Patterico's Pontifications

6/19/2013

James Rosen: State Department Officials May Have Committed Perjury

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 7:40 am



Perjury, schmerjury. Lying under oath is quickly becoming an Obama administration tradition:

Two top officials at the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DS) — the federal law enforcement agency that protects American diplomats and investigates allegations of criminal misconduct by State Department employees — gave sworn testimony earlier this year that appears to be evasive at best, and untrue at worst, according to evidence obtained by Fox News.

The officials are Scott Bultrowicz, who until Feb. 1 served as director of DS, and Tracy H. Mahaffey, who remains the executive director of DS. In videotaped depositions conducted this past February, Bultrowicz claimed not to know about any claims by a federal agency that DS officials have failed to follow proper procedures; and Mahaffey claimed not to know about any pending investigations into DS.

Yet Fox News has obtained meeting notes, draft reports and other evidence that suggest both officials were aware, at the time they were deposed, of a pending investigation into DS and its operations by the State Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG). What’s more, both officials had been apprised of the OIG’s preliminary finding that DS did indeed fail to follow proper procedures in at least eight cases, and possibly more, because of “undue influence” and “pressure” brought to bear by senior State Department officials to halt internal investigations.

If these folks lied under oath, they are just following the example set by top U.S. government officials like Eric Holder and James Clapper.

Clapper’s defense: it depends on what the meaning of the word is collect is. By saying we don’t “collect” data on Americans, I didn’t mean “collect,” you see, I meant “look at.” (Maybe it depends on the definition of the word “wittingly”!)

Holder’s defense: it depends on what the meaning of the word is “potential” is. By saying I never “heard of” a “potential prosecution,” you see, I didn’t mean “potential,” I meant we hadn’t actually prosecuted anyone. (“The attorney general’s statement that no journalists have been prosecuted under the Espionage Act during his tenure is accurate.”)

If the State Department folks lied under oath, they can certainly construct defenses less ridiculous than this.

They can just say they were answering the questions in the “least untruthful” manner possible.

67 Responses to “James Rosen: State Department Officials May Have Committed Perjury”

  1. When you have a lawless administration in charge of controlling the lawlessness of the administration, this is what you get.

    The Owebama Administration: Using the “if a tree falls in the forest” metaphor as a guideline.

    © Sponge (8110ec)

  2. Our justice system is in shambles. It started before this administration but has really picked up steam. Does “The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth” have any conscious meaning to witnesses any more?

    elissa (c7f92a)

  3. Somebody in the Obama administration lied to us? Be still my beating heart! Will wonders never cease?

    Well in this case, the “wonders” of this bunch of lying scalawags will go on–and on–and on. To paraphrase the Doxology–with respect to the Obama administration, “As it was in the beginning, it is now and ever shall be.”

    Comanche Voter (f4c7d5)

  4. 2. Damn straight. “Equal protection under the law” is beyond gratuitous euphemism, it is laugh in your face BS.

    The legal system has no moral standing whatever and it is the most fit arm of government!

    1773 all over again.

    gary gulrud (dd7d4e)

  5. The Obama Administration — If We Deny It, We DID It!

    Icy (d4f1da)

  6. It wasn’t that long ago, perhaps as recently as Norm Schwarzkopf, the military was esteemed 50 points above Congress.

    Now with Clapper, Dempsey, Mullen, Alexander, etc., they’re the same sort of scum.

    I blame Colin Powell.

    gary gulrud (dd7d4e)

  7. These fools think the day of judgement is far off, over the horizon, and once they’ve left DC they’ll be forgotten and safe.

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-06-19/its-massacre-each-day-134-retail-outlets-close-italy

    Italy, which actually makes stuff, the crown of Europe has entered depression.

    Anyone who thinks the Global Meltdown is not underway is a potted plant.

    gary gulrud (dd7d4e)

  8. Impeachment really is the correct response by the House of Representatives.

    SPQR (768505)

  9. umm Skooter Libby went to prison for lying to the feds, why not Clapper, Holder etc???

    rwallis (61a32b)

  10. The only thing that will stop these people is a firing squad.

    ropelight (19ccda)

  11. Re comment #1: The Owebama Administration: Using the “if a tree falls in the forest” metaphor as a guideline. Comment by © Sponge (8110ec) — 6/19/2013 @ 7:47 am –

    trouble is – these trees ain’t falling in the philosophical forest, they are falling on the desks – front & center – of these guys (Obama, Biden, Mueller, Panetta, Hagel, Brennan, Clapper, Alexander, Mullen, Pickering, Casey, Reid, Durban, Schumer, Menendez, etc.) & gals (HilLIARy Clinton, Pelosi, Feinstein, Susan Rice, Victoria Nuland, Lois Lerner, Lisa Jackson, Sebelius, Big Sis, etc.) but the consequences fall on We The People. We have to deal with the fallout caused by their daily dereliction, deceit, duplicity, dysfunction, destruction & death (Benghazi).

