What's with this? Have the Dems caved again? Raw Story.....

[snappyturtle]

SENATE PASS INTELLIGENCE BILL AFTER DEMOCRATS BACK DOWN ON PRESIDENTIAL BRIEFINGS, CIA JAILS

by Larisa Alexandrovna

(This bill was passed in the Senate on Wednesday....if this is a dupe please excuse...Wednesday I had little time for DU...)

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Backing_down_on_demands_for_Iraq_1005.html

snip-

Sources close to the Senate Intelligence Committee say one of the compromises Democrats made to ensure the bill’s passage was to remove language demanding the White House turn over all Presidential Daily Briefings on Iraq prior to the 2003 invasion. Democrats are said to have been hoping to establish whether President Bush mischaracterized intelligence in the lead-up to the conflict.

snip-

The 2006 version of the bill was blocked from Senate consideration by then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN). The main point of contention for Senate Republicans was, as now, the provision to require the White House to provide the PDBs on the Iraq war.

Another Senate source familiar with the bill said that the Democrats felt this was the only way they could get the bill passed, and avoid yet another failure of intelligence oversight.

Democrats also dropped a demand for the Director of Central Intelligence to identify and hand over documentation related to secret prisons run by the US government around the world and operations involving extraordinary rendition.

Sources tell RAW STORY that although Director of National Intelligence John McConnell was not willing to provide the information to relevant oversight Senate committees, the Committee felt comfortable in removing the requirement from the authorization bill because the Director of Central Intelligence, General Michael Hayden, had given them “everything we needed.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
much more at link. Underlining is mine. I think the second consolation,handing over info about secret prisons, is interesting because when did the torture memos come to light? Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill and I'm certain DUers will let me know if that's the case!

[TwilightGardener]

1. Sounds like the Senate Intelligence Committee just eliminated all

possibility of finding impeachment material on the Chimp or Cheney on grounds of falsifying intelligence. Probably on purpose. I guess we can all just shut up now. The proof is officially buried.

[snappyturtle]

2. That's what I got out of it too! Where's the outrage? nt

[TwilightGardener]

5. Outrage fatigue. Nothing will ever come of all these investigations, either.

I think a fatalism is setting in.

[truebrit71]

3. Sonofabitch!!!

:grr:

I am so sick of this type of shit....

Fucking Cave-O-Crats.....

[wildbilln864]

4. You and me both!

We are just fucked when it comes to depending on our so called dem leaders! They'll just lead us to Bushit! :grr:

[snappyturtle]

6. I haven't heard anything about this on MSM either....of course,

we have to know all about Larry Craig.

[snappyturtle]

7. Hate to do this but I have to keep this kicked.

I think it is important.

[truebrit71]

8. Don't apologize...it SHOULD be read by all...but it gets buried by all of the HRC Triumphalists...

..posts....

[snappyturtle]

10. I don't know which are worse the HRC posts, or the flag pin posts, or

Larry Craig....thanks for helping out!

[DefenseLawyer]

9. Much like Sen. Leahy

There will be no confirmation of a new AG until the administration complies with the law! Errrr nevermind. All hat and no cattle.

[snappyturtle]

11. I KNOW.....what is it? No guts, no glory! nt

[jgraz]

12. How much more of this shit can we take?

It just never stops.

[snappyturtle]

13. I think this is too important for the Dems to be capitulating

on any part of it. For once I wish they'd hold their ground and make it public!

[madfloridian]

14. AP verifies it.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h5GQgmpf4ZwC-r6L2Z0ERfoOm9jQD8S1TMIO1

[snappyturtle]

18. THANK YOU! Here's some from the link---very interesting!

"That request was among several controversial provisions dropped from an intelligence bill, leading to the measure's unanimous Senate passage Wednesday.

The provision sought to give the Senate and House intelligence committees access to all presidential daily briefs between 1997 and 2003 that referred to Iraq — an attempt to determine whether the White House mischaracterized intelligence prior to the war. Senate Republicans objected, saying the documents had already been reviewed by an independent commission, according to a congressional official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

The final version of the bill also dropped a requirement that the director of national intelligence conduct an assessment of the effects of global climate change on national security.

The overall legislation would give Congress' approval for the whole range of intelligence programs over the coming year, including spy satellites and eavesdropping, human spying and battlefield collection, along with recommended spending levels. Most of the bill is secret.

The House approved its own version of the bill in May, and the two chambers now must work out differences between the two versions."

[slipslidingaway]

15. HR 2082 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-2082

"May 11, 2007: This bill passed in the House of Representatives by roll call vote. The totals were 225 Ayes, 197 Nays, 10 Present/Not Voting.
View Votes (House of Representatives roll no. 341)

Oct 3, 2007: This bill passed in the Senate by Unanimous Consent. A record of each representative's position was not kept.

Last Action: Oct 4, 2007: Message on Senate action sent to the House.


Thanks for posting K&R.

[snappyturtle]

17. Thanks so much for this additional information!

I had to be away from the computer for a bit to take care of some business....we're starting a new one...before my hubby killed me! HA!

I was almost gasping for breath when I found this article on Rawstory...There's a big piece of the puzzle missing imho.

[slipslidingaway]

20. YW, wish there was a forum solely for legislative action, too often

important items are missed. Good luck with the new business :)

[snappyturtle]

21. I know! I swear they pass this stuff in the middle of the night!

I'm excited about our business! :hi:

[slipslidingaway]

19. delete, posted in the wrong spot nt

[Jack Bone]

16. K&R

The more I read, the madder I become....Thanx for the post and those making the confirmations.

[snappyturtle]

22. Yes the confirmations are great! And you're welcome...just thought

we'd all want to know this!

[snappyturtle]

23. kick! nt