C.I.A. Takes On Bigger and Riskier Role on Front Lines – New York Times

In today’s New York Times we learn that the recent deaths of several CIA officers at a front line base along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan points out the increasingly para-military roles that this spy agency has taken upon itself in recent years.

The story, C.I.A. Takes On Bigger and Riskier Role on Front Lines, inadvertently shows us the increasing militarization of the American government.  Like it or not, just about everybody has an army now within our government  This is not supposed to be the way it is designed.  Fascist governments act like this.  When virtually anyone who wants a gun in government can have one, what kind of government do we have?  This is how banana republics operate, not world-class democracies.

There are roughly 235 agencies, administrations, bureaus and such in the federal government. Approximately 85 of those agencies are authorized to use weapons and deadly force in their duties.

This is a democracy?  This is the rule of law?  This is putting the citizen first and the government mechanism last?  I think not.

George Washington said something very pertinent about this incredible use of force in the daily workings of government.  Here it is for us to ponder.

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action."

Now certainly the CIA agents have a right to protect themselves in any dangerous situation.  But one has to ask himself this question, since when does the CIA establish "bases" in a war zone?  What is the purpose of a CIA Base? 

This is NOT how our government was designed to work, with spy agencies having para-military forces at their disposal and at their beck and call for anything they deem desireable.  EVERY fascist government on Earth operates in that manner.  Democracies do not.

Something is very , very wrong with this picture.

I am very sorry that those men were killed.  It is a tragedy for the nation and for the CIA.  I am led to understand that this is the singlemost extensive loss of life that the CIA has suffered.  They were doing their duty for their country, that is for sure.

But I ask again, why does the CIA have a para-military arm?  As far as I know, the armed forces of the United States is the only organization that is legally allowed to operate as an army.  Something is amiss.  We are not being told everything ONCE AGAIN.  Imagine that!

CWO3 Tom Barnes, USCG (Ret.)