GOP Candidates Criticize ABC News Report on CIA-Iran Plan

As they should, but I trust Ron Paul a lot more than Romney and Tancredo to do the right job. And I think Ghouliani should wake up and realize what happens when U.S. policy is akin to poking a hornets nest with a short stick(and then he should apologize to Ron Paul!)!!

Isn’t the now not-so-covert action against Iran a declaration of war? This is insane! I think that Ron Paul is right about foreign policy! Sickening…

Well, I can’t understand why everyone is so up in arms at ABC for playing the traitor once again. They lead the pack in aid and comfort to the enemy. If they had been around when their hero FDR was running the country in 1943 he would have had them all put in prison or shot for their treasonous acts.

Where were these two republican concerns about national security when Valarie Plume name was leaked. What hypocrisy!!!

I am surprised that such a provocative covert program could be exposed in the media like this. This is considered a wartime policy, so you would think the media would show some discretion. I disagree with Bill though… the old “they will leave us alone if we leave them alone” argument has long been proven to be hogwash. There are too many unresolved animosities (namely, the CIA action that removed Mossadegh and replaced him with the Shah, which we have forgotten about but the Iranians haven’t) that continue to fuel current tensions.

Bush is a war criminal and our people deserve to know how evil and how much destruction he is causing.
Is it any wonder so much of the world hate us?

The greatest threat to this country is “the enemy within”.
At least we know who they are – all the three letter networks – who don’t give a damn about national security. Covert? what’s that?

I still think this is all part of a master plan. In no way, whatsoever, will the CIA allow this information to be leaked if they didn’t want it to. There is a method to their madness, i’m sure. Don’t misconstrue my post as one of that of a Bush supporter. I think the Bush family ar all shady bastards with Bush Sr being the shadiest of them all. Remember, he was head of the CIA before becoming president. You don’t get to that position without stepping on a few hands.
I’m getting sidetracked here. Anyway, like i was saying, my opinion is that they intended on ABCnews letting this out. Don’t worry people. Our gov’t isn’t THAT stupid!

My guess is that the CIA has been in Iran since the day the Shah fell. Regardless of who is president, they seem to do their own thing. ABC’s probably part of a CIA misinformation campaign to get us gullible people to beleive one thing while they do something completely different.

It becomes clear that this deliberate “leak” came directly from the CIA and/or the Whitehouse. I sense Dick Cheney’s hand pulling the strings once again.

Isnt it funny that all this info was “leaked” the same day we send a huge fleet to the gulf.

At this point in US history, if my government engages in acts that may start another war, I want to know about it! Thanks ABC. It takes guts to shine light where there is a dark shroud of secrecy. It is far too risky and irresponsible to be conducting activities such as these when we might really paint ourselves into a corner if we sparked a war since Iran will make the Strait of Hormuz too dangerous for tanker traffic. This would cut off 40% of the worlds oil supply! We need to stop surrendering to fear and speak the truth loudly!
“Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.” George Washington

I want to know everything a can about what our government is doing, the White House especially.

I was shocked to hear ABC News report this information yesterday in that the media should NOT be reporting leaked wartime strategies for all of the world to know. It is irresponsible journalism, regardless of whether or not the White House failed to request that it be “kept quiet”. Iran (and N. Korea for that fact) is very dangerous threat and should be dealt with sooner rather than later. The US is trying to do so without committing combat forces. The negative ramifications of ABC News’s actions will never be known to the average American. This is typical of the left-wing media- anything to destroy the strength and independence of this great country we live in. I can only hope the leak was part of someone in the Administration’s well-orchistrated plan.

Iran’s leadership needs to go. Islamo-Fascism needs to be eliminated. Stand behind our troops or stand in front of them.

I do not know why the our nation chose to release the information or why ABC chose to publish that information, but there must be a reason. I believe president Bush is clearly informing the Iranians to return to negotiations before it is to late.
As a citizen I led a citizen group who was a benefiting party to the Fifth Republic of France dismissal of their nuclear weapons testing program at the atolls Fangataufa and Mururoa Tuamotu archipelago, South Pacific which on our part I closed on January 24, 1996. The Mururoa atoll witnessed 163 explosions while Fangataufa, 40 kilometers away, was the site of 12 of those tests. At that time the French representative contact was, Consul General Antoine Frasseto, located at the French Consulate in Honolulu, Hawaii (since closed); New Zealand Consulate, located in Los Angeles, California, Consul General Terry Baker; U.S. FBI; U.S. State Department; U.S. President; State of Hawaii, et al.
Closure statement in part read:
From research reports we know planet Earth has been coated with spent radioactive materials and its fissile, nuclear weapons testing and the inearthsatmospheric breakup of space nuclear power sources;
from all medical findings it is known nuclear  radioactive nucli presents a clear danger to humans;
it is my instinctive belief, that nuclear coating, along with nuclear, waste dumping sites, laboratories, production facilities, power plants, etc., present a “clear and present” danger to our current generation, and collective, all future generations;
therefore, beyond being placed in danger, my tranquilly and its instincts are damaged, and here I do not hold France’s government as the sole responsible party.
“Through the release of atomic energy, our generation has brought into the world the most revolutionary force since prehistoric man’s discovery of fire. This basic force of the universe cannot be fitted into the outmoded concept of narrow nationalisms. For there is no secret and there is no defense; there is no possibility of control except through the aroused understanding and insistence of the peoples of the world. We scientists recognize our inescapable responsibility to carry to our fellow citizens an understanding of atomic energy and its implication for society. In this lies our only security and our only hope  we believe that an informed citizenry will act for life and not for death.” [Sic,A. Einstein, January 22, 1947.]
The Fifth Republic of France did the responsible act and ended their testing early and returned to the negotiations.

Treason was not committed with V Plame. She was not covert at the time of the revealing, which was not done by anybody in the Bush administration. No news agency is perfectly balanced, but I choose the one that supports America vs any other that just looks to bring America down due to political beliefs.

And if Iran did that the the United States we would call it act of terrorism!

The United States already screwed up Iraq, why screw up Iran?

Thank you ABC for updating the American people on this reckless act by Dubya to destory another country.
People should be upset w/ bush who again use war or terror rather than diplomacy to resolve an issue.

