Boehner Confesses: I Invited Netanyahu Secretly To Stab President Obama In The Back And Sabotage Pe

[meow2u3]

House Speaker John Boehner committed a crime when he invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak to a joint session of Congress, and now he is freely admitting that he not only did so behind President Obama’s back, he did so to sabotage delicate peace talks with Iran.

During an interview on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace, Boehner confessed that he knew the White House wouldn’t appreciate a foreign leader being brought in to wreck diplomatic efforts to keep Iran from developing a nuclear bomb, so he did so in secret to prevent President Obama from nixing the GOP plan to undermine him.

Of course, Boehner denied that he did anything wrong despite the fact that there is a 1799 law still on books known as the Logan Act which forbids unauthorized US citizens from negotiating with foreign leaders. Only the executive branch has that authority.

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/02/16/boehner-confesses-i-invited-netanyahu-secretly-to-stab-president-obama-in-the-back-and-sabotage-peace-talks-video/

If that isn't sedition, what is?

[djean111]

1. Not that Boehner is not a meddling asshole, but since he cannot really force Obama

to alter his negotiations, is this really treason, or is it treasonous to even attempt to influence the negotiations? I am trying to see why Boehner thinks this stunt is okay. And - it is a stunt.

[madashelltoo]

2. Yes. It is treason.

If a Democrat had pulled this stunt while "W" was in office, they would still be flipping his ass on the Traitor Grill.

[AgingAmerican]

7. Yet nothing is done about it

They are allowed to do anything they want without ever facing the music for it.

[TDale313]

26. cause, It's ok if you're a Republican.

[Dont call me Shirley]

27. Because the gop has so much damaging info on everyone, no one dares oppose them.

[movonne]

30. Why is this happening??? we the people just sit back and do nothing but talk about

it...

[AgingAmerican]

33. We the people

AKA the Justice Dept and the Executive branch.

[pocoloco]

56. Keep electing wimp Dems with no backbone and what else could you expect??

[Telcontar]

32. umm, Nancy P. did just that

No one filed charges.

It's politics. Just like sauceges.

[AgingAmerican]

36. You are referring to the 'birther' charges against her?

If not, please detail with links.

[Telcontar]

44. Link enclosed

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pelosi-defies-bush-meets-syrian-leader/

[Bartlet]

40. When was that?

[Telcontar]

45. April 4th, 2007

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pelosi-defies-bush-meets-syrian-leader/

[alfredo]

47. She was part of a delegation made up of Republicans and Democrats.

You have to remember that Bush didn't do diplomacy. Both sides of the aisle was getting frustrated with Bush not wanting to talk peace in the Mideast.

[Telcontar]

55. Regardless , she DID undercut President Bush's foreign policy

Pretty much same allegation tossed against the Speaker.

[LanternWaste]

58. How does one interpret Boehner's admission as merely an allegation?

How does one interpret Boehner's admission as merely an allegation?

[alfredo]

71. It is not unusual for congressional delegations to travel to hot spots. I

seem to remember trips to Cuba, Afghanistan to meet the Taliban, and Russia. The difference was that the Boehner invite was for the sole purpose to undermine the negotiations to end the Iran nuclear program. A peaceful resolution is contrary to what Bibi and Republicans want. They want war with Iran. Also the Bibi visit was an effort to influence the Israeli elections, and drive a wedge between Obama and Israel.

The congressional trip to Syria was to urge peace between Syria and Israel. Bush showed little interest in diplomatic solutions, and our nation suffered from his "cowboy diplomacy." He felt the US didn't need allies in his military march across south Asia (See PNAC mission statement) BTW, Assad was allowing Iraqi refugees cross into Syria. See Baghdad Burning's last blog entries.

Most Americans didn't know that Iran was working with us to destroy al Qaeda. Bush fucked that up with his "Axis of Evil" comments, then invading a fellow member of the "Axis" and Iran's neighbor: Iraq. That pushed Iran to the right and into the arms of Ahmadinejad. The moderates were gaining strength in Iran before Bush raised the specter of invasion. The paranoia of the conservatives in Iran gave rise to a vigorous nuke program. It took the election of Obama to begin undoing the damage done to the nuclear non proliferation efforts of Pre GWB presidents.


