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Under Bush Attorney General John Ashcroft, the Justice Department's Campaign Finance Task Force, which for the last four years has probed allegations that the Clinton-Gore White House solicited illegal donations from Asian sources with ties to Beijing, is apparently winding down.
The New York Times reported Thursday that the only active part of the Task Force investigation, also known as the Chinagate probe, is its investigation into whether Senator Robert Torricelli (D-NY) solicited illegal donations for his 1996 campaign.
The Torricelli probe is being handed over to the U.S. Attorney for New York's Southern District, Mary Jo White. Meanwhile, Robert Conrad, who headed up the Justice's Campaign Finance Task Force, is leaving to become U.S. Attorney in Charlotte, North Carolina.
"I am leaving because of a tremendous personal opportunity to be U.S. attorney in the district that I call home," Conrad told the Times, adding that he had "the greatest respect" for those he is leaving behind in Washington to tie up the loose ends of his effort.
The Justice Department announced no replacement for Conrad, who declined to comment on the future of the investigation.
In June 2000, Conrad recommended that then-Attorney General Janet Reno appoint an independent counsel to investigate former Vice President Al Gore's role in Chinagate. Reno declined, as she had twice before when Conrad's predecessors recommended an independent counsel for both Clinton and Gore.
For his part, Ashcroft denied Wednesday that he intended to terminate the Chinagate probe. "Absolutely not," he told the Times.
But the number of Task Force investigators had already dwindled under Reno and Ashcroft has given no public indication that he intends to reverse that trend.
Moreover, with the probe now centered in New York, it's difficult to see how White's office will examine crimes that allegedly took place in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Little Rock.
Add to that the oft repeated Bush administration mantra, "It's time to move on," and it appears Chinagate -- for all intents and purposes -- is dead.
Who Sold Us Out to China: A Study of the Sino-American Relationship
I will guarantee, bet the farm with anyone, bet my first born anything that this investigation is over because this WHOLE Congress is corrupted to the Chinese. So when you mention ETHICS & ascertain that this does apply to the new administration you all are just whistling up sombodies rear-end. Where's the ACCOUNTABILITY, Pres Bush??????
I don't know whether the break up of the Reno-appointed task force means the investigation is ending or starting.
Well well.... There is no justice in America after all....
Ashcroft will continue to cover for Reno/Clinton/Gore, look for more of the same. This is that "new tone" crap. The declassified version of the Cox report is enough for a first-year public defender type flunkie to prosecute like an old pro. Yet Ashcroft's just like Reno, he can't see what the big deal is....
Welcome to Amerika.
I don't know whether the break up of the Reno-appointed task force means the investigation is ending or starting
Take a wild guess, old sport.
Oh please. Bush could announce that he was ordering the execution of Reno, Holder, and both Clintons, and you'd be sure he was doing it to cover up something.
You got it right. I believe the Bush family is also in the pocket of the Chinese.
I don't know whether the break up of the Reno-appointed task force means the investigation is ending or starting.
I think that in hindsight the way the Thompson hearings began with a bang and ended with a whimper was the first of many signs that this is a story that no one seems to want to pursue to the end. I suspect that it is because several in the GOP got Chinese money as well, but it's only a suspicion.
Well, after all, there are only 30-40 million of us who know every Clinton witness perjured him/her self; and Sen. Dodd belongs in prison, and ... Anyway -- not enough to worry about.
Pubbies always look for rocks to hide under. They could not do anything right if their lives depended on it. That is why Clinton loves investigations so much, he figures the Pubbies for cowards and will leave the field of battle quickly leaving him with another "cleared" felonius endeavor.
Kinda like Mena, huh?
That is very possible, in fact I'm sure Republicans got Chinese money as well. It's really a matter of what they knew about the origins of the money, and of what they knew was expected of them in return.
I don't know whether there will ever be an acceptable investigation, but I do know we wouldn't have gotten one out of the Reno team that Ashcroft is breaking up. I don't know why anybody who is interested in getting to the bottom of it would object to removing them from the case.
Bush family is also in the pocket of the Chinese.
