Saturday, March 05, 2005

Do the democrats honestly have NOTHING better to do? The Jeff Gannon saga continues.

Here is the story about the following resolution: via JeffGannon.com


Dear Colleague:
Please join us in introducing the attached resolution, which requires the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security to turn over all documentation in their possession about how James Guckert (also known as Jeff Gannon) gained access to White House press events.
For nearly three years, the White House has been granting Mr. Guckert, a right-wing activist with no press credentials, access to the White House briefing room and presidential press conferences. This appears to violate long standing practices of carefully screening contacts with the president.
This special access not only raises security concerns, but calls into question the fundamental fairness of the White House press corps. Mr. Guckert’s efforts as a propaganda machine for the White House may have even violated laws banning the Administration from using appropriated money for propaganda purposes. It further appears that Mr. Guckert had access to classified information, in violation of laws that protect the identity of undercover agents.
Because of these concerns, we will be introducing this resolution to inquire how the Justice and Homeland Security Departments were used to forward this agenda and whether any processes were abused in favoring Mr. Guckert and his ultra-conservative organization. We had hoped that the half dozen congressional and senate requests for information would have been sufficient. However, to date, they have not even merited a response from the White House or its agencies.
To cosponsor, or if you have questions, please contact Michelle Richardson (x56906).
Sincerely,
John Conyers, Jr. Ranking Member Judiciary Committee
Louise M. Slaughter Ranking Member Rules Committee
Bernie Thompson Ranking Member Homeland Security
Henry Waxman Ranking Member Committee Government Reform
Charles Rangel Ranking Member Committee Ways and Means Committee
Bernie Thompson Ranking Member Homeland Security
RESOLUTION
Directing the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution documents in the possession of those officials relating to the security investigations and background checks relating to granting access to the White House of James D. Guckert (also known as Jeff Gannon).
Resolved, That the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security are each directed to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution all documents in their possession relating to the security investigations and background checks relating to granting access to the White House of James D. Guckert (also known as Jeff Gannon) and any requisite instructions for handling such documents, including
(1) all records setting forth or discussing whether an individual granted access to the President or to the White House briefing room may use a false name;
(2) all records setting forth or discussing policies, procedures, or guidelines discussing security clearances and background checks relating to granting access into the White House briefing room;
(3) all records indicating how the policies, procedures, or guidelines referred to above were communicated to Mr. Guckert;
(4) all records indicating the officer or office responsible for requesting that the Secret Service carry out a security investigation or background check with respect to an individual seeking access to the President or to the White House briefing room;
(5) all records setting forth the standards for security investigations or background checks with respect to ‘’day pass’’ credentials;
(6) all records indicating or discussing whether and to what extent an individual who is cleared for a day pass for a given date is required to receive further security clearance for a day pass for a later date;
(7) all records setting forth or discussing which officer or officers, if any, has the authority to exempt an individual seeking access to the President or to the White House briefing room from the standards for security investigations or background checks that otherwise apply; and
(8) all records of communication between the Secret Service and Mr. Guckert, including not only postal correspondence but also electronic mail correspondence, facsimile correspondence, records of telephone conversations, and any other records of communication. via Protein Wisdom

Questioning the fairness of the white house press corp has to be the funniest thing about it. I mean we ALL know how fair the white house press corp has always been. *snort*

But since the democrats are so concerned about security, I think it is high time we gathered all the above mentioned information on ALL the white press corp.

Can you imagine that? We would have enough personal gossip and slime to blog about for the rest of the year. I'm betting the press corp is covering their ass right now in more ways than one.

Democrats, be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.