A Democratic staffer has had his access to classified info restricted while an investigation unfolds into whether he was a source of the leak of parts of a National Intelligence Estimate to the NY Times last September.
From the Times itself:
The Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Representative Peter Hoekstra, has banned a Democratic staff member from access to classified information because he suspects the staff member may have leaked a national intelligence estimate to The New York Times last month, a committee spokesman said Thursday night.
The spokesman, Jamal D. Ware, said the staff member had requested a copy of the intelligence estimate, on terrorism, from the office of the director of national intelligence, John D. Negroponte.
He received the document on Sept. 21, two days before the Sept. 23 article in The Times.
Mr. Ware said that while there was no evidence that the staff member had leaked the document, the “coincidence” of timing led to the suspension.
He said that while an internal investigation was conducted the staff member, whom he declined to name, was not permitted to enter the committee’s secure space or review classified documents.
Democrats on the committe are outraged, as well they might be:
Democrats say the Republican head of the House Intelligence Committee had no grounds to suspend a staff member who's come under scrutiny for the leak of a secret intelligence assessment.
...The Intelligence Committee's top Democrat, Jane Harman of California, wrote to Hoekstra that she was "appalled" by his action, which was "without basis." She has demanded that Hoekstra "immediately reinstate the staffer's access to classified information."
Yeah, yeah, Jane Harman - she is the ranking Democrat now, but it has been reported that Nancy Pelosi, en route to her own position a while back, cut a deal with the Congressional Black Caucus to move Alcee Hastings up to the Chairmanship. And why not? It's only national security we are talking about. Michael Barone is cogent on Ms. Harman's problems (and did you know she was a self-financing Dem because of her hubby? I hear that now.)
Of course, Pelosi may not have the votes to pull this off, if we can believe the Wash Times. Dems in but Pelosi out? That would brighten a grim November.
MORE: Here is what ought to be a permalink into the NY Times archive for the original article. The sourcing is mentioned as follows:
More than a dozen United States government officials and outside experts were interviewed for this article, and all spoke only on condition of anonymity because they were discussing a classified intelligence document. The officials included employees of several government agencies, and both supporters and critics of the Bush administration. All of those interviewed had either seen the final version of the document or participated in the creation of earlier drafts. These officials discussed some of the document’s general conclusions but not details, which remain highly classified.
The Times makes the same point in their follow-up, which identifies the staffer as Larry Hanauer and tells us this:
Mr. Hanauer, who joined the committee staff last year after working for the Defense Department and the Booz Allen Hamilton, the consulting firm, remains on the panel payroll and retains his security clearance.
We knew all that, and more.
STILL MORE: TIME reports that Jane Harman is being investigated for engaging in politics while trying to save her seniority.
Jane, the hit counter jumped 300 hits in the first 5 minutes. Whew!
Posted by: Sara (Squiggler) | October 20, 2006 at 08:22 PM
You're everywhere, Squig. Gateway has you linked too. ::grin::
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 08:23 PM
Sue, I got the impression that his suspension was at least a couple of days ago, so they have had plenty of time. Is there a smell of Rovian hands and real October surprises?
Posted by: Sara (Squiggler) | October 20, 2006 at 08:24 PM
So now the Dems will cry entrapment?
Posted by: roanoke | October 20, 2006 at 05:19 PM
you must be refering to a post next to mine earlier about a possible trapping of him by a setup leak...wasn't a post I did.
However to answer I don't think entrapment will fly.
To many sting operations for example, and I don't think this is a setup, just good forensic work.
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 08:25 PM
I want you all to know that whatever I do that concerns leaks and leakers, a subject I am very interested in, I owe to all of you. So keep the info coming. I am upholding not only my own, but JOM's honor here, as you will notice with my link back to this post.
Thanks everyone.
I am floating right now, like a little kid, to tell the truth.
Posted by: Sara (Squiggler) | October 20, 2006 at 08:27 PM
Hanauer is going to be indicted within 24 monkey business hours,see Loose Lips v Lips Sealed.
Posted by: Jason Leoplod | October 20, 2006 at 08:28 PM
I got the impression that his suspension was at least a couple of days ago
I read that, but his name was revealed several hours ago. Still no denial from him, from Jane or anyone. If this goes on much longer, I'll take it by their silence he is the one who leaked to the NYTs. The only question remaining will be did he leak at Harman's request or do it on his own?
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 08:28 PM
Everyone remember there have been a lot of leaks in the last year related to the WOT. My guess is that the Justice Department has a live investigation in the works and that the FBI has a bunch of wiretaps out there to pick up some of this stuff. Time will tell.
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 08:29 PM
Sue
Sara has a Pelosi response letter on her site, so this has to be a few days old. Pelosi ain't that fast.