Don't know about that, but Elder Bush has/had some extremely tight ties to the Chinese....call we all say heroine export....to the streets of the US....
Uh-oh. I voted for GWB to get a cleaned up DOJ and an honest AG. I hope cleaning up doesn't mean sweeping under the rug. This does not look good.
Its ending if they give it to Reno's MiniMe
Click on the vertically & aesthetically challenged MOJO and go to: FEDS TURN UP THEIR NOSES AT WHITE-COLLAR COKEHEADS (US Att. Mary Jo White info)
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Click on Clinton's latest stained lady and go to: That's Rich - Will Mary Jo White find out if Clinton took cash for pardons? ~ WSJ.
Mary Jo White ~ Janet Reno's
MiniMe
. and now to keep you from poking your eyes out Click on this photo of Ann Coulter to get her read on Mary Jo White-wash:
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Fellow travelers cover for fellow travelers. Everybody skates. And Mr. & Mrs. American Deadhead never figure it out.
I suspect that it is because several in the GOP got Chinese money as well
You mean like Senator Mitch McConnell who is said to have gotten John Huang $ ?
I don't know why anybody who is interested in getting to the bottom of it would object to removing them from the case.
You have a good point. Proof's in the pudding though. Will he appoint a new task force? (don't hold your breath) Besides, some of the folks on this task force may have been investigating this all along, and have had their work railroaded by Reno. We'll see, but I'm thinking the "new tone" attitude is written all over this.
I don't know whether there will ever be an acceptable investigation, but I do know we wouldn't have gotten one out of the Reno team that Ashcroft is breaking up. I don't know why anybody who is interested in getting to the bottom of it would object to removing them from the case.
Of course that is indisputable. There is no pesticide strong enough to adequately fumigate the DOJ after the Age of Reno. But until someone starts to seriously contemplate indicting Mark Middleton, Bernard Schwartz or Clinton the investigation is IMHO presumptively not serious.
I am not optimistic that will happen. But I will eat crow as publicly as anyone on FR wants if I am wrong, as I hope I am.
You may be right, but it is far too early to tell. I hope you aren't.
You mean like Senator Mitch McConnell who is said to have gotten John Huang $ ?
I have seen that charge, but not from anyone I robustly trust, so I'm not prepared to accuse specific people. But the gap between the magnitude of the crime and the magnitude of the response is so huge that there must be some unpleasant reason for it.
I don't know whether there will ever be an acceptable investigation, but I do know we wouldn't have gotten one out of the Reno team that Ashcroft is breaking up. I don't know why anybody who is interested in getting to the bottom of it would object to removing them from the case.
Yes, but Conrad was one of the good guys who wanted an IC to investigate. Sounds like Ashcroft is gettin' everyone out of Dodge.
We'll see what happens, but it doesn't look promising that we will get justice....and I want my money's worth of the donation I made for the Wash Times China ad!
Maybe it "appears" that way to them, but I for one will take John Ashcroft at his word until I see otherwise...
For his part, Ashcroft denied Wednesday that he intended to terminate the Chinagate probe. "Absolutely not," he told the Times.
To all:
This sniping over perceived wrongs has got to stop. I have never seen such a bunch of petty people as I have on this forum recently and Bush has barely been in office a month. Granted, most of them are third party bunker hacks who never supported GWB in the first place. Give him and me a break...be patient and don't start the Chicken Little routine every time you think he might do something...I am sick of the Globaloney, let his actions speak, then if you feel you have a legitimate complaint, we can debate the merits. Geez people...we know how the media is, they will spin anything to make Bush look as bad as possible. But for us to pile on as well, with absolutely no proof of any wrongdoing on Bush's part, will only empower the Dems and make it harder for Bush to pursue a conservative agenda.
Also, if Ashcroft is appointing some sort of "task force", I would hope that there wasn't any announcement about it. The media circuses and daily Hannity & Colmes, Geraldo, and Hardball speculation and counterspin fiestas are not helpful to conducting an actual investigation where you intend to answer questions rather than score political points.
I'm not a doe-eyed optimist, but I will wait and see what is actually going on. Let the men work, and then judge their results. We all get to vote again in four years.
