Restructuring the FBI

Cal Thomas | Syndicated columnist | Updated: May 28, 2002

Restructuring the FBI

If you haven't read what has come to be known as the Rowley Memo, get a copy of this week's Time magazine or read it on their website at time.com. Coleen Rowley is the FBI agent who accuses her superiors of ignoring warnings about September 11.

Tomorrow, FBI director Robert Mueller is scheduled to announce a reorganization of the FBI, which supposedly will allow it to better communicate with the CIA and other intelligence-gathering agencies. It is long overdue, but I question whether the agency that created the problem can solve it.

Fortunately, the Congressional committees with oversight of the FBI are investigating. At this point, I am inclined to agree with the Bush administration that no outside committee should be formed to investigate because of the danger of leaking classified material. But a top-to-bottom reorganization of the FBI is essential. It must be done quickly and competently. Otherwise, we stand a higher risk of repeating September 11. I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.

Restructuring the FBI