Lt. Col. Shaffer: Able Danger Docs Disappeared

NewsMax ^ | 8/21/05 | NewsMax

[wagglebee]

Documents detailing the work of a top secret military intelligence unit that identified lead 9/11 hijacker Mohamed Atta before the 9/11 attacks have disappeared, according to the Defense Intelligence Agency's liaison for the group, code named Able Danger.

"There's some troubling things that have happened both to me and the way the [Able Danger] information [was handled]," Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer told C-Span's "Sunday Morning Journal." "Shortly after I talked to the 9/11 Commission, there was some issues going on about the documentation. Right now as it stands this minute, to my knowledge, the documentation I had . . . we don't know where it is."

"It's not where I left it back in March of 2003," Shaffer said, which was "in a Department intelligence facility in the Northern Virginia area."

Shaffer told C-Span he had "one full set of Able Danger documents in my holdings from the DIA."

The Able Danger whistleblower had said previously that a member of the team had delivered two briefcases full of documents to the 9/11 Commission - but Commission spokesman have said they have found nothing that mentioned Atta by name.

[zeaal]

Look behind the copiers!

[Brofholdonow]

ROTM

[conservative in nyc]

We don't know what Sandy Burglar took at this time

We DO know what the MSM reported Sandy burgled:

The Washington Post, New York Times and AP reported in March and April that the five stolen classified documents were different versions of Richard Clarke's millennium "after action review" from early 2000. Berger also took the handwritten notes he made in the National Archives about the after action review. Berger shred three of the five versions because they were allegedly identical. Berger returned the two remaining stolen copies of the review and his handwritten notes after he was called out for stealing the documents by Archives staff.

The NYT obtained this information from a Berger "associate" when his plea bargain was announced; the WaPo's source is less clear, although they also spoke to a "Berger associate who declined to be identified by name but was speaking with Berger's permission." The AP story was much vaguer than the NYT and WaPo - no source can be determined.

Berger burgled the documents on September 2 and October 2, 2003, before Lt. Col. Shaffer was interviewed by the 9/11 Commission in Afghanistan on October 21, 2003.

I've seen no evidence of a link between Sandy's burglary and Able Danger.

[cricket]

"When the wolf is at the door you pick you fights."

Think too often GW sees only sheep and with these wolves; by the time they are at the door; it is too late. . .

But agree with your synopsis on his conclusions about foreknowledge of a total 'hack job' on the way.

The movie about the book, is almost ready. . .Wilson got his book in; and he is still kicking; Sandy Burglar appears no more than comic relief (surely he has a book to write); and from the MSM we hear a daily synthesis of every lie that GW enemies have given life to, so as to weaken and diminish his second term.

Oh, and Gorelick did not resign. . .of course. Could we at least have won that one. . .

Too bad; Able Danger info did not follow on the heels of this Commision; rather than having so much of this story. . .in a 'wrap' so to speak.

But better late than never. So guess the question is. . .will GW see the sheep or the 'wolf' in the players; as this story unfolds.

[cricket]

"Hint on trail...think Treasury Department"

. . .you got me; but I will 'sleep on it' and maybe come up with something. . .close.

[cricket]

"Perhaps some one can help all of us that may not understand just how the National Archive retrieval system operates to fill us in. If it turns out the NA allows someone to remove an original document from the archives, then yet again we have a bunch of as*hole* working in the beltway that are totally beyond comprehension."

Remember hearing/reading that as well. . .that they were copies of originals - not THE originals. But do not know the truth of the matter.

For sure; the response was genuinely assinine or worse; the only thing these security people did not do; was to tell Berger to fix his pants before leaving. . . or maybe they did.

[concerned about politics]

Inside 911: Go beyond what has been reported -- National Geographic backs up the Able Danger story.

[Fruit of the Spirit]

oh, yes, the stolen documents that went through the paper shredder. You could be right. Another Clinton cover up...maybe?

[cricket]

"He was not monitored properly. I have found only two archives that keep a record of what I searched. Both of them were profoundly efficient. I was monitored continuously at those archives...personally and/or via video."

Well, he definitley was not monitored properly; they saw him 'stuff' away. . .but made no effort to question his behavior. Now I doubt you could get away with that. . .but MISTER Berger?

Whatever, this scenario has a Monty Python quality to it. . .it is frickin unbelieveable; but less so; considering that Sandy's performance barely made a media blip; and he is probably jogging in France; as we type.

[Fruit of the Spirit]

"Whenever something is removed, trace indications are consistently left that it once existed and is now gone."

Maybe the two-star general who told Shaffer to shut up destroyed them.

[cricket]

"all I am saying is, that we know Clinton's hands are dirty here. but I am also interested in why our guys seem to be part of smoothing this all over."

. . .that is what concerns me. . .or then I wonder, if it is just the typical Demrat tire-tracks-on- Repub-faces syndrome.