There has never been an administration in our history that has abused the privelege of keeping something “secret” the way this one has.
Until we get some rational adults in charge in Washington, they have lost the privelege from the public to a right of secrecy.
Keep digging, ABC! It’s too little and too late to avert most of the damage these dangerous idealogues have foisted upon this country, but if it keeps these guys on their toes over the last two years they are in office, it will be worth it!

Read the book “Blow Back” it will help people understand who convert actions by the CIA have always come back to haunt us years later.

To “me”…
You’re right about looking after the best interests of our country. The question is whether it’s in our interest to try to destabilize a perceived enemy (and end up with another Vietnam and Iraq), or work together to resolve problems. Us vs. Them has never worked.

Wow, how convenient that this happened on the same day as “Navy Stages Show of Force Off Iran Coast” and “US forces find Iranian money in Baghdad raid” headlines. All in the same day. Such irony.

We, along with the rest of the world, i.e UN have tried to resolve the problem, i.e sanctions. They are not working. So now we must move to the next step of tactics. Unfortunately ABC has stopped this from occuring, and potentially caused far more bloodshed by this leak. Again I say, ABC, stop trying to destroy Bush and look at what you actually doing to the greatest country in the World.

Well Annis, I guess if not wanting to get into another Iraq somehow equates to the downfall of the US, then yes, you’re right. I see it a bit differently. An open government means a good government, one that is of the people, by the people and for the people. But, that’s just me. I know, silly.

To the policy makers at ABC News
Bravo! You are regaining the confidence of news watcher. Admittedly, you played the capon for quite a while,
sycophants and suckers-up to the Bush agenda.
Now, about Romney and Tancredo, I shouldn’t worry. They have spent the past 6 years pandering to the Neo-cons. Where was their righteous indignation during the Plame Scandal. Perhaps the voters will terminate their mandate as well.

to max…
As I have already stated, if you know anything about the “Plame scandal”, then you know that it wasn’t a scandal at all. She was not in a classified position, she was working at a desk. He husband outed her. All you libs are so quick to jump on the V Plame deal. There was no scandal there, there is here. Somebody from the CIA and ABC should be arrested for treason against their own country. They are also aiding and abeding (not sure if I spelled that right) an enemy. Bush had nothing to do with V Plame. Get all the info first, then start spewing it once you got the facts right.

I wonder why they weren’t upset when a CIA agent was ratted out by someone.
Oh wait that is because it fit their agenda. My fault for thinking that they were concerned about America.
No guys we will not allow you to fool us again. The family value party of god is just a bunch of lies.

All you people comparing this incident to WWII have a slight problem… WWII was, by definition, a war. One that involved a true coalition of nations fighting a common enemy, one who invaded nations and killed innocent civilians. This incident involves a nation that we, as far as I know, are not at war with. We have no business performing covert destabilization actions in Iran. The American people (and indeed, the world) have every right to know what this government is doing abroad in their name.

I don’t know why ABC, NBC, CBS are broadcasting such stories when they should keep their mouths shut. Who are they working for. The other countries. People come on!!! I am so tired of them getting information and broadcasting when they shouldn’t all because of the so called story. I have a son in Iraq and I get so mad when they start in about Iraq. The need to remember they live in a great Nation and do have freedom of speech, but I think they carry it a little to far.
Deb

Two Republican presidential candidates today criticized the ABC News report Tuesday about the CIA’s covert plan to destabilize the Iranian regime.
“I was shocked to see the ABC News report regarding covert action in Iran,” Mitt Romney said as he opened a session with reporters in Tulsa, Okla.
Congressman Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., called for an investigation into who leaked the information and “condemned” ABC News for “running the story which could jeopardize American lives.”
The ABC News story reported that President Bush had given the CIA authorization to conduct a nonlethal covert action against Iran involving propaganda, disinformation and the manipulation of Iran’s international banking transactions.
“The reporting has the potential of jeopardizing our national security. To put it quite plainly, it has the potential of affecting human life, we may never know,” Romney said.
Romney said he had called ABC News president David Westin to register his concerns.
In a statement ABC News said, “In the six days since we first contacted the CIA and the White House, at no time did they indicate that broadcasting this report would jeopardize lives or operations on the ground. ABC News management gave them the repeated opportunity to make whatever objection they wanted to regarding our report. They chose not to.”
ABC News said, “This piece was very carefully reported, and it puts solid facts on the table concerning a crucial foreign policy challenge facing the United States and the world.”

Of course, many people here are missing the point. Iran is a totalitarian regime, and the dissident cause within its borders will be severely damaged by leaking this information. The dissidents will now lose credibility with the rest of the population, giving the regime more free reign to do whatever they want to the dissidents as “Traitors to the motherland.” The regime can now attack ALL opposition as an American CIA plot and be totally believed by fence-sitters within Iran. Shame on ABC for leaking this information and strengthening a totalitarian regime. Ever read 1984???

Anything and everything the liberal media (including ABC) can say to make President Bush even remotely look bad WILL be said. Conversely, nothing good will ever be said.
They don’t really care if it will hurt the country and certainly don’t care at all if it MAY hurt the country. After all, way more important then some minor concern, like national security, is to make Bush look bad, the Republicans look bad, and get a leftist in office.
This “political gain at any cost” behavior is revolting and deserves swift and severe punishment.

The acts described constitute acts of provocation if not acts of war against Iran. As the war powers are vested in Congress, Bush has exceeded his authority and it is he who is placing America’s national security in jeopardy by this covert action. ABC should be commended for reporting this aggression. It just might save us from being dragged into another war while Bush blames Iran for the belligerence of which he in fact is guilty.

“This “political gain at any cost” behavior is revolting and deserves swift and severe punishment.”
Great – when is fat-boy Rove going to jail?

Totalitarian regime? Hmmm… let’s see, a president who wasn’t elected and a vice president who is in the pockets of a few greedy corporations and who is willing to protect those corporations at the expense of American servicemen, a government that secretly spies on its citizens, and that detains them on flimsy (if any) evidence, a justice system that turns a blind eye to constitutional law and due process, and a legislature that is more interested in maintaing the status quo than in representing the will of its people. Yup, sounds like a totalitarian regime to me.

Won’t be the first time the White House has leaked sensitive material to the press which put lives in danger to gain a couple of points in the polls.

And by the way, I am from this country and have served proudly in the Armed Services. That, however, doesn’t mean that I should blindly follow a leader who is clearly going down the wrong path.

