Kerry, Senators Urge Congressional Investigation Into Plame Leak!

[kerrygoddess]

Kerry, Senators Urge Congressional Investigation Into Leak of CIA Agent Valerie Plame’s Name
July 25th, 2005

Advance copy to The Democratic Daily…

For Immediate Release:

Today, Senator John Kerry; Senator Carl Levin, Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations; and 24 other Senators formally requested that Congress investigate the leak of covert CIA agent Valerie Plame’s identity — a leak a senior administration official described at the time as “meant purely and simply for revenge.”

“Americans deserve a Congress that holds Washington accountable for the truth about our national security. Can anyone argue with a straight face that Congress has time to look at steroid use in baseball but doesn’t have the will to provide congressional oversight of the leak of a CIA agent’s name? It’s long past time to stop putting politics ahead of the public good, get to the bottom of a national security breach and restore credibility to Washington,” said John Kerry, who authored the letter.

Below is the text of the letter sent today:

Dear Mr. Speaker and Mr. Majority Leader:

The press has reported on information strongly suggesting that senior Administration officials, including White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove and the Vice President’s Chief of Staff Lewis Libby, exposed the identity of American intelligence operative Valerie Plame, despite the repeated denial of the White House at the time.

The public revelation of Ms. Plame’s identity, whether it amounts to a crime or an irresponsible breach of security protocol that doesn’t meet the standard of criminal conduct, almost certainly compromised her intelligence networks and may have compromised the safety and welfare of anyone who had worked with her overseas. As a group of respected former intelligence officials wrote in 2004: “Any breach of the code of confidentiality and cover weakens the overall fabric of intelligence, and, directly or indirectly, jeopardizes the work and safety of intelligence workers and their sources.”

The United States Congress has a constitutional responsibility to provide oversight of the executive branch, whether a law has been broken or not. It is time for Congress to fulfill that constitutional responsibility in this matter by initiating a thorough investigation.

We recognize that a criminal investigation is underway and that a special prosecutor continues to present testimony before a grand jury. These actions in no way preclude Congress’ responsibility to provide oversight. We urge you to exercise your authority as Congressional leaders by requesting the appropriate committees to begin oversight hearings and an investigation immediately.

Sincerely,

Senators Kerry, Levin, Stabenow, Schumer, Lautenberg, Rockefeller, Reed, Feinstein, Dorgan, Harkin, Kohl, Durbin, Carper, Salazar, Boxer, Inouye, Corzine, Wyden, Mikulski, Obama, Murray, Bayh, Johnson, Clinton, Sarbanes, and Landrieu.

http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=57

[wryter2000]

1. The Big Mo

And I don't mean Joementum. This thing is really building up steam.

[clydefrand]

2. I thought I understood Sen. Pat Roberts saying that an investigation

would be held on this issue. And he's republican.

[Pirate Smile]

5. No, Roberts wants to change the subject. He isn't doing a real

investigation on this. Here is a good link and some info on it.

"I've told you many times how Sen. Pat Roberts (R) of Kansas, Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is a shame
to the office, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the White House political operation if there ever was one.

The July 2004 report on Iraqi WMD should be enough to make the point.

But now there's more.

Note that there are no congressional investigations into the origin of the Niger forgeries, the outing of Valerie Plame, and countless other scandals and mysteries large and small. (Remember, after the 2004 election, Roberts announced that there's now not enough time for the investigation into possible political manipulation of Iraqi WMD intel, which he promised prior to the election.)

But now there will be congressional hearings into whether the CIA does a good enough job at protecting the 'cover' of its agents in its Directorate of Operations.

-snip-
And this, understand, is the premise of the new Roberts' hearings. Was she really covert enough? And does the CIA really know how to define 'covert'. Asked about a bankrobber caught red-handed outside the bank, Sen. Roberts response would be to say, "But how much real claim did the bank have to that money? Did they really earn it? And what did they do to protect it?"

Now, there's a separate debate about whether the CIA, over the decades, became so bureaucratic that it came to rely too much on operatives whose cover was insufficiently deep. So, for instance, working non-proliferation with too many American 'energy industry consultants' like Plame rather than assets embedded deep within the A.Q. Khan nuke network. Presumably, the latter are rather more difficult to place than the former group. But this charge may well be a valid one. Given the nature of the question, it is difficult for those of us outside the intelligence community or without high level clearance to evaluate.

