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Suspected CBS source urged "dirty" tactics
Seattle times ^ | September 18, 2004 | Michael Dobbs

Posted on 09/18/2004 5:01:04 PM PDT by AmericanMade1776

In e-mails to a discussion group for Texas Democrats in recent months, Burkett laid out a rationale for using "down and dirty" tactics against Bush. Burkett said he had passed on his ideas to the Democratic National Committee but that the DNC seemed "afraid to do what I suggest."

In another message, dated Sept. 4, Burkett hinted he might have had advance knowledge of some details contained in an explosive segment on CBS News' "60 Minutes" one week later. In addition to an interview with former Texas Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes claiming he helped Bush get into the Guard, CBS broadcast documents purportedly showing that Bush had disobeyed a direct order to take a physical required to continue flying in the spring of 1972.

"I believe that Bush knows that there is more coming out than Ben Barnes," Burkett wrote. "No proof, just gut instinct."

(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: billburkett; cbsnews; dirtytricks; killian; michaeldobbs; rather
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To: Eric in the Ozarks
If the county prosecutor will not impanel a grand jury and take testimony, then a US Attorney for that district should.

Ronnie Earle runs the prosecutor's office in Travis County. And he's a vicious nutcase, pretty much like the rest of the white liberal Democrats in Texas (we've penned them all in Travis County).

If he takes any action, Ronnie baby is more likely to seek an indictment of Karl Rove -- for having made Burkett do it.

41 posted on 09/18/2004 5:51:10 PM PDT by okie01 (The Mainstream Media: IGNORANCE ON PARADE)
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To: Diogenesis

obviously a fake letter, since she did not refer to Bush as a shrub.


42 posted on 09/18/2004 5:52:54 PM PDT by Optimist (I think I'm beginning to see a pattern here.)
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To: Cboldt
These forged documents are a forgery of history, and that is not illegal. The order to Bush has no legal effect, even if it is authentic.

The forgery of documents to influence an election is a violation of federal election law. Even though Bush is not harmed by the act, the act, in itself is a crime against the people of the United States.

This all goes well beyond the freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Fraud is not protected by the Constitution. Fraud does not need to be successful for one to be charged with attempted fraud. Any way you cut Burkett's actions, if he is the source and forger of those documents, he'll need a lawyer.

43 posted on 09/18/2004 5:53:08 PM PDT by elbucko (A Feral Republican)
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To: Andy'smom
Did I hear that this was some Yahoo group?

Don't you mean some YAY-HOO group?

44 posted on 09/18/2004 5:53:47 PM PDT by Optimist (I think I'm beginning to see a pattern here.)
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To: AmericanMade1776
Even the tree-huggers favorite fish wrap is on the case. It must be getting cold at Black Rock.
45 posted on 09/18/2004 5:54:13 PM PDT by Semi Civil Servant (Edward R. Murrow, call your office.)
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To: Cboldt
Obviously, it is not okay. But it is not criminal, as far as I know.

Forging government documents is a crime. The direct order would purport to be such a document. But, in this case, the forgeries are so transparent they can't be construed as government documents by any reasonable person.

Ergo, no crime. Unless CBS can be prosecuted for Gross Stupidity, in the first degree...

46 posted on 09/18/2004 5:59:54 PM PDT by okie01 (The Mainstream Media: IGNORANCE ON PARADE)
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To: Diogenesis

I think that letter is a fake, But the content is accurate !

So CBS we have caught you! It's conclusive !


47 posted on 09/18/2004 6:02:01 PM PDT by Wil H
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To: elbucko
The forgery of documents to influence an election is a violation of federal election law. Even though Bush is not harmed by the act, the act, in itself is a crime against the people of the United States.

Actually, Bush's reputation is harmed, and that is why he has a shot at a defmation case.

I'm not saying you are incorrect regarding criminal violation of federal election law, but I will remain skeptical without a more specific citation. The media has lied about and misrepresented candidates in the past, and I know of zero criminal prosecutions for that.

This all goes well beyond the freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Fraud is not protected by the Constitution. Fraud does not need to be successful for one to be charged with attempted fraud. Any way you cut Burkett's actions, if he is the source and forger of those documents, he'll need a lawyer.

I never asserted that fraud was constitionally protected, and my statements work whether the fraud "worked" or was only attempted.

I don't disagree that Burkett needs a layer. He has one now, by the name of Os. What I don't know is what crime Burkett might be charged with, assuming he forged the documents and gave them to CBS for free.

48 posted on 09/18/2004 6:02:20 PM PDT by Cboldt
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To: okie01
Forging government documents is a crime. The direct order would purport to be such a document. But, in this case, the forgeries are so transparent they can't be construed as government documents by any reasonable person.

The defense isn't what you describe. A bad forgery can be criminal. The test is whether, if taken as authentic, the document would have any legal effect.

This one wouldn't. Even if it was authentic, George Bush would not have to follow it.

49 posted on 09/18/2004 6:06:19 PM PDT by Cboldt
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To: AmericanMade1776
... The documents are forgeries.
... Document Forgery is a felony.
... There are no calls from Democrats or Republicans for vigorous investigation and prosecution.
... Call me a cynic, but this will all blow over and the media will reclaim Rather into the chorus line, where they will all continue kicking in the same direction - like the Rockettes.
50 posted on 09/18/2004 6:06:45 PM PDT by bimbo
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To: elbucko
And if CBS, or Dan Rather, or both knew these were forgeries, because they are protecting their source, and continue to claim that the documents are not forgeries, then they are complicit in that crime, and should be prosicuted. It is punishable for up to 10 years in the "pen".
51 posted on 09/18/2004 6:07:48 PM PDT by Iam1ru1-2
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To: Eric in the Ozarks
"I think a serious crime was committed in Travis County, Texas."

On another thread tonight, I posted the information regarding the mole that was caught mailing the video and campaign material to one of Gore's campaign aides back in 2000. She was previously a precinct chairwoman in Travis County. Here's a link to what I wrote:

Lozano

52 posted on 09/18/2004 6:09:06 PM PDT by mass55th (It's the superscript, stupid!!!!)
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To: elbucko

With Clinton's Boys running the show, Burkett will no doubt meet with an unfortunate accident in the near future.

Remember, you read it first here on the Pajama Peoples Paradise website.


53 posted on 09/18/2004 6:10:21 PM PDT by Palladin (Proud to be a FReeper!)
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To: dawn53

If the CBS/Kerry cabal throws Cleland "to the wolves" as raw meat to throw off the hunters....Cleland won't have a leg to stand on.

Semper Fi


54 posted on 09/18/2004 6:12:01 PM PDT by river rat (You may turn the other cheek...But I prefer to look into my enemy's vacant dead eyes.)
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To: AmericanMade1776

Max Cleland.
I would donate funds to help build wheel chair access ramps
at the appropriate federal penitentiary.


55 posted on 09/18/2004 6:15:46 PM PDT by Sivad (NorCal Red Turf)
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To: mass55th
Good thread. Lozano was indicted for fraud. Here is what the news reported at the time ...

The indictment, returned by a grand jury in Austin, Texas, charges Lozano under two mail fraud statutes. Stealing and leaking the material to the political enemy, the indictment charges, amounted to a scheme to "defraud the Bush campaign of valuable property" and "to defraud and deprive" her employer of "honest and faithful services, performed free from deceit, bias, self-dealing, embezzlement and concealment."

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/lozano010306.html <-- March 7, 2001

The forger in this case didn't defraud "his employer," or whatever campaign he was working for! Absent fraud (other than CBS committing journalistic fraud), there is no wire fraud or mail fraud.

Lozano was also indicted for perjury. She swore that she mailed pants, not the video and papers. Oops.

56 posted on 09/18/2004 6:17:03 PM PDT by Cboldt
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

How about engaging in an ongoing criminal conspiracy?


57 posted on 09/18/2004 6:17:16 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (What did Kerry know and when did he know it?)
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To: Tall_Texan

Max Cleland burned the first time playing with a hand grenade.

Max Cleland burned the second time playing with a loose cannon.

No purple heart, both self inflicted.


58 posted on 09/18/2004 6:18:44 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (What did Kerry know and when did he know it?)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

"I think a serious crime was committed in Travis County, Texas."


To add insult to injury...David Van Os, Burkett's former attorney (and I assume STILL is) is running for a place on the Texas Supreme Court!
http://www.vanosforsupremecourt.com/

Among some of the "topics" on his campaign website:

Karl Rove's Master Plan Started With the Texas Courts

Letter from Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Bill Burkett
Former Client of David Van Os

Gov. Howard Dean and Democracy for America Endorses
David Van Os for Texas Supreme Court



59 posted on 09/18/2004 6:19:53 PM PDT by Maria S ("We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." Hillary Clinton, 6/28/04)
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To: bimbo
Document Forgery is a felony.

Not always. To be criminal, the forgery has to have some legal effect, if it is taken as (as in "assumed to be", not as "passes off as") authentic.

It is perfectly legal to forge documents that cannot have a "present legal effect."

But, selling a forgery while presenting it as authentic? That is fraud. I assume CBS didn't pay for these papers. Well, they are paying now, heheheheheh.

60 posted on 09/18/2004 6:20:54 PM PDT by Cboldt
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