GOP Was Stealing Dem Files for a WHOLE YEAR!

[Beetwasher]

Infiltration of files seen as extensive
Senate panel's GOP staff pried on Democrats

WASHINGTON -- Republican staff members of the US Senate Judiciary Commitee infiltrated opposition computer files for a year, monitoring secret strategy memos and periodically passing on copies to the media, Senate officials told The Globe.

From the spring of 2002 until at least April 2003, members of the GOP committee staff exploited a computer glitch that allowed them to access restricted Democratic communications without a password. Trolling through hundreds of memos, they were able to read talking points and accounts of private meetings discussing which judicial nominees Democrats would fight -- and with what tactics.

--snip--

This is my favorite part. I present you with the Repubs Defense! You're gonna LOVE this!

As the extent to which Democratic communications were monitored came into sharper focus, Republicans yesterday offered a new defense. They said that in the summer of 2002, their computer technician informed his Democratic counterpart of the glitch, but Democrats did nothing to fix the problem.

Get it? It's the Dems fault for not fixing the glitch!! IOW, it's ok to steal from someone if they make it easy for you to do so!

Think about that for a second. If I tell you the lock on your door is broken and you don't fix it, then according to the GOP, it's OK for me to rob you!!!

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/01/22/infiltration_of_files_seen_as_extensive?mode=PF

[Loonman]

1. I hope they get nailed for this

Probably won't happen.



The most we can hope for is Tom Daschle will be "deeply saddened".

[Homer12]

4. It is information theft.

Could they bring charges against the GOP?

[Loonman]

5. They could

Will they?

Doubtful.

[The Backlash Cometh]

21. LOL

"Tom Daschle will be 'deeply saddened.'" That's so funny.

[Homer12]

2. Republicans the party or Morals and Ethics

They are the BEST hypocrites Ever!

[HereSince1628]

11. Conservatives remind me a lot of horses in the pasture...

plenty of grass available, but they are ALWAYS reaching to their limits beyond the fence.

I've never lost my fascination with how well such "pushing to the limits" tags a republican.

Manicheaistic...it's 100% ethical until you break the law, and if there isn't a law, well then its OK.

[meegbear]

3. Oh, OK ...

so if I tell my neighbor their door is unlocked and they don't lock it, does this mean I can enter their home and take what I want?

[nostamj]

6. as long as YOU are a repub

and THEY are dems, then YES.

[Beetwasher]

7. According to GOP Ethics, YES!

It's perfectly OK! Isn't life grand when you're not responsible for anything you do?

[tom_paine]

16. Only if they are connected to the Imperial Family

The rest of the Imperial Subjects are bound by law.

Imperial Stooges are not.

[nomatrix]

39. then they will follow up with

selling you a home security system (theirs) that doesn't work but makes a lot of noise because the threat of another entry lurks in the darkness.
Then report it to the newspaper (theirs) that your lack of prevention caused everyone's insurance (their company) premiums to go up, and value of homes to drop, and there goes the neighborhood.(HUD)
Now everyone hates you and they get rich on the hate. Sounds like you really made a mess of things! I'm gonna listen to them, so that doesn't happen to me too. (NPR)

A parable:
The "reaching beyond the fence" will take you right back to the feed store with a fat horse who doesn't need to explain himself, after all the horse was your responsibility or so the logic goes.
I used to have a horse that could unlock the door to the barn to get out. Who would have thought a horse was ingenious? I didn't until after it was done and ended up chasing him down a residential neighborhood with his feed bag full of treats. After all he's not going to come back with all the lush grass to eat. No one complained because no one saw him. Who is gonna believe there's a horse on your lawn? (they do leave a trail)
The Republicans have gone beyond the fence and are feeding off the neighborhood. If we keep running after then trying to catch them we get tired. They are bigger and stronger. There will be a weakness that will bring them back to the barn.

[buczak]

8. Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA")

IANAL, but It seems to me if the GOP committee staff 'stole' copyrighted material from the Dem members. Everything one writes is assumed to be copyrighted. You need to reasonable protect the assets but stealing is stealing. And if you distributed those same material to other members, GOP political staffers and the media without permission of the authors/owners of those document.

