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In reply to the discussion: Iran-Contra Affair was TREASON that went unpunished. [View all]PufPuf23
(8,905 posts)62. Stress Shadow Government and Boland Amendment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boland_Amendment
During the early years of the Reagan administration, a civil war raged in Nicaragua, pitting the elected left-wing Sandinista government against CIA-financed Contra rebel groups. After the CIA carried out a series of acts of sabotage without Congressional intelligence committees being made aware beforehand, this led to the passage of the Boland Amendment by Congress and subsequent cutting off of appropriated funding for the Contras.
The Boland Amendment, proposed by Edward Boland, was a highly limited ambiguous compromise because the Democrats did not have enough votes for a comprehensive ban. The Amendment gained traction due to a widespread opposition among the American public to funding the Contras: Holly Sklar and Peg Strobel's public opposition to Contra funding at the time of Reagan's re-election at a consistent "trend of two to one." It covered only appropriated funds spent by intelligence agencies (such as the CIA). Some of Reagan's national security officials used non-appropriated money spent by the National Security Council (NSC) to circumvent the Amendment. No court ever made a determination whether Boland covered the NSC, and because it was a prohibition rather than a criminal statute, no one could be indicted for violating it. Opponents alleged that the White House violated the amendment. Congress later resumed aid to the Contras, totaling over $300 million. The Sandinistas were voted out of power in 1990, and voted back in later years.
The Boland Amendment prohibited the federal government from providing military support "for the purpose of overthrowing the Government of Nicaragua." It aimed to prevent CIA funding of rebels opposed to the Marxist provisional junta, the Boland Amendment sought to block Reagan administration support for the Contra rebels. The amendment was narrowly interpreted by the Reagan administration to apply to only U.S. intelligence agencies, allowing the National Security Council, not so labeled, to channel funds to the Contra rebels. In order to block this, the amendment was changed to prohibit any funds for military or paramilitary operations.[3][4]
Administration officials argued that the Boland Amendment, or any act of Congress would not interfere with the president's conduct of foreign policy by restricting funds, as the president could seek funds from private entities or foreign governments.[5] In this spirit, and despite the Boland Amendment, Vice Admiral John M. Poindexter, USN, and his deputy, Lt. Colonel Oliver North, USMC, secretly diverted to the Nicaraguan contras millions of dollars in funds received from a secret deal which some alleged had explicit presidential approval the sales of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Iran in spite of Reagan's public pledge not to deal with terrorists. In November 1986, a pro-Syrian newspaper in Lebanon revealed the secret deal[citation needed] to the world. This came as Democrats won back control of the Senate in the 1986 elections. In public hearings of a joint House-Senate committee convened for purposes of investigating the affair, Democrats sought to prosecute LTC North for his role. The final report published after the hearings blamed Reagan's passive style of leadership for allowing the conduct of foreign policy without involvement of any elected official. However, a later Congress repealed the Boland Amendment and resumed funding.[citation needed] Elections in Nicaragua subsequently ousted the Marxists from power; later elections brought them back into power.
During the early years of the Reagan administration, a civil war raged in Nicaragua, pitting the elected left-wing Sandinista government against CIA-financed Contra rebel groups. After the CIA carried out a series of acts of sabotage without Congressional intelligence committees being made aware beforehand, this led to the passage of the Boland Amendment by Congress and subsequent cutting off of appropriated funding for the Contras.
The Boland Amendment, proposed by Edward Boland, was a highly limited ambiguous compromise because the Democrats did not have enough votes for a comprehensive ban. The Amendment gained traction due to a widespread opposition among the American public to funding the Contras: Holly Sklar and Peg Strobel's public opposition to Contra funding at the time of Reagan's re-election at a consistent "trend of two to one." It covered only appropriated funds spent by intelligence agencies (such as the CIA). Some of Reagan's national security officials used non-appropriated money spent by the National Security Council (NSC) to circumvent the Amendment. No court ever made a determination whether Boland covered the NSC, and because it was a prohibition rather than a criminal statute, no one could be indicted for violating it. Opponents alleged that the White House violated the amendment. Congress later resumed aid to the Contras, totaling over $300 million. The Sandinistas were voted out of power in 1990, and voted back in later years.
