Holder: ‘This Was A Very Serious Leak’

[ProSense]

Holder: ‘This Was A Very Serious Leak’

Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday described the leak that prompted the Department of Justice to seize phone records from the Associated Press as one of the most serious he's seen in his career.

"This was a very serious leak and a very, very serious leak," Holder said. "I've been a prosecutor since 1976 and I have to say that this is among, if not the most serious, it is within the top two or three most serious leaks I've ever seen. It put the American people at risk. That's not hyperbole. It put the American people at risk."

The DOJ is investigating the disclosure of classified information related to a CIA operation in Yemen to stop a bomb plot that was detailed in a May 2012 story by the AP.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/holder-this-was-very-serious-leak

Holder Recused Himself From AP Phone Records Issue

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder recused himself from the decision to subpoena phone records of Associated Press journalists, according to a Justice Department official, who said the decision was made by Deputy Attorney General James Cole.

"As the Attorney General testified in June 2012, he was interviewed by the FBI in connection with the investigation into the unauthorized disclosure of classified information," the DOJ official said. "To avoid any potential appearance of a conflict of interest, the Attorney General recused himself from this matter. Since that time, this investigation has been conducted by the FBI under the direction of the U.S. Attorney and the supervision of the Deputy Attorney General, who has served as the Acting Attorney General overseeing this investigation. The decision to seek media toll records in this investigation was made by the Deputy Attorney General consistent with Department regulations and policies."

Holder confirmed it himself later in the afternoon at a Justice Department press conference.

"I recused myself from that matter," he said.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/doj-holder-recused-himself-from-ap-phone-records

Hypocrisy: "Republicans accused the administration of deliberately leaking classified information"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022840983

[villager]

1. They always have their perfect excuses, for shredding the Bill of Rights. Pity the True Believers

...on this site so readily swallow them up.

[cali]

3. +1. they lap it up. sick.

[randome]

4. Pity those who always want to believe the worst.

One need be neither a True Believer nor a Pessimist to see what appears to be true.

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[cali]

6. well that lovely and vague. just what "appears to be true" here?

There are a lot of reasonable people who find the actions of the DoJ in this case, to be disturbing on the face of it. That includes my Senator, Pat Leahy, who most DUers would consider a knowledgeable and reasonable person.

[ProSense]

9. Except

"That includes my Senator, Pat Leahy, who most DUers would consider a knowledgeable and reasonable person."

...Senator Leahy isn't calling for Holder's resignation. He is interested in getting all the facts, not simply relying on AP's initial report, which is the basis of his statement.

Leahy: I Want To Hear DOJ’s Explanation For Collecting AP Phone Records

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said Monday night that he was "very troubled" by allegations that the Department of Justice secretly obtained two months of phone records from reporters and editors of the Associated Press, but added that he was awaiting further explanation from the government.

“The burden is always on the government when they go after private information – especially information regarding the press or its confidential sources," he said in a statement. "I want to know more about this case, but on the face of it, I am concerned that the government may not have met that burden. I am very troubled by these allegations and want to hear the government’s explanation.”

Attorney General Eric Holder is scheduled to testify at a House DOJ oversight hearing on Wednesday.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/leavy-i-want-to-hear-dojs-explanation-for

[cali]

13. and just where did I say that Pat was calling for Holder's resignation, honey?

Oh, I didn't. But clearly he's disturbed by this. duh.

[randome]

15. It appears to be true that a subpoena was issued. That's all we know at this point.

To presume anything else is pointless, IMO.

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[Bluenorthwest]

10. Somethings that are true. As candidate Obama waxed eloquent promising that he'd prioritize DOJ

efforts toward violent crime and terrorism and not waste resources going after medical marijuana in States that had legalized. 'They have better things to do, like fight terrorism.
Also true: the week after the Boston terrorists took the DOJ by surprise and not only put Americans in peril, but put them in the grave and on prosthetic limbs Eric Holder's DOJ spent time going after medical marijuana clinics in the State of Washington where the voters have made marijuana legal across the board.

