Kyl Blasts Dems on Intelligence Memo

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), a member of the Senate leadership, today issued the following statement one day after Senate Democrats' refused to repudiate a staff memo outlining a strategy to use a nonpartisan Intelligence Committee investigation for political attacks next year against President Bush.

The Senator called on Democrat leaders to publicly denounce the strategy. He also suggested that if staff members deserved the blame for drafting the memo, they should be fired.

"First, Democrats sought to blame an unnamed staffer for this memo, saying it had never been approved by any Senators. Next they tried to argue the memo's merits without accepting responsibility for it. Then, on CNN, Senator Rockefeller attributed it to his three staffers but claimed it was just one 'option' or 'idea' adding, 'I disavow nothing.'

"Further failing to accept responsibility, Democrats had the audacity to suggest the Senate investigate how these attack plans might have been obtained - the equivalent of offenders blaming the cops because they got caught. This effort at spin control is patently absurd in any event, since by Senator Rockefeller's own admission, this strategy memo was not an official committee document and certainly contained no intelligence information.

"Another Democrat explanation is that they simply are frustrated that the administration has not provided as much intelligence information to the committee as they have demanded. But what makes them think they would get more information by signaling in advance that they intend to use the information politically or that they've already begun to do so? The White House could be excused for taking a dim view of the Democrats' demands.

"All of the Democrats' artful dodges are attempts to obscure what must be the central questions in examining this serious matter. Does the Democrat leadership repudiate this strategy or does it embrace it? Does the Democrat Party intend to use what is supposed to be a nonpartisan intelligence investigation as a political weapon or doesn't it? Will Senate Democrats demand accountability for the inappropriate partisan use of the Intelligence Committee or won't they?

"The American people have a right to hear the answers to these questions. I, for one, am not satisfied with what I've heard so far."

The following is my letter to Senator Rockerfeller:

November 6, 2003

9891 Live Oak
Salado, Texas
76571

Offices of Senator Jay Rockefeller
531 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510

Senator Rockefeller:

You are no longer my Senator as I have moved away from Huntington many years ago. While in Huntington I was the Assistant Chief of Pharmacy at the VA Hospital. Although of a different political party than you I learned to respect you and Senator Byrd for your efforts and legislation that aided my patients and the State of West Virginia.

The recent memo from yourself or a senior staff member in your office is beyond my comprehension. The memo details the use of the plan to use the Senate Committee as an attack mechanism against President Bush. The plan would quite frankly give aid and succor to those that are trying to kill our soldiers in Iraq. This plan if implemented will result in the death of more American Soldiers.

Perhaps I do not understand the definition of treason but in my mind a deliberate action that resulted in the injury or death of an American Soldier and aid and abets our enemy is treason. I truly hope that you have nothing to do with this memo. I do know how senior staffers work. Their memos are a reflection of direction from the top, which is you. If this is rogue his named must be disclosed and he must be fired immediately. If this is not done, I can only conclude this memo is a reflection of your policy. If this is the case I am at a loss for words.

In closing I request three things.

1. Please go to Dover, Delaware and meet one of the Air Force Planes that bring back our dead. Inside that coffin is a soldier that gave his all for our great nation. Soldiers that may be a father, a mother, or young man whose life should have extended many many years into the future. Look at that cold silent coffin draped in the flag of our nation and ask yourself, “did my actions cause the death of this soldier.”
2. My son, Christopher Jaisingh is in Iraq. He is a medic with the 4th ID from Fort Hood, Texas.
Write him and explain to him why you or your staff has taken actions that aid our enemy that is trying to kill him. Would you like a copy of a letter from him that talks about being motared every night? If you have anybody on your staff that served in Vietnam ask him or her what it is like to be motared.

3. Go down to the wall and place your hand on the cold black stone and read the first name on the first plaque. Go to last plaque and read that name. Walk slowly past the black cold stone and when you find yourself at the apex of the memorial look to the left and the right. Each name is a life cut short by a bullet, a knife, a missile, a mortar or some other hell of war. Perhaps if you do this you will be able to understand.

Respectfully

Charles P. Dunifer

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