Jane Harman Recorded On Wiretap Promising to Intervene for AIPAC, Say Sources

CQ Politics :

Rep. Jane Harman , the California Democrat with a longtime involvement in intelligence issues, was overheard on an NSA wiretap telling a suspected Israeli agent that she would lobby the Justice Department reduce espionage-related charges against two officials of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, the most powerful pro-Israel organization in Washington.

Harman was recorded saying she would "waddle into" the AIPAC case "if you think it'll make a difference," according to two former senior national security officials familiar with the NSA transcript.

Read the whole story: CQ Politics

Comments

[freshnotbitter]

Is there any congressman who isn't pro Israeli? Please name him. Yeah, I thought so, there are none.

[BlueStateMan]

So?

[jeanrenoir]

SO after the completely disastrous war in Iraq foisted onto America by the neocon liars who designed it, the American public is understandably very angry with the neocons, and suspicious of congressmen who might put the interests of Israel ahead of those of America, thus serving a foreign power, not their voters. Is that enough of a concern for you? AIPAC is sitting on a volcano of American rage now. Another serious incident, like Israel's bombing of Iran, which would give us $10 gas and Depression, will make the volcano explode and make it as politically suicidal to be a supporter of Israel against the interests of ordinary Americans as it would be to advocate limitless bonuses for the Wall St. banks which have wiped out the savings of so many Americans by crashing our financial system.

[max08]

This story is buried at the bottom of page one below an Oprah story on Columbine, and an Israeli story about gays and Iran? As TPMCafe said, this story is radioactive.

[Snuffleupagus]

Good point max.
I guess they have to make room for fluff pieces involving Meagan McCain, Sarah Palin and other worthless tripe.

[rubinoff]

pathetic, much....this article should be toward the 'top' of the page.

[SCLAW]

Well it may just be chance.

Or a cynic might say that a 25% owner of H-post is
an Israel linked defense group.

Doubt this will get through

[laborgrunt]

I don’t know what’s scarier, that the NSA can just listen to any American with such ease or that we have congress members actively working for the interests of foreign actors to the detriment of America.

[NCRedhead]

Me either..

[Snuffleupagus]

How about the fact that the new administration is not changing any of the Bush laws that created to make it all possible?

Jane Harmon is a perfect example of how despicable war mongers pollute both parties.
And just watch other Democrats rally round her, or remain silent.
None of them will speak out against her criminal interference in a trial process involving a foreign nation spying on us.

[rubinoff]

pathetic, isn't it....and, we the people have no earthly idea what these so-called bit shots are doing behind closed doors....

[laborgrunt]

Snuffleupagus I agree, sadly i dont foresee prominent democrats coming to denounce this lady, they will just take a hush hush approach.

[NickfromCali]

Harman once had a serious Democratic primary challenge from the left, which is EXTREMELY rare thing in California,which has an Eleventh Commandment

[BlueStateMan]

Non story...

[skialethia]

So why are you here?

[BlueStateMan]

Just to throw my 2 SCHECKLES in.

[Justtellthetruth]

To a likud member like yourself, maybe so. But to the rest of us Americans, a VERY important story.

[BlueStateMan]

You have me mistaken with someone else.

I'm MOSSAD.

[SCLAW]

Too bad your desire conflicts w/reality

qui bono?

[tokenconservative]

Militant Zionists have hijacked our foreign policy. Can we please reduce AIPAC and the Saudi lobby to rubbles before they force us to lose all of our credibility?

[bluemike]

Can an agent of a foreign power hold elective office?

[DougNTexas]

I hate to bust the bubble, but the United States of America spies on other Countries, and spends Billions trying to influence things over seas. In fact we don't stop at over throwing Leaders out and even assassinating them.

[ssg13565]

With Harman so deep into our intelligence realm, isn't she a security threat if she has this hanging over her?

Imagine that a foreign power (Bush/Cheney/Gonzalez) doesn't even have to use waterboarding to get her acquiescence.

[SCLAW]

Ok doug:
watch this on Fox of all places:

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article7545.htm

[totaldisbelief]

Most all of us here are of a single mind.
Let's not let this issue get swept under the rug.
Harman needs to go.