I believe, The Democrats could sue under the DMCA.

I think they should sue. Copyright is a very important issue.

http://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf

But then again, the republicans are above the law.

[Skittles]

9. it is a typical republican defense

chickenshit cowards

[Skidmore]

23. ....

chickenshit cheating cowards

[ElsewheresDaughter]

10. oh mr bill bennett will you weighin on this one please

:puke:

[digno dave]

12. blame us, not them

Another example of Dems having their head up their ass.

[zbird]

13. Ah yes... Robert Novak rears his nasty head again.

snip...
Democrats now claim their private memos formed the basis for a February 2003 column by conservative pundit Robert Novak that revealed plans pushed by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, to filibuster certain judicial nominees. Novak is also at the center of an investigation into who leaked the identity of a CIA agent whose husband contradicted a Bush administration claim about Iraqi nuclear programs.

Citing "internal Senate sources," Novak's column described closed-door Democratic meetings about how to handle nominees.

snip...
Novak declined to confirm or deny whether his column was based on these files.

"They're welcome to think anything they want," he said. "As has been demonstrated, I don't reveal my sources."

(from article above)

Just noticed that the article calls Novak a "conservative pundit", not a journalist. Do conservative pundits enjoy the same protections as journalists regarding their sources? I would love to see Novak sitting in a cell for obstruction of justice and/or treason. But, alas, I fear that is just a pipe dream.

[The Backlash Cometh]

22. "As has been demonstrated, I don't reveal my sources."

Why doesn't Novak go to jail for contempt? No one is going to miss him.

[Catherine Vincent]

52. This Miranda guy is a piece of work!

Reached at home, Miranda said he is on paternity leave; Frist's office said he is on leave "pending the results of the investigation" -- he denied that any of the handwritten comments on the memos were by his hand and said he did not distribute the memos to the media. He also argued that the only wrongdoing was on the part of the Democrats -- both for the content of their memos, and <b>for their negligence in placing them where they could be seen.</b>

This guy should lose his job. I mean it.

[EV1Ltimm]

55. let me put on my tinfoil hat...

"Democrats now claim their private memos formed the basis for a February 2003 column by conservative pundit Robert Novak that revealed plans pushed by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, to filibuster certain judicial nominees. Novak is also at the center of an investigation into who leaked the identity of a CIA agent whose husband contradicted a Bush administration claim about Iraqi nuclear programs."

Connecting the two separate incidents is pretty interesting. I may be stretching, but do you think this may just be one long convoluted way for the administration to escape scrutiny for outing Plame? They could simply say "Well, someone outside of the administration broke into the records and gave them to Novak. We're not at fault."

[Timefortruth]

14. So if I leave my car unlocked, it's theirs to steal?

HUH?

Hint to Republicans- If it isn't yours you can't take it. When you take something not belonging to you it is theft, even if it wasn't locked up.

[zbdent]

25. There are a few car thieves in Columbus Ohio who would love this

defense.

They've been caught stealing the "plant" car, which now plays the "Bad Boys" theme from "Cops". After a short drive, the car shuts down, the doors are locked in a way which can't be opened from the inside, and the theme song plays.

Guess that they could say - "Well, Republicans say that, if it's not locked, then it's not stealing!"

[leesa]

62. Sure they can, look at Afghanistan and Iraq.

[tom_paine]

15. Sure they have been. Just confrimation

of something I already assumed was true.

It is clear that Watergate didn't stop the Busheviks, it drove them in different directions.

This is absolutely just the tip of the iceberg, and undoubtedly was doen with Imperial sanction (likely a wink & nod...nothing traceable).

Imperial Stooges are immune from the Rule of Law in Imperial Amerika, if you haven't notice.

This will rapidly slip down the Memory Hole. Unpunish, rpobably, at worst a wrist slap followed by promotions and career advancement once the furor dies down (which it swiftly will, with the help of a parasitized, moribund, and lazy Press).