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 08:32 PM
On Fox News earlier:
Rep. LaHood “I’ll tell you why I did it. The reason I did it was because Jane Harman released the Duke Cunningham — who sat on our Intelligence committee — report.”
FNC: “So, it’s payback?”
LaHood “There are some of us on the other side who can equally play politics, and I’m not afraid to do it.”
Posted by: Lamont P | October 20, 2006 at 08:33 PM
Why did he get a constitutional lawyer and not a criminal lawyer--big mistake I think.
As far as I know, there is a gj in D.C> still investigating leaks.
Now we should start gathering up all those preposterous claims about Plame and compare them..ROFL
Posted by: clarice | October 20, 2006 at 08:36 PM
Sara-
Thanks it's hard to remember that stuff and the press won't cover that
When AJ first linked to this story at the Washington Post he did the link wrong so I was trying to find the story on my own at their website and it was absolutely buried.
Thinking about that I just happened on this piece by Investor's Business Daily-
Our national media have become the national mouthpiece and protective watchdog for the Democratic Party and its agenda. Eighty-six percent of journalists vote Democratic in presidential elections. More than 300 key media posts are held by former aides, advisers, speechwriters, strategists or Democratic National Committee officials from Democratic administrations or political campaigns -- near monopolistic control.
[...]
Even a plurality of Democrats now say the press is liberal."
By far, the most insidious practice of the nearly 90% liberal-controlled national media is how they select which stories and facts to cover and promote, and the special slant they give to each story. More important are the stories they choose not to cover and which facts they omit because they don't support their story angle or political objectives.
Can You Trust the National Media
Posted by: roanoke | October 20, 2006 at 08:37 PM
Roanoke
Alcee Hastings is a member of Black Caucus. He represents the area south of Miami I think. He was a sitting federal judge and was impeached by the House and convicted in the Senate and removed from the bench. Democrats were so appalled by his behavior they removed him as a judge and then promptly elected him to the House. Sound like the kind of guy you want on the Intelligence Committee? How about chairman of the intelligence committee?
Posted by: Gary Maxwell | October 20, 2006 at 08:37 PM
Roanoke
Alcee Hastings is a member of the Black Caucus. He represents the area south of Miami I think. He was a sitting federal judge and was impeached by the House and convicted in the Senate and removed from the bench. One of only a handful of judges in the history of the country to have that occur. Democrats were so appalled by his behavior they removed him as a judge( they were the majority in the House and Senate and then promptly elected him to the House. Sound like the kind of guy you want on the Intelligence Committee? How about chairman of the intelligence committee?
Posted by: Gary Maxwell | October 20, 2006 at 08:38 PM
We haven't lawyered that comon sense approach out of government have we?
You know, that was so dry it took a second to get the joke.
Posted by: Charlie (Colorado) | October 20, 2006 at 08:38 PM
--My guess is that the Justice Department has a live investigation in the works and that the FBI has a bunch of wiretaps out there to pick up some of this stuff. Time will tell.--
That could be...they had in on Curt Weldon!
I recall that Jack Kelly had an article several months ago alleging he heard Mary McCarthy was singing like a bird and not much from Russ Tice after his appearance.
Posted by: topsecretk9 | October 20, 2006 at 08:39 PM
Part of the reason this was easier so far than the ex pages, is so much of the info is from sites that are not likely to go poof on us.
I had some ex page stuff that I went there one night and it was scrubbed by the morning.
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 08:40 PM
Sara,
Time to order the mink keyboard cover.
Posted by: PeterUK | October 20, 2006 at 08:42 PM
--However to answer I don't think entrapment will fly.
To many sting operations for example, and I don't think this is a setup, just good forensic work--
What? The 'they gave me the classified document so it's their fault" defense?
Posted by: topsecretk9 | October 20, 2006 at 08:47 PM
http://americanthinker.com/comments.php?comments_id=6399 (posted this on the other thread before it was online, but it belongs here, too.)
Posted by: clarice | October 20, 2006 at 08:49 PM
Peter, forget the mink, I need to save my house.
Posted by: Pal2Pal (Sara) | October 20, 2006 at 08:51 PM
Slim Guy-
Well you know -won't keep them from crying/trying it...
Gary Maxwell-
One of only a handful of judges in the history of the country to have that occur.
So he's especially "gifted"?
No, he doesn't sound like a guy to trust with the valuables. Democrats promote their best...
Charlie(Colorado)-
Well in an "abundance of caution" I had to ask. ;-)...
Posted by: roanoke | October 20, 2006 at 08:51 PM
If all congress critters were required to list on a staff page on their website a list of and job title of all their staffers and a list of past staffers and positions, it would make all of this a whole lot easier.
But like I posted in the prior thread, the only site I know that tracks all staffers is a subscription only site and costs $1900.00 per year.
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 08:52 PM
What? The 'they gave me the classified document so it's their fault" defense?
It just might work, Top. When you have the media whoring for you.
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 08:52 PM
Well you can smell the excuses now-
It all depends on the meaning of the word "classified".
And,
It was unclassifed before I knew it was classified.
{Well catch you all later-I'm off to look at real estate in Australia...}
Posted by: roanoke | October 20, 2006 at 09:00 PM
Jonathan Turley was a House page from 1977 to 1978.
Posted by: Neo | October 20, 2006 at 09:01 PM
Good job, Ms Sara!
Posted by: MayBee | October 20, 2006 at 09:03 PM
Off topic, but I always liked http://www.powers-point.com/Kirsten Powers when I see her on O'Reilly. I didn't know she had a blog. I'm glad I peeked.
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 09:11 PM
http://www.powers-point.com/>Kirsten Powers. Sorry, I screwed up the link.
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 09:12 PM
roanoke,
I wanna hear about the RE in OZ.
Posted by: Jane | October 20, 2006 at 09:16 PM
Peter, forget the mink, I need to save my house.
Posted by: Sara | October 20, 2006 at 05:51 PM
Sara
If worse comes to worse you can sell your house for 1/2 it's market value and move near your daughter and buy a mansion and still have money left over.
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 09:18 PM
Sue,
Last time I saw Powers I thought "for a democrat operative she isn't that bad". But that last post on her weblog could put her job at risk.
Posted by: Jane | October 20, 2006 at 09:19 PM
Sara,
Fantastic! I sure hope it helps with the house and the back.
All,
It was so refreshing reading this thread. Did you notice? No anonymous. LOL
Posted by: Specter | October 20, 2006 at 09:20 PM
Sue
Check out Hotair today, they have a foursome takeoff on the View and she is one of the members in the panel.
This is their second vblog together.
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 09:24 PM
Specter -- Sshhhhh! Don't temp fate.
Clarice -- Turley's bio has this:
Current Semester Courses: Environmental Crimes Project, Environmental Law Clinic, Environmental Legislation Proj, Prisoners Project, Torts
Have any idea what the Prisoners Project might be?
Posted by: Pal2Pal (Sara) | October 20, 2006 at 09:25 PM
It was so refreshing reading this thread. Did you notice? No anonymous. LOL
Posted by: Specter | October 20, 2006 at 06:20 PM
If he shows up now, I'm coming after you with a nerf bat ::grin::
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 09:26 PM
Jane,
I thought the same thing. She is too nice to be a democratic operative. And on that note, I also will reveal I like Bob Beckel. ::grin:: He will communicate with you, via email, and very politely and humorously, I might add, if you object to something he says as being just flat out incorrect.
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 09:28 PM
Sara:"The Project for Older Prisoners
Faculty Supervisor: Jonathan Turley
The Project for Older Prisoners (POPS) encompasses a number of prison projects in which students are involved as volunteers or work for academic credit. Some students assist individual low-risk prisoners over the age of 55 to help them obtain paroles, pardons, or alternative forms of incarceration. In a typical case, a student will prepare an extensive background report on a prisoner to determine the likelihood of recidivism. If the risk is low, the student will then locate housing and support for the prisoner and help prepare the case for a parole hearing. Other students are involved in a Prison Environmentalism project that is working to introduce recycling and environmental industries in prisons. POPS also runs a "Books for Crooks" program to help build prison libraries, while another project involves students in a study of the federal prison system and the sentencing guidelines for the U.S. Sentencing Commission."
Posted by: clarice | October 20, 2006 at 09:29 PM
Have any idea what the Prisoners Project might be?
Posted by: Sara | October 20, 2006 at 06:25 PM
It relates to issues concerning senior citizen prisoners are served in the system, alzheymer treatment, geratric care etc
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 09:29 PM
"""""Have you people learned nothing from the infamous Schiavo memo affair"""""
What I have learned from watching the infamous Schiavo affair and other activities
by leftists. A decent person can never feel
safe around leftists. They claim that murder
of unborn children or murder of helpless adults is OK. They claim foreign terrorists must be given all the rights of an American
citizen, but American soldiers must be stripped and humiliated in American airports. That American soldiers who actually do have to fight the enemy will also have to fight for their lives with the
American leftists, who would not lift a finger to defend America, but will do every thing they can to destroy Americans who fight for us.
I've learned that Democrat leaders who
wrote the plans to use school buses to evacuate persons in case of need in New Orleans, not only did not have the decency to implement their own plan, but blamed national leaders for their own failure.
