Schumer Wants to Know Motivation Behind NSA Leak

FOXNews.com ^ | 2 January 2006

[Aussie Dasher]

WASHINGTON — The investigation into who leaked information about a National Security Agency secret wiretapping program on potential terror suspects needs to focus on the motivation behind the leak, a Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee said Sunday.

"There are differences between felons and whistleblowers, and we ought to wait 'til the investigation occurs to decide what happened," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., told "FOX News Sunday."

The Justice Department on Friday opened an investigation into who leaked the information about the program, sparking debate over its threat to national security and presidential powers versus civil liberties.

The program, first revealed Dec. 16 by The New York Times, has used surveillance to review phone conversations and e-mails inside the United States without court warrants since after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

President Bush defended the program on Sunday, saying it is necessary and legal to prevent future terrorist attacks.

[Mr. Mojo]

I know the motivation: partisan viciousness.

Revenge for Clinton's impeachment, and an all-consuming pining for another Watergate.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Again, you and many others are assuming this was an inside job at NSA or that some Senator or Representative in the know told the NYT.

What's wrong with thinking that it could be a case of old fashioned espionage, conducted by a foreign nation, or possibly even the NYT?

Nothing in principle, but I put my money on the most likely first. And a number of Dems in congress, at State and at the CIA have already demonstrated that they are willing to commit treasonous acts in an effort to bring down this administration. If it smells like Dem crap, it surely isn't chicken soup.

[DustyMoment]

Schumer Wants to Know Motivation Behind NSA Leak

Well, gee Chuckie, let's think about that. Could it be part of the NYTimes' anti-Bush, anti-America agenda???

Noooooo, it couldn't be anything THAT obvious, could it Chuckie?

[scott says]

[muawiyah]

Certainly the Democrats are desparate enough to sacrifice an American City to get back into power ~ we need look only to New Orleans to see the reality of that attitude.

Still, the NYT is a bit too confident about this to have relied on someone else's word. They've got documents!

[plain talk]

One's personal motive can be subjective. A person could believe they are doing the right thing by leaking the timing of D-Day but they would have still rightly received the death penalty in WWII. People need to go to prison over this.

[Blood of Tyrants]

If he isn't, then he knows who it is and is running interference for him/her. An independent investigator should be on this like stink on a 'Rat. He should announce up front that he will not only be looking for the leaker, but anyone trying to cover up for the leaker.

[Wasanother]

If these "sources" were so confident that this was whistle-blowing then they really should have no problem admitting they are the source.

[doorgunner69]

*These are precisely the same bastards that snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in Vietnam....*

Could not have said it more clearly.

Semper Fi, Bro'

[No Truce With Kings]

If Schumer is really interested in knowing the motivation behind the NSA leak, why doesn't he just ask Sen Rockerfeller why he did it?

[Laverne]

Or take a shortcut, and just read Rockerfeller's memo.

[eeriegeno]

rat, I agree with you 110%. But, in order to apply the law that is applicable to members of congress and the MSM we need to open the other books of laws, not the one that applies to you and me.....

Term limits will prevent this abuse of the law, I just don't know why so many don't see that?

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

HELL YEAH THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!

[Old Flat Toad]

The Times "sat" on this story for a year? The same year that Fitzgerald is investigating "leaks"? The same Fitzgerald that asked for more leeway in extending his investigation? Even with blinders on, this won't pass the sniff test.

[dandiegirl]

I totally agree. Term limits would solve many problems.

[Matchett-PI]

"Okay, now on to the more useful business of uncovering the bastards who care more about hurting President Bush than about the security of this country."

Correction: "..uncovering the cowardly bastards.."

[The Cuban]

Someone should tell this retard that we have a constitution, and it is not Congress's place to decide whether to pursue a criminal investigation, that is the executives! (So basic, yet somehow it needs to be repeated because these Democrats beleive the "constitution" is what they feel).

[Wasanother]

"The information may have been leaked to the media because they didn't agree with the program, Schumer said."

A true whistle-blower has to have a legal premise not just because they don't like it. Shumey knows who it is and it's someone in the congress. ROCKERFELLER.

[Wheens]

Federal law was broken, violated, ignored, when someone released highly classified information. It makes no difference why they broke the law they should be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. They should start by lining up everyone who had access to this information and making them take a polygraph test. Those tests should have started last week. I agree with you. My feeble attempt at humor applied to the Chuckster in general. I think he is pathetic, almost as bad as Boxer.

[ZULU]

Earth to Chuckie!! Earth to Chuckie!! Do you read us???

I think not.

Chukie Schumer - the perfect march for Hildebeast.