Help Sibel Edmonds get the truth out about 9/11 and more!

[paulthompson]

Hi,

I've been in some contact with whistleblower Sibel Edmonds, and today I sent her this Washington Post article:

Frustrated Democrats Find a Voice
Lawmakers Use Policy Committee to Investigate Issues They Say GOP Ignores
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24511-2005Feb14.html?nav=hcmodule

It basically talks about how the Democrats are starting to use a certain procedure called the Democratic Policy Committee to hold Congressional hearings of sorts. As the article points out, while the Democrats don't have power to call official hearings, to subpoena witnesses, or to move legislation, they do have the power to "raise a ruckus," hold meetings, pay for witnesses' travel and, "on a good day, get coverage from C-SPAN." Media coverage and impact largely depends on how much effort is put into it, which politicans support it and show up for the hearings, and so forth.

So I suggested to Sibel to do something similar to raise issues surrounding her gag order and what she knows about 9/11 and the like. She thinks it's a great idea, and wants to mobilize to make it happen. She already has some politicians, including Henry Waxman, eager to help her out, but the more support she has, the better. She also has a list of other whistleblowers ready to talk, witnesses she wants to call, the support of the ACLU and about 14 other non-profit organizations, 9/11 victims' relatives groups, and so on.

I'm calling on DUers to help. We should use this as a trial case, and see if we can "raise a ruckus" on this very important issue. If successful, we could help mobilize the use the Democratic Policy Committee procedure to bring other scandals and stories to light.

Does anyone have any ideas how to further this? Would anyone like to volunteer to help?

[paulthompson]

1. Here's what Sibel has to say about this idea

This is a fantastic idea; lets do it. Lets strategize and pound

1- We need a clear one-page mission-request
2- A list of target Senators and Representatives to help and attend
3- Internet campaign to draw attention, to recruit public support.

Then, do it. What do you say?

---

So what do people have to say to that? I'm not a political organizer whatsoever so I'm hoping some people here can pick up this ball and run with it.

[magellan]

10. I don't know what the protocol is, but

...maybe Congressman Conyers and Senator Boxer would be the sort of people to approach first? Conyers in particular is such a ball of fire -- the man doesn't seem to rest when it comes to investigating and getting to the heart of crucial matters. (I adore John Conyers. If only ALL our reps possessed his sweetness of character and personal integrity.)

I wish I knew what else to suggest but I'm a newbie in this arena. All I can say is hubby and I have been waiting for Sibel to get her chance to tell what she knows since BushCo put the gag order on her after 9/11. We're 100% behind her. GO, SIBEL! TRUTH TO POWER!!

[gandalf]

2. OT

Hi Paul,

I cannot help you with your request as I have no ideas how to proceed, and this is primarily a US issue.

But I just detected my university has Lexis Nexis (must be new). Once in a while you asked for an article here on DU. So, if during the next few months (as long as I am still here) you urgently need a newspaper article you cannot get elsewhere, let me know.

[paulthompson]

3. Thanks

I sent you a PM about that.

[seemslikeadream]

4. AN Interview with Sibel Edmonds July 1 04

Antiwar.com - Sunnyvale,CA,USA
...
<http://www.antiwar.com/deliso/?articleid=2917

An Interview with Sibel Edmonds
FBI Whistleblower Talks to Antiwar.com

by Christopher Deliso
balkanalysis.com

Sibel Edmonds began working for the FBI shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, translating top-secret documents pertaining to suspected terrorists. She was fired in the spring of 2002 after reporting her concerns about sabotage, intimidation, corruption and incompetence to superiors. She first gained wide public attention in October of that year when she appeared on 60 Minutes on CBS and charged that the FBI, State Department, and Pentagon had been infiltrated by Turkish individuals suspected of ties to terrorism. On October 18, 2002, at the request of FBI Director Robert Mueller, Attorney General Ashcroft imposed a gag order on Ms. Edmonds, citing possible damage to diplomatic relations or national security. Edmonds is a key witness in a pending class-action suit filed by 9/11 families against the government. The following interview, conducted this past weekend for almost three hours by telephone, reveals sordid new details about U.S. intelligence practices.





Just a couple snippets from the three page interview:

<snip>
CD: You have expressed a desire for "one brave senator" to take up your cause. But what can they actually do, if the DOJ and judges rule in favor of classification?

SE: You know what they can do? Any senator or congressman can tell the press everything I have to say.

CD: Really? Doesn't that violate whatever the restrictions are the DOJ is putting on you?

SE: I'm authorized under law to testify in secret, in a secure room before a congressman. But if that congressman believes that national security overrides secrecy, he can put my testimony out there. That's what happened with Daniel Ellsberg. Senator Gravel poured out everything he had said before the congress because it was in the interests of the country. These people like John Ashcroft are actually endangering our national security by destroying civil liberties with such things as the Patriot Act. They are just cowards. They lack guts.

<snip>
CD: If your full testimony is heard by the public, who or what agencies are going to be in the biggest trouble?

SE: Well, as for agencies I guess the DOJ, FBI, State Department. But in a way these agencies get some kind of immunity when you charge them like this … I hate to see how a lot of agents get stigmatized in this. Most of the field agents I met in the FBI were good, honest and hardworking individuals. They were trying to do their best, but up against this ingrown bureaucracy – this is where you have the problem, as will as with certain elected officials.

CD: What are they so afraid of?

SE: They're afraid of information, of the truth coming out, and accountability – the whole accountability issue that will arise. But it's not as complicated as it might seem. If they were to allow the whole picture to emerge, it would just boil down to a whole lot of money and illegal activities.

CD: Hmm, well I know you can't name names, but can you tell me if any specific officials will suffer if your testimony comes out?

SE: Yes. Certain elected officials will stand trial and go to prison.
more..
http://www.antiwar.com/deliso/?articleid=2917


"Heroin, Al Qaeda and the Florida Flight School"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1294206
DOJ Asked FBI Translator To Change Pre 9-11 Intercepts
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=442067&mesg_id=442067
Explosive new Sibel Edmonds interview
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1555133&mesg_id=1555133
State Dept. Quashed 9/11 Links To Global Drug Trade
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=610235&mesg_id=610235

[paulthompson]

5. Thanks!

Hopefully this is the kind of information we can get out if we can get politicians to hold this kind of hearing. I hope some people can provide feedback, support, ideas, etc... I'm leaving for the day.

[G_j]

6. sounds good

I'm not sure if you are suggesting something on-line such as MoveOn, or an 'organization' that actually holds physical hearings etc, or both.

I also think this case is extremely important.

[paulthompson]

7. Did you read the Washington Post article?

I'm suggesting doing what they're doing there, but with a different topic.

[shance]

8. Thinking out of the box - cool!

I will give it some thought.

Im headed out the door in a few minutes.

[gandalf]

9. kick

[ConcernedCanuk]

11. Check my sig line - copy it if/n you want - it''s a live link

.
.
.

I created the image from images on her home page,

unedited other than the resizing

Welcome to use it and/or spread it around

Carry on!

She is one brave American.

:thumbsup: