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Intelligence talks draw crowds
By Sue DePassio
Collegian Reporter
This week's CCA, "The History,
Purpose, and Propriety of US Intelligence Activities,"
roused a high level of student interest, although the speeches
proved that life in the CIA is hardly like a James Bond movie.
The discussion on intelligence
brought in a considerable audience, nearly 300 students, not
including guests or other students that aren't taking the CCA
for credit.
Director of Seminars Timothy Caspar
said he hoped "the students in particular would take advantage
of the opportunity to learn from all the various speakers who
will be on campus this week."
Critics have claimed that the
techniques and activities of US Intelligence conflict with civil
liberty, although with our nation at a war against terrorism,
intelligence functions strategically to combat it.
Herbert Romerstein, a professor
at the Institute of World Politics, lectured on the "Tricks
of the Terror Trade."
He addressed the way legislation
and guidelines seek to understand and cope with terrorism, as
well as how they prevent and solve crimes using electronic surveillance,
wire tapping, and other forms of intelligence
Former CIA Chief of Disguise Antonio
Mendez was among the notable lecturers Hillsdale hosted, and
one of the most anticipated.
"I thought that Mendez was
interesting, and made good points," senior Stephanie Emling
said.
His lecture on "The Shadowy
Battlefield" involved rules of warfare and operations for
disguise. He disclosed information on the 'Moscow Rules' of
deception, illusion and misdirection, and the stratagem in these
principles, while lightening his talk by comparing the CIA with
Mission: Impossible and Alias.
He also spoke of his work as an
espionage artist infiltrating enemy lines to uncover secrets.
Both Romerstein and Mendez told
of their relations with the KGB, the former Russian secret police
and intelligence agency, and its strategies.
Also among the speakers was Herbert
E. Meyer, founder and president of Real-World Intelligence Inc.,
who spoke Tuesday about the strategies of US Intelligence.
Meyer, former assistant to the
director of the CIA, said the primary job of the agency is to
project the future for the president. He explained some of the
ways the CIA does this, and also gave advice regarding preparation
of the future and how Americans can involve themselves with
that.
"His lecture was very lucid
and easy to follow," sophomore Andrea Yeutter said, who
attended CCA lectures due to interest, not enrollment. "He
took the time to explain things to relate them to the students."
As the CCA comes to a close, students
respond positively about US Intelligence.
"Based on my military experience,
I think that there is a lot of good information we're getting
to help us make more informed decisions," senior Jim Rowen
said.
Caspar said the topic of intelligence
was an important one to address because as American citizens,
we should be able to understand the purpose of intelligence,
know about its history, and make good judgments about it.
"In light of recent events
[these topics] are something we are seeing and hearing more
of, and the CCA was a way to better understand the function
of intelligence," Yeutter said.
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