Bibi and Republicans need enemies to scare their base into compliance. Remove Iran as a threat, and lose the fear that motivates the right wing. The Likud needs a threat from Iran to hold power. Iranian conservatives need a threat from the US and Israel to hold power. American Conservatives needs Iran to be a scary nuclear power to keep their base scared and involved.

[Telcontar]

75. Doesnt change the facts of the matter

Screaming about Boehner undermining President Obama is hypocritical if you supported Speaker Pelosi.

[alfredo]

77. One, Pelosi, was working for Peace for Syria and Israel, Boehner is trying to sabotage peaceful diplomacy

between the US and Iran. Since we lost Iraq to Iran, forging peace between Syria and Israel would have been in our interests. Bush wasn't interested in diplomacy.


Syria was not yet in a state of civil war, and we needed their cooperation to act as a buffer between Israel and Iran. As you remember, Iran was the ultimate winner in Iraq. Three Sunni states stand between Israel and Iran.


"If we just let our vision of the world go forth, and we embrace it entirely, and we don't try to piece together clever diplomacy but just wage a total war, our children will sing great songs about us years from now."
Richard Perle - Bush's Office of Special Plans

This was, in a nutshell, Bush's idea of diplomacy.

[alfredo]

73. What was Bush's policy on Syria?

Congress was left in the dark on many occasions. He constantly tried to undermine laws that he signed with signing statements that said he wasn't bound by those laws, and didn't need to keep congress informed.

How could Pelosi undermine a policy when she could find no Syrian policy out of the White house?

[Telcontar]

76. Please see reply 75

[alfredo]

78. Intent means a lot. Is the intent to do harm, or to do good?

[MADem]

79. You're certain of that? Or do you suppose she was carrying a message from the White House?

That's quite often the case when a delegation goes overseas, even if there's an element of plausible deniability. Bush wasn't complaining, and there was probably a reason for that.

The Speaker isn't overseas, paying a call, making a visit--he's here, in the USA. And he's rolled out the House red carpet for a foreign president seeking reelection, without consulting that leader's American counterpart.

So it's not the same thing at all--he's violated protocol at a minimum.

He's stepped in it.

[kiri]

50. helping Netanyahu in landing

Suggested dialog:

Aerobus666 calling Dulles airport; we request approach and landing instructions.
Dulles traffic control: Hello Aerobus, acknowledged. What is your authorization code?

AB: Authorization code? What is this?
D: You are not a scheduled commercial airline. You are required to have an approved authorization code to land.

AB666: Look, we are bringing the Prime Minister of Israel to the USA, Benjamin Netanyahu.
D: Who?

AB666: the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.
D: Spell that please.

AB666: B-i-b-i ....
D: Is that male or female? What is his Visa Number?

AB666: He is a citizen of Israel. He does not need a Visa.
D: Please hold. {hold music; "Come Josephine In My Flying Machine"

}
...several minutes

D: Sorry, you are right, he does not need a Visa.
D: What is his passport number?

AB666: He is the Prime Minister, he has a diplomatic passport.

D: OK. What is the number?
AB666: He does not carry his passport. He is the Prime Minister of Israel.

D; OK. He is not the President?

AB666: We are getting close, what about landing?

D; Have you filed an application to land with the Office of Protocol at the State Department?

AB666: No.
D: We suggest this to avoid delays in the future.

D: Are you carrying any weapons?
AB666: {gasp} Hmm. Hold a minute. {hold music: proper music suggestions welcomed:

}

AB666: I am not authorized to answer that question.

D: Hmm. Is he requesting asylum? How many family members are accompanying him?
AB666: None.

D: How many persons are traveling with him requesting entry? Do they have passports?
AB666: His assistants and security detail are about 27.

D: Is your client coming to the USA for treatment of a communicable sexual disease, such as AIDS/HIV or other disease?
AB666: No.
D: Good. Is he coming to the USA for treatment of Ebola?
AB666: No.

D: How long will you be here? After delivering your passengers, where will fly your Aerobus?
AB666: We will leave in about a week--there's an election, y'know.

D; Are you expecting to park your aircraft?
AB666: Of course.

D: Have you paid the parking fee? I'll have to look it up for an AB666, it's about $25,000 per day.
AB666: This is ridiculous. We always pay our bills.

D: Are you paying with money that America sent to Israel? In any case, the parking fees must be paid in advance.

AB666: These will be paid by the Israeli Embassy, Ambassador Dermer

D: Will that be a credit card or debit card?
...............

D: OK, so he is not the President, he doesn't have his passport with him, you and he may or may not be carrying weapons, he did not apply for an authoriztion from the Office of Protocol.
We are diverting you to Baltimore or Philadelphia. They have enhanced processing facilities there.

AB666: NO! Wait! He is going to be met at Dulles by Members of Congress, the Ambassador, many people. We can't land in Philadelphia.

D: There are good ground transportation choices in Phila. He can take the train to Washington; there are also buses, and rental cars. Probably taxis.
Tell you what, I'll call ahead and see that a ground transportation expert is available for you.

Now, do you prefer Baltimore or Philadelphia?

AB666: {sputter}

D: Thank you for calling Dulles Airport. Have a wonderful day. Shalom.

[MyOwnPeace]

68. Shalom!

[world wide wally]

23. There s a difference between "influence" and sabotage.

[world wide wally]

3. Fuck him!

I wish someone had the balls to charge these asshole Republicans as traitors as they so richly deserve. It doesn't even matter if they are ultimately convicted. Kind of like a sex crime. Just the fact that one is charged leaves a permanent stain, and Republicans so deserve to be stained for their actions over the past 6 years.

[C Moon]

4. If a Democrat would have done this, he/she would be heading to prison.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

5. And once again

the word "treason" is thrown about with apparently no idea of what it really means.

And no, inviting a foreign leader to speak to Congress is not a violation of the Logan Act, nor is the President's approval needed.

Boehner is an ass for doing it, but there is nothing illegal about it.

[AgingAmerican]

9. It is a violation

If doing so undermines the presidents foreign policy, which is exactly what happened in this case.

It is a felony and Bone Bone should be charged with such.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

11. Having someone speak to Congress is not undermining foreign policy

Members of Congress meet with foreign leaders all the time. What Boehner did was a slap in the face to the President, and huge breach of protocol, but illegal? Not even close.

I think it's pretty funny that the President is just brushing this off as the dimwitted attempt at one-upmanship that it is, while others are screaming "treason!" and "Logan Act violation!"

If the President felt this were treasonous, he would have it prosecuted.

[AgingAmerican]

12. If doing so undermines what the president is doing with Iran

In order to prosecute Boehner under the Logan Act, there would have to be sufficient proof that he was acting "without authority" when he asked Netanyahu to come and speak to Congress, and that "authority" isn't specified in the law, although at the time it was passed, it was clearly intended to be held in the hands of President John Adams, who was furious that members of Congress were talking to French politicians.

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/28690-is-john-boehner-a-traitor

The law was intended for specific situations like this one.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

14. As Speaker of the House

he has the authority to invite whomever he chooses to speak before Congress. Without or without the President's permission.

It's that whole separation of powers thing.

[AgingAmerican]

16. For the purpose of undermining the president?

He does not.

The Logan act specifically addresses that whole separation of powers thing.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

17. Logan Act blah blah blah

He isn't negotiating with a foreign government, he's listening to a speech.

Much ado about nothing, and thankfully, our President understands that.

[AgingAmerican]

19. Laws against robbing banks blah blah blah

....are much ado about nothing, right?

Boehner ADMITS doing it to undermine the US foreign policy.

