FBI Admits Terror Experience Not Required for Top Jobs

This is from the Associated Press

In sworn testimony that contrasts with their promises to the public, the FBI managers who crafted the post-Sept. 11 fight against terrorism say expertise about the Mideast or terrorism was not important in choosing the agents they promoted to top jobs. And they still do not believe such experience is necessary today even as terrorist acts occur across the glob.

EXCUSE ME?Terrorist experience is not required for top FBI positions which fight against terrorism? That's like hanging out a sign saying "Doctors Needed--No Experience Necessary!"

The AP article continues saying "A bombing case is a bombing case," said Dale Watson, the FBI's terrorism chief in the two years after Sept. 11, 2001. "A crime scene in a band robbery case is the same as a crime scene, you know, across the board."

You better start stocking up on the plastic sheeting and duct tape, for the FBI has just made this country more vulnerable to terrorism. A bombing case may be a bombing case in terms of how a bomb is created. But that is not what a top FBI terrorism official has got to know. He has got to know the culture which breeds the terrorists. He has to know their religions, their norms, their mores. Since much of the terrorism is currently stemming from the Middle East, he has got to have the knowledge and expertise in Mideast languages, religions, culture, mores, and how the various sub-factions compete with each other. He has got to know the difference between a Shiite and a Sunni. All of this is important so that he can understand the thinking going on within the terrorist's mind--who they are, where they are, and what they may be currently doing--so that he can concentrate his resources to either capturing the terrorists, or more importantly, to stop the terrorists from striking again at a future date. Counter-terrorism is about pro-action, not reaction. FBI officials investigating bank robberies, or kidnappings are investigating these crimes after the incident has taken place, then track backwards to who was responsible for committing the crime. That is the wrong type of individual this country need for an FBI terrorism position.