GENERAL MICHAEL HAYDEN TAPPED TO HEAD CIA

President Bush announced today that General Michael Hayden is his nominee as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Hayden will replace Porter Goss who announced his resignation yesterday. Hayden a four star General and recently the head of the National Security Agency, (NSA), has impeccable credentials to head the CIA. Immediately upon speculation yesterday that Hayden would become the nominee the Democrats and a few Republicans began criticizing the nomination claiming that a military officer should not be head of the CIA. Those who are making this claim obviously do not know their history. When the CIA was established in 1946 by President Harry Truman its first director was active General William Donovan who had served in the CIA predecessor the OSS. Since Donovan there have been three active military officers, two recently retired and one in the reserves. Many other directors have had active military service as part of their resume including former President and CIA Director George H.W. Bush. For the opponents of this nomination to complain about General Hayden because of his being in the military is absurd. Actually the discipline of the military under a tried and true leader such as General Hayden is exactly what the agency needs. It will be very interesting to watch during the confirmation hearings as the opponents of the nomination attempt to grill General Hayden concerning the NSA foreign surveillance program and watch as Hayden gives them a lesson in how intelligence gathering works and the truth about the program that Dems wrongly title, " domestic spying, " yet are unwilling to stop the program when pressed on the issue for they know its legality is actual and the program has been successful. Hayden brings with him experience and a knowledge on intelligence gathering that is necessary when considering the terrorist element and the situation in Iran and other hot spots in the world. Hayden will shine during confirmation hearings and those who will attempt to discredit him will come out with egg on their face as they are schooled in the intricacies of this expert on intelligence. Hayden's experience and military discipline will bring a shakeup in the CIA that should plug leaks and increase our capability on gathering what we need to protect and secure our nation. An excellent pick by the President and the ideal candidate for the job!

Ken Taylor