> It’s pretty easy to argue that the CIA is the antithesis of American idealism - unelected bureaucrats doing jobs that the public has no power to hold them accountable for.

I think I got that one, Alex: "What is Congressional oversight?"

It's not that it's an antithesis of the ideal; it's just that things get real messy when the idealism meets reality. Elected officials are supposed to represent the public and carefully vet before appointment, and then hold the unelected bureaucrats accountable.

Alternative interpretation: the system is working exactly as designed, and "American Interests" trump any idealism.