White House backtracks on claims of lost intelligence

[UpInArms]

Source: Los Angeles Times

Hours after chiding Congress for not finishing a wiretapping bill and leaving the nation 'vulnerable to terrorist attack,' officials acknowledge all requested information is being received.

WASHINGTON -- A day after warning that potentially critical terrorism intelligence was being lost because Congress had not finished work on a controversial espionage law, the U.S. attorney general and the national intelligence director said Saturday that the government was receiving the information -- at least temporarily.

On Friday evening, Atty. Gen. Michael B. Mukasey and Director of National Intelligence J. Michael McConnell had said in an unusually blunt letter to Congress that the nation "is now more vulnerable to terrorist attack and other foreign threats" because lawmakers had not yet acted on the administration's proposal for the wiretapping law.

But within hours of sending that letter, administration officials told lawmakers on the House and Senate intelligence committees that they had prevailed upon all of the telecommunications companies to continue cooperating with the government's requests for information while negotiations with Congress continue.

A statement describing the change was released Saturday.

The episode appeared to be another round in the battle between the White House and congressional Democrats over provisions of the proposed new Protect America Act, which would replace one that has expired.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-intel24feb24,1,5327112.story

---

:argh:

[Eugene]

1. Bush & Co. said something that wasn't true. Imagine that!

Did anyone really think the Bush mis-administration would let
the law get in its way?

[Lasher]

2. Funny how corporations need to be persuaded.

If it's in the national interest why don't they just order corporations to do their bidding?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

21. I think you have the pecking order reversed.

:)

[Supersedeas]

39. ah, how will the revise the spin and propoganda of these selfless-patriots

[acmavm]

3. So why is the headline to this story not "White House Gets Caught Lying

to the Public as Usual"?

[ixion]

6. indeed...instead they call it 'backtracks' which is disingenuous, at best

and furthers the premise that the media is acting as a BushCo enabler, even still.

[C_U_L8R]

4. That's what happens when you lose intelligence

you do dumb things

[UpInArms]

8. a mind is a terrible thing to lose

:eyes:

[rambler_american]

9. In the words of an esteemed former VP

What a terrible thing to have lost one's mind. Or not to have a mind at all. How true that is.
-Dan Quayle

[mwb970]

12. Quayle was a canary in the coal mine.

We should have been able to see that the R's were headed for a long, long streak of buffoonish behavior and remarks.

I am not part of the problem. I am a Republican.
Dan Quayle

People that are really very weird can get into sensitive positions and have a tremendous impact on history.
Dan Quayle

Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child.
Dan Quayle

The American people would not want to know of any misquotes that Dan Quayle may or may not make.
Dan Quayle

The future will be better tomorrow.
Dan Quayle

We don't want to go back to tomorrow, we want to go forward.
Dan Quayle

More at http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Dan_Quayle/

[madmom]

35. My SO used to say that Dan Quayle was assassination insurance...cuz

nobody wanted him to be prez. same goes for cheney.

[C_U_L8R]

10. i'd rather have a bottle in front of me

than a frontal lobotomy : - ))))

...so said Tom Waits

[fenriswolf]

27. tell that to my piano

its halfway through a bottle of good scotch.

[Thor_MN]

5. Oh Magoo, you've done it again!

Hilarity ensues when Atty. Gen. Magoo misplaces illegal wiretap information. At the end of the day, Magoo finds that the missing intelligence has been there all along.
:Cue end credits

[formercia]

7. Junior will pardon the Telcos

corporations are persons after all.

[bluesmail]

11. probably, *sigh*

[bulloney]

13. The White House blinked on this lie, and the Dems didn't even have to put up much of a fight.

Imagine the things that can get accomplished if the Democratic leadership in Congress would grow a pair and engage in some toe-to-toe fighting with them.

[VP505]

15. I wouldn't be too quick

to say the White House blinked, its possible that the Dem's have agreed to some unannounced compromise, usually meaning they have capitulated again. I would like to think the White House backed off but recent history doesn't give me much hope that its the case..

[ChairmanAgnostic]

20. you mean, Situation normal, all fucked up?

with reid and pelousi, yes, I can easily see that.

[Javaman]

14. I guess the WH prescribes to the old song...

"taint' what you do, it's the way that you do it".

[benld74]

16. DUMB ASS!!!!

[truthisfreedom]

17. It's bad enough that bushco took a dump in the Congressional doorway.

Now they've gone and stepped in it and are spreading it around.

[Amonester]

18. What was it that Mock-ass-hey claimed to have lost again?

Intelligence? Excuse me?

This proves (again) they can't lose what they never had in the first place: intelligence.

Because these law-breaking Rebublicans don't have brains to begin with.

Don't count on Congress to ever say anything about it, though.

[fascisthunter]

19. Rrrrrright..... (nt)

[asp64064]

22. The Following is what Domestic surveillance looks like under the USA Patriot Act!

I assure you that the administration is abusing our civil rights and you are looking at the proof below. I have complained to everyone in the Senate, House, Local and State government and nothing happens except more surveillance, personal and professional interference in addition to retaliation. Come live in my world and experience what really goes on. www.MedicalSupplyChain.com/news.htm

67.95.23.210
Record Type: IP Address


OrgName: XO Communications
OrgID: XOXO
Address: 13865 Sunrise Valley Drive
City: Herdon
StateProv: VA
PostalCode: 20171
Country: US

ReferralServer: rwhois://rwhois.eng.xo.com:4321/

NetRange: 67.88.0.0 - 67.95.255.255
CIDR: 67.88.0.0/13
NetName: IALG-ALGX-9
NetHandle: NET-67-88-0-0-1
Parent: NET-67-0-0-0-0
NetType: Direct Allocation
NameServer: NS1.XO.COM
NameServer: NS2.XO.COM
Comment: ADDRESSES WITHIN THIS BLOCK ARE NON-PORTABLE
Comment: Please report spam and viruses to [e-mail].
Comment: For better service, direct customers of XO may use
Comment: the web form at http://www.xo.com/contact/care/
Comment: for reverse DNS requests and other customer-specific
Comment: technical issues. Thank you for your cooperation.
Comment:
RegDate: 2001-09-26
Updated: 2005-12-05

OrgAbuseHandle: XCNV-ARIN
OrgAbuseName: XO Communications, Network Violations
OrgAbusePhone: [phone]
OrgAbuseEmail: [e-mail]

OrgTechHandle: XCIA-ARIN
OrgTechName: XO Communications, IP Administrator
OrgTechPhone: [phone]
OrgTechEmail: [e-mail]


82.165.235.119
Record Type: IP Address


OrgName: RIPE Network Coordination Centre
OrgID: RIPE
Address: P.O. Box 10096
City: Amsterdam
StateProv:
PostalCode: 1001EB
Country: NL

ReferralServer: whois://whois.ripe.net:43

NetRange: 82.0.0.0 - 82.255.255.255
CIDR: 82.0.0.0/8
NetName: 82-RIPE
NetHandle: NET-82-0-0-0-1
Parent:
NetType: Allocated to RIPE NCC
NameServer: NS-PRI.RIPE.NET
NameServer: NS3.NIC.FR
NameServer: SEC1.APNIC.NET
NameServer: SEC3.APNIC.NET
NameServer: SUNIC.SUNET.SE
NameServer: TINNIE.ARIN.NET
Comment: These addresses have been further assigned to users in
Comment: the RIPE NCC region. Contact information can be found in
Comment: the RIPE database at http://www.ripe.net/whois
RegDate: 2002-11-23
Updated: 2004-03-16

[queerart]

38. As Crazy As It May Sound.....

After I made fun of "Log Cabin Republicans".... and posted a couple (Queer) cartoons here on DU that I made... I have been hounded ever since....


