(Scroll to the bottom for updates)
Fox is reporting just now … don’t have a link just yet. The Justice Dept. is now conducting an investigation into just who leaked the information about the NSA eavesdropping to the press.
Good. I hope they find out who leaked this. Whether Dem or Republican, the person(s) responsible must be held accountable for a leak that *truly* has the potential of damaging our national security (unlike Lamega .. er, Plamegate).
Update: Here’s a link to the story.
Ok, I’m really logging off now 
PM UPDATE: Flopping Aces has a must-read post with info from sources who are saying that the identity(ies) of the leaker(s) is/are known. Please read that post.
Also, check out the ‘random thoughts’ section of Michelle Malkin’s post on this story. She’s right on.
PM UPDATE II: The ACLU wants this investigation called off. Jay at Stop the ACLU has the lowdown.
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Nothing like telling the enemy to stop making calls to Americans.
Sleeper cells are sleeping until prompted by snail mail? But, wait until we find out by the leaker that the NSA is scanning somehow the contents of snail mail to read mail coming from terrorists to Americans. Then the left will really be in a tizzy.
I think the left wants America’s hands tied behind it’s back. They’ve proven it over a 4 year long campaign of attacking America with inaccurate accusations about the U.S. and the military during a time of war.
Comment by Baklava @ 12/30/2005 - 11:44 am
I wonder if this investigation will subpoena the editors at the NYTimes and the FISA Judge that resigned from the FISA court. Limbaugh and others are speculating that he’s one of the anonymous sources for the NYTimes. Let’s put this judge on the record.
Comment by PCD @ 12/30/2005 - 11:45 am
ABC Radio News is whining at lunch today about the chill this investigation will bring to whistleblowing. UH, these liberals were in full blood lust looking after the leaker to Novak.
This confirms my suspeciion that Federal Judge Robertson who is resigning from the FISA court is the leaker, and DOJ is on to him.
ABC and the MSM is just putting their source above the security of this nation.
Comment by PCD @ 12/30/2005 - 1:32 pm
Reps. Peter Hoekstra and Jane Harman, the chairman and ranking Democrat, respectively, on the House Intelligence Committee, also condemned the leak, saying it hurt national security.
While Harman, of California, said she believes broader oversight is needed of the NSA program, “its disclosure has damaged critical intelligence capabilities.”
“These politically motivated leaks must stop,” Hoekstra, of Michigan, said in a statement.
————-
In another story published in November, The Washington Post revealed the existence of secret “black site” prisons run by the CIA in a handful of countries, including in Eastern Europe. That story has been referred to the Justice Department, and lawmakers also have planned hearings into the matter.
Comment by Baklava @ 12/30/2005 - 2:12 pm
WOOHOO!
Gitmo is expanding and will have room for lots of leaking, whining Clinton Hold-Over new inmates!
Or we could stick them at Ft. Detrick, Area 51, Ft. Huachucha, or inside that Aircraft Carrier in the Indian Ocaen that’s supposed to be a “Floating Prison” while the Navy practices “Keel-Hauling”.
Jack.
Comment by Jack Deth @ 12/30/2005 - 2:28 pm
Jack,
Any chance these Liberals are Trancers?
Comment by PCD @ 12/30/2005 - 2:47 pm
Trancers, I hate trancers. Up the line, or down the line, they’re all the same. Trancers/liberals, what’s the difference?
Was wondering when someone would catch the Deth reference.
I want to see the people who leaked these items up against the wall and shot. It’s way past time the government started taking security seriously, and punishing people who have such a cavalier attitude towards security, and who are willing to leak anything if it will provide political gain.
Comment by Severian @ 12/30/2005 - 3:39 pm
None of you folks are old enough to remember Nixon, obviously… Sigh.
Comment by Rob @ 12/30/2005 - 4:38 pm
Good Trump cards Rob. Nixon and Age.
Substantive debate not a part of your ability? … Sigh.
Comment by Baklava @ 12/30/2005 - 4:55 pm
Orin Kerr writes again.
Here are some excerpts:
1) To be clear, I’m not intending my questions and comments to be the last word on any of these issues.