The Dems are always on the offence, of course. . .(deflect their own crap back. . .and they waste no time to gain the upper-hand in any story)

It was only a short time after Commision's final. . .that we heard the shrill; yet plaintive wail: what did HE know; and when did HE know it! , erupt, from Hillary's throat. . .and then all the Demrat 'et als'. . chorusing, in unison.

[endthematrix]

...or one day the disk will return on a desk -Los Alamos style!

[cricket]

[Al-Qaida's nuclear efforts: 'sophisticated, professional'   CIA official tried to blow whistle on 'American Hiroshima' plot in '96]

Headlined on Druge. . .no time to 'post it' . . .

. . ..but Hillary cannot be resting well at all, or for long; if this continues; and Clinton may just need some surgery to get this off the front pages. . .or 'something'. . .the Demrats will not stand for this. . .nor for long.

[Dat Mon]

YOU SAID..."I think we are starting to get a really good idea of what Sandy Burglar took!"

No...this material generated by the Able Danger team was never under the direct control of Sandy Berger even when he was still NSA. IMO, the materials Sandy took were copies of reports or memos which had handwritten notations referring to Able Danger and Gorelicks memo.

Able Danger info would not be stored in the National Archives....for reasons demonstrated by Sandy and his trusty pants. This is military intelligence stuff...intelligence is always compartmentalized.

The Able Danger operation was a top secret military team using very special computer equipment in a highly secured and controlled environment within a larger controlled military facility.

The computers used would hardly be like desktop DELLs. The entire secure Fault Tolerant computer and network configuration would be designed and built to exacting requirements by a vendor under a DOD contract.

It would be impossible IMO for this information, likely stored for archival purposes on encrypted redundant electronic media (like a secure RAID for example)....to just disappear. Most likely the paper copies Shaeffer referred to were hardcopies of reports or database entries in a summary format, whereas the supporting info...he said there were terabytes...would not itself be on paper media.

Its possible that some of the paper reports could have been misplaced...but I think its highly unlikely. All copies of classified material are also similarly classified, each copy is logged...and placed in a secured safe, with a designated custodian.

To get to the primary electronic archived material, however, would require login access to the main computers, an even higher security authorization, and the proper ID and cypher codes.

No way the archived info disappears without somebody high up in the command chain giving a direct order to make it disappear. The person or persons receiving such an order would never divulge receipt if ordered to remain silent...if they want to stay in the military and stay out of jail.

JMHO of course.

[ThirstyMan]

Look in Hillary's shredder. Ooops. Too late.

Or check her bedroom. (I'm not volunteering!)

[beyond the sea]

May I add............. while discussing 'Able Danger' a number of FReepers have suggested that the truth will come out, "just be patient" they say.

Having been into politics and 27 years old when Nixon left office, I followed the Watergate affair extremely closely from the first night when McCord put the tape on the door jamb (twice) until the end.

I was going to go along with these optimisitic FReepers, in that it did take over TWO YEARS from the break-in to Nixon leaving office. Sometimes these things take time to expose.

But back then, that was the liberal/lying/socialist/Marxist press going after a Republican president who they hated. TODAY, we have a liberal/lying/socialist/Marxist press ignoring and covering up a story that would hurt one of their own (Clinton) and themselves, and would help another president (Bush) who they hate.

So, I predict, and I wish it weren't so, that this A.D. story will disappear like the morning fog under the heat of the sun.

Not one word was spoken of A.D. on the three morning shows that I saw yesterday. That is criminal, but just a hint of things to come!. But as old rusted Walter Cronkite used to say, "that's the way it is".

[Gondring]

If there is anything to establish a direct link between Saddam and al Qaida, this would certainly be the time for Bush to be leaking it.

I'm not so sure. Consider how President Bush has not gotten the yellowcake information out there. Consider how little we have heard of the 20 tons of VX, etc., caught moving through Jordan. Consider how many items that could be very positive for the administration have not been out there, and it makes one wonder what's really going on.</tinfoil>

Jorge W. Bushez is not operating with America's best interests at heart, though I am not certain of all the reasons why.

[SueRae]

Kinda diminishes the 11 missing minutes of the Nixon recordings.(sarc)

You don't just 'lose' that much data. Either it's archived where it shouldn't be or it's been purposely destroyed. But the AD guys and gals are going to have to come forward in order for this to keep moving.

[PigRigger]

Looks like the Rupublicrats took care of everything....a lot of us here a FR felt this would not go anywhere. I mean think about it; a day after Able Danger hit the net the right leaning reporters/opinion makers were telling us this was much ado about nothing - who do you think told them this?

Obviously the powers that be on both sides of the aisle took care of business; CYA mode at its best....

I hope I am wrong, but that's just the way I see it....IMHO....

[astounded]

The Sandy Burger escapade is starting to become much clearer. What will it take for the Bush Administration to move on this? The MSM seems to be sitting on this, as expected.