Re: work for Neil; get shot

Kenneth W. Crist Jr. (kayuucee@cfar.umd.edu)
Tue, 02 Sep 1997 13:07:15 -0400

>My question is: was it worth it? Maybe we can't even judge, but to me the
>huge waste in human lives is unforgiveable. One expects SIS to be a more
>dangerous career than other jobs, but good Lord, look at how all of
>Burnside's people paid very high prices for working with him. I love SB but
>the more I see it over the years the more uncomfortable I feel about Neil's
>management of the section. Or maybe I'm just getting old :-)
>
>Tim

Now hold on. Let's look at the casualties from the show and see
just what can be attributed to Neil's management.

1) Jake Landy: Sent by Neil into the USSR in response to a request
by the CIA. While Neil had no official sanction for
the mission I can see why he did do it, the
potential return was great.

However, this can be attributed to Neil's style of
management.

2) Alan Denson: Killed by a car while crossing the street. Not Neil's
fault. Assignment approved by Neil's superiors.

3) Laura Dickens: Killed on Neil's orders in Berlin. Her being in that
spot is not something you can blame on Neil. She was
the best person for the job. Assignment approved by
Neil's superiors.

4) Tom ????: Shot on assignment. Tom was once again the right person
for the job. He was specifically requested to make
contact by someone who would know if another person
was substituted. Assignment approved by Neil's
superiors.

5) Willie Caine: Shot protecting Soviet delegate. We don't know if
Willie lived or died. Neil's personal beliefs set up
a chain of events that led to Willie being shot.
Neil to blame for the most part, but I think the
Soviets should also be blamed.

So, of five Sandbaggers killed only two can actually be blamed on
Neil's running a rogue section.