On Thursday there was a closed-door Intelligence Committee hearing on the interrogation of terrorism suspects in which classified information was discussed. Immediately afterward, Republican Representatives appear to have violated their security clearances by discussing classified information. They placed scoring political points over their legal duties.
Republicans ignited a firestorm of controversy on Thursday by revealing some of what they had been told at a closed-door Intelligence Committee hearing on the interrogation of terrorism suspects.
snip
When told of the GOP claims, Democrats strongly criticized the members who revealed information that was provided at the closed House Intelligence Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing. Democrats on the panel said they could not respond substantively, pointing out that the hearing was closed.
The Hill: Intel firestorm: GOP reveals briefing info
If this were Democrats, FoxNews and Drudge would be screaming "treason" all over the net and airwaves. But the media still kisses Republican ass, so little will be said.
"I am absolutely shocked that members of the Intelligence committee who attended a closed-door hearing... then walked out that hearing – early, by the way – and characterized anything that happened in that hearing," said Intelligence Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairwoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.). "My understanding is that’s a violation of the rules. It may be more than that."
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) said, "Members on both sides need to watch what they say."
Both Schakowsky and Reyes accused GOP members of playing politics with national security.
"I think they are playing a very dangerous game when it comes to the discussion of matters that were sensitive enough to be part of a closed hearing," Schakowsky said.
Asked about the validity of Republican contentions that information shared in Thursday’s hearing showed the effectiveness of enhanced interrogation techniques, Schakowsky said she could not comment on what was discussed at a closed hearing.
The Hill: Intel firestorm: GOP reveals briefing info
There is no moral, ethical or legal law the Republicans will not break in their quest for power. They destroyed our economy and standing in the world. While wrapping themselves in the flag, they flout security regulations. And their media toadies enable this. How many times has the utterly untalented Liz Cheney been on cable lately to spew her hatred?
Just another example of it's okay if you're a Republican.
Update I: Dallasdoc suggested providing more details:
Hoekstra did not attend the hearing, but said he later spoke with Republicans on the subcommittee who did. He said he came away with even more proof that the enhanced interrogation techniques employed by the CIA proved effective.
"I think the people who were at the hearing, in my opinion, clearly indicated that the enhanced interrogation techniques worked," Hoekstra said.
Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.), a member of the subcommittee who attended the hearing, concurred with Hoekstra.
"The hearing did address the enhanced interrogation techniques that have been much in the news lately," Kline said, noting that he was intentionally choosing his words carefully in observance of the committee rules and the nature of the information presented.
"Based on what I heard and the documents I have seen, I came away with a very clear impression that we did gather information that did disrupt terrorist plots," Kline said.
It looks as if Cheney "papered the file" with documents and people before he left and now the Republicans are disclosing the disinformation. As dallasdoc says:
Cheney's moles in CIA are engaging in the Intel Wars on his behalf. So of course Republican critters are spilling the beans -- there'd be little point in the briefing if it weren't leaked.