Sad but true. The pattern has now been repeated many times over. The same mechanisms that allowed Clitnon to get impeached over a blowjob while ignoring the numerous laws broken to engineer that "perjury trap" effectively forestall investigation or prosecution into ANY CRIMER, no matter how serious, committed by the Imperial Family or their Stooges.

[hatrack]

17. But Orrin Hatch was "mortified" at this "unethical" behavior!!!

Do you hear that - "mortified"! Why have an investigation, criminal proceedings or some good old-fashioned hard-hearted firings when Orrin Hatch is "mortified"?

Isn't the mortification of Orrin Hatch punishment enough for our God-fearing Republican public servants? If not, to what cruel depths of vengeful depravity will we, as Democrats, sink?

[jogi1969]

18. is this considered

digital theft?
and i could have sworn that there are laws against it.
nothing?

so the RIAA can sue for digital theft
and nothing about this?

What tha....

[IkeWarnedUs]

19. How is this different from Watergate?

It's just more high-tech.

Oh, wait - we also had a media that took a story like this and ran with it.

[HootieMcBoob]

31. G. Godon Liddy must be very proud

You took the words right out of my mouth. this is absolutly no different except it's a computer break. These criminals will never learn.

[tom_paine]

36. Exactly. Watergate happened during the Days of the Old Republic

Things ae different in the Amerikan Empire nowadays.

[The Backlash Cometh]

20. Republicans lied about their integrity.

I read a wonderful rebuttal in the Wall Street Journal before Christmas. It was written by a Dem congressman. He said that when the computer system was first proposed, the Dems complained about sharing the same computer system with the Republicans because of the potential for just the very thing that happened. But the Republican leader stated that it was cost effective and the integrity of the congress would prevent such a thing. So we all know that Republicans don't have integrity. Isn't it time that they admit it too?

[Dr Fate]

24. Any DEMS going to demand an investigation?

Or will they act like pussys again?

[Loonman]

How fast can Daschle smooch Bush's butt?

Pretty darn quickly.

[tishaLA]

26. Another reason to get Novak

WTF? Why is this not leading the news all across the country? Is it less sexy than a scream or pro athletes taking steroids?

[kentuck]

32. Why is he still working at CNN...

He's unethical and immoral.

[Loonman]

33. Karl Rove pays Wolf Blitzer in cash

That's why.

[tom_paine]

34. As I've said before, ethics and law do NOT apply to Imperial Stooges

You think Corporate TV Pravda is going to risk being blasted by the Mighty Wurlitzer of the Party-Loyal Right-Wing Sub-Media by expelling one of there operatives (even if he did aid and abet treason, which is still a crime for the rest of the Imperial Subjects of Amerika)?

Not bloody likely!

[proud patriot]

27. Low Life Criminal Repukes

No Honor a disgrace to our Nation .

[peacetalksforall]

28. Does anyone know if this was covered on Wash Journal

Did they have the Boston paper and mention it.

I believe it's time for some of us to make a direct request to WJ to make it a subject of discussion...they don't seem to want to allow open phones anymore - they want all their segments to be issue oriented. Well, this is an issue.

When are our candidates going to say something?

Too bad the CIA isn't involved to keep this moving.

This is outrageous.

There is no honor or dignity in the Republican Party, but they do everything in a suit and tie - they promised that.

[boredofeducation]

29. Who the heck did their computer consulting?

Carrot Top? I mean come on what the heck is the problem with their computer consultants? They should not only sue the Republicans, but also the Consulting company that set up such a crappy system. This is how Hannity gets those "top secret" documents to read over the air.

[kentuck]

30. Can someone tell me the difference between this and Watergate ???

At the Watergate, they broke in to steal files of the Democratic Party. This time, they break into computers and steal files of the Democratic Party. The only difference that I see is that the technology is different this time around. No screwdrivers or crowbars. However, the result is the same.

This is scandalous. There are questions whether or not this is covered under the Patriot Act. It appears that it is. There needs to be a serious investigation. What did they know and when did they know it?

(edit spelling)

[HootieMcBoob]

35. The Democrats need to jump on this immediately

This is their problem. They're presented with something like this and don't pounce. It's like what Carville says -- if you don't stand up for yourself how can you expect the public to believe that you'll stand up for them or for the nation's secutity. Well, he said something like that anyway.

