22 September, 2004

Some Senators Question It!?!

Some Senators Question Quick Movement of Intelligence Director Bill

By Jesse J. Holland Associated Press Writer
Published: Sep 22, 2004

WASHINGTON (AP) - A growing number of senators are questioning whether the Senate should abandon pledges to make far-reaching changes to the nation's intelligence bureaucracy before Election Day, doubts that could dampen the bill's momentum.

Pushing the legislation through with battles going on between President Bush and Democratic Sen. John Kerry - as well as House and Senate control up for grabs - could lead to changes that do more harm than good to the nation's 15 intelligence agencies, they say.

"We must not lose sight of how integral intelligence is to our national security and we must be careful not to rush to failure," said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska.

Some went even further.

"I'm willing to break with the president and say, 'Let's not do this before the election,'" Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, said Wednesday. "I know he wants a signing ceremony in the Rose Garden before the election and if he doesn't get it, Sen. Kerry will attack him, but there are times where you have to do the right thing and it seems to me to do the right thing is to go slower on this."


But Senate Governmental Affairs chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she vehemently disagrees with those who want to wait.

"If we wait till next year, I would bet you that nothing will happen," Collins said. "Many of these reforms have been recommended time and time again. They go back decades. If we don't act now, when will we have the willpower to act?"

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Well Susie, if these suggestions have been around for awhile, then what is the rush?

Hell, the Constitution and Bill of Rights have been around for awhile too, and you scumbags ignore it too.


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