Drastic Times Call for Drastic Measures in the National Security Field

In his article, Micheal Hayden, previously director of the National Security Agency, and currently director of the Central Intelligence Agency, addresses criticism of the President’s Surveillance Program. He believes the program to be both lawful and necessary, solidifying his reasoning in layman’s terms so that the general public is capable of understanding. He brings forward the positive details of the inspectors general report, details often downplayed by critics in favor of those with a negative connotation. As a pivotal, high-ranking official of our nation's security and intelligence agencies, Hayden is highly qualified to communicate his knowledge of the subject. His opinion should be considered trustworthy and is worth an objective read-through by those who question the validity of the program.

Hayden did an admirable job of retaining an objective tone throughout his composition. In an editorial regarding a controversial topic, a somewhat detached feel is sometimes useful because angering people rarely succeeds in converting them to one’s beliefs. By reiterating the fact that all sides of the situation must be considered before forming a negative or hostile view on the program, he not only instills trust in readers and increases their undrestanding of the President’s Surveillance Program, but also encourages them to become better decision-makers concerning other contentious matters. Thus, reading the article can be beneficial to readers in many facets. As a result, I would recommend this editorial to those who strongly oppose the program or do not fully understand it, as it may be an effective eyeopener. Hayden’s choice to publish his opinion in the widely-read newspaper highlights the certainty of his beliefs and his eagerness to project them on a national level.