[randome]

14. I thought he said it wasn't a priority, not that he wouldn't waste resources.

Regardless, a lot of residents in California (not sure about Washington) were complaining about the MMJ dispensaries, too. So the locals complained and they were in violation of federal laws regarding distance from schools, etc.

I can't fault the DOJ for acting to support the laws as they currently exist. A lot of MMJ dispensaries cropped up hoping the federal government would let them be but it was pretty obvious they weren't all there to support cancer patients.

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[Bluenorthwest]

53. What does 'I thought' do for supporting your assertions?

Would you stop the DEA's raids on Oregon medical marijuana growers?
"I would because I think our federal agents have better things to do, like catching criminals and preventing terrorism."
http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-9003-six_minutes_with_barack.html

And yet in April of this year:
The Seattle Post Intelligencer has reported that the US Department of Justice secured a court order demanding that the state agency in Oregon that oversees the provision of medical cannabis to Oregonian patients who are suffering from serious, and in some cases, life threatening diseases to turn over records that personally identify patients, care givers and suppliers of the medicine.

The search warrant was filed in November of 2012 and requires the Oregon Medical Marijuana Project to turn over the names, addresses, telephone numbers, birth dates, and driver’s license numbers of “patients, growers and care givers in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program database files.”
http://my.firedoglake.com/acmerecords/2013/04/12/breaking-obama-justice-department-serves-oregon-officials-with-warrant-seeking-the-identities-of-all-the-states-medical-cannabis-patients/

The last story is from April 12, 3 days before the Boston news showed us how that 'fighting terrorism' thing has been going at the DOJ.
Obama used the term 'waste of resources' dozens of times, always saying terrorism was more important, which it is.

[randome]

60. So they requested names and ID info. So?

Not sure why they would want that but perhaps they had reason to believe that non-medical users were buying pot?

Just off the top of my head, of course.

And despite what Obama said in 2008, the DOJ is supposed to be separate from the Executive Branch. He probably should not have said anything quite that direct.

On the other hand, some MMJ dispensaries thought they had a 'wink and a nod' to open up stores all over the place. Enough so that locals sometimes wanted them to close.

There are currently 2,000 dispensaries operating in the country. link:http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/04/07/medical-marijuana-industry-growing-billion-dollar-business/2018759/

And those are probably the ones that are squeaky clean as regards federal law.

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[villager]

27. Well, some of us do function in the "reality-based" community, and know what we've seen

...already.

[emulatorloo]

35. DU is no more "reality based" than Freeperville.

They are both bubbles.

[villager]

37. And given your willing assent to fling comments within that bubble, I guess you exempt yourself

...from "reality-based" as well....

[emulatorloo]

39. Sounds like projection to me, stud.

I get out in the real world, and I don't confuse minority opinions for majority ones. That's the problem with Freepers and some DU'ers. So much time spent in the hall of mirrors that they think "everybody" thinks like they do.

You walk up to most people and claim that issuing a subpoena = SHREDDING THE BILL OF RIGHTS!1!111!!! you are gonna get some might funny looks.

[villager]

40. Exactly so: "Sounds like projection to me." You've hit your personal nail on the head.

Congrats!

[emulatorloo]

44. So, issuing a subpoena = Shredding the Bill of Rights?

[villager]

47. Going after journalists = Nixonism.

And I guess "Nixon's the One!" would've been your mantra, had this board existed in the early 70's....

[emulatorloo]

52. Glad you can turn down the hyperbole. OTOH

On the other hand, still seems like a hyperbolic false equivalency:

Nixon's Failed Attempts At 'Poisoning The Press'
September 30, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130192940

<SNIP>

In the two decades that followed, the conflict became so ferocious, Feldstein says, that Nixon ordered CIA surveillance of Anderson and his family — and White House operatives seriously considered assassinating the journalist.

"They actually conducted surveillance. They followed him from his work to his house," Feldstein says. "They staked out his house. They looked at it for vulnerabilities ... [and dicussed] how they could plant poison in his aspirin bottle. They talked about how they could spike his drink and they talked about smearing LSD on his steering wheel so that he would absorb it through his skin and die in a hallucination-crazed auto crash."

The plot was ultimately called off, Feldstein says, because Gordon Liddy and Howard Hunt, the two men who were supposed to assassinate Anderson, were instead tapped to break into Watergate.

<SNIP>

======================

In the '72 I was a hardcore McGovern supporter. I wasn't old enough to vote, but I did my best to advocate for him. My mantra in the '70s was "Impeach The MOTHERFUCKER". I'm a far left liberal Democrat.

[villager]

54. "Turn down the hyperbole!?" Talk about projection!

I was also a hardcore McGovern supporter.

And it's appalling to see how far the party has fallen. Along with the apologists for that fall.

[emulatorloo]

57. "apologists"

Pure unvarnished DU bubble-speak. Which brings a us full circle. Have a great night!

[villager]

58. Indeed. As in, those apologizing for authoritarian overreaches they would have criticized...

...well, back in the McGovern era, for example.

A good evening back at ya.

[emulatorloo]

124. I don't agree with your interp or yr point of view. So therefore I am an "apologist"

Sounds like I need to be sent to your re-education camp.

You just can't stop yourself from projecting.

Authoritarians think they have the monopoly on the truth. Anybody that doesn't toe the party line is an enemy. We see that shit at freeperville all the time.

Your OP that got locked was both ridiculous and egregious. You do not have a monopoly on the truth, nor are you justified in flinging hyperbolic accusations at those who do not share your opinions or embrace your false equivalencies.

[BootinUp]

101. lol nt

[ProSense]

11. I

"Pity the True Believers...on this site so readily swallow them up."

...pity the people who "readily swallow" the GOP/shill media talking points.

[SidDithers]

21. +1...nt

Sid

[Bobbie Jo]

26. This.

[malaise]

28. +1,000

Fugg 'em!

[emulatorloo]

36. Any port in a storm for some here.

I've seen DU'ers post from wingnut conspiracy blogs and the Iranian State Press in order to score points.

Thanks for your post.

[Luminous Animal]

17. +1

[Arkana]

20. So...it's not at all possible that Holder was telling the truth?

He's automatically lying because his employer is the Great Satan Obama?

[randome]

24. It's only logical.

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[emulatorloo]

32. So issuing a subpoena = shredding the Bill of Rights?

You guys need to think thru these things before you post them.

[Cha]

64. sorry, that doesn't work with the knee jerk action. n/m

[Cha]

63. Facts are Facts.. and your calling them "excuses" puts up squarely

in the Non reality based community.

[cali]

2. the leak may or may not have been serious

I question how serious it was as it was after the fact. The supposed terror plot out of Yemen had already been foiled. So do tell, dear ProSense, how that could be such a serious and life threatening leak.

[randome]

5. So now you've moved on to second-guessing all the DOJ's investigations?

I mean, that's where this leads, right? IIRC, the AP story revealed the methods used for infiltration. It was either that or the fact of the infiltration, I forget which.

Either way, absent compelling evidence to the contrary, I don't think any of us needs to be micro-managing things for the DOJ.

Questions can be asked but calling for resignations and making conclusions regarding a story that's not even 48 hours old yet is a little much.

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[cali]

7. yes. yes. that is my job as a citizen.

and I've thought Holder should resign for quite some time.

[Bluenorthwest]

12. If we are in such peril, why is he wasting time as an anti medical marijuana crusader?

The allotment of resources does not suggest a scenario of great peril.

[randome]

16. Like in California, where residents asked for closure?

There are hundreds of MMJ dispensaries left alone. Those are the ones that are squeaky clean as regards federal regulations.