    Yet they just keep plying their BS. Granted the Lame Stream Media, Academia and Hollyweird cheers them on.

    Obviously there is no integrity in the Obama administration and the Democrat party. The Repubs are showing they are just as lacking of intergrity and venal.

    How long are we going to stomach this slow, but accelerating, walk to Big Brother? a Police State? Tyranny?

    Gary L. Zerman (95c896)

  12. Vince Flynn, RIP. Prostate cancer.

    htom (412a17)

  13. “Italy, which actually makes stuff, the crown of Europe has entered depression.”

    Gary – Italy’s GDP growth has been flat-lined for two decades, you moron. That’s why it is included among the PIGS. If you want to talk about an impending global financial meltdown at least try to educate yourself to the status of a potted plant.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  14. The Problem:

    Diplomats are supposed to lie on behalf of the President to leaders of other governments, not our own.

    Joe McCarthy must be loving this.

    askeptic (b8ab92)

  15. Comment by elissa (c7f92a) — 6/19/2013 @ 8:02 am

    I think Samuel Johnson had something “pithy” to say related to this;
    unfortunately, Lying to Congress is not (yet) a Capital Offense.

    askeptic (b8ab92)

  16. Our Ear leader sets the tone. He lies every time he speaks. It’s a Commie thing.

    Gus (694db4)

  17. Good Lord, htom, you just dropped a ton of bricks on my head with the news of Vince Flynn’s passing.

    Elephant Stone (6a6f37)

  18. askeptic–there are so many Johnsonisms to choose from. You may have meant this one:

    “There is no crime more infamous than the violation of truth. It is apparent that men can be social beings no longer than they believe each other. When speech is employed only as the vehicle of falsehood, every man must disunite himself from others, inhabit his own cave, and seek prey only for himself.”
    Johnson: Idler #20 (August 26, 1758)

    But old Samuel was way more optimistic than I am right now:

    “Reason and truth will prevail at last.”
    Johnson: Journey to the Western Islands of Scotlan

    elissa (c7f92a)

  19. Elephant Stone — I’d thought he was getting better. Gulp. Bend over, guys, get it checked.

    htom (412a17)

  20. Someone’s passing is always painful to that persons’s loved ones and admirers, regardless of age or circumstance..
    However, when someone dies at an advanced age, such as the late Great Maggie Thatcher, we mourn her loss, but her passing is not shocking considering her age.

    But when Andrew Breitbart and Vince Flynn depart us during the prime of their lives, when they are important gladiators in the arena, it is very distressing.

    Elephant Stone (6a6f37)

  21. From what I’ve seen written today it appears Flynn was experiencing symptoms and pain for quite a while before he was properly diagnosed. Worse, it was a fast growing cancer and by then it was too late. Very sad. His books are amazingly good reads.

    elissa (c7f92a)

  22. Don’t worry: we all know that President Barack Hussein Obama, as the chief federal law enforcement officer in the country, will absolutely see to it that anyone who has broken the law will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

    The Dana ultimately confident in our President's willingness to do the right thing (3e4784)

  23. Ear Leader whas lying both times he took his oath of office, so why should we expect a higher level of honesty from his minions?

    this regime is utterly corrupt and thus totally without legitimacy. the only thing keeping it in power is force and the threat of force.

    redc1c4 (403dff)

  24. At least Mitch Rapp lives forever. RIP, sir.

    Birdbath (716828)

  25. Um, rwallis, Scooter Libby didn’t go to prison.

    Elephant Stone (6a6f37)

  26. James Taranto has a great line in today’s column,
    “The FISA court is not, as Obama implies, an innovation of his administration. It was set up in 1978, when Obama was still a member in good standing of the Choom Gang.”

