Bill Young on David Petraeus Scandal

Rep. Bill Young was briefed by acting CIA Director Michael Morell. What Young said was not encouraging.

"I still don't know where this goes. I have a concern that it might go far deeper than we think. Not the personal issue but the issue as it relates to intelligence and national defense," Young said in an interview Tuesday night.

Young cannot talk about his briefing with Morell. What could be getting the attention of the CIA is Paula Broadwell's comments on Benghazi. Broadwell claimed the attack was a reprisal for the CIA taken two Libyan militia members as prisoners.

"Now I don't know if a lot of you heard this, but the CIA annex had actually -- had taken a couple of Libyan militia members prisoner and they think that the attack on the consulate was an effort to try to get these prisoners back. So that's still being vetted," she said.

That was not reported at the time. The CIA is unlikely to ever confirm such an operation. Another sign that Broadwell received classified information is from the FBI search of her computer.

The contents of the classified material and how Broadwell acquired it remain under investigation, said the officials. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to comment publicly. But the quantity of classified material found on the computer was significant enough to warrant a continuing investigation, the">ad officials told Reuters.

Petraeus was interviewed today and denied he gave Broadwell access to classified information. Broadwell admitted to the FBI that she stole documents. What I would like to know is how Broadwell got a security clearance and only had it revoked after the affair became public.

Cliff Stearns Corruption Scandal

Republican James Jett has accused Rep. Cliff Stearns of briding him. Jett was set to run in the Republican primary against Sterns for the new District 3 seat. According to Jett, Sterns offered to a bride, in exchange for Jett dropping out.

Jett said one offer included a job on Stearns' campaign staff that would pay him to cover the approximately $25,000 he had spent on his congressional run. He also said he was told there could be a job heading the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or a U.S. marshall position once there are vacancies.

Gov. Rick Scott would have to be involved, in order for Stearns to give Jett the head position at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It could very well be that Stearns was overplaying his influence. However, it does sound shady.

According to Jett, the FBI has recorded phone conversations Jett had with Jim Horne and Jud Sapp. Horne and Sapp were to help set up the deal between Jett and Stearns. Jett isn't someone who makes these kind of accusations likely. By all accounts he is honest and doesn't stand for corruption.

This is the second time Jett has said someone has tried to pay him, illegally, for politics. A Clay County man was convicted in 1990 for offering Jett, then a county commissioner, $30,000 for his vote. Tape recordings were used in that case, by the State Attorney's Office.

Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll's name was brought up by Jett to the FBI. Jett adds that he doesn't think Carroll has done anything illegal.

Update: the Sterns story makes me wonder how often this kind of pay for play deals go on. State Sen. Jim Norman admitted to violated the law by not reporting a $500,000 house, given by campaign donor Ralph Hughes to Norman's wife. Former Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom gave Northwest Florida State College pork, in exchange for a job. It is no wonder that Republicans don't flinch when JD Alexander uses the legislative process to increase his property values of his company Atlantic Blue.

The current crop of Republicans are so confident that they have no qualms about breaking the law. Do you actually believe that Rick Scott is worried about the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation on the data erased from his laptop and cell phone? Scott and other Republicans do not have to worry about being indicted for violating Sunshine and campaign laws. Jim Norman and Ray Sansom will unlikely get convicted by the FBI. JD Alexander got the CSX line and state college near his Blue Atlantic property. Marco Rubio used the nonprofit Republican Party of Florida credit card as his own ATM. Rubio is now a Senator. Scott was involved in a huge Medicare fraud scandal and his now governor. These Republicans are going to keep behaving unethically because it pays well.

No Surprise: David Rivera Investigated by FBI & IRS

This isn't really news. There has been rumors for quite some time that the FBI and IRS are investigating Rep. David Rivera.

Federal investigators have opened a second criminal probe of U.S. Rep. David Rivera, examining undisclosed payments from a Miami gambling enterprise to a company tied to the Republican congressman, The Miami Herald has learned.

Agents with the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service have begun interviewing witnesses knowledgeable about a $1 million consulting contract between Flagler Dog Track — now known as Magic City Casino — and Millennium Marketing, a company co-owned by Rivera’s 70-year-old mother and her business partner, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

The involvement of the IRS and the questions agents have asked indicate Rivera is the subject of an income-tax evasion inquiry, said a source.

The investigation goes beyond the exchange of money between Rivera and his family members through the Flagler Dog Track and Millennium Marketing. Rivera received $137,000 and did not report it. Rivera later claimed it was a loan. How many politicians receive loans from lobbying organizations run by his mother and godmother.

