A couple thoughts on today's news, the Justice Department's move to drop its case against two former Israel lobbyists on espionage-related charges.
–It's common in the press to argue that the indicted lobbyists Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman, then of AIPAC, were only doing what policy pros do in Washington all the time: sharing information they've learned from government sources with others, including members of the press. And Weissman and Rosen did speak to Washington Post reporter Glenn Kessler. But they also passed the information on to Israeli officials and did all this in a secretive manner.
That's what's always been disturbing about the case: the clear understanding that these were government secrets and the ready sharing with a foreign government. Grant Smith has established that Isaiah Kenen, founder of AIPAC, was previously a registered foreign agent for Israel and that the Justice Department sought for a time to force the new lobby to so register itself. Justice folded its hand, then and now.
–When does this behavior cross the line? The central issue here, as Justin Raimondo has long pointed out, is the confusion of American and Israeli interests, especially with respect to Iran; and some of the secrets that Weissman and Rosen got a hold of dealt with Iran. This is not a parlor game. This confusion helped create the Iraq war, and it may produce a calamitous strike on Iran in months to come. How do two overly-entwined countries separate their interests? In part through prosecutions under the Espionage Act. That's why I wish the case had gone forward, to help expose these issues for the public.
–Here's something I noticed yesterday while reading up on the case (and Scott Horton and Raimondo are way ahead of me on this one). In the four-year old federal indictment of Rosen and Weissman, it's alleged that in February 2003, Rosen had a conversation with his source, Larry Franklin, a reserve Air Force colonel serving on the Iran desk in the Pentagon, in which the two talked about the National Security Council. Rosen advised Franklin that if he got a job on the NSC he would be "by the elbow of the president."
Franklin then asked Rosen to "put in a good word" for him, and Rosen assured Franklin, "I'll do what I can."
This is frighteningly similar to the conversation that Congresswoman Jane Harman allegedly has with a "suspected Israeli agent" a couple years later. She aspires to keep her status as ranking member on House Intelligence; and she asks the "agent" to work on then-minority-leader Nancy Pelosi for her. The agent will do so by using Haim Saban, the California moneybags for the Democratic Party.
So in both instances, you have powerful hawkish gov't officials turning to outsiders connected to the Israel lobby for help in their advancement. In both instances, the officials believe that the Israel lobby can affect their careers. This is why I can't shut up about the lobby. It's a huge force in our politics, and its influence is regularly denied. The Justice Department also wanted to pursue a case against Harman. Somehow it abandoned that one, too.
If the lobby is so powerful as you claim why can't it get Jonathon Pollard released? Massive effort and money has been spent on the effort to do so. Also, why can't it get the embassy moved to Jerusalem? A movement to force the issue passed both the House and Senate years ago, only the President holds it back every 6 months. Isn't it true you are wrong about almost everything you post concerning Israel?
I've always thought that odd. That both Franklin and Jane believed members of the Lobby could help them achieve the positions they coveted. An NSC position for Franklin and Chair of the House Intel for Jane. Really amazing. That said, the charges should have been dropped since it would not be ethical for the prosecution to proceed given the need to prove that the information transfered would harm the US, not just have the potential of harm. That's a fairly high bar and probably not doable. While it would have been interesting to see it go to trial that really isn't the purpose of criminal trials.
Now that charges have been dropped, Congress could hold hearings to air this out a bit but the odds of that happening are rather remote.
the project seems to be progressing normally in AFPAK… i guess more confirmation of israel's clout —as if we needed any— will encourage obama to press on… summarizing the pakistan situation too bad india was so slow at catching on to peak oil… so now they've signed onto the israeli american/PNAC/AEI/exxon 9/11 project in an attempt to catch up with china’s oil aquisition program. china apparently figured out the peak oil situation years ago, and since then has been buying oil faster than the israeli americans can steal it, which explains why the israeli americans and indians have to tear up pakistan in an attempt to restrict chinese access to persian gulf energy…
not to mention the fact that the PNAC project will supposedly get rid of pakistan’s nukes… not to mention the fact that india is being groomed to replace the US as protector of israel, seeing as how the US is unlikely to survive peak oil and looting by american oligarchs who see the peak oil handwriting on the wall, especially in view of <A href="link to google.com
fondness for "blood borders" and the racial makeup of america… does that have anything to do with haim saban buying the <A href="link to google.com
spanish-language televison network in america?
