[PV] DeFazio asks, but he's denied access

[Frenchy]

DeFazio asks, but he's denied access

Classified info - The congressman wanted to see government plans for after a terror attack

Friday, July 20, 2007 JEFF KOSSEFF
The Oregonian Staff

WASHINGTON -- Oregonians called Peter DeFazio's office, worried there was a conspiracy buried in the classified portion of a White House plan for operating the government after a terrorist attack.
As a member of the U.S. House on the Homeland Security Committee, DeFazio, D-Ore., is permitted to enter a secure "bubbleroom" in the Capitol and examine classified material. So he asked the White House to see the secret documents.
On Wednesday, DeFazio got his answer: DENIED.
"I just can't believe they're going to deny a member of Congress the right of reviewing how they plan to conduct the government of the United States after a significant terrorist attack," DeFazio says.
Homeland Security Committee staffers told his office that the White House initially approved his request, but it was later quashed. DeFazio doesn't know who did it or why.
"We're talking about the continuity of the government of the United States of America," DeFazio says. "I would think that would be relevant to any member of Congress, let alone a member of the Homeland Security Committee."
Bush administration spokesman Trey Bohn declined to say why DeFazio was denied access: "We do not comment through the press on the process that this access entails. It is important to keep in mind that much of the information related to the continuity of government is highly sensitive."
Norm Ornstein, a legal scholar who studies government continuity at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, said he "cannot think of one good reason" to deny access to a member of Congress who serves on the Homeland Security Committee.
"I find it inexplicable and probably reflective of the usual, knee-jerk overextension of executive power that we see from this White House," Ornstein said.
This is the first time DeFazio has been denied access to documents. DeFazio has asked Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., to help him access the documents.
"Maybe the people who think there's a conspiracy out there are right," DeFazio said.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/orego...910.xml&coll=7

[ArmyGuy45]

shh.. dont want the terrorist to know our plan.....

[Don]

Norm Ornstein, a legal scholar who studies government continuity at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, said he "cannot think of one good reason" to deny access to a member of Congress who serves on the Homeland Security Committee.

[evil-don]Maybe Norm Ornstein just lacks imagination. I can think of several scenarios to block someone on a committee. Maybe said congressman meets some of my paranoid delusions...[/evil-don]

Really only half-evil here, being on a committee does not make you exempt from security, and if it is thought that you would breach security for political means, then deny away. No basis in reality here, just tossing out thoughts. Even so this is dangerous ground, but maybe the danger is how you get on a committee?

This should prove interesting if we can get a no-spin answer.

[Dhunter55]

My understanding is that access to classified information is based on "need to know" even if you have the required level of security clearance. Evidently someone decided that DeFazio didn't have the "need to know".
I'd sure like to know why he was denied.

[AZXD]

Yea, I see the key to this being something we may never know. Why was he denied? Without this we are left to speculate and on these types of matters, speculation is never good.

Let's see, two choices, he doesn't need to know, or he is one of those who will be locked up after the next phase is carried out in the name of freedom.

[beardman2]

so what is scarier.... someone untrustworthy on the committee or the president deciding how the government will look after an emergency?

[AZXD]

Originally Posted by beardman2

so what is scarier.... someone untrustworthy on the committee or the president deciding how the government will look after an emergency?

Which would willingly answer to the people over their actions?

[KEVWYO]

Originally Posted by Dhunter55

My understanding is that access to classified information is based on "need to know" even if you have the required level of security clearance. Evidently someone decided that DeFazio didn't have the "need to know".
I'd sure like to know why he was denied.

Just another shinning example of how this administration could care less ... no ... go to great lengths to make any type of congressional oversight near impossible. It boggles my mind that a committee person of the Homeland Security can be denied. I'd guess the decision to deny access came from a guy named Carl or Dick. How many more days until the swearing in of the next guy (and I do mean guy in it's most literal sense)?

[jeepinbanditrider]

Oregonians called Peter DeFazio's office, worried there was a conspiracy buried in the classified...................................So he asked the White House to see the secret documents.

Sounds like he was simply doing something THE PEOPLE wanted him to do.

[beardman2]

Originally Posted by AZXD

Which would willingly answer to the people over their actions?

probably neither!

Originally Posted by jeepinbanditrider

Sounds like he was simply doing something THE PEOPLE wanted him to do.

clearly a whack job!