GOP Staffer Suspended for Computer Improprieties

Special Report | 11/25/03 | FNC

[dep]

A Republican Senate Judiciary Committee staff member has been suspended with pay after he admitted that he improperly gained access to "secure committee computers," Fox News Channel reports.

Whether the staffer is the person who leaked numerous memos in which Democrats on the committee plotted to turn toe current filibuster of judicial nominees for political advantage was not stated.

An angry Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch denounced the staffer's action, saying that senators expect their computers to be secure and calling the staffer's action "entirely unacceptable."

[Doctor Raoul]

If this person did, in fact, leak that infamous memo, I'd say he is a hero.

This story talks about the Judiciay Committee, not the Intelligence Committee.

That leaked memo was not from the Judiciary Committee I believe.

[MJY1288]

There was a leaked memo from both the Intel and the Judiciary committee

[MJY1288]

What we need to see is how many republicans serve on both the Intel and Judiciary Committee, and see if how many Dems serve on both as well. I know (D)John Edwards serves on Both

[VeniVidiVici]

The last time I checked, there were laws against violating computer security,...Sounds to me like this GOP staffer violated the law?

Doesn't to me. Both Dims and Repubs had access to the same server. I'm beginning to think the files were accessed due to LACK of security, not for any hacking the guy did. He just accessed the Dims directories.

So unless he accessed information that was classified that he wasn't cleared for, and it sounds like it was just the Dims racist and bigoted thoughts, he should be A-OK.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Yeah. Why doesn't Hatch attack the RATS with the same gusto?

That's not permitted according to Scottish Law.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

No problem....character doesn't matter to the Dems anyway.

In the Dimo's world view, character is required only of Republicans. The Dims have, after all, risen above that, by virtue of their superior understanding.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Hatch handled this poorly.

Hatch is a fool.

[Sloth]

If he exposed treason after poking around in the computers, it's OK by me.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

IMO, the Republian response should be two-fold:

1) Get to the bottom of the leak (slowly).

2) Constantly raise the issues in the memos that were leaked. Don't let the Dims shift the spotlight.

EG) Hold many press conferences: "Yeah, we're conducting an investigation, blah, blah, blah, because we are really concerned about the Dimo positions that were established by these memos. How could the Dimos take such a cynical view of National security, etc"...beat them with their own whip...

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Thanks!

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

There was a leaked memo from both the Intel and the Judiciary committee

And in both cases, the media is focusing on the fact that the memos were leaked and they are ignoring the content. True to form, although in time their time will be at an end.

[weegee]

A lot of people are unaware (not necessarily FReepers) that there are currently 2 MemoGates (memogate1 is the Democrats plan to use Intelligence Committee findings to tarnish Bush and memogate2 is the Democrats plan to stall judicial nominations, especially of minorities).

This is memogate 2 and you are correct about Sean Hannity being connected to memogate1.

The press is letting it slide that Democrats' "business as usual" is communicating with one another to obstruct any progress.

The press never was concerned that Democrat operatives taped a cell phone conversation between Newt Gingrich and his lawyers (and he was not doing anything illegal or in violation of his agreements). The Rats got a slap on the wrist ($500 fine) and nothing happened to the (D) Senator.

Meanwhile, these communications do not appear to have contained any information that needs to be hushed up for national security and they reside on government computers.

I sure know that all of my email as a Compaq employee was subject to inspection. These people work for the public and use government owned computers. Let's subpeona all of their communications and see just how far they are willing to go to obstruct this administration. Do any of the Rats actions rise to the level of a government Vast Left Wing Conspiracy to tear down the Bush administration?

There is no evidence to support these charges right now, but as with the Anita Hill case, the seriousness of the charge is so important, I say let's have a panel look at all of the Rats emails.

[MJY1288]

Yes, but the memo's speak for themselves and next to impossible to defend in a time of war, NO MATTER who leaked them.

I hope the DEMS make a big deal of this, the Senate hearings will be blast to watch and there is no defending what's is in them

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I hope the DEMS make a big deal of this

I was hoping for this too. But the Dims and their media cohorts will spin wildly away from the content and direct their focus, for the sheeple, on the act of leaking (which they heretofore held in high esteem). If Conservatives can keep the spotlight on the content, through the grass roots, we could win big. I hold little hope that the establishment 'Pubs will be useful, with a few exceptions, like Lindsay Graham. Hatch? Fugetaboutit, he's milquetoast and curds though and through.

[Lancey Howard]

This is a "can't lose" situation for the Republicans. All that this "staffer" problem will do is keep the memogate scandal alive and tip the public off that the Democrats were themselves putting out scandalous memos. If you break into somebody's house and witness the homeowner in the act of murdering somebody, nobody will care that you broke the law by breaking into the house.

[longtermmemmory]

wistleblower protection?

[tsomer]

Your post nails it. The problem is , we're being logical. There is no logic to this sort of thing.

"...the seriousness of the charge is so important..."

That's what the media will fix onto. They are desperate for a scandal, and they'll do their best with this. I'm expecting a 15 minute segment on "All Things Considered" tomorrow, calling this a "cyber-burglery," gravely intoning comparisons to Watergate.

I suppose that's why Hatch to the hatchet to that staffer.

[tsomer]

last line on previous post should read: "took the hatchet to the staffer."

[Robert_Paulson2]

Hatch is probably pissed because his collusion with the dems is very likely in some of those memos....

pathetic waste of skin...

[cantfindagoodscreenname]

Answer to your question in this Early Chrismas Present From the RObinsons

Thanks! As usual, I'm finding out things about FR that I never knew. It's hard to believe I could use this forum every day for five years and still not know all of its features.