Beth Kucinich is PRO-Ron Paul

I must admit, I first learned of Elizabeth Kucinich through Jon Stewart and The Daily Show. He presented a story about how one of the Democratic debates was so boring, cameramen would just switch to Mrs. Kucinich's beautiful figure when some candidate was talking. Makes sense to me.

And now, she openly states she is 100% in agreement with Dr. Paul's monetary policy! On video! Kucinich has his problems, but at least he married well!

Getting Rid of the CIA - It Makes Sense

A lot of folks call Dr. Ron Paul kooky and goofy, more Patch Adams than President Adams. Mona Charen has joined that thankfully shrinking chorus with her invective about Ron Paul. Many of her points are ridiculous, but her charge that Ron Paul's promise to rid the USG of agencies like the CIA or the IRS is bumper sticker garbage is worth addressing.

First off, Ron Paul is not against gathering intelligence. He simply charges that there is too much bureacracy between the intelligence and the decision makers. There is truth in that claim. The Central Intelligence Agency's charter has two missions - one, to gather and analysis intelligence to preserve national security; and two, to perform covert missions at the command of the President. One of the biggest gripes people have with the CIA - from Kermit Roosevelt in Iran to the black site prisons of the present day - is that there is a whole lot of two and not much one.

Are these two functions unique within the government? Not by a long shot.

There are currently 16 member organizations of the United States Intelligence Community. They are listed below.

• Air Force Intelligence


• Army Intelligence


• Central Intelligence Agency


• Coast Guard Intelligence


• Defense Intelligence Agency


• Department of Energy


• Department of Homeland Security


• Department of State


• Department of the Treasury


• Drug Enforcement Administration


• Federal Bureau of Investigation


• Marine Corps Intelligence


• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency


• National Reconnaissance Office


• National Security Agency


• Navy Intelligence

Every military branch has their own intelligence group (even Marines and Navy are seperate). They also tend to guard their capabilities jealously, and aren't willing to give up responsibility for them even though technically they report to the Director of National Intelligence.

As for the civilian services, they are very specialized. The NSA, NRO, and NGIA are all part of the Department of Defense and control signals intelligence, satellites, and mapping services (for reconnaissance and targeting of weapons) respectively. Energy monitors nuclear activity around the world. Treasury is on the look out for anything that might affect monetary policy. The DEA is the drug police. And of course State, having personnel all over the world in the embassies, consulates, and miscellaneous missions is in an excellent position for gathering and analyzing intelligence.

Under a Paul administration, foreign intelligence may be boiled down to simply information gathering from the State Department and the Defense Department (including NSA, NRO, NGIA, Coast Guard, and other service intelligence groups), with Energy keeping responsiblity for the nukes. This of course is not official, but is based off of Paul's public statements in debates and interviews.

Intelligence Community Under Paul (speculating, of course)

Air Force Intelligence
Army Intelligence
Central Intelligence Agency
Coast Guard Intelligence
Defense Intelligence Agency
Department of Energy
Department of Homeland Security
Department of State
Department of the Treasury
Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Marine Corps Intelligence
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
National Reconnaissance Office
National Security Agency
Navy Intelligence

While there is intense debate over whether the CIA failed in its mission - given that intelligence was available about the hijackings but nothing was delivered to deicion makers - what can be said with some surety is that eliminating the CIA will not leave America blind and deaf to the world.

Bringing Ron Paul To Wash U

Now that Dr. Paul's incredible fundraising effort makes a viable run for the GOP nomination more than a pipe dream - its time he makes a visit to St. Louis.

Check out the Ron Paul - WU site at eventful.com and vote to bring Ron Paul to WU!