Deputy AG Comey Hints at Big House for Berger, US Media Mum

NewsMax.com ^ | 7/21/04 | Carl Limbacher

[kattracks]

Deputy Attorney General James Comey raised the specter of a jail sentence yesterday for Clinton National Security Advisor Sandy Berger, if he's found guilty of removing top secret documents from the National Archives that were supposed to go to the 9/11 Commission.

Though Comey's comments were widely quoted, the U.S. press edited out his reference to a possible stint in the big house for Berger. A Lexis Nexis search found that only Agence France Press quoted the Deputy AG in full, including this key observation on the Berger security breach:

"It's our lifeblood to keep secrets," Comey told reporters in Washington. "All felonies in the federal system bring with them the promise of jail time, that's all I can say about that."

Comey left little doubt that Berger's so-called "sloppiness" was more likely a serious crime.

"It is against the law for anyone to intentionally mishandle classified information, either by taking it to give to somebody else, or by mishandling in a way that is outside the regulations of government information.".

In case anybody missed the point, the U.S.'s number two lawman added: "The federal system is a very tough system. . . We take issues of classified information very, very seriously."

Now wonder venues like CBS News, which reported Tuesday night the Berger would almost certainly not be charged with criminal wrongdoing, decided not to cover Comey's full comments.

[freeangel]

I don't want hints. Prosecute him NOW!

[MizSterious]

Though Comey's comments were widely quoted, the U.S. press edited out his reference to a possible stint in the big house for Berger.

No bias here, folks, nahhh....

[1Old Pro]

Prosecute pantload Berger and throw Kerry in jail for using stolen documents.

[tang-soo]

I called our local Clear Channel station the night after this story broke and spoke for about 10 minutes describing the procedures used to handle classified information. The following is a basic description of what I said ...

1) A person who wishes to review classified information at a given facility must have his/her clearance on file with the security office that has legal custody of the information.

2) Once they arrive to the facility, they must show their credentials to identify themselves, sign into the facility - maybe issued a badge indicating their clearance and access and escorted to the room where the material will be reviewed.

3) Once in the room, the container (probably a safe i.e. a very heavy duty file cabinet with heavy combination locks with different combinations on each drawer) is opened. This process should be logged by security personnel.

4) The documents are taken from the container. All classified documents are stamped (each page) with items such as a control number, date of creation, level of clearance (top and bottom), program name indicating what access is required and eventual dispensation (i.e. when the material is designated to destruction if applicable).

5) If the documents are classified "top secret", each document has a log on the cover sheet. EACH time a person has access to this information, they must sign and date it.

6) The material is not to be removed (ie stuffed in underwear, socks ... etc) without approval of security personnel. If this takes place, the transfer is documented on both ends of the transaction. If the material is top secret or above, it requires at least two cleared people as an escort.

7) If you travel overnight, the material is not to be kept in your hotel/motel room but instead must be taken to an approved facility. Arrangements are usually made in advance. Security people do not like suprise visits. They like to make them but not receive them.

8) No photocopies are to be made or notes copied without the proper security personnel logging this activity and making appropriate markings (mentioned above) on the documents.

9) This material is frequently audited by internal security agents and is subject to "suprise" audits conducted by military, FBI or other external security personnel.

10) People given access to this type of information are briefed and attend classes on how to handle this material - ie. no excuses for "honest mistakes".

11) As the NSA for the clinton administration, I imagine Berger was personally responsible that this protocol was designed, implemented and enforced by his staff - at least in an appropriately managed administration. This would apply to government employees, officials, military personnel and civilians under contract and extended clearances issued by the DoD, DoE or other intel operations.

12) As such, ANYBODY who has worked in this environment and heard Mr. Berger's comments yesterday about being "sloppy" and "an honest mistake" knows beyond any doubt that he was not only lying, but this was a premeditated act.

13) I left the aerospace business(as an engineer) in 1993 so these comments are based upon the security world of that time. Only Lord knows how the clinton adm changed things during his 8 years.

That summarizes what I mentioned to Steve Cannon of WTVN 610 AM (Columbus, Oh) last night.

The latest word I have heard from this morning is that this material was classified "Code Word Access". Folks, if true, this is "Above Top Secret" ie. John Pollard type material.

So the question comes to mind, why would anybody do such a thing under conditions where he knew he stood a huge chance of being caught? The mission must have been extraordinary for such a risk. The presumption is that he wanted to alter or remove and destroy material that implicated either himself, or quite possibly mr. clinton. The fact that some of the material is "lost" implies that regardless of the consequences, the mission has been accomplished with his current situation collateral damage.

Webb Hubbell's infamous quote "I guess I'll have to roll over again for Hillary" comes to mind. Another example of the clinton whirlwind leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

[ICX]

One wonders how a guy named "Sandy" will fare in prison.