2) Section 1811 of the FISA statute recognizes that during a period of authorized war the president must have some authority to engage in electronic surveillance “without a court order.”
3) To be clear, I think the legality of the NSA surveillance program is a very difficult question
Comment by Baklava @ 12/30/2005 - 5:17 pm
Yes, Rob, and apparently your Alzheimer’s is preventing you from remembering 9/11.
Comment by ArizonaTeach @ 12/30/2005 - 5:54 pm
This is a huge scandal, what the Times has created. But it’s not surprising. They have never made any apologies for their anti-American stance. It’s our version of al-Jazeera. If this doesn’t wake up the ones towing the left/right line, and realize what the left is all about, nothing will. Wouldn’t it be something if the leak was Hilary? Hmmm……
Comment by Barb @ 12/30/2005 - 6:20 pm
IDEA !
After reading Flopping Aces, we need to make sure the Headlines such as “Justice Dept. Opens Domestic Spying Probe” on the Yahoo website are counterbalanced with a much more factual perspective using the word “INTERNATIONAL” communications as FISA allows for the President to monitor without warrant for purposes of intelligence gathering “INTERNATIONAL” communications.
For those of you named Andrew. If you get on an international flight you are probably leaving or entering the country.
Comment by Baklava @ 12/30/2005 - 7:40 pm
It’s not a domestic call it’s an international call. Therefore Yahoo has it INCORRECT in the headline
Comment by Baklava @ 12/30/2005 - 7:42 pm
Hey Baklava, should have picked up on that one myself…not surprising tho giving the earlier headline which I posted about that is even more biased….making it seem like Bush is getting investigated.
Comment by Curt @ 12/30/2005 - 8:22 pm
These folks will get big book and movie deals and if the government bothers them they will get millions from the government. Everybody say The Whistler Blower Law. That’s the law that protects people who expose any government official who has broken the law. bush broke the law and the people who outed him will become rich hero’s. Try to understand the “good” motive here and the “bad” motive of Cheney,Libby, Rove et al when outing Plame. Rob and the old folks will take it from here all you young whippersnappers. Just sit back and enjoy the ride because the country is now on auto-pilot. Peace
Comment by steve @ 12/30/2005 - 8:52 pm
” The ACLU wants this investigation called off. Jay at Stop the ACLU has the lowdown.”
What statute did the leakers violate.
Comment by andrew @ 12/30/2005 - 8:58 pm
Welcome to the ST blog, Barb and Curt!
Comment by Sister Toldjah @ 12/30/2005 - 10:09 pm
You have to give the ACLU high marks for cohones. Whatever side the government is on, the ACLU is on the other
I bet if Bush tried to raise the minimum jail time for murder, the ACLU would be against it. If he tried to lower it, the ACLU would be against it as well. If he made a statement that the penalty for murder is reasonable the way it is, the ACLU would fight to get the law changed.
At least they are consistent.
Comment by Kevin @ 12/30/2005 - 10:58 pm
Hi, PCD:
Hi, Sevarian:
Any chance these Liberals are Trancers?
All Liberals are Trancers, but not all Trancers are Liberals. They’ve covertly diversified into Greens, Flat Earthers, Bed Wetters and MoonBats.
Jack.
Comment by Jack Deth @ 12/31/2005 - 3:13 am
- Steve as usual you ofuscate and Liberal-pander and twist and lie.
- The “whistle Blower” law you so proudly aver as you source of sanctimonius BS is read to every government employee and is required to be aknowledged by signiture. It speaks to the proper and lawful proceedures for said employees to disclose any information that might expose law breaking to the DOJ or the CONGRESS. The last time I looked the NYT and Wash. Post were not listed as a part of our government.
- As usual you don’t bother with anything that doesn’t fit your dim-witted Liberal view of things. Now you come with a justification that the whistle blowers should break the law because you SUSPECT that your hated political enemy has done so. Thats about as lame and self serving as it gets. But just one more reason why no one will ever be elected in this country that believes the Marxist credo, as long as they tell the truth about their moonbat ideas.
