Democrats Accusation Of CIA Lying An Attempt To Defend Intelligence Bill Provision?…Or Was It The Evil Dick Cheney?

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A few weeks ago the Democrats sent a letter to the director of the CIA, Leon E. Panetta, accusing him of admitting that the CIA had lied to Congress during the Bush years:

June 26, 2009

The Honorable Leon E. Panetta, Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505

Dear Director Panetta,

You recall, no doubt, that on May 15, 2009, you stated the following in a letter to CIA employees:

“Let me be clear: It is not our policy or practice to mislead Congress. That is against our laws and values.”

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. This is similar to other deceptions of which we are aware from other recent periods.

In light of your testimony, we ask that you publicly correct your statement of May 15, 2009.

Sincerely,

/s/

Anna G. Eshoo
Rush D. Holt
Alcee L. Hastings
John F. Tierny
Mike Thompson
Janice D. Schakowsky
Adam Smith

Panetta denies this:

CIA spokesman George Little told the Washington Independent late Wednesday that the claim that Panetta admitted his agency has misled Congress is “completely wrong.” He added, “Director Panetta stands by his May 15 statement.”

But the funny thing in all this, and as Dafydd ab Hugh notes at Hot Air, the timing of the release of the letter smacks of an attempt to get the CIA to open its books to the whole of Congress:

[Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ, 100%), one of the seven signers] said that the release of the letter [from the seven] was timed to coincide today with the start of debate on an intelligence reauthorization bill. Among those issues up for debate is whether the number of lawmakers briefed on the CIA’s actions should be expanded.

The Republicans AND Obama both disagree with the move:

House Republicans oppose at least one provision in the intelligence authorization bill, and they have an unusual ally: the White House.

Obama’s aides have said they will recommend he veto the bill if it includes a Democratic-written provision requiring the president to notify the intelligence committees in their entirety about covert CIA activities.

And for good reason:

…the White House is concerned that briefing more lawmakers might compromise the most sensitive U.S. intelligence operations.

Might?

There is no might there. It WOULD compromise our intelligence and Dafydd gives us some examples:

When Sen. John “Jay” Rockefeller (D-WV, 94%) was the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (he is still a member but no longer chairman), he was one of the leaders in abusing his intelligence access to perpetuate the “Bush lied, people died” meme; he repeatedly stated that no prewar intelligence supported the idea that Saddam Hussein had ongoing chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons programs — even though he himself had earlier stated the exact opposite, and despite a wealth of intelligence indicating exactly that, published in the committee’s own report on pre-war intelligence during Rockefeller tenure.

~~~

Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA, 100%), Russell Feingold (D-WI, 100%), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI, 90%), all current members of the Senate Intelligence Committee — Feinstein is the chairman — wrote a letter in July, 2007, demanding a “special prosecutor” be appointed to investigate then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales for perjury… because of a trivial difference between Gonzales’ testimony and that of then-FBI Director Robert Mueller over the exact subject of a hospital-room discussion between Gonzales and former Attorney General John Ashcroft three years earlier.

Mueller, who was not present during the conversation itself, gained the impression afterwards that the discussion had been about the Terrorist Surveillance Program (TSP); but Gonzales testified to Congress three years later that it was about a different but similar surveillance program. And for that, four Democratic senators wanted to send Gonzales to federal prison — the three mentioned above, plus Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY, 100%).

To complete the humiliation, the very next day — July 29th, 2007 — the New York Times published a story revealing that the subject was not, in fact, the TSP… it was the “data mining” surveillance program. So Gonzales had been telling the truth all along, and it was Mueller who misunderstood which program was under discussion.

