CQ HOMELAND SECURITY
April 19, 2009 – 8:49 p.m.
Wiretap Recorded Rep. Harman Discussing Aid for AIPAC Defendants
By Jeff Stein, CQ SpyTalk Columnist
Rep. Jane Harman , a California Democrat long involved in intelligence issues, was overheard on a 2005 National Security Agency wiretap telling a suspected Israeli agent that she would lobby the Justice Department to reduce espionage-related charges against two former officials of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
In return, the Israeli agent pledged to help lobby for Harman to become chairwoman of the House Intelligence Committee.
Two former senior national security officials, one who has read a transcript of the wiretap and a second who was briefed on its contents, said Harman agreed during the conversation to “waddle into” the AIPAC case “if you think it’ll make a difference.” Their accounts were confirmed by a third source with knowledge of the wiretapped conversation and subsequent events.
AIPAC is the most powerful pro-Israel organization in Washington.
In exchange, the sources reported, the suspected Israeli agent pledged to lobby House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif., who was then the House minority leader, to appoint Harman chairwoman of the Intelligence Committee if Democrats won control of the House in the 2006 elections.
Harman hung up the phone after saying, “This conversation doesn’t exist,” according to the former officials.
The sources, who discussed the matter only on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of domestic NSA eavesdropping, said Justice Department officials decided there was sufficient evidence to initiate an FBI investigation of Harman. But at the last minute, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales aborted the plan, saying that he needed Harman’s help defending the administration’s warrantless wiretap program.
A watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, asked Monday for an investigation of Harman by the Office of Congressional Ethics and for a Justice Department probe of why a case against the congresswoman was not pursued.
Harman declined to discuss the allegation, instead issuing a denial through a spokesman. “These claims are an outrageous and recycled canard, and have no basis in fact,” she said in a prepared statement. “I never engaged in any such activity. Those who are peddling these false accusations should be ashamed of themselves.”
Allegations that pro-Israel lobbyists tried to help Harman get the chairmanship by lobbying Pelosi and raising money for the future Speaker are not new. They were widely reported in 2006, as was an FBI investigation that was reportedly dropped for lack of evidence.
What is new is that Harman is said by the former national security officials to have been picked up on a court-approved NSA wiretap directed at alleged Israeli covert action in Washington.
Another piece of news is that contrary to reports the Harman investigation was dropped for lack of evidence, the former national security officials and a former high-ranking law enforcement source say that it was Gonzales, President George W. Bush ’s top counsel before becoming attorney general, who intervened to stop the Harman probe because the administration wanted Harman to be able to defend the warrantless wiretapping program the New York Times was about to disclose.
As for there being no evidence to support the FBI probe, the source with first-hand knowledge of the wiretap transcript called that “bull****.”
Gonzales said through a spokesman he would have no comment.
Pelosi passed over Harman for the Intelligence Committee chairmanship, eventually appointing Silvestre Reyes , D-Texas. Although she was frequently said to be a candidate for a high post at the CIA or Homeland Security Department, she failed to win a spot in the Obama administration.
Case Is Dropped
According to the former officials familiar with the transcripts, the alleged Israeli agent asked Harman if she could use any influence she had with Gonzales, who became attorney general in 2005, to get the charges against the AIPAC officials reduced to lesser felonies.
The identity of the “suspected Israeli agent” could not be determined with certainty, and the former national security officials would not discuss other aspects of the highly classified NSA eavesdropping operation against Israeli targets.
Former AIPAC official Steve Rosen was charged with two counts of conspiring to communicate, and communicating national defense information to people not entitled to receive it. Keith Weissman, who also had left AIPAC over the scandal, was charged with conspiracy. AIPAC dismissed the two in May 2005, about five months before Harman’s intercepted conversation.
Harman responded that influencing Gonzales would be a difficult task, because he “just follows White House orders,” but that she might be able to influence lesser officials, according to an official who read the transcript.
Justice Department attorneys in the intelligence and public corruption units who read the transcripts decided that Harman had committed a crime, according to the national security and law enforcement sources.
The Justice Department attorneys were prepared to pursue a case against Harman, which would include electronic surveillance approved by the so-called FISA Court, the secret panel established by the 1979 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to hear government wiretap requests. First, however, they needed the certification of top intelligence officials that Harman’s wiretapped conversations justified a national security investigation.
Then-CIA Director Porter J. Goss reviewed the Harman transcript and signed off on the Justice Department’s FISA application, two sources said. He also decided that, under a protocol involving the separation of powers, it was time to notify then-House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Minority Leader Pelosi of the FBI’s impending national security investigation of a member of Congress — to wit, Harman.
