NYT:
Dennis C. Blair, the retired admiral who is President Obama’s choice as the nation’s top intelligence official, pledged in testimony to be delivered on Thursday that he would require counterterrorism programs to operate “in a manner consistent with our nation’s values, consistent with our Constitution and consistent with the rule of law.”
and more:
“I do not and will not support any surveillance activities that circumvent established processes for their lawful authorization,” he said in the testimony. “I believe in the importance of independent monitoring, including by Congress, to prevent abuses and protect civil liberties.”
In an unusual comment from a man who will head the most secret agencies of government, he said, “There is a need for transparency and accountability in a mission where most work necessarily remains hidden from public view.” He said that if confirmed, he would “communicate frequently and candidly with the oversight committees, and as much as possible with the American people.”
Imagine hearing that — or even the words “rule of law” — from a Bush appointee.
In defense of the military, I don’t think there were too many of the top brass who were all that happy with some of the things they were required to do. Look at the rash of retirements toward the middle of the Bush Age, and the subsequent reports issued by the think tanks that snatched them up.
The military isn’t going to go all mavericky if they have any plans of retiring gracefully.