Rosta,
Too late. The covert operations have already begun here. Bush & Co. are already spying on you. I guess the media should have kept their mouths shut about that, too. Might have saved a few lives, or at least a few neo-con jobs.

Who should be responsible for leaking the information? The news that prints it or the people that teel. Answer: Both. Wake up people. If this was going on during WWII we would all be speaking German.

rv — Love your notion about what constitutes a totalitarian regime, e.g., an unelected President.
Here is how I identify a totalitarian regime:
It hangs dissidents from trees.
It executes people who leave Islam and publicly convert to Christianity.
It sentences 17-year-old girls to hanging for defending themselves against rapists.
ETC.

If former President Carter (who now has all the answers to all the worlds problems) had not taken a knife to the CIA and rendered them impotent, we probably would not be fighting any of these wars.

To restate, if it were 1944, would ABC consider a leak of information regarding Operation Fortitude a viable news story, also? If not, by what criteria would that story be deemed too sensitive, while this one is not?
Regime change originating from within Iran is perhaps the greatest source of hope that war with Iran can be averted. As such, the undermining of efforts aimed at bringing about such changes actually increase the likelihood of war, and the associated loss of human life. Which do we value more: Knowing merely for knowing’s sake, or peace?

Chris,
I believe there are many other options for avoiding war other than regime change. In fact, didn’t we try that in Iran already? I guess from some perspectives, that was a success.
If regime change is our only option, then we’re in trouble. Eventually, all countries will have a regime that we disagree with.

yeah, let’s blame Carter (1977-1981) for cutting the heart out of the CIA (if that’s even true) but not blame Reagan (1981-1989) or daddy Bush (1989-1993) for failing to fix it, if Carter did indeed break it…
guess we can’t blame Reagan and Bush though since they only had 12 years to fix what Carter broke in 4…
the GoP…always pointing the finger elsewhere than themselves…

In my opinion ABC news should lose their license for diseminating this news from obviously from a leaker who I would call a traitor! ABC News is facilitating the traitor’s efforts!

9/11 was an inside job.

Oh, come on Krieger, you’re trying to reason with people who don’t think beyond the next NASCAR race, a cold Bud Light and aSunday morning waving their arms at Jeeeesuuuuus! Simple-minded Folk. Reading History, much less taking it into account would require effort and grad-e-ating Hi scoo…..

I believe what Kerry is saying is that there are other ways, a middle ground… that blindly moving forward (following the Republican logic) is not working, nor would a simplistic withdrawal of all forces (as some Democrats are suggesting).
What Bush is doing is moving forward on his own, without the guidance or consideration of all parties involved. He did that in Iraq and now he’s doing it in Iran. There is no way that his strategy (and that’s a kind word) will work.

The greatest threat to this country is “the enemy within”. At least we know who they are – all the letter networks – who don’t give a damn about national security. Covert? what’s that?

Joel,
Guess it depends on your definition of “enemy”. The “enemy within” could just as easily be defined as an administration that is bent on achieving it’s own political and personal goals, without regard for the opinion of the world or even a majority of its own people.

The “enemy within” generally means “anybody that disagrees with the NeoCon view of the world”. Sort of like the “Activist Judge” thing…..”if you disagree with us you are a traitor to America”.

ABC reporters involved in this deliberate compromise of classified national security information should be prosecuted as well as those who leaked it to him. Who says the press gets a free pass to break the law?

“Where were these two republican concerns about national security when Valarie Plume name was leaked. What hypocrisy!!!
Posted by: Roy | May 23, 2007 2:18:11 PM
”
Valerie Plame abd National Security in the same sentence? Don’t make me laugh. She was a ‘former’ covert op, who had not been ‘covert’ for years, and therefore was not covered by any non-disclosure law. Plus, what exactly was she thinking when she recommended her husband to do a little spying of his own for political hay?
I say, screw freedom of the press, and nail these reported to the wall of a maximum security prison without the possibility of parole. THEY leaked a COVERT operation to the American (and therefore, the World) public, and gave the information right to our adversaries. Treason isn’t a harsh enough term to use.

Romney doesn’t know what he is talking about. Take it from someone who lived in Massachusetts and experienced his politics. Keep up the good work, ABC! The American people need to be informed about what our government is doing, and I laud your professionalism and integrity.

i am so mad what were you thinking and all you that thank it is ok are dumd asses. if all of you were on a covert missen would you wont some one to tell the targets that you were.i thank this is wrong in every way. it dont matter if thay did not tell you not to report it you shuld not have reported it but it is all about the scoop not the USA any thing gos inthe name of news ill bet the most fill the same way and reading all the post this has bit you in the ass and i hope you get what you deserve i will think long and hard about watching abc news after this and charly i an moor disaponted in you for reporting it sham on abc news i dont watch the outher networks so i cant say sham on them but i can on you shamon you

A couple of points, Ladies and Gentleman: DISINFORMATION regularly comes out of our government through authorized leakers. Seymour Hersch was reporting covert action in Iran more than a year ago. The CIA has consistently and regularly meddled in countries all over the world. This is why other countries are pretty much fed up with us. THERE IS NOTHING NEW IN THIS REPORT. Same old, same old. We have been attempting to overthrow the Iranian regime since 1979. Calm down. This is probably more government propaganda designed to continue the ridiculous partisan divide exhibited here.

Slip, where do you get your news? From Foxnews or Rush? Valarie Plume was involved with researching WMD’s in Iraq right up until she was outed. She was doing GW’s bidding and they screwed her career. Next time keep up with the REAL news before posting such hogwash.

I wonder how many days until Romney flip-flops and says the report was a great idea.
I dont believe for a second that these objections are anything except pandering to the GOP base by attacking the media.
Romney will say anything for a vote.

ABC. You have permanently lost a viewer. Perhaps through your efforts we will wont be able to have freedom of press after we are overtaken by others. Your reporting of this go above and beyond bad choices for ‘good journalism’ you jeopardized lives and the security of our Nation. Perhaps ABC should be the ‘Ahmadinejad Broadcasting Co.’ since thats what you have done!

for one am thankful that the press is doing their job. For a short time in the 1970′s, I had the acquaintance of a Viet Nam vet, who had been a sniper for U.S. in Saigon. He was put up in luxury hotels and would pop off any South Vietnamese official who was not toeing the American line. Needless to say, the sniper ended up with a pretty messed up head and was traveling through Europe to try to forget.
Ours is a government by the people, and we have been left out of so many decisions because we did not have proper–or any–or incorrect information from the people we elect to represent us.
There is no doubt that the greatest ally of democracy is the press–and they have let us down again and again.
So I say thanks and express gratitude to ABC for doing what they are supposed to be doing.