[Bluenorthwest]

56. You have to support your assertions.

The last time you claimed 'residents wanted it closed' you quoted two people when there was a petition to keep it open with hundreds of signatures. So you need to back up your wild haired claims.
The DOJ has forced Oregon to hand over records of all patients, and is pressuring clinics in Washington, which started one week after Boston because DOJ is so focused on what's important. Like Obama promised. The DOJ spends time, talent and money on this all of which we all know would be put to better use fighting violent attacks on human beings.

[randome]

81. San Bernadino.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022825542

And there are 2,000 MMJ dispensaries currently operating in the U.S.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/04/07/medical-marijuana-industry-growing-billion-dollar-business/2018759/

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[Gregorian]

8. Safety, or America. You can't have both.

The chunks are coming off the country that was so carefully crafted.

I don't buy how serious the leak was. And even if it were serious, how serious will the next one have to be. There is always risk involved in being alive. The experiment called America was suppose to be larger than life. It is being cut down to life size. Then what do we have left? A safe and frightened group of people.

[Luminous Animal]

18. I like this...

"he experiment called America was suppose to be larger than life. It is being cut down to life size. "

[Luminous Animal]

19. Then you investigate and subpoena the leaker you authoritarian fuck. What a putz.

[randome]

23. Um. Obviously they didn't KNOW who the leaker was.

At least, that's the most obvious conclusion to draw rather than automatically assume that the DOJ is out to 'get' AP.

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[Luminous Animal]

25. Obviously. So they cast a WIDE net and targeted journalists and that is bullshit.

[randome]

29. If your job was to find the leaker, how would you go about it differently?

Target one or two reporters at a time? Only one or two phone lines at a time? It might take years to find who leaked the information to the AP but who cares so long as we go really sloooooowwww.

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[Luminous Animal]

38. You don't target journalists through secret subpoenas. You don't go on a fishing expedition hoping

to find evidence. If you suspect a journalist or an organization, you subpoena them directly and they can make the personal choice as to whether or not to reveal their source (and go to jail, if so warranted).

The reality is is that some crimes will go unpunished. That is one price we pay for living in a free society.

[randome]

41. It wasn't a 'secret' subpoena. The AP used that word.

It was 'secret' in that the targets of the investigation were not notified their phone records had been subpoenaed.

Any LE agency is not required to blab to the world about ongoing investigations.

The journalists did not have phone records. The phone companies did.

And you don't know if this was a fishing expedition. Maybe they could have subpoenaed fifty phone lines and chose to limit it to 20. You just don't know. None of us do at this point so why assume the worst?

Wait for the facts to come out.

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[JoePhilly]

43. Wait for facts?? Let's just watch CNN, their breathless speculation is always on target.

[emulatorloo]

45. We don't do facts at DU. Just speculation and conspiracy theory

On EDIT: forgot to add

"you authoritarian fuck."

So sorry for the oversight on my part.

[randome]

51. Much better!

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[emulatorloo]

55. ...

[Luminous Animal]

46. Did the AP know about it? No they didn't. These 3rd party secret subpoenas are bullshit.

[cali]

48. that's what a secret subpoena is, sport- one where the person or persons being targeted is

unaware that they are being targeted and can't respond. and the people being targeted were the reporters and editors, not the phone company.

And yes, most people have their own phone records as well as the phone co having them.

gad.

[randome]

50. Who the hell keeps phone records in an office? Never heard of that before.

Obviously the AP would resist giving ANY information to ANY administrative request so keeping a subpoena secret from them is a no-brainer to me. The objects of subpoenas are not always informed of an investigation.

It has nothing to do with freedom of the press. They are free to whine about this and anything else.

