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Today's Must Read
A 25-year veteran of the Justice Department writes in The Denver Post today to remind everybody what it's all about:
As a longtime attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, I can honestly say that I have never been as ashamed of the department and government that I serve as I am at this time.The public record now plainly demonstrates that both the DOJ and the government as a whole have been thoroughly politicized in a manner that is inappropriate, unethical and indeed unlawful. The unconscionable commutation of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's sentence, the misuse of warrantless investigative powers under the Patriot Act and the deplorable treatment of U.S. attorneys all point to an unmistakable pattern of abuse.
In the course of its tenure since the Sept. 11 attacks, the Bush administration has turned the entire government (and the DOJ in particular) into a veritable Augean stable on issues such as civil rights, civil liberties, international law and basic human rights, as well as criminal prosecution and federal employment and contracting practices. It has systematically undermined the rule of law in the name of fighting terrorism, and it has sought to insulate its actions from legislative or judicial scrutiny and accountability by invoking national security at every turn, engaging in persistent fearmongering, routinely impugning the integrity and/or patriotism of its critics, and protecting its own lawbreakers. This is neither normal government conduct nor "politics as usual," but a national disgrace of a magnitude unseen since the days of Watergate - which, in fact, I believe it eclipses.
There's a reason you don't typically hear from lawyers who are still with the Department. And that's because if there's one thing at which this administration has proven itself reliable, it's their their consistency in attacking critics. John Koppel, the author of the op-ed, is mindful:
I realize that this constitutionally protected statement subjects me to a substantial risk of unlawful reprisal from extremely ruthless people who have repeatedly taken such action in the past. But I am confident that I am speaking on behalf of countless thousands of honorable public servants, at Justice and elsewhere, who take their responsibilities seriously and share these views. And some things must be said, whatever the risk.
Comments (118)
KilgoreTrout XL wrote on July 9, 2007 9:26 AM:John, you're a good man. I give you one week. On the upside, you're bound to make a hell of a lot more money.
We should start a contest in honor of this news. We can call it "What reason will the administration make up as justification for attempting to destroy John Koppel's career?"
(Hey, it doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, I know. I'll have thought of a better title by the time Rove finds a reason to imprison john's entire family, I promise.)
My guess: "problems with his TPS reports."
Tony Shifflett wrote on July 9, 2007 9:37 AM:WOW. I myself doubt, in their weakened state, that they'll be able to get this guy.
Crust wrote on July 9, 2007 9:39 AM:A profile in courage.
s in chicago wrote on July 9, 2007 9:41 AM:A hero. And he is dead right: this is far worse than Watergate.
jolly ranchero wrote on July 9, 2007 9:42 AM:Too easy--
"Poor performance evaluations". And when Congress demands to see them, they'll be "inexplicably lost", for which Gonzo will be forced to testify, in which he'll say "he cannot recall what the evals said or where they are", but he's pretty sure they're McNulty's fault, or Goodlings....at which point Goodling will be called to speak and blame Sampson, at which....
kevo wrote on July 9, 2007 9:42 AM:Now is the time for any other John Koppels to be heard. Surely his tale is not a singularity in the midst of the mounting evidence. We need more honest Americans to face these thugs in the WH. Now is the time to force the weird Bushthings and Cheneyshadows into the light. -Kevo
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 9:43 AM:The man has his First Amendment rights -- he's probably a disgruntled Democrat though.
TheraP wrote on July 9, 2007 9:45 AM:Every whistle blower knows they put their job at risk. But they put the public and their core values ahead of employment.
I applaud this man's courage and his eloquence in the face of injustice and treason. He is exactly the kind of person we want in our justice department. John Koppel, not agag, qualifies to lead DoJ! Special prosecutor also comes to mind!
St. Augustine wrote on July 9, 2007 9:47 AM:Time to re-route the Potomac!
Paul wrote on July 9, 2007 9:48 AM:Thank you John. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your honesty. The world is watching now, and should anything happen to you or your position, thousands of us will respond loudly.
Slim Pickin's wrote on July 9, 2007 9:48 AM:Courage. Plain and simple. Men like John Koppel make me hope that one day we can hold our heads high and be proud of our country again.
TheraP wrote on July 9, 2007 9:48 AM:Blogger's Prayer:
You can change some of the people some of the time.
Trolls will never change.
And the wisdom to know the difference.
.
Say the prayer. Focus on the matter at hand - as does our hero of the day!
oldtree wrote on July 9, 2007 9:48 AM:amazing, we now have one voice among the criminals that appears to be honorable. are there any more?
Glenn wrote on July 9, 2007 9:49 AM:Gotta do something about those pesky flies buzzing in here...they sound a bit like the whine of disgraced Republicans.
Aaron Schoeffler wrote on July 9, 2007 9:49 AM:well he isn't that much at risk; 25 years on the job = retirement age. Regardless, well said and much appreciated. Can't wait to see how this adds to the momentum behind impeachment. Go Cindy Go!
Xman wrote on July 9, 2007 9:49 AM:Excellent! Time to squirt some ether into the carburator and get the Special Prosecutor Express fired up!
Xman wrote on July 9, 2007 9:51 AM:Excellent! Time to squirt some ether into the carburator and get the Special Prosecutor Express fired up!
stephennnn wrote on July 9, 2007 9:51 AM:I applaud the man. True, he may see the political winds changing, but unlike Powell he didn´t wait until he was safe and away from this corrupt administration before speaking out.
Phylo Se Fiser wrote on July 9, 2007 9:55 AM:Seriously, isn't about time for the torches and pitchforks?
gcs wrote on July 9, 2007 9:58 AM:The real American patriots have finally had enough and are now willing to stand up and be heard, to confront the criminals who have taken our our government. To them I say, welcome to the fight.
Rock Golf wrote on July 9, 2007 10:00 AM:Hope this isn't appropriate. The security code is "fire".
noshrub wrote on July 9, 2007 10:05 AM:Thank you John. Watch your back.
Ric Gerace wrote on July 9, 2007 10:08 AM:All well and good, and worthy of praise, but now how about names and dates, acts and places? How about getting some documents out into the sunlight? Outrage is useless without facts and evidence to bring down the criminals. Where are the Justice Department employees willing to take the serious risks involved in bringing down Gonzales et al?
Ric Gerace wrote on July 9, 2007 10:10 AM:All well and good, and worthy of praise, but now how about names and dates, acts and places? How about getting some documents out into the sunlight? Outrage is useless without facts and evidence to bring down the criminals. Where are the Justice Department employees willing to take the serious risks involved in bringing down Gonzales et al?
John Forde wrote on July 9, 2007 10:11 AM:John Koppel, you are a hero.
Let's not forget the big enchilada - Bush conspired criminally to use a forgery to start a war. For that he should hang.
dee illuminti wrote on July 9, 2007 10:11 AM:The myoptic policies seen as a whole are discouraging and it seems that the willingness to acknowledge mistakes by this administration are falling upon denial and obfusication.
I got a t-shirt from a congressman I donate too, an honest man, a vietnam vet, and a representative of the GOP I belong to. I have no affinity to this peculiar brand of Republicans and their policies and agree that the political fear mongering and the behaviour of this administration makes me very careful of supporting the GOP at all.
I at least can be pround to be from the MD 1st district after 1/2 million was supplied by the club for growth and 'kenny lays' crowd to attempt too oust an honest man, and FAILED!
I concurr with the sentiments in the editorial.
cds wrote on July 9, 2007 10:19 AM:Wonder how much attention this will get from the rest of the MSM.
nofltwlt wrote on July 9, 2007 10:21 AM:Thank you sir!
Most people, including me, would not have the courage of this man; this is what this administration preys upon. They know that good people must work for a living and cannot endanger their paycheck.
Everyone who feels as this person does should speak out; but it is perfectly understandable that they do not.
Actually Senate and House republicans should be showing this kind of courage.
anon wrote on July 9, 2007 10:21 AM:...Time to re-route the Potomac!...
Now, there's a slogan for our time!
Busta wrote on July 9, 2007 10:22 AM:Jake,
interested litigant wrote on July 9, 2007 10:23 AM:If you had been paying attention, you'd know that if Koppel was in fact a "disgruntled Democrat" as you say, then he would have been fired already. For "performance reasons" of course. Only "loyal Bushies" are allowed in the DOJ.
Stupid people: Tell me, what does it feel like to be following the pied piper? Not long I would suspect, until the traitor and the rest of his infiltration are locked away for good.
BK wrote on July 9, 2007 10:24 AM:Yes, it is MUCH worse than Watergate!
The same mentality carried to a new level of destructiveness, ubiquity of governement agencies and total insanity!!
I have no choice but to seriously consider those who call for impeachment of this President and Vice President.
loki wrote on July 9, 2007 10:24 AM:Will they attempt to detroy this mans career? Reputation?
Depends. If this remains a single editorial in the Denver Post...maybe not worth the time to Rove et al.
However, if he is brought forth by the media, begins making appearances on FOX, MSNBC, CNN, Sunday talk shows, etc...if he becomes the media darling for any significant length of time, they'll no doubt determine they have no choice.
c4logic wrote on July 9, 2007 10:25 AM:WOW! Here is a metric for you. A government worker exercises his 1st amendment right to express his concern, publicly, that his bosses are breaking all the rules and coloring outside the lines--and people are shocked?!? I mean, WTF?
Is this America? Did I wake up in a Soviet gulag? There was a time when people would have been heating up the tar and rounding up the feathers for this gang currently occupying the White House. What is wrong with my fellow citizens? How can we have sunk so low??? Where do we go to get back the spirit of 1776 now that it is utterly lost?
Busta wrote on July 9, 2007 10:26 AM:Jake,
Ned Kay wrote on July 9, 2007 10:28 AM:If you had been paying attention, you'd know that if Koppel was a "disgruntled Democrat" as you say, then he'd have been fired already. Only "loyal Bushies" are allowed in the DOJ.
John, I applaud you and fervently hope, if I can misquote Louis XV, " Apres toi, le déluge"
RICK JONES wrote on July 9, 2007 10:31 AM:If only all the fed-up federal employees would write similar op-eds. Tens of thousands of truth-tellers on the pages of the country's newspapers. Even the TV news would have to give it some airtime. Let's see the Bushies fire everybody.
Brad wrote on July 9, 2007 10:32 AM:Jake, why say, "he's probably a disgruntled Democrat though." Would a career DOJ employee of any stripe take issue with anything he wrote?
rickinSF wrote on July 9, 2007 10:36 AM:I wonder how many other papers will pick this story up?
al75 wrote on July 9, 2007 10:44 AM:My guess is, not many.
I share other's respect for Koppel's courage - but I think we should focus on what he sums up so clearly: the "War on Terror" has been used as a tool by extremists to subvert the United States Constitution. Not Republicans. Extremists whom most Republicans of even the recent past would shun.
We now know of the face-off at Ashcroft's bedside in (?) 2003. Rock-ribbed conservative Republicans, Comey and Ashcroft, later joined by Olsen, eyeball-to-eyeball with Card and Gonzalez.
This wasn't a red/blue lib/patriot or Dem/Repub confrontation. It was a confrontation between Americans committed to the rule of law (who happen to have been conservative Republicans) and one tentacle of an extremist and often criminal conspiracy.
These extremists led us into a war, the catastrophic consequences of which are beginning to be clear to all. The consequences of related campaigns against environmental protection, due process of law -- and the other issues Koppel cites -- are not quite so widely recognized yet, but they're coming.
Koppel has taken his step, and he challenges us all to follow suit. But, please, let's drop the Republican/Democrat lib/conservative nonsense. These wars of words have been deliberately stoked to serve as a smokescreen for the actions of a cabal who truly are enemies of the American democratic process.
via wrote on July 9, 2007 10:45 AM:Highlight, copy, send to Pelosi and Conyers, repeat.
Code word: with, as in , with love, from the American People.
Slim Pickin's wrote on July 9, 2007 10:47 AM:" please, let's drop the Republican/Democrat lib/conservative nonsense"
What? This never would have seen the light if the Republicans were still in control of Congress! That is a preposterous and intellectually dishonest statement.
Tom Simon wrote on July 9, 2007 10:49 AM:"Koppel has taken his step, and he challenges us all to follow suit. But, please, let's drop the Republican/Democrat lib/conservative nonsense. These wars of words have been deliberately stoked to serve as a smokescreen for the actions of a cabal who truly are enemies of the American democratic process"
AGREE! THANK YOU JOHN KOPPEL - and Jake you must be a disgruntled Republican?
yellowdogD wrote on July 9, 2007 10:50 AM:We could start a pool on when Mr. Koppel gets pushed out the door. My money's on this friday 4:30 P.M. EDT.
Anonymous wrote on July 9, 2007 10:50 AM:Fear that other USAs will freely express their opinions will cause Mr. Bush/Mr. Cheney to tell his lackey, Mr. Gonzales, to find a "plausible" reason to get rid of Mr. Koppel. The only other option these shameless crooks have is to say nothing and hope that no one else follows Mr. Koppel's lead. Let's see if this cabal of greedy mercenary whores and enablers can deny their cowardly vindictive natures. I doubt they can.
Tom Simon wrote on July 9, 2007 10:51 AM:"Koppel has taken his step, and he challenges us all to follow suit. But, please, let's drop the Republican/Democrat lib/conservative nonsense. These wars of words have been deliberately stoked to serve as a smokescreen for the actions of a cabal who truly are enemies of the American democratic process"
AGREE! THANK YOU JOHN KOPPEL - and Jake you must be a disgruntled Republican?