It just shows how far to the left ABC has tilted and if it “bleeds it leads” they are going to air it. ABC puts more emphasis on bringing Republicans down, then fighting terror and their reporting shows it.

If ABC reported know’s about it I bet you dollars to doughnuts that the CIA leaked the story on purpose. Stop being so naive!

ABC should be ashamed of themselves. As a retired naval submarine officer I am amazed at how they can put lives at risk by hiding behind freedom of the press and the mantra that the public has the right to know. I think it is irresponsible and disgusting to publish information that could put lives at risk and jeopardize our national security to grab headlines. The fact that you publicize illegally obtained classified information is pathetic. The fact that someone that our government trusted with such information betrayed that trust is even more pathetic. Your hatrid of the President does not justify your lack of patriotism and the illegal actions of your sources!

I was more that shocked when I heard ABC report, sure glad I don’t work for the CIA and if I did I would give my 2 weeks notice. I can’t believe that this really is going to take place, I want to think that “Our Leaders” used the Media to see what Iran would do next?

Brian Ross and ABC = Traitors to America!!! Hope you like the new world you are creating and all the brave souls that gave and will give their lives for your treachery. As a former military member your filth is not worth defending.

For those who have forgotten…
The “World without Zionism” conference was only a year, or so, ago in Tehran (IRAN). Please do us all a favor and use the link, read, recenter and then come back… and apologize.
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2005/10/the_world_witho.html

Liberal Idiots with BDS. Valerie Plame was not a covert agent. She was a desk jockey and it was her lying husband Joe Wilson who outed here.
ABC should lose their FCC license. Their license is only given to them to serve the good of the people. They are not doing any good , so their license should be pulled.
I can’t wait for the next Democrat President. I am going to have so much fun.
Save the planet – Kill A LIBERAL!

Please get your facts straight.
Valerie Plame was not a covert CIA agent.
If Bill Clinton had done his job against terrorist there wold not be a war. He had Ben Ladin but didn’t pull the trigger. If you don’t beleive me read Reckless Disregard & Dereliction Of Duty, by Lt. Col. Patterson. Col. Pattersonwas asigned to cary the “football” for Pres.Clinton. He was with Clinton on Nantucket playing golf, when Sandy Burger tried unsuccessfully to get Clinton’s OK to get Ben Lardin, there was 1/2/hr window to pull off the mission. Clinton waited forty five min.oops to late.
It’s to bad ABC & the other networks are
more concerned with whether our troups are mistreating our enemy, but they don’t come close to condemning 4 missing
G.I.s and the one dead found today. The media is selling us down the drain & you liberals are too stupid to realize the fact because your so interested in hating Bush. I voted for Bush, but I don’t blindly agree with all of his polycis. It is not a matter of the 1st Amendment, it is a lack of discretion.

Again… So you all don’t forget
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2005/10/
the_world_witho.html

Having read the comments, I am curiously miffed. Many of you are crying ‘treason’. Give me a break! Are you really interested in treasonous behavior? Read the oath of office the president and others in overnment have to take when they take office. “…….protect and defend the constitution……..along with the people and the country)” Has the current gang given really serious thought and work to these ends? Consider before answering: the erosion of individual rights, a justice department not at all concerned with justice, borders that our representatives refuse to protect – because they’ve been bought and paid for, a president asleep at the switch – because he really doesn’t have a clue about governing. The list goes on and on. We squabble and argue amonng ourselves when the real national enemy lives in the d.c. area.

Pop quiz for 911 points, what organization around 9/11/1953 removed the democratically elected leader of Iran?
The CIA.
Why was he removed?
The mortal sin of socialism he nationalized his countries most valuable resource their oil industry.
The Media is a check on government power and I applaud them for standing up against the Tyrant in chief and making him harder to start another pointless illegal war.

Paul is the only Republican who isn’t an “empty suit”. But the guy is the Howard Dean of the Republicans. Honesty doesn’t count when it comes to running for president. The only thing that counts is loyalty to the multinational corporations and sicko evangelical American version of the Taliban.

ABC should be ashamed. Anything to get ratings though, eh?

Look, the ABC reporters who spread this should get the death penalty for treason. This is why I watch FOX.

I am happy to see that the media is at long last attempting to do the job for which it was designed, namely, to inform the American people of what is going on in their government. For too long the media have been nothing but stenographers for the Bush Administration. It is too bad the media did not report the lies of the Bush Administration during the “run up” to the unprovoked war on Iraq but merely cheerled for it. It is about time the media actually reported the news. Please don’t cower before the unfounded charges of “treason” and lack of patriotism which are being leveled against the network. There is a reason that freedom of the press is the First Amendment to the Constitution.

To all those who support this “covert” war activity and think it should not be reported: WAKE UP! You are agreeing to a path of perpetual war under the neocon doctrine of pre-emptive war, based on the fear that an enemy is out to get you (now Muslims extremists). I am so sick of the paranoid, lunatic fringe in this contry. What we need is less war, more dialogue. We CAN get along with Iran, but we are messing around in THEIR part of the world. Christians get off your war horses and start acting like the Jesus you praise. Don’t support pre-emptive war! Don’t get caught in Lucifers trap. I also think it’s great that any secret war activities be known. It’s about time we had any transparency with the Bush cabal. The public deserves to know what our leaders, who represent all us citizens, are getting us into as far as any war is concerned. It exposes what harmful things we are doing to others in order to gain advantage. We are not the good guys all the time, especially now. We need to expose all efforts being made by the neocon faction of our country to stop the madness of perpetual war (i.e death and destruction of humanity). Any body argue against that?

ksfortier – Sheeesh… Quit the misinformation. She was involved in the researching the WMD programs of Iraq. She took “covert” trips out of the country for her job. When you’re covert, you can’t say your covert…. it’s a catch 22. So for the first few month this was heating up, that couldn’t be said. Apparently that’s when you stopped watching the news concerning this story. Because it was finally released “THAT SHE WAS A COVERT AGENT!!!”…. Now get your facts straight!!!

