Posted on 06/23/2004 5:01:59 PM PDT by SearchMaster
Did Ashcroft brush off terror warnings? NBC exclusive: 9/11 commission interviews FBI officials who contradict Ashcroft testimony By Lisa Myers Senior investigative correspondent NBC News Updated: 7:32 p.m. ET June 22, 2004
WASHINGTON - The 9/11 commission is busy writing its final report, but is still investigating critical facts, including the conduct of U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. NBC News has learned that the commission has interviewed two FBI officials who contradict sworn testimony by Ashcroft, about whether he brushed off terrorism warnings in the summer of 2001.
In the critical months before Sept. 11, did Ashcroft dismiss threats of an al-Qaida attack in this country?
At issue is a July 5, 2001, meeting between Ashcroft and acting FBI Director Tom Pickard. That month, the threat of an al-Qaida attack was so high, the White House summoned the FBI and domestic agencies, and warned them to be on alert.
Yet, Pickard testified to the 9/11 commission that when he tried to brief Ashcroft just a week later, on July 12, about the terror threat inside the United States, he got the brush-off.
"Mr. Ashcroft told you that he did not want to hear about this anymore," Democratic commission member Richard Ben-Veniste asked on April 13. "Is that correct?"
"That is correct," Pickard replied.
Testifying under oath the same day, Ashcroft categorically denied the allegation, saying, "I did never speak to him saying that I didn't want to hear about terrorism."
However, another senior FBI official tells NBC News he vividly recalls Pickard returning from the meeting that day furious that Ashcroft had cut short the terrorism briefing. This official, now retired, has talked to the 9/11 commission.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Speaking of media bias. I am considering soon getting my first newspaper subscription. Does anybody have any suggestions on what Newspaper I should subscribe to?
I find that most conservative newspapers tend to focus on low-brow "soft-news", but I know that I want a paper with a conservative bent, or at least a non-biased one. I was considering the Wall Street Journal, but it's a little too focused on business numbers and deals to be really entertaining and informative politically. Anybody have any suggestions?
While I'm on the topic, what do you all think of ABC news? I read a report that ABC has gone to some lengths to weed out liberal bias, does anybody feel that this effort has been a success? What channels do you find reliable?
Washington Times.
Jack
I'm pretty sure there are some FReepers who'll refute these new "allegations."
excellent suggestion. Can I get that in the NY metro area? Do you feel it covers all of the really important stories on a given day?
Are you young or did you just move to the US?
Poor Ashcroft , You just try to be a law abiding American, and protect Americans, and you get bashed by the left liberal wing nuts.
I'm young. I also am finally discovering the wide variety of news sources(thanks to G-d and Drudge), and have decided its time for me to get a daily newspaper. The internet is great, but its distracting and i don't always have a computer around. Plus I like the old fashioned ritual of reading a morning paper... makes me feel Churchill-esque.
"left liberal wing nuts."
Do not fear... they are a bitter, dying group.
The WSJ is worth it's weight in chocolate.
Read a lot of the Drudge's columnists.
ABC is Horrible??/ Where did you ever hear that they were changing their liberal stripes???
Even Rabid Dogs are dangerous, and "rabid dogs" is a good term for Democrats. Forget the "yellow dog" reference to Democrats.
Don't know the exact dates.
"ABC is Horrible??/ Where did you ever hear that they were changing their liberal stripes???"
Did you read the new media bias report that came out? It was posted on drudge and FR. By their measure(a questionable, but relevant one), ABC is by far the least liberal of the networks, and almost as conservative as drudge.
Washington Times and if you don't live in the daily delivery area you can get the weekly edition mailed to your home.
Does the media ever stop attacking the Bush Administration? My God!
I get the New York Post delivered to my New Jersey home. I also get the New York Sun delivered but it is very light on real news and not worth the price.
"Nobody gets the WSJ for the business sections"
Good point, but the whole thing seems to be a business section. Also, while they have an excellent editorial section, their reporting in general is actually somewhat liberal for my taste. They had a story today saying that the Republicans have lost the "moral" high ground because of Abu Girab. What a joke!
It's really a shame you can't get the Washtimes daily outside DC area.
Have I missed something?? ABC is almost as conservative as Drudge, Betaille says!!! Have I been asleep for 40 years or something?? Fellow Freepers.....HELP!
"I get the New York Post delivered to my New Jersey home. I also get the New York Sun delivered but it is very light on real news and not worth the price."
You don't feel that the NY post is kind of light news also? That is my main problem with the paper. Their editorials are great, even better than the WSJ in my opinion, but the news section is just such fluff, their frontpage today was about that yankees pitcher's family coming to the US.
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