[drypowder]

The federal system is a very tough system. . . We take issues of classified information very, very seriously."

Is Craig Livingstone Bill or Hillary Clinton in jail yet? Yeah, right.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the ping. This is a dynamite rebuttal to the trolls who will be out in force on FR trying to down play the Bergular's treason. Their Soros control masters got caught off guard yesterday, and most of the old embedden trolls on FR were unable to post any rebuttals without help from their Soros masters. Now we have the perfect answer when they try to minimize the treason committed by their buddy, the Bergular.

"It's our lifeblood to keep secrets," Comey told reporters in Washington. "All felonies in the federal system bring with them the promise of jail time, that's all I can say about that."

"Comey left little doubt that Berger's so-called "sloppiness" was more likely a serious crime.

"It is against the law for anyone to intentionally mishandle classified information, either by taking it to give to somebody else, or by mishandling in a way that is outside the regulations of government information.".

"In case anybody missed the point, the U.S.'s number two lawman added: "The federal system is a very tough system. . . We take issues of classified information very, very seriously."

[nina0113]

I worked with an utter nitwit in 93, who got caught leaving TS docs in his desk due to his desktop being so tidy that when his manager (and mine) wanted to leave him a note, there was neither a pen nor a pad of stickies on his desk. She opened his pen drawer to get them, and ... voila!

The safe was just too damn far to walk to lock them up when it was time to go to lunch. A whole forty feet.

[Grampa Dave]

This is a great Soxgate thread and is marked as such.

We know the left wing traitors on ABCNNBC BS and in the print media will say that this was nothing but dirty sox and to move on.

Our embedden trolls will be out with the bs trying to minimize the serious reality of what happened. Now we have the perfect response.

Well, it wasn't

[texasflower]

Your tagline is hilarious! Love the fish. Did you draw it?

[ICX]

Unfortunately, no. Just the fruits of my Google Image Search labors. The tagline, however, was a joint effort between myself and one Mr. Samuel Berger.

[Neenah]

Is there just ONE Republican that will have the ***** to get aggressive and not care if he/she is liked or not ???

It is time to dig the boots in the sand and take a stand!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Very good!

tang-soo --- I left the arena in 92 and that is the way I remeber it also!

This was a deliberate act by Berger....no doubt.

[rwfromkansas]

AskDOJ@usdoj.gov

[catpuppy]

I would never advocate breaking the law but any Democrat who thinks that Berger's actions were just inadvertent/ accidental/oversights/mistakes might wish to test that peculiar theory by walking into the nearest retail store and loading up the old socks and pants with a few Twinkies, wristwatches or T-Bone steaks.

Be prepared to react when you hear the words "Freeze" or "Stop Thief." You might want to consult an attorney in advance.

[Grampa Dave]

"The latest word I have heard from this morning is that this material was classified "Code Word Access". Folks, if true, this is "Above Top Secret" ie. John Pollard type material."

If the Bergular stole this material, he should be in very serious trouble.

[Grampa Dave]

Stand back and watch.

Then be sure to support those who carry this into a street fight.

[skeeter]

The press is mum because the democrats haven't nailed down their party line yet. Which they will do as soon as they know all the evidence/details of the case.

[Rebelbase]

FWIW, Back in the late 70's I had relatives working in the Pentagon, specfically weapons development. I won't say which branch.

I came to visit when I was 17 and they took me to work with them everyday for a week. A simple, "he's with me" got me through checkpoints and security and I'd send a couple of hours hanging around the offices then I'd head into DC for the day.

I remember there were counless open file drawers with combo locks and files marked "TOP SECRET", many of them were left open with files hanging out like it was an accountants office on April 14th. I know times have changed but I got a big laugh out of seeing all the TOP SECRET files labeled "Project XYZ" and such just laying around the office.

[tang-soo]

Your name's not Ellsberg is it? (grin).

[Badeye]

Wow. Its getting bigger, and Bigger, and BIGGER!

He he he...say hello to Martha Stewart for us Sandy!

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks, Grampa !

[blackie]

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[OKSooner]

I just heard O'Reilly spinning this as "insane stuff from the rigth", or something like that. I sent him a note with some facts in it...

[mathluv]

Rush said that this AG is the same one that went after Martha, and has said 'no deals' for Berger.

[Guenevere]

bump

[Snardius]

The Wall Street Journal had an editorial today which stated that the information Berger "lost" was hinted at by Ashcroft as pertaining to the "Wall" of separation enhanced by Gorelick.

I think this is just another step closer to the illumination of the Clinton's efforts to blind the criminal justice system to the systemic corruption in their personal lives and their administration at the expense of our national security.

