Feds dropping charges against pro-Israel lobbyistsMission: Accomplished.
By MATTHEW BARAKAT, A, Associated Press Writer – 30 mins ago
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Federal prosecutors moved Friday to dismiss espionage-related charges against two former pro-Israel lobbyists accused of disclosing classified U.S. defense information, ending a tortuous inside-the-Beltway legal battle rife with national security intrigue.
Critics of the prosecution of Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee accused the federal government of trying to criminalize the sort of back-channel discussions between government officials, lobbyists and reporters that are commonplace in the nation's capital. AIPAC is an influential pro-Israel lobbying group.
Acting U.S. Attorney Dana Boente said the government moved to dismiss the charges in the drawn-out case after concluding that pretrial rulings would make it too difficult for the government to prove its case.
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed lamb disputing the outcome." --(Attributed to) Benjamin Franklin
Friday, May 1, 2009
Calling Jane Harman?
I can't be the only one who hears echoes of Harman's recorded conversations with the Israeli spy in this, can I? Too bad the decision about heading the Intelligence Committee is already in the can:
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1 comment:
Sounds like Harman's phone call got through loud and clear!
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