WITHOUT THE CIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00149R000100490012-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 17, 2003
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: January 7, 1966
• Content Type: NSPR

POST'
Approved For Releas 4q63/12102 HA-RD
7 1966
Without the CIA"
Richard H. Brightson's let-
ter to the editor, "Without the
CIA," of Dec. 23, says that the
CIA puts together "strangely
diverse pieces of information
into a fascinating mosaic that
appears to make sense, partic-
ularly to individuals without
an immediate and intimate
working knowledge of the sub-
ject matter." Yet it would
eem to me that all intelli-
,cnce work is, ' of necessity,
composed' -of such "diverse
pieces of itiforulation."
Furthermore; it appears that
one is le4 to ponder the
problem o f , upon which ivory
tower Mr. Brightson has de-
cided to perch in order to
judge just ,who has the "im-
mediate and intimate working
knowledge"; that CIA defend-
ers obviously'iack.
Mr. Brightson's conclusion,
',.hat of "dismantling of CIA
and its replacement by more
legitimate 'Inform ation-gather-
iny operations," is a goad ex-
ample of the use of empty
w rds. How do you dismantle
'her CIA? With what do you
replace it? What does "legiti-
mate" mean anyway?, How can
you be sure you will arrive at
something quite different
from the present CIA? Per-
i:al:s the very nature of intel-
7;