Goss, a former Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, deemed the matter particularly urgent because of the high rank of Harman, a Democrat, on the Intelligence panel.
But according to the two former national security officials, Gonzales said he “needed Jane” to help support the administration’s warrantless wiretapping program, which was about to be exposed by the Times. Harman, he told Goss, had helped persuade the newspaper to hold the wiretap story on the eve of the 2004 elections. And although it was too late to stop the Times from publishing now, she could be counted on again to help defend the program.
On Dec. 21, 2005, in the midst of a firestorm of criticism about the wiretaps, Harman issued a statement defending the operation and slamming the Times, saying, “I believe it essential to U.S. national security, and that its disclosure has damaged critical intelligence capabilities.”
Pelosi and Hastert were never notified and the investigation of Harman was effectively dead.
Goss declined an interview request, and the CIA did not respond to a request to interview former Director Michael V. Hayden , who, the sources said, was informed of the Harman transcript.
The first director of national intelligence, John D. Negroponte, opposed an FBI investigation of Harman, according to officials familiar with his thinking, and left it to Goss or FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III , to decide what to do. Negroponte was traveling last week and did not respond to questions relayed to him through an assistant.
“It’s the deepest kind of corruption,” said one of the sources, a recently retired law enforcement official who was involved in the AIPAC investigation. “It’s a story about the corruption of government — not legal corruption necessarily, but ethical corruption.”
The two former AIPAC officials are scheduled to stand trial in June.
Comments
Harman needed to go along time ago
At this point I'm willing to bet that what Jane Harman did is all too much the norm in Congress these days. Overall I suspect the government is rotten to core on many essential levels. Not a good sign.
"These claims are an outrageous and recycled canard," Leftover duck?
And we wonder why the Arabs think our Government is in the bag for Israel? Harmon should be arrested, and charged with espionage. Of course, that won't happen as the Criminal Division of the DOJ is in the Bag for Israel too. And Obama is owned by Schumer, Rahm Emanuel and the Jews on Wall Street.. It's the blunt, but oh- so-un- PC truth. Why do people keep electing these shills for Israel? An Apartheid State. Why do we spurn the UN when Israel says jump? And Why do we keep sending them money? Aren't we Broke ENOUGH? The U.S. going to end up isolated from the rest of the world who will move on without us while we're still stuck in Ancient History with these people, fixated on the Middle East and sworn to an Energy Policy that hasn't developed much more than "Burn S**t." since the beginning of Time. Israel is going to do nothing but milk us to death for Welfare and Military Protection. It's well past time we part company, wishing them well over God's Chosen PeopleLand..
I live in Rep Harman's district and she won in the Democratic primary against a more progressive candidate who in many ways is more representative of the bulk of the district (very progressive Southern CA Beach cities). In the end even thoug I liked the other candidate better I voted for to return Ms Harman to DC becaue I believed we needed someone with clout on the intelegence Committee. I was disappointe when one of the first things Nancy Pelosi di was to try to strip Harman of that committee chair. It seemed extremey personal and I was confused y it. Now I wonder if Pelosi wasn't aware of some of Harman's double dealing and wanted to put as much distance as she between them. Kinda makes you say "Mmmmmmm". BTW the more progressive candidate will not only be getting my vote next time around but they will be getting my money and canvassing time as well.
Rep Harmon is mistaken if she thinks these allegations can simply be swept under the rug. If she went to bat for the two former AIPAC leaders, who are charged with serious offenses to US national security, she should explain why. There seems to be the implication of a quid pro quo--and she owes the public an explanation.
She should be investigated under the current administration. This is scary. She should not be undermining the security of the United States.
All these anonymous sources prove nothing. When they accuse a congesswoman of treason they should be required by the news media to have some real evidence and be identified by name as the source. Absent real accountability they should be ignored.
If she is guilty of something take her to trail.
"And Jane Harman was relegated to chairing a House Homeland Security subcommittee." She ought to be thrown out of Congress and into jail if this story is accurate. This is appalling. I am also curious why the AIPAC espionage case was never widely reported in the US media.
If all this is true an interesting insight at our local elected people
Just imagine if a Congress person had engaged in such horse trading with foreign governments (ler's say Saudi Arabia or even -- god forbid! -- France: what would be the reaction, especially, from the Israel lobby?? My guess is that Ms Hartman will not be punished for her horsetrading American interests for those of Israel, a country she and her colleagus in Congress will continue to serve!