But one probably needn't advance all the way through elementary school to grasp that that policy debate is separate from a criminal investigation into whether someone broke the rules as they exist today.

The only reason Chairman Roberts now wants hearings into this question is that it might generate more fodder for excuse-making for those who will climb any mountain and ford any stream to avoid holding any of the president's lieutenants to account.

Sen. Roberts has turned the Intel Committee into an arm of Karl Rove's political operation. In the truest sense of the word, Sen. Roberts is a hack, a shame to his office.


http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2005_07_24.php#006153

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4183831

[RC]

3. Oh, Great!

And how many criminals will be granted immunity for their testimony so we can do this all over again in 20/30 years?

Let's let Patrick Fitzgerald do his job first. Kerry scares me.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RC]

10. Not hardly.

Don't you know your history? Let Patrick Fitzgerald do his job first- then congress can get into the act!

[fedupinBushcountry]

15. Read the letter

We recognize that a criminal investigation is underway and that a special prosecutor continues to present testimony before a grand jury. These actions in no way preclude Congress’ responsibility to provide oversight. We urge you to exercise your authority as Congressional leaders by requesting the appropriate committees to begin oversight hearings and an investigation immediately.

Yeah, I know my history, and if I have any questions I just ask my son a History teacher.

[ieoeja]

36. Then ask your son about Poindexter and North.

Ask him if their convictions were overturned on appeal because of the congressional hearings. The answer is, of course, yes.

At the time, Dems were content with this because the criminals were no longer in power, and it was felt that their convictions overturned by a technicality would keep them out of power forever. Eight years later many of the exact same people were right back in power. Lets not make the same mistake again.

[fob]

17. I have the same question as fedup, what's with the "Kerry scares me"

part? Why can't things be set upfor Congress to investigate WHILE Fitzgerald plods along? Kerry worked the BCCI investigation and I have no reason to beleive that he wouldn't do a superb job on a Treason in the White House case.

:shrug:

[RC]

23. Kerry conceded the election while the count was still going on.

No one heard from him for months afterward and then not one word about election fraud. Not a person I would trust.
The problem is when congress investigates something serious, they grant immunity for testimony. All the revelations look good on committee's record. But...
How many guilty people are going to walk because they could not stay out of the way before the the pros get done?

[kerrygoddess]

30. 1) That is not the topic of discussion!

2) Evidently you have NOT been paying attention. Kerry has been very vocal on Election Reform (http://www.johnkerry.com/features/votingrights/) and a host of other issues!

[zulchzulu]

33. OK, genius...is a concession speech legally binding?

Yes or no?

That's right. NO!

[LittleClarkie]

35. Your facts are not credible

I dispute two things you say:

1. No one heard from him for months afterward

2. And then not one word about election fraud.

I can go dig up the facts if you like. It will take me a bit, but I wouldn't mind.

But, let's see. Off the top of my head, I can think of a few things.

There is also a lawsuit related to the fraud that is still pending, and stalled, in Ohio. The lawyer's name is Don McTigue.

He gave a speech blasting the suppression on MLK Day. And got blasted for it because people thought he was politicizing the issue.

He is, of course, a co-sponsor of election reform legislation.

There was the November 19th "man in exile" video, where he reiterated that the votes would be counted. He conceded, lower than some, faster than Gore, but with less of a leg to stand on than Gore.

People often say he conceded before the votes were finished being counted. And? So when they were counted, after he conceded, did we see a flipping of the results? No. So those who said it didn't look like the uncounted votes were going to change the result seem to have been correct. I suppose he could have held back his concession, but what exactly was that to accomplish?

There was evidence that some strange things happened this last election. But nothing you could rush into court with. I suppose he could have been all sound and fury, shouting that something stank without much to point to in the way of solid facts. That would have made those in the base who need a dog and pony show happy, but not made much difference to the outcome.

How do you count votes that were never cast? How do you count votes that may or may not have been flipped in the machine itself. And if you suspect the latter, how do you get proof in 2 months? Investigations take longer than that.

Really, it's easy to say that he conceded before the votes were counted. That's sounds right enough to those who are still pissed at the man. But to my eyes, that comment has little depth, and most folks can't tell me what he could have done that would have produced more results, as opposed to red meat.

And I still think that he could buy time on national television, and spend the hour screaming about impeachment and whatever else people say they never hear from his lips, and the next day someone would pipe up with, "We never hear from Kerry."