~~~

Turning to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the current chairman, Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-CA, 82%), flunked an intelligence quiz just a month before he was slated to assume that position; the quiz included such tricky, unfair questions as whether al Qaeda is Sunni or Shiite. (Reyes’ answer: “They are probably both,” followed by “Predominantly — probably Shiite.”)

~~~

The next ranking Democrat on the committee is Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL, 100%)… a former federal judge who was impeached and removed from office for accepting a $150,000 bribe, then perjuring himself when caught.

But you know what….lets throw out the excuse that all this “The CIA Lied People Died” was posturing to defend a Democrat provision. According to the loonies on the left this was all a cover to hide the evil Dick Cheney’s assassination program…I kid you not:

Another theory being bandied about concerns an “executive assassination ring” that was allegedly set up and answered to former Vice President Dick Cheney. The New Yorker’s Seymour Hersh, building off earlier reporting from the New York Times, dropped news of the possibility that such a ring existed in a March 2009 discussion sponsored by the University of Minnesota.

“It is a special wing of our special operations community that is set up independently,” Hersh said. “They do not report to anybody, except in the Bush-Cheney days, they reported directly to the Cheney office. They did not report to the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff or to Mr. [Robert] Gates, the secretary of defense. They reported directly to him.

And people wonder why we call these people moonbats.

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CIA Bureaucracy vs. Democratic Party Hacks.

Go casualty list!

I offer conclusive proof that there was no “assassination squad” running around knocking off people at the sole direction of Dick Cheney:

Look at the fools still walking around doing their damn-est to f*** up the nation.

Pelosi was every bit as informed on the decision to us EITs as were the GOP… but is now lying about it in an attempt to appease the antiwar left and fulfill specious campaign posturing.

And apparently Pelosi and Obama forgot something: the CIA KILLS people… it’s in their job description. Did these two really think that these killers were going to just meekly take-one-for-the-team… when the team captain is a lying, incompetent, arrogant nebbish who has basically told them they need to kiss his ring? -please

Obama really kicked an ant hill with his ill-advised and politically motivated release of Bush Administration memos regarding EITs.

Let’s have a hearing and get it all out there, shall we? Then watch the rats scatter who attacked Bush for protecting the country from terrorist attack… but who clearly knew what was going on five years before we heard a peep out of them.

http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/

Rodney,

From firsthand experience, the CIA had about 90% creds with me during the Reagan Presidency. From the Bush I Presidency on it has fallen on budget cuts, mismanagement and micro management by Non Intel Community Political Bureaucrats. Folks that wanted no risks taken and as nonprofessionals failed to hone the sharp end of the resources available. At the time of my retirement it was 25% or less.

A reliance on Foreign Intel Services, some reliable and some not, became the mode of Ops. New Agents were trained by older good ones but restrictions on Ops placed on them by Non Pros weakened the product. Technology such as satellites took the place of HUMINT (Human Intel Sources) and it left a lot to be desired, a void to be filled for the End User, the Commanders of Troops on the Ground.

Trusting resources in Jordan, Israel and Pakistan for CENTCOM Ops instead of folks in Iraq & the Stans left some mysteries to those planning Pre Invasion Ops there. The sources were not vetted by US personnel so the margin of error on old info can be left to your imagination. President Bush was briefed on that info so errors were inevitable. When we got on the ground our Military G-2 sorted it out. It conflicted with Agency info. We used ours. Congress got the Agency info. No excuses offered but when Political Non Pros run an Agency formerly headed by folks of less intellect, less dynamic than William J. Donovan, Wild Bill, a Congressional Medal of Honor guy are succeeded by folks that are of lesser character, things became degraded big time.

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

On the dubious character of the Elected Jackals that signed the letter that Curt posted, they are currently selling the America the equivalent of what can be best described as “Selling a Blind Man a Rats Rectal Orifice as a Diamond Ring”. No credibility on either side to me.

I took Troops to War based upon somebodies best guesses but trusted our abilities and preparation and Our Skills. The Military is sent to War by Civilians. Battles are won by Soldiers. Wars are lost by Diplomats, Congress and intervention by fools with an Agenda.

Alcee Hastings?
Come on folks. He was impeached as a bribe taking Federal Judge for taking Bribes and committing Perjury. A Crook, Liar, Betrayer of Public Trust big time. The rest are folks that I cannot trust. They always lie when the truth would serve them and America better.