You are relaying the official FOX news talking points.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

28. Pretty funny stuff

You are relaying the official FOX news talking points.

This coming from a guy that linked to a story that uses Fox News as its source.

I don't watch Fox News - do you?

[world wide wally]

24. It's called "sabotage"

[cui bono]

42. No, POTUS would not have prosecuted. He's too busy "looking forward".

He didn't bother to prosecute war criminals, why would he bother with this, which pales in comparison.

[staggerleem]

72. Ya THINK??!!

With Boehner INVENTING reasons to bring lawsuits against the Executive Branch, don't'cha think that if there were a legitimate reason to either prosecute or sue the Speaker, those wheels would ALREADY be in motion?

[djean111]

13. Thanks, that is what I thought. I believe that if Boehner contacted IRAN leadership,

and stipulated different terms, then that would be treason, but this is just incredibly petty bullshit cooked up by Netanyahu, Dermer, and Boehner. Netanyahu is actually using Boehner, for a fool, but Boehner, I think, does not see that, he only thinks he is demonstrating how strong he thinks he is, to the Tea Party. IMO, etc.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

15. "Incredibly petty bullshit" sums it up perfectly

Add in immature and insulting, and Boehner gets the hat trick.

But illegal and/or treasonous? Not even close.

[stonecutter357]

53. you seem desperate!

[SickOfTheOnePct]

54. No idea what you mean

but I'm glad to see that you can make yourself laugh.

[840high]

41. +10

[LanternWaste]

59. wholly relevant between the legal/classical definition of a word, and its more common, colloquial

I imagine a rational mind realizes the wholly relevant between the legal/classical definition of a word, and its more common, colloquial usage.

Maybe the strictures are thrown about by with apparently no idea of what colloquial and informal speech is.

[AgingAmerican]

6. Republicans are allowed to get away with sedition and treason

...cuz if anything were done about it, they would jump up and down real loud and say mean stuff and things....

[maindawg]

8. How can it be permitted ?

If its against the law. How can Netenyahoo even be permitted to address congress if there i a law against it, he should just be arrested by anyone at all. This is crazy. And if John Boehner is committing a crime, what is the statue of limitations? 10 years ?

This strikes me as being as silly as if John B thought he could issue a pardon or some other privilege lawfully reserved for the executive office.

[pansypoo53219]

10. except the gnewz media is NOT on our side yet. still in reagan's corner, so you will NOT hear

treason OR sedition. 'its just politics'.

[Unknown Beatle]

18. I partly blame Obama for this.

The repugs are seeing that Obama is not doing anything to the bankers that nearly destroyed the economy and to the bush administration for starting illegal wars. So they figure that they will try to sabotage peace talks because Obama won't go after them anyway.

And the next two years we're going to get the same thing with a new AG not prosecuting the bankers and/or the bush cabal.

[pkdu]

21. Yeah..."Thanks Obama!"

/Sarc off

[Unknown Beatle]

22. I guess people don't like to hear

the truth without reverting to a meme.

[gregcrawford]

20. The Espionage Act of 1917...

...was enhanced in 1918 with amendments commonly referred to as the Sedition Laws. Sedition is basically saying not very nice things about the government, a broad catch-all that resulted in around 1,500 prosecutions. The Sedition Act was repealed in 1920.

Bottom Line: As much as I despise that waste of (orange) skin, Boehner cannot be guilty of sedition. And the Constitutional definition of treason is extremely narrow, so he can't really be nabbed for that, either.

It is, however, perfectly alright to hope he gets hit by a fuckin' bus!

[world wide wally]

25. It may seem petty and inconsequential, but it could possibly lead to war.

Then it won't seem so inconsequential.
Will it?

[mountain grammy]

29. Boehner is guilty of being an ass, which he does quite well without any help at all.

[ColesCountyDem]

31. Boehner's an ass, but he hasn't violated the Logan Act.

As Speaker of the House of Representatives, he can invite whomthehellever he wants to address the House. Doing so is not negotiating with a foreign power, nor is it undermining the President's conduct of foreign policy.

