This started out as a comment in the latest open thread, but I feel it deserves its own thread because I'm very curious as to how the rest of my fellow Kosophiles feel about this issue.
I'd love to hear great arguments on both sides of the issue, and I'm playing devil's advocate on the unpopular side here in order to stimulate discussion.
Read on, and maybe recommend.
I haven't read the whole bill, but the responsibilities that it
gives to the new intelligence director are vast (click hotlink and search for "H.R.5150").
ACCESS TO INTELLIGENCE - Unless otherwise directed by the President, the National Intelligence Director shall have access to all intelligence related to the national security which is collected by any department, agency, or other element of the United States Government.
Reasons to vote against the bill:
1. If we are to consolidate power in the clutch of a single individual, the returns on this investment of our liberty should be adequately recompense. As I listened to Michael Scheuer on PRI's To the Point program yesterday, I wondered if the changes that are being proposed really are worth the consolidation of power that they entail. It seems to me, and it may seem to Mr. Kucinich as well (voted against it), that the prescriptive remedies that have been lobbied for by the 911 commission may be missing the point -- that there were errors that can be remedied by other means; that the problems that caused 911 had nothing to do with the ever so touted "wall" of non-communication.
2. The whole drama that has transpired over the past week made the vote for the bill a sure thing once Duncan Hunter, et al caved in. Shouldn't we question the finer political tactics of the posturing that this power play may have been masking? I would hate to think that those in favor of further consolidation of power are laughing at the ease at which they brought the Democrats on board with this.
3. If one were adequately skeptical, one would notice that the tidal wave that the tragedy of September 11 set in motion toward the limitations on the liberties of the American people is still cresting. I would like to spend more time reading over all of the provisions, but I would be hesitant to jump on this bandwagon that is really being pulled by the Bush administration.
4. Why should Bush choose to back this so strongly now after the election? His hesitance during the debates on the issue only forced Kerry to highlight his unfailing support, and rally the majority of Democrats behind him. I propose that this was intentional.
5. Who will this new director be? When we find out, I'm sure we will all know the truth.
Another possibility is the elevation of the current director of central intelligence,
Porter J. Goss, to the job of national intelligence director...
All in all, there are a lot of scary paragraphs in this bill as I've read it. Can someone please tell me it's gonna be ok? Am I all alone?
Update (12.08.04.9:05EST):
6.The ACLU is against the legislation.