTC
Nope! I don't have a clue.
Elizabeth B. Jan 5, 2009, 4:03pm UTC
never heard of this person... I will have to look into this :>}
Jane C. Jan 5, 2009, 4:43pm UTC
For those of you looking for more info., here's a link to an article on CNN as a place to start: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/05/panetta.cia/index.html
Kimberly L. Jan 5, 2009, 5:13pm UTC
William, I don't think I'd be any good at that job because it requires too much lying. I prefer to tell the truth so I don't have to think of how to answer people's questions. Sometimes it gets me into trouble because I end up spouting the truth when others have said something different. Oh well, that's their problem for lying in the first place. I used to get my Mom & Dad in a fix all the time as a kid because I would tell people the truth about things and my parents tried to be socially acceptable. I never cared about being socially acceptable or politically correct. If people can't handle the truth, that's their problem not mine.
Marsha C. Jan 5, 2009, 8:35pm UTC
~Paying it Forward~
Christos G. Jan 5, 2009, 9:54pm UTC
Intelligence and train to kill (military) are not the same thing. You don't have to have done covert operations either. He certainly does not have experience with the agency while many previous directors have had that. The CIA employs people from college graduates to former military, language specialists, and so. Intelligence has many components and requires different skills. What they all have in common is...intelligence. The question should be, is this guy intelligent enough and familiar with intelligence.

As a chief of staff, he was sitting with the President during intelligence briefings and probably heard a lot more than 99% of people who worked in the CIA.
Christos G. Jan 5, 2009, 9:59pm UTC
Leon Panetta graduated from Army Intelligence School. He rose to captain and served as chief of operations of the intelligence section at Ford Ord, Calif.

Although not a requirement, if military men are de facto qualified however absurd that actually is, I would be inclined to trust one who graduated from teh Army Intelligence School.
Chris Wiegard Jan 5, 2009, 10:51pm UTC
Panetta was one of the most effective people in clinton's administration. Clinton was in danger of having his presidency fall into complete disorganization until Panetta took over. I have SOME concern over his lack of recent experience in intelligence. But it is not his job to be THE EXPERT- it is his job to be the CEO of the experts.
Bush almost ruined the CIA, by the way. Really, morale plummeted and people were quitting.

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