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Why Able Danger Was Scrapped (And Then Ignored by the 9/11 Commission): The China Connection
1/16/2006 | americaprd

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.


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: abledanger; atta; cantonsong
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To: americaprd

Very interesting.


81 posted on 02/16/2006 11:23:04 AM PST by outofhere2
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To: sissyjane

I didn't hear the whole thing yet. But there is a woman there that isn't missing a beat yet. She is paraphrasing everything with emphasis.

I think it is Mckinney. I have to finish the tape later.


82 posted on 02/16/2006 11:29:33 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: s2baccha

I back every effort to make him President!


83 posted on 02/16/2006 11:30:16 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Calpernia

If she's speaking English, and makes sense, it could'nt possibly be McKinney!!LOL!!


84 posted on 02/16/2006 11:32:33 AM PST by sissyjane (Don't be stuck on stupid!)
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To: Velveeta; ovrtaxt; Publius; Peach; Calpernia

This questions was raised somehwere else, and I think its a good one: If Able Danger was so damning for the Clinton Administration, where were all the Congressmen during the hearing? Wouldn't you expect Republicans to be slobbering over the testimony?

Here's one possible theory: I suspect that Republicans have some culpability in the demise of LIWA and Able Danger. Porter Goss -- now Director of CIA -- was Chair of the House Intelligence committee at the time and to scrap LIWA probably required his tacit sign off. He may have done so based on input he received from the CIA (a turf battle issue) or because he did not like the idea of agencies "freelancing" on intelligence matters to other members of Congress who were not on his committee.


85 posted on 02/16/2006 11:34:56 AM PST by americaprd
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To: sissyjane

I've seen posts from you too at times that gives me the impression that you couldn't speak English either. So I'll wait til I finish the tapes myself, thanks.


86 posted on 02/16/2006 11:39:23 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: americaprd

Bookmark.


87 posted on 02/16/2006 11:49:11 AM PST by Gritty (True servants of the people needn't be compelled to keep their hand out of the cookie jar-Mike Pence)
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To: JZelle
Yeh ...... let's ask why the Justice Pepartment doesn't want any part of Jayna Davis' material on OKC.

It's a sick country...... they're all in on it....... no big deal.

88 posted on 02/16/2006 11:49:42 AM PST by beyond the sea (Let's give them something to talk about............. howaboutlovelovelove?)
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To: beyond the sea

Hey BTS, what's new in Penn? How 'bout them Stillers...I knew they were good when they went into SD and beat my Chargers on Monday night.


89 posted on 02/16/2006 11:56:40 AM PST by carl in alaska (The raven watching news of the Florida recounts stirred and spoke. Quoth the raven..."NeverGore.")
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To: americaprd

Definite culpability. Weldon mentioned the #2 in one of the intel agencies; I've forgotten who it was, as being opposed to this program and trying to get it shut down.


90 posted on 02/16/2006 12:05:42 PM PST by Peach (Hillary ran over a cop and didn't even stop.)
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To: carl in alaska
It was a great season. However, it was a bit of a bummer to hear all the less-than-well-informed dweebs whining about the officials in the Super Bowl.

Anyhow, if you'd like, check out this whimsical vanity thread I began last week. I think it was pretty funny.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1575167/posts

91 posted on 02/16/2006 12:14:32 PM PST by beyond the sea (Let's give them something to talk about............. howaboutlovelovelove?)
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To: americaprd

It's simple why AbleDanger has been shoved under the rug. It would completely blow away the current NSA issue: the Pentagon fears getting sucked into the vortex of criticism for warrantless eavesdropping. Also, AbleDanger would completely undermine support for the current NSA program -- if it is allowed to become a major issue. --IMHO.


92 posted on 02/16/2006 12:15:47 PM PST by Paraclete
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To: the gillman@blacklagoon.com
We the sheeple will be stuck paying the bill, likely with our own blood.

Again...

93 posted on 02/16/2006 12:17:00 PM PST by USMC79to83
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To: DBrow

>This helps to explain something that has bothered me- why so many people go to extremes to protect the Clintons.

But, it looks like there are many other interests being protected too. <

There is an old saying that rings true here..."You are either part of the solution or you are part of the problem".


94 posted on 02/16/2006 12:19:22 PM PST by Supernatural (All the truth in the world adds up to one big lie! bob dylan)
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To: americaprd
The USA is in danger. We citizens no longer have the ability to "clean house" in regards to our public officials. The same old retreads get offered up every year. Where can men and women of integrity be found when public service has been boiled down to "Screw the better good! How much money and power can I get? And I better CMA by CYA, wink wink nudge, nudge." From both political parties, I must add.

I would say our only hope is in the power of the Internet and the Pajamadeen. Unfortunately, it would take a major media player who wants to make a name for him/herself to start the revolution.
95 posted on 02/16/2006 12:22:34 PM PST by StrictTime (Getting more pessimistic by the day.)
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To: All
American in 2050 with the Chicoms lording over us?

Your rice bowl and bicycle would be your most prized possessions.


96 posted on 02/16/2006 12:59:07 PM PST by Fitzcarraldo
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To: CyberAnt

{{{{ping}}}


97 posted on 02/16/2006 1:00:45 PM PST by CyberAnt (Democrat Leadership: No program - no ideas - no clue.)
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To: americaprd

{{{{ping}}}}


98 posted on 02/16/2006 1:03:11 PM PST by CyberAnt (Democrat Leadership: No program - no ideas - no clue.)
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To: pepsionice

good to see you again bump


99 posted on 02/16/2006 1:07:24 PM PST by txhurl (I need a pair of floppy white ears)
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To: americaprd

Yeah, that's actually a theory written about the general lack of aggression in the GOP, with Able Danger as an example of the DC elite's interdependence. What explains Able Danger, in my mind, is the illegal campaign money from China, 911 being a direct, if unanticipated, result.

These charts prove that out.

Also, thanks for the Weldon reelection info, especially the stuff about that Clinton meat puppet that's running against him.


100 posted on 02/16/2006 1:41:03 PM PST by ovrtaxt (Join the FR folding team!! http://vspx27.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/main.py?qtype=teampage&teamnum=36120)
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