Sept. 11 panel backs down on fight for Bush briefings

[UpInArms]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2001855269_terrorpanel11.html

WASHINGTON — The independent commission investigating the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks yesterday backed away from a threatened legal showdown with the White House, agreeing to accept a 17-page summary of presidential-briefing documents it had sought.

The deal will not allow the full 10-member commission to read the original documents or have access to notes on the documents taken by some of the commission's members. The summary, provided to commission members during a closed-door meeting yesterday, covered several dozen original intelligence documents and was vetted by the White House, officials said.

The limitations prompted at least three Democratic members of the bipartisan panel to vote in favor of issuing a subpoena to the White House for the documents, known as the President's Daily Brief (PDB). But the move was rebuffed by Republicans on the commission, and at least one Democrat abstained, according to several commission members.

"You either say you didn't have warning prior to 9/11 and you let us see the documents, or you shouldn't claim that," said Democratic commission member Timothy Roemer, a former Indiana congressman. "To say there's nothing in the PDBs that gave the president warning, and then put together an agreement that only allows one or two commissioners to see the PDBs, is not defensible."

...more...

[ComerPerro]

1. Hell, the 9/11 Comission knows what happened that day

And they don't want to "discover" it or have to tell the nation...

[Sperk]

2. surprise...surprise.

Why do these people agree to be on a commission when they know they'll not be alowed to do their jobs? Just stay home and stop wasting our time! :mad:

[indypaul]

3. Past Is Indeed Prologue

Remember when Nixon offered the transcriptions of the
"tapes" reviewed by an administration lackey in the Sentate?
Where would we be today had that offer prevailed? Having
gone this route this commission has destroyed any pretense
of independence and labled any subsequent report highly
questionable and that is being kind. Any member of the
commission who has wishes to maintain their integrity
should resign immediately and bring this farce to a
conclusion.

[roscoeroscoe]

11. brought to you by the warren commission

same damn type of government 'servents.'

[AliceWonderland]

4. And in other news

I am so unsurprised that I nearly fall asleep at the keyboard.

[0007]

5. Thomas Kean indeed knows how to dance to the tune

that will keep the music going for a while longer.

[reprobate]

6. That's OK. They'll do what he wants now.

Of course, after the election there'll be a REAL investigation and the whole regime will go to federal prison for treason.

Edited for clarity.

[dusty64]

7. "Backs down"

again, I guess that kinda says it all.

[rhino91063]

8. Just another republican White Wash

Seems the repubs have gotten much better at cover up, since the Water Gate days.

[Just Me]

9. Well, I can draw no other conclusion than this WH has something to hide.

Moreover, the Republican members on this so-called "independent" commission may be basically assisting in crimes called obstruction of justice, conspiracy, treason, fraud, et al. The weight of the evidence publicly available certainly indicates that the WH knew that 9/11 was coming and that it did nothing to stop it.

[MoonAndSun]

10. I heard on NPR this am that the 9-11 widows were "outraged"

about this and I bet they will not let this go by the wayside.

Thank goodness for these women who will not let this commission get away with protecting bush*