CIA Director Creates Headlines with “Salty Language”

The release of an internal report on CIA torture practices in 2004, followed by a memo from the Agency’s director Leon Panetta to its employees, are sparking rumors and headlines about a hostile Panetta threatening to leave his position. The buzz, however, seems to be hovering over an alleged “profanity-laced screaming match” between Panetta and a senior White House staff member over a month ago. As scandalous (and secretly awesome) as a dirty-mouthed high government official is, is the month-old tiff relevant, or just a juicy headline?

Despite articles that highlight Panetta’s threats to quit and fragile temper, the real story here is the release of “another damning internal investigation” yesterday and Panetta’s response. In a letter to his employees, he attempted to defend the Agency, writing “My emphasis on the future comes with a clear recognition that our Agency takes seriously proper accountability for the past.” And as if he predicted the reports of his unhappiness at the Agency, he ends the memo with a touching, but questionably genuine “It is a privilege to serve with you.”

Huffington Post tells us a little more about the actual story by putting Panetta’s letter online, while the ABC News piece misleads us with its controversial first words: “A ‘profanity-laced screaming match’ at the White House”.

Their sources are also somewhat mysterious – among them are “current and former senior intelligence officials,” “other insiders,” and “a senior advisor.”

All the sources who actually have names though, are mentioned after the reporting of the “possible shake-up of top national security officials” discussed in the first half of the article. These are the people who are quoted as saying the reports of Panetta’s threats to quit are “inaccurate” and “absolutely untrue.” Despite CIA spokesperson George Little saying that the rumors are “wrong, inaccurate, bogus and false,” the headlines remain that Panetta is “planning on quitting pretty soon, apparently!”

As for the notorious screaming match, he allegedly “erupted in a tirade” when plans were revealed by the Attorney General to investigate interrogation techniques of the past. He may be a little hot-headed and prone to using “salty language,” but the ABC News’ anon sources don’t have us convinced of Leon’s departure. But it should be interesting to see if he can handle the pressure of the rumor mill and the tension of exaggerated controversy – he may just snap, or throw another fit, or maybe even actually quit…