Ashcroft Is Asked to Explain Department Role in Berger Case -NYT

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 - A top House Democrat called on Attorney General John Ashcroft on Friday to explain why the Justice Department was letting federal officials cooperate in a Congressional inquiry into the case of Samuel R. Berger despite a current criminal investigation.

The representative, Henry A. Waxman of California, the senior Democrat on the Government Reform Committee, said the department position regarding Mr. Berger, a national security adviser to President Bill Clinton accused of mishandling classified documents, was at odds with how inquiries tied to the Bush administration had been handled.

"For example, in the investigation into the leak of the identity of covert C.I.A. agent Valerie Plame, officials have said repeatedly that they cannot comment because the matter is currently under investigation," Mr. Waxman wrote. He said the policy was "intended to maintain the integrity of the investigation and protect the individuals involved."

The panel chairman, Representative Tom Davis, Republican of Virginia, called on the National Archives and Records Administration this week to provide materials related to Mr. Berger, who has acknowledged improperly removing documents from the archives last year but has said it was inadvertent

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/07/politics/07berger.html

[proud patriot]

1. Got to love Waxman

Wheeeeee !

[xray s]

2. (sigh) and the media continues to get the facts wrong

"The panel chairman, Representative Tom Davis, Republican of Virginia, called on the National Archives and Records Administration this week to provide materials related to Mr. Berger, who has acknowledged improperly removing documents from the archives last year but has said it was inadvertent"

He didn't remove documents from the archives. He removed copies of documents. The documents themselves NEVER left the archives. Once a lie is told, it never dies.

[TacticalPeek]

3. Kick.

:kick:

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. You know, Waxman is onto something.

Those wacky Republicans keep abusing their positions.

[bushisanidiot]

5. Waxman Rides Again!

I love how he'll just call them on this shit. I hope other dems stand up with him and ask hard questions and demand answers.

The Plame outing was treason and should be investigated FIRST. Berger only took his own handwritten notes and returned them. He didn't risk anyone's life with his actions.

[UpInArms]

6. ah the rotting smell of hypocrisy

Mr. Waxman said archives officials were scheduled to be questioned by House investigators on Wednesday and had been told they were "in no way constrained" from talking about the details with lawmakers or their aides. Mr. Waxman asked Mr. Ashcroft to explain why the prosecutors were overruled and whether he would "similarly 'clear' " officials to discuss other cases, like Ms. Plame's.

An honest answer to that question, would be:

"Why no, that wouldn't be politically expedient."

[tabasco]

7. My favorite superhero. Up in the air! It's a bird ! It's a plane !

Nope - it's WAXMAN - defender of democracy and greatest enemy of evildoer repuglicans!

:yourock:

[loudsue]

8. I hope Waxman stays away from small aircraft....

We all know the repuke M.O., and everyone who disagrees with them is likely to die in a small plane crash.

O8)God protect Waxman!!! O8)