by Ted Weaver

11/29/2002

President Bush has named former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to head up the independent commission that is suppose to peer into the intelligence failures of 9/11/2001 and look for ways to prevent any further occurrence.

I’ve read where a number of writers don’t seem too enthused with the selection of Dr. Kissinger. For instance, Former congressman and author John LeBoutillier sees Kissinger this way: A 79 year old man that has been left out of the Reagan and Bush I loop for a total of 12 years. Mr. Leboutillier also implies in his recent article titled: Why they chose Kissinger ( http://leboutillier.blogspot.com/ ) that Dr. Kissinger is an attention hungry consultant. One that does not care about how he operates and has no morals.

Now I’m not going to analyze John’s entire article, but anyone who reads it can see the little red flags popping up all over. I don’t agree with all the assertions John makes as to why the choice, but the past performance and conflicts of interest John points out does have some credibility to it.

Like I said in the former paragraph, I don’t always agree with everything John says, I’m sure John doesn’t always agree with everything I have to say. That’s fine. But I do respect him and his insight and experience especially into the era from which he became familiar with Kissinger and his mode of operation.

Now if I were to have advised the president on a matter such as this, some of the key points I wish to mention would be the following.

1) I would be inclined to lobby for a true independent chief. One who does not have any previous ties to any former administration, whether it be a democrat or republican. This way there could not be the perceived or suggested conflict of interest. Why worry about conflict of interest? The answer would be “perceptions“. As one knows the divisive nature of the left wing media or even the right wing could possibly be divisive if they perceive a bias of some sort in the choice. They will pounce on it at the right opening and claim cover-up. They are just waiting - licking their chops.

2) The person chosen should be given “Carte-Blanche” Allowed to dig anywhere that person and the commission wants to. For instance, full authority should be given so as to be able to question - anyone. Obtain documents (in full) without waiting or without any court challenges to requested documentation within the U.S. government. This should pertain to and include the former president and his co-president now U.S. Senator wife, including the entire former administration as well as the current one. I would argue that protecting the previous administration would be a hindrance to reaching the ultimate goals of what went wrong and what foreign powers were involved. All of America knows of the calamity caused by the former administration.

3) Suggest that there would be the potential for political interference from both sides and that intimidation or any attempted influence of any sort, of any investigator should not be tolerated. I would think that this is or should be classified a felony and if any investigator that would be harassed or intimidated in any manner, the person (investigator) should have the discretion to make an immediate arrest upon the incident. Being an investigative writer and digging into a lot of the B.S. that has been going on, I can attest to the potential. Further proof of the possible potential is well documented in the baseless and paranoid charges by Al Gore and Sen. Daschle. Perhaps this explains part of their reasons for basing their wild and imaginative claims of a fifth column and Rush Limbaugh being an inciter of terrorism. Perhaps, part of the reason they are paranoid is because they don’t want the truth to come out in public.

4) I would suggest to seek trusted advice from “outside of the box” before making any firm plans. As one knows that sometimes one may have a more clear head away from the pressures of internal workings and can see the big picture with clarity rather than one being subjected to political influences. 

Of course there are many other suggestions one could make, but because of the sensitive nature of things, I won’t go into them.

I can see where the decision to go ahead with this commission was a difficult one. Especially during a time of war. But I think the President made the right decision to go ahead with the hearings. I liked what the President had to say about letting the chips fall where they may or in his words, “wherever it leads“. Though I may not entirely agree with the choice to head the commission, it wasn’t mine to make. Though I definitely would have floated more openly first in this case. Could this possibly be construed as hand-wringing? No, just clear thinking..

Prior to the 2000 Presidential elections, there were a large number of conservative writers investigating the calamity being caused by the former administration. Some, putting themselves at risk, some doing it for no pay or recognition. While all for their passion of writing and patriotic duty to country. Many of those same conservative writers cannot understand why no one has been held accountable and heads have not rolled. Obviously, the work everyone was doing was very accurate or 9/11 would not have occurred. As I read the work of these same conservative writers nowadays, I detect a change. I really hope its only temporary. We’re going to need each and everyone of them, including the all important talk radio shows in 2004. I’m not speaking for anyone specifically, just repeating what I’m reading.