Vanity Fair floats allegations GOP chief Hastert took Turkish bribes

[brettdale]

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Vanity_Fair_floats_allegations_GOP_chief_Hastert_took_Turkish__0803.html


Vanity Fair floats allegations GOP chief Hastert took Turkish bribes

Vanity Fair’s September edition, now out in New York but yet to hit national newsstands, packs a punch with an article about Sibel Edmonds, the FBI translator who has been gagged by the Bush Administration from revealing information about conversations she translated surrounding a seemingly major corruption scandal involving Turkish nationals and U.S. lawmakers, RAW STORY can reveal.

[quaoar]

1. Interesting

"Edmonds has given confidential testimony inside a secure Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility on several occasions: to congressional staffers, to investigators from the OIG, and to staff from the 9/11 commission," Rose continues. "Sources familiar with this testimony say that, in addition to her allegations about the Dickersons, she reported hearing Turkish wiretap targets boast that they had a covert relationship with a very senior Republican indeed—Dennis Hastert, Republican congressman from Illinois and Speak of the House since 1999. The targets reportedly discussed giving Hastert tens of thousands of dollars in surreptitious payments in exchange for political favors and information. “The Dickersons,” says one official familiar with the case, “are just the tip of the iceberg.”

"Some of the calls reportedly contained what sounded like references to large scale drug shipments and other crimes," writes Rose. "One name, however, apparently stood out—a man the Turkish callers often referred to by the nickname “Denny boy.” It was the Republican congressman from Illinois and Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert. According to some of the wiretaps, the FBI’s targets had arranged for thousands of dollars to be paid to Hastert’s campaign funds in small checks. Under Federal Election Commission rules, donations of less than $200 are not required to be itemized in public filings.

[dissent1977]

2. Rove, DeLay, and now Hastert...

Their most powerful members are in deep trouble, how long before Bush joins their ranks?

The criminals are finally being exposed.

[KnaveRupe]

3. You know whose fault this is, don't you?

C'mon, say it with me... Clinton.

If he hadn't gotten a bj from Monica, none of these guys would be in trouble.

Can't you see that?

</republican>

[annabanana]

8. I Lo-o-o-o-ove Yosemite Bolton!. . . . . n/t

[madrchsod]

4. good lord denny say it isn`t so

what ever are we going to do????? oh never mind,you`ll still be reelected in your district cause we`ve got the dumbist fucking republicans in illinois

[KnaveRupe]

5. Say goodbye to Hastert the Unspeakable!

Okay, that's WAY premature. But every time another Repub is caught up in a scandal like this, it increases the chance that we can take back the Senate, if not the House.

At some point, even the most die-hard republican is going to have to admit that one-party government breeds complete and utter corruption.

'Bout damn time someone in the MSM is running with Sibel Edmonds' story. She's got some major dirt, and the fact that they've stifled her is news in and of itself. Go, Sibel!

<edited for typo>

[Javaman]

12. He should be getting the freedom medal and a promotion any day now...

[Frederik]

6. Denny Boy!

She has repeatedly hinted that this is in some way related to 9/11, however indirectly (she hasn't revealed what the connection is, other than saying that the FBI had very precise information about the plot earlier than April 2001, which the bureau did not act on). It's much bigger than just a few bribes. Hastert is the first to be named. This is also the first time she confirmes that the ATC is the "semi-legitimate" organization she has been talking about.

"Some of the calls reportedly contained what sounded like references to large scale drug shipments and other crimes," writes Rose. "One name, however, apparently stood out—a man the Turkish callers often referred to by the nickname “Denny boy.” It was the Republican congressman from Illinois and Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert. According to some of the wiretaps, the FBI’s targets had arranged for thousands of dollars to be paid to Hastert’s campaign funds in small checks.

Denny Boy, you're busted.

Interesting that the case of Melek Can Dickerson is mirrored in the hiring of the daughter of an ISI general to translate Urdu wiretaps, with a top security clearance, after 9/11. The then ISI chief, General Mahmoud Ahmad, was involved in funding 9/11 hijacker Mohammed Atta. And senior intelligence operations specialist John Cole got fired for "blowing the whistle" on this translator... Something is rotten in the National Security State.

18-year DIA/NSA agent Russ Tice was sent to a psychiatric evaluation and told he suffered from "paranoid ideations", just like the dissidents in the Soviet Union.
"What happened to me was total Stalin-era tactics," he says. "Everyone I know or ever worked with says I'm perfectly sane"

The American-Turkish Council is chaired by Brent Scowcroft, Poppy's national security adviser, a BFEE insider (Brent is critical of Bush Junior and the neo-cons, and he is more pro-UN and multilateralist than the current Republican leadership, but that is a matter of politics, not of parapolitics).

