Despite the outrage expressed by certain members and former Bush officials over allegations that the CIA may have lied about prior briefings with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, members revealed this week that the CIA has admitted to members that it did indeed repeatedly mislead members in reports since 2001. However, CIA Director Leon Panetta stands by the earlier denial of misrepresentations linked to Pelosi.
The disclosure of the admission came in a letter published on the Web site of Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-California. The letter to Panetta notes: “Recently you testified that you have determined that top CIA officials have concealed significant actions from all members of Congress, and misled members for a number of years from 2001 to this week.” It is signed by Eshoo and six other House Democrats — Reps. John Tierney of Massachusetts, Mike Thompson of California, Rush Holt of New Jersey, Alcee Hastings of Florida, Adam Smith of Washington and Janice Schakowsky of Illinois.
If true, it is remarkable that no other members — particularly any Republicans — have spoken out on the matter. Misleading members is a nice way of saying that the CIA lied to members or gave it false information — a federal crime. One would think that any member on the oversight committees would demand accountability for such acts. This is another example of how laughable intelligence oversight has become in this country. Indeed, if it were not for the embarrassment of Pelosi, it seems unlikely that this would have ever been made public.
Indeed, the letter references the Pelosi controversy and asks Panetta to correct his May 15 statement “in light of your testimony.” His May 15th statement directly related to Pelosi.
This is what passes for oversight in Congress. There is evidence of criminal acts committed by intelligence agencies related to torture, unlawful surveillance, and false information. Yet, the committee only becomes aggressive when the Speaker is embarrassed by a prior briefing controversy.
You will also note that the members do not appear particularly bothered by the war crimes discussed in the Pelosi briefing or insistent on the investigation of such crimes. It is only the possibility that Pelosi might be vindicated that is the focus of this effort.
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Dear Reaganite Republican,
Why should I take seriously the rantings of a website that characterizes itself as Reaganite?
1. This means that you idolize a failed “B” Movie actor.
2. Who changed his political beliefs after marrying the daughter of a founder of the racist, anti-Jewish John Birch Society.
3. Was supported for years by the nations largest defense contractor to deliver a canned propaganda speech written for him by company flacks that encouraged massive increases in defense spending.
4. Was elected governor by running a campaign of lies against the neediest people of that State.
5. Used inflammatory rhetoric to encourage divisiveness through that state.
6. Had his handlers negotiate with the Iranians to not release the hostages until after his election as President.
7. Gave missiles to the Iranians in an illegal deal to try to undermine another country, despite the prohibitions of Congress and thus violated the law and the Constitution.
8. Was too shallow and too lazy to be anything but a “figurehead” President in an administration run by GHW Bush,
Paul Schultz and Caspar Weinberger, all men with an anti-Jewish, anti-Israel history.
9. Supplied both Sadaam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden with weaponry and financial aid, creating their power.
10. Gave a speech at a NAZI SS Cemetary extolling those dead.
11. Instituted the largest tax increase in American History, falling on the middle and working classes, while exempting the country’s wealthiest people and lowering their taxes.
12. Was responsible for the greatest buildup in military history, wasting US treasure at a time when the USSR was collapsing.
13. Later his minions tried to justify the buildup giving this dim man credit for the fall of the USSR when US policy had clearly nothing to do with it.
14. Presided over and was responsible for the collapse of the
American manufacturing industry.
15. While dismantling American Industry allowed the rise of the phony bank and stock schemes that appeared to strengthen our economy, but ultimately leading to its’ destruction.
I could do this all day long and write tomes proving every statement, but with you that is not necessary. By you own designation and by your website you prove yourself either
ignorant of history, or so self serving in you views that interesting discussion is not possible. My heroes are Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Franklin, FDR and TR. Yours is the guy who took second billing to “Bonzo the Chimp.”
Mike Appleton said:
“I frankly don’t give a rat’s a** about what happens to individuals, military, civilian or CIA, who get caught up in the investigation. One of the problems with secrets and lies is that they breed corruption, necessitating periodic purges. The “national security” excuse is always used by those who have become corrupted in an effort to prevent their exposure. It’s time for a purge.”
I couldn’t have said it any better. I’m sick and tired of these agencies hiding behind the “state secrets privilege” and getting away with, yes, probably even murder.
Reaganite, unless you’re an insider engaging in selective leaks yourself, which I doubt, you have no more idea than I or anyone else does about what was said by anybody at any briefings. Since my only interest is in the truth rather than in partisan witch hunts, however, I have voiced support for a complete investigation, and prosecution if warranted, since the last band stopped playing on Inauguration Day. Unless and until that happens, your predetermined conclusions as to what Bush accomplished have as much validity as the self-serving pronouncements of Dick Cheney-none.
As to what will be learned, my guess is the following:
1. Programs were approved which violated a host of laws and some of them received legal cover from “lawyers” using some of the most tortured logic I’ve ever come across in what purport to be memoranda of law. (Of course, we already know about some of this.)
2. Laws were violated by the CIA, the military and private contractors.
3. Given what we know about human nature, even the loosely defined limits imposed by the Bush administration were routinely ignored.
4. Members of your self-important “centers of power” at Langley did their level best to make certain that any fallout from disclosures would be borne by a handful of semi-literate GIs.
I frankly don’t give a rat’s a** about what happens to individuals, military, civilian or CIA, who get caught up in the investigation. One of the problems with secrets and lies is that they breed corruption, necessitating periodic purges. The “national security” excuse is always used by those who have become corrupted in an effort to prevent their exposure. It’s time for a purge.