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Title: Congress's Response to WikiLeaks: Shoot the Messenger
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Published: Jul 27, 2010
Author: http://www.truth-out.org/congresss-respo
Post Date: 2010-07-27 10:35:23 by tom007
Keywords: None
Views: 358
Comments: 28
Congress's Response to WikiLeaks: Shoot the Messenger Tuesday 27 July 2010 by: Gail Russell Chaddock | The Christian Science Monitor | Report Washington - Despite the release of some 92,000 classified documents that cast doubt on the success of the US war effort in Afghanistan, all but the staunchest antiwar members of Congress focused their most scathing words Monday on WikiLeaks, the website that published the material. The controversy is far from over – it remains unclear how Americans might react to revelations about apparent indiscriminate killing of Afghan civilians and potential double-dealing by Pakistan. But Monday's comments from Congress suggest that, for now, Capitol Hill is unlikely to use the WikiLeaks revelations to try to recast US involvement in Afghanistan. Taking a cue from the Obama White House, some top Democrats dubbed the decision to leak the documents “irresponsible” and a threat to American lives. Others called on the Pentagon to launch a major investigation and bring leakers to account. “This was a clear and pronounced effort to secure several years’ worth of communications, e-mails, and reports, and without any approval put it out to the world,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) of California, who chairs the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Republicans were, if anything, more critical of WikiLeaks. House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R) of Indiana said that publication of the documents by news organizations was indefensible. “The fact that thousands of classified documents were leaked in a clear violation of law is an outrage,” he said in a briefing with reporters on Monday. But he added that he did not believe that the documents would change the war debate. “My constituents back in Indiana remember who attacked us on 9/11,” he said. Old News? As for new reports that the Pakistan intelligence services were helping the Taliban, he said: “These references in classified documents don’t belong in the public domain, but are not consistent with any briefing I’ve received,” he said, citing a January visit to the region. Unlike the leaked Pentagon Papers that fired up a congressional debate on the war in Vietnam in 1971, lawmakers say that these documents include no bombshell revelations. Reports that Taliban insurgents were gaining ground and working with Pakistani intelligence were already part of the congressional debate, although reports that the Taliban have used heat-seeking, surface-to-air missiles against US helicopters set off alarms. “The emerging picture from this leak adds up to little more than what we knew already – that the war in Afghanistan was deteriorating over the past several years, and that we were not winning," said Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee. In fact, the dispiriting accounts of how poorly the war was going is precisely why Congress and the Obama administration authorized a surge of troops into Afghanistan, he said. “This is why a concerted effort has been made since 2009, both in the Administration and in the Congress, to make changes to our strategy, to increase our commitment of troops and resources, and to bring new and better leadership to the mission. As a result, we are finally beginning to address many of the problems highlighted within these leaked documents,” he added in a statement. Both opponents and defenders of the war noted that the leaked documents end in December 2009 – just before the Obama administration announced its decision to a new Afghanistan strategy. Crucial Moment The controversy comes at crucial moment for funding a surge of US forces into Afghanistan, as Democrats press to complete a war funding bill this week. The Senate last week rejected $22.8 billion in domestic spending that the House added to the Senate’s $58.8 billion war-funding bill for fiscal year 2010. The House measure, including $10 billion to avoid teacher layoffs in the fall, failed even to win a majority in the Senate, which sent its initial bill back to the House on July 22. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi commented to reporters today that she did not expect controversy over the leaked documents to delay completion of a war funding bill this week. The documents “predate the change in the president’s policy,” she said. But antiwar Democrats say they hope to use the controversy to recharge the war debate this week. “These documents provide a fuller picture of what we have long known about Afghanistan: The war is going badly,” says Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D) of Ohio. “We have to show the ability to respond to what’s right in front of our face: This war is no longer justifiable under any circumstances.” Others have suggested that the documents might prove more important to American foreign policy. "However illegally these documents came to light, they raise serious questions about the reality of America's policy toward Pakistan and Afghanistan,” said Sen. John Kerry (D) of Massachusetts, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in a statement. “Those policies are at a critical stage and these documents may very well underscore the stakes and make the calibrations needed to get the policy right more urgent." All republished content that appears on Truthout has been obtained by permission or license.
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#1. To: tom007 (#0)
Tom... We need to understand, the truth hurts and we can't handle the truth. Churchill said the truth is always surrounded by dozens of lies, well, this government and all its underlings are good at making the truth look like a street walker. Recall the Gitmo prison deal, the lowest people on the totem pole were the ones that blew the whistle and they were the ones that went to prison. Same thing here, some grunt will get a tenner in the gulag.
