Deputy AG Comey Hints at Big House for Berger, US Media Mum

NewsMax.com ^ | 7/21/04 | Carl Limbacher

[kattracks]

Deputy Attorney General James Comey raised the specter of a jail sentence yesterday for Clinton National Security Advisor Sandy Berger, if he's found guilty of removing top secret documents from the National Archives that were supposed to go to the 9/11 Commission.

Though Comey's comments were widely quoted, the U.S. press edited out his reference to a possible stint in the big house for Berger. A Lexis Nexis search found that only Agence France Press quoted the Deputy AG in full, including this key observation on the Berger security breach:

"It's our lifeblood to keep secrets," Comey told reporters in Washington. "All felonies in the federal system bring with them the promise of jail time, that's all I can say about that."

Comey left little doubt that Berger's so-called "sloppiness" was more likely a serious crime.

"It is against the law for anyone to intentionally mishandle classified information, either by taking it to give to somebody else, or by mishandling in a way that is outside the regulations of government information.".

In case anybody missed the point, the U.S.'s number two lawman added: "The federal system is a very tough system. . . We take issues of classified information very, very seriously."

Now wonder venues like CBS News, which reported Tuesday night the Berger would almost certainly not be charged with criminal wrongdoing, decided not to cover Comey's full comments.

[freeangel]

I don't want hints. Prosecute him NOW!

[MizSterious]

Though Comey's comments were widely quoted, the U.S. press edited out his reference to a possible stint in the big house for Berger.

No bias here, folks, nahhh....

[1Old Pro]

Prosecute pantload Berger and throw Kerry in jail for using stolen documents.

[tang-soo]

I called our local Clear Channel station the night after this story broke and spoke for about 10 minutes describing the procedures used to handle classified information. The following is a basic description of what I said ...

1) A person who wishes to review classified information at a given facility must have his/her clearance on file with the security office that has legal custody of the information.

2) Once they arrive to the facility, they must show their credentials to identify themselves, sign into the facility - maybe issued a badge indicating their clearance and access and escorted to the room where the material will be reviewed.

3) Once in the room, the container (probably a safe i.e. a very heavy duty file cabinet with heavy combination locks with different combinations on each drawer) is opened. This process should be logged by security personnel.

4) The documents are taken from the container. All classified documents are stamped (each page) with items such as a control number, date of creation, level of clearance (top and bottom), program name indicating what access is required and eventual dispensation (i.e. when the material is designated to destruction if applicable).

5) If the documents are classified "top secret", each document has a log on the cover sheet. EACH time a person has access to this information, they must sign and date it.

6) The material is not to be removed (ie stuffed in underwear, socks ... etc) without approval of security personnel. If this takes place, the transfer is documented on both ends of the transaction. If the material is top secret or above, it requires at least two cleared people as an escort.

7) If you travel overnight, the material is not to be kept in your hotel/motel room but instead must be taken to an approved facility. Arrangements are usually made in advance. Security people do not like suprise visits. They like to make them but not receive them.

8) No photocopies are to be made or notes copied without the proper security personnel logging this activity and making appropriate markings (mentioned above) on the documents.

9) This material is frequently audited by internal security agents and is subject to "suprise" audits conducted by military, FBI or other external security personnel.

10) People given access to this type of information are briefed and attend classes on how to handle this material - ie. no excuses for "honest mistakes".

11) As the NSA for the clinton administration, I imagine Berger was personally responsible that this protocol was designed, implemented and enforced by his staff - at least in an appropriately managed administration. This would apply to government employees, officials, military personnel and civilians under contract and extended clearances issued by the DoD, DoE or other intel operations.

12) As such, ANYBODY who has worked in this environment and heard Mr. Berger's comments yesterday about being "sloppy" and "an honest mistake" knows beyond any doubt that he was not only lying, but this was a premeditated act.

13) I left the aerospace business(as an engineer) in 1993 so these comments are based upon the security world of that time. Only Lord knows how the clinton adm changed things during his 8 years.

That summarizes what I mentioned to Steve Cannon of WTVN 610 AM (Columbus, Oh) last night.

The latest word I have heard from this morning is that this material was classified "Code Word Access". Folks, if true, this is "Above Top Secret" ie. John Pollard type material.

