Jane Harman Is *NOT* "Currently" Under Investigation

One of the talking points being offered in defense of Nancy Pelosi's plan to dump Jane Harman as House Intel Chair is that she is "currently under federal investigation" for her "possible illegal enlistment of AIPAC in lobbying for her committee post" (quoting Matt Yglesias); Glenn Greenwald offers this as "is currently under investigation for her work on behalf of AIPAC".

From Mr. Yglesias I expect better - let me offer a steaming mug of reality to the reality based community, from the NY Times, with helpful emphasis added:

The officials, confirming a Time magazine report, said the bureau had been looking into whether she had made improper promises to the group in exchange for its efforts to lobby Ms. Pelosi on her behalf.

But the officials also said that the accusations had not been proved and that although the inquiry remained open, it was no longer being actively pursued.

[Folks who don't like the Times may prefer Dan Eggen of the WaPo, who led with this:

Federal law enforcement sources confirmed yesterday that the FBI opened an investigation in 2005 into whether Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) improperly enlisted the aid of a pro-Israel lobbying group, but they cautioned that no evidence of wrongdoing was found.

...Although the case is still considered open, officials said, the allegations have not been substantiated, and there has been no significant investigative activity on the issue in recent months. The inquiry was first reported by Time magazine.

Or let's try the AP:

Last week, the Web site time.com reported that the FBI had begun probing whether [Harman] enlisted the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's help in lobbying Pelosi to keep her job.

A federal law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, told The Associated Press that Harman's ties with AIPAC have been under scrutiny since last year.

However, the inquiry has been dormant in recent months and so far has failed to turn up evidence of illegal activity, said the official, who would not detail any concerns there might be.]

It is quite rare for the Feds to formally close an investigation, because who knows what tomorrow may bring in the way of new evidence.  But neither Greenwald nor Yglesias have offered any evidence to support their contention that the investigation is current.  She was under investigation for engaging in politics, and now she is not.

As to the substance of the charge against her, my goodness - she calls the DoJ to inquire about an intel-related case (perfectly legal), AIPAC tells Pelosi she is doing a great job (perfectly legal), and that adds up to a crime?

By that standard, let me propose another criminal investigation - the Congressional Black Caucus throws their support to Pelosi in exchange for a promise that one of their own will be elevated to chair of the House Intel committee.  The quid, the pro, and the quo all seem to be there - where is the investigation?

Well, there won't be one, nor should there be, because that is absolutely politics as usual, as was Harman's phone call on behalf of AIPAC.

All that said, if the leading lights of the left could sail back to reality and correct this "current" problem, I know we would welcome them.  We'll leave the light on.

WHILE I'M PLAYING EDITOR:  Ezra Klein of TAPPED offers this bit of incomplete history in defense of Pelosi's acumen:

And Crowley should inform "Reader A. M." that the Hammer would have understood. In 1995, he ran for Majority Whip and defeated the preferred candidate of that Definer Of The Rules Of Civilization, Newt Gingrich. I don't recall anyone commenting at the time how weak Gingrich "seemed" or that he put on a "game face" after this crushing blow to his new Republican majority.

Let's go the incomparable Times archives, a compelling value as part of the Times Select package which also includes daily access to great commentary by the Times top columnists (NO, I am not paid enough for this; go with the "it's five o'clock somewhere" theory):

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (Special to The New York Times) -- Representative Newt Gingrich announced today that he would support a longtime ally, Representative Robert S. Walker of Pennsylvania, in a three-way contest for the No. 3 leadership position in the House.

Mr. Walker, who is beginning his 19th year in Congress, is running against Tom DeLay of Texas and Bill McCollum of Florida for majority whip. Representative Dick Armey of Texas faces no opposition in his pursuit of the No. 2 job, majority leader.

Mr. Gingrich's press secretary, Tony Blankley, said tonight that Mr. Gingrich, who is expected to become Speaker, would vote for Mr. Walker but not actively campaign for him.

Just a guess, but it was Ms. Pelosi's decision to actively push for Murtha that turned this into a spectacle and her into a Peloser.

CLASSIC GREENWALD:  Folks who can't endure the link will miss this old rhetorical standby from Greenwald.  Here we are in paragraphs fifteen-sixteen, learning that the cause of the Pelosi-Harman personal rift is reported but unproven:

I'd like to see proof that Pelosi's opposition to Harman is purely or even principally personal. I keep hearing this from [reporters], but what is it based on? ...

How do these all-knowing analysts know that Pelosi's opposition to Harman isn't based on these obvious and compelling substantive grounds, as opposed to the bitchy personal "cat fights" they allegedly have had?

Clear?  Reporters say their is a personal animosity, but they don't say why. 

Yet by paragraph twenty-one, the reporters have no foundation at all for their beliefs:

...these self-styled "serious" journalists are already trying to cripple Pelosi's ability to do anything before she has even begun, all based on giggly chit-chat and gossipy garbage that has no legitimacy other than the fact that they all repeat it in unison on television and in print.

Somewhere in those five paragraphs Greenwald made it from not knowing their proof to knowing they had no proof, reminding me yet again that I could never cut it in the reality based community.

Comments

[clarice]

I said this was a crock a long time ago.
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=5966

[Cecil Turner]

She was under investigation for engaging in politics, and now she is not.

Maybe they meant to say she was under investigation for leaking national intelligence information. One can only hope . . .

[Glenn Greenwald]

From the Time Magazine article linked to in my post (but not linked to, unsurprisingly, in yours - why let your readers see the evidence that contradicts the fantasies you're feeding them?) - helpful emphasis added:

The Department of Justice is investigating whether Rep. Jane Harman and the pro-Israel group worked together to get her reappointed as the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee

Did a Democratic member of Congress improperly enlist the support of a major pro-Israel lobbying group to try to win a top committee assignment? That's the question at the heart of an ongoing investigation by the FBI and Justice Department prosecutors, who are examining whether Rep. Jane Harman of California and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) may have violated the law in a scheme to get Harman reappointed as the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, according to knowledgeable sources in and out of the U.S. government.

The sources tell TIME that the investigation by Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has simmered out of sight since about the middle of last year, is examining whether Harman and AIPAC arranged for wealthy supporters to lobby House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi on Harman's behalf.

