SG Broadband Community

There are too many low points in the history of this nation's journalism to permit one easily to employ superlatives about the Times's startling transgression. I don't know if it makes the all-time Top Ten list, but the trial and conviction of Lee in the pages of the Times--both in its news columns and on its editorial page--is certainly right up there. A leak from a Congressional committee chaired by California Republican Christopher Cox regarding the alleged theft of secrets about the W-88 nuclear warhead (a sophisticated, miniaturized bomb that fits on a MIRVed launcher) by Chinese spies--a nonevent that was never substantiated and was scoffed at by most experts--along with the contentions of a controversial and much-disputed source, was used by the newspaper to smear a Taiwan-born US citizen singled out for vilification simply because of his ethnic background

Of course, the Times couldn't have done it alone. But what makes this primarily a media story is that without the backing of the Times, whose stories set the tone for TV journalism, not much of anything would have happened. If properly vetted through the normal channels, the case, based largely on the zealous pursuit of Lee by one disgruntled former government security sleuth and amplified by the ambitions of a right-wing Congressman, would have come to naught. Instead, the Clinton Administration, recovering from impeachment and mired in a campaign finance scandal linked to Asian funds--including the charge that Beijing had secretly funneled money to the Democrats--panicked. Cowed by its fear that the China issue could be used effectively against Gore in the election, the Administration was willing to play along, and it did so through its Energy and Justice departments

Government officials, including then-Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, publicly named Lee as a target of a probe into the alleged theft of highly secret documents from the lab, and investigators suspected he was spying for China.

Lee was later cleared of espionage and nearly all the other serious charges

"I sincerely apologize to you, Dr. Lee, for the unfair manner [in which] you were held in custody by the executive branch."

the Clinton Administration, recovering from impeachment and mired in a campaign finance scandal linked to Asian funds--including the charge that Beijing had secretly funneled money to the Democrats--panicked. Cowed by its fear that the China issue could be used effectively against Gore in the election, the Administration was willing to play along, and it did so through its Energy and Justice departments.

Lee sat in jail for one reason and one reason only: The Administration wanted to prove to its critics that it was tough on Chinese spying, whether or not that spying existed and whether or not it had anything to do with Wen Ho Lee.

CiscoKid wrote:Cybo, what's the difference here then what Bush is doing? only a handfull of US citizens acused of being Al Quida have been tried? how long have they been held over without trial all the while Bush claiming they are NOT entitled to their constitutional rights?

the Clinton Administration, recovering from impeachment and mired in a campaign finance scandal linked to Asian funds--including the charge that Beijing had secretly funneled money to the Democrats--panicked. Cowed by its fear that the China issue could be used effectively against Gore in the election, the Administration was willing to play along, and it did so through its Energy and Justice departments.

downhill wrote:yuck, yuck, yuck.............................................he's still the whipping boy of special right wing interests.

and more yuckitty yuck.....

Bo Riddick wrote:It's the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy bub, get it right!

cybotron r_9 wrote:CiscoKid the topic is Clinton not Bush. It's about the mistreatment by the Clinton Admins. of a U.s. citizen for political gain. Try to stay on topic please.

cybotron r_9 wrote:CiscoKid the topic is Clinton not Bush. It's about the mistreatment by the Clinton Admins. of a U.s. citizen for political gain. Try to stay on topic please.

*cho* wrote:Nice deflection...I'll assume since you couldn't properly reply it means CiscoKid is correct.

CiscoKid wrote:Oh? So it's perfectly fine for Bush to do it to several dozen US citizens, but something that happened almost ten years ago and has been beat worse then Rodney King is more worthy of debate?

Hell_Yes wrote:And now for something completely different...


Prey sings the Star Spangled Banner...


http://youtube.com/watch?v=foTXvKuVh1U& ... =2&t=t&f=b

(Yes, I sank to the depth of YouTube faux funnies)

CiscoKid wrote: it directly relates.

the man was only held 9 months.

CiscoKid wrote:My point is that if you wish to hang one president for an action, be mindfull that your preffered president is not quilty of the same if not worse crimes. That's what happened after Kenny Starr had his investigation. The right tried so hard to hang Clinton for geting his pole smoked that Gingrich and several others affairs came to light. Some resulting in children as old as their early 20's.

9 months or 29 years still doesn't make false imprisionment any worse.

cybotron r_9 wrote:Pie, spin it anyway you like. The buck stops at the Whitehouse.

thepieman wrote: He's been in jail all this time under Bush admin. , so it didn't seem like they were in a rush to release him if it took like 6 years

Among the activities Freeh is expected to cite, according to a source familiar with his testimony, is information that in 1982 Lee made contact with a suspected spy. Freeh is expected to say that authorities suspected Lee was less than truthful when questioned about that contact.

Freeh also will describe how the FBI began a preliminary investigation of Lee in 1994, after it became known that he had an alleged relationship with the head of China's nuclear weapons design program and did not report the relationship.

Freeh will tell congressional investigators that in 1998, Lee acknowledged in an interview that he had been approached by Chinese nuclear scientists.

cybotron r_9 wrote:Another Clinton apologist says it's OK to fire somone from their job then throw them in solitary confinement for nine months because we believe that person is guilty.

Again, stop with the "they did it worse than we did so it's OK" excuses.

BTW, where was the due process for Mr. Lee?

Lee was imprisoned in solitary confinement for nine months in 1999-2000 and ultimately received an apology from the judge who heard his case.

cybotron r_9 wrote:Another Clinton apologist says it's OK to fire somone from their job then throw them in solitary confinement for nine months because we believe that person is guilty.

Again, stop with the "they did it worse than we did so it's OK" excuses.

BTW, where was the due process for Mr. Lee?

CiscoKid wrote:Did Lee get a lawer? Did Lee see a judge? Did Lee get accused of a death penalty offence?

Izzo wrote:The repubs will do just about anything at this point to make their guy look good ...feeble as it may be it's business as usual with these clowns .... each side defending each other while nothing gets done, money gets wasted and they get rich .....face it..Bush is soo bad he'll go down as the worst POTUS in the history of this country ...take solice in that