There was talk, she told investigators, of laundering the profits of large-scale drug deals and of selling classified military technology to the highest bidder.

Take a look at the "golden horn" member companies:
http://www.americanturkishcouncil.org/

Board members:
http://www.americanturkishcouncil.org/files/about.us/05.02.17.board.of.directors.pdf


PDF of the Vanity Fair story:
http://pogoblog.typepad.com/pogo/files/vanityfair_clean.pdf

Thumbs up to Vanity Fair for doing this story! :thumbsup: The political climate seems to be more conducive now to look into these sorts of things. Hopefully others will pursue this and dig deeper. I wouldn't mind Fitzgerald opening this can of worms, for instance.

Oh, and I almost forgot: Go Sibel! :applause: :woohoo:

When they took on Sibel," says Mike German, who is now the coalition's Congressional liaison, "they made the wrong woman mad"


Brent Scowcroft

[FreedomAngel82]

42. Something I was thinking

I wonder if anybody else was involved with this or just Hasert?

[Frederik]

43. Sibel has the names of

"no more than ten" well-known US politicians who were involved in taking drug money from the ATC, if I have understood correctly. Hastert is just one of the bastards.

[cascadiance]

48. T'would be nice if the Dem involved were Zell Miller now wouldn't it?

[Frederik]

63. I'm really curious

do you have a clue? Wild speculation will do as well :-)

My guess is Biden.

[cascadiance]

69. No...

I know some things here and there, but I have no clue as to who folks are now other than what you all do.

[faithnotgreed]

66. everyone~ if you can please buy this vanity fair so we let them know

we care desperately about this country and completely support sybil edmonds (whom the administration has repeatedly stifled but not silenced)

[bejammin075]

7. So when Dick & Bush are impeached...

We get President Hastert...but Oh wait! He's taken bribes from foreigners...Impeach Hastert too and who does that leave us?

[annabanana]

9. (didn't they just move Chertoff "up" the line?). . . . . n/t

[rateyes]

13. You don't really want to hear the answer to that question...

but, it's the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, if I remember my civic lessons well enough...who today is Ted Stevens of Alaska. UGH.

Edit to add: After that, it's the Secretary of State: now, Condi Rice...getting better and better isn't it?

[bejammin075]

14. If I were Ted Stevens, I'd be watching Condi...

[rateyes]

15. I hear you! eom

[cynatnite]

19. It'll mean a repuke party in power with no power

It don't matter who would be sitting at the top of the heap...the repukes would have more power passing wind than anything else.

The scandals being heaped on the WH and the repuke party just continues to weaken them.

[elehhhhna]

10. KICK. Let's roll!

[Tesla]

11. Is there NOONE in the WH staff under indictment?

I guess Condi would be in.....WOW.
A Black Woman President, not voted in..... we could beat that in tha south!! haha

[in_cog_ni_to]

16. How is Sibel staying alive?

She knows so much and we all know how the BFEE operates. :scared:

We now know why Congress won't investigate this...Repukes AND Dems are involved. Which Dems? I wonder? No WONDER the 911 commission ignored what she told them!

WHO is going to take this on? Fitzgerald?

What will the SCOTUS do? Will they hear the case? Do we want to place any bets?

[corky44]

17. JESUS CHRIST!! So the administration slaps

the "TOP SECRET" label on this affair for their own protection
and leave the rest of us hanging! I woke up last night thinking we have
no idea how fuct we are right now because of Bush's crimes and lack of
intellect. Completely out of control!

I remember Sibel coming forward with a warning about this a year ago! What
sort of threat has been swept under the rug by the top secret status?

WE HAVE GOT TO HAMMER THEM!!

[Innoma]

18. Hooray for Sibel Edmonds!

I hope she's able to spill everything she knows, and I have a feeling she knows some pretty interesting things.

[Independent_Liberal]

20. They're going down! Down I tell you!

And it will be soon!

[Norquist Nemesis]

21. Guess that explains Hastert's decision to spend more time with

his family and not run again.

Check out ANCA's endoresement of Kerry: :rofl:
http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=605

And on the same page, this...

"ANCA's Outreach to the White House and Republican Leaders

The ANCA has, on several occasions over the past four years, specifically asked for a meeting between President Bush and the Armenian American community leadership. These formal requests, which never received a response, were supported by a series of ANCA and community-wide letters outlining the views and disappointments of Armenian Americans on specific issues, ranging from the Armenian Genocide to foreign aid policy.

