Dems Weighing Iraq Probe

[kskiska]

Minority on Senate Intelligence panel discuss acting alone

Democratic members of the Senate Intelligence Committee are discussing whether to launch an independent investigation of how the White House handled pre-war intelligence on Iraq.

To prepare for such a possible move, they have already obtained from former CIA officials the names of intelligence operatives who would be willing to testify in such an all-Democratic forum behind closed doors.

Sen. John Rockefeller (W.Va.), the ranking Democratic member and vice chairman of the committee, met with fellow Democratic panel members Carl Levin (Mich.) and Dick Durbin (Ill.) last Thursday to review whether to mount a separate investigation in response to what they view as Republican efforts to shield President Bush and the administration from scrutiny over the pre-invasion decision-making process.

(snip)

Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) takes the position that extending the intelligence review into White House decision-making would be an unprecedented and unwarranted expansion of the committee’s traditional jurisdiction. He has told the Democrats on his panel of his stance in no uncertain terms.

But the Democrats insist that the committee’s 1976 organizing resolution grants it jurisdiction over all “the intelligence activities and programs of the U.S. government.”

more…
http://www.thehill.com/news/102903/probe.aspx

[Beetwasher]

1. YES!! Fuckin' A!

Now THAT'S a good idea!!!

[calimary]

18. OKAY, GUYS, BATTLE STATIONS! 1 (800) 839 - 5276!!

That's the TOLL FREE Capitol Hill switchboard. The Dems NEED calcium deposits for their spines, and they need 'em NOW!!!!

FIRST THING IN THE MORNING (sorry to yell, but), call that number! It doesn't cost anything. They'll transfer you, free, to anybody's office in the House and/or Senate. This time, CALL DEMS!!! URGE them to proceed on this. CALL Durbin and Rockefeller and everybody else!!! Tell them what you're saying here. They need the support!

Do it!

[Dude_CalmDown]

22. Thanks for the number

Please call everyone. I personally find it disgusting that we have to beg them to do their damn jobs but that is the only way they will. Be calm and civil but while you throw your support towards this investigation please also convey how disappointed you are at their lack of spines thus far. They need to understand that they loose support when they bend over and gain support when they stand up.

[calimary]

25. I just took my own advice and called.

The staffers in Durbin's, Rockefeller's, and Levin's offices were receptive, and when I mentioned I'd read it in the online magazine The Hill, they seemed to be aware of it.

I didn't scold so much (Not that they don't deserve it for caving so often) but I did say "It's ABOUT TIME!!!!!!!!!!"

Dude_CalmDown, you are SO correct: EVERYBODY PLEASE DO THIS! They need to be bombarded with positive feedback for this. If they think we don't give a damn, they won't either.

[grytpype]

2. YES! That would ROCK!

I hope they do it! Subpoena Cheney! Bust his balls!

[frank frankly]

3. take off the tutus and fight!

Our Democratic Candidates from the Senate better get on board! Please!

[Flying_Pig]

4. Let them convene!! And while they're at it, why not set up Democrat

committees to investigate Cheney's energy panel, Enron, 9/11, and the Wilson affair. If the Republicans won't investigate these matters properly, the Dems are certainly within their rights as representatives of the people, to investigate.

Bring it on baby!! Let them get some truth going here, and then get it on the front pages of every newspaper in the country! It's high time they quit pussy-footing around here, and call it like it is; the Republicans, and this administration, are engaged in a conspiracy of obstruct justice on at least a dozen matters. It's time for some people to go to prison for their criminal acts and complicity.

[mbperrin]

5. PLEASE do this!

nt

[demgrrrll]

6. Wow. I bet Junie won't think this is as fabulous an idea as I do n/t.

.

[grasswire]

7. would they have subpoena power?

I wonder.

[Rose Siding]

9. It sounds like the committee mtg on Friday

with the 3 ex-CIA agents on c-span- The Dem Foreign Policy something. It's outside of Congress so I don't see how there would be any legal power. It could work well, though, if they have enough with high level security clearance. This is stuff the CIA *wants* to get out.

[katusha]

15. from the article. yes, subpoena powe

Rule Six authorizes Roberts or Rockefeller to launch an investigation if five other members of the committee concur. In addition to Rockefeller, there are seven Democrats on the committee — making it nearly certain that Rockefeller would have the necessary support to move forward should he chose to do so.

Rule Seven allows either the chairman or the vice chairman to issue subpoenas “for the attendance of witnesses or the production of memoranda, documents, records or any other material.”


PS my first post here. how do i put those neat pictures by my name.

[TacticalPeek]

17. Rockefeller rattled the Rule 6 sword a couple of days ago. Right on.

Welcome to DU, katusha! :)


:toast:


To get the pic, click on 'options' at top of forum page. then 'Edit your profile', then select Avatar Image.

[newyawker99]

28. Hi katusha!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Democat]

8. Do it!

Don't talk about it, get busy!

[LEW]

10. I have been thinking for a while

that we need to keep a good eye on Jay Rockefeller. He is doing the right things, and has made it very clear he will not roll over for this admin. Go Jay!

[calimary]

24. We need to get MAXIMUM busy, too. 1 [phone] - TOLL FREE

to Capitol Hill - they'll transfer you to anybody's office in the House and/or Senate.

Call them THIS MORNING! I'm doing it right after I drop the kids off at school!

FINALLY! SOME REAL SPINE!!!

[alcuno]

11. I'm calling Durbin's office.

[Vikingking66]

12. an excellent move - for once

I didn't think there were any decent Democratic
strategists left in the Senate, but that is an
excellent move to make.

[DrBB]

13. "Behind closed doors"

I am THRILLED about this--

"...they have already obtained from former CIA officials the names of intelligence operatives who would be willing to testify in such an all-Democratic forum..."

--but not about this: "...behind closed doors."

We've been aching to hear from some of these disgruntled CIA officers directly. The three last week were a good start, but we keep speculating there are guys out there with some real dirt who would testify to some nasty shit, given immunity and protection, and it sounds like they're starting to line up.

But I want it big and nasty and PUBLIC, with klieg lights and cameras whirring.

[damnraddem]

14. Unique jurisdiction and authority

'Roberts said a separate investigation by Democrats would “set a unique and unfortunate precedent for the committee.” But he acknowledged that “our committee rules are such that the vice chairman has unique jurisdiction and authority.”'

If they have the spine, the Dems could do this. If they have any sense, they will.

[Corgigal]

16. Weighing?

Whats left to weigh? What number of American GI's do we have to lose before someone calls foul. How many Iraq civilians?
Someone needs to set up to the plate and do this for all the people we have lost already.

[maggrwaggr]

19. Yeah, no sh*t. "Gosh, we want to make sure we don't piss anybody off"

fucking pussies. Go do it.

[dbt]

20. This needs a kick before SOMEbody wimps out!

:kick:
dbt

[dusty64]

21. I really hope this happens.

The corruption and lies need to be exposed and the myth of chimp being "a good guy" and "moral" has to be put to rest once and for all. Lets turn over some rocks and watch them scurry for cover!

[TacticalPeek]

23. Kick.

:kick:

[chiburb]

26. Just called Durbin...

Gave my 2 cents of support...
Thanks for this thread (and the phone #)

[KoKo]

27. Dare we "cross our fingers" on this one.....thinking they might do this?

I can't get my hopes up once again too much.....but oh how great it would be if they could suceed with this effort.