This is the classic shakedown job by a politician.

But Martinez told The Herald last year that it was Rivera who first approached the dog track about running the pro-slots campaign, and it was Rivera who suggested that the contract go through Millennium. Dog track officials had no contact with Medina or Magarino during the contract negotiations, Martinez said last year. Rivera signed the 2006 contract with Magic City along with Medina, records show.

Rivera then set-up family members to run Millennium Marketing. The loan looks like a secret funneling of money. Flagler Dog Track got its casino slot machines. The Rivera family got paid off for pushing slot machine legislation through the Florida legislature.

Esther Nurfer was interviewed by the FBI. Rivera made $150,000 and $250,000 payments to Nurfer's consulting firm Communication Solutions. The funny thing is the Republican Party of Florida have no record of these transactions. Nurfer is Rivera's girlfriend.

Ray Sansom's Legal Troubles Are Not Over

The FBI has subpoenaed former Ray Sansom aide Samantha Sullivan. She now works for Rep. Matt Gaetz.

“The subpoena compels testimony before the grand jury and the production of documents regarding how Rep. Sansom utilized funds designated for office use,” Gaetz said.

The state charges against Sanson were dropped. Samson said the reason he didn't go to prison was because God had ordained it.

"God has sustained us," Sansom said after the case was dismissed. "We held strong with his grace."

Perhaps God told Samson to place pork in the Florida House budget that would land him a no-bid job and spend $173,000 on a Republican Party of Florida credit card.

F.B.I Investigation of Jim Norman

The F.B.I. has expanded their investagation into Florida Sen. Jim Norman. The Feds have filed a documents request pertaining to Norman's time on the Hillsborough County Commission. The HC attorney Renee Lee confirmed the St. Petersburg Times of the F.B.I request.

It appears the F.B.I. is looking for documents that will help build a case against Norman. The investigation started after primary opponent Kevin Ambler and the media reported that the late Ralph Hughes gave Norman's wife the money to buy a $435,000 home in Arkansas. Norman failed to list to home on his financial disclosure form all political candidate must file. Norman's wife has no employment and in no way could have paid for the house on her own. What made matters more suspicious is Norman refuse to say who gave his wife the money to purchase the house. Mearline Norman was able to purchase the house with no bank loan.

NORMAN: "I'm not getting into my wife's investment portfolio. That's my wife's interests."

Kevin Ambler's legal attempts to throw Norman off the ballot revealed that the late Ralph Hughes gave the money to Mearline Norman. Hughes' living relatives became interested and wanted the $435,000 back. The F.B.I. is also intersted. The documents requested deal with Norman's relationship with Hughes.

* Any rule, law or policy that identifies ethics requirements of county commissioners.

* Commissioners' oath of office.

* Any conflict of interest forms filed by Norman in the years 2005 to 2007, and a blank conflict form.

* A list of contractors for the county six months before and after March 6, 2006.

* All appearances by Hughes before any county board or commission from 2005 to 2007.

The F.B.I. is focused on the time between 2005 to 2007 because the Arkansas home was purchased in 2006. The F.B.I. is looking into county document that shows Norman's home violating is service to public office. The fact that Norman failed to list the home on several financial diclosure statements is potential a legal liablity.

Why Jim Norman Represents What is Wrong With Florida GOP

Jim Norman is a candidate for the Florida Senate. Norman was taken off the ballot by Leon County Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford. In her ruling, Fulford disqualified Norman because he did not disclosed the $500,000 gift the late Ralph Hughes gave to Norman and his wife to purchase an Arkansas home. Fulford also ruled Kevin Amber cannot replace Norman on the ballot. Amber filed a lawsuit to have Norman thrown off the ballot. Amber lost to Norman in the Republican primary.The Pasco and Hillsborough county Republican parties will form a six member panel to decide who will replace Norman.

What is troubling is the Florida Republican establishment chose to double down on Norman after his ethical lapses were well known. On September 28, Norman received $25,000 of GOP money for his general election campaign. On this date there was already media reports of Norman being investigated by the FBI. Republicans gave Norman $29,932 on October 5th. This was four days after Norman admitted in court Hughes helped pay for the Arkansas house. There was no effort by county and state Republicans to do their own internal investigation to see if the allegations against Norman were true. Republicans went into damage control and ignored Norman's highly-publicized scandal.

Norman also received media scrutiny for using a Salvation Army company car for political business. As a Hillsborough County commissioner, Norman received a $233 monthly car allowance. Norman was collecting an taxpaid allowance for an automobile he does not own. Norman receives $95,000-a-year for working part-time for the Salvation Army. Norman has been vague about what his duties for that job entail.

Norman has been a lightning rod for controversy for years. He is another example of the Florida Republican establishment's unwillingness to police itself.

Shocking News: Rick Scott is Rich

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott is worth $218.6 million. And I'm sure he is having a much better day than you are.

Controversy came with Scott's wealth. The FBI raided the offices of Columbia/HCA. Scott was the head CEO of the company. The FBI found doctors for rewarded financial incentives to give unneeded tests to patients. Scott's hospitals could then bill Medicare and make a profit. Scott was forced to step down from the company he created.

Two whistleblowers say Scott was aware of the fraud going on at Columbia/HCA.

But company whistleblower John Schilling of Naples says Scott must be lying.

"He's pulling the wool over people's eyes if he says that he wasn't aware of this and he would have fired anybody if he would have fired anybody if he would have been aware of it. I think it's a bunch of malarkey," Schilling said.

John Schilling helped the FBI make it's case against Columbia/HCA.

Another whistleblower, Jim Alderson talks about how two different sets of accounting books were kept. One book was for false claims and the other book was the clean numbers.

"These reserves represented anywhere from 25 to 35 percent of the bottom line of the company in its heyday," Alderson said.

"It is just unfeasible that a CEO making the kind of money he was making, that you wouldn't know where 30 percent of your bottom line came from. How could you sit in a board room and say, 'Gee, I wonder; we had record profits this year. I wonder where that came from?"

What is amazing is Scott had the audacity to be against President Barack Obama's health care reform. However, at leat you know how Scott made his money.

Jim Greer Channels Nixon

Former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer sent a e-mail to the Miami Herald. Greer fires off a Nixonian attack RPoF Chairman John Thrasher.

After reading your credit card story, I see that Mr. Thrasher’s comments are intended to distort the facts and deflect blame. My attorneys and I are very much looking forward to setting the record straight and to the upcoming depositions under oath of: Mr. Thrasher, other party leaders, office holders, candidates for higher office, their respective staffs and many others, along with all the wide-ranging discovery which will take place. I served the party well and don’t seem to be getting the “Statesman’s Recognition” I was ensured in writing and verbally by many that I would receive. And I look forward to the future! The course we are all on is not of my choosing, but one that was set by others.

It is perplexing that Greer wants "Statesman’s Recognition." The Republican Party of Florida is being investigated by the FBI and IRS. Now is not a good time for Greer to be asking for a pat on the back.

I couldn't find a Thrasher quote in the column Greer took exception with. Perhaps the quote was later edited out. What was Greer ensured verbally and in writing? The last sentence is paticularly bizarre.

The course we are all on is not of my choosing, but one that was set by others.

Huh? Is Greer blaming others for his $500,000 American Express card bill. Does Greer expect Republican donors to believe that others are resonsible for him spending $41,421.31 in March of 2008. Good luck sellling that one. I'm waiting for Greer to bitterly announce we won't have him to kick around anymore.

Teabaggers Respond With Death Threats

The Tea Party movement as reacted to the passage of health care reform with insanity. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told The Hill that there is in security.

"Any member who feels themselves at risk is getting attention from the proper authority," Hoyer said during brief remarks on Wednesday.

The FBI is investigating a severed gas line, at the house the brother of Rep. Tom Perriello. The Lynchburg Tea Party anonymously posted the address of Perriello brother on their blog. The blogger mistakenly believed Rep. Perriello lived at the address. The blogger urged teabaggers to pay the Congressman a visit. That is a sure invitation to trouble.

“Just in case any of his friends and neighbors want to drop by and say hi and express their thanks regarding his vote for health care,” the author writes. “I personally believe it’s so important for representatives to remain fully grounded and to remember exactly what it is their constituents are saying and how they are telling them to vote. Nothing quite does that like a good face-to-face chat. It has a much more personal touch to it.”

I have had commenters post addresses and death threats at people on this blog. I have always deleted those comments. I could care less if commenters diss me. Putting people's personal information that might endanger a person is something I have never allowed on this blog. There is zero excuse for the actions of the Lynchburg Tea Party bloggers.

Nigel Coleman is one of the two people responsible for posted the address. Coleman was unapologetic of his actions.

According to the Politico Web site, when Coleman learned that the address actually belonged to the congressman’s brother, he responded on a blog: “Do you mean I posted his brother’s address on my Facebook? Oh well, collateral damage.”

The other person who posted the address is Mike Troxel. Like Coleman, Troxel showed an equal lack of sensitivity. Troxel refuses to take the address off the blog. Troxel will only take it down if he has Rep. Tom Perriello.

“If they would like to provide me with the address of Tom, then I’d be more than happy to take it down,” he said. “I have no reason to believe it’s not his house.”

Coleman and Troxel have been informed that Perriello's brother has received a threatening latter and a cut gas line. Yet, they refuse to delete their posting of the home address. These men are aware they are endanger the lives of the Perriello family. These are not freedom loving patriots. They are sociopaths.

Coleman is now backtracking from the negative publicity.

"We wanted people to go by and talk to their congressman," Coleman said.

Previously, Perriello's brother was "collateral damage." Now Coleman wants a friendly chat. Amazing how an FBI investigation can change one's disposition.

A caller on Rep. Louise Slaughter's voice mail threatened to use "snipers" against her. Slaughter also had a brick thrown through her district office window. It is obvious some nutcase is attempting to stalk Slaughter. The threat against her is serious.

Tea Party protesters called Congressman and civil right legend "nigger." Several members of the member heard Tea Party protesters chant the word to the Black Caucus. Bill O'Reilly claims there is no proof. O'Reilly failed to bring any eyewitnesses to his show. Fox News helped create the Tea Party movement. How long will Fox News be able to explain away the militia mentality of this movement remains to be seen.

Fort Hood Shooting

The Army told the AP that seven people are dead from a mass shooting at the Fort Hood, Texas base. 20 people were woulded from the attack. One alleged shooter is in custody. CNN reports 11 dead, including a second gunman. The FBI is on the scene.

The first shooting occured at 1:30 PM at the medical processing office. The second shooting occured at a theater. A graduation ceremony was scheduled at the latter. Apparently, the shooters had access and knowledge of the facilities.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports the gunmen are military personal. One gunman is still on the loose. The death count is reported at 12.

A news report on the missing gunman.



Update: the New York Times reports the missing gunman has been killed.

Christopher Hogue, a spokesman at Fort Hood says that the gunman who was killed had two handguns. He confirms that 12 people are dead, including the gunman and that 31 have been wounded. The base remains locked down.

President Barack Obama's remarks on Fort Hood incident.

We don't yet know all the details at this moment. We will share them as we get them. What we do know is that a number of American soldiers have been killed and even more have been wounded in a horrific outburst of violence. My immediate thought is with the wounded and the families of the fallen. These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk and at times give their lives to protect the rest of us on a daily basis. It's difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans overseas. It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil. I've spoken with Secy Gates, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Adm. Mike Mullin and we continue to receive a constant stream of updates as new information comes in. We are working with the Pentagon, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security all to ensure that Ft. Hood is secure. And we will continue to support the community with the full resources of the government. In the meantime I would ask all Americans to keep the men and women of Ft Hood in your thoughts and prayers. We will make sure that we get answers to every single question about this horrible incident. I want all of you to know that as commander in chief that there's no greater honor but also no greater responsibility for me than to make sure the extraordinary men and women in uniform are properly cared for and that their safety and security when they're at home is provided for. So we are going to stay on this. I hope all of you recognize the scope of this tragedy and keep everybody in their thoughts and prayers....

Update: Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is the shooter that was captured killed. Hasan is a psychiatrist reassigned from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Hasan's Arabic name is definately going to raise red flags.

MSNBC reports two soliers are in custody.

Twelve people were killed and at least 31 others were injured when a soldier opened fire at the Fort Hood Army base in Texas, military officials said. One gunman was shot to death, and two other soldiers were in custody, Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of the Army’s III Corps, told reporters.

Lt. Col. Eric Butterbaugh called the shooting "isolated and tragic case." Three people suggest a conspiracy. We will have to wait for the results of FBI investigation. Terroist-backed attack or not, this is horrible.

Update: it is not clear if the the other soldiers fired weapons. The news video below confirms the shooter is dead and two suspects are being held for investigation.



Update: according to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s spokesman, Jeff Sadoski, Hasan was unhappy about being deployed to Iraq.

Obama Feels State Secrets Doctrine is 'Over-Broad'

President Barack Obama was asked about his administration's use of the state secrets doctrine. Obama said the "doctrine should be modified."

OBAMA: I actually think that the state secret doctrine should be modified. I think right now it's over-broad. But keep in mind what happens is, we come into office, we're in for a week -- and suddenly we've got a court filing that's coming up. And so we don't have the time to effectively think through what, exactly, should a overarching reform of that doctrine take. We've got to respond to the immediate case in front of us.

I think it is appropriate to say that there are going to be cases in which national security interests are genuinely at stake, and that you can't litigate without revealing covert activities or classified information that would genuinely compromise our safety. But searching for ways to redact, to carve out certain cases, to see what can be done so that a judge in chambers can review information without it being in open court -- you know, there should be some additional tools so that it's not such a blunt instrument.

There are valid arguments to use state secrets privilege to protect national security. The doctrine has been used to shield the federal government from embarrassment. Sibel Edmonds worked for the F.B.I. as an interpreter. Edmonds translated intercepted communications. Edmonds is not allowed to speak about why she was fired. John Ashcroft retroactively declared information about Edmonds state secrets.

Part of what is not classified is Edmonds allegations about F.B.I. mismanagement of post-9-11 intellgence.

After the terrorist attacks of September 11 we, the translators at the FBI's largest and most important translation unit, were told to slow down, even stop, translation of critical information related to terrorist activities so that the FBI could present the United States Congress with a record of 'extensive backlog of untranslated documents', and justify its request for budget and staff increases. While FBI agents from various field offices were desperately seeking leads and suspects, and completely depending on FBI HQ and its language units to provide them with needed translated information, hundreds of translators were being told by their administrative supervisors not to translate and to let the work pile up (please refer to the CBS-60 Minutes transcript dated October 2002, and provided to your investigators in January-February 2004). This issue has been confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee (Please refer to Senator Grassley and Senator Leahy's letters during the summer of 2002, provided to your investigators in January-February 2004). This confirmed report has been reported to be substantiated by the Department of Justice Inspector General Report (Please refer to DOJ-IG report Re: Sibel Edmonds and FBI Translation, provided to you prior to the completion of your report). I provided your investigators with a detailed and specific account of this issue and the names of other witnesses willing to corroborate this. (Please refer to tape-recorded 3.5 hours testimony by Sibel Edmonds, provided to your investigators on February 11, 2004).

Today, almost three years after 9/11, and more than two years since this information has been confirmed and made available to our government, the administrators in charge of language departments of the FBI remain in their positions and in charge of the information front lines of the FBI's Counter terrorism and Counterintelligence efforts. Your report has omitted any reference to this most serious issue, has foregone any accountability what so ever, and your recommendations have refrained from addressing this issue, which when left un-addressed will have even more serious consequences. This issue is systemic and departmental. Why did your report choose to exclude this information and this serious issue despite the evidence and briefings you received? How can budget increases address and resolve this misconduct by mid-level bureaucratic management? How can the addition of a new bureaucratic layer, "Intelligence Czar", in its cocoon removed from the action lines, address and resolve this problem?

Edmonds spoke behind closed doors to the 9-11 Commission. Her testimony is classified under state secrets privilege.

Blackwater Is On the Outs

The investigation into Blackwater is unearthing (unsurprising and) disturbing new information.

The colonel was furious. "Can you believe it? They actually drew their weapons on U.S. soldiers." He was describing a 2006 car accident, in which an SUV full of Blackwater operatives had crashed into a U.S. ArmyHumvee on a street in Baghdad's Green Zone. The colonel, who was involved in a follow-up investigation and spoke on the condition he not be named, said the Blackwater guards disarmed the U.S. Army soldiers and made them lie on the ground at gunpoint until they could disentangle the SUV. His account was confirmed by the head of another private security company. Asked to address this and other allegations in this story.

The State Department has stonewalled the FBI. An October 11, 2007 New York Times article reports that the FBI and Iraqi police have not been allowed to talk to Blackwater. The FBI has been asking the Iraqis for information because their own government has not cooperated.

The U.S. military investigators have been given the same treatment.

The senior U.S. military officer said the State Department has also refused to provide details of its ongoing investigation. “We have asked questions,” the officer said. “They have not responded back on those.”

Two Blackwater employees smuggled weapons into Iraq. No one knows who bought the weapons. It is disturbing to think that taxpaid contractors are very likely arming insurgents.

There is the disturbing video of Blackwater shooting at random motorists for no justifiable reason.


Blackwater Shoot People For Sport - Click here for more free videos

Robert Gates is pushing to have Blackwater removed from Iraq. What is sad is there shouldn't even be a debate. The Iraqi people and U.S. military have both had negative experiences with Blackwater. No one likes them. There is the issue of who will provide security for diplomats. The Bush administration constantly told the American public that the Iraq venture could be done on the cheap. Now diplomats are shitting themselves because they may have reservists providing protection.

What kind of deal can the Bush administration cut with the Iraqi government that can keep Blackwater in the country? The President isn't going to threaten to leave Iraq. Prime Minister El Maliki would lose what little credibility he has with Iraqis if he caved to the White House. Bush has never understood that one does not make a democracy by pissing off the country's population.