The Time article makes clear that the invesitgation *IS* ongoing, and the NYT article you quote also says that the investigation is *OPEN*. The DoJ has the ability to *CLOSE* an investigation, but it has not done so here.

Of course, you chose to highlight the NYT article, rather than TIME article (which you concealed from your readers), because you think the NYT is a more credible source, not because its article was slightly more favorable to a political figure you like.

Finally, why don't you ask yourself why you are so eager to defend Democrat Jane Harman. The answer is the same one that is driving Nancy Pelosi to choose someone else for this critical spot. Americans rejected the views that you have about wars and foreign affairs and the last thing Pelosi ought to do is install someone in such a sensitive position who thinks the way you do.

Joe Lieberman and Jane Harman - every neocon's favorite Democrats. That's why she won't be Chair of anything.

[boris]

why don't you ask yourself why you are so eager

Probably because we already know why.

Dimorats are now in a position to either claim some undeserved credit for a good result or take well deserved blame for a bad result.

For the good of the country "we" prefer the first because for "us" the country comes before politics.

[clarice]

Glenn, before we continue, please tell us what law precludes a lobying group from lobbying for a supporter to hold a chairmanship.

Then, tell us how Pelosi's lunatic notion to appoint Alcee comports with her earlier statement that she intended to give the chairs to existing members of committees to retain in place those who had more experience on the issues dealt with by those committees.

[Glenn Greenwald]

Glenn, before we continue, please tell us what law precludes a lobying group from lobbying for a supporter to hold a chairmanship.

I didn't say anyone violated any law. I only said that there is an ongoing DOJ investigation, which there is.

But what *WOULD* violate the law is if she agreed with AIPAC to a quid pro quo where she agreed to lobby for a more lenient prosecution for the accused AIPAC spies in exchange for AIPAC's lobbying on her behalf for the Committee Chair. TIME suggests that that is part of the investigation, and that would most assuredy be illegal.

But I have no idea if Harman did anything wrong and I didn't say I do. Many people are under investigation for things that end up going nowhere. That is why I didn't claim that she is guilty of any crime - because I don't know - only that there is an ongoing investigation, which is excactly what TIME reported (which you wouldn't have known had I not posted that here, because your host chose to conceal it from you to leave the impression that there is no evidence supporting the claim).

Then, tell us how Pelosi's lunatic notion to appoint Alcee comports with her earlier statement that she intended to give the chairs to existing members of committees to retain in place those who had more experience on the issues dealt with by those committees.

She doesn't have to appoint Hastings and she shouldn't. There is no seniority on the House Intelligence Committees. Appointments are purely at the discretion of the Speaker.

This issue with Harman was around well before the election when she made clear that she wouldn't appoint Harman. I have no idea if the AIPAC investigation is one of the reasons, though I strongly suspect that the fact that she shares the same views that are popular here on national security and war - the same ones the American people just resoundingly rejected -- is a strong factor, and it ought to be.

[clarice]

I didn't say anyone violated any law. I only said that there is an ongoing DOJ investigation, which there is Ah, and there's the rub. You get folks to file complaints to the FBI on non-existent violations and then smear them by saying they're under FBI investigation.

Well, the swift thinkers at the FBI figured this out and directed no more confirmation of such investigations but didn't do it until after the election for some reason.

Smarmy leftist punks.Stupid media. And even dumber FBI officials.

[Glenn Greenwald]

Ah, and there's the rub. You get folks to file complaints to the FBI on non-existent violations and then smear them by saying they're under FBI investigation.
. . . Smarmy leftist punks.Stupid media. And even dumber FBI officials.

Yeah, that was the Left's strategy for the election - to get as many criminal investigations as possible started against Democratic elected officials like Harman, so that there would be pending criminal investigations against Democrats.

Very sharp of you to detect that. No sly Leftist plot will go undetected here, I see.

[Tom Maguire]

The Time article makes clear that the invesitgation *IS* ongoing, and the NYT article you quote also says that the investigation is *OPEN*. The DoJ has the ability to *CLOSE* an investigation, but it has not done so here.

Please - the TIME article broke the story and the Times followed up.

As to the notion that I have not been covering the Alcee Hastings watch, guess again - I discussed the TIME piece the day it came out, thanks.

However, I am coming up dry at Greenwald - gee, this only became important after the election; I wonder why.

Sorry, did I forget to add, "weasel"?

[Anonymous]

Nancy Pelosi told us that she planned to drain the Congressional swamp of corruption.

She just left off the fact that she planned to find leadership positions for everyone she finds in the swamp once it is drained!

[Glenn Greenwald]

Please - the TIME article broke the story and the Times followed up.

. . . . and reported the investigation still "open," not closed.

And of course, a NYT article written a few days after a TIME article is much more reliable because it was written a few days later.

The Tom Maguire Method of determining who is right: whoever speaks last is correct. That's a very insightful metric you've developed, which I'm sure is applied very consistently, even when it reflects poorly on political figures you love less than Harman.

And just by the way, this sentence in your post -- "She was under investigation for engaging in politics" - is a lie, unless you think that it's just "politics" for a politician to agree to pressure the DOJ for relaxed prosecution of the lobbying group's alleged spies in exchange for favors from the lobbying group -- which is what TIME said the investigation entails.

Gven the political leaders whom you admire, it's not all that surprising that you consider such slimy corruption to be nothing other than mere just "politics." Under the law, though, that's called a "felony."

[billy missle]

As to the notion that I have not been covering the Alcee Hastings watch, guess again - I discussed the TIME piece the day it came out, thanks.

Very Compelling reporting Tom..excellant insight

[billy missle]

yes, I know I misspelled Excellent..
I meant to say ' most excellent 'reporting..
Good Blog over here.......

[Syl]

I strongly suspect that the fact that she shares the same views that are popular here on national security and war - the same ones the American people just resoundingly rejected -- is a strong factor, and it ought to be.

If you have to make sh*t up to make your case, don't be surprised when you step in it.

[Cecil Turner]

And of course, a NYT article written a few days after a TIME article is much more reliable because it was written a few days later.

