Frist Disbands Senate Intel Committee Over Memogate

NewsMax ^ | 11/8/03 | Limbacher

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has temporarily disbanded the Senate Intelligence Committee until committee Democrats reveal the identity of the author of a memo outlining a their plan to politicize intelligence data in a bid undermine President Bush's reelection.

"The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has been harmed by a blatant partisan attack," the Tennessee Republican said in a floor speech yesterday, concluding that the memo had rendered the committee "incapable of meeting its responsibilities to the United States Senate and to the American people."

"Those responsible for this memo appear to be more focused on winning the White House than they are on winning the war against terror," Frist complained before adding, "There will be no more pulling along and no more useful collaboration on partisan schemes."

Committee Chairman Pat Roberts echoed Frist's decision to shut his committee down, saying, "Unless and until this reprehensible attack plan and strategy to derail the committee's important work is properly addressed, I am afraid that it will be impossible to return to business as usual in the committee."

A committee meeting scheduled for yesterday was canceled, and none has been scheduled for next week, a senior committee staff member told the Washington Post.

Frist also demanded that Democrats implicated in the Memogate scandal deliver "a personal apology" to Sen. Roberts.

Though retiring Georgia Democratic Sen. Zell Miller has called the memo, first leaked to radio host Sean Hannity on Tuesday, "perhaps treasonous," other Democrats circled the wagons on Friday.

Nevada Sen. Harry Reid complained on the Senate floor that the memo had been "pilfered" by Republicans then leaked to the media, saying that act was just as offensive as anything revealed by the controversial document.

[Grampa Dave]

Many of us were wondering when what was in some of those boxes found in Iraq after the big war was over, would find its way over here.

Thanks to Nita Nupress, it looks like we now know why the Rats on the intell committee have been going ballastic. They have seen some of the names. This is a $hit storm to bury the release of those names.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54942-2003Nov2.html
Seized Intelligence Files Spur U.S. Investigations

By Steve Coll
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 3, 2003; Page A15

BAGHDAD, Nov. 2 -- The CIA has seized an extensive cache of files from the former Iraqi Intelligence Service that is spurring U.S. investigations of weapons procurement networks and agents of influence who took money from the government of Saddam Hussein, according to U.S. officials familiar with the records.

(snip)

The officials declined to name individuals who they believe received funds or to name the home countries of the alleged recipients. One official said the recipients held high-ranking positions and worked both in Arab countries and in other regions. A second official said the payments were the subjects of "active investigations" by U.S. government agencies.

The recipients of the Iraqi funds were described by U.S. officials not as formal intelligence agents, but as prominent personalities and political figures who accepted money from Iraq as they defended Hussein publicly or pressed his causes

[CyberAnt]

I believe Lott will not open his mouth for fear of having Frist's foot in it!!

[dixiechick2000]

"This is a $hit storm to bury the release of those names."

You are absolutely right, Gramps.

And, I think Sean was given this memo from a patriotic dem.

[Grampa Dave]

They are about to learn that one never tosses fecal matter into a strong head wind.

[nopardons]

Yes, he was! He keeps saying that everyone would be SURPRISED at whom he got this from. It was NOT a GOPer and the memo was NOT purloined, taken from a wastepaper basket, nor someone's computer, by a hacker.

[TexasTransplant]

"I've been writing out emails for a couple of days now demanding a full investigation and the immediate resignation of Rockefeller"

The emails are really not much help, Phone, Fax and Snail is somthing they can and will count. I Fax everything to them then mail the same copy and cc every one. Most important I let them know that there a$$ is a perfectly legit target and I am Pi$$ed

[dixiechick2000]

"Yes, he was! He keeps saying that everyone would be SURPRISED at whom he got this from. It was NOT a GOPer and the memo was NOT purloined, taken from a wastepaper basket, nor someone's computer, by a hacker."

That's exactly how I remember it. Thank you.

It's great to see you in real time! ;o)

[dixiechick2000]

LOL! Is that kinda like s**t hittin' the fan? ;o)

[TexasTransplant]

there = their

Also with the Pubbies I mention Trent Lotts lack of a spine, just to let them know that I have been paying attention.

[cyborg]

I agree... lately you need a spyglass to locate a pubbie's three piece set

[Grampa Dave]

You never want to be down wind of the fan when that happens.

[nopardons]

It's EXACTLY what Sean said. I have that kind of memory. LOL

Really lovely to see you, in real time , too.

[nopardons]

More like a microscope! LOL

[TexasTransplant]

I like your Tag line

[cyborg]

A Siemens scanning electron microscope... well I'm off to bed before I start having strange dreams about cadbury bars and the microscopic 'nads of the republican party... cheers

[Grampa Dave]

Being an old sailor, I modified it a little.

I like your tagline too.

Both are great for the upcoming Veterans Day.

[nopardons]

LOL ...pleasant dreams. I'm off too; my eye lids are refusing to stay open any longer.

[dixiechick2000]

"It's EXACTLY what Sean said. I have that kind of memory. LOL"

I know, without a doubt, that you have that kind of memory. lol

I, also, know that you are right!

I listened to Sean, and he was very emphatic that we would be surprised as to WHO gave him the memo.

I have absolutely NO DOUBT that it was a dem staffer, or (heaven forbid) a dem Senator.

Any ideas who that could be?

As much as I would love to speculate now, I absolutely have to turn in.

The Ole Miss vs Auburn game really zapped the life outta me. ;o)

Ole Miss won, BTW.

Again, it's great to converse with you in real time. ;o)

[dixiechick2000]

Words to live by...rotflol!

You are a hoot! ;o)

G'nite.

[nopardons]

I'm NOT a football fan, but I understand. Congrats on the win.

Even IF Sean hadn't kept repeating the same words, on his T.V. and radio show all week, I would have remembered, word for word, what he had said about this. As to WHO gave him the memo, I can't even begin to hazard a guess. I have a feeling that not just Dems, would be shocked by who it is and THAT is what makes it impossible for us to specualte. I bet it's some heretofore HATED and REVILED, by the likes of us, Dem SENATOR, who just couldn't stomach ( for some reason or aother ) this garbage. Everyone, after all, has their limits.

Hitting the hay myself ... my eyes are refusing to stay open. Pleasant dreams, friend. :-)