Conyers: "President talks about terror, serious shortcomings in security"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

The President talks about terror while serious shortcomings in domestic security remain

http://www.conyersblog.us/

This evening, the president has chosen to address the American public about terrorism when his administration is besieged by scandal. Tonight, the president took credit for successes against al Qaeda, some of which are old news, and the rest of which, conveniently, could not be publicly discussed. Earlier in the day, ironically, the president's closest advisor, Karl Rove, was preparing to testify before a grand jury about having disclosed the identity of a covert agent and undermining American intelligence assets seeking weapons of mass destruction.

This pattern appears to repeat throughout the Bush administration. Shortly after 9/11, the Acting U.S. Attorney in Guam, Frederick Black, identified a private citizen who had improperly been given access sensitive information about immigration loopholes in Guam and the Marianas Islands. Concerned about the need for post-9/11 security, Black started an investigation to find answers about this vulnerability.

So who was the citizen at the center of this security breach? None other than Bush administration and Tom DeLay friend Jack Abramoff. The day after Black subpoenaed Abramoff regarding this case, he was demoted from his position. Karl Rove was the conduit through which the choice for a replacement was presented to the White House.

Congressman George Miller joined me at a press conference today to call for the appointment of a special counsel in this case. A conflict of interest clearly exists sufficient merits such an appointment. My full statement from the press conference may be found here.

Also today, we broached the subject of severe shortcomings in domestic security witnessed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. We have learned that prisoners were left to die in the Orleans Parish prison when corrections officials did not evacuate them. Additionally, emergency medical service workers reported being fired at by sheriffs on the New Orleans Bridge when attempting to flee the flooded city with 200 other people. These incidents clearly demand a thorough investigation. Fifteen Members of Congress joined me today in a letter asking the Attorney General to investigate this alleged misconduct by law enforcement officers and corrections officials in New Orleans. To read a copy of my letter, click here.

Blogged by JC on 10.07.05 @ 12:05 AM ET

[bee]

1. I would like John Conyers cloned. please. n/t