I kicked in my $20 for that ad as well, but I don't think this news settles the issue of whether or not an actual investigation is going to take place, or is already underway.
Disagree. People, people. Have we not learned anything from the impeachment? It's not what you KNOW, it's what you can PROVE, and this stuff, while the most important of all the scandals, was the hardest to prove, because you have to prove a QUID PRO QUO.
It's interesting to compare this "level" of discussion to the very specific legal discussions that occurred during the Florida business, when there was very little "conspiracy" talk going on and a lot of hard analysis.
There may be something there ("Chinagate"), but Ashcroft knows that the trail is cold and it is a waste of time. Closing the barn door after the horses are out. He's there to rebuild the barn.
We've been waiting for (and demanding) justice for years now. Then we see a man come through the Senate Confirmation hearings making some shady promises to some shady folks. Then we see a nationally televised press conference in which Ashcroft man praises Reno. Yes, I'm talking about lavish praise.
Now we see the break-up of the people that have looked into this stuff, the scattering of them in all directions. No mention of another task force. No mention of justice.
Are you suggesting we just "move on" like GW's doing?
but Ashcroft knows that the trail is cold and it is a waste of time
Maybe, but "In June 2000, Conrad recommended that then-Attorney General Janet Reno appoint an independent counsel to investigate former Vice President Al Gore's role in Chinagate." So how did it get so'cold' so quick?
Pass the bananas.
I have seen that charge, but not from anyone I robustly trust, so I'm not prepared to accuse specific people
Posted 1/26/01 from a 12/15/99 hearing:
WAXMAN: You've admitted soliciting contributions for Bill Clinton and the DNC in 1992 and 1993, but you also solicited and contributed money for a variety of national and local candidates, including Republican senators, such as Al D'Amato, Mitch McConnell and Larry Pressler. I'd like to ask you about those contributions.
Did you contribute money to Mitch McConnell, the Republican senator from Kentucky?
HUANG: Yes, I did.
WAXMAN: How much money did you contribute?
HUANG: I don't know if it was a $,1000 from myself and another $1,000 from my wife or not. Could be only $1,000 at this time
but Ashcroft knows that the trail is cold and it is a waste of time.
Have you ever read the Cox Report? Good grief, just last night Notra Trulok was on the Savage Nation saying that the level of Chinese espionage is at even bigger levels than Soviet espionage EVER was, even at the height of the Cold War.
LaBella said that "all roads of the investigation led out of this country" and Gertz has written mountains of stuff on all of this. Cold trail or not, the documented evidence is right there for Ashcroft to see. Heck, all I get is the declassified stuff and I could put together a fairly decent case AND I'M A TRUCK MECHANIC!
If Bush/Ashcroft blows this one, they'll blow it on purpose.
If Bush/Ashcroft blows this one, they'll blow it on purpose.
Gotta float my stick same as Harry on this one.
Thanks for the links. BTTT
Yuck.
Reverse triangulation is not all good.
We've been waiting for (and demanding) justice for years now.
We have only had a Republican in the Justice Dept. for less than a month...good grief...have some patience.
Then we see a man come through the Senate Confirmation hearings making some shady promises to some shady folks. Then we see a nationally televised press conference in which Ashcroft man praises Reno. Yes, I'm talking about lavish praise.
He made no shady promises, he stated he would uphold the law as it is currently written. You seem to read alot into his words that I do not, but then that is typical for you, you live in a world where everything is a conspiracy. He has barely had time to access her records, and he has closed not one investigation to date. He clearly stated that he will "absolutely not" shut down Chinagate. They just reported today that part of the team is leaving, give him at least a few days to decide how to proceed. When someone quits their job, the company does not hire someone right away, they take the time to interview applicants and decide who is the best person for the job. Again...patience is a virtue and as Sink says, watch his actions. Then if you have a legitimate complaint, we can debate the merits.
Now we see the break-up of the people that have looked into this stuff, the scattering of them in all directions. No mention of another task force. No mention of justice.
No mention of justice? Perhaps you missed the section that said Ashcroft will "absolutely not" shut down the investigation.
Are you suggesting we just "move on" like GW's doing?
