Coincidence in this Town is Rare

The American Thinker ^ | 10/21/06 | Clarice Feldman

[the Real fifi]

Today, press reports indicate that it is Larry Hanauer, Rep. Jane Harman’s staffer, that Chairman Hoekstra has barred from seeing classified materials because he is suspected of having leaked the classified National Intelligence Estimate to the New York Times, in order to affect the election. This story is only beginning, and a fascinating backstory remains to be told about the Democrats in the House.

[the Real fifi]

War between Pelosi and Harman echoes war against Leiberman--the left versus two moderate Jewish Dems.

[MNJohnnie]

Actually after watching Harman on the various Sunday Shows, she is way far Left too. She merely covers better then some Democrats just like Clinton did. I have no doubt at all the leaks came from her office

[johnny7]

But nobody f _ _ ks with Hillary...

[Enterprise]

Has Pelosi been aware of these allegations? Has she tried to get Harman to cease and desist? Perhaps Pelosi, and Harman, should do the sisterly honorable thing and resign.

[Grendel9]

I'm still waiting to hear anything
punitive other than a small fine to
be charged against Sandy "Socks" Berger.
No one in the media is going to track
down the importance of documents he stole,
let alone the ones he admits he destroyed!
Guess there's no limit to the depth of
forgiving Demorats are willing to go to
protect Bill Clinton.

[Rockitz]

Harman is unfortunately my representative. This is the aerospace capital of the free world, so she has to pretend to be pro-defense.

[Junior_G]

Publishing leaked docs has been S.O.P. for the Times as long as I can remember; but there will be no consequences for them, nor for the person who leaked it. We used to be a serious country. We're not anymore.

[WOSG]

A Democratic Congressional staffer breaks the law and undermines national security to influence the election against Republicans. Why is this not a front-page national story and scandal?

This story is, or should be, huge. It encapsulates much of what is wrong with the Democrats today, in particular how they put partisanship ahead of patriotism and feel unbound by laws or ethics. Why is the media covering up for the corruption, illegal behavior and reckless partisanship of the Democrats?

[Oldhunk]

I remember back when the wiretapping story broke, Harman was the only Democrat out there making responsible statements. I thought she was the most impressive Dem I'd seen in a long time. Clearly she has changed her tune and is now acting like every other party hack.

[az_gila]

It used to be.... 25 years ago the Green Line was planned to end at the "El Segundo Employment Center" - well after the 10 years it took them to build it, the designation should be "El Segundo Unemployment Center"

I was amazed at how the factory North American had, that built the P-51, was demolished in just a few months. They brought in big crushing machines, and even the foundations were gone. At the end, all that was left was ploughed soil.

Some defense firms remain - parts of the old Hughes Aircraft and TRW, but they now do most of the actual production out of state. Living (and housing) costs are making it hard for them to retain experienced engineers.

We're interviewing then in AZ....:^)

A bit further North, the Culver City Hughes plant became sound stages, including the building that the Spruce Goose was made in. Going South, Rosecrans Blvd. the major new buildings belong to the studios. These areas were all in Jane's district, but I'm not sure after the 2000 redistricting...

Her major industry now is Entertainment.

[YaYa123]

great post, I hope you will keep it bumped all week-end, not an easy task. Seems to me Jane Harman is in big trouble, and knows it. The immediate hiring of Ted Olson proves it.

Leaks abound, and I bet the farm Harman is responsible.

[Rockitz]

Jane's response.

October 20, 2006


HARMAN STATEMENT REGARDING SUSPENSION OF STAFF MEMBER’S ACCESS TO INFORMATION

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice), Ranking Member on the House Intelligence Committee, today released the following statement in response to Chairman Pete Hoekstra's unprecedented suspension of a Committee staffer’s access to classified information. Attached is a letter Harman sent to Hoekstra on October 18th, responding to his action:

“The Chairman’s unilateral action is without basis and an abuse of his power to provide security accesses. There is no evidence to suggest that the professional staff member in question did anything wrong.

“In May, the NIE was provided to multiple congressional committees and made available to thousands of individuals throughout the intelligence and policymaking community. The document was posted on the internal Committee website and available to every Committee staff member days before the story was published. In securing the document and providing it to a Member of the Committee in the secure Committee offices, this staffer acted appropriately.

“The Chairman has acknowledged in a letter to me that his action was a direct response to my decision to release the 5-page unclassified Summary of the Cunningham Report by the Special Counsel.

“The Majority staff has also informed Minority staff that they do not believe the staffer in question actually leaked any classified information, but they felt “compelled” to take this action because a Majority member of the Committee requested an investigation.

“That Member has been quoted in the press, saying, “There are no coincidences in this town.” I do not believe this unwarranted action is any coincidence either. It is an effort to silence those of us who want to speak truth to power about the Cunningham matter.

“Attached is a letter I sent to Hoekstra on October 18th, responding to his action. This letter reflects the views of all nine Democratic Members of the Committee.”

[Rockitz]

Link to her letter to Hoekstra.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ca36_harman/Letter.pdf

Jane says it's a personal vendetta against her by Hoekstra for her release of the unclassified Special Counsel Summary on the Cunningham fiasco.

[Rockitz]

My letter to Jane:

Dear Ms. Harman,

Normally I would use the term "honorable" to address a seated member of congress, but there is nothing honorable about the actions of you or your staff or minority members of the House Intelligence Committee or their staff. The partisanship you and others under your command on this committee have demonstrated with the continuous stream of
leaks to the NY Times by said individuals (most recently, the classified National Intelligence Estimate) are reprehensible. I agree with House Intelligence Chairman Peter Hoekstra that "coincidence in this town is rare." If you had any shame you would resign from congress and take your staff with you. Even if it is not your staffer who is responsible, it is undoubtedly a minority staffer attempting to undermine the administration's national security efforts. As ranking minority member of the House Intelligence Committee it is your responsibility to reign in those on the minority staff who are leaking this information. Obviously Chairman Hoekstra needed to get your attention and I wholeheartedly agree with his methods. I will work earnestly for your challenger to see that your callous disregard for national security is exposed and that you are hopefully defeated in November.

Disrespectfully yours,

[withheld]

[Sal]

It is an effort to silence those of us who want to speak truth to power about the Cunningham matter.

Yo, Janie, Cunningham is out of Congress and in jail.

[bootless]

a disgusted bump

[Dr. Eckleburg]

There are no coincidences in politics. If it happened, it was planned. -- FDR

[the Real fifi]

Well. Spread the word. You sure won't see this in the MSM.

[fishergirl]

Good point. What did she know and when did she know it.

[the Real fifi]

Bump.