Why would a government not want to avail itself of the wealth of institutional knowledge that accrues to intelligence officers with decades of experience? Why make it easy for our enemies by limiting our understanding of complex international events by stopping the flow of current intelligence to wise, seasoned veterans? Sorry, Pat, but you're wrong here.

In a word Peter "Politics" and I'm not saying that just from looking at the Democratic side but also the Republican side. I consider after the 6-month departure a conflict of security and they are no longer on a "need to know basis". I'm just not buying that they need this 3 years down the road.