anyhow…
not to mention the fact that the PNAC project will supposedly get rid of pakistan’s nukes… not to mention the fact that india is being groomed to replace the US as protector of israel, seeing as how the US is unlikely to survive peak oil and looting by american oligarchs who see the peak oil handwriting on the wall, especially in view of neocons' fondness for "blood borders" and the racial makeup of america… does that have anything to do with haim saban buying the biggest spanish-language televison network in america? anyhow… PNAC plan for pakistan… with oil deposits, pipelines, other details neocon map "blood borders" published in US Armed Forces Journal (graphic) article "blood borders" published in US Armed Forces Journal (text) google search of “blood borders” author: ralph peters neocon how exxon got hooked up with the the AEI
security for israel, oil for exxon: US taxpayers foot the bill it’s no secret that the israelis have been pushing for reassembly of the middle east for decades, and it seems reasonable to assume that israel —located as it is adjacent to the world’s biggest oil patch— would not be nearly as important to america if america were not so dependent on oil…. for instance, if america was supplying itself with electricity from nuke plants built and operated by exxon, fueled with uranium from exxon mines. if exxon had continued with its nuke development, maybe most of us would be driving electric cars by now…
…but once exxon became aware of israeli americans’ determination to thwart development of nuke plants, once exxon became aware of the power of the israeli american media, once exxon became aware of israeli and israeli american determination to remodel the middle east, exxon gave up on their nukes and joined up with the israeli americans in their land and oil acquisition project. since the american taxpayer would be footing the bill for the project —at a time when oil is getting scarce and exploration and production costs are soaring— an alliance with the israeli americans and their PNAC project is the cheapest way for exxon to grab a chunk of the biggest oil reserves in the world. overall PNAC plan
i really like your new comments setup
map pakistan and PNAC: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=neocons+... operationenduringturmoi.jpg peters' neocon map of remodeled middle east: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=neocons+... =en&sa=1&q=blood+borders&btnG=Search+Ima ges&aq=f&oq= google search ralph peters neocon: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=neocons+... &q=%22ralph+peters%22+neocon how exxon got hooked up with the israeli americans: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=neocons+... overall PNAC plan: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=neocons+... pnacplan18apr09.jpg haim saban buys univision: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=neocons+... neocons and "blood borders" —will this theory be applied as america is dismantled as the looting progresses? http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=neocons+...
so i guess everyone will be able to figure out that the broken urls above will have to be reassembled and pasted into your browser window to come up with the intended articles and images.____progress marches on.
trying out my shiny new intensedebate account…. PNAC plan for pakistan… with oil deposits, pipelines, other details pnac plan pakistan <a href="link to google.com
"blood borders"&aq=f&oq=">blood borders google search of “blood borders” author: <a href="link to google.com
&q="ralph peters" neocon">ralph peters neocon <a href="link to wadosy.blogspot.com
exxon got hooked up with the the AEI
J Street opposing AIPAC has brought a 'mean drunk' type rejoinder from Morris Amitay: The former executive director of AIPAC asserted ( re J Street): "You’ve had these on-their-knees types coming out of the woodwork all the time." AIPAC set to push Iran legislation at major conference Hilary Leila Kreiger, JPost, May 2 2009 http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=123971...
I see J-Street is being accused of being an anti-semitic front organization for the CIA. It will be interesting to see what Phil has to say when he goes to the AIPAC conference next week. Harmon will be a speaker. Lots of talk about the now ready and waiting legislation for the right moment to spring –cut off of Iran's refined oil intake.
The issue is a good deal bigger than mere spying or influence. JJ Goldberg's "Forward" article mentions Phil.
There are many Israeli agents in America. Some are spies. Some are legitimate lobbyists. Some have dual loyalties. Some are political leaders. Most are influenced and motivated by the huge amount of foreign aid that is used to subsidize Israel's militant society.
They realize there is no "American people." the ties that bind have been long cut. Gentile political leaders as a class are mere careerist like Eichmann was, little cogs in the great machine reaping benefits for the 5% tops & for Israel. Nothing else matters to them. If they see the light, they will quickly be a tar baby muzzled. We are not suppose to notice the decline and slow falling of the American Empire upstart.
Identity politics, bankers, and the military-industrial-service complex rules uber alles. Biggest proportional winner: Israel.
Damn, citizen & notice, you read the tea leaves wet on my lips.
The silent American Nakba: http://eaazi.blogspot.com/2009/04/jewish-financia... It really began with Johnson and the USS Liberty. Iraq War & Gaza massacre continue it; next Iran. WW3 in the making. Imagine Wagner's piece on this. Samson needs a haircut.