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[Tierra_y_Libertad]

22. Very reminiscent of, "We had to destroy the village in order to save it."

[emulatorloo]

33. Great example of DU Bullshit Hyperbole!

[JoePhilly]

42. No No ... its more like the DOJ sent the AP to the gas chambers.

[Warren DeMontague]

30. He also thinks that a terminally ill cancer granny smoking a joint is a serious "crime".

I think Holder's Serious-meter is out of whack.

[msanthrope]

59. Can you name that defendant? nt

[Warren DeMontague]

68. How many do you want?

http://www.canorml.org/costs/federal_medical_marijuana_prisoners_and_cases

[msanthrope]

69. I want the defendant you described. Name them, please. nt

[Warren DeMontague]

70. Hah?

Look, if you want to defend the DOJ's CLEAR harassment of MMJ patients and dispensaries despite state laws, fine.

Knock yourself out trying to defend the indefensible.

Normally I defend this administration, too. But on the policy, THIS AG has been -wrong-.

[msanthrope]

73. Just tell me who the terminally-ill granny who smoked a joint is on that list. nt

[Warren DeMontague]

75. Why do you want to defend the indefensible? Do you really support your tax dollars going

To throw pot smokers in prison?

My post is factual. Holder has displayed continual contempt for medical marijuana laws and patients. Obviously he considers sick people getting high a horribly important law enforcement priority.

[msanthrope]

78. Dude! I want to meet the pot-smoking terminal granny on that list! Grandma Hyperbole

sounds like a cool name for a strain in her honor, eh?

[Warren DeMontague]

92. You go through the list, and see how you feel about all the sick people being

hassled for getting high.

Duuuude.

[msanthrope]

94. Hassled? Now we are down to 'sick people being hassled?' I thought we

were talking senior citizens being carted off to jail?

[Warren DeMontague]

95. Did you look at the list?

Do you even care? Again, why are you trying to defend the indefensible?

[msanthrope]

96. No. I've got better things to do. I expect you know the granny, and will presently point her out.

I'm waiting.

[Warren DeMontague]

97. Zzzzz. If I had wanted to discuss a specific case, I would have included the case number.

As it is, there are tons of them; however, it was a point about a philosophical law enforcement approach. The point is, despite promises made before the 2008 election, even, this administration's DOJ, headed by Holder, has continued to go after medical marijuana in states that it is legal. That is INDISPUTABLE.

If you don't want to defend that approach directly, I sure understand why.

[msanthrope]

99. I feel like when I was told Santa wasn't real!!! You mean you just made up a pot-smoking granny

with cancer who got carted off by the feds just to try to make a stupid point?

The thing is, Warren, when you are talking about law enforcement, why not use an actual case?

[Warren DeMontague]

100. Re-read my first post.

[msanthrope]

123. And who is that? Come on...this isn't mystery dinner theatre. nt

[Octafish]

31. ''I've been a prosecutor since 1976.''

Not a quote:

"Specializing in the prosecution of prominent Democrats using, apart from the time when I helped Marc Rich obtain that pardon, which really opened a lot of doors for me in the private sector where I found work as a corporate lawyer serving the likes of death-squad hiring corporations."

But reality.

[JaneyVee]

34. It's all a vast right-wing conspiracy. Shame some on the left fall for it.

[Dreamer Tatum]

49. A pot of coffee and a couple of 40's will do that to you.nt

[DCBob]

61. Holder could be in trouble here.

Even if it was "very very serious" I think the subpoena was overkill.

[Aerows]

62. Eric Holder should have been fired yesterday

He's the sorriest Attorney General I can think of holding that post. He has been a screw up from day one.

[Cha]

65. No, he shouldn't have. President Obama doesn't do knee jerk.

Imani ABL @AngryBlackLady

Holder has been ride or die for civil rights and voting rights. Maybe that has something to do with Republicans’ zeal to see him ousted?

http://theobamadiary.com/2013/05/14/coming-up-60/

[Aerows]

72. He should have been fired yesterday

or the day before that. I won't be lead into an argument, but my opinion hasn't changed an iota. He's a terrible Attorney General, and you won't bully anyone on this board into thinking he is anything but a sorry AG. I don't care who appointed him, he's horrible.

