Letters: CIA has reasons for insisting on secrecy

In reference to the Clovis News Journal’s decision to name the Central Intelligence Agency officer who had planned to speak at Eastern New Mexico University last week:

Having grown up and worked in Washington, D.C., I’ve known a number of people who worked for the CIA. Their wives know who they work for; the guy at the gas station knows who they work for; their golf buddies know who they work for; and there is a telephone book at the CIA headquarters with their names in it.

These folks don’t discuss their job descriptions with outsiders and they shun publicity. They don't want their names in newspapers or on the Internet and they agree to the security requirements of their agency when they come aboard. This organization cannot work effectively if its activities are publicized.

This is not fun and games. The organization is extremely complex and press crusaders — well meaning as they may think they are — can destroy years of work without realizing it.

I think that any security-conscious individual would abide by a request from the CIA and not attempt to rationalize why or why not the request had personal validity. He would assume that — not knowing the reason behind the request — the CIA knew more than he did and was not interested in a further explanation.

Freedom of the press and freedom of expression are rights pretty much unique to this country. Editors are expected to use common sense in what they report. Disregarding a request from a security agency when we are involved in a war against terrorism doesn’t exhibit much intelligence in my opinion and I doubt that many readers will champion your decision.

Karl D. Spence

Clovis

Continued violence is not the answer

It’s been over a year already since Wesley Griest and Alex Rodriguez were killed and their bodies found a few miles west of Cannon Air Force Base on a county road.

I knew many of those involved in the tragedy and it’s real difficult for me to even think what might have taken place that night.

The crime rate in Clovis has really taken off since these killings happened in February 2003. And it’s mostly because of drugs, or money.

People need to stop and think about picking up a gun or a knife to solve their problems. I myself am 24 years old and would rather throw up some fists than pick up a weapon. That’s just the way I was brought up.

Violence hurts many families.

I’d like to say to the people of lovely Clovis, “Let’s keep the peace.”

Please remember that everybody has loved ones as well as yourself. And to be separated from your family really is a tragedy. No one wants that.

May God bless those who have fallen victim to violence.

Jesus Mirelez

Clovis