In April of this year, the ANCA sent detailed letters to the Chairman of the Bush-Cheney campaign, Marc Racicot, and the Congressional Republican leadership voicing disappointment over the Bush Administration's record on Armenian issues, and expressing frustration with the lack of responsiveness by the White House to the concerns of the Armenian American community. The ANCA's concerns were grouped, in this letter, into three broad categories: 1) unfulfilled commitments, 2) opposition to community concerns, and 3) failure to prioritize Armenian issues.

The Senate and House letters, addressed to House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN), highlighted the powerful leadership demonstrated by a great many Republicans on Armenian issues, notably by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Genocide Resolution author George Radanovich (R-CA), and Senators such as Mitch McConnell (R-KY), John Ensign (R-NV), George Allen (R-VA), Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), and many others. These letters included more than a dozen specific recommendations by the ANCA about how the Congressional leadership could encourage the White House to improve its standing among Armenian American voters.

Neither the President nor his campaign responded to the ANCA's appeal for their intervention to help establish a constructive dialogue between the Administration and the Armenian American community."

[KittyWampus]

22. Edmonds Wasn't 'Gagged'. She Was RETROACTIVELY Gagged.

[paineinthearse]

23. Photo of the next POUS

After *, Cheney and now Hastert are impeached and removed from office, the next POUS will be.....

Line of succession

President
Vice-President
Speaker of the House
President Pro Tempe of the Senate


Senator Ted Stevens

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[lala_rawraw]

25. What? Stop smoking your smack

DSM "allegations?" and Rove/plame "allegations" all blowing up in "our faces". Right now you have 0 credibility... credible proof... how much fucking credible proof? You have documents, witnesses, a grand jury, anything else needed? If these people were not in control, if they were regular citizens, they would have been in jail years ago.

[Coexist]

26. Get on it Lala!

great stuff over at rawstory.

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[seemslikeadream]

32. You have no idea if there have been indictments

How would you know that, it's a secret grand jury.

[lala_rawraw]

37. I am not going to bother to

Tell you, like a two year old, what the facts are. If you do not know them by now, then you will never understand them. I am angry that you would assume that because someone was not arrested that no crime was committed. Given that I have covered at least 3 of the topics you mention, the evidence is extensive, k? DSM is real, I know it is, I know it so much that I put my name on those articles and my credibility.

But then again, why bother with actual documents and actual articles by actual journalists even in the MSM. There is no evidence, yep, I see.

So no, we cannot stick to facts in a debate when one side does not seem yet know the facts but still imposes his/her view as though something significant needed to be said.

Yes, I am pissed when people do not take the time to care to know the facts.

[CAcyclist]

53. Right-Wing Talking Points. nt

[Just Me]

27. How old are you?

:eyes:

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Just Me]

39. Not old enough to address intelligent, knowledgeable people,...

,...as "boys and girls".

So, another question,...whose interests do you seek to fight for and protect?

[Beetwasher]

28. Rove/Plame Is Blowing Up In our Face??? Praytell, How Exactly?

Give me a break, what a load of bullshit.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[seemslikeadream]

33. Who told you Rove is not the target?

Maybe a target maybe a co-operating witness in the future

[ProfessorGAC]

34. Rove Told He Is Not A Target?

By whom? Fitzgerald has made no public statement to that regard, and he doesn't do his job that way.

Try a little truth. You might find it powerful. Facts aren't facts just because you say they are. Those are called opinions.
The Professor

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Beetwasher]

55. LOL! According to LUSKIN?????

Do you even know who that is? LOL! Seriously, you're talking to people who actually have a fucking clue, not some idiotic, braindead freeptards.

Einstein, Luskin is Rove's attorney. What do you think he's gonna say? LOL! Pathetic.

Did you know Luskin accepted payment from a drug dealer in GOLD BARS and then lied about it? That's your source, Einstein.

[CAcyclist]

56. Luskin is Not Exactly A Reliable Source

Of course, he did admit that Rove is a *subject* of the investigation.

The investigation hasn't finished and any indictments haven't been handed down yet, so your point is moot.

As for the other issues:

no one proved that the National Guard issue isn't true, just that Rather was set up.

Abu Graib will be back in the news in a big way as soon as the ACLU gets the held-back photos and video released

[seemslikeadream]

35. So why won't the DOD release the new photos?

Must be quite bad, don't ya think? What are they hiding? It's all gonna come out sooner or later, you should get on the side of the fascist fighters before they come for you, cause who's gonna help ya then?