If it says "no longer being actively pursued" and there's no contradictory evidence . . . I'm having a hard Times ™ [<-- subliminal plug] seeing why we shouldn't consider it the "last word." ™

[clarice]

Because the boy from Brazil says so, Cecil?

[Cecil Turner]

Glad to see we're all takin' this seriously.

[Foo Bar]

Here's another data point from Fox News, published Oct. 25 (a day after the NYT piece).

On the one hand, paragraph 6 says:

Sources confirmed that the case is still considered open but no significant activity has taken place recently.

On the other hand, the headline is:

FBI Investigating Whether Harman Made Improper Promises to Pro-Israel Group

So shame on Fox for using that active-tense "Investigating" in the headline, I guess (?).

[Tom Maguire]

Finally, why don't you ask yourself why you are so eager to defend Democrat Jane Harman. The answer is the same one that is driving Nancy Pelosi to choose someone else for this critical spot. Americans rejected the views that you have about wars and foreign affairs and the last thing Pelosi ought to do is install someone in such a sensitive position who thinks the way you do.

Gee, now tell me why the LA Times and NY Times back Harman. The NY Times:

She can send a good signal, for instance, by appointing Representative Jane Harman of California as head of the Intelligence Committee. Ms. Harman has been the ranking Democrat, and she has, in general, done her job well. But some of her fellow members regard her as insufficiently aggressive when it comes to criticizing the Bush administration. Ms. Pelosi, who does not get along well with Ms. Harman, is said to be considering Representative Alcee Hastings of Florida, a former federal judge who was impeached on bribery charges and removed from the bench. If she wanted to put her wrong foot forward, that would be a good way to do it.

The research/embarrassment tradeoff was not wisely made, here.

[Don]

Why do you always mess with Greenwald when you continually get stuffed?

It's like he's Lucy and you're Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. Get a clue already.

[topsecretk9]

Shouldn't the "Pelosi backs Murtha" despite Abscam and muscling contractor's "crap" - standard be applied here? If not and Harmon is a 'horrendous" choice for chair than it certainly reflects "horrendous-ly" on Pelosi for choosing Murtha's "crap" over the majority preference and then Hastings.

[Ranger]

Glenn,

If you have to choose between someone who has been accused of wrong doing and someone who has been convicted, I would chose the lesser of two evils, and take the person only accused. But that's just me, Democrats may see it differently, because a guy who sold his office as a Federal Judge for what, $150,000.00 can be trusted to oversee all U.S. intel efforts in the war on terror. No problem there. Ok, he was only convicted by a Democratic Senate of that, he skated on the Federal charge.

[clarice]

HEH! Glenn isn't even in the same Planetary system as TM, and that is not praise of Glenn --something I must note to a person as clueless as you.

[Glenn Greenwald]

If you have to choose between someone who has been accused of wrong doing and someone who has been convicted, I would chose the lesser of two evils, and take the person only accused.

I already said I'd choose Harman over Hastings, but the point is (overlooked by the NYT) is that she can choose anyone she wants for that position. It's not a Harman-Hastings either-or.

The problem with Harman isn't the AIPAC investigation. It's that she is a reflexive supporter of the administration on national security/intelligence and war matters (which is not unrelated to the AIPAC love affair she has), and the voters clearly want (and the country needs) aggressive intelligence oversight, not an administration cheerleader. We've had enough of those, especially in the Congress. That's why we're in the predicament we're in.

[Glenn Greenwald]

HEH! Glenn isn't even in the same Planetary system as TM, and that is not praise of Glenn --something I must note to a person as clueless as you.

CLARICE - Seriously, will you explain again how the criminal investigation against Harman was a plot by the left? Honestly, that was one of my favorite comments ever and I'd be really interested in hearing you elaborate on that theory.

[Anonymous]

You know, alot of us left winger wacko types are assuming and stating as fact that America voted to give Congress to the Democrats because they oppose the war in Iraq.

But there were 435 Congressional candidates
and 1/3 of the Senate up. I have not seen any evidence that the Congress is now made up of cut and runners. Maybe the leadership is, but I doubt a majority will vote to cut off funding for the troops, or the war effort. I doubt they will pass any law requiring a draw down.

I think you will basically have a stay the course Congress that hopes for the best.

[clarice]

Who filed the complaint with the FBI, Glann? Another of the Nationists?

[Anonymous]

Come on now, Jane Harman is going to have to commit some serious criminal offenses before Pelosi even considers her for a high ranking position.

She needs to take a bribe to through a case or take a bribe to allow some Islamists into the country illegally to even have a chance with Pelosi.

[topsecretk9]

Jane Harmon is the new Joe Lieberman...maybe she could just go independent?

[Ellison]

How dare you dispute with the great Glenn ye mortal fools.

Don't you know that Greenwald’s book has been on the N.Y. Times Best Seller List for 6 weeks now or more. He is a graduate of a top 5 law school and worked at the most prestigious law firm in the country. In 9 months, he’s managed to become one of the most cited and heavily-trafficked bloggers on the internets. His posts have led to front page news articles and are read by U.S. Senators during Senate hearings.

Fie on your sirs.

[Semanticleo]

"Who filed the complaint with the FBI, Glann? Another of the Nationists?"

Providing a question is not an answer to the question. >unresponsive>

[boris]

already said I'd choose Harman ... she is a reflexive supporter of the administration ... that's why we're in the predicament we're in

So (slight discontinuity problem here) let's get this straight ...

... You prefer more of the same reflexive support for the adminstration and you like the predicament we're in ...

... O R ...

You mitght instead be a smarmy lying butt weasel who knows your true position has fecal bouquet so pretends to be on one side while supporting the other.

[Semanticleo]

Conservatives might want to soft-pedal this issue. Investigations, notwithstanding, will no doubt leave some game trails between AIPAC and the run up to war, heavily scented with influence.

[Terrye]

"Finally, why don't you ask yourself why you are so eager to defend Democrat Jane Harman. The answer is the same one that is driving Nancy Pelosi to choose someone else for this critical spot. Americans rejected the views that you have about wars and foreign affairs and the last thing Pelosi ought to do is install someone in such a sensitive position who thinks the way you do."

Silly me, I prefer Harman because she is competent. But who cares about that? Not Glenn it seems. He thinks we had a referendum on the war and the people have spoken, let the retreat begin.

