We have witnessed an incredible 24/7 media “feeding frenzy”
over the ever changing and increasingly salacious scandal involving General
David H. Petraeus. What started out with
a Tampa socialite, Jill Kelley reporting threatening emails to the FBI has
exploded into an international scandal that has taken out and damaged the
credibility of the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI), the credibility of a
West Point graduate and former soldier turned author as well as the top
Commander of NATO Forces in Afghanistan.
It’s important clarify the FBI’s role in matters of terror threats
and national security and the increasing questions about how, if ultimately no
crimes were committed, did this escalate to where we are today.
There have been far too many cartoons and editorials
unfairly and ignorantly criticizing the FBI for their involvement in this
matter. Jill Kelley contacted the FBI
and advised that she was receiving threatening emails and that those emails mentioned
with the DCI, David Petraeus and his travels.
Any reported piece of information
of this nature HAS to be investigated and run down to the core and done quickly.
Is it coming from al-Qaeda, Hizballah,
a right-wing Nazi group or just another unstable individual with an automatic
weapon? It is just words or is there a
real threat?
Threats to any American citizen are taken seriously by the
FBI but one directed at someone at the level of David Petraeus, the DCI particularly
considering his record against Islamic terror groups has to be taken most
seriously. Under federal law, the
Congress mandates the FBI to investigate matters of this nature and the
American people most certainly expect it.
Can you imagine if a threat of this nature ended up in someone’s
in-basket, sat there for days and something happened to the Director? Internet threats are investigated everyday by
FBI Special Agents but one involving a specific potential national security
threat against the DCI, without question, rate the highest priority. The investigation moves rapidly, subpoenas
are served on internet providers to determine the source and veracity of the
threat and the pieces of the puzzle quickly come together. It turns out, yes, there was a link to DCI, Patraeus
but one where in a paramour, Paula Broadwell sensed that Jill Kelley was in way
“getting too close” to Director Petraeus and decided to send the threatening
emails.
Case closed in terms of a crime or possible national
security threat but the entire matter moves to a different level. The course of the investigation has touched and
bought in other elements of the the White House, the Department of Justice of
which the FBI is a bureau and of course, Petraeus’ employer, CIA.
Petraeus, being a man of honor and sensing his effectiveness
and integrity may be in question, resigns.
All the complaints in the national media that an FBI sweep
of the internet traffic is a violation of privacy maters are totally unfounded.
The emails were seized pursuant to the law and under orders of federal
subpoenas and to determine if someone’s life is in danger and in this case, the
DCI.
Isn’t that what the American people expect of the FBI?
Many in the media have complained that why didn’t those in
the Congress know of this matter. Highly
sensitive investigations of this nature are Classified
as Top Secret and the FBI may share on a limited basis and through appropriate
channels with the Chair of the intelligence committee but these matters are not
and should not be for public consumption.
Classified investigations of this nature take place every day. They never see and never should see the light
of day or the front pages of the newspapers for that matter. Why? Simply
put, because people’s lives are at stake.
We live in a media frenzied world wheresadly it seems nothing remains
secret anymore…and tragically, people die because of it.
After the story simmered for a few days, the FBI was unfairly
criticized for “leaking” this matter to the press. Again, a bad call by the press. This matter was outed by members of Congress,
not the FBI. Sensitive leaks by Congress
are routinely blamed on the FBI or the larger intelligence community. FBI agents and other members of the intelligence
community know and protect the value of sensitive information. In a rare case when a leak can be attributed
to one of them, usually it’s done unwittingly or accidently and they are fired and
prosecuted.
This entire story has a sad ending with the resignation and embarrassment
to the DCI and his agency. But, it started with a potential threat to him and
the investigation got to the bottom of the matter.
Let’s, as Americans, in this season of giving Thanks, look
at the big picture and be grateful for the hard work of the men and women of
the FBI who operating under their mandate to keep America safe and the
framework of our federal laws, did their job and cleared a potential threat to
a very high level and high profile government official, the Director of Central
Intelligence.
