Dear 9/11 Commission: Please ask Ashcroft about the Private Jets

[Stephanie]

Was Ashcroft privy to the JULY briefing? Did it contain the "threat assessment" that moved him to fly only on private aircraft?

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During the spring as initial policy debates in the Administration began, I e-mailed Condi Rice and NSDC STaff colleagues that al Queda was trying to kill Americans, to have hundreds of dead in the streets of America. During the first week in July I convened the CSG and asked each agency to consider itself on full alert. I asked the CSG agencies to cancel summer vacations and official travel for the counterterrorism response staffs. Each agency should report anything unusual, even if a sparrow should fall from a tree. I asked FBI to send another warning to the 18,000 police departments, State to alert the embassies, and the Defense Department to go to Threat Condition Delta. The Navy moved ships out of Bahrain.

- Richard Clarke, Against All Enemies, p. 236

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The Secrets of September 11

April 30 (2003) — Even as White House political aides plot a 2004 campaign plan designed to capitalize on the emotions and issues raised by the September 11 terror attacks, administration officials are waging a behind-the-scenes battle to restrict public disclosure of key events relating to the attacks.

<snip>

Some sources who have read the still-secret congressional report say some sections would not play quite so neatly into White House plans. One portion deals extensively with the stream of U.S. intelligence-agency reports in the summer of 2001 suggesting that Al Qaeda was planning an upcoming attack against the United States—and implicitly raises questions about how Bush and his top aides responded. One such CIA briefing, in July 2001, was particularly chilling and prophetic. It predicted that Osama bin Laden was about to launch a terrorist strike “in the coming weeks,” the congressional investigators found. The intelligence briefing went on to say: “The attack will be spectacular and designed to inflict mass casualties against U.S. facilities or interests. Attack preparations have been made. Attack will occur with little or no warning.”

The substance of that intelligence report was first disclosed at a public hearing last September by staff director Hill. But at the last minute, Hill was blocked from saying precisely who within the Bush White House got the briefing when CIA director Tenet classified the names of the recipients. (One source says the recipients of the briefing included Bush himself.) As a result, Hill was only able to say the briefing was given to “senior government officials.”

www.msnbc.com/news/907379.asp?0cv=KA01

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Ashcroft Flying High
WASHINGTON, July 26, 2001

(CBS) Fishing rod in hand, Attorney General John Ashcroft left on a weekend trip to Missouri Thursday afternoon aboard a chartered government jet, reports CBS News Correspondent Jim Stewart.

In response to inquiries from CBS News over why Ashcroft was traveling exclusively by leased jet aircraft instead of commercial airlines, the Justice Department cited what it called a "threat assessment" by the FBI, and said Ashcroft has been advised to travel only by private jet for the remainder of his term.

"There was a threat assessment and there are guidelines. He is acting under the guidelines," an FBI spokesman said. Neither the FBI nor the Justice Department, however, would identify what the threat was, when it was detected or who made it.

www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/07/26/national/main303601.shtml

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[havocmom]

1. Getting mixed messages about the flying on FBI jet

From this morning's NY Times:

<snip> Commission officials said that Mr. Ashcroft might also be asked about why he stopped flying commercially on government business in the summer of 2001 — the department has said the move was requested by the F.B.I. in response to threats to Mr. Ashcroft's safety unrelated to Al Qaeda — and his extensive use thereafter of a luxurious F.B.I. jet, a $40 million Gulfstream 5. The plane had been purchased for use in special investigations and for the transport of terrorists and other dangerous suspects.

<sinpe> Current and former F.B.I. officials have told the commission that they were infuriated by Mr. Ashcroft's use of the jet and that it was seen as emblematic of his detachment from the needs of investigators.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/13/politics/13PANE.html

Did the FBI really think he was in danger or did he make them feel like he expected them to offer the jet? Was is a test of the new boss; is he really interested in getting the job done or more interested in his own hide?

edited cuz original left off 3/4 of my reply... hoping for the best this time

[Stephanie]

2. What do you mean mixed messages?

that question looks consistent

[havocmom]

5. Steph, check my reply again. It didn't post in entirety first time

One one hand, it is claimed he used private at their recommendation. On other hand, he was tying up an FBI resource which, according to the Times article, was annoying to some in FBI. Was it a test of his priorities; DOJ and FBI needs foremost or saving his own skin and to hell with what the FBI needs? Would help the office people get a handle on where his priorities are and how they should treat him (one of the team or petty potentate in need of constant stroking).

[Stephanie]

6. Saving His Own Skin, obviously

That's all they care about.

[havocmom]

8. There ya go. So then the FBI knew that Ashcroft is half the man

Reno is. Told them how to handle him. He was more interested in himself than in upholding his office. Simple for any seasoned bureaucrats to grasp and assure their own survival under the reign of a petty man

[sam sarrha]

3. ask him why he denied a warrant to tap Mohamed Atta's phone and computer.

and the phones of about a dozen of the terrorists that HIJACKED THE PLANES THAT CRASHED INTO THE TWIN TOWERS...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DENIED WARRANTS THAT "WOULD HAVE", NOT COULD HAVE STOPPED THE ATTACK...!!!

[Stephanie]

4. Further, how did Bush & Cheney react to this threat assessment?

Did they split town for all of August for the same reason that you avoided commercial aircraft? If so, why didn't you do anything to prevent the attacks? Thank you.

[havocmom]

7. Am switching from LIHOP to PIHOP {Prayed It Happened On Purpose}

They wanted an event to give them the Rah-Rah they wanted for the Iraq invasion. They knew their base was mostly short sighted fanatics conditioned by years of Hate Radio to make big noise and intimidate Congress, media and more sensible members of the public. They required an attack by swarthy men to get momentum going for the US to attack swarthy men somewhere just to feel better.

Then they all disappeared and waited.

What I really want to know is: Who gave the STAND DOWN order to the fighters? I live in Eastern Montana in an area with very few people and fewer paved roads. On 9-13, a local rancher had a part break on a tractor. He needed it replaced ASAP and hopped in his private plane to go to Glasgow for the part. He was up only 5 minutes before fighters had him surrounded and grounded. How come they didn't move faster in NY and DC, especially AFTER the first hit?

They knew, Atta flew.
They gave the Stand Down.
Towers were struck down.
They lied.
Thousands died.

There, broken down simple enough even for the most delusional malAdministration apologists.

[robbedvoter]

9. Bob kerrey poo-pooed it on Franken show March 31

"no evidence"

[Stephanie]

11. Right. How is that possible?

Ashcroft's own statement to CBS News is the evidence. What more do they need?

[Kurovski]

10. There were others who were told to avoid commercial flights

One of the Jersey Girls revealed this on the day Convoluted Rice put her bogus smiling kisser before the 9-11 commision.

It was on Chris Matthews , but I don't see it on my transcript that I downloaded.

I also taped the appearance, so I'll check it later today and check back in, unless someone has the info available and would be so kind as to post it?

EDIT: Pentagon officials were told not to fly on 9-11 and they THINK SF mayor Willie Brown also recieved this information.

And in regard to the above posted comment by Commision member Kerry: did he not see the newspaper article(s) regarding Assloft? Kerry must be taking Ackroft at his word. Big mistake. John thinks he's lying for Jesus, and in his mind that's no sin at all.

[Stephanie]

12. I can't believe Ben Veniste asked him this!!!

Just got home - listened on radio.

Was that a truthful answer?

[Stephanie]

13. It's airing right now on the East coast - Ben Veniste questioning now

Just about to get to the private jets question.

[Stephanie]

14. Richard Ben-Veniste, THANK YOU for asking that question

Thank you. This may not be the last we hear of this question. I don't know if I believe Ashcroft. If he'd like to he can prove what he said.

[linazelle]

15. He answered it

He said he did not stop flying commercial flights totally. He said his wife continued to fly commercially even in early September. Said something else about getting a threat assessment

From the BBC:
In a strong defense of the Bush administration, Attorney General John Ashcroft said Tuesday the government did not know the Sept. 11 attacks were coming because ``for nearly a decade our government had blinded itself to our enemies.''

He also was asked why he never used public airliners duing the months
before 9-11 (but flew via military or private jets only) and he said
it was not because he feared potential hi-jackers but because the
people with him carried guns and that presented a problem at pubic
airports, and because he was ordered to do use miltitary
transportation because of the importance of his job (to avoid personal
attacks on him by passingers on a public flight?)

[Stephanie]

16. It's a bullshit answer - I don't believe him

I want to see the JULY briefing.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

18. Mr. Ashcroft, may I have that answer in English, please?

[OneTwentyoNine]

17. And why Bush let the Bin Ladens and others fly out on 9/12

Buildings still burning,my wife stranded in St.Louis on a business meeting and YET members of the Bin Laden family are allowed to merrily roam the friendly and empty skies above the US.

Only ONE GD person could have the fucking power to make that happen. Ask that question LOUDLY and pin their ass down as to WHY!!!


David