Maureen Ugolini wrote on July 9, 2007 10:52 AM:Thank You!
trillian wrote on July 9, 2007 10:55 AM:Just when I start to get depressed someone comes along and gives me hope.
What a great American.
johnsnottoodistracted wrote on July 9, 2007 11:01 AM:Yes,watergate was watergate.Kids play in comparison.It was just the stupidity followed by more that was remarkable.
matt rose wrote on July 9, 2007 11:07 AM:These guys had 30 years additional planing.
But now what are we going to hear about this brave man that we don't need to know??
Bless him.
The scary part is that this administration, Cheney in particular, will go after your family.
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 11:07 AM:Busta:
It's not true that only "loyal Bushies" are allowed in the DOJ -- James Comey didn't lose his job after confronting BOTH Gonzales and Card -- he testified that he received ZERO retaliation from DoJ on that.
Brad:
I don't think a career DOJ employee of any stripe would take issue with anything he, or I, wrote. That's hardly relevant, however, to whether he's a disgruntled Democrat or not.
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 11:10 AM:P.S. to Tom Simon -- I'm actually registered Independent -- what's YOUR party registration?
Frederick wrote on July 9, 2007 11:13 AM:Bush and Cheney have had all their fingers in the dike
SteveW wrote on July 9, 2007 11:13 AM:for too long, and the pressure has reached a point that
the dam is ready to blow and sweep them into the
drowning waters of history.
The man has his First Amendment rights -- he's probably a disgruntled Democrat though.
Posted by: Jake
Date: July 9, 2007 9:43 AM
Hey Jake,
Yes, he does have his first amendment rights, probably to your chagrin, and who gives two cents whether he's a Democrat or not other than you? If the man is speaking the truth, then it doesn't matter if he's a Democrat or a Martian.
Seriously now, you claim to have graduated from Stanford Law School in the early 60's, however your simplistic and immature responses speak more to 20 year old who has read way too much Jonah Goldberg.
Steve
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 11:14 AM:P.P.S. "The views presented in this essay are not representative of the Department of Justice or its employees but are instead the personal views of its author."
yellowdogD wrote on July 9, 2007 11:17 AM:Slim Pickin's is right.
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 11:19 AM:This IS a Democrat/Republican thing. It will remain so until some Republicans in congress get some courage and stand up to this criminal administration, not just rhetorically, but by actual votes.
SteveW:
I am not 20 years old. If he's a disgruntled Democrat, that certainly goes toward credibility -- I also don't believe the substance of his criticism is true -- lastly, if he's married to Carla Koppel, she has only donated to Democrats:
http://www.opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?key=82xua&txtName=Koppel&txtState=DC&txtAll=Y&Order=N
Steve5117 wrote on July 9, 2007 11:21 AM:al75
Date: July 9, 2007 10:44 AM
When you get the assholes on talk radio calling for Bush, Cheney and Gonzales to be removed from office, then maybe I'll beleive you or any other repug jerk wantin to work together.
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 11:21 AM:Frederick:
I thought it was Hillary Clinton who had all her fingers in the dyke?
Slippery Slope wrote on July 9, 2007 11:24 AM:Say the prayer. Focus on the matter at hand - as does our hero of the day!
Posted by: TheraP
Date: July 9, 2007 9:48 AM
**********************************
Amen
Anonymous wrote on July 9, 2007 11:26 AM:This is a reminder of what needs to happen; more insiders coming forth with details. Unfortunately, there isn't yet a 'Pentagon papers' revelation; that is, revelations so detailed and so repugnant that it destroys the right-wing talking points about 'disgruntled employees' and forces us to look at the facts, while giving Congress the opening they need to dig deeper for dirt.
TheraP wrote on July 9, 2007 11:31 AM:Blogger's Prayer, folks.
Don't take the bait from trolls.
Keep your eye on the ball - and let's get those "balls" rolling!
jeffgee wrote on July 9, 2007 11:35 AM:Mr Koppel had better drive carefully and make sure his smoke alarms are working. Remember what happened to loyal GOPer Dana Jill Simpson when she crossed Rove in Alabama when he was planning to destroy Don Siegelman by way of the DOJ.
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 11:35 AM:More of his "opinions" from the NY Times (he didn't get fired for any of these):
Published: June 5, 2004
To the Editor:
According to President Bush, the departing George J. Tenet has done a ''superb job'' as director of central intelligence (front page, June 4), just as Donald H. Rumsfeld has done a ''superb'' job as defense secretary and Alan Greenspan as Federal Reserve chairman. With all these superlatives, one can only wonder what it takes to fail in the Bush administration.
