Boxer: Hacked 'Climategate' emails may face criminal probe

[cal04]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/70249-boxer-hacked-climategate-emails-may-face-criminal-probe

Leaked emails allegedly undermining climate change science should be treated as a criminal matter, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said Wednesday.

Boxer, the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said that the recently-released emails, showing scientists allegedly overstating the case for climate change, should be treated as a criminal matter.

"You call it 'Climategate,' I call it 'E-mail-theft-gate,'" she said during a committee meeting on Wednesday. "Whatever it is, the main issue is are we facing global warming or are we not. I'm looking at these emails, that, even though they were stolen, are now out in the public."

(snip)
"We may well have a hearing on this, we may not. We may have a briefing for senators, we may not," Boxer said. "Part of our looking at this will be looking at a criminal activity which could have well been coordinated."

[DJ13]

1. She should stay out of this

Those who defend GW dont care about the emails, and those who believe the emails represent the real truth will see her as a liberal trying to defend the indefensible.

It wont serve anyone any good.

[Cleita]

4. Imagine the horror!

Being thought of as a liberal!

:eyes:

[silverweb]

6. Bullshit.

The emails were stolen. That definitely deserves investigation as a criminal act and possible conspiracy to commit a criminal act for the purpose of political gain.

[DJ13]

7. Yes they were

But thats not a Congressional matter.

[silverweb]

8. Says who?

You?

Pardon me if I think Senator Boxer might know a little more about what's a congressional matter than you do.

[DJ13]

10. What does Congress have to do with law ENFORCEMENT?

Making laws, sure.

They arent cops though, so this just comes across as a partisan fishing expedition.

Let Interpol investigate, it was on their turf.

[silverweb]

12. Since when is a possible "probe" the same as "enforcement"?

She didn't say who would or should be doing the investigating. I suspect it will be a joint effort between the U.S. and Interpol or whatever other international agencies should be involved.

Because Senator Boxer is chair of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, she certainly has a very legitimate interest in seeing this matter pursued. We only know about the emails at the UK end, but there could very well be a U.S. connection, which would certainly legitimize any U.S. investigation.

She said, "We may well have a hearing on this, we may not. We may have a briefing for senators, we may not." That's not "enforcement." You telling her to "stay out of it" is insulting and absurd. I don't understand your vehement opposition to her statement -- unless you think the hacking and theft was okay.

[FarCenter]

14. The hackers should get "whistleblower" protection

[sendero]

16. Exactly..

... what kind of moronic shoot-myself-in-the-foot bullshit is Boxer proposing? Does she think that prosecuting the folks that exposed this stuff will make it go away?

If these emails are damaging to the case, I say well WTF? If the cold light of truth doesn't turn out like some would like, it is still the truth.

[slackmaster]

17. The Congress of the United States of America certainly doesn't have authorithy to enforce the law

Especially for something that happened in England.

[FarCenter]

11. Congress has no jurisdiction over criminal matters in the United Kingdom

The Brits have to investigate.

Phil Jones, the head of the Climate Research Unit, and an author or recipient of some of the emails has stepped down as director until this is cleared up.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/02/phil_jones/

[silverweb]

13. See post #12 above.

No need to repeat myself.

[moodforaday]

15. What part of the following

do you not understand?

Climatic Research Unit (CRU) of the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich, England, in the United Kingdom

Exactly what is a US senator doing telling the Brits what and how to "probe"?

[Cleita]

2. Good for her. I have to send her more money for her campaign.

She's doing excellent work on that committee. I wish she had been on the HELP committee. She and Bernie Sanders might have gotten something better together.

[silverweb]

3. That's my Senator!

Go, Sen. Boxer! You get another donation from me on payday.

:woohoo:

[FBaggins]

5. From what I've read...

...the theory is that Russian hackers got it from a British university server.

What US law would she be investigating?

Yes, they may have been obtained illegally (almost certainly were), but that won't provide much cover for people unwilling to deal with the contents.

[nykym]

9. The real crime

is letting the so called industry experts (lobbyists) write the legislation for our illustrious Representatives and Senators. Stop giving the corporations what they want and start doing what is right.

[viscrente]

18. Bottom line...

If these email prove to be accurate then I personally do not care about Boxer going after the perps... Bottom line is if we all believe that climate change is going on then it would be a real kick in the balls if we have been lied to this whole time. As much as I want to help save they planet I want to know that it all actually helps. It would be a disaster if congress were trying to pass environmental laws like "cap and trade" so they could get their hands on the money instead of valiant reasons such as saving the Earth. We should all keep an open mind to MAKE SURE that the science behind this is completely accurate and sincere instead of a power grab.

[ItNerd4life]

19. This is BS. Whistleblowers are only acceptable if you agree with them?

What is this nonsense?