- Lastly, no matter how much inside support you get from the rabid liberal press, you can’t lie hard enough and fast enough to overcome the truth. Its a new day and high speed wide spread communications just pees in your cornflakes something awful. Using the words “domestic” and “American citizens” and “Illegal wiretapping” over and over again is just going to make the crash and burn that much worse when it happens.
- Awhile back I made some comments to the effect that the Liberalcrats would be wise to stop all the specious attacks on the Bush admin. and set about the business of forming a cohesive platform and plan for the party entering the 2006/2008 election cycle. Apparently you just can’t help yourselves.
- Heres what I see your party blundering itself into with this mindless “get Bush” campaign.
- every time you try to pull one of these scams i.e RatherGate/PlameGate/GitmoGate/BlackPrisonGate/WiretapGate, the result is to put yourselves in the worst possible light. More and more of the main stream electorate is coming to see your party as:
- Politically bankrupt and hedonistic to the point of simply not giving a damn about the realities of our security, or the WOT in general.
- Politically naive and emotionally out of control in your ideolog obsessiveness.
- Willing to do anything and say anything in order to bring down Bush, even aide and abet the enemy.
- Unwilling to defend your own country against its enemies and more interested in Emulating your Eastern European socialist friends, up to and including using subversive organizations like the ACLU to denude the American social and governmental fabric of long standing and proven traditions.
- Basically Republic, Majority rule hating Socialists, who think the public dole and welfare thinking will solve every social ill.
- The party that believes its clear headed to stand vigil for serial killers and kill unborn babies because they’re “inconvieniant”.
- I look at the spectrum of grossly anti-American, anti-humanistic, and anti reality positions you espouse, and I don’t see a party anymore as much as a cult. After watching this clown act of ill-advised political scams, a lot of people are wondering how much longer, how many more lost elections it will take, before the Democratic leadership wakes up…..Marxism does not, and will not ever work in a free Republic. Ignore that salient fact at your political peril….
Comment by Big Bang Hunter @ 12/31/2005 - 3:14 am
“Marxism does not, and will not ever work in a free Republic. Ignore that salient fact at your political peril….”
It works very well as a red-herring.
“After reading Flopping Aces, we need to make sure the Headlines such as “Justice Dept. Opens Domestic Spying Probe” on the Yahoo website are counterbalanced with a much more factual perspective using the word “INTERNATIONAL” communications as FISA allows for the President to monitor without warrant for purposes of intelligence gathering “INTERNATIONAL” communications.”
If its so clear, why does Orrin Kerr think the president violated FISA? The section we were discussing elsewhere was in the criminal code, not FISA.
Comment by andrew @ 12/31/2005 - 6:35 am
BBH-Is that the most thinking you have ever done at one time? And are you sure you called enough names to make your point(?)? Please define “enimies” for us? Be precise if you will. I identify myself as a religious anarchist. Do you know what a religious anarchist believes? You should if your a Christian, Jew or Moslem. Peace
Comment by steve @ 12/31/2005 - 10:50 am
One of the things that the leftists/Dems/Bush-haters have not taken into account, I believe, is that deep down, American’s love rooting for the underdog. It’s been a part of the US personna for a long, long time for some reason. We tend to root for and support the little guy who is getting dumped on, the weak sports team who manages to suck it up and triumph, the lone person fighting the system.
The constant, incessant, whining, nay sayiing, attacks, and ugly rants against President Bush are making him an underdog in the eyes of many in this country, including many who don’t usually follow the news enough to know the truth of what’s going on one way or the other. Slowly, but surely, many are beginning to see him as unfairly abused, and these many are the fameous (or infameous) “undecided” voters who don’t hold tightly to either Dem or Rep party lines. Witness Bush’s improving approval ratings.
I predict that the Dems will continue with their unhinged attacks, and that this will continue to make Bush look like a mistreated underdog who is being unfairly treated (which I personally agree with). This could bode ill for the Dems in the ‘06 elections. Nobody in this country likes a bully, and the Dems are looking more and more like an unhinged bully by the day.
