SamSaid!

JAMIE

     The Democrats on the supposedly non-partisan 9/11 Commission were drooling over the prospect of forcing Condoleeza Rice to testify under oath. They just couldn't wait to get their fangs in her hide. But they obviously underestimated the mettle of Ms. Rice who more than capably handled herself under interrogation. She made those would-be Torquemadas look like bumbling amatuers, and their desire to finger point at the Administration failed dismally. In my view, Ms Rice did more for race relations in the US than all of the Jacksons put together (Reggie, Jesse, Michael, Janet, et al). I enjoyed every minute of the proceedings.

     Among the 9/11 Commission inquisitors was a lady named Jamie Gorelick (pronounced Gor-ell'-ick) who was a deputy Attorney General working for Janet Reno in the Clinton Administration. Years back, laws were passed that precluded the FBI from sharing information with the other law enforcement organizations  — specifically including the intelligence gathering agencies. In 1995-6 Ms Gorelick authored correspondence uging that “the wall” between these organizations be extended BEYOND what was required by statute,  i.e., even LESS communication among agencies and the FBI.   Now, in retrospect, a major contributor to the 9/11 tragedies has been identified as the failure of our law enforcement and intelligence gathering agencies to share information  —  a sharing that Ms Gorelick strongly opposed. In testifying, Ms Rice went to some lengths to point out the communications failures that led to the failure to intercept the 9/11 terrorists. But there sits Ms. Gorelick chomping at the bit to finger point and blame the White House while being guilty of contributing to the problem herself. Via the Patriot Act, the “wall” has been removed, and information sharing is now mandated.

     The Wall Street Journal has led the charge to have Ms Gorelick removed from the Commission. Her conflict of interest is obvious, and she alibis that her earlier comments (in writing) were “misunderstandings”.  Richard Clarke's book is gospel, but Ms Gorelick's comments from her own mouth are “misunderstandings. Everybody got that?? So much for a non-partisan Commission. How much about Ms Gorelick have you heard on NBC, CBS, or ABC, and how much have you read in the major newspapers of the US  — except for the WSJ?

     If she had any principles or integrity, Ms Gorelick would resign from the Commission. Fat chance. The noon balloon, Ted Kennedy, would blow a gasket.