Posted on 02/16/2006 8:59:40 AM PST by americaprd
General Overview
At yesterday’s House Armed Services Committee hearing on Able Danger, Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA) repeatedly asked witnesses if a chart produced by the Land Information Warfare Activity (LIWA) / Information Dominance Center (IDC) on Chinese front companies operating within the United States played a role in the dismantlement of Able Danger. The answer was consistently yes.
What exactly was this document that was developed and what were the implications of it for the Clinton Administration? As you will see, the information raised serious questions for the Democratic Party and the Clinton White House in regards to the transfer of sensitive military technologies to China, and how export controls were relaxed in favor of individuals and companies who gave heavily to the election campaigns of Democratic candidates and President Clinton.
In response, the Clinton Administration set about disbanding LIWA and its sister organization, Able Danger, which was investigating Al Qaeda. They wanted to sweep this information under the rug and were, for the most part, successful. But later, when word began to trickle out that Able Danger had actually uncovered some information that could have prevented the 9/11 attacks, Democrats loyal to the Clinton Administration were shocked. They could not let the truth come out about Able Danger and its successes, or else they would have to answer for why the group was disbanded. The reason, of course, being that Able Danger and LIWA were dismantled to cover up the Clinton Administration’s complicity in transferring technology to China.
In short, Able Danger was a collateral victim of the successes of the data mining efforts being performed by LIWA. 9/11 could have been prevented if the Clinton Administration had not disbanded Able Danger and LIWA, which it did to cover up very embarrassing information that the data mining efforts of LIWA were uncovering in regards to China.
History
In mid-1999, Congressman Weldon requested that LIWA develop a chart of Chinese front companies operating within the United States. The results were staggering, showing a complex web of organizations within the United States, including major U.S. defense contractors, who were involved in the transfer of sensitive technologies to Communist China. It also showed how Chinese agents had successfully funneled ten of million of dollars in campaign contributions to the DNC and President Clinton’s reelection campaign.
An accompanying timeline developed by LIWA was equally shocking, showing how the Clinton Administration had liberalized exports rules for a number of extremely sensitive dual use technologies that China could utilize for military purposes. These included very advanced encryption technologies that made it harder for our intelligence community to do its job and rocket technology that allowed China to increase the range of its offensive intercontinental ballistic missiles. China in turn, then transferred these technologies to others nations that included Iran, Syria, Libya and Pakistan. (see page 3 of the timeline
Weldon does an excellent job of outlining the revelation showed by the chart and timeline developed by LIWA showed. Briefly, the cumulative impact of the Clinton Administration’s actions – in exchange for campaign contributions, allowed China to:
o Develop reliable Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles with insights into MIRVing that ICBM force.
o Miniaturize nuclear warheads.
o Implement a command and control structure for its growing ICBM force.
o Develop an integrated command, control, communications, computer and intelligence encrypted network to enable better military command and control over vast areas, even beyond China itself.
o Improve power projection for its surface fleets, submarines, and long-range cruise missiles capable of hitting not only Taiwan, but also Japan from mainland China.
o Produce more proficient fighter and bomber aircraft capable of greater distances and speeds.
This was impeachable material and it scared the hell out of the Clinton Administration. But ultimately, Weldon was shouting into the wind, as the mainstream media largely ignored these explosive findings and instead relied on the somewhat whitewashed findings of the Cox Report. Weldon, you may recall, was in fact a member of the Cox Commission, but he was unsuccessful in his efforts to have this data included in the report, and was instead relegated to putting this information out independently.
Why did the Cox Commission ignore this data? Because it could have caused embarrassing questions for Republicans as well as Democrats. In fact, attempts were even made by conservatives – perhaps fed by Clintonites within the Department of Defense -- to discredit Weldon by linking him to campaign contributions that he accepted from defense companies that were involved in the transfer of sensitive technologies. Never mind the fact that it was Weldon who had revealed this information to begin with. Interested parties needed to paint him with a broad brush to discredit him with the mainstream media. Weldon’s decision to go independent also seemed to rankle Republican leadership, as he was passed over for a slot of on the coveted House Intelligence committee, presumably because he was not a team player.
But while the information was largely ignored by the media and the powers that be that put together the Cox Report, the Clinton Administration took notice. They promptly undertook efforts to hamstring and ultimately dismantle LIWA and other data mining operations. That included Able Danger.
I believe that when Able Danger began to uncover Al Qaeda links and cells operating within the United states, they had already become known as a “persona non grata,” both within the intelligence community and among other federal agencies. The Clinton Administration had already begun efforts to slowly and quietly dismantle these programs, and word was filtering through the federal bureaucracy. The poor treatment of these data mining operations and the intelligence they were collecting may have may also have been partially due to the fact that other agencies were threatened by the good work being performed by these data mining operations and saw it as encroaching on “their turf.” I believe it was a confluence of both factors, with the Clinton Administration cronies playing on the jurisdictional and turf issues as a way of ensuring that LIWA and Able Danger were ultimately scrapped.
As a result Able Danger and its work were quietly folded -- until the 9/11 Commission began soliciting information from federal employees on the work they were performing on pre 9/11 intelligence and Al Qaeda. They, in effect, had opened a can of worms when they began talking to people about Able Danger. To include information on Able Danger in the 9/11 Commission report would require an explanation of why their work had been halted.
