Gonzales Contradicts Prior Statements, Confirms Existence Of Other Spying Programs

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/24/gonzales-contradiction-spying/

Gonzales Contradicts Prior Statements, Confirms Existence Of Other Spying Programs

In his testimony today before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was asked by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) to address inaccuracies in his 2006 testimony in relation to the Bush administration’s warrantless wiretapping program. “There has not been any serious disagreement about the program that the president has confirmed,” Gonzales said at the time.

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) recalled that former Deputy Attorney General James Comey testified to a much different version of events. Comey said he had refused to sign on to an extension of the program “amid concerns about its legality and oversight.”

Today, Gonzales said Comey was referring to “other intelligence activities,” appearing to confirm that the Bush administration is operating more than one warrantless domestic spying program. In a heated back and forth with Specter, Gonzales stated:

The disagreement that occurred was about other intelligence activities and the reason for the visit to the hospital was about other intelligence activities. It was not about the terrorist surveillance program that the president announced to the American people.

Watch it/read partial transcript at link~

Today’s testimony contradicts what Gonzales had said previously. In June, Gonzales claimed that both he and Comey were referring to the same domestic spying program. “Mr. Comey’s testimony related to a highly classified program which the president confirmed to the American people sometime ago,” he said.

If Gonzales’ testimony is accurate today, then he is confirming the existence of a new administration spying program.

[bemildred]

1. Boy, he really stepped in it. nt

[babylonsister]

2. Yup. And now he's a giggling, maniacal fool, trying to cover it up. nt

[speedoo]

3. So he's guilty of perjury, correct?

Off to jail with him.

[babylonsister]

4. Uh-huh...

:rofl:

[Deb]

5. Thank you! I wasn't sure I'd heard him correctly

It was a stunning admission.

[Old and In the Way]

6. Just the other day he was saying how he had to stay and fix things.

Heckufajob, Bertie!

[Bitwit1234]

7. Can't he be indicted for lying. It IS ON RECORD.

[VP505]

8. I sure would like

to see Leahy wipe that smirk off his face permanently with some jail time, but seeing how they have handled other things I am not to optimistic that that will happen.

[wiggs]

9. There it is. I've always thought that what we know is just the tip of the

iceberg...in every policy area there are more misdeeds than make the news.

[shanti]

10. what's in the dark

SURELY comes to the light!!

[MiniMe]

11. IIRC, Gonzo always specifically referred to "this" program

I remember picking up on that a long time ago.However, it was certainly designed to deceive.

[wiggs]

12. As heard on Hartmann today, Comey alluded to another highly, highly

secret program that he would not discuss. But Comey said that he and Ashcroft together decided that the program could not be certified as legal any longer, even though it had been in effect since 2004. It may be that THIS program is the one that caused the dust up at the hospital...the reason why GWB sent his personal attorney and chief of staff to an ill Ashcroft and why Comey mobilized his staff AND THE HEAD OF THE FBI to prevent Gonzales from being able to proceed with an illegal (dangerous?) spying program even one day more.

Gonzales may go down for being incompetent and deceptive, but I want to know about this program.

[wiggs]

13. Kick. Rec. Hope I see this in MSM headlines today and tomorrow. nt

[wiggs]

14. Gonzales also said today that there was a high level meeting that day

with senior officials and majority/minority leaders from house and senate who were told that the program wouldn't be certified.

I'd like to know if that's true. I'd like to know who knew about a program that even Ashcroft thought shouldn't go forward.

[bemildred]

15. That's a good question.

Implicating congresspersons in this mess was not a bright move either.

[wiggs]

16. Maybe. Hard to know. But there are those who believe that one reason

accountability is hard to come by is that both parties are in these messes up to their eyeballs and that impeachment or indictments will lead to an overall stain on our government and country as a whole.

Wasn't it Spector who was "shocked" that his office put a clause in the Patriot Act that replacement attorney generals don't need to be confirmed by congress?

I bet we don't see 90% of the really objectionable stuff that really goes on in our government these days.

[Blackhatjack]

17. The whole bit about 'not spying on Americans' is a ruse, of course they are....

And the extent of the spying is frightening for sure, but IMHO what may have spooked Comey about signing off on 'these other intelligence activities' was likely the Administration's abuse of this information for political gain and to punish their political enemies.

I doubt Comey has told all he knows, but Comey wanted to make sure he and Ashcroft were separated from those about to go directly to jail if the existence of this program became known and their approval was attached to it.

[havocmom]

18. Question for the forum: Did Ashcroft testify (in secret) before the committee?

Thinking they have Gonzo on a whole lotta whoppers if John Ashcroft has paid them a visit.

Can't stand Ashcroft, but wondering if he had limits the junta crossed.

[creeksneakers2]

19. Impeach Gonzales

Not only would it be the right thing to do but it would also be immensely helpful against Bush's contempt of Congress assault.