Spring Break
Is the CIA really on your side?
Alex Stephens
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Opinion
The CIA defines a covert operation as one that prevents the American public from discovering what it as doing in other countries.
President Barack Obama said on Monday, visiting CIA headquarters, "… What makes the United States special, and what makes (the CIA) special is precisely the fact that we are willing to uphold our values and our ideals".
How could Obama have been serious about that?
When the public learns something detestable about the agency -- recently Chinese-style torture -- they get angry, forcing the President to sign some document or make a statement, in this case one preventing further torture, to appease them or suffer a slump in approval ratings.
The best way to avoid this uncomfortable situation is to just keep the public in the dark about its underworkings.
For example, is Obama aware of the 50-year history of CIA coups against other democracies? More importantly, are you?
The most recent of which was the overthrow of democratically elected President Aristide of Haiti in 2004.
You might remember this: Aristide, the "slum priest" who "cracked down on political dissent," according to The New York Times, was overthrown by freedom-fighting rebels. Our Marines were later sent in to quell the violence and demand his resignation.
But there's another version of the story you aren't supposed to know about.
Following popular uprisings in 1986, former Haitian dictator Duvalier was ousted and replaced in 1990 by Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who won the general election against 11 candidates with a two-thirds majority.
One year later, rebels led by Emmanuel "Toto" Constant overthrew his government. Toto received funding from the CIA, according to Amnesty International.
In 1994, Aristide was reinstated as president with U.S. support. Two years later, Haiti was forced to adopt numerous economic reforms including a $1.2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund and was forced to end tariffs on U.S. goods.
President Barack Obama said on Monday, visiting CIA headquarters, "… What makes the United States special, and what makes (the CIA) special is precisely the fact that we are willing to uphold our values and our ideals".
How could Obama have been serious about that?
When the public learns something detestable about the agency -- recently Chinese-style torture -- they get angry, forcing the President to sign some document or make a statement, in this case one preventing further torture, to appease them or suffer a slump in approval ratings.
The best way to avoid this uncomfortable situation is to just keep the public in the dark about its underworkings.
For example, is Obama aware of the 50-year history of CIA coups against other democracies? More importantly, are you?
The most recent of which was the overthrow of democratically elected President Aristide of Haiti in 2004.
You might remember this: Aristide, the "slum priest" who "cracked down on political dissent," according to The New York Times, was overthrown by freedom-fighting rebels. Our Marines were later sent in to quell the violence and demand his resignation.
But there's another version of the story you aren't supposed to know about.
Following popular uprisings in 1986, former Haitian dictator Duvalier was ousted and replaced in 1990 by Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who won the general election against 11 candidates with a two-thirds majority.
One year later, rebels led by Emmanuel "Toto" Constant overthrew his government. Toto received funding from the CIA, according to Amnesty International.
In 1994, Aristide was reinstated as president with U.S. support. Two years later, Haiti was forced to adopt numerous economic reforms including a $1.2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund and was forced to end tariffs on U.S. goods.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 10
Skeptical White Man
posted 4/24/09 @ 1:29 AM MST
Certainly seems like they are upholding American 'political values and ideals.' Both political parties in the White House have ignored their responsibility to withdraw the U. (Continued…)
OLIVE GROVE BOOKS
posted 4/24/09 @ 4:28 AM MST
As long as we're talking history?
Publisher's Note: Our author had it right in 1987, WHEN HE IDENTIFIED AND DISCUSSED ALL THE KEY ISSUES OF THE MIDDLE EAST REGION, but was not published because they said the events he predicted could not possibly happen. (Continued…)
jimmy
posted 4/24/09 @ 8:01 AM MST
Do you even read your own articles after you write them? This article is horrible. You are trying to prove that the CIA does not stand up for American ideals and morals, so you use Haiti as an example?
"For example, is Obama aware of the 50-year history of CIA coups against other democracies? More importantly, are you?"
While people may disagree with Obama in regards to political affiliations, I think most would agree Obama is a very smart man. (Continued…)
North Denver Denizen
Hesitant Observer
posted 4/24/09 @ 9:21 PM MST
I think it comes down to being able to make a generalization about one side or the other. Consider that Aristide was president on three occasions and overthrown twice by different factions claiming abuses by the government. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
posted 4/27/09 @ 9:21 PM MST
The CIA was on my side until Obama put Panetta the Bean Counter in charge.
Now it is pretty much emasculated.
Add to that Obama's releasing the memos ( well some of them anyway ), and no one in the world wants to work with or help the CIA. (Continued…)
Registered Independent
posted 4/29/09 @ 11:01 AM MST
It sounds as if Mr. Stephens has gotten himself all fired up by the movies "Rendition" and "The Good Shepard" and "Syriana". And come up with a plausible-sounding "devious and evil CIA" plot of his own. (Continued…)
jimmy
posted 5/05/09 @ 7:33 AM MST
John Perkins never worked for the CIA, he was employed by Charles T. Main an international consulting firm. So what is your point?
You use one example of a guy who is currently promoting his new book, who did not even work for the CIA, to argue that the readers of the Collegian are unfamiliar with the facts and that the CIA is not on our side?
What nonsense. (Continued…)
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