The Locus of Rot

Updated November 5, 2006

By Paul Weiser

In all the various political “scandals” of today - the Wilson-Plame affair, intelligence estimates and the like - we see examples of a distinct pattern which demands explanation. Disloyalty and downright treason at the top have a depressingly familiar explanation.

The pattern is unmistakable. Whenever a political assault on the current administration starts, it will be found that it was plotted or aided at the highest levels of a government agency’s permanent bureaucracy - the CIA and State Department in Wilson-Plame, State and Pentagon in others. Just as it is always possible to find actors or musicians eager to attack the nation’s interests, such may also be found - or may actually initiate the treason - among high-titled diplomats, intelligence “professionals,” and retired high-ranking military officers. Why?

The clue is in that qualification, “high-ranking.” While a working-level spy, embassy functionary or (especially) serving officer has plenty of work to do, at the flag, ambassador, and Langley levels they are as idle (in terms of real mission accomplishment) as any “outside director” of a corporation. And so, like corporate chieftains and the actor/rock-star class, they realize that they’re being very well paid to do nothing of consequence - to pretend management, to play at reality.

This is the foundation of liberal guilt, and it strikes high-level bureaucrats when they make rank even when they were decent, conservative spear-carriers loyal to their country as line agents, soldiers, or consular employees. And since liberal ideology is inherently anti-national, they turn to politics (from guilt) and treason. Bureaucracies, like fish, rot from the head.

The trouble is that, while we can perhaps afford treason in the arts community, we can’t afford treachery or disloyalty in the intelligence, diplomatic or military departments. These traitors must go, with prejudice against ever again receiving the nation’s trust.


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