In the words of John Ashcroft, "absolutely not". But for goodness sake quit throwing temper tantrums like a 2 year old over percieved wrongs that have no basis in fact. My 3 year old grandaughter has more patience than you do.
The pubbies will definitely blow it. You cannot go broke betting on Pubbie cowardice.
I am indeed an optimist, a patient optimist as well, but alas my gut tells me they just might blow it. Then what? Wait 4 years and hope for the best? I can't stomache the thought.
Hope you are wearing your flame-retardant suit. Incidentally, it shouldn't surprise you, I agree. And frankly, after 8 years of what we have had, what makes anyone think there is hard evidence left to investigate? It would not surprise me at all if Washingtonians couldn't smell a distinct burning smell in the last weeks before January 20. The smell, of say, shredder motors working themselves into exhaustion??? I would not want to be in the position of breaking the news to the sleeping Americans that not only did they elect an administration that committed treason, but that there is no hard evidence left to convict anyone.
Your posts belie your screen name. I too am willing to wait and see what happens. If there is no further investigation, I will be disappointed. But even if there is one, I don't expect anything to come of it. I doubt the smoking gun will be found in some document (that still exists), and Clintoon's people don't turn on him. The same goes for this pardon stuff. Its done probably all we could realistically hope for - immediately turning Clinton into a disgraced President. Hopefully this new sex stuff doesn't turn Hillary into a victim and Republicans into sex-crazed vigilantes (in the minds of the media and public).
There may be something there ("Chinagate"), but Ashcroft knows that the trail is cold and it is a waste of time. Closing the barn door after the horses are out. He's there to rebuild the barn.
There may still be enough evidence to PROVE that Ron Brown did not die as suggested by the Clinton administration and regurgitated by the mainstream media. If a cover up of a mass murder and treason CAN be proved, and a coverup of a mass murder and treason is almost as serious a crime as the source crime, then that can be the leverage used to get the rest of the story. Being charged with the coverup of a mass murder might be enough to make someone talk and hence find out who ordered and did the deed.
For example, start by digging up Brown's body and looking for evidence of gunshot. Put Dr. Gormley of the AFIP under oath and ask him who at the Whitehouse ordered there be no autopsy. Ask Gormley WHO in the AFIP's management told him to LIE on national TV about the evidence in the case. Put the head of Black Entertainment Television under oath and ask him why, when they caught the government's representative lying to them about the evidence, they didn't follow up on the story. Put Sentell of the AFIP under oath and ask her about her conversation with Janoski. Put the head of the AFIP under oath and ask him why he told the press it was the unanimous conclusion of the AFIP's pathologists that Brown died of blunt force trama WHEN IT WASN'T. Put EVERYONE who had access to the safe containing Brown's x-rays and photos under oath to find out who might have selectively removed those showing the head. Do a search of the email of all of the above for further evidence. Sweat these people BIG TIME. Put Ira Sockowitz under oath and ask him who was the second survivor of the crash that he reported to Warren Christopher. Ask Warren Christopher why he never made this fact public. Check the secret service logs and find out if Brown did indeed have a meeting with Clinton days before the crash as Hill testified. Investigate the Associated Press report that the the first Croatians to get to the crash site were met by 3 Americans. I hope you get the picture.
There are NO EXCUSES. If Ashcroft doesn't pursue this it can ONLY be because the Republicans are JUST as corrupt as the democRATS. In that case, I guarantee I will be casting my vote against them and asking "why?" MASS MURDER and TREASON were covered up by them come the next election.
>>>>>I don't know whether the break up of the Reno-appointed task force means the investigation is ending or starting.<<<<<
I can't know for sure either but why do I find the news so depressing?
...If Ashcroft doesn't pursue this it can ONLY be because the Republicans are JUST as corrupt as the democRATS.
Our treasonous congress showed their colors at the time of impeachment. If you were in a coma at the time, read Sellout by David Schippers to catch up.
As the old saying goes, "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me."
There was mention of this during the Oversite Committee inquiry yesterday, where approximately 140/150 witnesses that had been subpoened to testify before the Committee had either fled the country or taken the 5th.
