Posted on 12/03/2011 2:38:17 PM PST by Qbert
The furor over Operation Fast and Furious has already put a shadow over the political future of prominent Arizona Democrat and former U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke, as POLITICO reported back in August when he resigned the prosecutor's post under pressure.
That shadow grew significantly darker and longer on Friday with the release of internal Justice Department documents in which Burke excoriated the "Gun Lobby" (presumably, the National Rifle Association) as well as its "stooges," among whom he counted Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).
Here's one of Burke's e-mails on the subject, included in my story last night on the latest Fast and Furious document dump:
“What is so offensive about this whole project is that Grassley’s staff, acting as willing stooges for the Gun Lobby, have attempted to distract from the incredible success in dismantling [southwest border] gun trafficking operations….by not uttering one word of rightful praise and thanks to ATF — but instead lobbing this reckless despicable accusation that ATF is complicit in the murder of a fellow federal law enforcement officer,” Burke wrote in a Feb. 4 email to Weich and other top officials. “No commentary by Grassley on the lax laws, nor greedy gun shop owners, nor careless straw purchasers, and not boo about the evil gun traffickers for the Cartels. Just demonize ATF w/a strategically-timed repulsive letter emailed to the entire press world before we ever saw it.”
Burke—a politically-connected and savvy former chief of staff to Janet Napolitano both when she was Arizona Governor and in her current post as Secretary of Homeland Security—has apologized to Grassley, who seems to have accepted.
However, in a state like Arizona—where even Democrats tend to take strong pro-gun and anti-gun control positions—railing against the influence of the "Gun Lobby," its "stooges," "lax laws," and "greedy gun shop owners" seems like political poison for Burke, barring a dramatic change in public opinion in that state on gun issues.
I don't think you know the meaning of outrage, Burke. Hopefully someone will teach it to you soon.
FBI Criminal Informant Complicit in Brian Terry’s Death (PJM Exclusive)Sources now tell PJ Media that neither version of events is accurate: the rip crew was not waiting for a chance encounter with other illegals, nor did the members intend to engage American law enforcement agents.
The rip crew was in Peck Canyon that evening with the intention of stealing money and drugs from a specific shipment of which they had prior knowledge.
(snip)
The rip crew knew to be in Peck Canyon that December evening because a CI working for the FBI found out about a smuggling run — from the FBI.
(snip)
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) — through its own CIs and communications intercepts — was also aware of the planned assault.
(snip)
Multiple sources tell PJM that this third weapon “disappeared” because it was the weapon carried by the FBI CI who ran the rip crew. When it was recovered near the scene of the murder and subsequently traced by the ATF, it traced back to the FBI CI via the gun shop in Texas where it was purchased.
Choke on it, Burke!
Then explain why these four ATF agents testified under oath that they were ordered to stand down and let guns "walk" against their objections.
The Department of Justice’s Operation Fast and Furious: Accounts of ATF Agents
This email shows Burke’s ignorance and incompetence. I know a lot of gun shop owners and none of those I know would be considered as “greedy”. “Greedy” is just a commie ‘RAT thing like “big”. The gun shop owners I know couldn’t care less whether or not you buy something when you go in their shops.
Just a quick point of inquiry ... when does giving inaccurate statements in an official letter from the Department of Justice to a US Senator translate to LIES? Is it when it becomes too many or when it gets too stinking?
I remember when the left was trashing the entire Bush Administration for Abu Ghreb and held that even a single low-level field officer’s inaccurate explanation should result in resignations at the Cabinet Level. Is there a “white phone” anywhere near AG Holder?
“I remember when the left was trashing the entire Bush Administration for Abu Ghreb and held that even a single low-level field officer’s inaccurate explanation should result in resignations at the Cabinet Level. Is there a “white phone” anywhere near AG Holder?”
Exactly.
Did Burke hang out with Johnny Sutton?
What "incredible success"? What are the metrics that show "incredible success"? Where are the prosecutions that show the "incredible success"? Where is the Mexican government's praise for the "incredible success"? Where is the transparency for the "incredible success"?
A liar, a mouthpiece and a stooge.
Staying out of jail has to be at the top of his priority list
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