AFLACK!

CIA counterterrorism officers have signed up in growing numbers for a government-reimbursed, private insurance plan that would pay their civil judgments and legal expenses if they are sued or charged with criminal wrongdoing, according to current and former intelligence officials and others with knowledge of the program.

The new enrollments reflect heightened anxiety at the CIA that officers may be vulnerable to accusations they were involved in abuse, torture, human rights violations and other misconduct, including wrongdoing related to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. . . .

The White House contends the methods were legal, but some CIA officers have worried privately that they may have violated international law or domestic criminal statutes. . . .

A recently retired CIA officer who said he had not bought insurance contended that "if an individual does get sued in the course of their official duties, then you get the biggest law firm in the world to step in" -- the Justice Department. Justice regulations allow defending federal workers if the conduct is within the scope of an employee's job and doing so is in the government's "interest."

Dude, seriously, buy the insurance.

The only thing I find more alarming than the news that you didn't get the insurance is the fact that you once worked for the CIA and you actually believe your government won't cut you loose and let you go down as the scapegoat for this.

Didn't you see what happened at Abu Ghraib? Didn't you see how the small fish were sacrificed to save the big fish?

Oh, I see. You think you're a big fish. And you say you use to work in Intelligence?

"What?" he said, styfling a laugh, a cackle, really. "Oh, no, I'm not implying anything with that question.

"But you know who'll get a kick out this story? Lynndie. Nice girl. You'll like her."