[Cha]

74. I'm not trying to change your opinion. Glad he hasn't been fired because

that would be stupid.

[Aerows]

77. He's the worst AG I can conjure up in memory

He won't prosecute bankers, but runs after Medical Marijuana dispensaries like they are terrorists and the end of the world. If you think either of those things are okay, well, we digress upon logic, law and legislation.

[randome]

80. There are 2000 MMJ dispensaries in operation in the country.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/04/07/medical-marijuana-industry-growing-billion-dollar-business/2018759/

I'm sure Obama, for whatever reasons, used his 'selective enforcement' mandates to decide not to prosecute bankers.

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[Aerows]

82. And that makes Eric Holder NOT a shitty AG how?

Please, do tell. He has sucked from day one, and now people are acting surprised that there is public outcry against him.

[randome]

83. Well, he's certainly not trying to close all MMJ dispensaries.

And he's not responsible for the AP subpoena since he recused himself.

So why do you think he sucks?

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[Aerows]

84. No? Are you following the news?

He most certainly is trying to keep ill people from getting medical marijuana, and I'll hand you a half dozen links to prove it.

Hang on, and no, no amount of dismissal on your part is going to make me think he's anything but the worst AG we've ever had.

I'll provide links in a second.

[randome]

85. He's also been going after voter intimidation efforts pretty well.

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[Aerows]

87. You are actually going with

Okay, he did this, but he's trying to be better rationale? Good grief. I guess it's okay if a neighbor sells crack to children but teaches them about gun safety.

[randome]

89. I don't see closing MMJ dispensaries that violate federal law is all that 'evil'.

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[Aerows]

86. That was just three

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&ved=0CGQQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cannabisnews.org%2Feric-holder-gets-an-earful-on-marijuana%2F2013%2F03%2F08%2F&ei=G9GSUc7XB8vzrAGo6IGwCQ&usg=AFQjCNEGRJOjhY7SLBRNMBOSJOJaGjMxeA&sig2=RNLHURwRrdJ9BggjzUB_0A&bvm=bv.46471029,d.aWM

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&ved=0CFUQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2009%2F03%2F19%2Fus%2F19holder.html&ei=G9GSUc7XB8vzrAGo6IGwCQ&usg=AFQjCNELZeW1G12JE_fjwK6xepe7I2ARHg&sig2=Y3z6LHkE6io7xP4opj5OeQ&bvm=bv.46471029,d.aWM

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&ved=0CE0QFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedailychronic.net%2F2013%2F17823%2Fmedical-marijuana-patients-protest-ag-holders-uc-berkeley-speech%2F&ei=G9GSUc7XB8vzrAGo6IGwCQ&usg=AFQjCNG1uI9DBpAG0mUmvG_buHo7zUet4Q&sig2=jsWezOm4vtlo3ll40A2Tiw&bvm=bv.46471029,d.aWM

If you want more, I can find them.

[randome]

88. No more links! Please! I've spent enough time on DU today as it is!

I don't agree with the interpretations of the 3 linked stories you provided but I see where you're coming from. I still think leaving 2000 MMJ dispensaries alone means the DOJ does not intend to shut them all down.

I understand that you -and many others- want MJ legalized but the fact is, it currently is still illegal and the DOJ probably thinks it needs to do something other than to ignore flagrant violations of federal law. Otherwise, the DOJ would be resisted at every step.

To me, MJ means nothing. I know that's not everyone's point of view.

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[Aerows]

90. I don't use MJ

because it gives me extreme paranoia. That doesn't mean that I don't wish for family members that can benefit from it to have such access to treatment.

