I understand the need for secrecy, but I find secrecy in conflict with the knowledge needed to run a democracy. Should nothing have been released concerning torture of current detainees (e.g. pictures from Abu Grab), there would be no political pressure to stop such actions. Clearly we disagree on the torture issue, but that is the point---we disagree. Without knowledge democracy becomes impossible. Indeed without some work, one knows little or remembers in context the little information released concerning our secret agency, the CIA. The CIA has assisted assets in the distribution of illegal drugs: from the golden triangle in Laos using Air America, from Columbia during the Reagan administration to Florida and California (Iran Contra), and possibly now from Afghanistan. The Taliban reduced opium growth by 95% just before we invaded. In fact in a Berlin meeting in July 2001, the Taliban was told we would invade “before the snow flies” (opium planting season?). Now the opium production is even greater than before. Is there a connection? It will take some time before such connections are known. Also we must understand that the CIA works for corporations, in general, and not the people of the United States. In 1953 the CIA was instrumental in the overthrow of the fledging democracy in Iran to assist British Petroleum in regaining its profitable arrangement in exploiting Iran’s oil reserves. The CIA was instrumental in undermining the democratically elected government in Guatemala to aid the United Fruit Company (now Chiquita) in its production of cheap bananas for export to the USA. Clearly the U.S.A. has oil interests in the Middle East and the Caspian Sea regions. The CIA has been active in these regions, no doubt. But it will take time and effort to produce confirmation. Now we have accusations of torture and criminal investigations by Spain, England, and Italy. We are soft pedaling water-boarding, a product of the Spanish inquisition, which we prosecuted the Japanese for conducting. We certainly appear inconsistent. If you believe the United States stands for “democracy” and “rule of law,” then you probably agree with me that these actions of the CIA should stop. And since this happens under a cloak of secrecy, these actions should be known to the public, in general. Certainly those to whom the actions happen know what is happening. Otherwise, we simply trust the empire to act ethically.

Response to Cal Thomas’ editorial of 29 April, 2009, “Loose Lips or Loose Pix: Same Difference"