Another perspective why the charges against the four-year old federal indictment of Rosen and Weissman had to go away so fast is to remove focus and any hint or effort to discipline Israel. In particular the IDF’s last “Cast Lead” offensive on Gaza that murdered fourteen hundred Palestinians. Israel, again and again justifies and blankets all its actions under this ‘BITACHNON” 1 (the issue of National Security) banner, unchecked. Intentionally or unintentionally, any lingering public news of the misdoings of Israel will continue to repel inquiring minds from facing the disturbing butchered images from Gaza and all past illegal and hateful actions (mostly undocumented carnage since 1946) of the most recent IDF and all the past thugs, spies and gangs of the: JNF; MOSSAD; HAGANA; MAKTAL; PALMACH; IRGUN; HISH (page 45); HASHAHAR; AGUDAT; DRUZE; TAGMUL; MILHEMET KIBUSH; SHABAK; PLAN DALET 1 and their terroristic offensives. “What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love” Martin Luther King Jr. urged us to “get this thing right”. As Americans and human beings, it is our moral obligation to seek justice for Israel and Palestine. Giving a spoiled child every thing it asks for ends up ruining the parent as well. If we truly love Israel we would not be afraid of the truth and all it’s fruits. 1 The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine by Ilan Pappe ps. Any urge to balance this comment with examples of Palestinian/Arab spies and thugs that are endangering our security, in our government, you are welcome to site such examples.
Yes, the key is who have we been empowering all these years? It sure is not the Palestinians who have been made to pay for the Shoah when they were totally innocent. This is the giant marker. It will eventually be addressed, probably long after the USA and the world have paid a heavy price. Then it will be lost in history, so the cycle can be repeated to what end I dunno–survival of jews as a people? Certainly I see no other long term gain. Maybe I should review Hitler's final political testament? Or should I focus on beating my head against the wall of the MSM blackout of full truth in a country where moneybags determines who represents me?
"How do two overly-entwined countries separate their interests? In part through prosecutions under the Espionage Act. That's why I wish the case had gone forward, to help expose these issues for the public." We don't put innocent people in prison in this country to satisfy your political agenda. It's sickening how you wish to inprison and financially bankrupt people who disagree with you.
"It sure is not the Palestinians who have been made to pay for the Shoah when they were totally innocent." The were not totally innocent. But then, they did not pay for the Shoah. They paid for starting a civil war which led to a Pan-Arab war. They happened to be on the losing side. The losers always pay.
Now that the court case has been dealt with — and, no doubt, gobs load of money will be coming his way from the AIPAC execs [including Steny Hoyer's sister] — What's the bet that the prominence of Rosen will rise again? That guy knows where millions of skeletons are stored, ready and waiting to rise from the dead, if required. http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/he-hill-arti... BTW: John Amato from Crooks and Liars says he might run against Harman… Not sure, if he would be the best candidate to run against her, but it's a start — and I'm definitely saving my pennies to put some serious money towards a strong candidate that will hopefully get her OUT of congress — Knowing obviously it's gonna to take alot more than money. The Hill article is true: I'm considering a run at Jane Harman's seat By John Amato Wednesday Apr 29, 2009 3:09pm http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/he-hill-arti...
Rosen/Weissman case may go away, but the issue of influence won't – –The rare influence of AIPAC outed in 1992: David Steiner of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) The Complete Unexpurgated AIPAC Tape "…recorded without his knowledge by New York businessman Haim (Harry) Katz. Its existence was first revealed to the Washington Times and its release triggered Steiner's resignation…" http://www.wrmea.com/backissues/1292/9212013.html
And after reading the above — anyone wondering why Hillary Clinton got the Dept of State?
Excellent point. On the last day of the Clinton presidency, Hillary was caught red-handed acting as a conduit for $400,000 in bribes collected by her brother Hugh, in exchange for pardons issued by Bill. If you or I had done that, we would be facing a 'kitchen sink' of federal charges, including but not limited to bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and so forth. Yet this venal crime led to no ethics charges against Clinton, let alone criminal prosecution. Similarly, Barack Dubya Obama emerged from Chicago's pungent political culture of 'honest graft.' The Jewish Lobby propelled him into the pretzeldency, and is now ostentatiously cashing in its chips. Having got the bit between their teeth, don't be surprised if their next demand is a pardon for Pollard. The fourteenth, 'equal protection' amendment — yes, the one which extended the protection of law to African Americans — is now a joke. The political plutocracy enjoys absolute impunity, while Leona Helmsley's fabled 'little people' face 95-percent-plus conviction rates in the federal courts which feed the prison-industrial complex. I don't think we's in Kenya no more, Toto. Welcome to Nigeria on the Potomac, where Hillary 'Ten Percent' Clinton and Barack Dubya Obama stand for one political proposition — government for sale.
Jeff Goldberg's 2005 article on Steve Rosen and AIPAC and Iran is here. http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/07/04/05070...
Corrupt Jewish Zionist social networks crossing from government to Israeli advocacy organizations have already put a lot of Arab and Muslim Americans in jail simply for opposing Zionism, which is ethnic Ashkenazi Nazism and completely opposed to everything for which the USA is supposed to stand.
Up to this point, the losers have always paid. I don't support such an idea myself, and am determined to undermine and eliminate it if at all possible. Dividing the world into winners and losers is a very old-fashioned way of approaching life. Given modern technology, the continuation of such a limited perspective, which fails to take into consideration many other realities, is likely to lead to another world war and, given our technology, creates a potential for world annihilation. We are not playing games.
Applying Israeli rules, aren't you, thedhimmi? A trial might prove innocence.
Sand: "Now that the court case has been dealt with — and, no doubt, gobs load of money will be coming his way from the AIPAC execs [including Steny Hoyer's sister] — What's the bet that the prominence of Rosen will rise again? That guy knows where millions of skeletons are stored, ready and waiting to rise from the dead, if required." They are also going to sue the government to pay for their court costs for this absurd prosecution. If they win, which is likely, it will cost the tax payers millions.
Israeli rules?
Who will also have to pay for the FBI/CIA years spent on the case. LOL. Americans can afford it, right?
Wow, this is some really bitter shit, Phil. By your rubric, conversations with members of a foreign government that take place in a "secretive manner" involving second or even third-hand information possibly originating in classified documents–information which the recipients may or may not know is classified, or even documented, for that matter–is tantamount to espionage. I wonder–would you go through these kinds of embarrassing intellectual cartwheels if the accused were members of any other lobbying group (note the small-l in "lobby," lest you misunderstand me…)? And while I'm on it, do you believe that the justice system should be a forum for debating issues in which you happen to be interested, e.g., the question of "how two overly-entwined countries separate their interests?" Weak stuff, man. Guess I'll catch you at Columbia this fall…
The answer to your question is: Look what happened to Chas Freeman. Any of Obama's zionist appointees get so vetted? No. Remember the Chinese spies? They sure didn't last long.
…like the Ted Stevens case you mean — he was innocent too no doubt. Ted Stevens I'm sure threatened to bring down a 'few' important people down with him — with the AIPAC guys — the world was their oyster.
Wait, so the charges are dropped, yet you still rail against them like they did it? Why not rail against all those black people falsely accused of raping white women as still having done it? This is even beyond presumed guilty, this is guilty even when the verdict is innocent!
I disagree with your conclusion that we have reason to believe Rosen and Weissman are "totally innocent." "The government’s motion to dismiss said the government was obliged take a final review of the case to consider “the likelihood that classified information will be revealed at trial, any damage to the national security that might result from a disclosure of classified information and the likelihood the government would prevail at trial.” " http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/02/us/politics/02a...
"…so the charges are dropped…" does not equate to "the verdict is innocent!" http://www.nytimes.com/ 2009/05/02/us/politics/ 02aipac.html?_r=2 (remove spaces) "The government’s motion to dismiss said the government was obliged take a final review of the case to consider "the likelihood that classified information will be revealed at trial, any damage to the national security that might result from a disclosure of classified information and the likelihood the government would prevail at trial." "Over government objections, Judge Ellis had also ruled that the defense could call as witnesses several senior Bush administration foreign policy officials to demonstrate that what occurred was part of the continuing process of information trading and did not involve anything nefarious. The defense lawyers were planning to call as witnesses former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; Stephen J. Hadley, the former national security adviser; and several others. Government policy makers indicated they were clearly uncomfortable with senior officials’ testifying in open court over policy deliberations." "As reported by Congressional Quarterly, which covers Capitol Hill, and The New York Times, Ms. Harman was overheard agreeing with an Israeli intelligence operative to try to intercede with Bush administration officials to obtain leniency for Mr. Rosen and Mr. Weissman in exchange for help in persuading Democratic leaders to make her chairwoman of the House Intelligence Committee. Ms. Harman has denied interceding for Mr. Rosen and Mr. Weissman, and has expressed anger that she was wiretapped. She is to be among the featured speakers at the Aipac conference next week."