I do recall. A clear example of justice in the Empire.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" www.federalnewsradio.com/?sid=2012362&nid=35 SIGIR: Defense can't account for $8.7 billion July 27, 2010 - 4:59am The Defense Department is unable to account for $8.7 billion of the $9.1 billion in Development Fund for Iraq monies in received for reconstruction in Iraq. This according to a study published today by the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. "This situation occurred because most DoD organizations receiving DFI (Development Fund for Iraq) funds did not establish the required Department of the Treasury accounts and no DoD organization was designated as the executive agent for managing the use of DFI funds," the report states. The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) finds that only one Defense organization actually set up the accounts required by the Treasury. "The breakdown in controls left the funds vulnerable to inappropriate uses and undetected loss," SIGIR says. The study recommends that the Secretary of Defense create new accounting and reporting procedures to avoid such mistakes in the future. It also recommends designating an executive agent to oversee progress, establishing measurable milestones, and determining whether any DoD organizations are still holding DFI funds. For more reports and publications from the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, see www.sigir.mil/publications/index.html Rachel Stevens is an intern with Federal News Radio. (Copyright 2010 by FederalNewsRadio.com. All Rights Reserved.) Tags: Defense, DoD, Development Fund for Iraq, Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, SIGIR, Treasury, Rachel Stevens
An aside... To show you how porous the so called security system is, this from experience. I once attended an NSA briefing in the military, top secret, and I had no clearance, none, nada, zip. Can't happen????? It did and it does. First too much junk is rated a secret, too many people have access, thus we have one huge sieve.
When the mice are in charge and running the cheese factory, we should expect there would be a shortage, never an overage.
With some 850,000 people holding Top Secret security clearances. good luck! He did it without any approval??? Oh, the humanity!! Spoken like a true tyrant.
pence argues that iraq and afghan did 911??!
"if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." 1 Cor 12:31—13:13 i think even a libertarian, one who is against anarchy, could argue that releasing classified documents is akin to espionage or treason. what if, lets say, ron paul was in office and one leaked all sorts of govt files?
"if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." 1 Cor 12:31—13:13 A lot of people who hold those clearances hold them not because they have access to secret information but because they COULD accidentally see something. I had TS-SBI and TS-SCI clearances complete with a full scope polygraph due to the equipment I worked on. The only reason I had them was because some of the equipment I worked on was located in areas where secret and top secret information was processed. I never had access to any of it and as a matter of fact, I was required to give notice that I would be coming to do maintenance so that all secret and top secret information could be covered up. I also had someone standing next to me at all times while I was in the facilities. Not once did I ever see anything secret or top secret. I would bet that the overwhelming majority of people holding those clearances have them for the same exact reason I did.
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media." ~ William Colby, Director, CIA 1973–1976 Nothing in the State, everything outside the State, everything against the State - Jan Lester, Escape From Leviathan "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat Good order results spontaneously when things are let alone. - Zhuangzi
Which law is superior? The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law "respecting an establishment of religion", impeding the free exercise of religion, infringing on the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.
Well, this is semantics, but I think espionage is the proactive act of obtaining secret info which one is not entitled to obtain, and treason is when a sworn ally aids enemies of the party they are sworn to protect. Julian Assange (sp?) doesn't fit either classification, as the info was simply given to him, and he's not sworn to defend the USA. (I assume he's no citizen). Someone leaking docs they have legal access to could easily be treason, but I d on't think qualifies as espionage as I think the term means. Regardless, I cannot find it in me to be sympathetic to the USA given all the attrocities it's seen to over the years.
I also used to have a TS SCI clearance long ago, and yes reading such info was not in the job description. (And I remember about nothing of any classified material). Still, 850K is a lot of people. (Us two as having prior TS clearances is a case in point).
That's a big "what if". Too much is kept secret from us, the ones that pay the bills. And the leaks hurt the criminals that are in power, not us. Sunlight is a great disinfectant. The more leakage, the better. WTF, israel, with all of their AIPAC spies, know more about this country than we do. .
Click for Privacy and Preparedness files Live free or Uh...did anyone else catch Mad Man's new season opener on Sunday? it rocked, dudes...so anyone know how long we have to wait for re-runs of 24's final season?...
Still, 850K is a lot of people. (Us two as having prior TS clearances is a case in point). No doubt. My only point was that even though that many people have them, I have to wonder how many of them are actually exposed to information compared to how many have them for the "just in case they are exposed" factor. Personally I like that many people having those clearances. It means there is a better chance of more information being leaked. When it comes to government, I like a lot of sunlight. The Republican and Democrat parties and those within government who serve to protect them via secrecy laws are cockroaches that need to be exposed to that sunlight as often as possible.
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media." ~ William Colby, Director, CIA 1973–1976 Nothing in the State, everything outside the State, everything against the State - Jan Lester, Escape From Leviathan "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat Good order results spontaneously when things are let alone. - Zhuangzi
Did anyone notice the resemblance to Lyndie England that this analyst has? If they aren't related somehow I'd be surprised.
