Leak in Domestic Spy Program Investigated [“ ...could reach high into the White House”]

Los Angeles Times ^ | December 31, 2005 | By Josh Meyer

[johnny7]

The Justice Department inquiry could extend into all branches of the federal government

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department disclosed Friday that it was investigating who had leaked classified information about President Bush's top-secret domestic spying program — paving the way for a potentially contentious criminal probe that could reach high into the White House, Congress and the courts. Several U.S. officials familiar with the investigation — which is in its infancy — said it would be conducted by FBI agents trained in probing national security and counterintelligence matters.

The officials said the investigation would focus primarily on disclosures in the New York Times that Bush had authorized the National Security Agency to conduct surveillance on people in the U.S. without getting warrants from a special federal court established to approve them.

[mware]

anyone interested in voting in this poll. It is being DU'ed right now.

http://info.detnews.com/poll/result.cfm?topic=Spy_program_whistleblower&end

The Justice Department is investigating whether classified information about the secret domestic eavesdropping program was unlawfully disclosed to the New York Times. Are those who leaked this information villains or heroes in your eyes?

[Tarpon]

So, if it does reach high into the White House, then I guess they go to jail.

The MSM funny farm is going to get their wish -- Jail the editors.

These media people are beyond pathetic. I didn't think it could happen, but it looks like Bush will singlehandedly destroy the lamestream media, for good.

[TexasCajun]

My guess is that the leak came from a Clinton/Powell holdover in the CIA or State Department.

No boubt about it, and there's been a lot of it going on since day 1.

[sirchtruth]

It's high time we get serious about this... It is beyond the pale for this leaking to the MSM/dems and we have to be diligent in prosecuting these namby-pamby jealous prix. It's pure politics being waged to bring Bush down, and it is completely treasonist!!

I'm not exactly sure who's doing this, but there is no doubt they are enemies of America.

[IamConservative]

This could be laying the groundwork for whining about investigating and persecuting "whistleblowers."

[Steel Wolf]

Your number one above will not stop the MSM from referring to those implicated as whistle-blowers rather than leakers. Look for those responsible for leaking how we protect our citizens to be touted as Persons of the Year.

The way to get ahead of that is to beat it to death. Talk about it on the talk shows, in interviews, and in speeches. Make sure that the people are crystal clear on the difference, to the point where no one likes to even hear the word whistleblower anymore. As it is right now, few people understand the difference. 'Whistleblowing' and 'leaking' are as different as 'making love' and 'rape'. That point needs to be hammered into the collective understanding long before we catch whoever's behind all this. If we try and explain the difference after he or she is caught, it'll be way too late.

[RedEyeJack]

They are not "leakers" they are "subversive leakers"... words matter.

[McGavin999]

The MSM funny farm is going to get their wish -- Jail the editors

Jail the editors and fine the corporation. I believe that the "publishing" of information that is damaging to national security is subject to a sentence of 10 years maximum and/or fine.

Considering the damage, it's reasonable to believe that Pinch and friends could be spending 10 years and the stockholders of the Times could very well be holding junk bonds by mid-year.

[ken5050]

MSM is trying to shape the debate..

[mware]

My take on this is that one person leaked the information. (I am wondering about Tom Daschle myself, he lost his senate seat in Nov of 2004).

After that one person leaked than the NYT called their other sources to try to confirm the story. My bet is that they called the White House to get their comments about the story.

It sounds like a Scooter Libby in reverse to me.

Paging Chris Matthews.

[Steel Wolf]

The Rasmussen poll on this subject was devastating to the Dems. When a heavy majority of people believe that the President had the authority to authorize the spying, AND believe he SHOULD do it, the Dems have lost the issue.

Politically, I think you're right. I'm more worried about the legal aspect, which I imagine the Republicans will fumble with clockwork precision.

As far as the 'soft on terror' tag, the Democrats are stamping it on themselves with white hot irons. They're simply too dumb and fanatical to realize that if something happens because the Patriot Act fails to pass, and this wiretap program was compromised, the Republicans are going to 'wave the bloody shirt' at them for decades.

[Steel Wolf]

Considering the damage, it's reasonable to believe that Pinch and friends could be spending 10 years and the stockholders of the Times could very well be holding junk bonds by mid-year.

Speaking of damage, but if a terrorist attack occurs, and it is shown that the wiretap program could have prevented it, could the Times be sued for wrongful death?

[McGavin999]

In a civil suit? Sure they could, if they survived the angry mob.

[TruthFactor]

I'd like to see these traitors get 25 year sentences.

[RedEyeJack]

I believe that the Justice Department/FBI should follow this wherever it leads. If George Bush leaked this info or ordered it leaked then he should be indicted and impeached. If Rockefeller, or some other Senator is the source then he should be indicted and forced from office.

This should be a "no quarter" action...

[Tarpon]

Nothing could be better for the US than the New York Times and Washington Post go out of business.

[Americanexpat]

I think the leak came from either a disgruntled employee at NSA or someone within the NSA with a political agenda.

Also, I believe that if the are going to push this off on the white-house that they need to investigate the other WH administrations to see who they were spying on before there was a 9/11. We already know the Clintons were abusing their positions collecting FBI and IRS files on people they hated so lets go whole hog and see who comes out on top.

[Galveston Grl]

**'Whistleblowing' and 'leaking' are as different as 'making love' and 'rape'. **

Excellent point, Steel Wolf. Whistleblowing is only used by the media when it will harm Republicans. When the Clintons were in power the media ridiculed all whistle blowers as traitors and extremist government haters.

I want to see the lefties who reported this top secret stuff prosecuted along with their sources.

[Crawdad]

I concur. The left has set up their own defense. The more anti-Bush they have been, the stronger their defense that this is a purge will be, and the weakness Bush has exhibited in not responding to their repeated attacks over the past will doom this investigation and prevent justice from being served.