Posted on 05/13/2005 4:59:18 AM PDT by OXENinFLA
Minority Leader Harry Reid strayed from his prepared remarks on the Senate floor yesterday and promised to continue opposing one of President Bush's judicial nominees based on "a problem" he said is in the nominee's "confidential report from the FBI."
Those highly confidential reports are filed on all judicial nominees, and severe sanctions apply to anyone who discloses their contents. Less clear is whether a senator could face sanctions for characterizing the content of such files.
"Henry Saad would have been filibustered anyway," Mr. Reid said on the floor yesterday, about the Michigan Appeals Court judge who is nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit.
"All you need to do is have a member go upstairs and look at his confidential report from the FBI, and I think we would all agree that there is a problem there," Mr. Reid continued.
Republican staff members and supporters of Mr. Bush's nominees were outraged.
"Can you think of a better way to trash someone's reputation?" Sean Rushton of the conservative Committee for Justice asked after seeing a transcript of the remarks. "Say that there is bad stuff from an FBI investigation in a file somewhere and leave that hanging. This is character assassination of the lowest order and completely improper."
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
I can't believe that Saad can't have access to the file.
Before I retired, many of my engineers were being cleared for top secret programs and I was interviewed by the government agency charged with investigation - FBI, DIA, etc.. At the beginning of each interview I was warned that the individual being investigated could have access to the file. I believe that it is through the Freedom of Information Act.
On the other hand, there are lots of references on the web to Levin saying that the FBI report had bad stuff in it. Apparently, Levin had already said as much as Reid is now saying.
Mo, you gotta be fricken kidding me. Are you sure? You're not allowed to see this sh and it's how you get a security clearance? How do thedy put stuff in there, do they put in allegations and anonymous tips? What about FOIA? Doesn't that count?
I'm losing my mind here--
Typical Left BS. Two-faced behavior bordering on complete stupidity and complete lack of character.
FBI files should be kept closed unless a specific incident was documented by the courts (conviction given) or a subcommittee released documented and verifiable findings of such an incident.
Great example of how not to be a 'Fine Gentleman' in the Senate.
"we must win at all costs to include slander and deceit" ---the mantra of Reid and other Libs.
Makes me wanna puke.
I'm aware of that.
"Henry Saad would have been filibustered anyway. He is one of those nominees. All one needs to do is have a Member go upstairs and look at his confidential report from the FBI, and I think we would all agree that there is a problem there.
See my #61
No I'm not sure of the procedures and said so in my post
What I do know is that the FBI will conduct and put interviews such in one's file .. they don't investigate whether an accusation is true or not .. unless there is a crime involved with the accusation
Whether someone can request a copy of their OWN FBI file .. that I am not sure of .. if .. when .. or how they would go about it
In reality, Reid won't be investigated, while at the same time, Tom DeLay will be completely destroyed by a media with no regard to the facts, while standing firm to the fact the Democrats are hungering for power and will use the media to get it back. People run around throwing up smokescreens on themselves, without so much as looking at the fact at hand.
From the very first paragraph of the DOJ page--
us.doj.gov/04foia:
Like all federal agencies, the Department of Justice (DOJ) generally is required under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to disclose records requested in writing by any person. However, agencies may withhold information pursuant to nine exemptions and three exclusions contained in the statute. The FOIA applies only to federal agencies and does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local government agencies. Each state has its own public access laws that should be consulted for access to state and local records.
Could they mean that Saad doesn't have access to the Congressional file? Would there be a reason that he was somehow exempted from seeing his own file? Something here isn't right.
I thought as much on this. Someone here had to have been misquoted.
Though I'm still wondering how Reid had access to a confidential report.
Won't be any.
Reid is a Democrat.
Laws, rules, and regulations do not apply to Democrats.
It was more than tacky. It was illegal. Were he a normal taxpayer, a breach is SUPPOSED to earn you 10 years and $10,000 for each disclosure.
John Deutch, however, was transmitting TS material on to his home computer in the clear for years in order to write his book, and he got nary a slap on the wrist.
It was more than illegal. It was as if I inferred I could prove you were a terrorist, then taped your mouth shut so you couldn't comment.
Sounds like it
Right, you did--first thing I saw was your first line, which answered only my first question. I guess my beeber was stuck on stune.
Think I'm going to put in the form to see my file. Probably got nothing in it but dust, but still...Hubby depends on his security clearance. Wonder if mine has anything to do with his.
It is not stupidity . The reason he said that is he knows that nothing will happen to him for saying this.
Reid isn't running for President either.
The libs are melting down. Frist needs to pull the trigger, let the chips fall where they may. If he loses the vote on the floor, two things are going to happen:
The rinos who vote against them will be flayed by the base.
Frist will force the filibuster.
I saw an AP article yesterday that said that Frist is expected to leave the Senate in 2006. This was news to me, anyone know if it's true?
Thanks for looking that up. And something is very wrong here indeed.
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