Roberts (R-traitor) trying to skirt Dem criticism on declassification

[babylonsister]

http://www.fas.org/blog/secrecy/

DECLASSIFICATION BOARD TASKED TO REVIEW SENATE REPORTS

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) has endorsed
a proposal to task the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB)
to review the recent Intelligence Committee reports on pre-war
intelligence to determine if they were properly declassified.

He acted in response to harsh criticism from Senate Democrats alleging
that the Bush Administration had abused its classification authority
to conceal embarrassing or offensive information in the reports that
was unrelated to national security.

Instead of pursuing legislative action to compel declassification, as
urged by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, Senator Roberts said that
the PIDB should be asked to render a judgment, as originally proposed
last week by Sen. Ron Wyden.

"Let's let the Public Interest Declassification Board take a look at
these reports," said Sen. Roberts in the course of a heated debate on
the Senate floor September 14.

http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2006_cr/declass091406.html

"That was the suggestion by Senator Wyden, picked up by Senator Bond,
endorsed by myself and I think by the Senator from West Virginia
. That is the proper way to go about it," Sen.
Roberts said.

The endorsement by Intelligence Committee Chairman Roberts is crucial
to the activation of the Declassification Board, since the PIDB,
under the terms of its enabling legislation, accepts congressional
requests for declassification review only when they are "made by the
committee of jurisdiction," not by individual members.

The review of the contested Intelligence Committee reports will be the
first such action to be undertaken by the Board, and it is likely to
set a precedent, whether favorable or unfavorable, for similar
reviews in the future.

The Public Interest Declassification Board, established by statute in
2000 and modified by the intelligence reform legislation of 2004, is
composed of nine non-governmental persons appointed by the President
and congressional leaders. Eight of the nine members have been named
so far. A ninth member, who is to be designated by Senate Minority
Leader Harry Reid, has still not been appointed.

[Supersedeas]

1. Senator Coverup to his dying breath

[gratuitous]

2. If the majority in the Senate changes hands . . .

I guess Sen. Roberts won't be in control anymore. I wonder if that prospect causes any anxiety in the White House?

[babylonsister]

3. I'm sure the thought has crossed their minds that it's a possibility,

and I hope they're shaking in their booties!