CIA Chief Says Wiretap Disclosure Damaging (Democrats nervous)

Associated Press ^ | 2 Feb 06 | KATHERINE SHRADER

[SkyPilot]

WASHINGTON - CIA Director Porter Goss said Thursday that the disclosure of President Bush's eavesdropping-without-warrants program and other once-secret projects had undermined U.S. intelligence-gathering abilities.

"The damage has been very severe to our capabilities to carry out our mission," Goss told the Senate Intelligence Committee. He said a federal grand jury should be empaneled to determine "who is leaking this information."

His testimony came after National Intelligence Director John Negroponte, who directs all intelligence activities, strongly defended the program, calling it crucial for protecting the nation against its most menacing threat.

"This was not about domestic surveillance," Negroponte said.

Leaders of the nation's intelligence agencies appeared before the panel in a rare public session to give a rundown on threats facing the world.

Negroponte called al-Qaida and associated terror groups the "top concern" of the U.S. intelligence community, followed closely by the nuclear activities of Iran and North Korea.

Committee Democrats sought to change the focus to the president's decision to authorize the National Security Agency to eavesdrop — without first obtaining warrants — on communications to and from those in the United States and terror suspects abroad.

"The president has not only confirmed the existence of the program, he has spoken at length about it repeatedly," while keeping Congress in the dark, said Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, the panel's senior Democrat.

"The administration wants to have it both ways," said Sen. Carl Levin (news, bio, voting record), D-Mich.

Goss complained that leaks to the news media about the surveillance program and activities such as reported CIA secret prisons abroad had damaged his own agency's work.

CIA Director Porter Goss, and FBI Director Robert Mueller, right, talk as they prepare for the U.S. Select Committee on Intelligence hearing to examine the world threat, on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Email Photo Print Photo

"I use the words `very severe' intentionally. And I think the evidence will show that," Goss said.

He said not only have these revelations made it harder for the CIA to gather information, but they have made intelligence agencies in other countries mistrustful of their U.S. counterparts.

"I'm stunned to the quick when I get questions from my professional counterparts saying, `Mr. Goss, can't you Americans keep a secret?'" he said.

Goss cited a "disruption to our plans, things that we have under way." Some CIA sources and "assets" had been rendered "no longer viable or usable, or less effective by a large degree," he said.

"I also believe that there has been an erosion of the culture of secrecy and we're trying to reinstall that," Goss said.

"I've called in the FBI, the Department of Justice. It is my aim and it is my hope that we will witness a grand jury investigation with reporters present, being asked to reveal who is leaking this information," he said.

Rockefeller suggested that the "leaks" Goss talked about most likely "came from the executive branch" of the government.

That brought a terse response from FBI Director Robert Mueller, who said, "It's not fair to point a finger as to the responsibility of the leak."

[elpinta]

So right on the money!
It is pathetic (but understandable) that Rocky and his buddies can buy anybody.... biz as usual...
Is that my dog??? Oh, never mind, is DC blowing this way...

[FlipWilson]

Rhetoric and Reality collide producing the Ultimate Reality. The Rhetoric: "Bush is violating the FISA Act by engaging in domestic wiretapping, listening into our most intimate phone conversations and monitoring his political foes." The Reality: "Bush is listening into phone calls originating from abroad without a warrant and without going to FISA as did his predecessors because FISA does not cover such wiretaps and the Courts have held such activities to be firmly within Executive Authority."

And now, the ULTIMATE REALITY: "Somebody leaked this information and damaged our national security. That person better find a good lawyer because that person is NOT A WHISTELBLOWER, but rather a soon to be convicted felon. Oh, and P.S. that person may have been questioning Mr. Goss et. al. today."

[Wolfstar]

ROFLMAO!!! I just knew someone would take that pic and work some Photoshop magic with it.

[John Lenin]

CNN's Paula Zahn claimed that "a lot of people out there" are saying that "if you vote for a Democrat, that basically you want to be bombed."

[CyberAnt]

I wondered why Rockerfeller was looking like a deer caught in the headlights! I hope they connect him to this.

[shezza]

...while keeping Congress in the dark

Goss complained that leaks to the news media about the surveillance program and activities such as reported CIA secret prisons abroad had damaged his own agency's work.

Cause and effect, or rather vice-versa. If the DemonRATs weren't in such a hurry to undermine this administration (even at the cost of damaging national security), they wouldn't have to be kept in the dark. Easy solution: Dems, keep your oath to protect and defend the country, and you might be trusted again.

[Soul Seeker]

Goss is a good man with a tough job.

Haul Rockefellar and all the rest before a Grand Jury. Convict the guilt and march them before the firing squad. I want it brought back. It's the only way to deal with Treason.