    Elephant Stone (6a6f37)

  27. …anyone who has broken the law will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,

    unless they’re black, Islamic terrorists, members of Reverend Wright’s racist church, ’60s radicals, Congressional Democrats, Hollywood celebrities, ATF gunrunners, IRS thugs, NSA snoops, or able to make substantial campaign contributions.

    ropelight (19ccda)

  28. 5. The Obama Administration Obfuscation — If We Deny It, We DID It!

    Comment by Icy (d4f1da) — 6/19/2013 @ 8:20 am

    FTFY

    Steve57 (ab2b34)

  29. meanwhile, the FBI uses drones for surveillance here in the US…

    however, they don’t use them all that much, so it’s no big deal.

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-06-19/drones-are-used-domestic-surveillance-fbi-director-admits

    redc1c4 (403dff)

  30. Shorter Obama: “I’m not Dick Cheney—I’m just a dick !”

    Elephant Stone (6a6f37)

  31. 13. Oh dear, daley is on my case, I have this urgent need to pee.

    Market down today and 10-year T-Bill up 13 basis points, up 80 in two months with Fed printing $85 Billion per month.

    Perhaps you could enlighten us all why this is happening, and tell us please, dear daley, at what price in the 5-year do we worry? Up 18 basis today.

    gary gulrud (dd7d4e)

  32. “13. Oh dear, daley is on my case, I have this urgent need to pee.”

    gary – Lame as usual. I am going to have to start charging you rent for living in your head.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  33. 32. Right.

    gary gulrud (dd7d4e)

  34. 33. Neener Neener

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  35. 18- elissa, I was thinking more along these lines:

    “Nothing so concentrates the mind as the hangman’s noose!”

    askeptic (b8ab92)

  36. President Dronestrike
    closest he’s been to teh Truth
    when he strangles it

    Colonel Haiku (baa64b)

  37. wonder woman has a lasso thing what would come in handy for asking questions of government whoremonkeys

    I saw it on tv when i was little

    happyfeet (c60db2)

  38. 35. Samuel Johnson said that (to James Boswell) in order to claim that he was not the ghostwriter of someone scheduled to be hanged, but he was lying.

    Actually the quote is: “Depend upon it, sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.”

    Still the thought is somewhat true.

    But it doesn’t give someone previously unknown abilities..

    Sammy Finkelman (d22d64)

  39. Icy was on a break, so RIP James Gandolfini…

    Colonel Haiku (0fb750)

  40. 51, geez.

    Sarahw (b0e533)

  41. Tony Soprano: [to Christopher] “You leave Comley Trucking and every other f*cking item on this planet that belongs to my uncle Junior, including his hemorrhoid donut, the f*ck alone.”

    Colonel Haiku (0fb750)

  42. Godspeed Vince

    scott (b8618e)

  43. R.I.P. Tony S.

    [Thanks Colonel]

    Icy (d4f1da)

  44. We have a real-life Tony Soprano occupying the White House.

    In the words of the former (if not current) close adviser and spiritual guru of that person: “Goddamn America.”

    Mark (fa6d93)

  45. R.I.P. My black lab Tick.
    Best dog ever.

    mg (31009b)

  46. 46. Condolences.

    gary gulrud (dd7d4e)

  47. Labs are great dogs. I’ve had 4 of them– 2 black 2 yellow. Sorry to hear yours is gone, mg.

    elissa (7f92c3)

  48. Condolescences, gary.

    narciso (3fec35)

  49. Greatly appreciated.
    Thanks, gary and elissa.

    mg (31009b)

  50. sorry, mg, didn’t read further, condolescences.

    narciso (3fec35)

  51. thanks narciso

    mg (31009b)

  52. happyfoots wrote:

    wonder woman has a lasso thing what would come in handy for asking questions of government whoremonkeys

    I saw it on tv when i was little

    Oh, puh-leeze! You were watching Lynda Carter’s boobs, just like the rest of us.

    The old fashioned Dana (af9ec3)

  53. “There is no crime more infamous than the violation of truth. It is apparent that men can be social beings no longer than they believe each other. When speech is employed only as the vehicle of falsehood, every man must disunite himself from others, inhabit his own cave, and seek prey only for himself.”
    Johnson: Idler #20 (August 26, 1758)

    Comment by elissa (c7f92a) — 6/19/2013 @ 12:06 pm

    Good quote.