I know that in my district Ellsworth [the Democrat] made a point of telling us Hoosiers that he "did not even know Pelosi" and that he was not about to vote for cut and run. In fact the exit polls from that election indicated that only 30% of the voters actually supported bugging out of Iraq.

Maybe the Democrats need some alone time so that they can figure all this out for themselves because if it turns out that some of these new Democrats were lying to people just so that they would vote for them, it might back fire on them.

[Jim in Chicago]

Well that didn't take long:

Why don't you leftoids just say that it was the Jews all along.

Yep, there's a gamey smell in here all right.

Semi yearning for a new Dreyfus Affair.

[Terrye]

cleo:

If Pelosi had come up with an alternative to Harman that was even sort of qualified I doubt that conservatives would really give a damn.

And if it turns out that nothing comes of the investigation and it is just another smear campaign and Harman is damaged for no other reason than the fact that Pelosi does not like her will she get her reputation back?

This is like high school and Nancy is head cheerleader.

[Semanticleo]

Dreyfus?

Got a baler for all that straw, stickman?

That matter revolved around a poorly forged document that was not properly vetted by the French officers until sentencing had been carried out. I just love sweeping generalizations that turn the search for the truth into antisemitism. That dog won't hunt
junior all-star.

[clarice]

So who filed this baseless charge? I suggest whoever leaked it to Time.

[Terrye]

Conservatives might want to soft-pedal this issue. Investigations, notwithstanding, will no doubt leave some game trails between AIPAC and the run up to war, heavily scented with influence.

Posted by: Semanticleo | November 17, 2006 at 04:17 PM

Oh yes the Joooos did it. It had nothing to do with that innocent lamb Saddam and more than a decade of noncompliance and shooting at planes and killing his own people and trying to kill a president and terrorizing his neighbors and gassing people and aiding international terrorism and all the rest of it...the war happened because of the Joooooos.

[Jim in Chicago]

Thanks for clearing that up.

So it was the Jews after all.

[Semanticleo]

"Oh yes the Joooos did it."

Syllogistic fallacy.

[Sue]

not an administration cheerleader.

Why is it the person who has actually seen the intelligence is the one who is wrong? Could it be, never having seen what Ms. Harman has seen, you are the one that is playing cheerleader for the anti-Bush crowd?

[Wilson]

Lets see, a New York Times bestselling book on executive authority. Breaks a story on his blog about wiretapping that leads to front-page stories on most major newspapers in the country. Russ Feingold reads from his blog during the Censure hearings.

Any conservative bloggers with credentials like that? All compiled in 9 months or however long its been since he started blogging?

Face it, I'm er, I mean Greenwald's a friggin genius.

[Specter]

LOL. Love seeing the Dems feeding on their own. And famous sock-puppet master GG, with all his degrees and wisdom, helps to throw his choice under the bus. Does that make sense?

Tic - you never answered my question about why 57% of Americans feel that the Dems have no plan for Iraq....LOL. Now that's funny.

[PeterUK]

Despite the sycophancy of the clacque bobbing in the wake of "Our Man in Cabana",I have never heard of Mr Greenwood outside this board.

[happyfeet]

It seems pretty clear that Jane is an enemy of all that is good, while Alcee is a guiding light who can lead us through the coming dark days. Get with the program people.

[Terrye]

Oh yeah, he is a genius all right. I wonder why a guy like that would come down here and mix it up with the Bushbots?

I think Tom is pretty smart myself and so it Clarice and Sara. And Cecil and Syl and boris and all the little people.

[Terrye]

Peter:

You just don't hang with right people.

[Specter]

WooHooo....I finally made it to "little people". LOL. ::grin::

[Terrye]

Specter:

Yes, but you are very special little people.

Did the super duper smart man Glenn explain to us dummies just how it is the majority of Americans are going to get behind the Democrat's plan for the war when the majority of Americans don't think the Democrats have a plan?

[PeterUK]

"WooHooo....I finally made it to "little people".

Now you have to pay taxes Specter.

[PeterUK]

Anybody notice that this incarnation of Septic suddenly lost the serial adjectivity?

[Pagar]

John Kerry admits in front of a committee of the US Senate that he; not only met with enemies of the United States during time of War, but that he adopted and was promoting
their point of view. As a result, he was nominated by the Democrats as their candidate
to be president of the United States.
Jane Harmon talks to American people who
support a country that is generally considered
an American ally and the Democrats do everything they can to destroy her politically. Had She flown to Syria and
revealed American secrets, it looks like she could have retained her position.
No wonder the Communist Party of America is so eager to have the Democrats in charge.

[richard mcenroe]

The Bipartisanship has sailed...

New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi introduced Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) at a Queens College commencement ceremony as someone who would "put a bullet between the president's eyes if he thought he could get away with it."

[PeterUK]

Richard McEnroe,
So somewhere,where such things are commonplace,a Jihadi will be thinking,"The Democrats will smile upon me for this deed".

[Anonymous]

"""will no doubt leave some game trails between AIPAC and the run up to war, heavily scented with influence.

Posted by: Semanticleo | """

Yeah, no anti-Semite here...move along.
You still have your 'Pat Buchanan was right about the ovens' T-shirt?

[topsecretk9]

--Had She flown to Syria and
revealed American secrets, it looks like she could have retained her position.--

But of course! She does not exhibit the requisite leftist authoritarian Bushhate - regardless if the secret sharing hurts us all!

[Semanticleo]

"...move along."

Eat your weasel sandwich walkin’., bonehead.
Retreat to the hedgehog hole you hide in when there is an issue that smokes out your patriot’s pantomime.
Hire a nurse to bleed your bloodless brakelines and purge the air from your hollow mantra. Free that rotting carcass from the bloating gases that envelop your psyche and let us all breathe some fresh air for a change. Take your elemental excretions and discharge your venal screed on another site.

[PeterUK]

No,no improvement,must have been a blockage in the adjectival canal,a good strong pugative and there she blows.Eat more dried fruit Septic.