I've learned that leftist will give any
classified material to anyone, as long as they promise to use it against the United
States. The current document is by by no means the first leak America has seen,
I learned that leftists think it's OK
to sit on North Vietnam AAA guns and proclaim your love for America's enemies.
One can also fly to Paris and meet with the
enemy. So what if millions of people that believed Americans, when we told them we would protect them, died. It's all for the
good of the leftists. Just fly over to Iraq and defend a mass murderer, or promote the fraud of an election in Venezuala.
In short, I've learned never to trust a leftist or Democrat and I hope enough others have learned the same things, to give our
American leaders the support they deserve
on Nov 7th
Posted by: pagar | October 20, 2006 at 09:31 PM
Prisoners Project is probably some barry Scheck off-shoot, or something to do with rehabilitation. That's what most of them are, and most of them are good.
Specter I was just thinking the exact same thing, but I'd rather it be on your head!
Posted by: Jane | October 20, 2006 at 09:31 PM
For a party set to take over the house, at the very least, in November, the left side of the blogosphere is strangely not that optimistic. I have been dumpster diving and I must say, their tone is not one of sweeping in November.
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 09:32 PM
It keeps getting better.
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
Posted by: Neo | October 20, 2006 at 09:42 PM
I have been dumpster diving and I must say, their tone is not one of sweeping in November.
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 06:32 PM
If you want to see how they are thinking without slumming, recommend you add this to your read list
http://dummiefunnies.blogspot.com
Good satire and summary site
worth the look.
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 09:47 PM
And Ted Olson is her lawyer. Wow
Posted by: Jane | October 20, 2006 at 09:47 PM
A Prison Project as described is something I would support. Sounds like a very sensible project. If we think housing prisoners is expensive today, wait until all these harsh life sentences reach their senior years.
Posted by: Pal2Pal (Sara) | October 20, 2006 at 09:50 PM
Sue
Thats funny but I have been feeling a growing sense of optimism last several days too. The Dems hoped to make Republican mistakes and scandal the whole topic of conversation. But being Democrats they overplayed their hand AGAIN and showed their tin ear on stuff like outing Gays ( they should have had several Sister Souljah moments with this Powers guy among other things ). In other words I think they have reminded voters why they threw the Dems out in the first place.
Look Menendez is knee deep in corruption, Dems are saying nothing about Intelligence leaks but screaming about restricted access by one staffer, and any time the spotlight goes on Alcee Hastings for goodness sake it cant be a positive for the Democrat party.
Is 2008 only two years away? Yikes, its really going to be ugly the next two years. Book it, the Dems will convince themselves once again that their birthright was stolen from them.
I almost wish for a unity candidate that can draw big independent support and just crush them so that they go and lick their wounds and start coming up with ideas and candidates I can support. But the unity candidate that the media would love, just turns my stomach.
Posted by: Gary Maxwell | October 20, 2006 at 09:51 PM
Hanauer is the alumni class president for the 95 class at Fletcher School of Law and Diplomancy at Tufts University.
http://rlt.freeservers.com/fletcher95.htm#MAINMENU
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 09:54 PM
Barone as only Barone can do, tells the American people about the leakers:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/baroneblog/archives/061020/that_nie_leak_l.htm>Intelligence Leak
Posted by: Gary Maxwell | October 20, 2006 at 09:59 PM
Slim,
LOL. Thanks. That was priceless!
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 09:59 PM
Thats funny but I have been feeling a growing sense of optimism last several days too.
You get a lot of stolen elections and several are crunching the polls, seeing what the right is seeing. The polls are skewed. Talk of hanging tough, pulling it out, etc. Not what you expect after you read the MSM.
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 10:02 PM
Hanauer also worked for Joseph Crowley NY 7th
From a report on Securing NewYork to the Office of the President
Finally, I must acknowledge the extraordinary work by my staff in Washington and
New York to put together symposia and meetings, discuss security issues with
constituents, and compile this report. Special thanks go to Larry Hanauer, a
Department of Defense Legislative Fellow in my office, who provided invaluable
research and analysis on the full range of homeland security issues.
________
With this job he surely would have developed contacts with the NYT.
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 10:04 PM
Rodney Alexander's office being sued for http://www.rollcall.com/issues/1_1/breakingnews/15583-1.html>Sexual Harassment.
Have you already discussed this?
I'm going to pretend it's Danielle whats-her-name doing the suing.
Posted by: MayBee | October 20, 2006 at 10:05 PM
Gary,
I saw what Barone saw. Harman was one of the few democrats I could still stomach. Until this past year. The left has seriously ruined some good democrats.