What a shock! Israel having influence on American politics; I can't believe it? Well maybe a few times; Remember the Liberty and the suppression of the audio tapes, Bibi trying to get Pollard free or the little know Art Student fiasco to name just a few. Harman is a disgrace to us Democrats but I have not doubt whe will be reelected probably with more than a little AIPAC help.
Amazing article. I'm really surprised that it was published due to the airing of how deeply involved in Congressional affairs AIPAC has become. What other lobby can get a Congressman/woman to intervene on their behalf just by picking up the phone? Not many. And Rosen, despite his felony indictments was able to throw cold water on the Charles Freeman Appointment. Usually someone under indictment for espionage would be shunned at the very least but not a former member of AIPAC. Thank you for this article. I would like to think that this is only the beginning of transparency on our government but pieces like this one unfortunately are very rare. Thanks again. JWilson
Some would be charged with treason for much less and yet...we do nothing!
Don't you have PROOFREADERS there? The article is an embarrassment of typos!
Well, if this really happened in the manner described, it sure looks like quid pro quo. She promised to do something in return for something else being done on her behalf. I'm not a lawyer, so maybe somebody can argue how technically this doesn't qualify, but I'm a Democrat who wouldn't willingly touch Republican ideology with a ten-foot pole, and even I think this smells. Perhaps the Obama administration could quietly suggest she come to the White House, where they could play the tape for her, and then strongly suggest she resign, rather than be prosecuted.
Time to clean out the House and Senate. Both parties are the same kinds of poison to our republic. How much more proof do you need? Israel needs to stay the eff out of our government too. Register as the foreign lobby that they are, no special status for those who wish to control America from the outside.
In short, they wanted to blackmail her with the illegal wiretaps they obtained about her illegal lobbying activities for Isreal. Undambelievable.
not every charge by scumbag god's own party commentators is completely fsale. in fact for propaganda to work you need a grain of truth. if hitler said jews controlled the financial system it was only becuase he forgot to mention that jews were always banned from joining respectable trade unions, like brick laying, and basically forced into certain 'undesirable' trades. rep harmon's fingerpruints have been all over intel processes for a long time. that she was secretly employed by a foreign agent is just going to feed the already substantial 9/11 by Israel to spark global was against musllims consipracy. it reminds of Clinto....after surviving intense scrutiny on whitewater he hands them Monicagate. Rep. Harmon should resign.
Hold On! Your headline that links to this story states: " Former AG Alberto Gonzales Dropped The Probe Because He Wanted Her Help Defending Warrantless Wiretapping". To be fair, where is the "Accused of..." or "Is Alleged To Have..." in your headline? Rep. Harman, according to this story was actually caught on tape; the story goes on to state that "two sources" say that Gonzales wanted her on his side and stopped the investigation....this statement without named sources, proof or evidence of such. If you want to be fair, correct the headline; further, if you want to be honest, quote the sources.
These Jewish politicians who are Israeli firsters are screwing over the American taxpayer and citizens. Jewish politicians, move to Israel or get out of American politics. Stolen Nuke info, stolen that, Isreal is no friend of the USA, in fact because America constantly sides with Israel we are blamed for everything it does, and today Israel is blinded by itself. We can clearly see this when it can slaughter 1,300 people in Gaza and then write it off as business as usual. No to AIPAC!
Yes, of course. Somehow a sleeze ball democrats actions always has to be blamed on Bush!
It's pathetic that this is the only way we find out the truth about what our politicians are doing. Illegal wiretaps aren't better just because they inform us, they are still illegal. However, I'd love to have the recordings they did of Bush and Cheney. Those could be illuminating (though also illegal). Don't let them make it alright for these phone taps to have taken place, but if the recordings bring down those who supported them, well... I do love irony. Take down the politicians, destroy the tapes and never let them do this again.
Interesting. I note that the reporter doesn't consider the possibility that Harman was set up by the Gonzales "Justice" department and then blackmailed into making a supportive statement of the program that had trapped her to avoid criminal charges. This also is typical of the Bush justice system, "guilty until proven useful."
I am not surprised by this. Harman's actions have repeatedly shown an extremist Israeli bias. I hope that other lawmakers who are doing this are also wiretapped and brought to justice.
It all seems to add up, but I'll need more than allegations, the proof of which cannot be revealed.
I think it's hard for older politicians to be open and honest. They've been under the table for so long and it always worked.
Seems like old times in the Nixon administration
But I read in the NY Times that the Israeli lobby doesn't exist and that Walt and Mearsheimer and anyone else who mentions it are ipso facto antisemites. Have I been misinformed?
I must say that Harman's inexplicable support of the worst of the Bush / telecom lawbreaking always baffled me. Now it makes perfect sense. Excellent reporting, Jeff. Thank you for bringing this to life.
I find this absolutely unconscionable. Foreign lobbying of Congress should not be allowed. I do not like lobbying in general but organizations with major foreign connections should be barred. I even cancelled my membership of AARP because as a British citizen I could not financially support a group which is principally devoted to lobbying Congress
Pelosi was right to dump her! She and Rockfeller were two of the worse congressional leaders of the intelligence committees this country has ever seen!
AIPAC and the neocons are sitting on a volcano which is about to erupt in American patriotic rage against them. This will be poetic justice, since AIPAC and the neocons have fanned the flames of right-wing "patriotism" and war-mongering ever since they threw in with Reagan and started controlling American foreign policy. They've used "patriotism," along with Religious Right Christianity and the Culture Wars, to con the uneducated masses of white Americans into supporting policies that work for Israel. Too bad that their war in Iraq for Israel was the beginning of the end for these people, since even uneducated American whites began to figure out that something was seriously wrong with this war. They'll be able to figure out that there's something seriously wrong with an American Congresswoman's working with spies for Israel, too, to protect memebers of AIPAC. All one has to do is read comments to this story here to see how much trouble Israel and AIPAC are now going to be in.
We should not be surprised. It doesn't matter whether a congressperson has a "D" or "R" after their name. If they've been in the corrupt cesspool that is now Washington DC long enough, they've learned the art of wheelin' and dealin'. A lot of it involves getting more power (as in this case) and much of it involves getting money. The corruption is rampant in both political parties. Leave a person in DC for more than one or two terms and they will succumb...the longer they are there the more corrupt they become. It's all about gaining power and money. The People's business be damned. Ask yourself, how is it possible that a person of modest means gets elected to congress and after being there for a while becomes very wealthy. Why does congress refuse to consider term limits for themselves? For the same reason they keep voting themselves pay raises and exhorbitant pensions...for the same reason the steal our money and call it earmarks. But, listen up y'all...every two years we go to the polls and re-elect 90% of the incumbents. Now who's to blame?
Register as the foreign lobby that they are, no special status for those who wish to control America from the outside. What are you going to do about all of the other lobbies. Do you really think that the Saudis and oil lobbies are uninvolved. The reality is that our government officials deal with lobbyists from other countries every day.
"These claims are an outrageous and recycled canard." If it walks like a canard, talks like a canard, and quacks like a canard . . .
Is Jane Harman a hack? Probably. Are Israeli's and their friends demons? Not if you are sane. Obsessive Jew-hatred is a form of mental illness, and there's more than a few here who desperately need help. But why is this story suddenly circulating now? Who benefits from circulating this old unproven stuff? You have to wonder.
She should indeed be investigated by the current administration, but she will not be because, "we are looking forward" and "this is not the time for recrimination and retribution." Apparently everyone in the administration has overlooked one word in the name of the Department of Justice.
BooHooHooMan, the truth really does smell bad doesn't it? You nailed it in the side pocket. Israel bought and paid for Obama back in 2006 and had Goldman Sachs and Hollywood team up to put him in office. Done Deal, have your girl call mine, Airkiss! It's nauseating and true.
Perhaps a certain senator named Obama was also tapped and taped. I've often wondered why his campaign promise too prosecute Bush administration officials went by the wayside.
I am VERY supportive of Israel, in every way. That being said, Jane Harman used her elected office to conduct espionage on behalf of people guilty of esionage. A spy covering for a spy. Jane Harman should resign from Congress immediately, and be prosecuted, because justice is justice, and the law is the law. I also am very comfortable with Jonathan Pollard rotting for the rest of his life in a prison cell for espionage. Perhaps with Israel-hating Osama bin Urkel and Eric "Terrorist Pardons" Holder making the decision, Harman will be strung up for offending their Saudi Masters.
Call Jane Harmans office in Washington, 1-202-225-8220 Tell the staff, Jane must resign
Most people knew that Harmon was a pattsie for the Bush Administration in some shape or form but no one knew why until now. This case should go on and Harmom should be impeached and/or go to jail.
Wow!!! what a revelation.