That's not the only reason why I detest Eric Holder. He's spineless. Anyone familiar with his record would agree to that, and no, it isn't because he is black or was appointed by a Democratic administration. It's because he's a spineless asshole that goes after "confirmed" wrong-doers that are non-violent, but let's the violent go.

Ergo, shitty AG.

[Aerows]

91. Obama needs to kick Holder to the curb

Holder has done too much damage already.

[longship]

93. Obviously you weren't around for John Ashcroft.

He soared like an eagle, eh? Or the guy who replaced him... don't even remember his name. The one who liked torture.

Or, a better example, John Mitchell who was a convicted felon for what he did when he was AG. Maybe you weren't around then.

Hyperbole doesn't suit DU well, my friend.
If you don't like Holder, that's fine. We can have a conversation. But to say he's the worst AG? Sorry, I have nothing more to say to you.

[emulatorloo]

103. Thank you

[Aerows]

105. Fair enough

I detest him, but you are probably right, there have been worse. It doesn't exactly put him in good company, though.

[longship]

107. Fine.

But flinging invectives and hyperbole here doesn't do any damned good.

Myself, I don't know what to think about Holder. And I certainly don't seem to be able to get a handle on the guy from DU postings anymore than I can determine anything about gun policy.

If you are going to make an argument here, at least bother to make it with facts. Passion is okay! Hyperbole is transparent and will convince nobody. Nor will making shit up (not that you did that, but we see a lot of that here, too).

As Monty Python amply demonstrated in the 60's, argument is an intellectual process.

Thanks for your reply.

[underpants]

66. From what I have read I agree with him

flame on at me if you will but the AP was asked not to do this AND there was a subpoena

[msanthrope]

67. What if Valerie Plame had been the asset in Yemen? I wonder if the 'outrage'

would have been the same.

I think not.

[Aerows]

79. Holder would be protecting the leaker

That's his MO.

That's also why he's a terrible, up for sale, AG.

[Aerows]

76. Holder has been awful since day one

Anyone defending him as AG defends a pack of bullshittery that stinks to high heaven. I don't like him, never have, and never have made a secret about it. He's a slimy toad that goes only for the most indefensible, not for those that are the most criminal. He won't prosecute a bank robber, but he will go after a medical marijuana smoker. He should have gone after Wall Street, but that's apparently not lucrative for him.

[kwassa]

121. I disagree, I think Holder is a good AG

He is doing a good job within the very proscribed limits of what he can do as Attorney General.

[Marr]

98. Anyone stretching to excuse this, answer this question honestly:

Would you be so willing to assume it was all above board and absolutely necessary if the Bush DoJ had done it? Honestly, now.

[BootinUp]

104. I think motive and actual harm to National Security matters, therefore

I can easily answer your question in the negative.

[BootinUp]

102. Seeing as the leak was done to hurt the President politically

and for no other good reason, I say find the leaker and expose him/her.

[usGovOwesUs3Trillion]

106. These guys make Nixon look like a card carrying ACLU member

I do not approve of these authoritarian policies no matter what party is in power.

If we weren't in these phony wars for resources and control around the world, this would not even be an issue.

We are sowing the seeds of our own destruction, how long can we afford to police and piss-off the world before it blows-back and causes our collapse... not much longer would be my guess, two decades, tops.

[ProSense]

108. Frankly,

"These guys make Nixon look like a card carrying ACLU member"

...that's nonsense.

Leaks could sink Obama Whitehouse (2012)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022843810

[usGovOwesUs3Trillion]

110. sucks to be them...

A free press is mandated by the constitution, though we now rank 32nd in the world in the 'Press Freedom Index'.

Forget "Obama's" Whitehouse, and focus more on OUR country.

[ProSense]

111. Maybe

"A free press is mandated by the constitution, though we now rank 32nd in the world in the 'Press Freedom Index'. "

...it doesn't help that our press is an extention of the GOP and corporations, doing their part to obstruct and protect the wealthy. The Murdoch empire and the rest of the right wing media cause more problems than inform. Think about it, a NYT reporter bogusly sold the Iraq war. The AP has always had its issues.

