It is my understanding from a couple of past associates, that the HIG isn't really set-up for domestic use? And that the cell is still a work in progress?

If that's the case, that means the HIG team would be utilized for selected target personnel captured (or snatched-up) abroad, and working with less than savory foreign governments that aren't above using torture - a new name for business as ususal?

Be that as it may, I think Adm. Blair may have been a little too blabby about the HIG, and should have just acknowledged the fact that the intelligence community screwed-up, and moved on, instead of continuing with damage control, when he knows that ship already sank.

Anecdotally, the Dept. of State, claims they misspelled Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's name, which also contributed to the problem of connecting the dots, but now have spell-check in place to prevent that? Odd, I have a habit of not using spell-check, but in this instance in using it, all I can get from mine is a whole lot of nothing.

Which is what we are getting from Adm. Blair - a whole lot of nothing. And besides, I also hear he an Penenta (or is that Panetta?) over at the Agency are squabbling? That being the case, I'll give you three guesses whose going to depart, and your first two guess don't count.

Frankly, the DNI is a positon that shouldn't have been created, and is just another hub that the spokes have to connect to, and a wheels runs best with only one hub.

1) brief lesson on the Constitution and Bill of Rights
2) a brief spelling bee on the word "Stockdale"
3) a management course in collegial undertakings

From your WAPO link:
Blair amended his remarks later in written statements, acknowledging that the interrogation group is not "fully operational." However, he maintained, "There should be a decision process right at the outset as to the balance between intelligence-gathering and evidence for prosecution."

The moment these brainiacs wanted to set up a High Value interrogation unit, they should have been thinking through the balance of intel gathering vs. prosecution and solidified these procedures. This is news!!!! The DNI thinks we need to solve this now!!!! There is inherent tension in all terrorism, drug and weapons proliferation cases that cut across intel and legal constituencies in our federal government. This is a problem and tension that has been around for decades -- laying out the procedures is really basic 101-type stuff.

Happy to see Blair go. His opening message to the IC - put CIA interrogation officers under the bus --- he hasn't improved in a year....hope the embarrassment & failures of the DNI shop from the underpants bomber don't extend his tour.

Why do you expect Admiral Blair gone soon?