[Anonymous]

Anti-semanticleo...
You may want to read up on the Anti-Jewish winds blowing over at Deans DNC:

"""The session took an awkward turn when witness Ray McGovern, a former intelligence analyst, declared that the United States went to war in Iraq for oil, Israel and military bases craved by administration “neocons” so “the United States and Israel could dominate that part of the world.” He said that Israel should not be considered an ally and that Bush was doing the bidding of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

“Israel is not allowed to be brought up in polite conversation,” McGovern said. ‘The last time I did this, the previous director of Central Intelligence called me anti-Semitic.”

Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.), who prompted the question by wondering whether the true war motive was Iraq’s threat to Israel, thanked McGovern for his “candid answer.”

At Democratic headquarters, where an overflow crowd watched the hearing on television, activists handed out documents repeating two accusations—that an Israeli company had warning of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and that there was an “insider trading scam” on 9/11—that previously has been used to suggest Israel was behind the attacks.

http://judaism.about.com/library/2_antisemitism/bl_moran_iraq.htm

[Jane]

Gee I get hauled off on an emergency trip to Las Vegas for a week, and I miss all the fun. Look what the cat dragged in!

[Anonymous]

Smanticleo, if you feel Jim Morans comments, or John Conyers hearing, or painting Lieberman in blackface, or even Al Sharpton are being misinterpreted as Democrats in good standing, by all means please defend their comments and actions.

Rather then name calling, how about you tell us why all these Democrats get away with blaming Jews for everything??

[topsecretk9]

Whoa....click on link number 3 (Wilson-Madrid count wrapping up
KRQE, NM - 6 hours ago) and see if you get the weird "Turkish defacer" hacked page too....

Google News cache

[topsecretk9]

WARNING...it does say something about "virus"..I'm safari- MAC and I am not tech enough to know if you look at a page their is a problem, but it is very strange...to be on a local news site.

[topsecretk9]

there, not their

[Anonymous]

Sorry to go on, but this problem is not going away.

Democrat Cynthia McKinney ran a stridently anti-Semitic campaign in 2002; when she was defeated in that campaign she blamed the Jews for her defeat (her father, who also has a history of anti-Semitism, spelled out publicly who was responsible “J-E-W-S”).
-----
McKinney’s colleague Alabama Democrat Earl Hilliard had a history of anti-Israel positions and used anti-Semitism to appeal to his constituents. His opponent was Artur Davis. Hilliard’s campaign slogan was “Davis and the Jews, bad for the black belt”.

The most senior Democrat from Michigan, John Dingell, declared himself ambivalent about which side he wanted to win in the war between Hezb’allah and Israel. Hezb’allah has in its charter that its goal is a genocide against the Jews (not “just” the destruction of Israel.

The Democratic nominee for Congress in Minnesota’s Fifth District, Keith Ellison, is a Black Muslim who has a long history of anti-Semitism that he has tried to obfuscate by a variety of means-including name changes and pseudonyms. He seems to be following the Cynthia McKinney playbook.

TRUTH HURTS Semantic one

[MayBee]

From the Time Magazine article linked to in my post....

(which you concealed from your readers)

Of course, I saw the Time link in GG's post that Tom linked to. But I didn't click through because Tom hadn't given me permission to do so. It is easy for Tom to conceal things from us because we are so cultlike.

[clarice]

Glad to see you're following Cult orders.
Love,
The TAC Queen

[topsecretk9]

I just thought it was funny a lot of the independent thinking people powered blogs were all taking orders from Digby today.

[happyfeet]

John Warner's attempt to stab Inhofe in the back on the Environment committee seems every bit as graceless as the Harman/Hastings deal.

You think that since he has to run in 2 years he's thinking the Armed Services Committee might not be the best foil for his pretty self?

[PeterUK]

All this jockeying for position in the Democrat party is reminiscent of antics that went on at the court of Louis XIV at Versailles,Courtiers schemed to be allowed a chair when most stood,for hours,or had a miserable stool.

[Tom Maguire]

Face it, I'm er, I mean Greenwald's a friggin genius.

Without a "Good DAY, Sir" it's just not the same, Wilson.

And of course, a NYT article written a few days after a TIME article is much more reliable because it was written a few days later.

The Tom Maguire Method of determining who is right: whoever speaks last is correct.

Gee, I have the idea that after one person makes a claim, subsequent researchers validate or refute it. I would call this, very broadly speaking, the "scientific method"; if you insist on attempting to rename it the "Tom Maguire method", modesty will compel me to demur.

As it relates to journalism, the normal hope is that subsequent reporting pins down various details that may have not been a focus of the original story - I'll bet that TIME thought there lead was that Harman was under investigation - the timing is secondary to the undelrying fact. (And it is not as if TIME would never hype a potential criminal case).

Oh, well - I suppose the alternative is, the first person to speak is assumed to have every fact nailed down and can not be subsequently questioned. Perhaps you would like to call that the "Glenn Greenwald Approach", but most folks will recognize it as "divine revelation".

Oh, well, I lost the thread after being informed that Glenn prefers Harman over Hastings but that I am a reflexive neocon for doing the same. It hardly seems fair to point out that I said a few days back that the obvious answer is to go with Reyes, Vietnam vet, Border Patrol agent, and no doubt a great guy.

[Foo Bar]

So, TM, do you fault Fox News for running the "FBI Investigating" headline a day after the NYT article?

I'm so sick of Glenn Greenwald and Fox News teaming up to slander people. When will it end?

[topsecretk9]

--Gee, I have the idea that after one person makes a claim, subsequent researchers validate or refute it. I would call this, very broadly speaking, the "scientific method"; if you insist on attempting to rename it the "Tom Maguire method", modesty will compel me to demur.--

TM

I happen to think you are in a good postion here...

'Hubris' also notes that the following day the "senior administration official" was downgraded to an "administration aide", and tell us that the WaPo discussed running a correction but figured, why bother.

I think they like the "why bother" brand.

[topsecretk9]

--"why bother" brand.--

Oh, there you go...Foo Bar likes it.

[happyfeet]

Inhofe isn't even under investigation. He's just suspected of being an Okie I think.

[Tom Maguire]

So, TM, do you fault Fox News for running the "FBI Investigating" headline a day after the NYT article?

That was a good catch, Foo Bar. As you know, the headline writer is generally *not* the author of the piece, so sometimes subtleties get lost in translation to a short, snappy phrase.

