THE FBI

(sigh)

The organization for which I worked for almost 20 years recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. I have to assume that for Director Mueller it was a time for bittersweet acknowledgement of past accomplishments as well as incidents we'd just as soon forget. The latter most will attribute to lapses in judgment of individuals calling the shots, but many times this wasn't the case. The multi-layered bureaucracy that IS the federal government provides impetus for a plethora of mistakes, which ultimately require someone to be thrown under the bus and assume the blame.

This cause and effect is unfortunate at many levels because it impedes the progress of a mission, which at one time, was well-defined. Since 9/11 -- and even before that -- the FBI has been strangleholed by a morass of deadbeat legislators who can't put the good of the country ahead of their own personal and partisan gain. This unethical thinking occupies both sides of the aisle in Congress, and it's gotten progressively worse since 9/11 because they recognize a nation-changing event when they see one and feed at its feet.

There are many well-documented shortcomings of the FBI (an obsolete computer system, the Waco and Ruby Ridge debacles, a few rogue Agents doing God-knows-what, a lack of communication between the field and headquarters prior to 9/11); but for the most part, the agency hums along doing its thing and tries desperately to stay focused on the ever-changing mission that administrations and Congress deem to be the right course.

Homeland Security was a knee-jerk reaction to 9/11 and was meant to be the clearinghouse for information on terrorist activity and other domestic threats. The formation of this agency was spawned by accusations that the FBI and the CIA did not communicate with one another. This is, of course, true since there are huge egos in both agencies and the mission statements of both include the words, "Do nothing to harm the agency and at all costs preserve our autonomy and superiority." No, I'm joshing, but that mindset DOES exist below the surface.

From my personal perspective, I can tell you that the assets of the FBI are the individuals who comprise the agency and the enormous talents they possess. I never ceased to be amazed at the versatility of its people. Need someone who speaks Cantonese and is knowledgeable about beetles? Need a falconer? A beekeeper? A pilot who knows sign language ? The linguists, artists, scientists and just regular people who call the FBI their employer are incredible.

I spent a hard 18 years there bitching every day about the commute and various and sundry other things, but I was always proud to work there. The FBI will flourish so long as its people continue to feel as I did. They'll save the agency from itself and from Congress.

(sigh)