Congress, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, International, Politics, Society

Haymaker: Panetta Contradicts Pelosi and Says That She Was Fully Briefed

225px-leon_panetta_informal_photo180px-Romanian_hayCIA Director Leon Panetta struck back at Speaker Nancy Pelosi today in a memorandum to CIA employees saying that she was fully and truthfully briefed in 2002. He indirectly accuses Pelosi of “making hay out” of the CIA and misrepresenting her briefing for political purposes. I discussed the Pelosi story last night on this segment of Countdown.

In his memorandum below, Panetta says “Let me be clear: It is not our policy or practice to mislead Congress. That is against our laws and our values. As the Agency indicated previously in response to Congressional inquiries, our contemporaneous records from September 2002 indicate that CIA officers briefed truthfully on the interrogation of Abu Zubaydah, describing “the enhanced techniques that had been employed.”

He adds “[u]ltimately, it is up to Congress to evaluate all the evidence and reach its own conclusions about what happened.” Leaving this growing controversy to Congress with its continued machinations and manipulations is ridiculous. It is time for a special prosecutor who will not be hampered by grants of congressional immunity and leaked intelligence.

Message from the Director:

There is a long tradition in Washington of making political hay out of our business. It predates my service with this great institution, and it will be around long after I’m gone. But the political debates about interrogation reached a new decibel level yesterday when the CIA was accused of misleading Congress.

Let me be clear: It is not our policy or practice to mislead Congress. That is against our laws and our values. As the Agency indicated previously in response to Congressional inquiries, our contemporaneous records from September 2002 indicate that CIA officers briefed truthfully on the interrogation of Abu Zubaydah, describing “the enhanced techniques that had been employed.” Ultimately, it is up to Congress to evaluate all the evidence and reach its own conclusions about what happened.

My advice—indeed, my direction—to you is straightforward: ignore the noise and stay focused on your mission. We have too much work to do to be distracted from our job of protecting this country.

We are an Agency of high integrity, professionalism, and dedication. Our task is to tell it like it is—even if that’s not what people always want to hear. Keep it up. Our national security depends on it.

For the full story, click here.

115 thoughts on “Haymaker: Panetta Contradicts Pelosi and Says That She Was Fully Briefed”

  1. M72,
    Here is what I propose instead of the honor system. How about a PayPal account that someone, perhaps Professor Turley, or some other regular here has available?

  2. Exactly we are moving forward. There is no down side. If we can’t control ourselves, we benefit someone else. If we restrain ourselves the debate improves. Who can argue with that?

  4. Mespo:

    I will go for it as long as I dont have to send money to Anonymous.

  8. Let’s do something useful with some of this vitriol. I propose a penalty for incivility in posting. We are on our honor to comply. I suggest the following:

    1. A $5.00 donation to a pre-determined charity of your choice if called down by two or more fellow bloggers (trolls do not count).
    2. A $10.00 donation if called down by JT.
    3. Donations payable within 10 days.
    4. Anonymous donations ok too.

    My charity is “Save The Children.” Any takers?

  9. mespo727272

    I propose a penalty for incivility in posting. We ar eon our honor to comply. I suggest the follwoing:

    1.
    **************************
    Anything like the rule of law?

  10. I propose a penalty for incivility in posting. We ar eon our honor to comply. I suggest the follwoing:

    1.

  11. I aint never takin’ sides never agin’ in this pack of jackals…

  14. “Leon Panetta is doing a very good job at trying to impress the CIA lifers that he is their friend. Mike A. hit the nail on the head when he brought up the statement by former Senator Bob Graham who said the CIA screwed up their dates with him.’

    As usual Rafflaw and Mike A. have an excellent understanding of the context behind the headlines.

    “Rafflaw, get the hell out of here with your phony “we prosecuted for waterboarding after WW2″. By now EVERY American knows that is a lie.”

    Kelly,
    Either you are a congenital liar or you are totally ignorant, perhaps both.

    “Big Easy:
    “Mespo, you are such a bogus intellect.”

    Mespo, You always seemed quite intelligent to me, but when a
    famed braniac like Big Easy says not….What am I to think?

    “He uses fewer words than Mr. Florida aka Mike Spindell but just as effective. Mike S was getting yelled at for some reason and not too nicely, I may add either.”

    Ay, I’ve just answered 6 comments in 65 words, despite your contention of wordiness.

  15. Big Easy:

    “Mespo, you are such a bogus intellect.”

    ***************

    Come now, Big Easy is entitled to his opinion. Sometimes my classical bent can be a bit putting off, but I am a product of my experiences and Sr. Francis’ Latin class is one of them. Maybe I can change his mind, but if not, no matter.

    Thank you to my passionate defenders, but I enjoy the challenge if BE cares to discuss a topic that involves more than his unsubstantiated opinion. Recall my Emerson quote: I’ll assume intelligent life until BE gives me reason to think otherwise.

  16. Big Easy:

    please provide examples for your claim. Making a statement like that with no backup seems to me to be pretty bogus. Mespo can do rings around your dialectic standing on his head smoking a cigar and having a glass of wine while reading De Officius.

    your a light weight, change the handle to “Small and Breezy” or “Lite and Sleazy”

    1. BigEasy:

      This is a standard warning about a lack of civility and personal attacks on this site. If you cannot refrain from personal attacks, you need to move to one of the many other sites that delight in such attacks. Mespo remains one of the most consistently polite regular posters on this site and should expect that same civility from others. Please work with us in keeping this site passionate but civil.

      Patty, again, please avoid the personal attacks on Jill. I cannot play favorite for regulars in asking for the discussion to avoid such personal asides. Thanks for your contributions in the past and your help on maintaining the tenor of the site.

      JT

  18. My God, now Keith Olbermann has a segment he names WTF on his little watched show.

    Bet Turley’s family is impressed with being a guest on a TV show…

    with a WTF segment……….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    uh, maybe Turely doesn’t know what the acronym W T F stands for…………

    Talk about being on LOW CLASS TV network.

  20. AY:

    Dum loquimor fugerit invida aetas.(Even as we speak, time speeds swiftly away.)

    –Horace

    Enjoy your slumber.

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