I suspect some of the connections on the charts developed by LIWA included unsavory links to prominent Republicans, as well as democrats, which was why it was not included in the Cox Commission Report (I have heard that Condoleezza Rice was one such person.) There may very well have been no real, credible connection, but simply the inference that there were connections may have been alarming for Republicans.
Rather than revisit an issue that would reap irreparable harm on both parties, Republican and Democratic members of the 9/11 Commission opted to omit any references to Able Danger. Perhaps they justified it in their own minds as something that could not be fixed in hindsight and “for the good of the country” was best not made public. Once that decision was made, it became imperative for the bureaucracy to continue to stick to the line. Otherwise, it would reveal a cover up of monumental proportions.
Former members of the Clinton Administration and DNC clearly have the most to lose in this information being made public. In fact, Weldon is now facing a tough race this cycle from former Vice Admiral Joseph Sestak, a member of President Clinton’s National Security Council during the time frame in question. He represents the highest ranking "Fighting Dem" seeking a seat in Congress. Governor Edward Rendell, former chair of the DNC, also cleared out two of Sestak's primary opponents in the past two weeks to provide him with a clearer shot at Weldon. In a district that voted for Kerry last Presidential election cycle, former members of the Clinton Administration may defeat Weldon and finally be successful in putting Able Danger to rest once and for all.
Rush was silent on the issue apparently both yesterday and today.
Trade policy, sir. Trade policy.
And this proves ........??????
"Trade Policy"
What is it about the "trade policy" that makes you say Bush has sold us out ..??
I think it proves Bush can be no better than Clinton when his shortsightedness leads him to damage the economic future of America while watching out for the interests of business instead of those of America. This is fully on display in the matter of illegal immigration, so let's not pretend here.. Bush is more concerned about businesses wanting to profit from illegal labor than he is about the national security threat or the threat it poses to the economy for Legal citizens.
I like Bush, personally; but, It's apparent that his judgement is sorely lacking in some areas.
When you offshore our tech advantage to china and india, offshore our service sector, offshore our manufacturing base to china as well, import chinese labor to replace American workers, have a massive and growing trade deficit with China, And China is buying up US assets all at the same time that many would consider china a national security threat.. I mean the looming boogieman of China was apparent when it was the Clinton admin we were talking about. Are we to believe that changed because a different party now sits in office. Which is better, from the Chinese perspective on war, destroying an enemy on the battlefield or before the enemy ever gets there..
There are multiple ways to destroy an enemy - Militarily, psychologically, and economically. War is an artform. And China is more aware of it than the Soviet Union ever was. They undermine us in talks with other countries around the world on a regular basis - which has been discussed many times on this forum.
In the meantime...http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48868
Hey, can you develope a sense of humor? I think my comment was a fun poke at the MSM, wasn't it?
I missed this. Did he also restore his security clearance and lift the gag order? I happen to think Rumsfeld is one of the good guys in all this, but he's probably not thrilled with Weldon making his life more difficult.
Bravo to you for putting together those links. How the previous administration is still walking the street instead of doing time for treason is beyond me. And THAT is frightening.
What, you think Bush wants a felon for a brother in law?
BTTT.
Bump!
Weldon to be on Tony Snow today.
I always thought the Cox Report was what was going to ultimately take down Clinton. It should have.
bttt marker
Thank you for your energy, optimism, and words of encouragement.
Yes, those of us who have been beating our proverbial heads against the wall for years now sometimes get frustrated, disapointed, and a bit jaded by what seems like our cause sliding two steps back for every one taken forward much of the time.
And I sometimes use FR and similar forums to vent on, and you serve to remind me that my angst and sarcasm (I should have used the "[/s]" thing, I suppose) oft comes accross as fatalistic pessimism and could be discouraging to those not familiar with my style.
You are right; I should be more careful about that - not only in here but in my role as a radio talk show co-host on a local station.
But in spite of my frustration, I can't just cower in my foxhole and wait for the enemy to show up to administer the coup'-de-grace; Just last night I showed up at a local Republican Town Committee meeting where we are working on recruiting and supporting local and State Candidates.
And although the Republican Party leaves a lot to be desired by us conservatives now and then, it sure beats the alternative.
We do call our Reps and Senators on important issues - although I think that they are getting pretty familiar with us and I'm not sure just how seriously they take me any more.
And I intend to call again today about this monkey business with our ports going to Arabia and China; Just when it seems that things might be turning around - like being able to get Justice Alito nominated and confirmed, against all odds - some landslide of corruption and deciet like that comes rolling down from Capitol Hill.
That can indeed be frustrating; but giving up just isn't an option, is it?
Re. the Scheaffer situation; I do try to stay up to speed on these things, but obviously missed that one.
After I posted, I did notice a brief mention of Sec. Rumsfeld's coming to his rescue in another posting.
Thanks for the update on that.
At least Carter was just generally an incompetent socialist. This clown was purposely undermining our national security. There is NO crime worse than that, IMO.
BTT
They are gonna go balls to the wall to defeat Weldon. I'm sending the guy a check.
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