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 10:05 PM
Gary -- Start watching Mitt Romney. Everywhere he speaks, people leave as big fans. He is brilliant, he has a great track record, especially when it comes to economic matters, and he isn't really tainted by the Washington infighting. I love the guy, myself and intend to support him if he runs. I really think he can be the bridge back after Clinton and Bush divisiveness. He is someone everyone can get behind. And good looking too.
Posted by: Pal2Pal (Sara) | October 20, 2006 at 10:07 PM
You get contacts with the NYT at the Willard hotel bar right down the street from the Capital. Lobbyists, eager beaver staffers and the occasional congresscritter plus the media all at the watering hole swapping lies. He dont need the NY congressman, but it certainly does not hurt to know them sober.
Posted by: Gary Maxwell | October 20, 2006 at 10:07 PM
Did Tom do us all a favor and ban a certain someone? I won't use that certain someone's name because it has been mentioned 2x and I am not sure Beetlejuice was a myth.
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 10:08 PM
I'm going to pretend it's Danielle whats-her-name doing the suing.
Posted by: MayBee | October 20, 2006 at 07:05 PM
Well it could be Foley too
Sarcasm off
LOL
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 10:10 PM
Voldemort?
Posted by: Gary Maxwell | October 20, 2006 at 10:11 PM
http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=5569487>Duncan Hunter calls on Pentagon to remove CNN embeds, citing "C-N-N has now served as the publicist for an enemy propaganda film featuring the killing of an American soldier."
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 10:12 PM
Sue
It's Friday evening, maybe it's out trolling for it's gender of choice instead.
Man does not live by trolling alone , and all that.
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 10:13 PM
What law would be violated by getting interest groups to lobby for placing a Congress person as a committee chair?
I can't think of any.
Posted by: clarice | October 20, 2006 at 10:14 PM
-- LaHood, by the way, is not necessarily a partisan spear chucker; --
via Barone...this made me laugh. Gunslinger?
----
Gary,
I saw what Barone saw. Harman was one of the few democrats I could still stomach. Until this past year. The left has seriously ruined some good democrats.
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 07:05 PM
---
Yeah, me too. Sounds like she was hamhanded into being dirty if she wanted to stay where she was, and that Time Mag. article smells weird too. (a little like a train throwing maybe?)
Posted by: topsecretk9 | October 20, 2006 at 10:17 PM
Anyone else have the sneaking suspicion that polls have been lying to us and that the MSM has been making up a meme out of whole cloth? That would be that Republicans are dispirited and are staying home in droves or worse even voting Democrat.
RNC chairman Ken Melhman disputes it and has some data to back it up. Man the cognitive dissonance that will hit the Kossacks if the GOP voters turn out in force again will be priceless to watch.
Here is Melhman:
http://www.gop.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=6665>Dont Believe everything you read
Posted by: Gary Maxwell | October 20, 2006 at 10:19 PM
I linked the Time piece but with the caveat to take it with a grain of salt. I do not trust them or their information since the Haditha article.
Posted by: Pal2Pal (Sara) | October 20, 2006 at 10:21 PM
Glenn Reynolds mentioned this morning that he voted early at one of the Early Poll places in his District and that they were so busy, the poll worker remarked that it was like a Presidential year. We are getting the same feedback out here in Riverside County, but they may an Arnold thing, although now that he is up by nearly 20 points, who knows.
Posted by: Pal2Pal (Sara) | October 20, 2006 at 10:24 PM
You know, the left doesn't have our secret weapon. And I'm not talking about Karl Rove. Our very own Larwyn. She is everywhere. There is not a conservative blog out there that hasn't hat tipped her.
Keep on keepin' on, Larwyn. ::grin::
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 10:24 PM
Money paragraph for those who wont click a link late on a Friday:
Despite the media hype, an examination of all the facts makes it clear: the Republican base is active and engaged. No matter how you measure it—whether by record-breaking fundraising, unprecedented volunteerism, or scientific polling—the numbers show that Republicans understand the importance of the choice we all face on November 7.
Posted by: Gary Maxwell | October 20, 2006 at 10:25 PM
Whew! I'm tired. That should read:
...Riverside County, CA, but that may be an Arnold thing,...
Posted by: Pal2Pal (Sara) | October 20, 2006 at 10:26 PM
Sue, I have an email sitting here right now that she just sent around about Kennedy working with the Russians to hurt Ronald Reagan.
Posted by: Pal2Pal (Sara) | October 20, 2006 at 10:28 PM
Here is more on Hunter calling for CNN to jerk their people:
SAN DIEGO The chair of the House Armed Services Committee asked the Pentagon today to remove C-N-N reporters embedded with U-S combat units.
