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An Interview with Timothy Keller

Antiterror Help Wanted

By Mark Hosenball | NEWSWEEK

Mar 3, 2008 Issue

In October 2007, National Counterterrorism Center director John Scott Redd, a retired Navy vice admiral, told a TV interviewer that the invasion of Iraq "probably" did not make the U.S. safer from terrorism. A few days later, Redd resigned, citing health concerns. Bush administration officials denied that Redd's departure had anything to do with his comments, and the post has remained vacant—which is odd, since the NCTC is one of the few undisputed bright spots of post-9/11 intelligence reform legislation. Since Redd left, the NCTC has been run on an interim basis by one of his deputies, Michael Leiter, a former Navy aviator and federal prosecutor whose leadership has won praise from intel officials and congressional monitors.

But until very recently, the White House has appeared reluctant to name Leiter as permanent NCTC chief. Instead, it spent months on a fruitless search for a higher-profile director, according to two government officials who asked for anonymity when discussing sensitive matters. Several possible candidates, including military officers and CIA executives, turned the job down. Administration officials and Republican congressmen concluded that candidates were scared off by the prospect of the Senate confirmation process—especially since the job could be short-lived, with only a year left in the Bush presidency.

So why hasn't the White House offered the post to Leiter? One factor could be his political credentials. According to his official biography, Leiter, a Harvard law graduate, once clerked for Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, a liberal Bill Clinton appointee. A White House spokesman did not respond to a request for comment; a spokesman for the office of National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell declined to comment. Just hours after NEWSWEEK first inquired about the NCTC position, however, one government official indicated that the White House may well nominate Leiter in the near future.

Taylor University Community Mourns Marilyn Walker

Longtime professor of journalism and communication arts Marilyn Walker died February 18, in Marion. She was 74.

Walker retired from Taylor in 1996 after 30-years as professor of journalism and communication arts. Prior to coming to Taylor, she taught at Anderson Highland and Marion High School. She also taught summer journalism workshops at Indiana University and Ohio University. She was a frequent workshop leader and speaker at national college journalism conferences.

She was a graduate of Alexandria High School and earned a bachelor's degree in English and journalism from Ball State University, where she was editor of The Ball State News. Walker received a master's degree in journalism from Indiana University.

A life member of the College Media Advisers, Walker was also a life member and former president of the Indiana High School Press Association. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma International Educational Society and the Marion Department Club.

Walker was a member of the Marion First United Methodist Church, the Anne Gonger Circle, and the United Methodist Women. She was also a member of the Alexandria Order of the Eastern Star.

Survivors include her husband, Jules Walker, Marion, an aunt and several cousins.

Funeral services are at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, in Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion with the Rev. Kaye Patton officiating. Burial is in Grant Memorial Park.

Visitation is from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, 2008 in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Communication Arts Department, Taylor University, Upland, Ind., 46986 or First United Methodist Church, 624 S. Adams St., Marion, Ind., 46953.

Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.