BUSH IS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT bump!
The bottom line: he's too busy protecting his dad and his agenda. Pathetic. Unless he does a 180, there'll be no 2nd term for him...
I see you found this already. Yes, the Pubbie rug is going to get lumpy with all the stuff they're planning on sweeping under it, isn't it?
Why not? If he can keep the sheeple happy....
Maybe its time to freep the DOJ?
For what its worth this went via snail & email to the AG:
Attorney General John Ashcroft
Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530
Dear Sir,
Prior to, throughout the candidacy and during the last eight years of the administration of Bill Clinton there have been so many irregularities and questionable activities that even the jaded have gasped at the audacity of the president and his administration.
There are questions with levels of importance from teapot to treason. How can the government regain the trust of its people?
You sir, are no doubt aware of the reported affairs that call into question the state of our national security, our electoral process, our very existence as a nation if reports regarding the improvements to China's nuclear missile capabilities are true.
With historically new, incredibly adept efforts perfected in the Clinton administration to spin even the most damning evidence into "old news, been there done that, let's move on" treatment I do not think the general populace is aware of the extent of the damage to our US security interests.
A source of incredibly well documented monitoring of current and past events affecting our nation's interests awaits review by your offices at:
This is website compiling the research and commentary on events/news articles of the day over several years by thousands of members of the web site known as: FreeRepublic.com
The site has garnered numerous awards from the web community but its value and service to the benefit of our country is incalculable.
The critical benefit of the archives at alamogirl.com and the continuing work of members at freerepublic.com is how seemingly unrelated people and events are woven together by commentary on issues of the day such that a much clearer picture of interrelated events and personalities emerges.
February 21, 2001
Attorney General John Ashcroft
Department of Justice
Page 2
When the "clearer picture" involves issues of national security, foreign government intervention in the elections process, use of government agencies to intimidate critics of the Clinton administration, etcetera, etcetera then it becomes the responsibility of your office to at least assign some personnel to review this data to determine whether in fact investigation is warranted into at least the most egregious instances of criminal activities affecting the interests of the United States of America.
I trust you can assign a few people in your office to review this material and hopefully present you with summaries of areas most demanding of your attention.
For myself and I think I speak for many, we must not ignore the damages we may have suffered nor should we fail to attempt to correct our security lapses and hold accountable those responsible for any compromises thereof.
Thank you for your time and attention to these matters. Even the shortest acknowledgment of your receipt of this letter would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
(Tunehead54)
PS: The homepage index of the archives of freerepublic.com at Alamo-Girl.Com closes with the impassioned plea of Patrick Henry, which I believe aptly describes the spirit of freerepublic.com and your obligation as Attorney General:
We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth,
and listen to the song of that siren
till she transforms us into beasts.
Is this the part of wise men,
engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?
Are we disposed to be the number of those
who, having eyes, see not,
and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern
their temporal salvation?
For my part,
whatever anguish of spirit it may cost,
I am willing to know the whole truth;
to know the worst,
and to provide for it.
--Patrick Henry
I don't agree that it's "far too early to tell". Johnny started his tenure by making swooning remarks about Reno's "integrity". Career politicians don't let their fellow career politicians do time. I wonder why Reno has FBI bodyguards still. Louie Freeh won't say.
Hmmm... I think that Boosh's socialism speaks for itself in his own words. No need for media spin. What parts of his budget address didn't you understand? Of course, many of us don't like Boosh. I dislike him because I'm a conservative, not a republican. It takes a blue dog democrat or a pompom shaker for the GOP to have high hopes for Wobbly Jr.'s presidency. Plenty of yellow dogs have high hopes for him too, but they can't say so publicly too often. The ol' boy's a socialist. You may as well wake up to that fact.
Trust me... it's ending. Too much digging would reveal the fact that the Communist-Chinese-Cash-For-President Treason started in 1988 with Papa Bush.
That's why the GOP can't push the Clinton angle... the Demons would then use the same brush to tar the Repubes.
Sad crap, but that's what you get when the numbskull sap voters just lay face down and grease themselves for the Sellout Duopoly.
