Our Compromised National Security
By Chris Carney, Candidate for Congress
While we cannot presume guilt at this point, today's indictment seems to begin another gloomy chapter in an already sad story. We must let the justice system do its work. But, anyone in our government that endangered the life of an American covert agent for any reason--political or otherwise--is a coward and without honor.
As the former Director of Intelligence Support for the War on Terrorism, I can testify that the leak of a covert operative's identity does grave damage to our overall national security and to our efforts in the war on terror.
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We all know the name of Valerie Plame now and we all know her work. Her cover has been revealed, her work endangered, and her contacts put at risk. Possibly worse, anyone that considers working for America in a covert capacity must consider that they may not be protected.
Our intelligence services deserve better, America's servicemen and servicewomen deserve better, and the American people deserve better. Washington needs a new set of priorities and new leadership. Those responsible for revealing Ms. Plame's status must be brought to justice.
Republicans already have their talking points about this indictment--that these charges are small and insignificant. They could not be more wrong!
The indictment today accuses a lead member of the Bush White House of intentionally hindering an investigation of a significant breach of national security. This indictment is the latest evidence that President Bush has unfortunately surrounded himself with advisors more interested in damage control than in protecting America.
Perhaps more than in any other American conflict, the war on terror relies upon covert agents and human intelligence assets. To risk compromising these scarce assets is to risk another 9/11--or worse.
I am afraid that the legacy of the Bush presidency will be a disastrous politicization of America's national security and a failure to secure our homeland.
If Congressional Republicans are truly interested in national security, they will put aside their talking points and investigate the damage done by these leaks. I hope they will spend more time worrying about defending our country than circling their partisan wagons.
We need new leadership in Washington--new leadership that understands that national security is not a political game, new leadership that will always put the security of the American people first.
Please share your thoughts with me below.