debunking the Berger "socks" meme

[Alpharetta]

hundreds of papers included the following text today

"The same archives monitors told the FBI that Berger was observed stuffing his socks with handwritten notes about files he reviewed that were going to the Sept..."

Wouldn't an archive monitor immediately stop such an act?

[noahmijo]

1. The repub response to this debunking would probably be

Well they didn't because they were afraid given the high profile nature of the man.

[Alpharetta]

2. has anyone met the "Socks challenge" yet

a couple of days ago I heard Berger's lawyer challenge anyone to come forward and say Berger was being investigated for stuffing papers in his socks.

Has that challenge been met? Then why is the media repeating the unbased accusation?

[noahmijo]

3. I think the socks thing started with NY Post (where stories typically get

their first crazy twist)

No other news report that came from typical sources mentioned the socks thing that I've read.

[yardwork]

6. NY Post is owned by Rupert Murdoch, owner of Fox,

both of which are strangely silent today about the 9/11 Commission's report that John Ashcroft lied in his testimony to them!

[Alpharetta]

8. NYDailyNews story was carried by 13 papers nationwide

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&edition=us&ie=UTF-8&scoring=d&q=%22archives+monitors%22+%2BBerger

"The same archives monitors told the FBI that Berger was observed stuffing his socks with handwritten notes about files he reviewed that were going to the Sept..."

[shockingelk]

10. It was Limbaugh

See post #9 or http://fearofclowns.com/archive/2004_07_01_g.html#109042687837119987

[Hoping4Change]

4. I've always thought so. I think the monitor should be fired ASAP

Why bother spending money on monitors who don't confront people supposedly smuggling Super Classified documents out. Its all BS because the accuser supposedly doesn't want to be named. Why is he or she granted this anonymity? The bottom line is that there is no net loss of documents. They have all been circulated previously so any damaging information would have already been found.

[shockingelk]

11. It was sort of a "sting" operation

There was something in LBN about it - they suspected he was taking stuff out so asked the monitors to watch him and they specially marked the documents they gave him. Or so say that report.

[fob]

5. I happen to know for a FACT that Sandy Berger doesn't WEAR socks.

There, now you can quote an "unidentified source" with this irrefutable proof.

Remember after they ask you for names, tell them they are unAmerican and as ari fleischit said, "if someone has proof of wrongdoing THEY should bring the information forward"(quote from memory, not verbatim).

[starroute]

7. He may have just been wearing white socks

One version of the story I read said all it amounted to was that one archive monitor saw a flash of white between Berger's pants and his shoes and assumed it had to be concealed notes because *nobody* would wear white socks with dark pants.

Next question: Does anybody know whether Sandy Berger is a geek?

[shockingelk]

9. Debunked with links:

The evolution of Sandy Berger's undergarments:

The report on Berger's socks seems to have originated from a "colorful" comment by Rush Limbaugh on his radio show Tuesday morning, "Tom Daschle agrees with people stuffing classified information into their pants and socks and walking off with it." (if anybody has an earlier reference, please let me know!) http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_072004/content/truth_detector_6.guest.html

Shortly afterward, CNN's Bob Franken picked up on it, reporting "Two law enforcement officials have told CNN chief Justice Department correspondent Kelli Arena that Berger was spotted stuffing some of the documents into his socks." http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0407/20/lt.02.html

Later NewsMax embellishes the story by adding a third witness to the CNN report: "Reports CNN's Bob Franken: "Three law enforcement sources talking to CNN's Justice Department correspondent Kelli Arena they saw him, or that he had been seen, putting documents in his socks." http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/7/21/04858.shtml

At some point FOX picked up on the socks thing, adding the twist that it was Berger himself who announced he stuffed his socks: "Berger and his lawyer said Monday night he knowingly removed the handwritten notes by placing them in his jacket, pants and socks, and also inadvertently took copies of actual classified documents in a leather portfolio." http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,126249,00.html

By that evening, Limbaugh's colorful primal goo had evolved into Berger stating he stuffed documents into his underwear: "Mr. Berger (by his own admission) took several highly classified documents and shoved them in his jacket, his socks, and--yes--his underpants." http://www.chronwatch.com/content/contentDisplay.asp?aid=8570

[Bandit]

12. Poor ol' Socks... why don't they pick on Buddy a bit too?

Them Clinton's are hated even down to poor little ol' Socks. :silly: