Activist Group Wants Ethics Probe of Rockefeller (FRN + MemoGate Alert)

GOPUSA/Talon News ^ | 12-15-03 | Jeff Gannon

[jmstein7]

The Free Republic Network (FRN), a conservative activist group, is asking for a Senate investigation into the conduct of staffers who drafted a memo outlining a plan for Democrats to use intelligence information against President Bush in the 2004 election.

In a letter to Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, FRN called for "a full and thorough investigation" into the memo prepared for Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), ranking member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI).

The group's complaint alleges that a memo written by committee staff and provided to Democrat members of the committee documents efforts by Democrat committee members to abuse their positions on the historically non-partisan Intelligence Committee. The complaint accuses them of planning to obtain privileged intelligence information and misuse it to help elect the 2004 Democrat presidential nominee.

FRN has created a website at www.intelmemo.com to document the progress of the scandal referred to as "Memogate." The full text of the memo originally leaked to Fox News is posted there along with news articles, analysis and commentary.

Citing the role of the SSCI to oversee the comprehensive National Security program of the United States, the group charges that any action that compromises the ability of the committee to effectively execute its duties puts America unduly at risk. It suggested the memo's authors may have "conspired to misuse SSCI membership and resources to obtain and disseminate confidential and privileged intelligence information to gain partisan political advantage."

FRN denounced the course of action proposed in the memo as "both frightening and disturbing." It pointed out the legal and ethical issues and calls into question whether those involved can be trusted to act in America's best interests.

SSCI Chairman Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) has threatened to shut the committee down or to significantly limit its activities. FRN believes the ability of intelligence organizations to confidently share information with the committee having been compromised puts the war on terrorism is at risk.

The group wants an ethics probe to determine whether Sen. Rockefeller, Democrat staffers, or Democrat Senate members of the SSCI used or conspired to use the resources of the SSCI to engage in political activities in violation of the Senate Rules of Ethics. Additionally it seeks to discover whether those same individuals impermissibly used official resources to engage in what is effectively campaign work or violated Rule 9.6 of the SSCI by disclosing the contents of any papers or materials or other information received by the committee.

Senate Democrats on the committee or their leadership have thus far refused to disavow the memo or discipline its authors, despite criticism of their Republican colleagues.

Roberts said, "I was stunned by this memo, shocked by this memo. We have a 30-year history in the Intelligence Committee of nonpartisan activity, dating clear back from the Frank Church days. And what this memo has done is really poisoned the well."

Sen. Zell Miller (D-GA) expressed his outrage, saying, "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!"

Copyright © 2003 Talon News -- All rights reserved.

[syriacus]

Dick Durbin -- Self-appointed guardian of U. S. Senate computers.

[sweetliberty]

[sweetliberty]

"THE FACT REMAINS THAT Democrat members of the Intell committee are using their access to sensitive intelligence information to play dirty partisan politics and compromise NATIONAL SECURITY to do so"

It should be abundantly clear by now, to anyone that is paying attention, that they don't give a d**m about national security. What they count on is nobody paying attention and their media enablers making certain of it.

[hedgetrimmer]

Congressmen who will not close the borders should have their campaign and personal finances checked for investments in and by Citibank, Wells Fargo and Bank of America.

These three banks do not want the border closed and in fact want the matricular consular phony IDs to be used by the illegals so that they can handle the illegals money. You know that nearly $30 billion a year is sent out of country by the illegals and these banks profit by allowing the illegals to use phony IDs to bank with them.

The dept of homeland security and the national security office want the borders closed.

The state department and the department of the treasury (along with the aforementioned banks) want it open. Guess who is winning?

I would start directing letters to the state department the dept of the treasury requesting they change their policy. I would send letters to congress and the president demanding that America reform the state department and the department of the treasury now! They are not acting in the best interests of our country.

I would also write letters to the editor and give a few black eyes to these banks so that people know who is behind the lack of border defense.

This information came from a congressman on a talk show yesterday.

[demkicker]

Wow, I never thought of it in your same context until now. Thanks, it bears repeating in SCREAM font!

Congressmen who will not close the borders should have their campaign and personal finances checked for investments in and by Citibank, Wells Fargo and Bank of America.

These three banks do not want the border closed and in fact want the matricular consular phony IDs to be used by the illegals so that they can handle the illegals money. You know that nearly $30 billion a year is sent out of country by the illegals and these banks profit by allowing the illegals to use phony IDs to bank with them.

The dept of homeland security and the national security office want the borders closed.

The state department and the department of the treasury (along with the aforementioned banks) want it open. Guess who is winning?

I would start directing letters to the state department the dept of the treasury requesting they change their policy. I would send letters to congress and the president demanding that America reform the state department and the department of the treasury now! They are not acting in the best interests of our country.

I would also write letters to the editor and give a few black eyes to these banks so that people know who is behind the lack of border defense.

This information came from a congressman on a talk show yesterday.

[Humidston]

I'm glad FRN is stepping up to the plate, but I'm sorry to see that AN OUTSIDE ORGANIZATION HAS TO DO THE JOB THAT THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS SHOULD BE DOING.

Read my tag line!

[Humidston]

Can you identify the quoted congressman?

[hedgetrimmer]

Congressman Tancredo.

[ClintonBeGone]

Freeper Bump

[Humidston]

Wow! Great news. Thanks.