You Media people are the Terrorists’ greatest weapon. For you, National Security takes a back seat to “getting out the story”…especially if it is in any way, anti-Bush. Hopefully, your ignorance will not cause innocent lives to be lost…But then, even that would be a “story” for you. You people have the morality of Jello.

“ksfortier” you are clearly too stupid for words. You are twisting the meaning of “covert” to support your argument, and relying on a technicality to justify outing a field agent, by a vindictive, sociopathic VP, which is clearly a treasonous act. You should be able to see and agree how Un-American that really is. You seem to be more concerned about maintaining the war effort, instead of what direction our country is actually heading.

I am absolutely amazed to see how far the mainstream media will go to try to improve their dwindling ratings and try to do anything to make our president look bad. We are at war. Whose side are they on? How many American lives could have been saved if they truly worked for our cause instead of the enemies? How can this latest move by ABC NOT be treason?

Are you guys for real?? You dare compare Wilson/Plame scam to the treasonous publication of SECRETS on Iran? Plame and Wilson were and are two proven liars. Plame was no longer a “covert” agent; in fact, lost her “undercover” status going way back to when she married Ambassador Wilson. Her position became too open and visible and she was reassigned as a WMD analyst to the states. Yes, Plame was a busy little traitor, using the CIA to discredit the administration and its policies from within. All with the guidance of the Democrat Party, whose strategy meetings she and husband attended along with the help of the NYT, who they also had meetings with..prior to publishing Wilson’s op-ed piece.
Acting Attorney General Comey appointed his long-time buddy, Patrick Fitzgerald, as special prosecutor. Even though Armitage had quickly gone to them and admitted he shared the Plame information, either way. they proceeded with the case. WHY? A chance for Fitzgerald to make a name for himself, publicity and ??? An honest man would have immediately exposed Armitage and not proceeded with wasting taxpayers’ money.
But participants in this blog still prefer believing TWO PROVEN LIARS, Plame and Wilson, as per the non-partisan Senate Intelligence Report, and ABC, whose agenda has always been to demonize any conservative administration. But releasing UNITED STATES SECRETS is an open ACT OF TREASON and every effort should be waged against ABC, the informant, to prosecute. No, Mr. & Mrs. Liberal Blogger, this is not a 2-bit Plame scheme devised by the DNC, and played up as a “scandal” for three years, but a despicable act against the U.S.
The aiding and abetting the enemy under the cover of Freedom of Press and Freedom of Speech is despicable as is the partisan excuse-making for such actions!

It should be perfectly obvious that this is an Administration leak. ABC gave them every opportunity to quash it, and the Bushies didn’t. Therefore, it is designed to scare us into voting Republican, since that’s the only way people can be moved from the Democrats’ saner programs.

Valerie Plame had not been a covert agent for years! Now she’s a rich celebrity. Go figure!

BTW bravo ABC. If people don’t want to be put in this danger, they shouldn’t join the CIA. I’m sick of the actions of these people putting ME in danger of retribution.

its shows what great geniouses we have running our country, not only did they start a war, which they blamed it on wmd and iraq involvement in 9-11, this administration is one of the worst foreign and domestic administration in history, please u bush lovers, tell me one good thing that this president has done for our country, what great laws or decisions he has made to make our country better, besides high gas prices. cant wait till this clown is out of office. republicans blame him for loosing majority in congress, and u will loose more.

This covert policy should be scruitinised not the news article about it.
America’s foreign policy has cost thousands of American lives and the lives of over a Million non Americans, A true patriot would want to reign in this administration and its crazy foreign policy.
Thank God some news channales are still prepared to raise their heads over the paripits and be couunted. Keep up the good work ABC News.

I am glad that ABC aired this story. It is about time the public is made aware of the impending war with Iran. The goal has been to attack Iran all along. It is very convenient that Bush knows he is going to get his 100 Billion war spending and increase the number of troops in Iraq. Now he will have the resources needed to invade Iran. Also Bush just signed into law a piece of legislation on may 9th which gives him a dictatorship in the event of catastrophe. We need to impeach this war mongering president as soon as possible before he starts world war 3! Ron Paul was correct in his statement to Rudy at the debates about why the middle East hates America. This will only cause more problems and more resentment toward America and you can bet there will be much more blowback to come in the future.

Only criminals have something to hide. Let’s declassify all government documents so the American people can truly know what kind of governmental errors our tax dollars are funding. Yes, that’s right, getting into a third war in the middle east will be an error.
Vote RON PAUL 2008.

ABC was right to expose this ‘covert program’. The American people are sick of these calamitous and pointless wars, which seem only to serve Israel’s perverted ambitions. There is nothing legitimate in our meddling in Iran, since especially Iran has broken no laws and is entitled, according to the NPT treaty, to enrichment technology.
Doubtless, most American’s are wondering: wouldn’t have been far cheaper to simply pay the Iraqis a fair price for their oil, rather than try to steal it–and at such horrendous cost to our republic and the terrible loss of life in Iraq?

Hello
I am a brit and would like to say ”What is the fuss about.” Firstly America isnt doing anything new that Iran doesnt know but what surprises me is how most Americans get so wired up about something the government wants you to get wired up about. strange on that day the big news should of been about those new 17000 soldiers and fleets sent to persian waters but no obviously you guys are screaming about leaks, patriotism stuff. America has always interferred in countries that do now obey the new world order and i will say Iran is a better country then most muslim countries.Why doesnt America spend more time talking about the dictators in saudia arabia, Jordan, Egypt, etc who have the worst record and no democracy? May be if your media showed good things from Iran rather let you right wing leaders,Aipac, and the media hijack America and fool you twice. Guys i know most of you are patriots but let the right be right and wrong be wrong.

Thanks to ABC for finally publishing what, as pointed out by several other posters here, the rest of us have known for some time. Thanks to Romney and the other guy for voicing their opinions about ABC’s running of the story. Another reason to put them on the bench and vote for the only decent candidate in the field, the Honorable Ron Paul. He’s the only candidate from ANY party who actually deserves the ‘Honorable’ appellation.

I guess Iraq was behind 911 if we take What Ron Paul said,” Have you ever read about the reasons they attacked us? They attack us because we’ve been over there. We’ve been bombing Iraq for 10 years.” I guess we can say that this all goes back to Clinton and the countless times he bombed Iraq, all this made Iran very agree at the US because they have such an affection to Iraq. Please if you disagree give me a course of action, not “we have a plan”, how would you change what is going on, remember we are considered a Christian Nation (strike 1), we have to look a National Security, and we have to remember to look out for what is best for the American people. As stated before, this is a great nation with great people, it is so easy to cast stones and argue it is much hard to work together; our government has lasted over 200 years because we entrust of elected officials to do what is best for us, not them. When was the last time you saw a congressman or senator go back to their constitutes and find out what they want, they’re all too busy flying all over the country and world, doing what they want on our dime! True reform starts with all of you but you first need a concrete course of action the word “plan” means nothing. I think when you start thinking about it, all of you will sit back and blog again; that’s too much like work get it all for nothing, got to keep our standards do we.

You know, if Bush & Co really loved his empire he wouldn’t be making it fall so soon …
wouldn’t be multiplying our enemies everywhere all the time …
but, as Gore Vidal always sez, that’s what empires always do anyway … they fall
We Americans need to cultivate a different, much more human approach to being part of and sharing this world before we earn the consequence of not being any part of it at all; know what I mean?
and we shouldn’t empower such twisted psychos with dangerous WMDs etc, because that’s just asking for it — sort of like: ‘Bring it on.’ or whatever the brain-damaged Resident managed to try to articulate while strutting about like the sorry misguided fool he is … and that’s not saying much for the poor fools still following him …
this doesn’t sound very kind, but these ‘war games’ are not really amusing either, esply when so many real people are getting wasted, vaporized, blown and burned up … these things have consequences;
but don’t worry: if you don’t get it yet, there’s always judgment day!

The “WAR ON TERROR” is a smokescreen to destabilize the entire Middle East region, of which Iran is the key. We now have them surrounded and infiltrated. It was imparitive to move this along quickly before Iran gained the capability to defend itself from attack with a better air force and nuclear wepons. Before we moved into the region we had a few handfulls of wackos. We could have solved that problem by building up the FBI and local police forces and making sure they had real and timly communication and cooperation. This would have saved lives, costed less and shown the world we could take care of ourselves. Instead we died, we killed, we made oil & defence contractor execs rich and we made more enemies. Oh and don’t forget we promised Kim Jong Ill money to keep his yap shut too. Okay now back to my Freedom Fries.

I am surprised to see so many people attacking ABC for publishing this story. There is little doubt that the government Iran is already aware of what we are doing and there was nothing in the report that would put individuals at risk. The report simply, in a very general way, let us the public know what our government is doing. I think they should be commended for that rather than condemned.

Why call everyone stupid; ya President Bush authorized the leak. Let me guess this is a coordinated effort between the President and ABC, to conduct a false media leak to cover up everything else. I guess this falls under, “hide the tree in the forest”.

Till i read the majority of the posts above, i didn´t realize how stupid and ignorants are the American people…what secret and what leak ??…you stupid and greedy people are the only ones who dont know nothing about whats going on on the world…wake up!! i am sure that you know that the world is round…dont you ??

I think it was good the ABC reported this. Got it a bit more into the Mainstream consciousness that this type of CIA stuff does happen. The fact that it is even more public now because of the GOP candidates quite frankly I see also as an awesome thing. Spill all the beans on it. C’mon!

How are American lives at risk by admitting to a campaign of propaganda, disinformation and manipulation? Seems a bit far reached.
That said, the US is more often inside a country covertly militarily or through proxy before it makes its war officially started. If you read the reporting by Seymour Hersch at the New Yorker it’s been covered. We’re using terrorists in there already.
Ron Paul is right.

Where is it written in the constitution exactly what the press can or cannot inform the public about?

If Bush didn`t object to the stoory, why are Romney and Tancredo? Obviously becdause it is imposssible for a Republican to avoid taking a cheap shot against the “Liberal Media.” Is Romney as shocked about Bush`s repeated declassification of secrets when it serves his political agenda? “The reporting has the potential of jeopardizing our national security. To put it quite plainly, it has the potential of affecting human life, we may never know.” Meaning what? Guess he is saying that even though Bush doesn`t know how it negatively affects national security (and thus did not object to ABC`s report), it might potentially affect human life, though we may never know if it does. Is this guy scared of the truth or what?

Of course it’s serious, Chanci.
Propaganda is very serious *business*.
Like any good corporation, corporate-run Government requires return on their investments in media.

i am very proud to have my post removed by abc, let me say again. if and when we are hit again i hope the traitors at aabc(anti amrican broadcasting co.) are the first to die. death IS what they ,the islamists, want for us. all of us. even all the commies in the democrap party. remember, abc, no matter how much you help the enemy, you are still their target as much as the rest of us.

Secrets??? GOP secrets lost US this war in Iraq… Keep telling them ABC. We appreciate it!

I think the real terrorists have blue eyes, bibles and suvs, not Korans and donkee carts!
Gimmee a break war on terrorism is a war to make $

When will one of these liberal media organizations ever disclose some secret operations of a terrorist cell, or another enemy of the United States? It seems that they limit their exposes to covert programs of the United States that are designed to protect our national security.
Then these traitors in the media wonder why real Americans “question their patriotism”?
We question their patriotism because patriotic Americans don’t try to sabotage their own country’s national security initiatives. It’s pathetically obvious that these liberals in the media don’t consider themselves to owe any duty of loyalty to our great country.

I applaud ABC’s “treason”. Whether we are in times of war or peace, people need to keep abreast of what’s going on around the world because WE decide what our country does in our name and we can’t do that when our media is weak and subserviant as it has been for several years now.
Anyone who thinks that we have absolutely no responsibility for the blowback of our morally bankrupt foreign policy needs to have their head examined.
All of our current problems with the middle east exist because we spent decades there manipulating sovereign nations supposedly either to our own economic advantage or Israel’s military advantage. It seems these days that the majority of the foreign dictators and terrorists in circulation were at one time in our employ, and now we’re just going around cleaning up messes that groups like the CIA created decades ago – yet now they want to run off creating more!
As for the “treason” issue, I think that when leveling those charges we should look no further than the White House, the members of which have ignored the demands of the country and congress for long enough, and have shown complete disregard for the CIA’s secrecy when it was to their political advantage to do so. This administration is disgustingly corrupt and incompetent and anyone calling ABC’s actions “treasonous” in light of the outright shredding of core American values by our fascist regime will find their ideas more acceptable in communist China or perhaps one of the plethora of fascist states. I suggest they choose one and relocate immediately so people who love our Constitutional Republic and believe in freedom of the press will still have a place to call home.
I’m voting for Ron Paul. Peace and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.