[Telcontar]

34. Far too many forget the Speaker is the co-equal of the President

As is the Chief Justice. No one pays attention to that separation of powers thing.

[Samantha]

52. Actually, neither Roberts nor Boehner is equal to the President

Last edited Tue Feb 17, 2015, 05:05 AM - Edit history (1)

The House and the Senate collectively compose the Legislative Branch, which has one-third of the power allotted to the Federal Government, as opposed to the states. The Supreme Court has one-third, and the Executive Branch, all of which is under the President of the United States, meaning he or she is in control of that branch, has one-third. If you want to define a singular person who has the most power, that would be the President since the others co-share power with others in their branches. That is the theory as particularly defined in the Constitution, but the reality is everyone in Washington thinks they run it.

So this is what comprises the checks and balances within our Federal Government that the Koch Brothers and other billionaires actually control. As far as who actually represents the rights of the little guy, we are each on our own....

Sam

[treestar]

66. They don't

But Boner shares with 534 other people and Roberts with 8.

[ybbor]

35. He should go back to Loompaland

He could negotiate internationally for them. Maybe he could end the savage wars they have been engaged in all this years. Oh wait, he'd only figure out how to profit from them.

[glinda]

37. Involves member of our Government and another Country so it is treason.

[ColesCountyDem]

38. Definition of treason:

Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

-- 18 U.S. Code § 2381

What Boehner's done is massively disrespectful, but it's not treasonous.

[malthaussen]

39. I was looking for the Onion header.

Mr Boehner actually admitted this? Whatever for?

-- Mal

[redruddyred]

43. #sueboehner

doesn't have to be about anything in particular, let's just announce we're doing it.

[penndragon69]

46. This is NOT an act of treason...

But it IS an act of SEDITION, which is still a criminal
act and can be cause for arrest and imprisonment.

But in the good ole days, seditionists were usually
found hanging from a rope in the county square.

[glinda]

48. u r right

[Telcontar]

64. Youre about 90 years too late

[ailsagirl]

49. Repukes know they can do anything with impunity

They keep pushing the proverbial envelope and so far it's never considered over the top

Apparently, they believe they're above the law.

In my naive days, I used to think they'd surely overreach and their party would go tumbling down.

Ah well... we keep on keeping on.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

51. Republicans think EVERYTHING is okay against Democrats.

[Delphinus]

57. Shout

this far and wide!

[Hokie]

60. Obama should deny entrance to Netanyahu or confine him to the Israeli emabssy

Last edited Tue Feb 17, 2015, 03:13 PM - Edit history (1)

Seriously, if I were Obama I would tell the PM he can come to the US but he is persona non grata so he can keep his butt at the embassy the entire visit.

[Madmiddle]

61. If one follows republican type protocol

there will be at least 4 years of Benghazi like hearings to get to the bottom of this treasonous act. Followed by 4 more years in court and costing "taxpayers" $20,000,000.

[JackInGreen]

62. He's a traitorous shit

but we'll never see him swing for it, more's the pity..I'll keep dreaming though.

[still_one]

65. Actually the Boehner should be impeached, but it won't happen

[samsingh]

67. asswipe

covered in shit and disposable

[geretogo]

69. Just what is the punishment for treason these days ? We have quite a few that should be hanged .

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

70. If Nancy Pelosi pulled a stunt like this? The Corporate Media allows this nutcase to get away w/it!

[1Greensix]

74. Arrest him

Arrest him for breaking the law. When the HELL are we going to demand that the rich and powerful be held accountable for their crimes??????? This country is getting crazy. Do rich people go to prison in any state nowadays?? ONLY the Executive Branch may conduct foreign policy. Beaner needs to be arrested for treason, tried, convicted and sentenced to twenty years. Let him cry his damned eyes out in Leavenworth Federal Prison. Kansas is lovely this time of year.

[B Calm]

80. I read this and one word comes to mind, TRAITOR!

[SummerSnow]

81. sedition...seditioner...seditionist...thy name is Boner