Holder in Letter to Congress: Testimony Truthful and Accurate (Yeah right)

Townhall.com ^ | October7, 2011 | Katie Pavlich

[Kaslin]

In a late Friday afternoon dump, Attorney General Eric Holder has sent a letter to the House Overight Committee addressing Operation Fast and Furious and the allegations that he lied to Congress on May 3 when he said he had only known about Fast and Furious for "a couple of weeks." Memos released this week show Holder was briefed and sent direct memos on the program at least five times in July and August 2010, nearly a year before Holder admitted under oath.

In the letter, Holder states:

I also want to be very clear that protecting American citizens from the devastating effects of gun violence is among the most important responsibilities of the Department of Justice. Likewise, ensuring that weapons sold here do not flow south to Mexico is of paramount importance.

Yet under Holder's watch, at least 2,000 guns were deliberately trafficked into Mexico under orders from his Justice Department and the Bureau of Alcohal, Tobacco and Firearms, which Holder also has jurisdiction and responsibility for overseeing. Operation Fast and Furious has resulted in the deaths of at least one federal agent and 200 innocent Mexico citizens, at minimum.

“Allowing loads of weapons that we knew to be destined for criminals, this was the plan. It was so mandated.” –Special Agent John Dodson ATF Phoenix Field Division.

Damning new evidence from Capitol Hill shows that ATF Directors and Justice Department Officials knew about and encouraged the purposeful trafficking of thousands of weapons across the southern border, despite strong objections from ATF agents. Thousands of innocent lives were taken as the result, including those of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry and ICE Agent Jamie Zapata.

And yes, Holder is still denying he knew of the "tactics" used in Operation Fast and Furious:

Much has been made in that past few days about my congressional testimony earlier this year regarding Fast and Furious. My testimony was truthful and accurate and I have been consistent on this point throughout. I have no recollection of knowing about Fast and Furious or hearing its name prior to the public controversy about it. Prior to early 2011, I certainly never knew about the tactics employed in the operation and it is my understanding that the former United States Attorney for the District of Arizona and the former Acting Director and Deputy Director of ATF have told Congress that they, themselves were unaware of the tactics employed. 

FLASHBACK: The former United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, Dennis Burke, and the former Acting Director of ATF Kenneth Melson absolutely knew about the tactics employed throughout Operation Fast and Furious.

New emails released by House Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa show that ATF Director Kenneth Melson was briefed weekly about Operation Fast and Furious and watched a live feed of straw purchasers (who serve as middle men, purchasing guns and giving them to cartel members) in Arizona gun shops from his cozy Washington D.C. office. Emails also show that Deputy Assistant Director for Field Operations William McMahon was enthusiastic about the operation.

“An e-mail from April 12, 2010, indicates that Acting Director Melson was very much in the weeds with Operation Fast and Furious. After a detailed briefing of the program by the ATF Phoenix Field Division, Acting Director Melson had a plethora of follow-up questions that required additional research to answer. As the document indicates, Mr. Melson was interested in the IP Address for hidden cameras located inside cooperating gun shops. With this information, Acting Director Melson was able to sit at his desk in Washington and – himself – watch a live feed of the straw buyers entering the gun stores to purchase dozens of AK-47 variants,” Chairman Issa said in his opening statement.

Holder also had the nerve to call for more gun control in his letter, re-enforcing the idea that Operation Fast and Furious was carried out to push more gun control onto the American people.

 

I'm not really sure what Holder is complaining about with his long gun reporting requirement, he got that back in July 2011. Also,

Parting thought:

Eric Holder May 3, 2011: "I'm not sure of the exact date, but I probably heard about Fast and Furious for the first time over the last few weeks."

Eric Holder July 5, 2010: Memos addressed directly to Eric Holder about Operation Fast and Furious.

Nice try, Holder. We're not buying it.

[cashless]

The author ends with, “We’re not buying it.” Too bad that is about as weak as a fart in a whirlwind. That slimy, racist, lying POS Holder, with his boss’s propaganda machine, a.k.a., the MSM, and every DemocRat in the House and Senate falling on their swords to protect him, guarantee NOTHJNG WILL COME OF THIS. Especially the CBC and the usual suspects yelling “Racism.” because the POS POTUS gave them their marching orders at the news conference when he said Holder had his full support. That was him telling the CBC to attack every Republican on the committee with charges of Racism in order to misdirect the conversation. Resign? He will not. Be fired? He will not? Be impeached? He will not. And you fool yourself into believing any of that will happen. This is the time where for some strange reason, evil prevails and good is.despised. I suspect it’s because of the accumulated evil of the people of this nation for the last 50 years. Add in the fact that the spineless, neutered, effeminate, elitist Republican establishment will kill this inquiry, but fast, and you see what I’m talking about. Also proves my 30 year point of contention: we didn’t shoot anyone when we had the chance.

[scooby321]

I wish the Mexican Government would indict Holder for War Crimes.

[rolling_stone]

For those thinking about what crimes Holder could be charged with take a look at Scooter Libby-then add on from there-

perjury, false statements, obstruction of justice..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooter_Libby

[thouworm]

FF ping

[Dick Bachert]

Dear Eric,
We understand. Go and sin no more.
Love,
The Congress.

[Jeff Head]

"actually provided to and reviewed by members of my staff and the staff of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General."

The worst kind of leader possible...throwing his own people under the bus to try and protect himself.

Well guess what, you racist/marxist? If it's got your name on it as the addressee...you own it.

You are either wholly incompentent and unworthy to serve, or you are guilty as charged.

[dandiegirl]

He’s a huge liar along with his Buddy BO, but when do we EVER see a democrat charged with anything and actually punished? How about Charlie Rangle and Geithner, big tax cheats. Nothing happened to them. I know 2 people that have GONE TO JAIL for cheating on taxes. That’s why the corruption with the left continues because they get away with it everytime.

[Iron Munro]

Just the fact he even bothered to send a letter speaks volumes.

Normally he would just ignore them.

[FormerACLUmember]

Holder was chosen by the Obamination because he was the most corrupt individual imaginable for all of Obama’s socialist plans.

[Brad from Tennessee]

It's simple. Holder and his deputies thought ATF was talking about the Vin Diesel movie “Fast and Furious.”