Posted on 03/08/2003 9:47:48 AM PST by forest
Those in government tell us exactly what they want us to hear. They often twist the facts, and sometimes even tell outright lies. But, other than the vote, we citizens usually have little recourse.
There is, however, a federal law (18 USC 1001), titled "Fraud and False Statements," that is sometimes used against citizens lying to those in government. The full text of the law is short, but rather interesting:
"Whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States knowingly and willfully falsifies, conceals or covers up any trick, scheme, or device a material fact (sic), or makes any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations, or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or entry, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both."
The word "whoever" kind of makes the reader believe that the law would apply to public servants as well as to citizens. If so, the effective enforcement of that law could surely bring a little honesty and honor to the halls of government in a hell of a hurry. Most of the halls would soon be empty.
But in today's political atmosphere, such convictions would be virtually impossible. Why? Well, first consider the Congressional testimony during the Ruby Ridge and Waco hearings. Then, consider the probable resulting debacle involved with having the Attorney General and his assistants prosecuting other government liars. We would need to triple the number of federal assistant prosecutors and courts to handle the workload.
For the Washington crowd, any lie, no matter how outrageous, is justified by calling it "spin." It is their "opinion," they say, no matter how intentionally fraudulent it may be. Even when they knowingly twist or misrepresent facts to deliberately mislead the public, it is still winked at and called an opinion.
It doesn't matter that when the establishment press reports these intentional fabrications as news, as they usually do, the lies are often believed to be honest facts by many in the public sector. Apparently, we citizens are supposed to know better. Remember that. You should know better.
Unfortunately, the False Statements law is not used against federal law enforcement agents either. A prosecutor, FBI agent, IRS agent -- or any government bureaucrat or agent, for that matter -- can tell a citizen anything they wish. They can also accuse a citizen with any crime they wish. And, other than proving their innocence in court, citizens have absolutely no recourse. The only hope is to catch the lying agent with a perjury charge, if they lie in open court.
It's time for some changes, folks.
For the Washington crowd, any lie, no matter how outrageous, is justified by calling it "spin." It is their "opinion," they say, no matter how intentionally fraudulent it may be.
It doesn't matter that when the establishment press reports these intentional fabrications as news, as they usually do, the lies are often believed to be honest facts by many in the public sector.
Unfortunately, the False Statements law is not used against federal law enforcement agents.
Try, try, try again is the motto.
"Never give up, never give up, never give up, never ever give up."
paraphrase of Winston Churchhill
You have a good idea.
MANILA, Philippines (CNN) -- The FBI was warned six years ago of a terrorist plot to hijack commercial planes and slam them into the Pentagon, the CIA headquarters and other buildings, Philippine investigators told CNN.
Philippine authorities learned of the plot after a small fire in a Manila apartment, which turned out to be the hideout of Ramzi Yousef, who was later convicted for his role in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. Yousef escaped at the time, but agents caught his right-hand man, Abdul Hakim Murad, who told them a chilling tale. RESOURCES At a glance:
Provided by: CountryWatch.com
"Murad narrated to us about a plan by the Ramzi cell in the continental U.S. to hijack a commercial plane and ram it into the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, and also the Pentagon," said Rodolfo Mendoza, a Philippine intelligence investigator.
Philippine investigators also found evidence targeting commercial towers in San Francisco, Chicago and New York City.
They said they passed that information on to the FBI in 1995, but it's not clear what was done with it.
She either X42 and HIS administration was too lazy or to(o) mired in scandal, stupid(ity),or and to(o) much corruption to tell Bush about these plans. to do anything to protect our Country from this murderous attack against our country, our government, our military and innocent Americans.
If you say so.
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