[Newspoetry] Intelligence versus the Rule of Law

[Mike Lehman]

Intelligence collection means stealing secrets
Within the Central Intelligence Agency
Hundreds of employees
On a daily basis
Are directed to break
Extremely serious laws
In countries around the world

A safe estimate is that
Several hundred times every day
(easily 100,000 times a year) 
Intelligence officers
Engage in highly illegal activities

CIA Director George Tenet claims
U.S. intelligence can serve
"to help strengthen the rule
of law in countries
whose stability is threatened by
unfettered crime."

The Senate found it necessary
To introduce legislation
Saying that no future treaty
will be understood to prohibit
Any intelligence activity
If it has been duly authorized
By U.S. government officials

The new provision was urgently needed
Given that the CIA habitually engages in
Criminal activity abroad
Bribery is a standard part
Of the intelligence toolkit
(psst...don't even mention the drugs;>)

The CIA spies on practically everybody
Outlaw regimes engaged in aggressive
Or criminal activity
I wonder how these guys
Manage to shave every morning
Without a mirror?
So much for the rule of law.

Mike
from:<http://www.fas.org/sgp/bulletin/sec84.html>