The visits started with the DOJ, and the DOD... Now whether it was really them... or others "spoofing" their IP's..... who Knows?


I believe I have had a visit from the same people you spoke of..... But since I was blocking so many IP's, they tend to "spoof" their ip's allot.... usually spoofed as Grade Schools, or the other day as (if I remember correctly) The House Of Commons (British Parliament)

I'm watched by several places in all......


CYVEILLANCE 65.222.176.123


Performance Systems International Inc 38.113.129.56


and even a visit from 166.128.0.0 which is associated with The US Terrorist Surveillance Program


They also use fake ip addresses...... (ip's that begin with 192.168., ect)


and it goes on, and on...... I too have contacted people in the Senate..... But the surveillance only got worse after I did, so one can only draw the conclusion that they all eat from the same trough...... (as I only contacted Democrats).....


If they are watching me for silly Queer cartoons..... I know they are watching other sites that really take the Republicans to task.... and the funny thing is.... no one will speak of it... either they are unaware that it's going on (not looking over their logs), or they are too scared to speak of it (pretend it's not happening, and it will just go away)... as I have tried to talk with others about this very subject on many occasions......


Can I ask? Are you having visits from a place called: www.stockleaf. com? I'll bet you are.........


Or a place that pretends to find you through a dictionary: http: o-db.com/en/dictionaries/english_finnish who's IP points to Layered Technologies, Inc.


Or another pretend dictionary called: www.therarestwords. com ........... (which when one does a search on Google.... Stockleaf.com visits the same places therarestwords. com does)


Sad to say, but I'm thinking when one is put on "their list".... the visits will never stop......


.. and not that I'm saying it is related mind you.... but someone hacked into my email account..... and what did they go for you might ask? An email that had the word "cartoons" in the title.... it's all rather bizarre.... and shows they will go to any length.....


I'm sure all of this sounds like I need a "tinfoil hat" to many reading this... (or who is not going through it).... and that is exactly where the government likes to keep it.... ahhh.. they are crazy, we wouldn't do that to Americans.... People Need To Wake Up...

[AndyTiedye]

23. What IS This Vital Intelligence That they CANNOT Go to the FISA COURT for a Warrant?

What else COULD it be? They are doing intelligence-gathering for the Republican party to help them win the elections.

If it had anything to do with terrorism, the FISA court would give them warrants. That is their job.

[ooglymoogly]

24. and yet the corporate media is running with the lie

Wasn't that the game plan? Shout the lie then retract it in fine print. Once again the idiot in chief shoots himself in the foot....however the foot turns out to be a false foot and the idiot is not harmed....but the press runs with the the first story even though it is patently false. Talk about a conniving gang of thugs. CNN had a long section today soft balling the head of intelligence, spreading the propaganda of the bald faced lie that intelligence had been harmed by congress not acting. So their game plan is working. How many people delve beneath what the corporate propaganda tells them?

[benld74]

25. The WH lost iintelligence the second Bush took office!!!

[lonestarnot]

26. They keep running stupid commercials for people to call Harry Mitchell here in AZ

and tell him you're scared and you have pissed your pants. Wha? Does Harry change diapers?

[meow2u3]

28. LOST intelligence? This administration never had any to begin with!

:nopity:

[xxqqqzme]

29. Wasn't it Olbermann, when reporting on this,

who quipped. Lost intelligence - How would they know? "All you have to do is look at this administration to know we're missing intelligence."

The dynamic duo, he called them, were the 'worst persons in the world'.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23301773#23301773

[flakban]

30. And...

where's the surprise?