If he's after attention with the things he does do, it ain't working. If that was what he wanted, he'd have quit by now. I mean, why bother. As usual, he's like Invisible Boy from Mystery Men, not so much transparent as ignored.

But I still see a man of integrity there. Maybe because I pay attention to the man, where others don't. And while those others are welcome to their own opinions, they are not welcome to their own facts.

Let me know if you want me to illuminate what Kerry "didn't" do for months after the election.

[RC]

56. Get your facts straight

Scroll down a little over 3/4 of the way.

Subject: John Kerry

Bart, you wrote:

> Kerry tried to concede while they were still counting Ohio ballots,
> but the Monkey had gone to sleep and Kerry didn't want to wake him.

> "Kerry" is synonymous with failure and quitting.
> "Kerry" is synonymous with cowardice and refusing to fight.
> "Kerry" is synonymous with running away when his country needed him.


I don't think it can be said any better than that.
Kerry was basically a wimp candidate that even so, should have won over a ass hole.

pattmarty


Comments?

http://www.bartcop.com/

[LittleClarkie]

57. I don't see facts. I see opinions.

And the first point made makes no sense and is utterly false. "Kerry tried to concede while they were still counting Ohio ballots but the Monkey had gone to sleep and Kerry didn't want to wake him"?

The decision wasn't made that night. It was made the next morning. And when the decision WAS made, the Ohio ballots were still being counted and would be for quite a while yet (about a week if I recall correctly). So I have no idea what that statement is supposed to mean. So they were still be counted either way.

I have never seen any news that suggested that Kerry tried to concede the night before. Once again, people are welcome to their opinion, but not their own facts.

I don't think that was well said at all and shows little or no understanding nor knowledge of our former candidate. And I don't understand why you present it as if it proved something. There are no facts there, as I said. Only opinions. And not very well supported ones either.

I assume that last bit was an invitation to visit the linked site. No thank you. I'll address my comments on this thread.

[bunny planet]

67. Nice hijacking of a thread to indulge yourself in tedious Kerry bashing.

How counterproductive, and it's bullshit too.
Kerry is hardly a failure, and I'm proud and encouraged that he is calling for this investigation in Congress.

Snooze.

[orleans]

80. not to change the subject here, but i've got a question

you said: "There is also a lawsuit related to the fraud that is still pending, and stalled, in Ohio. The lawyer's name is Don McTigue".

question: what's up with that anyway? why is it stalled? do you know?

[LittleClarkie]

84. I'll go in search of the answer

I suspect the reason is Blackwell, or the Republican state administration in general.

I'll go see whassup though. Hadn't gotten a date last time I looked.

[LittleClarkie]

85. I just emailed McTigue using Findlaw

Let's see if he answers.

[fob]

41. Discounting your "Kerry disappeared" off-topic bunk, you seem to

know the outcome of the current investigation and are willing to go with FEWER investigations of this criminal enterprise? Now THAT'S scary!

I would feel more comfortable with John Kerry investigating WHILE Fitzgerald (repub leaning at the least) ALSO investigates. The only thing better than rove going down is if given immunity he takes down the rest of them instead.

That said, I ain't holding my breath on either count. Let's watch and push into the media and pile on with any/all investigations we can!

[blm]

51. They are not always granted immunity anymore, not since IranContra.

It would have to be a very special arrangement for immunity to be granted these days.

[MH1]

34. ?? Timing ?? and media attention??

Isn't it true that Fitzgerald has to finish up the grand jury in September or October? Any indictments must be announced then, right?

Okay, Senate is in recess through August, starting (I think) next week, and coming back sometime after Labor Day.

So.... at the pace of the Senate isn't it reasonable that no hearings would get underway until about the time indictments are announced?

I hardly think immunity will be granted to anyone already under indictment, or even before indictments are announced if it is expected that some are forthcoming.

I do think it's a good move to start the drums beating for hearings right before the recess. The more publicity, the better, IMO.

[Booster]

78. I agree - let's not repeat what happened during the Iran/Contra

scandal, which is what will happen if they don't just leave Fitzgerald alone and let him do his job - butt out, Kerry; start your investigation AFTER the indictments.

[Supersedeas]

4. lots of Dem Senators missing from this list

[TahitiNut]

6. 26 of 44 Senate Dems; no Byrd, Lieberman, Nelson, etc.?

Interesting dichotomy.

[KoKo]

14. No Biden, either.....interesting. n/t

[Imagevision]

60. 26 of 44 Senate Dems? - Nothing like sticking together eh?

