Timing of Justice Dept's NYT probe shows Bush's vengeful motive.

[farmbo]

Bush's apologists are in full-throated damage control mode trying to re-form US public opinion which frowns on warrantless domestic spying by Presidents of any political stripe. Their hole card is, as always, that Bush undertook the program to protect us from the al Qaida bad guys. Viz, Bush spokesman Trent Duffy:

"The leaking of classified information is a serious issue. The fact is that al-Qaida's playbook is not printed on Page One and when America's is, it has serious ramifications," Duffy told reporters in Crawford, Texas, where Bush was spending the holidays."<snip>

And just to show us how the warrant less spying on Americans was a "national security" program (and not a "domestic political" program), the Justice Department has opened up an investigation of the New York Times "leak" of the warrant less spying story:

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/13516858.htm

Justice Dept. probing domestic spying leak

TONI LOCY Associated Press WASHINGTON -

The Justice Department has opened another investigation into leaks of classified information, this time to determine who divulged the existence of President Bush's secret domestic spying program.
The inquiry focuses on disclosures to The New York Times about warrantless surveillance conducted by the National Security Agency since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, officials said.
The newspaper recently revealed the existence of the program in a front-page story that also acknowledged that the news had been withheld from publication for a year, partly at the request of the administration and partly because the newspaper wanted more time to confirm various aspects of the program.
White House spokesman Trent Duffy said Justice undertook the action on its own, and Bush was informed of it Friday.<snip>

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

(I've got to stop here and pick myself off of the floor over that whopper...like Bush and Rove haven't been war gaming their response to the FISA spying probe for the PAST TWO WEEKS!?! "...Bush was informed of it Friday...LOL!!!)


Anyhew...there's JUST ONE RATHER HUGE PROBLEM with the Justice Department's new found national security vigilance...IT'S OVER ONE YEAR LATE!!!

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/New_York_Times_admits_it_held_1215.html

New York Times admits it held domestic spying story for a full year
RAW STORY


On the second page of a report which reveals the White House engaged in warrantless domestic spying, the New York Times reveals that it held the story for a full year at the request of the Bush Administration, RAW STORY can reveal.

The Times also reveals that senior members of Congress from both parties knew about Bush's decision to spy on Americans who were making international calls or emails, without warrants.

Further, the Times notes that they have omitted information in the article they did write, agreeing with the Bush Administration that the information could be useful for terrorists. Excerpts from the Times' article follow.

The White House asked The New York Times not to publish this article, arguing that it could jeopardize continuing investigations and alert would-be terrorists that they might be under scrutiny. After meeting with senior administration officials to hear their concerns, the newspaper delayed publication for a year to conduct additional reporting. <snip>


So the timing of the probe itself gives the lie to its underlying motivation. Had the Administration been truly concerned about the leak as a breach of National Security, they would have initiated the investigation last year. Indeed, the investigation should have began immediately, and in secret.

Sorry boys and girls, this probe was opened for one reason only: to punish the New York Times for having the audacity to publish the story in the first place, and to restrain others in the media from following their lead.

Keep in mind that the NYT spiked this story for Bush BEFORE Bush's razor- thin 2004 election "win". Had they ran with the story, in all likelihood, John Kerry would be President today.

One would think the Grey Lady would be incensed over how they have been both used and abused by this Administration. I'm sure they'll fight back with all their resources, Right?

Catherine Mathis, a spokeswoman for the Times, declined to comment.

[xchrom]

1. that's the thing about stupid people

they can be vicious.

[Avalux]

2. scared too - liked a cornered animal.

Which is probably how they're feeling right about now.

[FogerRox]

3. yup

Bush: Carl, lets find the guy who ratted us out
Rove: George, I'm already on it. We cant let these little people sqeal on us and blow the whole operation.
BUSH: Thanks Carl, thats the best Kuanza present I got this year.
Rove: But George, you're not black.
Bush: oh -- yeah--well, WHATEVER-



Happy NEw Year

[xchrom]

5. they can't be scared enough.

for my money.

[Canuckistanian]

4. Just like Katrina

They spring into action only AFTER they suffer a huge embarassment. There is no planning, no foresight, no contingency plans.

They're pure reactionaries.

[chimpymustgo]

6. And they're not even creative. Point fingers, blame others, smear.

You could write a book.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

7. GOP criminals will stop at nothing.

I say we write the White House and cc it to the NYT and other newspapers, telling the criminals in the White House that they've been threatening the press and our freedoms long enough, and to stop.

[msongs]

8. don't you wish the US had a REAL oppostion party? nt

[farmbo]

9. Good point...Dean should be beating this drum loudly...

Why are they investigating this now instead of Sept 2004, when Bush learned of the leak?

:shrug: