Half Truths and Spin Again

Chimpie stood at his little podium yesterday in the White House and told America that his spying plan was fully approved in a series of Congressional briefings. The White House stated Democrats' were provided information on the program. "They were briefed and informed," said press secretary Scott McClellan, disingenuously adding, "Congress has an important oversight role." He actually expects America to believe the White House respects Congress – why would they start now?

If the plan was approved in Congress, who did it, and were they told the truth before deciding? According the some Democrats, they were never informed of a domestic spying program and never would have approved it.

"I feel unable to fully evaluate, much less endorse, these activities," West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the Senate Intelligence Committee's top Democrat, said in a handwritten letter to Vice President Cheney in July 2003. "As you know, I am neither a technician nor an attorney." Former Sen. Bob Graham, recalled a briefing about changes in international electronic surveillance, but does not remember being told of a program snooping on individuals in the United States.

Former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle said he, too, was briefed by the White House between 2002 and 2004 but was not told key details about the scope of the program. Sen. Harry Reid, said he received a single briefing earlier this year and that important details were withheld.

Knowing the pattern of these neocons and their little White House puppet, the smart money is on the Democrats for truth telling.
Posted on The Human Stain