Posted on 04/03/2005 9:43:00 AM PDT by bitt
Stupidity, outrage, vanity, cruelty, iniquity, bad faith, falsehood—we fail to see the whole array when it is facing in the same direction as we. --Jean Rostand
Bill Clinton’s national security advisor (predecessor to Condoleezza Rice) has pled GUILTY to stealing classified documents and destroying some of them.
Notwithstanding his initial claims the incident in which he secreted documents in his pants and socks was an “honest mistake”, Sandy Berger copped a plea and got a dainty slap on the wrist.
Berger’s theft and lying were neither honest OR a mistake. He willfully, with malice of forethought, and full knowledge of the severity of his crime, stole classified documents and destroyed some of them. The act is outflippingragous. The arrogance of Berger in presuming he could (and did) get away with it is way beyond aggravating. The sentence is infuriatingly absurd.
Once upon a time men where executed for less egregious offenses. Berger was sentenced to:
No prison time. A measly $10,000 fine (less than one speaking fee). Three-year revocation of his security clearance. This travesty of justice is sufficient to gag any maggot
Judge Earl Johnson Jr. once observed, “Poor people have access to the courts in the same sense that Christians had access to the lions.” The collorary is also true. Wealth and/or power mitigate (or tarnish) justice in ways and means mere mortals can only observe with unbridled annoyance.
Berger was the guy who was reportedly slated to be John Kerry’s Secretary of State if the unthinkable had occurred and Kerry had won the presidency. As Bill Clinton’s National Security Advisor this guy was at the nexus of the malfeasant, incompetent intelligence gathering and analysis that contributed to 9/11.
The sentence he received is an insult to every American (military and civilian) ever issued any security clearance. Chuck Colsen went to jail. Gordon Liddy went to jail. Sandy Berger goes on the speaking circuit and waits for Hillary?
The three-year suspension of his security clearance suggests that if (perish the thought) the Bush administration is succeeded by a Democrat, Sandy Berger could again find himself in the position of access to highly classified documents.
It challenges credulity that during the hearing no one even bothered to asked why he destroyed classified documents?
Initially Berger claimed his outrageous actions were “an honest mistake”…now he begrudgingly admits, “It was a mistake, and it was wrong.”
Normally, government is severely strict in matters dealing with security. A reasonable person might anticipate that in this ‘War on Terror’ environment, we might be reasonably stricter.
As a student at the Infantry Officers Advanced Course at Fort Benning I recall a fellow student being denied entry to a class because it was classified (only SECRET) and his security clearance had not been approved. As a Special Forces Operational Detachment Commander I recall an Army advisor being denied entry to the Tactical Operations Center because his security clearance could not be confirmed. Berger’s plea agreement has to be approved by U.S. Magistrate Deborah Robinson, and sentencing is scheduled for July 8. Don’t do it Debbie!
There remains the serious question of whether Berger was ‘trying’ to cover up Clinton Administration anti-terrorism policy and action embarrassments. Duh?!?!?
Despite the Berger criminal obfuscation attempt it is a matter or record that Sandy had rejected three plans to go after Osama just prior to 9/11.
Sandy’s sins were not unique. Former CIA Director John Deutch also was caught removing highly classified defense docs on his personal computer in 1999. He too ‘should’ have gone the way of Liddy and Colsen but Clinton blessed Deutch with a pardon.
By the way…Berger and Deutch both plead guilty to a ‘misdemeanor charge’. What is THAT? Abuse of power under the color of authority is a misdemeanor? Stealing classified documents and destroying them is a misdemeanor? A handful of marijuana scores a felony but stuffing your socks and boxers with classified documents barely rates a ‘bad dog’? As John Stossel might say, “Give Me A Break?!?”
The Brits have ‘The Official Secrets Act. During the Clinton Administration there was an effort to enact official secrets legislation. Clinton eventually vetoed it.
When the investigation of Berger’s theft became public last July, Democrats (who have a lot of experience at defending the indefensible) claimed the investigation was ‘politically motivated’. Where are they now that he has pled guilty and confirmed that his grossly inappropriate and criminal actions were neither “honest” OR “a mistake”?
Berger ‘should’ go directly to jail, do not pass go, and do not collect a single flipping penny….
Geoff Metcalf
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Geoff Metcalf is a nationally syndicated radio talk show host for LIBERTY BROADCASTING originating on 50,000 watt WMET in Washington D.C. He is a veteran media performer with an eclectic professional background covering a wide spectrum of radio, television, magazine, and newspapers, A former Green Beret and retired Army officer he is in great demand as a speaker. Visit Geoff Metcalf's Web site at http://www.geoffmetcalf.com. He may be contacted at geoff@geoffmetcalf.com.
Excellent rant!
I couldn't agree more...
I interpret this differently. I smell a rat. (And that's a good thing. As Curtis Sliwa would say, Berger is eating the Parmesan cheese -- he must cooperate fully now and say who put him up to it.)
"When the investigation of Berger’s theft became public last July, Democrats (who have a lot of experience at defending the indefensible) claimed the investigation was ‘politically motivated’. Where are they now that he has pled guilty and confirmed that his grossly inappropriate and criminal actions were neither “honest” OR “a mistake”?"
Good question
My understanding about the plea deal, is that this isn't over and he must "cooperate". It won't be a done deal for a few months yet. (at least that's how I understand it)
It wasn't just the democrats that claimed that.
CBS News Joins in. Calls Document Theft a Partisan 'Spat'
The incident "was triggered by a carefully orchestrated leak about Berger -- and the timing of it appears to be no coincidence." - CBS News Anchor Dan Rather
The problem is George Bush's not Sandy Burglars...
How this is dealt with lies on Bush's head, not the felon..
Chuck Colson spent years in the slammer much for less..
Its Bush's TEST not the "Burglars"...
WIll he pass the TEST.?. or fail it..
It has been suggested, as you say, that Berger has agreed to rat on the clintons and spill the beans in return for this extremely lenient plea bargain.
In our dreams. I'll believe it when I see it. The regretable lesson of history since clinton left office is that nobody in his administration has been punished for anything, no matter how serious their crimes. Any departure from this abysmal record would be a first.
GOP’s timing is ‘interesting’ to Democrats
Berger case latest event deemed suspicious.
By DAVID ESPO of The Associated Press
Published Saturday, July 24, 2004
BOSTON - Timing might not be everything in politics, but it counts.
Which explains why Democrats were quick to discern campaign gamesmanship when word broke in the run-up to their nominating convention of a federal investigation involving former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger. The one-time Clinton administration official faces scrutiny for removing highly classified terrorism documents while reviewing them at the National Archives for submission to the Sept. 11, 2001, panel.
"It’s interesting timing," said former President Bill Clinton, no ingénue when it comes to political intrigue.
Who controls the Justice Department? Republicans. Whose lap does this fiasco belong in? Republicans. Wusses.
Thanks for the reminder
It is going to be interesting to see the fungus which arises from the leavings of the Clintons. Oh, dear, I hope I haven't offended fans of fungus. Or leavings. I suppose there are just no words in the English language to adequately describe something or someone vile through metaphor without offending someone.
Clinton's coment is interesting. I would have thought he would have said something like the following. It's a private matter. What a man stuffs into his socks and boxers is his own business. Folowing a man into the men's rom to spy on him when he pees is an outrageous invasion of privacy.
The big fish swim away while the little ones become cat food.
You mean ....it's Bush's fault?
You're on the list now.
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nice!
welcome and keep up the good work!!!
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