As a military officer who retired as the director of intelligence for a large Air Force unit, I found the editorial on intelligence gaps (BDN, Aug. 25-26) misinformed and offensive.

Inspector general (IG) reports should not be made public. The recommendations and facts contained therein would not be candid if the inspectors know that the reports will become public and political documents. The BDN implies that the staffs of intelligence agencies ignore IG reports, which is definitely not the case. I am certain that all intelligence agencies have taken appropriate actions based upon the report in question.

However, I’ve never read an IG report with which I completely concurred. It is not at all surprising that the director of central intelligence and others would take exception to a report. Such is the nature of the process.

George Tenet never promised that the Iraq war would be a “slam dunk.” He told the president that strengthening the public presentation on the reasons for the war would be a “slam dunk.” No one in the Bush administration, to my knowledge, claimed that a war in Iraq would be easy.

Unfortunately, I had many serious differences with intelligence agencies. I should hold intelligence services in contempt. However, I have nothing but respect and praise for the work of our intelligence professionals. I would place my life in the hands of George Tenet, Gen. Michael Hayden, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and other intelligence professionals. Intelligence work is extraordinarily difficult, dangerous and uncertain.

David W. Lind

Bar Harbor