"Candidly Yours"

September 14, 2001

Continued Injustice at Justice
by Linda A. Prussen-Razzano

Those ugly words have resurfaced again, words I never wanted to hear during the course of Bush’s Administration. Quite simply, "Executive Privilege" was so over-used during the Clinton Administration, it become synonymous with "stonewalling." Yet, ladies and gentlemen, here we are, hearing the same claim concerning a matter that has raised Conservative hackles for years: illegal campaign contributions.

Indiana Republican Representative Dan Burton was thoroughly lambasted in the mainstream media for his allegations against the Democrat 1996 presidential election fundraising machine; despite this lambasting, many of his allegations later proved to be true. Then Attorney General Janet Reno carefully tap-danced around the letter of the law, stalled investigations even though FBI investigators reportedly claimed evidence was being shredded, and only decided to "investigate" matters, thereby bringing the evidence under her umbrella, when outside investigations were getting too close for comfort.

The general perception amongst Republicans in general, and Conservatives in particular, is that the Clinton Administration, through it’s excruciatingly sloppy management of the Commerce Department, willfully allowed damaging technology transfers to occur in return for favorable – and sometimes illegal - campaign contributions. Key players in the scandal disappeared or suffered convenient amnesia, pled the 5th or fled the country altogether. Other players went for full disclosure, only to suffer at the hands of the same Justice Department they were hoping to assist.

After having personally spent over 1,000 hours examining all the details available, pouring through reports and news releases, and double-checking every detail, I am of the opinion that the flagrant series of "coincidences" were not, in fact, coincidental at all. In my honest opinion, members of the Clinton Administration engaged in activity designed to weaken America’s military and to enhance the military of our Communist counter-part, China. Far too many decisions were made completely favoring China, whether it was last-minute land grabs (thereby increasing the value of China’s natural coal resources and undercutting America’s coal reserves) to signing special waivers for the export of technology under guidelines that were lackadaisical at best and negligent, at worst.

Hence, it comes as a great surprise that the present Attorney General, John Ashcroft, and the Bush Administration stand ready to prevent the release of documents to Representative Dan Burton’s committee. In response, Representative Burton has issued subpoenas and demanded Attorney General Ashcroft appear before his committee this Thursday.

If the investigations were still ongoing, one could understand how prudence would prevent their premature release. According to news reports, these investigations are now closed. What harm could their release facilitate? Those under scrutiny have obviously been cleared by the former Justice Department; perhaps exculpatory evidence exists in these requested papers, or a defining rationale not considered by Burton’s committee for refusing to press the matter further in court. Those cleared may be completely innocent of the initial charge prompting their investigation; if so, shouldn’t these papers show it and put this portion of the larger issue to rest?

Unless an issue deals specifically with matters of national security, I firmly believe in full disclosure. I, as a voter and concerned American, demanded and expected – but never quite received – full disclosure from the Clinton Administration. I demand and expect the same from the Bush Administration. I, through my tax dollars, help pay for the salaries, office space, and every single expenditure at the Department of Justice. Just as Representative Burton hopes to exercise oversight of the White House in matters of national interest, I, as a taxpayer, have a right to demand explanations from those in my employ – namely, federal workers of all levels.

Hiding behind Executive Privilege just doesn’t cut it.

Some have suggested that the Administration’s position is part of their "new tone" policy; by not engaging in open warfare on the previous Administration, they are hoping the focus remains on their accomplishments and goals. I understand their concern; thanks to a still-adoring media, former President Bill Clinton is the Great Political Gadfly – just when you think you’ve brushed him away, his irritating wings twitch your ear. A small conclave of reporters is still rehashing the 2000 election, as if multitudes of fruitless recounts haven’t conclusively proven that Bush won Florida. Breaking through this cacophony of stupidity is undoubtedly a daunting task.

Still, the mishandling of this request suggests a larger disconnect in the Bush Administration. If, indeed, there is no smoking gun, the papers should have been quietly presented to Burton’s committee with the understanding that the details should not be made public. Burton’s summary report supporting the former Administration’s finding would have silenced the matter for many. Now, the issue has moved onto the radar of Chinagate watchers, those who waited patiently for Justice and believe none was received when Janet Reno was at the helm.

Thursday should be very interesting, indeed. ***

© 2001 Linda Prussen-Razzano