Were Solomon here, he would probably rule that both Greenwald and I are "wrong", since neither of us are in a position to state without reservation the status of the Harman investigation.

However, my conscience is clear, because I am quite sincere is thinking that the subsequent reporting gets priority. But that aside, it is at least obvious from my post that there are two sides to the question - nothing Greenwald said or linked to would have left someone thinking the isssue was in dispute.

My headline (written by me!), "Jane Harman Is *NOT* "Currently" Under Investigation", is clearly not provable, but the evidence is there. A better headline, "Harman *May Not* Be Under Investigation" would be unarguable, but then I would miss your company.

I'm so sick of Glenn Greenwald and Fox News teaming up to slander people. When will it end?

I, too, grow weary of the far right and loony left beating up earnest centrists who carry a Times/LA Times/WaPo endorsement... well, unless I am doing the beating.

(I did see a WaPo endorsement, didn't I?)

[Tom Maguire]

Sorry, the WaPo had the Ruth Marcus columns bashing Hastings, but no specific editorial backing Harman.

[Syl]

Terrye

Did the super duper smart man Glenn explain to us dummies just how it is the majority of Americans are going to get behind the Democrat's plan for the war when the majority of Americans don't think the Democrats have a plan?

Gold! Five stars! ::big grin::

[happyfeet]

Okey dokey, no one wants to address Inhofe. But it seems all too predictable that a coming news cycle will juxtapose Pelosi/Harman and Inhofe/Warner... Writ small, seems like a potential replay of Hastert's brilliant move to take the spotlight off Jefferson.

[Syl]

Perhaps you would like to call that the "Glenn Greenwald Approach", but most folks will recognize it as "divine revelation".

ZING!

::dancing a little jig here::

Please excuse my editorial comments.

Or not :)

[Specter]

Not to worry. I have it on good authority by several not-to-be-named high-level sources, who can't speak on the record because they have not been authorized to do so, that the Dem plan for the war will be unveiled in 24-business hours.

[Foo Bar]

sometimes subtleties get lost in translation to a short, snappy phrase.

In both cases the language of the one-sentence summary suggested an active investigation. Whether it was a matter in either instance of a subtlety getting lost or a shameful mischaracterization depends on one's prior beliefs about the author's inclination to be fair and balanced, I suppose.

but no specific editorial backing Harman.

Maybe not, but there was this WaPo piece with the following lede paragraph (which you might consider citing to bolster your case):

Federal law enforcement sources confirmed yesterday that the FBI opened an investigation in 2005 into whether Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) improperly enlisted the aid of a pro-Israel lobbying group, but they cautioned that no evidence of wrongdoing was found.

See, if you give a little, you can get a little (on occasion).

[topsecretk9]

-- but they cautioned that no evidence of wrongdoing was found.--

I'll go on defualt and wonder why law enforcement was willing to say a positive for Harman vs. the negatives with no positives on the leaks about republicans...

Oh...Oh...that would be conspiratorial, and then I must assume if they were willing to go on the record helping Harman, I should assume it is untrue,...is that it?

[Tom Maguire]

See, if you give a little, you can get a little (on occasion).

Foo Bar, you are reliably fair and balanced, but I am troubled by this independent research you are doing - per Greenwald, my readers are not supposed to know any more than I tell them - what kind of a blog is this, anyway?

[topsecretk9]

--my readers are not supposed to know any more than I tell them - what kind of a blog is this, anyway?--

Sssshhh TM...do NOT let on to the super secret Browser, described in the cult manifesto, downloaded into our machines that allows for ONLY JOM viewing and no googling! or clicking!....manifesto rule number 1 was strict secrecy.

[bgates]

Pelosi=> Peloser?
Pu-leeze. Not that I disagree with the sentiment, it's the execution.

I'm sure there will be many repeats of Madame Speaker making the crony-rewarding (Murtha)/vendetta-settling(Harman) play and getting slapped down by her caucus. I'm already thinking of her as a 'one-trick Pelosi.'

[Mescalero]

Reality-based community!! Surely you jest, cause the sun don't shine there and never has.

[Daddy]

Well not to worry, cause as we've already seen in todays previous posts, if Alcee Hasting's gets the job it'll be a "Win Win" for Pelosi, and if Jane Harmon gets the job it'll be a "Win Win" for Pelosi, or even if Klem Kadiddlehopper or King Solomon or Brazilian Cabana-boys get the job it'll be a Win Win for Pelosi.
Pelosi + Candidate (X) = Win Win. (And you thought I didn't know squat about that there Scientific Method stuff!)

[topsecretk9]

--if Alcee Hasting's gets the job --

Won't.

Backdoor Rahm finagling (he's smarter than she), got number 3 to be an African American, so placated the CBC - CBC mad because the new speaker made Billy Jeff with his carefully tin-foiled, then stuffed in frozen food containered marked money step aside from his ways/means committee post.

They are looking to put a "hispanic" in the Intelligence leader post now.

[Terrye]

Hey,

I am an Okie. A third generation Okie.

And we get no respect. The Boomer jokes, the Sooner jokes, Texas lording it over us all the time some mean older brother and then of course there is the whole Dust Bowl/Grapes of Wrath thing. Not to mention the Indian Territory/No Man's Land thing.

Okies have to put up with a lot of crap. It is not fair. I say we need an Okie Antidefamation League or something.

One time I saw my Daddy threaten to kick a man's butt because he called him an Okie. People can be so cruel.

[lurker]

I am a proud Okie! Third generation, too.

[Pofarmer]

Americans rejected the views that you have about wars and foreign affairs and the last thing Pelosi ought to do is install someone in such a sensitive position who thinks the way you do.

I've still seen no proof that that statement is anywhere close to true.

[Tom Maguire]

I am an Okie. A third generation Okie.

And we get no respect.

Oh, stop - you guys have "Oklahoma!", still one of the greatest Broadway show tunes ever. As a Jersey guy, I can tell you about "No Respect". (GO, Rutgers!)

[lurker]

They are looking to put a "hispanic" in intelligence committee? Geesch!!

