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In reply to the discussion: Iran-Contra Affair was TREASON that went unpunished. [View all]leveymg
(36,418 posts)78. Read this excerpt from the Cong. Iran Contra Report with Libya and Syria in mind. Same games, redux
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/PS157/assignment%20files%20public/congressional%20report%20key%20sections.htm
As with Iran, Congress was misled about the N.S.C. staff's support for the contras during the period of the Boland Amendment, although the roles of the N.S.C. staff was no secret to others. North testified that his operation was well-known to the press in the Soviet Union, Cuba and Nicaragua. It was not a secret from Nicaragua's neighbors, with whom the N.S.C. staff communicated throughout the period. It was not a secret from the third countries - including a totalitarian state -from whom the N.S.C. staff sought arms or funds. It was not a secret from the private resupply network which North recruited and supervised. According to North, even Ghorbanifar knew.
The Administration never sought to hide its desire to assist the contras so long as such aid was authorized by statute. On the contrary, it wanted the Sandinistas to know that the United States supported the contras. After enactment of the Boland Amendment, the Administration repeatedly and publicly called upon Congress to resume U.S. assistance. Only the N.S.C. staff's contra support activities were kept under wraps. The committees believe these actions were concealed in order to prevent Congress from learning that the Boland Amendment was being circumvented.
It was stated on several occasions that the confusion, secrecy and deception surrounding the aid program for the Nicaraguan freedom fighters was produced in part by Congress's shifting positions on contra aid.
But Congress's inconsistency mirrored the chameleon-like nature of the rationale offered for granting assistance in the first instance. Initially, Congress was told that our purpose was simply to interdict the flow of weapons from Nicaragua into El Salvador. Then Congress was told that our purpose was to harass the Sandinistas to prevent them from consolidating their power and exporting their revolution. Eventually, Congress was told that our purpose was to eliminate all foreign forces from Nicaragua, to reduce the size of the Sandinista armed forces, and to restore the democratic reforms pledged by the Sandinistas during the overthrow of the Somoza regime.
Congress had cast a skeptical eye upon each rationale proffered by the Administration. It suspected that the Administration's true purpose was identical to that of the Contras - the overthrow of the Sandinista regime itself. Ultimately Congress yielded to domestic political pressure to discontinue assistance to the contras, but Congress was unwilling to bear responsibility for the loss of Central America to communist military and political forces. So Congress compromised, providing in 1985 humanitarian aid to the contras; and the N.S.C. staff provided what Congress prohibited: lethal support for the contras.
The Administration never sought to hide its desire to assist the contras so long as such aid was authorized by statute. On the contrary, it wanted the Sandinistas to know that the United States supported the contras. After enactment of the Boland Amendment, the Administration repeatedly and publicly called upon Congress to resume U.S. assistance. Only the N.S.C. staff's contra support activities were kept under wraps. The committees believe these actions were concealed in order to prevent Congress from learning that the Boland Amendment was being circumvented.
It was stated on several occasions that the confusion, secrecy and deception surrounding the aid program for the Nicaraguan freedom fighters was produced in part by Congress's shifting positions on contra aid.
But Congress's inconsistency mirrored the chameleon-like nature of the rationale offered for granting assistance in the first instance. Initially, Congress was told that our purpose was simply to interdict the flow of weapons from Nicaragua into El Salvador. Then Congress was told that our purpose was to harass the Sandinistas to prevent them from consolidating their power and exporting their revolution. Eventually, Congress was told that our purpose was to eliminate all foreign forces from Nicaragua, to reduce the size of the Sandinista armed forces, and to restore the democratic reforms pledged by the Sandinistas during the overthrow of the Somoza regime.
Congress had cast a skeptical eye upon each rationale proffered by the Administration. It suspected that the Administration's true purpose was identical to that of the Contras - the overthrow of the Sandinista regime itself. Ultimately Congress yielded to domestic political pressure to discontinue assistance to the contras, but Congress was unwilling to bear responsibility for the loss of Central America to communist military and political forces. So Congress compromised, providing in 1985 humanitarian aid to the contras; and the N.S.C. staff provided what Congress prohibited: lethal support for the contras.
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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