The network televised portions of a video on Wednesday showing insurgent snipers targeting U-S military personnel.
Executives said the tape came to the network unexpectedly through contact with an insurgent leader.
Representative Duncan Hunter wrote in his letter that, quote, "C-N-N has now served as the publicist for an enemy propaganda film featuring the killing of an American soldier."
San Diego-area Republicans Darrell Issa and Brian Bilbray also signed the letter.
C-N-N executives defended their decision to air the footage, saying its news value outweighed other concerns.
Posted by: Terrye | October 20, 2006 at 10:29 PM
Tom: You're gonna LOVE this:
http://newsbusters.org/node/8468
Cindy Sheehan, Paid By Kerry Campaign? Authors Say Yes on Fox News
Posted by Tim Graham on October 20, 2006 - 07:29.
Cindy Sheehan became an instant liberal-media celebrity when she held a vigil outside President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas and demanded to meet with him (a second time) over the death of her son Casey in Iraq. But is the liberal media only about creating the legend and leaving the negative details out? MRC's Justin McCarthy reported that on Wednesday's "Fox and Friends," Melanie Morgan and Catherine Moy, authors of the book American Mourning, said they found Sheehan was paid by John Kerry's campaign in 2004 to speak out against President Bush. Said Morgan:
"We have Federal Election Commission documents. I mean we went to an extensive research, we followed the money, that's how you always figure out what's going on...We found that John Kerry and Michael Moore personally recruited Gold Star family members just within days and sometimes even at the funerals of their sons to come and work for the campaign in order to undermine the candidacy of George W. Bush at the time. It was shocking and, and really offensive behavior and that's exactly what happened to Cindy Sheehan who we tracked down. She went on the payroll of John Kerry's campaign within days after her son's death as well as her daughter Carly. Ultimately, there was a split between the two because she felt that John Kerry wasn't radical enough and didn't have an anti-war agenda that matched hers."
The authors also appeared on Tuesday's "Hannity & Colmes" to make their charge:
"It was John Kerry's political campaign, John Kerry personally, along with Michael Moore, went to Cindy Sheehan just days and a couple of weeks after the death of her son and asked her to make a commercial for him.And they did the same thing, political operatives, they asked the other families."
This is a pretty explosive charge for the rest of the Sheehan-promoting media to ignore.
Posted by: Dale in Atlanta | October 20, 2006 at 10:30 PM
Gary
I have too many references to link
Hear is the readers digest version.
The early polls always historically show a liberal bias and close up nearer to the election. The last three poles are the most accurate since they need to maintain enough credibility to sell their services in the next election cycle.
The MSM defeatist cut and run voter meme is just pure dirty trick voter supression.
Have you seen one story of dem voters staying home because of the Nutroots takeover of their party.
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 10:31 PM
This is a pretty explosive charge for the rest of the Sheehan-promoting media to ignore.
Posted by: Dale in Atlanta | October 20, 2006 at 07:30 PM
Wonder if the Jersey Girls were on the payroll?
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 10:35 PM
I should have said CNN is supposed to jerk their people OUT, that sounded a tad racey..
Where is anonymous? Did someone bound and gag it and lock it in a closet?
Sara, congratulations for the link. Glenn is not my favorite person but it never hurts to get an instalaunch.
I also noticed a change in Harman this past year. I always thought she was so rational.
Posted by: Terrye | October 20, 2006 at 10:35 PM
It keeps getting better.
I wonder if stories about attempts to have Pelosi shunted aside as future Speaker, and players in that, could tie into Pelosi somehow having a role in this. From that Time article:
But congressional sources say Pelosi has been infuriated by pressure from some major donors lobbying on behalf of Harman. In a story touching on tensions between Pelosi and Harman, an alternative California publication, LA Weekly, reported in May that Harman "had some major contributors call Pelosi to impress upon her the importance of keeping Jane in place. According to these members, this tactic, too, hasn't endeared Harman to Pelosi."
How well does Pelosi know LaHood? Anyway, I understand the staffer's attorney spent seven hours today with newly-assigned prosecutor Gerald Fitzpatrick, with the upshot being that his already-sealed indictment might go away if he spills the goods on who used the phrase "document spill" at a dinner the Clintons threw for George Soros and Harman. Word.
Posted by: hrtshpdbox | October 20, 2006 at 10:36 PM
Did Tom do us all a favor and ban a certain someone?
Not likely. Tis the time of the nocturnal again and the menacing, anonymous creatures of the night are plying their sundry and sordid trades far from the revealing glow of the cathode ray and the keyboard.
Either that or his local library closed and mom wants him home before dark.
Posted by: Barney Frank | October 20, 2006 at 10:37 PM
C-N-N executives defended their decision to air the footage, saying its news value outweighed other concerns.
Posted by: Terrye | October 20, 2006 at 07:29 PM
As usual I am listening to the delayed Rush broadcast streaming off his website and he is ripping CNN a new one.
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 10:38 PM
I also noticed a change in Harman this past year. I always thought she was so rational.
Posted by: Terrye | October 20, 2006 at 07:35 PM
Catching some indications that Pelosi did some armtwisting with threat of committee position removal if she didn't pick up the pace.
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 10:43 PM
I also will reveal I like Bob Beckel.
He is so much better than he used to be; still a partisan, sure, but so much more relaxed and amiable about it. When I see him on panels now I always look forward to his take on issues.
Posted by: hrtshpdbox | October 20, 2006 at 10:45 PM
Media Bias? What Media Bias?
Say What?
You should read it. It's about all the recent violence in Baghdad.
Posted by: Pofarmer | October 20, 2006 at 10:47 PM
Barney -- This caught his handlers by surprise. They haven't regrouped yet and given him the talking points, doncha' know. Just ask our local dumpster diver.
Posted by: Sara (Squiggler) | October 20, 2006 at 10:49 PM
After Pat's Birthday
Posted on Oct 19, 2006
By Kevin Tillman
It is Pat's birthday on November 6, and elections are the day after. It gets me thinking about a conversation I had with Pat before we joined the military. He spoke about the risks with signing the papers. How once we committed, we were at the mercy of the American leadership and the American people. How we could be thrown in a direction not of our volition. How fighting as a soldier would leave us without a voice... until we get out.
Much has happened since we handed over our voice:
Somehow we were sent to invade a nation because it was a direct threat to the American people, or to the world, or harbored terrorists, or was involved in the September 11 attacks, or received weapons-grade uranium from Niger, or had mobile weapons labs, or WMD, or had a need to be liberated, or we needed to establish a democracy, or stop an insurgency, or stop a civil war we created that can't be called a civil war even though it is. Something like that.
Somehow our elected leaders were subverting international law and humanity by setting up secret prisons around the world, secretly kidnapping people, secretly holding them indefinitely, secretly not charging them with anything, secretly torturing them. Somehow that overt policy of torture became the fault of a few "bad apples" in the military.
Somehow back at home, support for the soldiers meant having a five-year-old kindergartener scribble a picture with crayons and send it overseas, or slapping stickers on cars, or lobbying Congress for an extra pad in a helmet. It's interesting that a soldier on his third or fourth tour should care about a drawing from a five-year-old; or a faded sticker on a car as his friends die around him; or an extra pad in a helmet, as if it will protect him when an IED throws his vehicle 50 feet into the air as his body comes apart and his skin melts to the seat.
Somehow nobody is accountable for this.
In a democracy, the policy of the leaders is the policy of the people. So don't be shocked when our grandkids bury much of this generation as traitors to the nation, to the world and to humanity. Most likely, they will come to know that "somehow" was nurtured by fear, insecurity and indifference, leaving the country vulnerable to unchecked, unchallenged parasites.
Luckily this country is still a democracy. People still have a voice. People still can take action. It can start after Pat's birthday.
Brother and Friend of Pat Tillman,
Kevin Tillman
[Editor's note: Kevin Tillman joined the Army with his brother Pat in 2002, and they served together in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pat was killed in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004. Kevin was discharged in 2005.]
Posted by: Nitpicker | October 20, 2006 at 10:50 PM
I think the Democrats went too far and I wonder if the Republicans might have laid a trap for them.
I also wonder if the NYT might have talked? I understand there was some talk of going after them. The Supreme Court might get decide when publishing classified information in a time of war is acceptable.
Posted by: Terrye | October 20, 2006 at 10:52 PM
This from a post by Tom Hayden over at Huffington post
It must have been embarrassing for Rep. Jane Harman to read the front page of the Times this week that Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi "intends to force Harman to step down" from her slot on the House Intelligence Committee, partly because of "concern among Democrats that Harman is too moderate and inclined to accomodate the Republican agenda."
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 10:55 PM
hrtshpodbox:Are you kidding? If not, what's your source?
Posted by: clarice | October 20, 2006 at 10:57 PM
The Supreme Court might get decide when publishing classified information in a time of war is acceptable.
I can just imagine Nat Hentoff's caterwauling about something like that.
Posted by: hrtshpdbox | October 20, 2006 at 10:58 PM
What is the date on that, Slim?
Posted by: Sara (Squiggler) | October 20, 2006 at 10:58 PM
as traitors to the nation
Can't disagree with him on that. By the time the liberal media and academia get through with Bush, Saddam will be the hero and Bush another Hitler. Oh, nevermind. I forgot it has already happened.