[bjobotts]

31. Telecoms MUST,according to law,with a court order comply with wiretapping

They have no choice. So there will never be a question of them not cooperating in the future. They must comply with a court order. That is what Bush and co did not want to obtain because they knew they couldn't. This is what the upper level of the DoJ with Comey was ready to quit over. Bush wanted to data mine all telecommunications at will...without a warrant or without having to explain themselves. They were tapping everybody to get all kinds of information, especially financial as in tapping emails etc from lawyers donating to Edwards. They were gathering information to use as blackmail and coercion on dems and businesses their buddies might have to compete with.

Terrorism was secondary and this is why they will not reveal any information about who they were spying on. Records show that it was in the tens of thousands they were gathering information on. You know this is bullshit. McConnell was working to implement datamining American information before becoming in charge of all the intelligence agencies.

I'm in MO. and starting now we have to all get a new Driver's License that is RIDF so the gov. will now be able to track us at any time knowing where we are.
Anyone with a frequency 'sniffer' can get close to my location and steal my SS, Lic. #, and all my personal info. How is this making me safer. Most states are fighting this Real ID law but meanwhile I'm forced to get it. Sounds like "Mark of the beast" shit doesn't it. Can't do much without a lic. Just in time for the up coming elections too.
Sen. Claire McCaskill (ran as a progressive dem but has voted with the republicans on all major issues) did nothing to stop it and refuses to jhoin in the suit to ban Real ID law. She's campaigning for Obama...Is this what he will do too...get elected, stop listening to those who got him elected, and start pushing a conservative agenda in his desperation to be seen as 'bipartisan'. "Citizen...identify yourself in this retina scan. Confirmed. Here's your pizza". "The Shock Doctrine" tells it all about disaster capitalism, the "End of America" and what we can do to stop it. (books by Naomi Klein)

btw...if you can think of a way for me to avoid getting one of these 'locater' DL's please tell me.

[bjobotts]

32. In MO, REAL ID law has started.Tell me how to avoid it please.

In order to renew my license in MO I have to bring proof (Birth cert.) of identity and proof (Utility bill etc.)of address...(this I can do without complaint)and $20 but what they give me for a license is one that emits a radio frequency so I can be tracked 24/7. So as you can see, it's not just about proving who I am and where I live...it's about being able to monitor where I go and how long I stay etc.. My freedom to move about is one step away from being marshaled from one place to the next if the gov. so decides to do that.

"...when they finally came for me there was no one left to say anything" (you know the quote.
ADVICE anyone??????

[DeeDeeNY]

33. They do take us for idiots

[jeff30997]

34. Protect America Act, Patriot Act...

Gee! A lot of shit in a shinny wrapping.

[MindMatter]

36. They don't have to "prevail"

if the implication is that the telecom cooperation is only if the telecoms feel like it.

We are a nation of laws. If they have good cause for a wiretap, all they have to do is take it to the FISA court, which has almost never failed to approve a request. The court will order it and the telecoms will be compelled to cooperate by order of the FISA court. The telecoms are more than happy to comply with that court order anyway because they suck up to every administration in order to get all the favorable regulation that allows them to take trillions of dollars from the American public by the preservation of virtual monopolies. Show them a FISA court order and they'll be on their knees with zippers open before you can say "insert wiretap here".

Everything else they say is bullshit.

[margotb822]

37. Intelligence is lacking in the White House?

No! It couldn't be.

[damntexdem]

40. How could they have lost what they never had?

;-)

[Proud Liberal Dem]

41. Why would telecom companies refuse to help with LEGAL requests for assistance?

Aren't they required by law to comply with LEGAL requests for assistance gathering intelligence and what happens to them if they refuse to assist with LEGAL efforts? Given the kind of trouble many of those companies are already in because of their previous alleged involvement in ILLEGAL intelligence collection efforts, I don't blame them for being jittery about cooperating in further ILLEGAL efforts by the Bush (mis-)administration but why would they be refusing LEGAL requests? Also, if they are supposed to be helping with LEGAL requests for assistance but they refusing to help with gathering data altogether then somebody obviously must (still) be asking them to act outside the law. Anybody care to guess who?