[mdmathis6]

Just be prepared for Berger to be found in a park somewhere...at air temperature...!

Can you imagine the fall-out! Berger gets charged and anyone he ever talked to or conceivably interacted with gets supoenaed to testify...practically the whole Kerry campaign staff, the Clintons, and the DNC! This is why this is huge and the Democrats have started trying to light a political "backfire" to squelch this issue!

But the mushy republicans will never push this issue...not the right "nuanced tone" in this election year!

[mdmathis6]

That AG better watch himself...but maybe Berger will end up in Ft Marcy park in eternal repose and not the AG!

[Happy2BMe]

"It is against the law for anyone to intentionally mishandle classified information, either by taking it to give to somebody else, or by mishandling in a way that is outside the regulations of government information.".

_______________________________

To Mr. (turd)Berger: WHAT PART of AGAINST THE LAW do you not understand?

[Happy2BMe]

The one Berger really has to be watching is not the US AG, but his old boss, Bill Clinton.

Hello, Vince Foster!

[ping jockey]

If that happens "she who should not be named" gets the nod as a replacement candidate ah-la Lousyberg from NJ.

[Grampa Dave]

There are so many replies on the many threads that it is impossible to remember all of them.

An interesting reply went something like this: Berger was sent the National Archives to get rid of some bad data for the Clintoon. He got caught and had been under investigation since last October.

So, then the Clintoons sent Berger to Kerry like a terrorist with time bombs strapped on him. Berger helps Kerry to set up his foriegn policy plans, gives him purloined material for his speeches about air ports and sea ports, and gets these speeches posted on Kerry's site.

Then, the week before the Rat convention, Berger and his lawyers go public. Kerry is caught in the middle and looks like the idiot he is. So he loses in 2004.

Then they bring the Hildebea$t out in 2008.

[Claire Voyant]

YIKES!! I think you've got it! Pubbies didn't leak this....the CLINTONOIDS DID!! Burglar...a time BOMB! LOL!

[Grampa Dave]

Then, from 2005 until the next election, GW and our warriors with good intel basically wipe out the Islamofascists.

The good intel enables our guys to track down and kill every Islamofascist donor. Then due to regime changes in Iraq, Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia, terrorism caused by Islamofascism drops to nothing.

America loves the new booming economy and GW. However, as in the past the Socialists will find something to whine about, and the Hildebea$t becomes president in 2008 with massive whining about something politically incorrect we have done.

Some third party that calls itself conservative gets 15% of the vote insuring that the Hildebea$t is electied like her Bubba was in 1992. They convince enough moderates to vote for them to return to the good days of 1993 to 2000.

The first thing she will do as the new president is to pardon Berger and make him Ambassador to France or whereever he wants to go. Then, she will appoint Bill as our UN top dog, and he becomes the head of the UN. Then she invites Barbaraaaa and Whoopi to be her White House Ho's to keep her warm at night and entertained.

5 years later after his defeat in 2004, Kerry still won't know what happened, and Terrezzzzz divorced him after he lost in November 2004. He will become a ski board instructor for old hippies and hate America types in Idaho.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I am pinging you to a thread where this statement needs to be posted!

[Happy2BMe]

IMHO, the Clinton-Nightmare Era is quickly coming to a close.

In 2008, Hillary will be no more than an acidic burp in the anals of history.

J-FK would make a fine ski 'structor but not many secret service types would enroll . .

[Happy2BMe]

"So, then the Clintoons sent Berger to Kerry like a terrorist with time bombs strapped on him. Berger helps Kerry to set up his foriegn policy plans, gives him purloined material for his speeches about air ports and sea ports, and gets these speeches posted on Kerry's site."

____________________________________________

Hilda convinced Berger to take a dive (and probably go to jail) to set Kerry up for a fall in 2004 so she could have a landslide in 2008?

Hmmm.... Doctor(s), I need a second opinion on this patient, please - ping.

[Smartass]

The DNC is in conspiracy too...

[mdmathis6]

It shouldn't be called trousergate! It should be called "Pantload Gate"!

[Smartass]

[goldstategop]

I'm not holding my breath waiting for the book to be thrown at Berger.

[MeekOneGOP]

It should be called "Pantload Gate"!

LOLOL !

[Doctor Raoul]

Anyone Have An Address Where We Can Mail Sandy Berger Cigarettes And Magazines?

[Smartass]

LOL...How about checking with Martha Stewart!!!

[potlatch]

It should be called "Pantload Gate"!

LOL, it sure stinks like it!!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[potlatch]

You did good Grampa Dave!! I saved both the FR thread and the Google cache photo of the page that youall discovered!

[Grampa Dave]

Good!

They have erased that from his home page.

It is now probably in thousands of computers around the country and will be in more before the week is over.