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2006 at 11:00 PM
Furthur run on the Hayden piece about why Pelosi moved on the issue
Like Joseph Lieberman in the Senate, Harman was a forceful hawk on Iraq when Democrats were trying find a way out. Pelosi seemed protect her status. Maxine Waters finally broke with Pelosi over Iraq, and formed an Out of Iraq congressional caucus, now enrolling some 70 members. One of Waters' first speeches after forming the caucus happened to be in Venice, a frustrated progressive enclave in Harman's district. In response to a question, Waters spontaneously called on the residents to vote against Harman. It was a breach of the usual incumbent protection ethos, revealing the depth of divisions within the party itself.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-hayden/why-jane-harman-should-be_b_21306.html
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 11:02 PM
Nitpicker:
What are we supposed to say to that?
I respect the man and I am sorry for his loss but I know a lot of men who went to Iraq and do not feel that way. Don't they count?
And of course people are accountable. Every day they are accountable.
Unless they are part of the Clinton administration. I was thinking today how Bill played such a big part in this and somehow he comes out smelling like a rose. I was also thinking about Kaddafi giving up his nuclear program and Kahn being shut down and how that would not have happened if not for the war in Iraq. Ever seen what a nuclear bomb can do to someone?
I do resent people acting as if I want to see these guys get killed. I have relatives who have served in Iraq and I don't want their skin melted or their bodies destroyed. But they are part of a voluntary military and this is a war. That is why they are there. The military is dangerous anytime, even in peace. And the numbers of fatalities in Iraq are the lowest of any major military operation in our history.
That is no comfort to anyone who has someone, I realize that.
Posted by: Terrye | October 20, 2006 at 11:03 PM
What is the date on that, Slim?
Posted by: Sara (Squiggler) | October 20, 2006 at 07:58 PM
the article was on 5/19 posted the link in the prior post
Posted by: SlimGuy | October 20, 2006 at 11:05 PM
hrtshpodbox:Are you kidding? If not, what's your source?
Yes, completely kidding, my dumb joke, sorry. The quote from the linked story just led me to some vivid imaginings of the "anything is possible" variety.
Posted by: hrtshpdbox | October 20, 2006 at 11:06 PM
*THWACK* (I figured you were kidding.)
Posted by: clarice | October 20, 2006 at 11:10 PM
Waters went into Harman's district and told her contituents to vote against her. What an insult. Breach is saying it mildly.
Posted by: Sara (Squiggler) | October 20, 2006 at 11:13 PM
This is long and OT, but I know JOMers will be interested and Tom can turn it into its own topic.
Posted by: Sara (Squiggler) | October 20, 2006 at 11:18 PM
--She went on the payroll of John Kerry's campaign within days after her son's death as well as her daughter Carly. --
And the duaghter? Geez...rmemeber Kerry paid for a WIlson webiste too.
--Waters went into Harman's district and told her contituents to vote against her. What an insult. Breach is saying it mildly.
Posted by: Sara (Squiggler) | October 20, 2006 at 08:13 PM--
This could be options B...since straight up rabid dog act ala Lieberman seems to have backfired
Posted by: topsecretk9 | October 20, 2006 at 11:22 PM
The Vietnam War Crimes You Never Heard Of
By Nick Turse
Mr. Turse is a Columbia University graduate student completing a dissertation on American war crimes during the Vietnam War.
On October 19, 2003, the Ohio-based newspaper the Toledo Blade launched a four-day series of investigative reports exposing a string of atrocities by an elite, volunteer, 45-man "Tiger Force" unit of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division over the course of seven months in 1967. The Blade goes on to state that in 1971 the Army began a four and a half year investigation of the alleged torture of prisoners, rapes of civilian women, the mutilation of bodies and killing of anywhere from nine to well over one hundred unarmed civilians, among other acts. The articles further report that the Army's inquiry concluded that eighteen U.S. soldiers committed war crimes ranging from murder and assault to dereliction of duty. However, not one of the soldiers, even of those still on active duty at the time of the investigation, was ever court martialed in connection with the heinous crimes. Moreover, six suspected war criminals were allowed to resign from military service during the criminal investigations specifically to avoid prosecution.
[George Mason University, History News Network]
Posted by: Nitpicker | October 20, 2006 at 11:26 PM
That's not off topic at all, Sara, after all - it's the same party and the same tactics. Sedition is much more than skin deep.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | October 20, 2006 at 11:28 PM
Another meaningless post. Imagine the amount of cutting and pasting it would take to document all the war crimes of the VC and the Khmer Rouge. But no one cares about that.
Posted by: Terrye | October 20, 2006 at 11:30 PM