Oh my! *NonZionist* I , I , I think I *love* you!~ You are really good, and I like what you write too! heeheee smart, educated, well-informed, honest, articulate … golly!
Being the Wholly Rogue Emperor, I hereby present you, NonZionist, with America and all its more or less united states … heeeheeee I think you can do something with her, and thanks sweetie …
American In Paris, you’re pretty cute too! Clever, sophisticated and wised up for sure! Great perspective. Is France still to your liking? Be my guest, naturally …
some other contributors were also worth reading.
Dare we hope? the sun breaks through the thick clouds of polluted deceptions? even here? or there in DCt (deceit city)
tata

“The publication of forthcoming covert military operations in a time of war is treason. Mindless, despicable treason. And, had you consciences unblistered by the bitter liberalism which infects your news organization, you would be so very, very ashamed.”
We are not at war with Iran, you moron! If anything, the USA should be condemned for an act of war such as this. The only traitors are you, “flag waivers” Attacking Iran in not in the interest of this country. How would you like it if the Cubans or the Iranians do the same in USA soil? How would you feel if you see a flotilla of Chinese war ships a few miles from the East or West coast?
Go and recite the pledge of alliance or go wrap yourself with the flag, and stop wasting our time, stupid!

It’s evident Muslims are wrong to dislike you because we meddle in their affairs. They dislike us because our democracy is such a resounding success, and we have elected our dear leader, President Bush, showing us how to spread freedom and set minds on fire. We do have an endless supply of cash to pay for our good intentions – we just borrow it from China and Japan. So why not borrow now, and let our children pay later? Playing globocop is so much fun…

The interesting news would be what does Ron Paul (the next Republican Presidential nominee) have to say about it?
Come on ABC tell us. What does Ron Paul think?

All the traitors in here who think the US GOVERNMENT is right in attacking nations who have nothing to do with our freedom or way of life need to get the hell out of America and get their cowardly tails to Iraq and fight for their “dear leader” W.
W has nothing to do with America. And neither do you.
RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT. A REAL AMERICAN!

ABC News reported Tuesday about the CIA’s covert plan to destabilize the Iranian regime.
Jolly good show!
Mitt Romney (who the hell names their kid after a baseball glove?) and Tom Trancredo (who reminds me of pale faced cartoon transvestite) –they just don’t get it.
Both seem to live in some imaginary pre-Bush world: they act like lying is not now-a-days declared true or that allies somehow don’t deserve to be betrayed. Of coarse they do. Be true to our party and our Republican administration.
Come on now, this is the Bush era. Its a Republican era. Doesn’t Romney and Tancedo know that?
Haven’t they not heard? Aren’t all of our Republican candidates in lock step and lackeys of this new Bush era? Aren’t we parrots of the great decider?
Don’t pretend this isn’t the case.
Either the puppet government in Iraq does what Bush demands –turn over 80 % of Iraqi oil to his corporate buddies– or they get overthrown. Nothing complex about it.
The puppets within the parliament in Baghdad have been dragging their feet, they are not moving swiftly on the Bush’s self aggrandizing occupiers scheme that these puppets turn over Iraqis oil reserves to the western petroleum corporations.
And this is what (and why) overthrowing them (once AGAIN) is all about: they must pass the new oil law so the “our” oil corporation can legally steal Iraqi oil. Give the Bush gang 30 years to pump Iraq dry .
But its not happening. The law is in limbo.
Thus the Iraqi government must be torpedoed in a sneak attack by Bush and by Empire Central.
*****
Tancredo, please listen up, don’t be like those democratic insects; this is the true Republican creed that you formerly avowed. Be honest, you have supported this approach all along and with every vote you cast in Congress:
# theft, plunder, plot, plan, squander, steal America’s revenue and Iraqi oil wealth while demanding that the American people infinitely support a useless and unending war -forever and ever.
# scheme like Karl Rove and the Devil himself and work night and day to build PNAC’s empire so that Cheney (Mr Halliburton) the Bush family (the Bush gang), and a select group of plundering buddies -along with assorted loyal neonazicon ideologues- become as wealthy as God.
# Survival of the wealthiest is true conservatism. Christianity is superior to all other mongrel systems of belief. That’s what “born again” means. Call all Arabs and Palestinians “terrorist” and everything else follows. True conservatism.
*****
Our Baghdad puppets are not with the agenda. So the Bush administration must turns the bulldogs loose.
The puppets of Baghdad must dance properly or their strings get cut. Ah shucks, cut em anyway.
And Romney, don’t pretend you care about “secrets” that are NOT secret, and shouldn’t be. Go along with it. You know that it is time once again for a new batch of lies from Bush and company? You have your marching orders. You are a banker so you are aware of price gouging at the gas pump. This is the way it works. You are a banker so you must go along with corporate plundering.
But rather than being a realist you now blowing smoke in an effort to re-cover, or is it cover-up that which is obvious, that the Iraqi government must be overthrown by the CIA and military intelligence agencies.
*****
Folks, isn’t it time for Romney and Trancredo to grow-up. To be men?
Don’t they know that once a blood sucking OCUUPIER, always a blood sucking OCCUPPIER? . Romney, please be patriotic to price gouging, its the American way. Let’s be happy as we pay at the pump. Romney don’t falter, support price gouging, support the corporate state, support perpetual war for perpetual war, and pump up the military-industrial complex and squeeze everything else. That’s what “republican” means. Romney you know this.
Haven’t these two candidates got the message? haven’t they heard? haven’t they understood the true depth of necessary irrationality and treachery behind Bush policies, the meaning of his lies?
Candidates, don’t be so weak kneed, either be truthful and proclaim your support of plunder and treachery and ever higher prices for gasoline (for gouging) or be the biggest liar running for President. That what these times demand of Republican candidates.
Like most Republicans, in this Bush era, I am truely embarrassed by the shallowness of both of your candidacies.
5-25-2007

the plan call for using sunni extemist against shia extremist could back fire and likely to brew back.we see this before, it call Afghanistan.

To Ryan,
BRAVO!!

ABC Crew: STOP apologizing to these politicians! Aren’t you just doing your job as journalists are supposed to do ???