[PeterUK]

Would it be too much to have expected the Democrats to have sorted all this out before the election? Some policies would no go amiss,"Hit the ground running" as it were rather than "Hit each other,scratching,biting and pulling hair".
It might also be appropriate that the Democrats take note that the rest of the world is watching,this girls school behaivior is amusing your enemies and disconcerting your friends.

[Martin]

So the NYT-which cantankerous palecon Joe Sobran used to call "Holocaust Update" is downplaying an investigation into Isreali spying.

And now you, who run a little cottage industry of fisking NYT stories, treat the NYT as the oracle of Delphi and its word as final.

Color me surprised.

[Specter]

Martin,

Got news for ya - you are even lower on the totem pole. So low as to be invisible. So what's your point?

And BTW - have you seen the facts about NYTs plummeting circulation and stock price? I wonder if there is a reason for that? Maybe the "cottage industry" has more than you think. LOL

[PeterUK]

Clarice,
"treat the NYT as the oracle of Delphi and its word as final".

Yes,the New York Times is indeed thw "Orifice of Delphi"

[clarice]

Clarice?

[Tom Maguire]

And now you, who run a little cottage industry of fisking NYT stories, treat the NYT as the oracle of Delphi and its word as final.

Color me surprised.

How about if I color you "Not Keeping Up" - I did my Times bashing and pointed out their awkward positioning on this story weeks ago:

The NY Times is somewhat on board with that [ignoring the whole Harman/Hastings thing], but there is a subtle problem - Jane Harman, the ranking Dem on the House Intelligence Committee who is marked for replacement by Nancy Pelosi, has been in the news herself for being too friendly with AIPAC. Awkward! The Times has plenty of readers who take an interest in Israel so it is tough to duck this.

On the other hand, Alcee Hastings is the candidate of choice of the Congressional Black Caucus, and from time to time it has been clear that there is a bit of tension between blacks and Jews within the Democratic Party; with that in mind, the Times does not want to report on trouble in paradise two weeks before the ascension of Speaker Pelosi.

The result is some of the more passive "reporting" we are likely to see - here is the Times presenting All The News That Fits Their Storyline:

I just can't be repeating myself all the time - move on.

Anyway, I added the WaPo and the AP to buttress the Times on the dormant investigation.

[windansea]

wooohoo

TM has rebounded from his pre election lethargy and comes out swinging.

This reminds me of Jet Li in Unleashed

the collar is off

[PeterUK]

Sorry Clarice,you were on my mind.Who wants to talk to that wazzock Martin anyway?

[Semanticleo]

"As a Jersey guy"

Shoulda known. I'm bettin' you were closer to Bayonne than Tom's River.

[Martin]

Ok TM-I note your appendix-good job.

Tweaking the tweakers is the only thing bringing joy to my otherwise drab life.

[billy missle]

Oh, stop - you guys have "Oklahoma!", still one of the greatest Broadway show tunes ever. As a Jersey guy, I can tell you about "No Respect". (GO, Rutgers!)

Posted by: Tom Maguire | November 18, 2006 at 05:52 A
Oh Tom, Tom, Tom
There is a speeding, out of control Semi by the name of OSU coming down the highway..
Do you really want to send Rutgers out there to face them?
Just keep mutter'n 'no respect' and have a seat sir.
( gosh! That feels great to say when your team is great)
Just ribben ya Tom...great posts BTW.

[Daddy]

Gee, Billy Missle's only been here like 2 days, and already sportswise he's talking trash to the host. Welcome aboard Billy!

[Tom Maguire]

TM has rebounded from his pre election lethargy and comes out swinging.

I'm going to the gallows kicking and screaming! But wait 'til '08!

Tweaking the tweakers is the only thing bringing joy to my otherwise drab life.

An unexpected moment of solidarity here.

[Pofarmer]

this girls school behaivior is amusing your enemies and disconcerting your friends.

I didn't think we had any friends left anyway?!

[Daddy]

IIRC some guy named JackAss termed this blog "Officially Dead" a couple day's ago. As an Irishman I now Officially term this Blog's "Wake" in progress, commencing now and extending through at least the year 2050. Bartender please, another round of Guiness for TM and the JOM'ers. Go to Hell Duke.

[windansea]

I'm going to the gallows kicking and screaming! But wait 'til '08!

kinda fun being on offense isn't it?

[Don Meaker]

How interesting. Greenwald is commenting under his own name. Corrupt Democrat leadership push corrupt politicos onto their party (I-hire-illegal-aliens Pelosi recommends Abscam Murtha, and Easy-out Hastings).

Well, perhaps we can agree that massive concentration of power in the legislature seems to encourage corruption in the legislators?

When a few million buys a favorable law worth billions, why not buy a few corrupt legislators?

Perhaps we should shrink the government just a bit, with the intent of encouraging virtue in our public servants?

[Robin Roberts]

The main problem that the King of Sockpuppets has with Jane Harman is that she is an adult. The juveniles hate having to associate with adults.

[roanoke]

Glenn-

Joe Lieberman and Jane Harman - every neocon's favorite Democrats. That's why she won't be Chair of anything.

Let me translate what Glenn is saying to himself-

Joe "Jew" and Jane "Jewess" every warmonger Republican Jew's favorite Neo-Leper of the Democrat party. Yaka yaka I want to be a Boy from Brazil.

[Mister Snitch!]

I appreciate that Glenn hung out here and took his lumps, and that it didn't get TOO ugly (on either side). Props for that.

However:

"Joe Lieberman and Jane Harman - every neocon's favorite Democrats. That's why she won't be Chair of anything."

Nooooo. That's actually why Lieberman and Harman WILL be extremely influential Dems - because they can reach across the aisle and get things done. Further, they're equipped to lead the new, conservative crop of Dems.

Think they'll be marginalized, Glenn? Try it, and watch them marginalize you.

[roanoke]

Gee Glenn sounds to young to know the movie-

But here's a linky for him-

Boys from Brazil

Jung's synchronicity is alive and well.

[darcy_lane]

Are you talking about Glenn Greenwald sockpuppet master? Sorry, I just like to give the ol' Google engine as many links to Glenn Greenwald sockpuppet as possible, since he patrols his Wikipedia entry relentlessly trying to keep any mention of Glenn Greewald sockpuppet out of it. Everyone should use Glenn "Sockpuppet" Greenwald as his default name for just this reason :)

[PeterUK]

darcy lane,
Would that be Glenn "sockpuppet" Amazon best seller list,Boys From Brazil,Cabana Boys,Litigator,Greenwald ?