Kerry should put a full page ad in Wall St. listing those who failed to unite with fellow Dems to gain traction.

Americans; "United we stand"???? only at the check out at the 7-11.

[kster]

7. Kerry

is the man he will be back, with a vengeance, if I were * I'd be very afraid. "Brown water Navy guys" don't stand down to no one, unless it is a strategic move.

* BE VERY VERY AFRAID !!!

[LittleClarkie]

37. Indeed

Sometimes I think the reason that folks aren't happy with what Kerry does much of the time is because he doesn't always bother with the political dog and pony show. He's never been the radical shouter. He does things when he thinks he can make a difference. He doesn't waste his powder on futile, if more politically satisfying, gestures.

He's a wonk. As such, I expect him to wonk them to death. Not as pretty to watch unless you're a wonk too, but there you have it.

[TayTay]

8. Seven of the people who signed that letter

are on the Select Select Committee on Intelligence. The rules of this committee state:

1.3 A special meeting of the Committee may be called at any time upon the written request of five or more members of the Committee filed with the Clerk of the Committee.

http://intelligence.senate.gov/rules%20of%20procedure.h...

Only Corzine signed Kerry's letter before for a hearing on DSM. Maybe we can get signees to this who are on the IntelComm:

Levin
Rockefeller
Feinstein
Wyden
Mikulski
Bayh

To call for a Senate Select Committee hearing.

Ask these Senators to put in a request per the rules of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. They can start comprehensive hearings on DSM, Rove, leaking covert agents identities and so forth. Otherwise, what is the point of this?

[fedupinBushcountry]

11. Bayh, did sign

This is a very interesting list of signatures, and very important that the committee members signed it. Maybe Kerry should pass around another DSM, due to all these new revelations.

[TayTay]

12. OR just turn this into a comprehensive hearing

on DSM and the Rove/Libby/Gonzales leak. They do all eventually connect.

Just because the letter doesn't specifically mention DSM, doesn't mean it can't come up.

BTW, I will correct my post to include Bayh. But that's because you caught me in an error. (Thanks!)

[fedupinBushcountry]

18. No problem, the names are pretty bunched together

You make a very interesting point, this could lead into something very big.

[kerrygoddess]

22. Great points and info!

Thanks Tay Tay, I am updating the post on DemDaily with this info!

[peacetalksforall]

13. Do you ever get the feeling that you are dragging our leaders out of

their sheriff's office and putting them on their horse and giving them instructions about how and where to find the bank robbers?

Do they wait to find out if an action will be safe as far as their voting constituents and lobbyist donaters?

[wli]

16. I get more of a different feeling

Like the bank robber is holding the sheriff hostage and we're telling him to arrest the bank robber.

[OzarkDem]

47. How's that?

In what way are Congressional Dems rendered completely helpless by the Bush admin? They answer to their constituents, not to Bush.

[ginnyinWI]

19. some are more afraid than Kerry to stick their political necks out

Kerry has been the one to get out there in front on DSM and now the CIA Outing scandal. He's the one with political capital, not *. But I have the feeling he'd be out there, regardless, because he's been doing it his whole career.

[peacetalksforall]

24. Yes, he has done some great stuff, but lately it is after a v e r y slow

start. A very c a u t i o s start.

I am waiting for him to start working on voter rights.

No republican voting machines.
No republican software.
No republican paid and/or imported technicians.
No republican corporate network paid exit polling.
No republican corporate network calling of the vote.

Why can't we have -
U.S. citizen voting machines.
U.S. citizen software.
U.S. citizen paid U.S.technicians.
U.S. citizen paid exit polling.
U.S. citizen paid vote calling.
U.S. citizen suppression of corporations telling us who the winnters are.

We need to take the vote into our hands.

The only leaders doing anything are Conyers and his team.

Kerry is slow and cautious to the max if a certain per cent of the poll results show support for Bush. Now is the time.

I believe in taking time for fact gathering.

But why are DU and other writers so far ahead of our leaders in figuring things out and wanting action?

[TayTay]

26. Maybe that's because this thread was on

the Rove/Plame thing, not Voting Rights.

One thing at a time.

[peacetalksforall]

28. The cause of our dilemna is the thefts of our votes and no matter how

many words are written on DU or spoken by Kerry - there won't be change without reliable voting. Never.

[TayTay]

29. And that connects to the Rove/Plame/Libby

case in what way, exactly?