Everytime these ego-centric journalists report information they believe to be classified, they place my country and its citizens at risk. They wrap themselves in the 1st ammendment and justify their actions by declaring that “the public has a right to know.” Frankly, I’ve more concerned with our right to survive. Perhaps its time to start filing class action lawsuits against these journalistic improprieties!

Ummmmm..it may sound naieve, but don’t you think the Iranians already either knew this through their own internal sources within Iran or would of at a minimum guessed it was going on. It’s not really rocket science.

The biggest treason in Iran was when the Reagan and Ollie the Ostrich sold arms to the Iranians? What were those traitors thinking about?

.
2nd (edited) entry for wide public distribution:
(WW)
“GOP Candidates Criticize ABC News Report on CIA-Iran Plan”
May 23, 2007 1:52 PM
Two Republican presidential candidates today criticized the ABC News report Tuesday about the CIA’s covert plan to destabilize the Iranian regime.
“I was shocked to see the ABC News report regarding covert action in Iran,” Mitt Romney said as he opened a session with reporters in Tulsa, Okla.
Congressman Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., called for an investigation into who leaked the information and “condemned” ABC News for “running the story which could jeopardize American lives.”
A Comment Added:
ABC News reported Tuesday about the CIA’s covert plan to destabilize the Iranian regime.
Jolly good show!
Mitt Romney (who the hell names their kid after a baseball glove?) and Tom Tancredo (who reminds me of pale faced cartoon transvestite) –they just don’t get it.
Both seem to live in some imaginary pre-Bush world: they act like lying is not now-a-days declared true, or that allies somehow don’t deserve to be betrayed. Of coarse they do. Be true to our party and our Republican administration.
Come on now, this is the Bush era. It’s a Republican era. Don’t Romney and Tancredo know that?
Have they not heard? Aren’t all of our Republican candidates in lock step and lackeys of this new Bush era? Aren’t we parrots of the great decider?
Don’t pretend this isn’t the case.
Whether it’s Iran or Iraq, Bush policy is the same. Get the oil and keep it off the market. Help drive the price of gasoline up and up.
Either the puppet government in Iraq does what Bush demands –turn over 80 % of Iraqi oil to his corporate buddies– or they get overthrown. Nothing complex about it.
The puppets within the parliament in Baghdad have been dragging their feet, they are not moving swiftly on the Bush’s self aggrandizing occupiers’ scheme that demands these puppets turn over Iraqis oil reserves to the western petroleum corporations.
And this is what (and why) overthrowing them (once AGAIN) is all about: they must pass the new oil law so that “our” oil corporations can legally steal Iraqi oil. Give the Bush gang 30 years to pump Iraq dry.
But it’s not happening. The law is in limbo.
Thus the Iraqi government must be torpedoed in a sneak attack by Bush and by Empire Central.
*****
Tancredo, please listen up, don’t be like those democratic insects; this is the true Republican creed that you formerly avowed. Be honest, you have supported this approach all along and with every vote you cast in Congress:
# theft, plunder, plot, plan, squander, steal America’s revenue and Iraqi oil wealth while demanding that the American people infinitely support a useless and unending war -forever and ever.
# scheme like Karl Rove and the Devil himself and work night and day to build PNAC’s empire so that Cheney (Mr Halliburton) the Bush family (the Bush gang), and a select group of their plundering buddies -along with assorted loyal neonazicon ideologues- become as wealthy as God.
# “survival of the wealthiest” is true conservatism. Christianity is superior to all other mongrel systems of belief. That’s what “born again” means. Call all Arabs and Palestinians “terrorist” and everything else follows. True conservatism.
*****
Our Baghdad puppets are not with the agenda. So the Bush administration must turns the bulldogs loose.
The puppets of Baghdad must dance properly or their strings get cut. Ah shucks, cut em anyway.
And Romney, don’t pretend you care about “secrets” that are NOT secret, and shouldn’t be. Go along with it. You know that it is time once again for a new batch of lies from Bush and company? You have your marching orders. You are a banker so you are aware of price gouging at the gas pump. This is the way it works. You are a banker so you must go along with corporate plundering and windfall gouging.
But, rather than being a realist, you now bluster and blow smoke in an effort to re-cover, or is it cover-up, that which is obvious: that the Iraqi government must be overthrown by the CIA and military intelligence agencies.
*****
Folks, is it not time for Romney and Trancredo to grow-up. To be men?
Don’t they know that once a blood sucking OCUUPIER, always a blood sucking OCCUPPIER? . Romney, please be patriotic to price gouging, it’s the American way. Let’s be happy as we pay more and more at the pump. Romney don’t falter, support price gouging, support the corporate state, support perpetual war for perpetual war, and pump up the military-industrial complex and squeeze everything else. That’s what “republican” means. Romney, you know this.
Haven’t these two candidates got the message? Haven’t they heard? Haven’t you understood the true depth of necessary irrationality and insane treachery behind Bush’s policies, the meaning of his lies? Of course you have. That’s why you demand more of the same.
Candidates Romney and Tancredo, don’t be so weak-kneed, either be truthful and proclaim your support of plunder and treachery and for ever higher prices for gasoline (for oil company gouging) or become the biggest of all liars running for President. That what these times demand of mainstream Republican candidates. Get with it. Stop pretending you’re offended.
Certainly, during this war making Bush era, joined by most Republicans I know, I am truly embarrassed by the shallowness of both of your candidacies.
Posted by: Wolsey Woodcutter | May 25, 2007 12:13:51 AM at ABC news.
.

So, the gang of Bushi’s along with Neoconservatives “arrange” the control demolition of the twin towers in Sept.11, and use it as apretext to attack Afghanistan and Iraq, and then declare war on terrorism and now helping Jondollah terorrist groups in Pakistan to kill Iranians and ABC expose it. Who is the traitor?

Unbelievable irresponsibility on Brian Ross’s part for making such blatant selfish and moronic comments.Fire the S.O.B.

Whether or not ABC should have broadcast this is irrelevant. I am just dumbfounded that Bush is planning another war. Gee the imbecile cannot finish two of them and now wants a third. He is following Hitler, maybe not in death camps, but the way he runs the war, like Hitler he ignores generals and others not to his thinking. Hitler like Bush lived in denial. Well I really have no sympathy for the US if the congress does nothing to stop this