Slog - Comments on This is Ironic http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic In 1998, Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) filed a lawsuit against Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Seattle) for leaking a recording of a cell phone call. In that recording, which came into McDermott's hands through a rather bizarre series of events, Boehner could be heard talking with other Republicans about how to subvert House ethics rules. (My story on that whole scandal, and the ensuing lawsuit, which has now been appealed by McDermott to the U.S. Supreme Court, can be found here.) Today, Boehner was accused of doing some leaking himself — leaking classified national security information that could put the lives of... Copyright 2008 Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:00:40 -0800 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 07:04:03 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Original Andrew "By revealing classified information, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives appears to have compromised national security for partisan political gain. We urge the Justice Department to immediately commence an investigation."

Cue the laugh track.

]]> Original Andrew http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c775876 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c775876 Politics Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:20:18 -0800 Comment by laterite What a Boehner.

]]> laterite http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c775883 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c775883 Politics Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:23:44 -0800 Comment by diggum I couldn't figure out a funny response to that paragraph, either. Instead, I think I'll just be depressed.

]]> diggum http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c775887 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c775887 Politics Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:26:14 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle We used to use firing squads to deal with traitors like Boehner.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c775908 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c775908 Politics Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:41:16 -0800 Comment by Cato the Younger Younger @2, Do you listen to Stephanie Miller? (She uses that same quote all the time about the Boner) Cause you know "When two vowels go walking the first one does the talking..." Feel free to sing along!!

]]> Cato the Younger Younger http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c775914 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c775914 Politics Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:47:21 -0800 Comment by lostboy What's missing here is any indication of what classified info was allegedly released, much less any scrutiny of whether it really has significant security implications

On the other hand, Boehner really digs his own grave.

Members of Congress have a responsibility not only to obey the laws of the country and the rules of our institution, but also to defend the integrity of those laws and rules when they are violated.
Is that what congress has been doing through 6 years of Bush?

]]> lostboy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c776099 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c776099 Politics Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:16:31 -0800 Comment by lostboy To answer my own question:

The Ohio Republican told Neil Cavuto of a classified ruling by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Court that led to Congress expanding President Bush's authority to spy on overseas communications.   [rawstory.com]

There's no coverage of this in anything approaching MSM because it's a complete non-story.  With all the legitimate crimes to crucify Republicans for, people are saying with a straight face that this disclosure "could have quite literally put the lives of our troops at risk"?

This kind of knee-jerk bullshit just gives conservatives ammo to fire back with.

Eli, I expect better homework of you.

]]> lostboy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c776112 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c776112 Politics Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:30:40 -0800 Comment by CEMan lostboy could not be more WRONG!!
Mr Boner spoke on NATIONAL TELEVISION about a case decided by a SECRET COURT. The ruling was CLASSIFIED. Not to be presented in public!! It involved ONGOING INTELLIGENCE operations.

Lostboy, I expect you to a bit more SMART and less SMARMY. Pompous ass!!

]]> CEMan http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c776303 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c776303 Politics Tue, 07 Aug 2007 03:59:47 -0800 Comment by lostboy CEMan @8, spare us the histrionics (and the caps).  Not all classified information is created equal.

Consider: The fact that America has spy satellites was declassified by Jimmy Carter in 1978, but whether we ever actually use any of those satellites remained classified Top Secret at least up until the time that I held a clearance in the 90's.

If some congressmen happened to let slip in an interview whether we ever use our spy satellites or not, does anyone believe that disclosure would--zOmg!--put the lives of our troops at risk??!!!1111!one1

Boehner's disclosure wasn't quite that innocuous, but it's close.

Go ahead and hang Boehner for trying to punish McDermott for exposing corruption.  Hang him for the hypocrisy of his complaints about the Dem majority not giving Republicans enough power.  With so many real offenses, there's no reason to squander credibility hyping a weak case like this one.

]]> lostboy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c776325 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c776325 Politics Tue, 07 Aug 2007 06:15:13 -0800 Comment by Not_GOP Ship the Boehner to Gitmo toute suite!

]]> Not_GOP http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c776330 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/this_is_ironic#c776330 Politics Tue, 07 Aug 2007 07:04:03 -0800