Associated Press Laments Tragic Plight Of The Very Wealthy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022458384

WTF? When did RW opinion become news? AP:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x327061

Can you tell I'm not a fan of the AP. Sure, they report stuff, and I even post AP articles, but AP is notorious for passing off bogus opinion as news. You have to read each article with great care. It was awful when Ron Fournier was there.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x327061#327076

He left AP, but can't shake his bias.

NJ: "Go Ahead, Admit It: George W. Bush Is a Good Man"
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/04/23/1204141/-NJ-Go-Ahead-Admit-It-George-W-Bush-Is-a-Good-Man

[usGovOwesUs3Trillion]

115. You have a blind spot...

MNC OWN both parties to a large extent, as well as the MSM.

That doesn't mean that the government can ignore our constitution to even a score.

Though, I am sure, to some it seems justified in the upside down world we now live in.

We now live in a time, once again, of the 'golden' rule... he who has the gold, rules.

It is the natural course, when we allow money to trump everything else... the question is, how will we reverse this disastrous course we are own?

[ProSense]

116. No,

You have a blind spot...

MNC OWN both parties to a large extent, as well as the MSM.

That doesn't mean that the government can ignore our constitution to even a score.

...I think the one with the blind spot is the one claiming that everyone is owned, and then making an anti-government argument.

The reality is that the press in this country often acts irresponsibly. They only care about the Constitution in cases of freedom of the press, which they abuse daily.

In terms of the case being discussed, I have to wonder about the AP report because it seems to have created the impression that journalists were targeted.

[usGovOwesUs3Trillion]

118. that's why it's called a blind spot... you don't see it.

First of all, I didn't say 'everyone'.

And I am not making an 'anti-government' argument, I am making an anti-corruption argument.

Spying on the press, like spying on the people, without reasonable cause, and with a wide net, is a corruption of our constitution.

Therefore, I am making a PRO government, argument.

[ProSense]

119. Actually,

that's why it's called a blind spot... you don't see it.

First of all, I didn't say 'everyone'.

And I am not making an 'anti-government' argument, I am making an anti-corruption argument.

Spying on the press, like spying on the people, without reasonable cause, and with a wide net, is a corruption of our constitution.

Therefore, I am making a PRO government, argument.

...you're right, "you don't see it."

I mean, it's not like the press isn't corrupt (Murdoch ring a bell?).

You're also flouting the facts: Issuing a subpoena is not "spying." In fact, it's the legal means for obtaining information.

[usGovOwesUs3Trillion]

120. I

make it a rule, to detect, and then to avoid, the practice of sophism.

Good evening.

[ProSense]

122. That often

"I make it a rule, to detect, and then to avoid, the practice of sophism."

...happens when arguments reach a stalemate.

[Cha]

109. Tweet from Ryan Lizza..

Ryan Lizza @RyanLizza

Recap: GOP calls on Holder to investigate leaks. Holder appoints US Attorney. US Att. subpoenas AP records. GOP calls on Holder to resign.

Freaking stupidmongers.

[ProSense]

112. Moral:

If you're selling any part of the Republican Scandalathon with more enthusiasm than the Republicans, maybe it's time to reconsider.

[Cha]

117. Bam Time to gaze their collective navel.

ForUS50 @FORUS50

HELP!!! The United States has the dumbest bunch of "journalists" in the history of civilization. Support immigration to solve this problem.

http://theobamadiary.com/2013/05/14/chat-away-obamas-fault-edition/

[WillyT]

113. Damning Himself With Those Words...

IOW...

I am not in charge, in control, and take no responsibility for certain things that happen under MY watch.

[ProSense]

114. Here,

"I am not in charge, in control, and take no responsibility for certain things that happen under MY watch."

...consider this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2844846
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2844976