[ElementaryPenguin]

41. Agreed! Dems need to pounce on this - and NOT meekly!!

When do we get to replace Daschle, for cryin' out loud?! Dean's scream might not have been a good move politically - but someone's gotta scream about the multitude of evils going on with the fucking Reich Wing!!

:argh:

[TNOE]

37. If this ISN'T Watergate - and this - I don't know what is

I'm sure many of you have seen this - and it has probably been posted, but I just caught it yesterday.

US/Iraq Spy Story breaking.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0%2C2763%2C1125854%2C00.html

[ElsewheresDaughter]

51. WATERGATE! ,....WATERGATE!.....WATERGATE!....WATERGATE!

[The Night Owl]

38. Same shit, different Republicans.

Nice to know the GOP has not changed much since the Tricky Dick days.

:mad:

[tom_paine]

48. No, they gotten worse. MUCH MUCH worse.

This is just the very tiniest tip of the Imperial Iceberg.

[peacetalksforall]

40. Will anyone watching cable propaganda report on whether

there is mention of this - especially from Begala or Carville?

[alfredo]

42. Send that article to them and all

media outlets.

[proud patriot]

43. I'll let you know if I see anything

So far nothing :-(

[zbdent]

44. Is this going to be the "Debate practice tapes" of the 2004 election?

?

[i_am_not_john_galt]

45. If the server didn't prompt for a password

could this still be illegal? Obviously to anyone reasonably familiar with the network would be aware that these were private files, but the article describes a situation where they could be accessed without ever being prompted for a username/password. In other words there is no "hacking or cracking" going on, just browsing the network.

Any lawyers here with an informed opinion given the scant facts we have?

[zbdent]

56. Um, by their own standards,

IT'S EFFIN' IMMORAL!

Immorality = criminal!

Sodomy between husband and wife - legal (barely, in some states it is illegal)

Sodomy between man & woman - legal (barely, in some states it is illegal)

Sodomy between two consenting adults of the same sex - KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!

[Catherine Vincent]

46. This really makes me so damn mad!

But what's worse is the Dems don't get mad enough about this. You know if Democrats would have done this to repukes, there would have been countless investigations.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

47. Everyone Please Email Carville/Begala at Crossfire

so they can rip Novak a new one.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

49. they want us to trust the Election of our President's to this technology?

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

:freak: :freak: :freak: :freak: :freak: :freak: ;freak: :freak: :freak: :freak: :freak:

[Cleita]

50. There hasn't been a peep about this on the whore cable

news channels. It's been bad Dean all the time .

[myrna minx]

53. Is this Watergate 2: Electric Boogaloo?

This makes me so angry. :grr:

on edit-even with spell check, spelling evades me.

[Cannikin]

57. Dont make me laugh when Im drinking coffee!

[maggrwaggr]

54. I'm experiencing "scandal fatigue"

every day it turns out these republican crooks have done one more lie, one more crime, one more con.

This is as big as Watergate, but will the media even report it?

Of course not.

But Dean's a maniac, he's unstable, dontcha know?

[karabekian]

58. what a blunder by our senators

I mean even my email has a password. This was on a public system and they should have figured people would read it. I don't see this as criminal, just immoral. There was no hacking and no breaking in.

[waywest]

59. "no hacking or breaking in"

No, it's the Dems fault.

Spoken by the party of "it's somebody else's responsibility"

[Beetwasher]

60. What a bunch of crap

It's stealing, plain and simple. It wasn't on a PUBLIC system. Where the hell did you ever get that idea? They were able to access the files because of a "glitch". I wonder how that "glitch" got there?

If your lock is broken on your door and I rob you, am I a criminal, or is it ok because your lock was broken?

[Bandit]

61. Al Gore received material about Bush* preparing for debate

He immediately turned it over to the FBI. Republicans stole and used information for over a year. Family Values on display for all to witness.

[PVnRT]

63. Well, I'd be surprised, except I'm not

Remember, this is the same political party that broke into an opposing presidential candidate's headquarters to try to get dirt on him.