FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Turns out some CIA operatives are doing double duty - by working for private companies on the side. This while the country is involved in two ongoing wars in the Middle east and continues to face threats to national security at home.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/02/01/art.cia.jpg caption="CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia"]
It's no wonder they didn't have the time to connect the dots ahead of the botched Christmas Day bombing.
Politico reports that in some cases the CIA moonlighting policy has allowed hedge funds and financial firms to hire active-duty CIA officers to do something called "deception detection"... Teaching companies to figure out when executives my be lying based on their behavior and what they say.
Defenders of the policy say it's a key way to prevent "brain-drain"... in the past, there has been an exodus of highly trained intelligence officers to the private sector - where they make lots more money. This way they can earn more on the side while still working for the government.
One official insists the policy doesn't interfere with the CIA's work on critical national security investigations... the officers who want to moonlight must submit a detailed explanation of what they'll be doing and get permission from their bosses.
But there are a lot of unanswered questions here... including how many officers do this, how long it's been going on and what types of other jobs they're been allowed to take.
Government employees are generally allowed to moonlight in the private sector - as long as there's no conflict of interest and they get written approval.
Here’s my question to you: In light of recent national intelligence failures, should CIA operatives be allowed to moonlight for private companies?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Edward writes:
Let me get this straight: You say there are people in this country that can find TWO jobs? Many Americans would be happy to just find one job.
Mike from New Orleans writes:
I am a federal employee in a non-sensitive position. I'm not allowed to moonlight. These moonlighting CIA operatives are also selling the skills they acquired from the government's investment in training. If the CIA job isn't good enough, I hear WalMart is hiring.
Mical writes:
Jack, I don't have a problem with them working in advisory positions but when our security suffers then the "moonlighting" policy needs review.
Joey from Ellenton, Florida writes:
Well, first: they seem to be having enough trouble doing their government jobs, so: no. Next: there is a danger of conflict of interest, so no again. Generally, Jack, I would have to say no, definitely not, absolutely not, no way, no how, not a chance, by no means, under no circumstances, no way. I hope I have been clear.
Ken from Maryland writes:
If by "moonlighting" you mean a job worked AFTER their normal work hours, then I don't see how preventing it would have helped with intelligence issues. They're still putting in their 8 hours. Not moonlighting won't help that any. As long as there's no conflict of interest, I don't see a problem.
F. from Manchester, New Hampshire writes:
This makes the CIA even creepier than before. It's bad enough that corporations are allowed to buy members of Congress, it's totally wrong that they're buying out the spy network, too.
Bea writes:
No, Jack. CIA should do one job only and that’s CIAing.
David from Las Vegas writes:
Jack, If I tell you, I'll have to kill you!