[peacetalksforall]

50. It connects because our leaders can work slow or fast, on peripheral

issues, but it will be to no available if we can't get pnacers out and we can't get them our if our vote is stolen. Words mean nothing if their isn't action. Insure the vote first or simultaneously to ensure that efforts to expose exposers is not wastful.

Getting rid of Cheney, Libby and Rove does not stop theft.

[LittleClarkie]

53. What's that game

The one where you can connect everyone in the world to Kevin Bacon?

Well, no matter what Kerry does, it can be connected either to how he FAILED us (sob!) in Ohio and how he started the war all by himself with his mighty vote for the IWR (beats chest in lament) and how he is neither Howard Dean nor John Conyers (damn him all to hell!)

When he's silent, he's a coward. When he pipes up, he needs to get out of the damn way so REAL Democrats like the aforementioned Conyers can get to work (damn that glory grabbing Kerry -- but why isn't he doing anything?)

Democrats are a very schizophrenic people. How can anyone do what we want when we can't even agree on what we want.

[blm]

31. Kerry was the first to ask if Bush was involved with the Plame leak and

ask if THAT was the reason he won't fire Rove. Guess you missed those threads last week.

Conyers and Waxman are great, but there isn't a lawmaker in office today who has investigated and exposed more government corruption than Kerry.


And, the theft of the votes is an issue that the DNC needs to deal with. MacAuliffe never got a handle on it. Hopefully, Dean will.

[kerrygoddess]

54. Touche!

:kick:

[LittleClarkie]

52. This might be what you've been waiting for:

This is on the Kerry website under the heading "Join the Community Action Team"

We must put party politics aside and join together as proud American citizens to eliminate barriers to voting, encourage the greatest level of civic participation possible, and restore confidence in the notion that every eligible voter will have the opportunity to cast a ballot and have it counted. No American citizen should wake up the morning after the election and worry their vote wasn't counted. No citizen should be denied at the polls if they are eligible to vote. And, as the greatest, wealthiest nation on earth, our citizens should never be forced to vote on old, unaccountable and non transparent voting machines from companies controlled by partisan activists.

There are over 3,000,000 members of the johnkerry.com online community. We accomplished so much together during the campaign. Now let's use our power to make sure that at least one good thing comes from the voting rights problems of the 2004.

http://www.johnkerry.com/features/count/actionteam.php

----

He made more than one statement about the DNC report when it came out, plus the legislation he's co-sponsoring, plus the lawsuit still pending in Ohio.

Sometimes I fear that folks only see what they expect to see. It seems to me that no matter what Kerry does, there are folks still saying, "I'm waiting for him to do something."

So join the team. I did.

[OzarkDem]

48. That's it exactly

Like the sheriff cowering behind his desk when the bad guys come to town.

[skip fox]

20. They will find SO much!

The more we know, in fact, the more it seems that there will be multiple indictments for "high administration officials" in Fitzgerald's final report including at least two for Rove. (If not indictments, we'll have notifications of non-indictable wrongful activities--or some such--in the prosecutor's final report).

I say this because in learning about multiple leakers for the 6 reported contacts and multiple confirming sources (last week we wre told 11 contacts total!) , it becomes apparent what occurred. One administrative official discovered the Plame-Wilson-Niger relationship, took it to the White House Iraq Group, turned it over to Rove, who on the spot assigned tasks to different primary leakers/sources assuring no source called another source's contact (so as not to appear too eager), that no source's "pitch" was exactly the same but that their information was all given in an "off hand" manner (e.g., "Don't go too far out on this Wilson thing, I don't want you burnt").

Simply "doing the numbers" has told me this all along, but as new information comes out my analysis is being confirmed. We knew there were at least 6 initial leaks/contacts. Now we know that there were at least three different initial leakers (Fleicher Rove, Libby) and of the 6 reporters 4 are confirmed as Miller, Novak, Cooper, and Pincus. We also realize that there must have been a number of other confirming sources (because you cannot assure who the reporter will call for confirmation).

A master-mind would have been necessary to coordinate all these calls by different people AND would have to insure that a number of other officials were ready and willing to confirm the initial leaks.

They would have gone to Rove immediately and he, probably in an emergency of the White House Iraq Group, assigned the roles, the stories and the stances, etc.

So he not only leaked by was the mastermind of a conspiracy to leak.

We can only hope he lead a cover-up and committed perjury as well.

