Posted on 05/03/2006 3:27:28 PM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
May 3, 2006
Imagine you're a US Senator. A citizen has just suggested that the CIA Director and named FBI agents merit the death penalty as much as convicted terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui. Do you:
A. condemn such an outrageous comment? B. move on to another topic? C. congratulate the citizen for making "an absolutely accurate point"?
If you're Joe Biden [D-DE], the answer, incredibly, is 'C'.
Here's how it went down. In a 'Hardball' devoted to reactions to today's jury decision giving life in prison to Moussaoui, both Rudy Giuliani and Biden had expressed regret that Moussaoui hadn't been given the death penalty, in light of the fact that he knew but failed to disclose the 9/11 plot.
When 9/11 widow - and harsh Bush administration critic - Kristin Breitweiser appeared, she had this to say:
"I would appreciate someone asking either Senator Biden or former Mayor Giuliani, if their standard for death [penalty] is withholding information from the FBI that could have have prevented the 9/11 attacks, how then are we excusing FBI agents Maltbie and Frasca who were accused or allegedly accused in the Moussaoui penalty phase itself of being criminally negligent with regard to giving a FISA warrant. How would you explain George Tenet who withheld information about two of the 9/11 hijackers for 18 months from the FBI, information that certainly would have gone a long way into preventing those attacks? And I'd like to know where are we drawing the line here, what is the threshold, and why are we not holding those types of people in our own government accountable?"
Chris Matthews offered Biden a perfect 'out': "Senator, is there a criminal intent there, or do you see a distinction between the behavior of public officials and Zacarias Moussaoui, who's just been sentenced to life?"
Biden shunned the life-line that Matthews tendered. Apparently intent on pandering to the most virulent of the Bush-administration hating left, Biden enthused "I think the juror, er, the family member, makes an absolutely accurate point about people not being held accountable." He went on to draw a distinction between criminal negligence and criminal intent, though it was not clear whether he was referring to the US officials or Moussaoui, since he added "I'm not second-guessing the jury here."
Bear Biden's performance in mind when, during the course of the 2008 Dem primaries, the MSM describes him as a 'moderate.'
Hardball/NewsBusters plug-your-ears ping to the Today show list.
Good catch, governs.
Kristin Breitweiser just suggested that the CIA Director and named FBI agents merit the death penalty as much as convicted terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui.
This isn't the first time Biden has engaged mouth before brain and he considers himself presidential material, what a joke.
"I would appreciate someone asking either Senator Biden or former Mayor Giuliani.....
A little disingenous from the beginning of her comment. Why did she lead in with "I would appreciate someone asking," when she had every intention of asking them herself?
Her mind is bent alright. I thought she was getting her head together when Curt Weldon was trying to get the Able Danger situation exposed. I really thought she was coming around about six months ago.
I wish she would get wise, she's not doing her husband's memory right acting as she is.
I DID see the part when he was talking about how he thinks MOW SOW WEE will be treated by "red blooded American criminals" in the prison...but, didn't stay for that part...
Biden is just a _________. (can't say it or I will get banned).
Brietweiser has been a media whore about this since the day it happened...and THAT is why Chrissy always picks her...she is always good for a good Bush Bash...
With all due respect, I don't think you read this: "if their standard for the death [penalty] is withholding information from the FBI that could have have prevented the 9/11 attacks, how then are we excusing FBI agents Maltbie and Frasca?" She went on to make the same point about Tenet.
But even Matthews was apparently shocked by her suggestion that Tenet and the FBI agents were as guilty as Moussaoui. That's why he offered the 'out' to Biden, which he largely spurned in his rush to pander to Breitweiser.
Oh, I'm glad you saw this, Txsleuth. She's a real piece of work. And I mean that in the worst possible way.
Unbleeping believable
This IS her life: the forever bereaved 9/11 widow who expends her energy (safe in her $4 million insurance settlement and government payment) getting to the bottom of the attack that took her husband's life.
She will be doing this years from now, no matter how sick and tired the rest of us get of her antics.
"...if their standard for death [penalty] is withholding information from the FBI .... how then are we excusing FBI agents Maltbie and Frasca ...How would you explain George Tenet who withheld information ...where are we drawing the line here, what is the threshold, and why are we not holding those types of people in our own government accountable?"
The whole premise of the question is, why aren't these others who "withheld information" also up for the death penalty?
Not just 'withholding information'.
I bet this woman has never even heard the term 'drinking from a fire hose' or thought about what it means.
I don't know how long a journey that was from her pre-911 condition, but it's still sad to see.
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