So the question comes to mind, why would anybody do such a thing under conditions where he knew he stood a huge chance of being caught? The mission must have been extraordinary for such a risk. The presumption is that he wanted to alter or remove and destroy material that implicated either himself, or quite possibly mr. clinton. The fact that some of the material is "lost" implies that regardless of the consequences, the mission has been accomplished with his current situation collateral damage.

Webb Hubbell's infamous quote "I guess I'll have to roll over again for Hillary" comes to mind. Another example of the clinton whirlwind leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

[ICX]

One wonders how a guy named "Sandy" will fare in prison.

[drypowder]

The federal system is a very tough system. . . We take issues of classified information very, very seriously."

Is Craig Livingstone Bill or Hillary Clinton in jail yet? Yeah, right.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the ping. This is a dynamite rebuttal to the trolls who will be out in force on FR trying to down play the Bergular's treason. Their Soros control masters got caught off guard yesterday, and most of the old embedden trolls on FR were unable to post any rebuttals without help from their Soros masters. Now we have the perfect answer when they try to minimize the treason committed by their buddy, the Bergular.

"It's our lifeblood to keep secrets," Comey told reporters in Washington. "All felonies in the federal system bring with them the promise of jail time, that's all I can say about that."

"Comey left little doubt that Berger's so-called "sloppiness" was more likely a serious crime.

"It is against the law for anyone to intentionally mishandle classified information, either by taking it to give to somebody else, or by mishandling in a way that is outside the regulations of government information.".

"In case anybody missed the point, the U.S.'s number two lawman added: "The federal system is a very tough system. . . We take issues of classified information very, very seriously."

[nina0113]

I worked with an utter nitwit in 93, who got caught leaving TS docs in his desk due to his desktop being so tidy that when his manager (and mine) wanted to leave him a note, there was neither a pen nor a pad of stickies on his desk. She opened his pen drawer to get them, and ... voila!

The safe was just too damn far to walk to lock them up when it was time to go to lunch. A whole forty feet.

[Grampa Dave]

This is a great Soxgate thread and is marked as such.

We know the left wing traitors on ABCNNBC BS and in the print media will say that this was nothing but dirty sox and to move on.

Our embedden trolls will be out with the bs trying to minimize the serious reality of what happened. Now we have the perfect response.

Well, it wasn't

[texasflower]

Your tagline is hilarious! Love the fish. Did you draw it?

[ICX]

Unfortunately, no. Just the fruits of my Google Image Search labors. The tagline, however, was a joint effort between myself and one Mr. Samuel Berger.

[Neenah]

Is there just ONE Republican that will have the ***** to get aggressive and not care if he/she is liked or not ???

It is time to dig the boots in the sand and take a stand!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Very good!

tang-soo --- I left the arena in 92 and that is the way I remeber it also!

This was a deliberate act by Berger....no doubt.

[rwfromkansas]

AskDOJ@usdoj.gov

[catpuppy]

I would never advocate breaking the law but any Democrat who thinks that Berger's actions were just inadvertent/ accidental/oversights/mistakes might wish to test that peculiar theory by walking into the nearest retail store and loading up the old socks and pants with a few Twinkies, wristwatches or T-Bone steaks.

Be prepared to react when you hear the words "Freeze" or "Stop Thief." You might want to consult an attorney in advance.

[Grampa Dave]

"The latest word I have heard from this morning is that this material was classified "Code Word Access". Folks, if true, this is "Above Top Secret" ie. John Pollard type material."

If the Bergular stole this material, he should be in very serious trouble.

[Grampa Dave]

Stand back and watch.

Then be sure to support those who carry this into a street fight.

[skeeter]

The press is mum because the democrats haven't nailed down their party line yet. Which they will do as soon as they know all the evidence/details of the case.

[Rebelbase]

FWIW, Back in the late 70's I had relatives working in the Pentagon, specfically weapons development. I won't say which branch.

I came to visit when I was 17 and they took me to work with them everyday for a week. A simple, "he's with me" got me through checkpoints and security and I'd send a couple of hours hanging around the offices then I'd head into DC for the day.

I remember there were counless open file drawers with combo locks and files marked "TOP SECRET", many of them were left open with files hanging out like it was an accountants office on April 14th. I know times have changed but I got a big laugh out of seeing all the TOP SECRET files labeled "Project XYZ" and such just laying around the office.