Are we waking up to the fact that Israel hates America more than any 'terrorist'? They use us, spy on us (just like enemies), and they attack us (Liberty ship). We need to acknowledge the power of the Zionist lobby and remove it from our nation. Israel is not our friend, they serve only themselves. We should never help them again.
its amazing how journalists can spin news stories to manipulate the uninformed public... before denouncing Israel and making claims about how the United States leadership are "in the jews pockets", do your research. your lack of knowledge simply furthers anti semitism and, sadly, makes you look like an idiot when you say the things you do. Do you even know what the wire tap said? we got like 8 words out of it in this article, and the rest of the article "tells" us what it said. do your f***in research.
Ms. Harman is beholden to a foreign government for whatever reason. Isn't that treasonous behavior? Take this simple test: Choose one: 1) America 2) Israel If you chose "Israel" kindly GTFO of my country and move to Israel.
Where is the outrage and the DEMAND for her to STEP down? I am so TIRED of the sheeple just thanking the reporter for the info about the corrupt politician and nothing happens. Just another day of greed in America. Two words are always forgotten,"public servant"? Somebody has to be held accountable for something. Elected officials are NOT royalty. We need TERM LIMITS legislation immediately. Our government is a joke. She NEEDS to GO NOW. And Alberto Gonzales needs to be hauled before Congress for another pharse of an investigation. Hee haw.
Unsurprising, but... wake me when CBS or CNN or Fox decide to carry this as a top story.
Fascinating piece, assuming unnamed sources' accounts are accurate. Still, it's hard to believe a criminal case could stick. All Harman has to say is that she believed it was in the best interests of national security that (a) the AIPAC guys get reduced sentences and that (b) the NSA programs (plural) go forward. As to "J WIlson's" comment above -- questioning, rhetorically, what other lobby could expect favorable action from a member of Congress with just a phone call -- the answer is: tons of them, including, over the last eight years, oil, chemical, coal, pro-life, pharmaceutical, defense, etc etc etc.
Wow, that is like way cool! RT www.privacy.pro.tc
Harman should be arrested and stand trial for treason!! boohoohooman got right! I say impeach,arrest, incarcerate!!
The comments reveal a pathetically meager understanding of society, intel agencies, and the law. We've all seen this articles before, the Carl Cameron-Fox News series that accused Israel of involvement in the attacks of 9-11 come to mind. These disinformation campaigns are meant to put pressure on the Israeli government, and weaken support for the Jewish State within the US electorate. Anonymous sources, and outrageous stories, are not journalism....except in the United States.
Get rid of all the MONARCH SLAVES (Harman, Pelosi, Gonzales, et al.) to the 13 families (Bush, et al.) who run the western world, but are now seeing their "new world order" turn into a collapse of THEIR "old world order." Israel is a "shitty little country" for the predominant shareholders of ALL THAT MIDDLE EAST RICH IN NATURAL RESOURCES, etc. LAND. Who is the predominant land owner of Israel? Ah, THE BANK OF ROTHSCHILD. And, we might know - this is the tap root problem of the GLOBAL COLLAPSE. Hmmm, nothing more than cannibals of our own species. Doubt this? Look at the wars without end simply to play god of earth and own the whole planet with every life form as nothing more than a disposable commodity - trader of flesh, this HOUSE which heads the "others."
Anyone who doesn't think that the Israeli government runs the foreign policy of this country (to the detriment of america) has their head in the sand. Israel is no democracy. It is a socialist totalitarian regime. What they are doing to the Palestinians is far worse than what the whites did to the south africans under apartheid. It is high time that the treasonous members of our government be prosecuted for their crimes and AIPAC be forced to register as a foreign lobby rather than be given the cushy pass they are given today. First they blew up the Liberty in 1967 and then they sold military secrets of ours to the Chinese. Can anyone doubt that the Israelis only like us for our money and our UN veto?
I'm not surprised. The bushies have lots of shit on lots of people I'll bet. Why do you think they all sit around with their mouths closed? Our government is rotten to the core. TERM LIMITS...
Most of our politicians are shills for Israel. Both parties are bought and paid for by AIPAC. Schumer is beholden to every Jewish run hedge-fund or investment house in New York. When Bloomberg looks to give charity he goes to Israel, and Rahm Emanuel enlisted in Israel's version of our National Guard while the U.S. was AT WAR - how much more transparent can it be! Do I even need to mention Joe Lieberman - he's essentially the Senator for the State of Israel. The only positive that has come out of this financial collapse is that people who pay little attention to politics in this country are finally able to see that our government is being run for the benefit of Israel and its lobby and not for its own citizens.
To VIctor, A republican did horsetrading with the Saudis. WIthin days after 9/11 bombing all the Suadi members of the bin Ladin family were hustled out of our country by FBI, on White House orders... how quick we forget.
The dangers of illegal wiretapping should be crystal clear. The real story isn't that she was helping spies, it's that the Justice department was blackmailing her into helping them so they could blackmail more politicians.
call her reps I DID. Phone: (202) 225 8220 as insightful questions without anger. Please call her Phone: (202) 225 8220 !!!!
This is what happens every time political "the ends justify the means" mentality is not confronted immediately.
I thought she works for the US government the US people. If she does work for AIPAC, she has to go.
BooHoo is definitely un-PC, but unfortunately, right on the money. I don't care if it is Israel or Saudi Arabia, it is still corruption. It is incredible what vast secrets the NSA holds in their vaults..they could be a modern-day Hoover if they want to. Whom else do they have on their tapes taking bribes and influencing criminal cases?
The Israelis are taking my tax money to build new homes on stolen land and an apartheid wall on Palestinian land. We should build homes for Katrina survivors instead. STOP TAKING MY TAX MONEY, you thieves.
Re: Michael Travis's comment above So many Americans always wanting to weaken the Jewish State aren't there? I mean its like its all they talk about on TV, its all over the news, its all joe-six-pack talks about on the jobsite is that darn Israeli politics I just don't know what it is. "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha! Always trying to weaken the Israeli state she is!"
Harmon is targeted because she is a Democrat hawk. Pelosi, Ried, Obama and others want her out of the way so they can gut the military while Obamasama hob nobs with the dregs of the geopolitical landscape. that shows us where he is coming from. Sucking Castro's wrinkled butt and holding hands with Chavez are just 2 more examples on top of many (in just 100 days) of what we were warned about concerning Obama. We put the janitor in charge of the pentagon. What did we expect? Its going to get a lot worse folks. If they proceed to try to steal all of our money and take our guns and shove outward indoctrinations down our and our children's throats then there will be a backlash and we know not where it will lead. One thing we do know is that there are 90 million gun owners in this country and they are not going to give them up. Isin't it amazing; Liberals with all of the terrorism and war fronts and espionage and fervent anti Americanism etc going on and what does the liberal want to do? Survail us veterans and small business people. These are the same asinine people who strip search granny while mustapha rolls through airport security. God help us with these idiots at the helm because the first 100 days folly is nothing compared to what we are all in for.
Top ten reasons every year we give away billions of dollars of our tax money to Israel: 1. It is a true democratic country with clearly defined borders and comprehensive constitution. 2. Does not have a military. Only a group of helpers who go to their neighboring territories to build shelters, hospitals, orphan house, cemeteries and save lives on daily bases. 3. Always promotes peace and has never developed any nuclear, WMDs or other weapons. 4. Buys many hearts in the Middle Eastern countries. Consequently we end up with more friends than enemies and that leads us to have access to cheaper oil. 5. We dot need this money any way. We are very well off and have no budget deficit .All our citizens have access to comprehensive health care. 6. If there is a conflict, she will do the fighting on our behalf. Our young soldiers never have to go to war theaters. 7. She never interferes in our political affairs. Never maintain over 20 plus political groups with misleading names, promoting her interest in our country. Does not control our major media. 8. Never spies on us and there is no case of spying currently or in the past. 9. Never pushed us to Iraq War and has no relationship with Richard, Paul, Douglas and Ron. 10. And finally because it makes us feel good, like we are living in a fantasy land.
Before all you hop-heads get more out of control, you need to stop and consider the following: 1.) As described, Harman did not break any laws. In fact, the supposedly leaked report even describes how Harman ended the conversation after a quid pro quo offer was put forth by the "Israeli agent." She passed the test, so to speak. 2. The NSA, even under the revised USA PATRIOT Act, is barred from using any intelligence collection involving or against U.S. citizens without the express consent of the Attorney General. Sure, maybe the NSA was listening in on this "Israeli agent's" telephone calls, but anything that was collected would be inadmissable in a legal proceedings. Read USSID 18 for a detailed explanation. 3.) Who are these NSA sources? Never trust an article that is based entirely on "anonymous sources" for its core argument. I can be one of those anonymous sources, for Pete's sake! I could make up anything I felt like making up. Great journalism, Stein! I'm sure you'll be first in line for the 2009 Pulitzer.
Yeah - how about some1 wake me up when ANYBODY is willing to go on the record. I'm betting this is all just in the fevered mind of one Jeff Stein [if that is his real name]
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