[McCamy Taylor]

21. Hmmm. Dont muddy the waters for Fitzgerald.

This was Dan Burton's favorite strategy for when he thought a buddy was in danger in court. Get the witnesses before Congress first and get them on record in public saying what HE wanted them to say before the prosecutors could get to them.

[kerrygoddess]

25. This ain't muddying the waters - it's starting a flood!

Wake up!

[TayTay]

27. The security of the US was compromised

Who knows what kind of damage was done. We are at war with troops in the field who are in harm's way. Outing a covert agent in a time of war could have provided aid and comfort to the enemy and led to the injury and death of US Troops.

This is a proper action for the US Senate to investigate and exists outside of any US Court action. And timely hearings might just help to prevent further damage to the US and our ability to protect sources of information that could save the lives of people in the field. It matters.

[blm]

32. Kerry has been working with Wilson. They must know what they're doing.

I doubt the Republicans will even allow the hearings but at least this way their efforts to cover up will be noted.

[frankly_fedup2]

38. There will be no hearings, no one will be held accountable, same old

song and dance we have heard the last five years.

Stolen election in 2000 -- nothing done.

No investigation into 9/11 until after a year and a half. Then Bush and Cheney would only testify as long as Bush sat with Cheney and they refused to take an oath before their questioning. Why are the Republicans so blind to this.

We have gone to war for one reason and one reason alone and that is because of the oil. Possibly a little "gotcha" back at Saddam who tried to assassinate Bush's daddy, but mostly for the oil that is being pumped out everyday with no gages keeping up with it. The military has stated that as they rode through Iraq and different units were put on different oil fields, the first thing they were told were to remove the gages. Wonder why???

We were lied to about WHY we were going to war, I remember asking my dad everyday what was the reason today for our going to war? We were told that "the oil" would pay for the war. We have also been lied to about 9 billion dollars that is lost. Yeah right . . . lost right into Bush and his cronies pockets.

We are told our soldiers have everything they need but then when our soldiers come home, they tell their families the truth about not having body armor, driving vehicles without armor, etc.

We know almost 1800 Americans have died in battle (or that is what we have been told); however, our government says they do not keep up with the enemies numbers. I've seen pictures of the children and little babies with no heads being handed off to their parents. My God, those are our enemies.

By Bush sending troops into Iraq, Iraq has more suicide bombers now then Israel. Of course, they are not going to come over here to fight. Anyone can figure out why too. They have 140,000+ U.S. soldiers on Arab soil. They can pick and choose when and how many they want to kill. They have plenty Americans over there they can kill so why do they need to come over here.

Yeah, George Bush is a God-fearing man alright. The "War President" is how he wants to be remembered. Sick.

[RC]

43. And you know this because?

Got a back up, a link?

[blm]

49. Where have you been? Wilson aligned with Kerry over two years ago.

Everyone knows that. It was never a secret.

You think when Kerry came out last week and linked that maybe Bush won't fire Rove because he was involved, too, just came out of nowhere?

You think the DSM just came out of nowhere?

Many in the intel community aligned with Kerry over the last few years....he was the Senator who investigated and exposed IranContra and BCCI, so who else would they trust to side with them against BushInc?

[LittleClarkie]

42. I never know what people want

If nothing is being said or done (except for perhaps behind the scenes), then folks wonder where our leaders are.

When something IS being said or done, then folks say it's the wrong thing, not enough, too much or whatever.

If nothing else, this call for investigation keeps the issue in the news. What could be wrong with that?

[Pirate Smile]

39. MSNBC just did a story on the letter requesting an investigation.

Good!

[ladjf]

40. "Urges" = Get you name in the media for asking for a hearing.

Why would the Republicans support a hearing? Everyday for the past week I have heard "Kerry urges ....... ". So what? Where was he when Conyers and McKinney had their "hearings"?

[LittleClarkie]

46. Weren't their hearing a "so what" as well?

You seem to argue that Kerry piping up means nothing. Well, sadly, neither did the "hearings."

But of course Kerry gets flak regardless. He's a coward if he doesn't say anything. He's a publicity seeker if he does. If he does pipe up, it's at the wrong time and -blank- did it better.

So since Conyers didn't get his name in the news, it make his hearings that nobody heard about better, because he wasn't seeking publicity? And then there are those who say are problem is that selfsame lack of publicity.

And folks wonder why politicians don't always respond to the people. Which people? It must be like being a pushmepullyou.

