When the DNI misleads the Senate
By Steve Benen Thursday Sep 13, 2007 10:03pm
On Monday, Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on recent changes to the FISA law, which the Bush administration has insisted were necessary to keep Americans safe.
Joe Lieberman asked whether the new law, passed shortly before the August recess, played a role in facilitating the arrest of terrorist suspects in German last week.
MCCONNELL: [The new FISA law] was passed, as you well know, and we’re very pleased with that. And we’re better prepared now to continue our mission; specifically Germany, significant contributions. It allowed us to see and understand all the connections with –
LIEBERMAN: The newly adopted law facilitated that during August?
MCCONNELL: Yes, sir, it did.
Unfortunately, that wasn't true; McConnell tried to deceive the Senate.
Isn’t it against the law to lie to Congress?
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Frist, I think.
And it's only lying to Congress if Congress gives a crap. And even then...
Isn’t it against the law to lie to Congress?
IOKIYAR in effect.
"Isn’t it against the law to lie to Congress?"
Actually the statue reads: It shall be a crime to lie unto the Congress, if such Congress shall have a spine. Otherwise, witnesses before the Congress shall 'go for it'.
Nice comb over.
A crime? Only if a Democrat does it.
A Republican is allowed to "misspeak" or be mistaken or misinformed or even be less than entirely honest. I've never heard of a Republican actually lying about anything. Have you?
Just a little lie. Who's gonna notice.
Is it still illegal if it was a Republican(Lieberman may as well be) that asked him the question?
.
"Isn’t it against the law to lie to Congress?"
Not if you're a Republican.
Abby @ 5:
I don't remember.
only a neocon would think it was allright......
No. It isn't a crime anymore.
Apparently.
Have you heard any Democratic representatives howling about this all week? They got bent out of shape at Boehner for his "small price" comment. But deliberately misleading Congress, and the American people, with the help of Joe Lieberman, not so big a deal with the Democrats.
And Randi Rhodes wonders why some are so disillusioned with the opposition party.
"Did I say that......Are you sure I said that?...... If I said it...Then I meant it....i think".....a quote from the Preznit
Its slow boiling the frog...
Again the administration tries deceit to justify the destruction of our civil liberties. All of their big "terrorist" cases have come to them from informants like the guy in the retail outlet who the had the boob terrorists in NJ ask to have a video tape of them in combat gear made into a DVD and turned them in to the FBI. Yet the Busheviks claim they need the "Unpatriotic" act and the wiretaps. Bullshit!
"Joe Lieberman asked whether the new law, passed shortly before the August recess, played a role in facilitating the arrest of terrorist suspects in German last week."
I think it is a safe bet that they spoke in German when they arrested them, but I am guessing that they arrested them in Germany too? lol jk (Please don't go and check the spelling and grammar on my Blog... You don't have enough time to fix all of my errors!)
Abby @ 5:
Well...um...eh...well uh .....um....ehh..no no ..wait a minute ..ehhh uhhhh..letme see
ahemmmm.....ehhhh...ummmmm..ehhhhhhhhhh
Might as well not be if you can't get anyone in Congress to do anything about it. They have a cell in the building and the ability to make the arrest/s in house, but... that would require morals and courage.
evenin Ras..nice to see you again.....sorry can't stick around........see ya next time...
"Isn’t it against the law to lie to Congress?"
Not in amerishrub. Where rights only apply to the right and it's not a lie if you repeat it enough.
Supposedly this program only monitors calls to or from this country so how did we get involved in this German case? Were there calls between the U.S. and Germany?
How did Lieberman know to ask the question? Since the law was passed just before the August recess, and the arrests were made in August, who would even suspect the new law was involved. Clearly the investigation had been going on long before that.
It seems like the question and the answer were just a little to convenient.
starwheel @ 10:
It's the Lieberman thingy see, Crazy Joey....he needs to be kept 'sweet' so he won't say bad things about Gutless Harry or 'Chuckie' the Schumer.
