Posted on 04/19/2009 11:22:59 PM PDT by Lorianne
Rep. Jane Harman , the California Democrat with a longtime involvement in intelligence issues, was overheard on an NSA wiretap telling a suspected Israeli agent that she would lobby the Justice Department reduce espionage-related charges against two officials of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, the most powerful pro-Israel organization in Washington.
Harman was recorded saying she would “waddle into” the AIPAC case “if you think it’ll make a difference,” according to two former senior national security officials familiar with the NSA transcript.
In exchange for Harman’s help, the sources said, the suspected Israeli agent pledged to help lobby Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif., then-House minority leader, to appoint Harman chair of the Intelligence Committee after the 2006 elections, which the Democrats were heavily favored to win.
Seemingly wary of what she had just agreed to, according to an official who read the NSA transcript, Harman hung up after saying, “This conversation doesn’t exist.”
Harman declined to discuss the wiretap allegations, instead issuing an angry denial through a spokesman.
“These claims are an outrageous and recycled canard, and have no basis in fact,” Harman said in a prepared statement. “I never engaged in any such activity. Those who are peddling these false accusations should be ashamed of themselves.”
(Excerpt) Read more at cqpolitics.com ...
Not sure I see a problem here. Maybe it’s late at nite but this just seems typical politics -
but no big scandal(sp?)
But then again, I’m a birther so how much does my opinion count regarding something like this?
The funny thing is that whatever is the full truth of Harman's gambit, it failed. She was passed over in favor of the gaffetastic Silvestre Reyes, who would be a national punch line if he was a white Republican.
Israel is already a U.S. ally, so I am mystified that there are so many spy cases on its behalf.
Frankly, this whole issue seems like an obscure ripple in a much larger sea AT BEST.
I’m not an Israel supportor nor am I against their need for a secure nation. However,
they have done no good spying on the United States.
And I don’t forgive them easily for that. So don’t get sympathetic on their behalf and expect me to go along.
What are you talking about?
AIPAC needs to be restricted as the agent of a foreign government.
Frankly, this whole issue seems like an obscure ripple in a much larger sea AT BEST.
I’m not an Israel supportor nor am I against their need for a secure nation. However,
they have done no good spying on the United States.
And I don’t forgive them easily for that. So don’t get sympathetic on their behalf and expect me to go along.
News like this makes me hopeful that the good guys (us) have people buried in high places who can keep an eye on the scumbags.
>>Not sure I see a problem here. Maybe it’s late at nite but this just seems typical politics -
but no big scandal(sp?)
But then again, I’m a birther so how much does my opinion count regarding something like this?<<
One thing that worries me is what the hell kind of foreign agent can lobby Pelosi to appoint someone intelligence chair?
That said, I’m not sure this is illegal unless he interfered in criminal charges.
I was surprised to see Palm on the list. I thought it was already dead and buried. Remember those ads and billboards with the naked woman that were controversial in the late nineties?
Oops, sorry. Wrong thread. Never miiind.
You may know that the Israels have spyed and used info on the US for many years.
We’ve let them go on for years without any charges. There are many business relationships with Isreal that national security doesn’t allow us to discuss.
I don’t fault the jews for using the the US to their advantage but I think it’s ignorant to ignore the fact that they play us like a fiddle and get US dollars when they have historically returned absolutely nothing back.
If you would like to argue mideast stability, forget it. Isreal has NEVER done anything that is not in their own self interest - EVER.
I still support their need for an autonomous state. But it would be nice if we didn’t have to front their progress at the expense of our own.
If this is not clear enough for you, send me a repy private and we can discuss.
Nations spy on each other, all nations spy on each other if they have the ability. This spying is NOT confined to adversaries but includes allies as well.
It has ALWAYS been this way and it will always be this way. Keep in mind that contrary to the liberals constant moaning about “our friends overseas”, nations have no friendships between them. All they share are interests and the way to look out for a nation to look after it’s own interest is to know what the other guy is up to at all times.
Note of correction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saeky9I5T9c
Israel gives way, way, way more to the world than it gets. Western military, political and social research has proven again and again the fact that Israel’s friendship is a huge begain to the U.S. Israel’s life-saving, technological contributions to every man, woman and child on the globe are astounding, given that the tiny country has to spend most of its gross national product on defending its righth to exist in this world of people who are jealous of Jews’ ability to educate themselves and their families to make a positive difference in the lives of people; their enemies live to destroy; they love life and help others do so, too. On the Love Life index (dividing the birth rate by the suicide rate), Israel ranks far and away the country that if most favorable to and for life.
See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saeky9I5T9c
No argument from me on your points.
Ethically I wouldn’t do the same to my personal friends but I do understand the need for a more global perspective.
Personal friends can be well vetted - not so international alliances.
And I think it perfectly rational for other countries to protect their interests. I just dislike the inclination of the current US admin. to dis off US interests in apparent favor of a deceptive, falsified “global” view. I find that supremely arrogant.
If she did something illegal, then she definitely has a seat at 0’s table. Pelosi is just jealous she hadn’t got the offer first.
As do I.
Is. plays kinda like the Palis do, only we enjoy it more when it’s the Palis.
Israel always strikes a hard bargain.
And Israel has put spy type folks in the US system.
I personally cannot tolerate that.
You may believe that the benefit outweighs the cost but I do not. My faith in the purity of Israeli intentions disappeared with the revelation of their aggressive broach of American security.
The US has dumped tons of $$$$’s into Isreal and all we get is spies. **ck ‘em.
Deal with it or die. I’ts about time Isreal got their $hit together and started working with the world at large rather than just sucking up on America. Heck....
the jews here can’t get off their a$$’$ and vote for a repulican vs. that POS BO!!!
I hate to parrot an islamic point of view BUT - you get what you sow - so deal with it.
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