[ladjf]

64. If you are satisfied that Kerry is a staunch and good Democrat

that's your right. I personally don't think he has or is good for our cause. This bulletin board is all about opinion. I'll bet that we both share a fervent desire to get rid of Bush and his thugs.

[LittleClarkie]

65. It's not black and white

It's not "Kerry's shit" vs "Kerry is our knight in shining armor. Hurrah."

I've been accused of cheerleading for the man. Mostly over at DailyKos, where they are ten time more pissy re: Kerry than folks are here.

This bulletin board is indeed all about opinion. And I was supplying mine. Your tone suggests that I didn't think you had a right to your opinion. Far from it. I simply disagree. No worries.

I may or may not think Kerry is a staunch and good Democrat. In fact, I don't see where I suggested that in my reply. I think he's a good man, with whom I sometimes disagree but almost never fail to respect. Doesn't mean everything he says in golden. Doesn't mean everything he does is shit either. But his name is like a red flag to a bull to some. And if I overreacted to your opinion, I'm sorry.

[ladjf]

66. Naturally I voted for him. But, I was concerned about the fact

he had voted for the Iraq war, his skull and bones connection and that he said that even after learning the facts about Iraq, he would still have voted to give Bush permission to go to war. In addition he was advocating sending more troops as the DLC is doing now. I was very disappointed in the quick way he gave up on the election after promising that he had many lawyers that were going to go after the voting fraud. It appeared that he might have been part of the machine. I, like so many others, have become so paranoid, I can hardly think straight. In my younger days, I'd never have dreamed that the country would have been taken over by thugs without firing a shot and with the full cooperation of almost half of the voting population.

[LittleClarkie]

68. What do you think is the DLC's motive though

Do they believe in the mission, or do they see more troops as the way to ultimately get out?

I fear the DLC believes the former, while I see Kerry as believing the later. He has called Iraq a waste of time and a distraction from the real work at hand.

It has been said that Kerry's quote at the Grand Canyon had been taken out of context, and made to sound like something it wasn't. But I have a brain like a seive, and can't remember the details, just the jist.

In my humble opinion, the Skull and Bones connection means nada. If it did, Kerry wouldn't have gone after Poppy in BCCI. Poppy was Bones as well.

I still think the Kerry people were ready for 2000, instead of 2004. They didn't seem to know what to do with the idea that they didn't need to recount ala Florida. A bit slow on the uptake, K/E did finally get involved in Ohio. And the lawsuit is still open as far as I know.

I understand paranoia. But as I looked at Kerry during the election, and moved from ABB to supporter, I think I came to know the man pretty well. And I just don't see what you do. Simple as that.

[bvar22]

44. I am glad that our Democrats are adding their voices to ours,

but I am disillusioned about the effectiveness or Real Purpose of Congressional Hearings.

The recent Congressional Hearings (exclude Conyers & McKinney) I have watched have been nauseating Whitewashes and TV Festivals of "CYA" & "Protect the System at all Costs" . They have produced some grandstanding "Video Bytes", but NOTHING of substance and NO Consequences for ANYONE within the Halls of Power.

This coalition of Senators is very curious. In all fairness, I should point out that about 1/2 of the Senators signing Kerry's request are members of the DLC. Of Course, this investigation in NO WAY interferes with the Corporate Takeover of DC and destruction of LABOR, and so does not conflict with the Prime Directive of the DLC.

These are the Senators who are NOT on the list:

Akaka (D-HI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dayton (D-MN)
Durbin (D-IL)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reid (D-NV)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Wyden (D-OR)

While these requests are not near as important as actual votes, and NOT appearing on the list in no way hurts the Democratic Party or the Working Class of America, it is helpful to show Party Unity and a UNITED OPPOSITION to Corruption and Treason in the Republican Party and DC in general.
So drop these slackers a line voicing your displeasure.

[fedupinBushcountry]

55. Whoa !!!

I think you better look at the list again. I see 3 names that signed on at a quick glance. DLC does not have anything to do with it, and if you look it is quite a good mix.

Also some may not be in town, it is Monday,not known to be a busy day in the Senate.

[bvar22]

58. I believe that we agree.

Maybe reread my post?
About 1/2 the signers are DLC. I was giving them credit for showing up for America. I am very hard on the DLC in other areas, frequently posting their names and votes on DU. I felt it was only fair to mention them here in a positive frame.

You must admit that this grouping of Senators is ODD.
I also stated that being absent from this list is no big deal.