[Maggie45]

This thread is hilarious! I haven't had such a good laugh in days. Thanks.

[Steve White]

I realize that, this late in the thread, I may be picking nits: but seeing as the Dems just elected 232 of their own to the House, and minus Pelosi as Speaker that leaves 231 who could potentially chair a committee, if Harmon is somehow damaged goods, and Hastings is an impeached judge with no credibility whatsoever --

why not get one of the other 229 Dems to chair the friggin' committee?

Preferably someone without a criminal record, real or pending.

Just a thought.

[roanoke]

Peter-

Glenn doesn't know us very well-my favorite Democrat in the senate is Ben Nelson but that's just because I'm a pagan originally from Norway.

Doesn't really fit into Glenn's world view..

Bill Nelson too he runs a distant second.

[billy missle]

Thanks for the welcome Daddy..
Oh Tom.. Sorry about Rutgers losing tonight.
I know you are feeling bad..
I could never sleep the night after a losing day on the gridiron..Well, I never slept after a victory either..but that's another story.
Kind regards,
Billy Ray Missle

[Pink Pig]

Is this guy Greenwald an asshole or what?

Let me explain in simple terms: The Democrats campaigned and won, according to their own propaganda, on the issue of foreign policy. They are now responsible for whatever may happen. Period. Apparently, they (or at least some of their sycophants) want to change the subject.

It does not surprise me, or bother me, that Pelosi holds grudges. I couldn't care less. She can stand for whatever she chooses. We the voters will decide, the next time around, whether we like or dislike her approach to serious government. She could earn a lot of brownie points by supporting the Constitution, but it is unlikely that she will.

I think that she burned up an enormous amount of political capital (read: more than the election was worth) promoting a loser for Majority Leader. On the other hand, I can't recall in my lifetime a Speaker that had much to contribute to the country, nor do I know of one through the warped lenses of history.

[topsecretk9]

--Glenn Greenwald sockpuppet as possible, since he patrols his Wikipedia entry relentlessly trying to keep any mention of Glenn Greewald sockpuppet out of it. Everyone should use Glenn "Sockpuppet" Greenwald as his default name for just this reason :)--

Does Glenn Greenwald really patrol his wiki entry for sockpuppet mentions? Glenn Greenwald really polices his own wiki for sockpuppet mentions, that is...Glenn Greenwald polices the sock puppet mentions, himself? Really, why?

[topsecretk9]

-- The Democrats campaigned and won, according to their own propaganda, on the issue of foreign policy. They are now responsible for whatever may happen. Period.--

You are absolutely right...most of the Dems that won were conservative betters with a D next to their name....a factoid the lefty bloggers won't admit do to TownHouse message orders.

[topsecretk9]

Also Pink PIGGY

meant to add, that since the leftist of the nets want to proclaim that the vote was on Iraq -- with little evidence of it...they are by proxy owning Iraq now. Failure on the Dems watch?

Lefties don't get all failure in their soup bowl now -- UNLESS the grown-ups of the party prevail with a supportive plan.

[Jim Addison]

Off topic, but relevant to the comments: If you must use a sock puppet, consider altering your writing style so it won't be so obvious.

This strategy will help keep you from appearing pathetic, although it won't stop you from being pathetic.

[M. Simon]

Glenn doesn't understand that his party is fractured when it comes to the issue of the war. A lot of Democrats support Bush in whole or in part.

Take Smokin' Joe Lieberman.

[umm...Herbie Ellenberg Ellison Green...yeah...]

Jealous much Maguire?

Glenn Greenwald has the best selling book in the history of non-fiction, his blog is covered daily by the NYTimes, BBC, CNN, and LSMFT, it is read before and after the morning prayer in the Senate each morning, and federal regulators are considering rules that would make every internet browser worldwide default to his blog as a homepage. His dog is well trained and never gets ear infections, he gets weekly pedicures and his breath is minty fresh.

You fascist right-wing Nazi lunatics cannot begin to engage his intellectual points (usually they start in the 63rd paragraph or so, moron) much less scrub the floor he walks upon.

[M. Simon]

Martin,

Jeez, a Democrat supporting Israeli spies?

It is almost like you want to throw the Jews out of the party.

I, for one, think that is a GREAT IDEA.

Note to Democrats: demonize Jews as much as possible. Why? because they give too many votes and too much money to the Democrats.

The Democrats are not even in office and the fractures are propagating at the speed of sound. At one mile every 5 seconds it would take about 15,000 seconds to destroy the Democrat party across the nation. A little over 4 hours.

It is looking more and more like Republicans still control the House and Senate despite their election loss.

effin' magicians.

I'll post this here too:

Not a sprint, but a Marathon?

Late in the week I was prepared to declare Congressional Republicans winners of a perceived race to 'Stupid.' It appears this race, this mad rush to make ridiculously stupid decisions that negatively impact the prospects for both political parties moving forward might not be the 100-yd dash I thought it.

Glenn noted yesterday with this post, what he referred to as a Democrat "circular firing squad." Indeed:

FANS OF ALCEE HASTINGS are spreading rumors about Jane Harman that don't seem to be true. Tom Maguire is on the case, remarking: "let me offer a steaming mug of reality to the reality based community, from the NY Times, with helpful emphasis added."

I'll just note that, true or not, the Democrats don't seem to have waited long before descending into circular-firing-squad mode.

UPDATE: Plus, Ann Coulter acquires the power to bend space and time, and incidentally to turn lefty bloggers into Emily Litella. Well, it's not the first time that's happened.

The TM post is especially interesting reading as it devolves into a bizarre little contest in the comments, featuring a cameo by the King of the Sockpuppets himself, Glenn Greenwald with a rehashing of old arguments that nobody's making about Jane Harman as head of the Intelligence Committee.

So apparently this race to be the dumbest leaders in Congress will be longer than I thought. Just when I was ready to declare the Republicans as the winner, we enter turn 2 and see the Dems about to retake the lead.

How will it all end?

http://mydogsaresmarter.blogspot.com/2006/11/not-sprint