But don't worry a change is on the way. 2008 will see more progressive populist Senators and who knows maybe 'Gutless' will find some of what he's missing.
We have sunk so low that nobody has a sense of honor. Anyone with a sense of honor would resign when caught in an obvious lie. People like Newt Gingrich, Tom Delay and Ollie North, rather than being shunned, are hero worshipped by the right wing. There is no sense of shame, no sense of honor, and it is permeating our entire culture.
My guess is that Lieberman and McConnell orchestrated the Q&A. Someone should ask JoJo if that is indeed the case.
Worked for Ollie North, remember?
He was pardoned.
Ran for the Senate.
Takes one to know one, I guess
Mike McConnell needs to resign. He used a Hannity talking point to defend the neo Stasi. Pathetic comb over haircutted jerk
I think that rule of lying to Congress is only pertaining to blow jobs. When someone actually screws the citizens of the US, it doesn't count. Well it doesn't count if you are a Repugnican.
Peace!
PJ
Yes,
It is not only against the law to lie to Congress but it is an imprisonable felony just to attempt to deceive Congress. The standard requires much less evidence than what is needed for perjury. Even if not under oath, and even if you have told no lies, you are guilty if you in anyway construct your statements so as to mislead or deceive Congress even if every statement you make is factual. Those guilty of this felony over the past six years would of course would include every member of the Bush administration that has spoken to Congress. John Dean thoroughly reviewed the statutes and the case law on this three or four years ago. (I believe it can be found at findlaw dot com).
JK
Mike McConnell's mis-statements leads me to believe that bush and this administration were engaged in illegal servaillance activites before this new law was passed, duh !!!
Filthy dirty neocons can't help but lie.
Joe Lieberman is a complete turd for aiding and abetting this kind of trash. Has he always been such a slime?
He reminds me of of the E. B. Farnum character in Deadwood.
This dog and pony show is ludicrous. Lieberman and McConnell obviously rehearsed the routine.
The GOP is perpetually on the offensive. They live by a cult of "smear others before they can smear you" (their "golden rule"). This has permeated vast elements of American society, the American psyche, and the "MSM". Before anyone has a chance to dissent "the official position", they are already labelled as dirty hippies, faggots, terrorist supporters/lovers, activists, cowards, Dr. Evil, etc. No one can listen, dialogue, or communicate with others if they have labelled the opposition such beforehand. Hence, their minds are closed, their ideas/ideals are set, and they plan to win by doing whatever it takes. They have an Ideology and are convinced they are absolutely right.
Its ok to lie as long as it doesn't involve blow jobs and/or hetero sex.
Of course it is against the law to lie to congress...unless, of course you are a Republican or a Republican appointee.
They believe the laws do not apply to them.
I think I know what you're asking,but then if I thought that ,then I'd have to be thinking,so I guess you're right,unless I'm not supposed to say that,but since You are asking,then I guess,so Senator. Did I make myself clear?
also you get to lie to congress, but then IF congress thinks you lied, and IF they decide to call you on it, you still get a week to resubmit your answers in writing.
(see Gonzalez's ongoing shameful testimony)
Isn’t it against the law to lie to Congress?
ya. And?
at worse it's dissembling at best he's an idiot who knows nothing about what's going on.
We need to amend the constitution to provide the DEATH Penalty ;for those who have sworn a duty to the U.S. constitution and who have lied. We could call it The George Bush Liars Penalty.
who knows what's really going on?
Notice anything else really remarkable in this country today? For some strange reason the words "we are a nation of laws" are used only when discussing illegal immigration and apply to absolutely nothing else..
Patriot Scholar @ 32:
What do you mean "believe"... don't see anybody arresting these trash bags do you? I know... lets have a congressional hearing!
Lying, it's the new BLACK.
Brought to you by Republicans and the christian Right.
