Miller on Politicized Intelligence Memo: ‘Heads Should Roll’ (MUST READ)

Senator Zell Miller News Release ^ | 5 Nov 2003 | Senator Zell Miller

[PhiKapMom]

Zell Miller, United States Senator from Georgia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 5, 2003

Miller on Politicized Intelligence Memo:
‘Heads Should Roll’

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Zell Miller (D-GA) today released the following statement concerning a memo written by Democratic staff on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that suggests ways to politicize intelligence data:

“I have often said that the process in Washington is so politicized and polarized that it can’t even be put aside when we’re at war. Never has that been proved more true than the highly partisan and perhaps treasonous memo prepared for the Democrats on the Intelligence Committee.

“Of all the committees, this is the one single committee that should unquestionably be above partisan politics. The information it deals with should never, never be distorted, compromised or politicized in any shape, form or fashion. For it involves the lives of our soldiers and our citizens. Its actions should always be above reproach; its words never politicized.

“If what has happened here is not treason, it is its first cousin. The ones responsible - be they staff or elected or both should be dealt with quickly and severely sending a lesson to all that this kind of action will not be tolerated, ignored or excused.

“Heads should roll!”

###

[StriperSniper]

LOL! That was the first Miller I thought of!

(I tend to use "Zell" for Sen. Miller for distinction.)

[Mo1]

I know it takes more work, but they read letters that look like they took work. Not mass mail lists.

Your right .. been busy doing that .. This can not be ignore no matter how much time it take

[P.O.E.]

BTTT

[BJClinton]

From FOX

Following is the text of a memo written by a Democrat on the staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that suggests how to make the greatest gain off of intelligence data leading to the war against Iraq. The memo was obtained by Fox News.

Transcript of a memo written by a Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee staff suggesting how to make the greatest gain off of intelligence data leading to the war against Iraq.

We have carefully reviewed our options under the rules and believe we have identified the best approach. Our plan is as follows:

1) Pull the majority along as far as we can on issues that may lead to major new disclosures regarding improper or questionable conduct by administration officials. We are having some success in that regard. For example, in addition to the president's State of the Union speech, the chairman has agreed to look at the activities of the Office of the Secretary of Defense as well as Secretary Bolton's office at the State Department. The fact that the chairman supports our investigations into these offices and co-signs our requests for information is helpful and potentially crucial. We don't know what we will find but our prospects for getting the access we seek is far greater when we have the backing of the majority. (Note: we can verbally mention some of the intriguing leads we are pursuing.)

2) Assiduously prepare Democratic "additional views" to attach to any interim or final reports the committee may release. Committee rules provide this opportunity and we intend to take full advantage of it. In that regard, we have already compiled all the public statements on Iraq made by senior administration officials. We will identify the most exaggerated claims and contrast them with the intelligence estimates that have since been declassified. Our additional views will also, among other things, castigate the majority for seeking to limit the scope of the inquiry. The Democrats will then be in a strong position to reopen the question of establishing an independent commission (i.e. the Corzine amendment).

3) Prepare to launch an independent investigation when it becomes clear we have exhausted the opportunity to usefully collaborate with the majority. We can pull the trigger on an independent investigation at any time-- but we can only do so once. The best time to do so will probably be next year either:

A) After we have already released our additional views on an interim report -- thereby providing as many as three opportunities to make our case to the public: 1) additional views on the interim report; 2) announcement of our independent investigation; and 3) additional views on the final investigation; or

B) Once we identify solid leads the majority does not want to pursue. We could attract more coverage and have greater credibility in that context than one in which we simply launch an independent investigation based on principled but vague notions regarding the "use" of intelligence.

In the meantime, even without a specifically authorized independent investigation, we continue to act independently when we encounter foot-dragging on the part of the majority. For example, the FBI Niger investigation was done solely at the request of the vice chairman; we have independently submitted written questions to DoD; and we are preparing further independent requests for information.

Summary

Intelligence issues are clearly secondary to the public's concern regarding the insurgency in Iraq. Yet, we have an important role to play in the revealing the misleading -- if not flagrantly dishonest methods and motives -- of the senior administration officials who made the case for a unilateral, preemptive war. The approach outline above seems to offer the best prospect for exposing the administration's dubious motives and methods.

[StriperSniper]

Make him the new Chairman

I wish he would take on the Vice-Chairmanship for the soon(I hope) to be departing Rockefeller.

[onyx]

When Zell speaks, democrats shudder. Look for Zell on ALL of the cable news shows.

[m1-lightning]

“Heads should roll!”

Isn't that Nancy Pelosi's comment on the CIA leak?

[NRA2BFree]

Great memo from the only Democrat I like!!

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

Do you suppose that Sen. Miller sent one of his staff to zig to that wastebasket, and zag that memo from it?

[Brian Allen]

#4 -- Sent -- BUMP!

[NRA2BFree]

Ping!

[cubreporter]

As I said once before, Senator Miller is a true Democrat. Not a liberal dem of today. He knows what is right and what is wrong and that's how he goes about his daily business. He will not change parties nor should he. He is proud to be a Democrat and proud of his family's history of Democrats. That's what he is proud of. Not today's dem/libs. They care about themselves only. Proof in this memo.

Senator Miller is correct. This is treasonous or a first cousin. I choose to look at it as treasonous and they should be punished accordingly. Is there not one democrat left in this group with an ounce of decency? God forgive them.

[backhoe]

Absolutely- I don't know what has gotten into some of these people, but it needs to be stopped, and punished.

Scoop Jackson, Hubert Humphrey, Sam Nunn-- men of their calibre would have died before stooping so low.

[Brilliant]

The only head that is going to roll is the head of the "low level staffer" who leaked it from Rockefeller's office.

[BJClinton]

Heh. Something like that. I think the Democrat leadership forgot that Zell has a conscience. I just wonder if we'll be able to find the memo's author and the source of the leaks when they come. If you look at what the Clintons got away with regarding the FBI files...

[uncbob]

Zell is one good democrat in a sea of traitors. He is so absolutely correct I hope he pushes this to the limit. My only regret is it isnt possible to hold back this memo to surprise them with as leaks come out and then let the FBI deal with them. But Zell is the MAN.

He needs to come out and switch to the GOP over this

[NRA2BFree]

Ping! You will enjoy reading this!

[olinr]

"The only head that is going to roll is the head of the "low level staffer" who leaked it from Rockefeller's office."

Rockefeller's wife?

[jwalsh07]

Give'm hell Zell!

[Mo1]

Please distribute this MEMO NOW!

We also need to send this to our local news stations and papers