The Boland Amendment prohibited the federal government from providing military support "for the purpose of overthrowing the Government of Nicaragua." It aimed to prevent CIA funding of rebels opposed to the Marxist provisional junta, the Boland Amendment sought to block Reagan administration support for the Contra rebels. The amendment was narrowly interpreted by the Reagan administration to apply to only U.S. intelligence agencies, allowing the National Security Council, not so labeled, to channel funds to the Contra rebels. In order to block this, the amendment was changed to prohibit any funds for military or paramilitary operations.[3][4]
Administration officials argued that the Boland Amendment, or any act of Congress would not interfere with the president's conduct of foreign policy by restricting funds, as the president could seek funds from private entities or foreign governments.[5] In this spirit, and despite the Boland Amendment, Vice Admiral John M. Poindexter, USN, and his deputy, Lt. Colonel Oliver North, USMC, secretly diverted to the Nicaraguan contras millions of dollars in funds received from a secret deal which some alleged had explicit presidential approval the sales of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Iran in spite of Reagan's public pledge not to deal with terrorists. In November 1986, a pro-Syrian newspaper in Lebanon revealed the secret deal[citation needed] to the world. This came as Democrats won back control of the Senate in the 1986 elections. In public hearings of a joint House-Senate committee convened for purposes of investigating the affair, Democrats sought to prosecute LTC North for his role. The final report published after the hearings blamed Reagan's passive style of leadership for allowing the conduct of foreign policy without involvement of any elected official. However, a later Congress repealed the Boland Amendment and resumed funding.[citation needed] Elections in Nicaragua subsequently ousted the Marxists from power; later elections brought them back into power.
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casey was at the root of the RW radio monopoly destroying democracy the last 25 yrs....
certainot
May 2013
#5
those of you who do not remember the Business Men Coup de tat should take the time to read Certainot
retired rooster
May 2013
#36
. . . and how many completed their 50 bombing missions, and were never shot down?
leveymg
May 2013
#77
50? What are you talking about...it took 25 to rotate out IF you so choose...
Drew Richards
May 2013
#83
25 it is. The point being that some of the Business Coup-American Fascist types -- Dulles, Prescott
leveymg
May 2013
#97
A shadow government that not only continues to the present day unaccountable to the people...
Octafish
May 2013
#15
Read this excerpt from the Cong. Iran Contra Report with Libya and Syria in mind. Same games, redux
leveymg
May 2013
#78
Did Republicans ever ask ANY questions about the Reagan-Republican FAIL with our Marine barracks?
Berlum
May 2013
#57
The 'evil-empire' Iranians that the Republicans fellated will use their US weapons
Berlum
May 2013
#61
When mentioning Brown & Root, don't forget about *Kellogg, Brown & Root, bought by Halliburton
Ghost in the Machine
May 2013
#103
But but but...ACORN! NEW BLACK PANTHERS! FAST & FURIOUS! BENGHAZI! THE IRS! SPYING ON THE AP!!!!!
alp227
May 2013
#14
Don't lump Benghazi and AP in the rest. They aren't faux scandals, just onion skin scandals -
leveymg
May 2013
#79
Ronny most likely didnt recall. The CIA probably has a drug that induces dementia. nm
rhett o rick
May 2013
#50
Here's an old Nixon trick: put your hand over one side of the face, and then the other. Do RWR 1st
leveymg
May 2013
#81
Many of those liars are still around. Glad one great journalist is still operating a Truth Squad...
Octafish
May 2013
#92
Christic Institute sued the traitors and found it was like reporting a sin to the Devil.
Octafish
May 2013
#95
and so they learned how not to get caught again, then they stole the Presidency in 2000
Coyotl
May 2013
#39
Poppa Bush also used his influence to free a terrorists who bombed an airliner full of civilians
Major Nikon
May 2013
#45
Maybe I dont understand your question. Nixon and the Iran-Contra cabal were pardoned. nm
rhett o rick
May 2013
#49
More probably I don't understand the law. I thought(think) a person had to be convicted of a crime
byeya
May 2013
#53
OK, I see what you're saying. Thanks! Seems a bit too much power to me. Keeping people
byeya
May 2013
#74
Nixon set the template for this sort of election treason as noted in LBJ recordings...
cascadiance
May 2013
#80
np. But dont take my word, I think your questions can be answered via Wiki. nm
rhett o rick
May 2013
#60
Who specifically do you think made up the ruling cabal during the Iran-Contra fiasco? nm
rhett o rick
May 2013
#52
Another outstanding thread, exposing the Republicans for what they are!!!
Major Hogwash
May 2013
#93