No Classified info offered here but I can only allow you to draw your own conclusions. I am Non Partisan but Owe Allegiance exclusively to those currently serving, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution as written and My God, My Family, Daughter at USAFA, and No Political Party.

Any Jackass can design a Foreign or Domestic Policy that fails. America chose a guy that perfectly fits that Job Description. Lets get America back in 2010 and find a real Leader in 2012.

I was asked several times to run for State office in my State. I refuse to do that. My Values are not subject to Negotiation or Compromise.

I have some cattle buyers to meet. I won’t go to Denver or Chicago. They will get the nickle tour by truck here bit because none of them can ride a horse, a grilled sample for dinner here will suffice. I can cook but don’t bake well or make cake or pies. I’m selling beef, not anything else but offer the best, range and corn fed.

The weekend is here. Enjoy it but know that your Nation is in peril from Enemies both Foreign and Domestic.

Very well stated Old Trooper, and very factual. The C.I.A as been defanged by the same people that are now accusing it of misleading the poor Democraps. If it’s a lie the Democraps will support it, especially if the lie is about our country.

Congressman Hoekstra (R-Michigan), ranking Rep member on the aforementioned Intel Committee, has been banging the drum all over the media the past couple days…He was so prevalent, it was hard to turn on cable, network, radio without hearing him speak…a real valiant effort by any standards.

I am sure all of you have heard/read his remarks and his push to get this matter to full investigation and call Ms Pelosi’s bluff.

The whole scenario/letter is fishy as Hoekstra (and all other Reps) was left out of the meeting when Panetta supposedly admitted CIA wrongdoing….and is subsequently denying. It seems that Reyes sent meeting announcements via a slip of paper under the Republican Intel Committee members’ office doors at 7 at night — calling the meeting in 10 minutes. Hoekstra’s support team had gone home and he did not see the note on the floor from his desk. . .he relayed he was told about the meeting much later == when the letter came out.

Interestingly, he found the news media had been given a heads up that meeting was to take place — earlier that day — he did not offer when the Dem members were notified but they were all there as evidenced by the signees to the Panetta letter.

Along with Hoekstra’s push, I have heard there is also a push in the Senate for an investigation — Senator Burr (R-NC) for one mentioned this yesterday. Maybe with some public pressure, Pelosi and minions cannot squash an investigation. Ms Pelosi is making a mockery of her leadership role and is turning the serious business of the people into a winner take all board game and spending money like monopoly currency.

All this makes 2010 elections so very important…..hopefully our country will be able to conduct valid elections. without the skew of; multi-times/states voters, ACORN, or votes from residents of cemeteries….and throw these very dangerous, cartoonish-politicians out of power.

*An American Voter:
“All this makes 2010 elections so very important…..hopefully our country will be able to conduct valid elections. without the skew of; multi-times/states voters, ACORN, or votes from residents of cemeteries….and throw these very dangerous, cartoonish-politicians out of power.”

Valid points, thanks! Panetta is in over his head on this. He can either follow the Party Line or show some Integrity and Leadership and stand up for Wild Bill’s legacy and do some straight talking, which may be the only act of true patriotism in his life. Small odds on that.

We can only hope that America is more concerned about the direction that their Nation is headed than the Fox TV Program “American Idol” May I point out the fact that they voted “American Idol” in the last election.

Cartoons are amusing. The current Regime is truly dangerous.

*Currency:
We can only hope that there is a rebirth of the Reagan legacy here in America. Most of the Nation is living in the pre-911 mentality. Most of the Nation has not been concerned with how the loss of Freedom and Liberty affects them. Do not set your alarm clock for November, 2010. Try to wake them up now.

The left (dems) will only be happy when we are not only disarmed, but blinded as well. They’ve been working on destroying the US Intelligence Community since as far back as I can remember (I started paying attention in the late ’60s when I joined the Army).

Congresscritters in opposition to the knuckleheads need to speak out regularly, loudly and forcefully — on the floor and to the press.

Take out ads. Make billboards. But don’t let these people get away with it. Still.

1) I’m glad the CIA has been working on ways to hunt al qaeda terrorists.
2) This misguided anger against Cheney and the CIA is clearly just to cover Pelosi.
3) Another interesting article on the topic here: https://www.mindreign.com/en/mindshare/World-Politics-and-Current-Events/Let-the-CIA-fight-terrorists/sl34045952bp344cpp5pn1.html