Now you're getting it...! :-)
Yep, you have it right. John C Calhoun observed the same phenomenon in 1850. Neither party wants anything to come to light. Both are equally culpable and they are, in fact, one monolithic party which pretends to be two opposing parties to maintain the illusion that there is a choice on election day.
Excellent letter! The Henry quote is totally appropriate for this very situation. Nicely done.
The ball is in Ashcroft's court now. Things are not looking good.
...If Ashcroft doesn't pursue this it can ONLY be because the Republicans are JUST as corrupt as the democRATS.
Our treasonous congress showed their colors at the time of impeachment. If you were in a coma at the time, read Sellout by David Schippers to catch up.
As the old saying goes, "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me."
I never was left behind ... good book. I'm not suggesting that some (perhaps even many) Republican's in Congress aren't complicit in the coverup but at least electing Bush offered the promise of finally exposing the truth.
I don't quite understand your response, though. Are you suggesting that Bush should ignore mass murder and treason or are you agreeing with me that the actions of the Clinton administration in many areas should be investigated?
Are you suggesting that Bush should ignore mass murder and treason or are you agreeing with me that the actions of the Clinton administration in many areas should be investigated?
What I am saying is that our government is corrupt to the very core. Investigations will be used for turf wars; to oust opponents; to get a bigger slice of the pie; for revenge; for self-advancement -- anything and everything except justice. (Can you tell I've become quite cynical?)
Any justice resulting from governmental action would be purely accidental.
We no longer live in a Republic; it's now a Syndicate.
Yet the motto hasn't changed -- "We're from your government and we're here to help you."
And I believe Prescott Bush (perhaps a Jr) set up the US-China Chamber of Commerce or some such name....and Elaine Chao (wife of Sen. Mitch McConnell) family is in tight with the Chicom leadership....and I'm quite sure if people dug and dug and dug, you'd find the GOP was collecting $$$$$, though perhaps not as much as the Dems.
Odd, ain't it, how Sen. Fred Thompson just shut the door to campaign finance invesigations when certain suggestions/questions were asked/made.....
What I am saying is that our government is corrupt to the very core. Investigations will be used for turf wars; to oust opponents; to get a bigger slice of the pie; for revenge; for self-advancement -- anything and everything except justice. (Can you tell I've become quite cynical?)
I guess for me the test is whether Bush and the Republicans expose or help coverup the misdeeds of the Clinton Mafia. I'm not expecting Bush to stand up and call Clinton a criminal at this point (I DO understand the political necessities) but if the DOJ, FBI and IRS are not quietly looking into the evidence suggesting crimes (and EVENTUALLY report their findings in a manner that leads one to believe they did an honest investigation ... meaning they answer rather than ignore the questions that are being asked about such things as Ron Brown's and Vince Foster's death), then I will join you in your sentiment. If Republican are willing to coverup murder, mass murder and treason BY democRATS, there can only be one reason ... they are JUST as dirty. I hope the RNC is listening because this is a staunch Republican talking ... NOT a democRAT. NO EXCUSES.
This is not really making the papers..... Wonder why?
I'm still waiting for the Bush apologist crowd to explain this travesty of justice!
Harry, they arn't going to explain anything. It is their turn and they WILL be just as screwy as the last bunch.
This John will taste better, but America will still be tasting salt. LOL!
Oh, I am getting crude. I better go have a cigarette and cool down.
The Bushmen don't like me and especially when I get going on their man.
Talk to you a bit later.
Take care,
CATO
Where's the new team, Ashcroft? Where's the convictions, Ashcroft? Are you laid up drunk with your new friend Teddy Kennedy, Ashcroft? Has Reno faxed your new orders yet, Ashcroft? Clinton didn't want to go to Leavenworth anyways, Ashcroft.........
Justice in America, BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Excellent post JeanS.
bump
bump
bump
and you are surprized?
bump
Where's the new team?
For great justice.
let me make some more phone calls....before I post what I've learned.....
let me make some more phone calls....before I post what I've learned.....
let me make some more phone calls....before I post what I've learned.....
My source is in Washington now and this person will call me this evening - maybe this is valuable information, maybe not - BUT I THINK SO! BBL.