Spring Break
Death of the spy?
By: christen beck
Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: Opinion
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Jack Bauer electrocutes public officials via lamp chord and severs toes and other extremities for Uncle Sam seasonally during his primetime show 24. Jason Bourne utilizes his razor-sharp intellect and, occasionally, a ratty hand towel. James Bond differs slightly in his approach, discovering information with the help of a posh tuxedo, martini and silenced handgun.
These men are fictional characters, however, they fantasize the occupation of the spy that permeates American culture since the inception of the CIA.
In what might be a post-Guantanamo-era, Congress ordered proceedings toward the CIA as a reactionary method to CIA actions during the diabolical Bush administration.
The New York Times reported the Senate plans to uncover the details of the CIA's detention and interrogation program. The review, the report explains, provides an analysis of which torture techniques agents implement and whether those methods were effective in collecting accurate intelligence. Another investigation will be held in response to the 92 destroyed tapes that contained evidence of torture.
If these investigations yield prosecutions, a "Nuremberg Trial" of American agents who tortured prisoners might take place.
What will Jack, Jason and James and the patriotic stereotype of spy look like? With the CIA's already shameful reputation of not protecting their own from domestic politics, the consequences of investigation may create undesired results. Unfortunately for these men, a mere slap on the wrist won't cut it.
The Obama administration took major steps toward restricting the Clandestine Services in the appointment of Leon Panetta as CIA director. Panetta, who was Bill Clinton's chief of staff, has no substantial intelligence experience, but the appointment will hopefully pioneer something the agency has lacked since his inception: human decency.
Critiques say Panetta is more of a public relations officer than intelligence director. Although Panetta might have been appointed as a favor to Clinton, the director's rigid anti-torture stance is striking against the ugly background the CIA has painted for itself.
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