[Independent_Liberal]

45. Excellent!

It's good to see that Kerry is getting so much support from the other Dems.

You go Kerry!

Investigate! Prosecute! Indict! Imprison!

[Q]

59. There is a much more important investigation...

...that needs to be held. It's an investigation that both parties refuse to even consider.

George W. Bush lied this nation into war...causing the unnecessary death of thousands. He must be held accountable for numerous war crimes.

Where is Kerry on THIS issue?

[kerrygoddess]

61. Maybe you missed that one

Kerry sent a letter with other Senator's sig's to the Senate Intel Committee requesting a hearing on the DSM.

Seems as though this and the DSM sort of go hand and hand.

Thanks for complaining.

[LittleClarkie]

62. Prepare to be ignored

Ignoring commencing now...

"Why isn't Kerry doing anything on DSM."

Rinse. Repeat.

[kerrygoddess]

69. LOL! And rinse again!

:kick:

[Imagevision]

63. But the GOP to investigate Fitzgerald!

Little said the Senate committee would also review the probe of special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, who has been investigating the Plame case for nearly two years.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/7/25/191620/049

[kerrygoddess]

70. Different hearing I believe.

One that was previous called for in respect to same matter.

[dansolo]

71. Kerry, what the hell are you doing?

I'm really starting to distrust Kerry. Either he is grandstanding now that things are looking really bad for Bush, or he is going to be interfering with Fitzgerald's investigation. If Kerry wants to make a spectacle, he should wait until after the Grand Jury is finished. Now Kerry is just opening things up to allow the Republicans to cast this as a partisan affair.

[kerrygoddess]

72. He's doing his job... along with 25 other Senators!

You did read it right? The were 26 names on that letter!

[LittleClarkie]

73. Including the beloved Boxer

Damn that grandstanding beotch. What is she thinking!? I bet she's planning to run for president too (eyes shift left and right). They all are, you know. It's a Democratic Party conspiracy! :tinfoilhat:

[kerrygoddess]

74. It's a Democratic Party conspiracy!

Why yes it is!

[AtomicKitten]

75. The Repubs are going to look into CIA leak related info ...

such as just how covert and undercover Ms. Plame's status is to excuse the vulgar pigboy and, my personal favorite, they're going to "look" into Fitzpatrick's history. God forbid if he ever voted for or donated to a Democrat; let the wailing begin. And what they will manage to do is fool their dumbass sheep into thinking they are actually investigating the leak itself, which they won't. God I hate those bastards.

[paineinthearse]

76. When are the Senate Dems going to show some balls and hold a hearing

with or without the rethugs, like the half dozen Rep. Conyers has done on election fraud, media and DSM?

I'm sick of whiny, "please hold a hearing" letters.

JUST DO IT!

[AtomicKitten]

77. Psssssst.

They did. It was all over C-span this past weekend.

[kerrygoddess]

79. Where or what did those hearings lead to?

Hmmm... No where... No thing.

Kerry and the others are looking for a hearing of more substance, like the Fulbright Commission Hearings, or Iran Contra perhaps.

This is all unraveling and yet some people have to keep complaining. I don't hear Conyers complaining?

[paineinthearse]

83. Take a lesson from Conyers

His "unofficial" hearings and his blog have generated huge amounts of public interest and education.

His Ohio and DC hearings were covered by CSPAN.
AFTERDOWNINGSTREET.org is a spin-off.
He was able to deliver >1/2 MILLION petition signatures to the white house.

Our Senators need to be as active and visible.

I have been watching CSPAN2. Currently there is no action. Couldn't one Senator stand up, address the issues and bring a resolution to the floor to create an investigative commission?

[TayTay]

82. They did on Friday

But the national media doesn't consider the Dems-only hearings to have the same weight as a hearing with subpoena power. So these hearings are not heavily covered. (Except on Dem blogs.)

The Dems cannot get hearings with full subpoena power because they are blocked by the Rethugs. Kerry is trying. This latest letter got better response than the DSM letter. (That one had ten sigs. This one has 26 sigs.)

We are in the minority and have no ability to setup an official hearing without Rethug cooperation. And no Rethug seems to have the moral conscience to align with the Dems on these issues of moral responsibility and accountability. These letters are about the best we can do. (And continue to hold the unofficial hearings. At least it's something.)

[leesa]

81. I don't trust our Senate to investigate anything. Why did we never

investigate the crime committed on 9-11? Or the stolen elections? They only want to obstruct an investigation.