Pentagon Has its Dropped Objection to Open Hearing on 'Able Danger'

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBPA2DYYDE.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon has dropped its refusal to permit five people with knowledge of a highly classified intelligence program called "Able Danger" to testify about it publicly, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said Friday.

Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said the five will testify at an open hearing Oct. 5.

The five have said they recall an intelligence chart that identified Sept. 11 leader Mohamed Atta as a terrorist inside the United States one year before the attacks on New York and Washington. But Pentagon officials who have investigated the matter say they have been unable to find the chart or evidence that it ever existed.

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said on Wednesday, after Specter's committee held a hearing on the matter, that the Pentagon had offered to provide witnesses for a closed hearing but that the committee insisted it be open.

Gosh whoda thunk the Pentagon we all know and trust so much is offering to give the Republicans exactly what they want. And without a court order or no big fight or nothing. What a bunch of swell fellows. And its all going to be in about a week or so too. Someone is really pushing this hard. Wonder who it is?

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

1. This can be big trouble for Hadley and Rice, nt

[NNN0LHI]

2. Don't hold your breath n/t

[Gronk Groks]

3. Ever think Rummy thought he could hide this behind Katrina?

But Arlen Spectre surprised them by siding with the Democrats.

I smell blood...

[emulatorloo]

4. kick n/t

:kick:

[loudsue]

5. They've thoroughly programmed the witnesses now, and got their

stories straight. It's going to be another one of those "circle the wagons" type of testimony .... like what Roberts did for his confirmation hearings in committee.

Once they had time to prep the witnesses, they'll be given a clean bill of health.

Same republican stench, different day.

:kick:

[NNN0LHI]

6. I am sure they will conclude it was all Clinton's fault

Thats been the pattern for 6 years now.

Don

[Opusnone]

7. Good call, Don

They want to pin the blame squarely on the Clinton White House. Don't expect the big dog to take it lying down, however. No amount of spinning can undo history.