[skialethia]

Yes, but what of the others who are doing exactly what she did, but haven't been caught or outed?

[jackstpaul]

If they haven’t been caught or outed, they can't be forced out.

Duh.

Yes, don't prosecute a rapist because there are other rapists out there who aren't being prosecuted.

[ssg13565]

Let's go find them if we can. Since when has "other people break the law too" been a valid defense?

If they see her get away with this, then the other law breakers will feel secure.

[mafina]

I agree, this woman along with Diane Feinstein have been causing as much trouble as possible. Remember too that Feinstein's husband had big contract under the Bush admin during Iraq invasion. Yeah, let's start with Harmon and work up to Feinstein.
Ever notice that these two individuals don't have election campaigns in CA.

[totaldisbelief]

it's time to sweep the vipers out of our government

[SCLAW]

agreed--aipac is nursing vipers

I thought the A in AIPAC
stood for Amrecica's interests first?

AIPAC bends grotesquely backwards so that America's interests
are first even if it conflicts w/Israel. Same with the Neo-cons.

The US going to war with Iraq conflicted with Israel's interests--that is why
Feith et al. provided fake intelligence to get the US into war--even though he
had dual citizenship. His allegiance was US first.

Just like AIPAC harping about the threat of Iran--once again USA interests
are paramount!

[totaldisbelief]

She's just gotta go ..one way or the other.

[wadenelson1]

Who sez Israel doesn't control our government.

[lungfish]

Investigate and prosecute where necessary. If it involves Pelosi, then go where ever the evidence leads. We have no need for Dems who sold out their principles and influence to the Bush Administration. Further, if she was aiding spies illicitly than one is forced to conclude that she is a threat to national security. As for Israel spying on us.... thats our reward for billions of dollars in cash and aid to their nasty little regime.

[WongChin]

It is normal for countries to spy on and to influence policy in other countries, so there is nothing amiss with the Israel case. On the other hand, countries don't take it lying down when they bust such espionage work.

What I cannot understand, however, is how its case is treated with kid gloves when found out.

Up Nancy for denying the congresswoman a major skit in the house.

The congresswoman even tried to influence the New York Times to hold off publishing the wiretap revelations, against her party's interest.

[654321]

Any disagreements Ms. Harman had with the Republicans were feigned to give the impression that there is a difference between the two parties, who are controlled and answer to the same lobbiest. It's just shadow boxing. The same people controlling Ms. Harman control the media and use it deceive idealistic Americans into believing that politicians make the laws and represent the interests of the people. Ms. Harman's show who she really represented, and they are the same people the Bush Administration was kowtowing to. They were working for the same boss.

[StupidIsAsStupidDoes]

Since 1946 the most effective and profitable spy operation against the US has been conducted by Israel. Thats public record and well known throughout the intelligence community. Why these egregious violations have been tolerated for almost 65 years is anyone's guess. I suppose it had something to do with the cold war, however, now that petrol and water interests are priority #1, and Israel has nothing to offer the US strategically or in terms of natural resources, things may change.

[lungfish]

The holocaust has been Israels excuse and reason for everything it does... how dare we question them... they are Gods chosen... and they have successfully exploited the beliefs of the Superstitious Right into funding them and pushing their agendas....

Its pretty creepy on the face of it. Israel wants us to fight Iran for them... who would they fight for us? Remember the USS Liberty? They were there to undermine American values just like the Bush Administration did later. They don't care about us, we are simply a cash cow...

[poster1122]

It's tolerated because they're an ally to us.

The same reason France, Belgium and others have tolerated it when they catch us spying on them. That's what nations do. The alternative is to get information about the country through the news outlets. If an intelligence director ever became that lazy, he/she should be fired asap.

[Rule Of Law]

"President Obama, sir, will your administration be looking into the allegations against Ms. Harman re the quashing of an investigation in return for her support of Mr. Gonzales to help defend the administration's warrantless wiretapping program, which was about break in The New York Times and engulf the White House? And would this have any repercussion for your Presidency given your recent support of Bush era policy on unwarranted spying?"

"We prefer to look forward, not dwell on the past."