[prairiebreeze]

`Mr. Goss, can't you Americans keep a secret?'"

Goss should accurately reply "Not the DemonRATS or their media shills."

GRRRR!

[FlipWilson]

Quote: "The leaker is probably a Senator or Congressman and mothing will happen to them.

We have many traitors serving as elected officials. We had them serving during WW II, and we did little to them, so don't expect much to happen today."

This time it is different. The dems declared war with their little PlamGate stunt. They set up the administration by sending over Wilson on a mission that nobody asked him to go on. The administration fought back by pointing out Wilson had ill motive and was not sent by the Administration. The dems went after the administration with a prosecutor over the leak of PUBLIC information and as a result Libby is indicted for doing, what exactly? As we speak, Fitz's case is hitting a brick wall and the defense is making him back up his granstanding statements with, gulp, evidence. He is failing and refusing to turn it over (perhaps because he DOESN'T HAVE IT). To sum up, the Admin is being raked over the coals for harming national security. Yah ummmkay.

Along comes this matter which ACTUALLY damages national security by disclosing information that is, gulp, actually secret and the dems and MSM want to treat it as if it is A-OK. Why, its the President who is breaking the law. The double standard is not gooing to be applied, not here. The Administration has the power and is going to use it to go after whoever leaked this regardless of who it is and what seat they hold. This hearing today only confirms that. The CIA and FBI singing the same tune. Someone is going down, bank on it.

[eureka!]

"You better believe there is a reason Goss mentioned a grand jury right in front of Rockefeller. He didn't have to. It wasn't really relevant to the line of questioning. This was one big-time shot across the bow of the sinking ship Rockefeller."

I hope that it was more than a shot across the bow. My hope of hopes is that there is one and the chips will fall where they may. If that happens and Rockefeller or one of his flunkies gets tagged, look for the label "In what some view as retaliation against a leading critic of Mr. Bush's domestic spying program...." to lead his name ad nauseum. Up to conviction, I hope. *fingers tightly crossed*...

[wildbill]

The grand jury should already be in action and the reporters subpoenaed to give their information on the leakers--which I'm sure they are eager to do as good citizens..

[Toidylop]

Rockefeller suggested that the "leaks" Goss talked about most likely "came from the executive branch" of the government. That brought a terse response from FBI Director Robert Mueller, who said, "It's not fair to point a finger as you the main repository to the responsibility of the leak."

Let me translate...

[johnny7]

Believe me... it didn't need much help. I0 minutes... tops!

[kajingawd]

...bout damn time.

i want to see sedition charges and heads rolling.

[clifcrds]

I'm available for firing squad duty.

Firing squad hell. I have a very dull hatchet and I volunteer to do the job. Might take a while, but it'll get done.

I think you both are taking the wrong approach. The absence of the death penalty increases the chance of them being found guilty. Besides, we Conservatives can actually win over the liberals by not being as vindictive. That's why I am recommending something that does not include capital punishment for the leaker.

I would highly recommend either:

Ten years hard labor in the gas chamber

OR

Life in the electric chair on bread and water!

What do you think - is that going just a little too easy on them?

[airborne]

"The president has not only confirmed the existence of the program, he has spoken at length about it repeatedly," while keeping Congress in the dark, said Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, the panel's senior Democrat.

Not all of Congress was in the dark. Just the unreliable anti-Bush crowd.

And we see what happened as soon as they did find out.

Major leakage!

[STARWISE]

GReat news! Any rogue agent or former agent operative who's getting his pound of flesh and jollies by leaking this stuff in a time of war should be hung by his favorite body part .... in the public square. And the media worm with whom he shared it as well.

"Whether you're a traitor or give comfort to or harbor a traitor ....you're a traitor."

[Two-Bits]

I can't help but wonder exactly whom Alqaida or terrorists are talking to in the U.S. As also, I wonder whom on this side of the ocean benefited from the oil for food program.....Generally those that scream the loudest or the ones that have the most to hide.....Germany and France proved that to be true.......

[nuffsenuff]

I can't believe he had the gall to say that he thinks it leaked from the Executive Branch...

[hosepipe]

All this and bending over backward to NOT use the word "Sedition".. is almost FUNNY.. There is "A" word.. but then you'll never hear to the word socialism either.. Actually there a lot of words you'll never hear in Wash. D.C...

Whats going on in Wash D.C?... Well whats going on is encapsulated in the words that are NEVER HEARD.. A huge career is in order for "someone" that will USE THEM.. In a hyperbolic situation hyperbole is the ONLY way to express it.. Anything else is disinformation..