JamesR @ 37:
I have always been against the death penalty. Too many innocent people have been exonerated, and I'm sure some weren't.
But you have just changed my mind. Add "patriot" in the name, and even the knuckle-dragging repugs would vote for it. They LOVE the death penalty.
Toothless Congress I don't think it will be a problem, after all we aren't at War. It will substitute for one but whatever it is this isn't a declared War. They won't impeach and we know they won't do anything to anybody, they'll just make some noises and they show will go on.
Isn’t it against the law to lie to Congress?
They are all politicians. Ever see one that didn't lie?
Edwin @ 30:
You are sooo right - but this tactic would be completely ineffective without all the enablers and whitewashers in the MSM. As it is, most discussions begin with the lie (taken for truth by people who know better) and proceed from there.
JamesR @ 37:
It already exists - in the Constitution - see treason.
Of course its against the law to lie to congress. But, much like all the other Repigs Mike McConnell will get off scott-free just like Gonzo because he plays ball with the child in the White Whore House. Stop being so naive, folks! *sheesh!*
From Findlaw.com "United States Code
TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 47 - FRAUD AND FALSE STATEMENTS
U.S. Code as of: 01/19/04
Section 1001. Statements or entries generally
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any
matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or
judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly
and willfully -
(1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or
device a material fact;
(2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent
statement or representation; or
(3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the
same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent
statement or entry;
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5
years, or both.
Sorry about the format, did a cut/paste from their web site. I believe that is with/without being sworn in.
Woah. Thats the worst rug i've EVER seen.
This fellow has the late, great Mr. Johnathan Winters' lips.... Is this guy from Ohio?
Go here for Johnathan Winterrs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-gIFU8jjeg
I guess since we have been bombarded with lies and deception from the Republohacks for so long it's become the new standard. We have a lot of work to do.
This is just beyond absurd on so many levels.
In todays government, Republicans and Democrats are philisophically the same. This has been a master takeover of Congress by the Republicans. Republicans lead, democrats follow.
Why would the Democrats want to criticize or assist in an honest evaluation of a law that they themselves passed? No way. They will accept the lies willingly, as long as the lies prop up their cowardly pandering to their Republican masters.
1. The Republican operatives repeatedly flaunt rule of law and the congress for political gain.
2. The Democrats feign opposition.
3. Democracy is in the shitter.
4. Rule of law has been systematically dismantled.
An insidious form of fascism has taken democracy´s place. The people go through the motions of going to the polls every so often, but the candidates offer no real choice. There is an effective one-party system of government.
What did Lieberman know and when did he know it? These questions can be scripted and given ahead of time to the witness...is this a case where Lieberman was hanging with his peeps (Bush, Cheney, GOP, etc?)
Arrest that asshole for lying to Congress. Disappear his ass into the black prison system. Let him never be heard from or of again.
My bet is that Lieberman may have been trying to showcase that FISA is working and that it should be kept in place....only to find out later that someone else has information that shows that McConnell was lying. In order to save face, Lieberman than asked for further clarifications. I hope that Lieberman now knows that carrying water for this administration should cease.
Man, that guy has a bad comb-over.
LIE berman was told to ask that, so he's part of the lying. IOKIYAR makes me insane with rage!!! The asshat had to release a statement saying it wasn't true. LIARS ALL!
Okay there's a Director of National Intelligence, the CIA the NSA the DIA, and both the Joint Cheif of Staff, and all military branches have their own intelligence units...
Just how many spooks do we have?
A crime to lie to congress? That was SO last Administration!
Now your first instinct is to lie, if you get caught you were misheard, if they have it on tape you misspoke. In any case you never knew what you were saying was a lie because in bizzaro-America IT'S ONLY A LIE IF YOU KNEW IT WAS! Catch-22.
He's a liar
[...] the Director of National Intelligence misleads the Senate article and video from Crooks and Liars: Joe Lieberman asked whether the new law, passed shortly before the [...]
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