Posted on 10/20/2006 7:11:39 AM PDT by ritewingwarrior
Democrats say the Republican head of the House Intelligence Committee had no grounds to suspend a staff member who's come under scrutiny for the leak of a secret intelligence assessment.
The unidentified staff member, a Democrat, was suspended this week by Chairman Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., and is being denied access to classified information pending the outcome of a review, Hoekstra's spokesman, Jamal Ware, said Thursday.
The Intelligence Committee's top Democrat, Jane Harman of California, wrote to Hoekstra that she was "appalled" by his action, which was "without basis."
The leak to The New York Times of a National Intelligence Estimate on global terror trends caused a political uproar last month. In the assessment, completed in April, analysts from the government's 16 spy agencies concluded that the Iraq war has become a "cause celebre" for Islamic extremists, breeding deep resentment of the U.S. that probably will get worse before it gets better.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
What's the SOB's name ?
GBC, we need a pool started... maybe tradesports. They'd have to ask how many as well as who, not just one in on this one. We've seen five leak on the floor publically.
It shouldn't be long before the Rats come out and squeal and screech about people impugning their patriotism.
Republicans need to start running ads about how many intelligence reports and how much secret information has been leaked - compromising US interests (wire tapping, swift codes, etc.) No one is getting investigated and they should.
Republicans should be calling on the DOJ to investigate. A full court press before mid-terms. Let 'em squeal. It takes Foley off the front pages and puts terrorism on the front burner and on the minds of voters. Treason should be the topic of conversation - not lurid e-mails, naked massages and skinny dipping.
This isn't it yet.
I'm rolling mine out starting today or Monday... need time for traction.
Yep, that's what they've been doing with a lot of docs lately... I think they're waiting to get the whole ring.
"It shouldn't be long before the Rats come out and squeal and screech about people impugning their patriotism."
Good let 'em squeal. They are unpatriotic. Anybody who leaks classified informaiton should be hung. Gloves need to come off. I'm sick of hearing about Foley, I'm sick of hearing that the conservative base being depressed and isn't gonna vote. Let's get these traitors who've leaked this information. Dems can howl all they want. This is a debate we win every time.
True. BUT it only seems to be news BECAUSE the Dems are squealing. The main reason they are squealing though is not that it is unfair in any way, it's because they've lost their mole.
Let's not forget the all important... privacy/free speech. Their ultimate oxymoron. While they want info from Cheney's home and who visits him... as well as Weldon. Whatever happened to Jefferson btw and Harry Reid?
Look for (:
Public has the right to know
Whistleblower good
Harman: All should be declassified anyway
Schumer 'the handler': Political stunt by Reps/we care about nations security... blah
This is incredible. This story is spun to make the real scandal the suspension of the staffer by a republican. Let's just forget that the story is about a massive intelligence leak by a democrat. The media will burry this story, just like Sandy Berger.
Yeah! What did Jane Harman know and when did she know it? And this ain't no "page scandal" Janey - this is our national security! You're sure quick with the "no basis" language, aintcha?
Yes, and loudly. Now, release the name and who he/she worked for. This is good news, but I'll bet there are others that need to be flushed out. (read that any way you want, LOL!)
Good questions, but I think I've already heard what the answer will be--I think it might have been Susan Estrich who one day said that leakers to the NYT were "patriots." Expect to hear that again the future.
Dems have an unfailing ability to zero in on minutia and miss the main attraction.
The Intelligence Committee's top Democrat, Jane Harman of California
Jane On the Issues
http://www.janeharmancongress.com/jane_issues.html
Reproductive Choice
Women’s reproductive rights are under assault. In Congress, the leadership in both Chambers have Roe v. Wade in their sights, and the chipping away has already begun. Decisions that should be made between consenting adults or in a doctor’s office are now being made on the floors of the House and Senate.
Fighting for Choice - October 2, 2002
Fighting for Choice - July 24, 2002
Roe marked a cornerstone of equality and freedom for which American women had fought for generations. The Supreme Court’s decision empowered women to make their own choices about their reproductive health and protected them from unwarranted government intrusion into their personal, private decisions.
(snip)
Iraq & Civil Liberties
As the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Jane Harman has established herself as one the country’s most outspoken and effective critics of President Bush’s policies regarding the Iraq war, the use of intelligence, and domestic surveillance. Her national reputation as a thoughtful, bipartisan legislator has given unique credibility to her criticism of Administration policies.
Taking On The Failed Policy in Iraq
Harman has repeatedly criticized the Administration's flawed Iraq strategy, calling it the "greatest strategic and tactical foreign policy failure in 30 years."
She's pushed hard to hold the policy's architects accountable. Appearing on CNN in February, Harmans called on President Bush to replace Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense, describing his tenure as "very damaging to the United States."
Harman has been especially vocal about the Administration's failure to develop a strategy for exiting Iraq. In a March 8 letter to the President, she wrote, "your continuing failure to clarify US intentions provides an excuse for certain Iraqis to avoid compromise and jeopardizes our ability to succeed." And in an op-ed article she authored last year, Harman stressed that "President Bush should… make clear that U.S. policy is to leave Iraq completely."
Finally, Harman has led the charge in Congress to investigate the Administration's intelligence failures. She pushed the House Intelligence Committee to "follow the truth wherever it may lead," and in 2004, she introduced and passed legislation to reform the Intelligence Community, in order to prevent a repeat of the mistakes that led to the Iraq invasion.
(snip)
Homeland Security
One of the chief responsibilities of the federal government is protecting its citizens against the danger of attack.
The tragic events of September 11, 2001 changed forever how the federal government fulfills that responsibility. Not only must our military servicemen and women have the training and tools they need to fight future wars, Jane Harman believes the federal government must also defend against terrorist attacks at home and provide aid and support to local governments and first responders.
Key to protecting the homeland is a national strategy that all levels of government and emergency response personnel implement in partnership, and a national threat and vulnerability assessment upon which decisions allocating scarce resources can be based. Regrettably, more than a year since the Homeland Security Department was created, it has yet to complete a threat and vulnerability assessment.
Securing the American Homeland
National Homeland Security Strategy
As Ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee and member of the Homeland Security Committee, Harman is an advocate for improving the collection and analysis of intelligence; sharing relevant intelligence information with local first responders, and developing technologies for protecting the homeland – many of which are created in the South Bay.
(snip)
Environment
Residents of California’s 36th District live along some of Southern California’s most beautiful coastline. The Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Bay offer a range of wonderful recreational activities and, as a resident of Venice Beach, Jane Harman enjoys biking and jogging along the bike path, talking with neighbors, and watching the waves and seabirds.
Protecting this environment is important to her and her constituents. Having grown up in West Los Angeles, Harman remembers all too well the smog alerts and hearing the regular reports of beach closures. Responsible stewardship over the environment is a lesson she learned at an early age and which she takes seriously as a Member of Congress.
Over the last several decades, real progress has been made restoring clean air and water. Regrettably, the Bush Administration and its allies in Congress are rolling back many hard-fought protections. A good example is the energy bill, which Harman opposed and which gives billions of dollars in tax breaks to polluting industries and shields polluters like MTBE manufacturers from lawsuits.
Opposition to Energy Bill
Jane Harman supports an energy policy that permanently protects the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the California coastline from oil and gas drilling. As important are policies that encourage development and use of alternative sources of energy, including hydrogen, solar, fuel cells and wind. In fact, the Harman home in Venice has solar cells and reverse metering on the roof. Harman has hosted a number of public forums highlighting the renewable energy technologies developed in the 36th District, including fuel cells, solar panels, LEDs and hybrid engines.
Harman Opposes drilling in ANWR
Bush Administration policies also threaten the solitude and pristine beauty of such premier parks like Yellowstone, the last remaining rain forests in Alaska, roadless areas in our national forests, and the Red Rock wilderness of Utah. This Administration has also eased clean air requirements for old polluting power plans, weakened the standard for arsenic in drinking water, and allowed valuable wetlands to be drained and developed.
Harman has opposed all of these anti-environmental policies. She has worked to fight these proposals and to support balanced policies that ensure the protection of our environment.
Harman has supported expansion of wilderness areas and scenic rivers in California
(snip)
Just a reminder, IF the democrats win control of the House guess who'll be the new Chairperson of the House Intelligence Committee? Reason #56,927 to get out and VOTE!
Which unidentified Democrat House Intelligence Committee staff member was suspended this week by Chairman Peter Hoekstra? Why? Because we the voters demand to know which member had this traitor employed and this HIC member must resign immediately and be investigated by the DOJ and possibly a Special Prosecutor. We are sick and tired of the lack of enforcement for these crimes against our country anytime and especially during a time of war. Bring back trials for these traitors, they should suffer the same fate as the Atomic Secrets Commie Spys, Greenbergs did! Hang ‘em high!
The guy has had all day to come out and say he didn't do it. Wouldn't any of you if you were falsely accused?
LARRY HANAUER
Lawrence Hanauer
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