[Beetwasher]

36. LOL!!! How Pathetic

Hey Einstein, just because Rovegate isn't in the headlines everyday, doesn't mean it's fizzling. Fitz couldn't care less about headlines and it will have no effect whatsoever on whether or not he brings indictments.

Yeah, Rove not the target, according to Rove's lawyer...:eyes:

How pathetic. Keep dreaming Chester. I know it sucks to put your hopes in such a corrupt bunch of scum. What does that say about you?

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Coexist]

50. Vitrol, Poioir, Gaurd, outr...

is that intelligent debate?

Some groups are more known for their misspellings than others.
DU has this great Check Spelling button for you to use.

[Beetwasher]

54. Truth Hurts, eh Chester?

"Waaahhhh! Mommy, the mean man spoke badly to me!" LOL!

"Our" party? :eyes:

How's this for intelligent debate? Back up your bullshit, Chester.

[CAcyclist]

57. True, Your Party Doesn't Seem To Be Able To Debate Well

Your party is really good at the personal attacks, smears and outright lies and pretty short on real evidence.

Also, your party sure seems to have a hard time finding the spell-check. It's that little button on the left, below the message screen.

And I agree, our vitriol is what will sink your party.

[Frederik]

40. "we"? "our"?

Who are you kidding, buddy.

:rofl:

I've been following Sibel's story for two years, she certainly has a lot more credibility than you have.

[Imagevision]

59. Sibel Edmunds situation is as relevant as Plame outing!!

[CAcyclist]

52. Our Faces? Somehow I Don't Think You And I Are On The Same Side

Don't tell us what to do or what to think. You may be creating your own reality but it isn't our reality and it isn't the truth.

[KansDem]

38. Hmmmm...anyone know what Bush's nickname is for Hastert?

"Denny boy" perhaps?

Could the Turks simply have used Bush's nickname for The Speaker? If so, that might make for tight little trio.

[cascadiance]

41. I wonder how often that was confused with "Kenny Boy"...

:)

For those interested, a new DU group was set up this week for Sibel Edmonds and other Whistelblowers at:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=344

Hopefully will have some time soon to more fully populate it with historical stuff.

Also, there's another thread on this topic in LBN at:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1674619&mesg_id=1674619

If you want to get active about things, try getting some stuff here (I hope to have a coffee mug design up shortly). All profits from these sales will go to Sibel Edmonds' legal fund.



http://www.cafepress.com/sibel

[KansDem]

62. Maybe they heard "Denny-boy" and and confused it with "Kenny-boy"

and thought they were really getting in with the high rollers of the Bush Administration.

I mean, wouldn't you be impressed if you thought you were rubbing elbows with the head honcho of the Enron debacle? Hmmm? Hmmm?

[SmokingJacket]

46. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Hastert put forward as Speaker

because he was so squeaky clean?

:rofl:

Fun, fun, fun. Can't wait to see what happens next.

[Imagevision]

60. squeaky clean? he took financial bribes for campaign contributions

google Vanity Fair Sibel Edwards interview <11 pages long> learn about the character the arabs dubbed> "Dennie-boy"

[Imagevision]

61. Freepers, Hannity is on, go listen...shoo - get outta here! NOW!

[SmokingJacket]

67. That's what I mean -- BEFORE that, we thought he was clean. nt

[Raiden]

47. Man, corruption abounds in the GOP

Why am I not shocked?

[robertpaulsen]

49. Kick it to the top!

:kick:

[Coexist]

51. kick

[Imagevision]

58. Viva Sibel Edmunds - Viva Sibel Edmunds!

[faithnotgreed]

64. perfectly stated

we love you sybil

[Just Me]

65. There's some elected officials who are ear-deep in corrupt practices.

May they ALL get caught and suffer the consequences!!! Bastards,...did you forget your oathes of office and duty, not to your greedy interests but rather the interests of "THE PEOPLE"?

I am SICK of the corruption that has possessed the elected part of our government.

[Disturbed]

68. More to the point

The Washington Post, March 28, 2003 Friday

HEADLINE: Missteps With Turkey Prove Costly;

Diplomatic Debacle Denied U.S. a Strong Northern Thrust in Iraq

"The reason is that Turkey, a close NATO ally that shares a 218-mile border with Iraq, earlier this month refused a Bush administration request to permit the armored troop deployment from its soil...Administration officials even arranged a meeting between the Turks and House Speaker J. DENNIS HASTERT (R-Ill.), who assured them Congress would honor the president's budget request for Turkey. Yakis preferred a written commitment, but the Turkish ambassador, Faruk Logoglu, told him Hastert's word was the best they could get under the U.S. system."