Security tightened in leak case

[Nottingham]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2188654

Security tightened in leak case
By DAVID JOHNSTON
New York Times

WASHINGTON -- Justice Department and FBI officials have imposed tighter secrecy restrictions over the inquiry into the leak of the identity of a CIA operative, government officials said Tuesday. In an unusual step, they have removed the director of the FBI's Washington office from the list of officials with access to the case.

The official, Michael A. Mason, one of the FBI's most senior managers, was taken off the list in an effort to restrict information about the case, the officials said.

Customarily, a senior official like Mason would have full access to details of the case, which is being investigated mainly by agents from his office, although it is being supervised by FBI headquarters. One bureau official said that Mason had asked to be removed, although others said the decision was based on whether the officials had "a need to know."

Investigators are trying to determine whether it was White House officials or others who told the columnist Robert Novak that Valerie Plame, the wife of a former ambassador, Joseph C. Wilson IV, was an employee of the CIA, as Novak wrote in his syndicated column in July. Wilson has been critical of the administration's Iraq policies.

more....

:bounce: Heaven forbid any leaks get out!!! :bounce: :bounce:

[tom_paine]

1. LOL: Hitler says security tightened on Concentration Camp investigations

Says there is no truth to the rumors of mass murder of Jews.

Sure.

This has the customary reek of Totalitarianism.

[papau]

2. In an "unusual step," the Justice Department has taken the F.B.I.'s Washin

"In an "unusual step," the Justice Department has taken the F.B.I.'s Washington office off the "list of officials with access" to the Wilson case as tighter security restrictions over the inquiry are imposed"

When Ashcroft steps in and takes an "unusual step" I tend to think cover-up in progress.

[htuttle]

3. NOW they worry about leaks...

...of course, that's what they care about: their overblown, pampered egos, not US CIA operatives, US soldiers, or US citizens.

But a leak that would threaten to make Bush 'look bad' -- GOD FORBID!

What a pathetic, vain little man.

Actually, what a pathetic, vain little *country* we've become as a result, but I try not to dwell on that too much...

[proud patriot]

4. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

:mad: :grr: :mad:

[Wickerman]

5. Now is it time for an Independent Counsel?

Now? How about when only the Cabinet are authorized to see what is going on? I beleive this whole thing has gone too far and they need the Whole of the Dem party to call for an Independent Counsel.

[calimary]

11. It's time to call Capitol Hill Switchboard - FREE - 1 (800) 839 - 5276

and DEMAND an independent counsel.

This is the TOLL FREE Capitol Hill Switchboard number that'll transfer you to anybody's office in the House and/or Senate.

Call it first thing in the morning and ask for whichever Senator or Congresscritter you like. Then DEMAND A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR!!!!!!!

Also - Ask for the offices of Jay Rockefeller, Carl Levin and Dick Durbin - they're three Senators on the Intel committee who are considering AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF WHITE HOUSE MISHANDLING OF INTELLIGENCE ON IRAQ!!! Call them and give them ENCOURAGEMENT!!! URGE them to do more than just consider this - but to actually DO IT!!!

GUYS - THIS IS URGENT!!!

[TexasPatriot]

6. one question

were we supposed to know about this? or is there a leak?
I suppose the question really is who is this supposed to take out of the chain and why?

Is this a leak about an effort to prevent a leaker from leaking information about the leak to the original leakers? or perhaps to those who might leak information to the original leakers?

Where's Trent Lott when you need him.

[Tansy_Gold]

7. Whaaaa?

Help me here, please, TexasPatriot. It's not that I don't understand your response to the original post; it's that I don't understand the original post but you apparently do and that's why i don't understand your reponse so could you explain both the original post and your response so I can understand both the original post and your response to it?

Ok, now do I qualify for a job in this administration?

:evilfrown: :puke: :evilfrown:

[loudnclear]

8. Must be getting closer WH operatives!

The only reason to shut it down would be that some operative close to the dictator are about to be implicated, if not indicted.

[grasswire]

9. so wait...

Ashcroft (who doesn't really have a need to know) refuses to recuse himself but the head of the FBI in Washington is shoved out of the loop because he doesn't have a need to know?

[snippy]

13. Excellent point. Democrats should hammer at this. But they won't.

[lanlady]

10. whoa

How did this make it into the NYT? This is not the type of stuff you usually tell the public. I smell a huge, fat rat. Another sign of a cover-up, and the pros at CIA (and, now, FBI) are really pissed.

[MGKrebs]

12. I see it as a backhanded way to make an accusation.

See, some will see this as: Mason must be a suspect.

[Nottingham]

14. Mason is suspect to what? Leaking or the leak

:bounce: