Suspected CBS source urged "dirty" tactics

Seattle times ^ | September 18, 2004 | Michael Dobbs

[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."

[rolling_stone]

try 18 USC 1001
An often-raised defense is the claim that because the alleged act or activity has no reasonable relation to the Federal government, no Federal jurisdiction exists. This defense focuses on the language of Section 1001 that requires that the conduct occur "in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States." In describing the situations in which the prohibited conduct must occur, the courts have construed the statute broadly and stressed that Section 1001 protects the government "from the perversion which might result from the deceptive practices described." Bryson v. United States, 396 U.S. 64 (1969).

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title9/crm00903.htm

[hinckley buzzard]

"Will the Kerry campaign throw Cleland under the bus?"

They won't have to. After "leaving his arms and legs on the battlefield" and having earned the coveted status as a "victim" of the EEeevil Bushies, Maxie is bulletproof as far as the media are concerned.

[hinckley buzzard]

"Will the Kerry campaign throw Cleland under the bus?"

They won't have to. After "leaving his arms and legs on the battlefield" and having earned the coveted status as a "victim" of the EEeevil Bushies, Maxie is bulletproof as far as the media are concerned.

[rolling_stone]

a little more background on Burkett...and another old post..

http://www.buzzflash.com/analysis/2002/05/28_Scrubbed.html

Background on Bill Burkett:

1. Civilian. Born and reared in New Mexico. President of Associated Students of Eastern New Mexico University. First student member of the University board of Regents. Received Governor's Citation for Courage following role, among many, to quell student riots on Campus. Decorated as Outstanding Department of Commerce employee with Economic Development Administration. Member of Presidential commission on alternative fuels technology President, CO-owner of FMS Consulting.

2. Military. Enlisted and Officer from Officer Candidates School (OCS). Primary military specialty in junior grades as Air Defense Officer. Primary Specialty in Senior Grades as Plans Operations and Intelligence Senior Officer. Volunteered during Desert Storm and was delegated to serve as OIC among many training detachments which completed Corps level computer war games with all soldiers deploying out of Ft. Hood, Texas. Worked as State Plans Officer and was called to active duty service under General James and Governor Bush to develop a "work out strategic plan" for the Texas National Guard beginning in June 1996. At time of incidents, served as full-time plans officer and direct advisor to James.

Also see, from the archives:
http://www.awolbush.com/

[xkaydet65]

I would like to know who else Cleland met on his trip to Crawford to deliver the"Tell O'Neil to leave me alone letter" to the President. I think that trip is the link to Kerry and the DNC.

[jess35]

You mean the trip on August 24th....3 days after Burkett wrote the email about the conversation with Cleland? I'm sure it's just a coincidence...(not)

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

All any of them has to f=do is lie to a federal law officer. Than alone can get you some time.

[jmstein7]

The Dems are finished.

[Agrarian]

Because the best revenge for Pres. Bush is political, and he is getting it... in spades.

[AmericanMade1776]

"A more interesting question is: Will the Kerry campaign throw Cleland under the bus?"

The Kerry Campaign is beginning to sound like a Shakespearean Tragedy, where everyone dies in the end.

[Cboldt]

18 USC 1001 is the general perjury statute. For example, a person who files a patent application has to sign a declaration that he believes himself to be the first inventor of what is claimed. The declaration recites, on its face, that willful and false statements made (on the declaration) are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment under 18 USC 1001.

A patent application is a contingent legal right. The contingency is that the application pass examination.

18 USC 1001 describes many situations that involve present or future legal rights, and forgeries that involve those are indeed criminal. But the Killian forgeries affect NO present or future legal rights.

Forgeries they are. Criminal? I think they are not.

[Cboldt]

All any of them has to do is lie to a federal law officer. Than alone can get you some time.

True true true. But first the threshold matter, what would a federal law officer be probing?

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[elbucko]

Burkett will no doubt meet with an unfortunate accident in the near future.

I was thinking the same thing. Perhaps Arkancide will be effective in Texas too.

[Texas Songwriter]

Remember Max Clelands theater on the road in front of President Bush's ranch. He kept speaking about Bush's involvement in the Swift boat book and advertisements -all the while he knew the DNC and Kerry and Cleland with some help from some unsavory texans - were planning this pathetic frontal assault on our president. If they are innocent why did they not come forward over the past 10 days and offer what information they had. Now it is too late. The electorate is coming to know what freepers have long known - democrats will stop at nothing to recapture power. These "dirty tricks" have crossed over into federal crimes. The attorney general's office should prefer charges against these thugs. By the way Abilene is not in Travis county. It is in Taylor county. There are a lot of good Texans who need to contact the D.A.'s office in Abilene and demand prosecution.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Droll, you.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

W will never bring a civil action. What would be the payoff ?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

For the next 100 years, CBS will be associated with "the memo was fake but what it said was real," or something like it. They are permanently tattooed

[Cboldt]

W will never bring a civil action. What would be the payoff ?

I agree, he won't bring a civil action. CBS is going to retract these papers in due course, and public figures have a tough go of proving actual malice anyway.

Damages? I doubt any court want to wrestle with "loss of an election," that is a political matter, and up to the public in a free and open society. Plus, President Bush knows that the suit would cause more downside, for him and for the country, and he is averse to causing harm. I am sure he will be well satisfied in seeing Rather retire soon, under a cloud, and for another layer of veneer to be stripped from the snob media's public credibility.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

You nailed it.