Posted on 12/22/2005 10:33:26 AM PST by shield
The Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into whether Democratic Senators Dick Durbin, Jay Rockefeller and Ron Wyden leaked details about a secret "black ops" CIA satellite program last December in a move that may have seriously compromised national security, former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Jed Babbin said on Saturday.
"The CIA made a request to the Justice Department to investigate and possibly bring criminal charges against these three [senators]," Babbin told WABC Radio host Monica Crowley. "My information is that investigation is ongoing."
Rockefeller is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and Durbin is the No. 2-ranking Democrat in the Senate.
Media reports on the satellite leak last December indicated that the Bush administration was concerned about public comments by Durbin, Rockefeller and Wyden and that the CIA had requested a Justice Department probe.
"The formal request for a leaks investigation would target people who described sensitive details about a new generation of spy satellites to The Washington Post, which published a page-one story about the espionage program Saturday [Dec. 11, 2004]," a Justice Department official told The Associated Press at the time.
But the same official told the AP that Justice "has not decided whether to investigate."
Former Deputy Undersecretary Babbin's comments on Saturday were the first indication that such a probe was actually launched and is ongoing.
"The fact of the matter is that [Durbin, Rockefeller and Wyden] divulged something that was above and beyond top secret and frankly, they probably blew the strategy and the hundreds of millions of dollars that were being spent to pursue it," Babbin told Crowley.
"The acknowledgement of [the "black ops" program's] existence is not even proper and the acknowledgement of them and the details of them can very well damage national security," Babbin added.
Asked if he thought the three Senate Democrats should have their security clearances revoked for the duration of the leak probe, the former Defense Department official said: "Absolutely and forthwith. I mean, they should have been revoked at the time of the leak."
"There's really not much doubt about the leak having occurred," Babbin told Crowley. "It's in the press records, it's in the Congressional record. We know what they did."
"The only question," he explained, "is how much damage was done by the leak. And that's part of the criminal investigation right now - to do a damage assessment, to figure out how much this is going to cost us strategically and militarily."
They didn't disclose this all by themselves - in the most recent Risen case they had the will assistance of the NYT. Should Pinchy Schultberg also be sent to GITMO? He published what he knew was a SECRET, as did RISEN. Send them all to GITMO and give them Korans and prayer rugs.
Above TOP SECRET level, and a slap on wrist with a little community service time. Imagine what a contractor would have gotten for such shenanigans!
I've got a letter from the US Department of Justice signed by William Moschella dated Dec 22, 2005but haven't read it. I printed it before I had to go out. Is the letter from NSA something different? If so I haven't seen it.
That's the letter. I mistakely called it a letter from NSA, it's from the DOJ.
Are you referring to the speculation going around that FISA Judge Robertson may NOT have resigned in a fit of pique? Some say he's one of the leakers and he was forced out...his little media crusade is just a cover (Now he can say he's "being persecuted!" if they go after him).
My, my. I hope dreams do, indeed, come true!
WHY DOES IT EVEN MATTER?!!! (SOB) WE'RE ALREADY DOOOMED...BIN LADEN KNOWS WHO VALERIE PLAME IS!!!
Even if he doesn't read Novak...who's to say he doesn't subscribe to Vanity Fair?!? (weep,groan)
Yep .. that is what I'm referring to
bump
And the 'spy' scandal. . .which was just outed last week and for which there are now - as in already - hearings, scheduled to begin in less than eight weeks?
And of course, the line is not forming behind 'Able Danger' inquiry. . .but rather in front of it.
All this. . .and Frist and the 'et als' folding on Patriot Act, does not make for a happy Republican here.
I just don't know; but maybe 'beam me up' IS the only rational response, after all.
I am definitely ready. . .
Can you name ONE U.S.Senator that you would hold up as a role model for a young son or daughter.
They are all press hogs. And they all (Republicans/DemoncRATS) are buddie buddies after the T.V. cameras are turned off.
bump
This would be the biggest and best Christmas present of all time if these 3 went to prison.
wow!!4,414 pings to this thread and it's only 12:45 Friday morning. Lotsa people pinging to it, by George!
Oh come on. Don't get your hopes up. The RATS have been shoving so much up our a@@ that I think the Republicans stopped breathing.
bttt
While we're on the subject of the Justice Dept, what ever became of the investigation of those Schumer staffers who illegally obtained Michael Steele's credit report? Hmmmmm?
I gotta tell ya, the imaging of anything "probing" Dirtbin or Slimeball Rockefeller sorta grosses me out. Especially if it's leaking. LOL!
Just kidding, I hope they Pubs follow through, but I intend to keep breathing in the meantime if you know what I mean.
I know what you mean :-)
How often have we waited for the Republicans to take the fight to the Democrats on various issues? I've lost count. Something like a gazillion comes to mind.
Leni
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