Comment by Severian @ 12/31/2005 - 11:37 am
- Steve…If that was a little too much for you to grasp all at once I suppose the rest of us could mark time while you catch up. Or is it just by accident you forgot to respond to a single point I made, most of which are way past the opinion stage at this juncture.
- But there you have it. Why you’re gaggle of koolaide drinkers are taken less and less seriously with each passing day. No real exchange of idea’s. Just mindless parroting of your poly-sci prof’s screeds.
- I will be happy to expand on what seemed to be pretty clear statements “precisely” as soon as you learn how to spell “enimies”.
- Simplified for your edification:
- Your party is wasting its time with the Bush drangement crusade.
- Your party is coming to be viewed as a cult rather than a viable political organization that should be taken seriously.
- At some point if you don’t turn your energies to forming a workable set of party societal/government ideas and a platform/plan for the future it isn’t going to matter anymore.
- As your response showed so clearly, you are so caught up in your own rhetoric and talking points you can’t see the scams for the tree’s, nor open your mind and think for yourselves anymore. Good luck with that. Using mis-guided hate as a basis for your political stance is really immature and not at all effective.
- When the truth finally dawns on the last few generations of pol-sci majors on just how badly they’ve been led down the garden path by their Socialist teachers its not going to be pretty. Bon appetite’….
- Big Bang
Comment by Big Bang Hunter @ 12/31/2005 - 12:31 pm
- Sistah…. theres seems to be a quiet “drawing back” of the libelous screeds this morning, at least if the headlines and text of the investigation as presented in the San diego Union (another liberal rag in the fashion of the NYT) is any indication. Gone are the lies stating the whole dustup as “Domestic spying of American citizens”. Now its been reduced to just an “NSA spying leaks investigation”. Maybe people like Risen are finally realizing you do have to obey the laws of our country, even if you’re a Marxist.
Comment by Big Bang Hunter @ 12/31/2005 - 1:35 pm
Big Bang Hunter, I bow to you. Excellent, excellent points, which will of course be utterly ignored by steve, who is more interested in insults and ignorance than facts, truth, and logic. Thanks for being on the good guy’s side!
Comment by ArizonaTeach @ 12/31/2005 - 2:03 pm
So defining a religious anarchist eludes you? Peace
Comment by steve @ 12/31/2005 - 2:39 pm
- Steve - I’m not interested in your religious/non-religious beliefs or affiliations. Its understandable that you view everything from your lofty intellectual purch in that manner. If its rapacious racism and unbridled religious adhominem personal attacks that you’re interested in, I suggest you go play with the rest of the Kos Kiddies over at the DU. Their level of maturity and social development would probably feel right at home to you. Happy trails. I prefer to debate with grownups….
- Sistah. Let Me take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very happy and prosperous New years from Hunter and mini-Me…..and of course the same to all the posters or your fine eridite, excellant, and highly enjoyable blogsite… Nostrovia… Shalom … and dare I say it….. Peace
Comment by Big Bang Hunter @ 12/31/2005 - 10:51 pm
Hi there, Sister Toldjah. How are you? Well, I pray. This is a hot topic. I only hope they treat it with the seriousness it deserves.
I wish you a very happy new year.
Comment by Rosemary @ 12/31/2005 - 11:43 pm
Comment by Lorica @ 1/1/2006 - 8:13 am
“We tend to root for and support the little guy who is getting dumped on, the weak sports team who manages to suck it up and triumph, the lone person fighting the system.”
And who is the system? the party that runs both houses of congress, the executive, and has the most nominated judges, or someone else?
Comment by andrew @ 1/1/2006 - 8:23 am
So your preferred location for debate is an echo chamber? That could explian the incestuous relationship that most on the Right have with each other. Peace
Comment by steve @ 1/1/2006 - 10:49 am
steve claims to be an anarchist, but wants to tell everyone else how to behave and think. The massive and obvious hypocrisy of this obviously eludes him.
Comment by Severian @ 1/1/2006 - 12:45 pm
“steve claims to be an anarchist, but wants to tell everyone else how to behave and think.”
Some people can’t stand disagreement.
Comment by andrew @ 1/1/2006 - 6:09 pm