[Congressman Billybob]

This sudden turnaround on testimony makes me nervous. The DoD's original objection was that it would "compromise security" for these witnesses to testify in open session. Now they say it is okay?

It suggests to me that a backroom deal has been struck as to what the witnesses will say, and what they will avoid. Normally, DoD freeing the witnesses to testify would be a good sign. But what bargain has been struck that will decrease the candor and effectiveness of those witnesses?

Congressman Billybob

Latest column: "Kathleen Blanco: Beyond Gross Public Dumb"

[kevkrom]

This sudden turnaround on testimony makes me nervous. The DoD's original objection was that it would "compromise security" for these witnesses to testify in open session. Now they say it is okay? It suggests to me that a backroom deal has been struck as to what the witnesses will say, and what they will avoid. Normally, DoD freeing the witnesses to testify would be a good sign. But what bargain has been struck that will decrease the candor and effectiveness of those witnesses?

I'm going to be an optimist and assume that the DoD will allow the public questioning only after meeting privately with the committee to make it very clear what specific avenues shouldn't even be mentioned in public due to ongoing intelligence work.

I.e., in this ideal case, the committee will get their answers, but not expose current operations.

[Paul Ross]

It suggests to me that a backroom deal has been struck as to what the witnesses will say, and what they will avoid. Normally, DoD freeing the witnesses to testify would be a good sign. But what bargain has been struck that will decrease the candor and effectiveness of those witnesses?

I believe your concerns are well founded, John. I get the same feeling in the pit of my stomach.

[rodguy911]

If I had to guess I would say the fact the relatives of 911 victims who attended the hearings with Weldon may have got the attention of the adm., plus there was lot of outrage here as well. But who knows.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Calm those nerves this was merely a little song and dance to make sure there would be continued interest in this slowly revealing the facts will keep up the interest level. Rummy is not trying to hide anything quite the contrary.

[pepsionice]

Well, put yourself into this situation. You were a intelligence specialist...who was simply told to glean information...and you "gleaned" an awful lot. In fact, you had tons of info not only on bad guys...but also on Americans as well. And, lets just say...that most of these Americans were simply innocent bystanders....some of these Americans were conducting illegal wire transfers, bribes, and unethical affairs. And perhaps in the middle of this were a couple of politicans.

Add to this....after the gleaning...you realize that there are serious laws about US military folks gleaning info on American citizens (from the 1980s)...and you could actually face jail time.

So up and down the line, the intel specialist to the commander in charge...there are fears of jail time, and the distrubance of the American political landscape. It was nice to get info on bad guys...but your footprint went and touched alot of bankers, politicans, and regular people. Nope, can't have that...so destroy this program as quickly as possible and make it disappear.

If I were the intelligence guy here...I would be fearful of charges of collecting data against American citizens. I think DOD felt the same way. Everyone did what they were ordered to do, and never understood the laws at hand. I'm sure that GW told Rummy to let them go, and should trouble fall upon them...GW would just give a blanket pardon. Its better to honest about this.

[Cindy_Cin]

Did you know admiral Schaeffer (I think thats his name) one of the men scheduled to testify lost his security clearance due to a $67 cell phone bill?
Yet Sandy Berger did not lose his! That fact alone sends a cold chill down my spine!

[kidd]

It suggests to me that a backroom deal has been struck as to what the witnesses will say, and what they will avoid

I disagree.

ex-President Clinton has recently gone public with his Bush-blame.

Bush, who previously withheld his blame of Clinton, is no longer silent and has retaliated.

I suspect that the order to allow the witnesses to testify came from Bush himself. The gloves are off; Clinton shoulda kept his mouth shut.