    Prostate Cancer is a difficult disease to understand. In its most common form it is found in older folks and often slow growing, and men die with it not because of it. It is unclear if finding these tumors early ends up causing more harm than good in doing unnecessary tests and treatment.
    But then it can be an aggressive disease occuring in younger people. In this case it is unclear if early diagnosis does much good, as the disease is hard to treat.

    I heard the president say in Germany (to a much, much smaller crowd than the last time he was there, one good sign)- that the main problem facing the world is using too much energy and global warming.

    Yes, that is what he said. I heard it.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  54. Oh, puh-leeze! You were watching Lynda Carter’s boobs, just like the rest of us.

    Comment by The old fashioned Dana (af9ec3) — 6/19/2013 @ 6:58 pm

    They made me want to be a baby again so I could nurse. 😆

    peedoffamerican (ee1de0)

  55. 46. My condolences, mg. Dogs are some of the best people.

    htom (412a17)

  56. G*d, help me to be the person my dog thinks i am, amen.

    may your beloved friend be waiting for you at the end of the rainbow bridge.

    redc1c4 (403dff)

  57. Can you say, “Perjury Charges”?

    If the answer is “no”, you must work for the Obama Justice Department!

    IGotBupkis, "Faeces Evenio, Mr. Holder?" (a2f645)

  58. }}} Oh, puh-leeze! You were watching Lynda Carter’s boobs, just like the rest of us.

    No, for that I was renting Bobbi Jo and the Outlaw (Note: somewhat NSFW).

    IGotBupkis, "Faeces Evenio, Mr. Holder?" (a2f645)

  59. appreciate the kind words,htom,redc134. Tick would bust his way across frozen ice to retrieve birds for me.

    mg (31009b)

  60. By saying we don’t “collect” data on Americans, I didn’t mean “collect,” you see, I meant “look at.” (Maybe it depends on the definition of the word “wittingly”!)

    To be fair the feds at all levels have their own definitions of words.

    For instance, “voluntary.”

    US banks get contracts to have branches overseas to service military personnel. So during my first tour overseas I’m standing in line and I see a sign that tells me it’s “voluntary” to provide my social security number. But if I don’t I’ll be denied service.

    In other words it was mandatory. They required my SSN.

    By the way, did you know we have a “voluntary” income tax?

    Steve57 (ab2b34)

  61. 32. Right.
    Comment by gary gulrud

    33. Neener Neener
    Comment by daleyrocks

    Not really sure what the back and fro is about, or what triggered it. Perhaps a disagreement about the re-appearance — like the swallows returning to Capistrano — of the word “unexpected” or the phrase “more than expected” in the media?

    reuters.com, June 20, 2013: The dollar trimmed its gains against the yen and euro after data showed the number of Americans filing new jobless benefit claims rose more than expected last week.

    Quite seriously, has “unexpected” or “more than expected” cropped up far more frequently over the past few years — since the MSM’s (and left’s) saint and savior appeared and entered 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue — than in the years preceding January 2009? It would be interesting to see someone research that question.

    Mark (fa6d93)

  62. 63. “Back and fro”

    Predictions either have an expiration date or are open-ended. A number of mine hinged on the last election and I took a bath. Some of my open-ended forecasts have turned months in to years.

    Stones and daley are just rubbing my nose in it.

    And while predictions of human events can never be made scientific, without predictions the talk cannot be an empirical investigation of human group behavior. It’s just talk, NTTIAWWT.

    BTW, market down 240 today, 10-year T-Bill up another 14 basis points even tho unca Bernie will buy them all in two weeks.

    China’s bank-to-bank loan rate was up 25% last nite. Lehman all over again children.

    gary gulrud (dd7d4e)

  63. More ‘everythings fine’ for the potted plants:

    http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/

    All bets today are on the USD. Bad for bonds, bad for stocks, bad for commodities.

    Why? People are calling in their markers, get your cash together and hope you’ll eat next week when the next line of creditors forms.

    gary gulrud (dd7d4e)

  64. 13. Isn’t it fitting that daley, with reason, chooses to guffaw at my chicken little cry on a day that equities, bonds and commodities are all tanking.

    And the next day it’s twice as bad.

    I just might be the fool, but daley’s sporting a tattoo inside his lower lip.

    gary gulrud (dd7d4e)

  65. great post I’m a huge Big Brother fan from Norway

    big brother (d9ab2d)


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