I've long been aware that it was very difficult for members of Congress who were provided classified information to make that public. What never occurred to me was that the distribution list of such information had been restricted to just eight people in the congress. If the order issued by George Bush on October 5, 2001 is as represented in the following document, then it looks to me like we've got evidence of a coup d'etat.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington
October 5, 2001
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
THE DIRECTOR OF FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
SUBJECT; Disclosure to the Congress
As we wage our campaign to respond to the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, and to protect us from further acts of terrorism, I intend to continue to work closely with the Congress. Consistent with longstanding executive branch practice, this Administration will continue to inform the leadership of the Congress about the course of, and important developments in, our critical military, intelligence, and law enforcement operations. At the same time, we have an obligation to protect military operational security, intelligence sources and methods, and sensitive law enforcement investigations. Accordingly, your departsment should adhere to the following procedures when providing briefings to the Congress relating to the information we have or the actions we plan to take:
(i) Only you or officers expressly designated by you may brief
Members of Congress regarding classified or sensitive law
enforcement information; and
(ii)The only members of Congress whom you or your expressly designated
officers may brief regarding classified or sensitive law enforcement
information are the Speaker of the House, the House Minority Leader,
the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders, and the Chairs and Ranking
Members of the Intelligence Committees in the House and Senate.
This approach will best serve our shared goals of protecting American lives, maintaining the proper level of confidentiality for the success of our military, intelligence, and law enforcement operations, and keeping the leadership of the Congress appropriately informed about important developments. This morning, I informed the House and Senate leadership of this policy which shall remain in effect until you receive further notice from me.
(Signed) George Bush
Posted by Hannah at August 12, 2005 07:07 AM