It is better to be hated for what you are, than loved for what you are not. - Tommy The Mad Artist.
Agree completely.
These secrets are only harmful if the American public knows them. Our war policy has its foundations upon deceit and delusion. And the vile people who sell it to the goobers on the airwaves.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" Yes indeed, and NONE OF IT IN OUR SELF INTEREST.
That's certainly where I am at.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" Three at this point.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" Maybe we should start a ping list for former Top Secret security clearance holders!
Four. Working for LTV building C130 gunships, and C130 flying command centers, required TS clearance. This was back during our debacle in the jungle. I guess they thought we might sell blueprints or components to someone.
I hate what they do and stand for, but as a manly man - I want two of em. Then I'am going to date Sarah Palin and show the world what a REAL elk hunt is all about.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" Then I'am going to date Sarah Palin and show the world what a REAL elk hunt is all about. It's too late for a clean response, but yes, Mrs.Palin would probably look favorably on this mating ritual. I wish you the very best of luck in this venture.
Laf of the day to you, Lod.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ But I now know that we've always been at some sort of war ever since I was born. lod 1946 - ?
#2. To: tom007 (#0)
#3. To: Cynicom (#1)
Recall the Gitmo prison deal, the lowest people on the totem pole were the ones that blew the whistle and they were the ones that went to prison. Same thing here, some grunt will get a tenner in the gulag.
#4. To: Cynicom (#1)
#5. To: tom007 (#3)
#6. To: TwentyTwelve (#4)
The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) finds that only one Defense organization actually set up the accounts required by the Treasury.
#7. To: tom007 (#0)
Taking a cue from the Obama White House, some top Democrats dubbed the decision to leak the documents “irresponsible” and a threat to American lives. Others called on the Pentagon to launch a major investigation and bring leakers to account.
“This was a clear and pronounced effort to secure several years’ worth of communications, e-mails, and reports, and without any approval put it out to the world,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) of California, who chairs the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
#8. To: tom007 (#0)
Mike Pence (R) of Indiana.. added that he did not believe that the documents would change the war debate. “My constituents back in Indiana remember who attacked us on 9/11,” he said
"I don't know where Bin Laden is. I truly am not that concerned about him"
George W, Bush, 3/13/02 http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020313-8.html
#9. To: Pinguinite (#7)
"I don't know where Bin Laden is. I truly am not that concerned about him"
George W, Bush, 3/13/02 http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020313-8.html
#10. To: Pinguinite (#7)
With some 850,000 people holding Top Secret security clearances. good luck!
#11. To: Artisan (#9)
i think even a libertarian, one who is against anarchy, could argue that releasing classified documents is akin to espionage or treason. what if, lets say, ron paul was in office and one leaked all sorts of govt files?
#12. To: Artisan (#9)
i think even a libertarian, one who is against anarchy, could argue that releasing classified documents is akin to espionage or treason. what if, lets say, ron paul was in office and one leaked all sorts of govt files?
#13. To: F.A. Hayek Fan (#10)
#14. To: Artisan (#9)
what if, lets say, ron paul was in office and one leaked all sorts of govt files?
CHIMPOUT!
die kill ~~ Me
God is a separatist. That's good enough for me.
#15. To: tom007 (#0)
it remains unclear how Americans might react to revelations...
#16. To: Pinguinite (#13)
I also used to have a TS SCI clearance long ago, and yes reading such info was not in the job description. (And I remember about nothing of any classified material).
#17. To: tom007 (#0)
#18. To: F.A. Hayek Fan (#16)
Personally I like that many people having those clearances. It means there is a better chance of more information being leaked. When it comes to government, I like a lot of sunlight. The Republican and Democrat parties and those within government who serve to protect them via secrecy laws are cockroaches that need to be exposed to that sunlight as often as possible.
#19. To: Pinguinite (#7)
Spoken like a true tyrant.
#20. To: tom007 (#19)
Our war policy has its foundations upon deceit and delusion.
#21. To: Pinguinite (#12)
Regardless, I cannot find it in me to be sympathetic to the USA given all the attrocities it's seen to over the years.
#22. To: Pinguinite (#13)
Us two as having prior TS clearances is a case in point).
#23. To: tom007, F.A. Hayek Fan (#22)
Three at this point.
#24. To: tom007, 4 (#22)
#25. To: Lod (#24)
Working for LTV building C130 gunships, and C130 flying command centers,
#26. To: tom007 (#25)
I hate what they do and stand for, but as a manly man - I want two of em.
#27. To: Lod (#26)
It's too late for a clean response,
#28. To: tom007, 4 (#27)
Sometimes I have to go back to the songs of our war, back when -
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