JOHN S. KOPPEL
Bethesda, Md.
Published: April 8, 2006
To the Editor:
Re ''Cheney's Aide Says President Approved Leak'' (front page, April 7):
It is most ironic that President Bush -- who has vowed to ''get to the bottom of the leak case,'' and whose administration's pathological obsession with secrecy is well known -- should himself turn out to be at the bottom of part of it, according to the testimony of Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff.
But it is hardly surprising, given the Bush-Cheney regime's consistent track record of lawlessness and dishonesty, particularly with respect to its predetermined decision to invade Iraq and its longstanding effort to skew the record and cook the books in order to justify taking the country to war under false pretenses.
Such selective misuse of classified intelligence information by government policy makers to mislead the public is antithetical to the requirements of both democracy and the rule of law.
John S. Koppel
Bethesda, Md.
Published: June 15, 2006
To the Editor:
According to ''No Rove Charges Over Testimony in C.I.A. Leak Case'' (front page, June 14), the decision not to bring charges against Karl Rove in the C.I.A leak brought a ''surprise ending'' to the matter. In reality, however, no one should be too surprised by this ending.
Ever since prosecutors began methodically issuing subpoenas to journalists, threatening them with jail -- and actually jailing them in this case -- it has been reasonable to surmise that the chief objective of this investigation has been to chill confidential sources and to intimidate the press, rather than to identify and prosecute those at the highest levels of government, who were responsible for blowing Valerie Wilson's cover.
The Wilson leak investigation appears to be first and foremost another front in the administration's continuing war on the First Amendment, civil liberties, civil and human rights, and the rule of law itself.
John S. Koppel
Steve5117 wrote on July 9, 2007 11:36 AM:Bethesda, Md.
You know the GOP is worried to have their trolls out this early in the day.
Ignore them, the smell will go away.
Meanwhile I'll dream of Bush resigning within the year, and being refused the use of Marine One when he walks out of the Whitehouse that he has disgraced.
Amos Rutledge wrote on July 9, 2007 11:39 AM:I would be proud to share a cell with this man in the coming round-up of dissidents and government critics!
Slippery Slope wrote on July 9, 2007 11:39 AM:Most people, including me, would not have the courage of this man...
Everyone who feels as this person does should speak out...
Posted by: nofltwlt
Date: July 9, 2007 10:21 AM
**************************************
I have printed a simple one page sign and taped in the back window of my car. (Not just obstruction of justice, conspiracy to obstruct justice. IMPEACH) A gal in my office admonished me last Friday saying that I put my car at risk. On the 4th of July I stood on Lincoln Ave., at the bottom of the State Capital steps in Denver with a similar sign.
These two simple actions pails in comparison to what John Kopple has done.
You to must speak out... and not just on a blog.
We the People must be heard.
THANK YOU JOHN KOPPLE!
Anonymous wrote on July 9, 2007 11:41 AM:Don't get too smarmy Jake. I'm a Republican of over 25 years, and I say that the weird Bushthings and Cheneyshadows are no good for our democratic Republic founded on the rule of law. Jake, are you a patriot to the rule of law or the rule of man? If the latter, you need to go back to American Civics 101. -Kevo
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 11:43 AM:Going back even further:
Published January 22, 2002.
Enron's collapse was a product of the culture of greed, dishonesty, ethical blindness and wishful thinking that has characterized much of corporate America since the advent of the Reagan administration.
John S. Koppel
Karl R wrote on July 9, 2007 11:44 AM:Bethesda, MD.
Make way! Dead Man Walking!
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 11:47 AM:Published: July 23, 2006
To the Editor: ''Art and Night Life Have Baden-Baden Percolating Again'' (Next Stop, July 9) stresses ''the reappearance of youthful glitterati in this high-priced hamlet,'' while in the same issue, ''Fregene; Where Rome Goes for La Dolce Vita and a Sea Change'' (Day Out) states that ''a new group of celebrities and glamorous young people have rediscovered the town,'' and ''Going to Dubrovnik'' emphasizes that ''celebrities and mere mortals alike are flocking to the quiet stone streets.''
Has it ever occurred to you that many of the Travel section's readers might simply be interested in travel, and might not share your obsession with celebrities and your evident relish for the shallow, socially toxic cult of celebrity?
John S. Koppel
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 11:49 AM:Bethesda, Md.
Published: January 13, 2002
To the Editor:
There are many things that are good and admirable about this country, but American exceptionalism, messianism and triumphalism are not among them. Unfortunately, John Rockwell's Dec. 30 essay [''2001's Lessons: We Must Go On; We Can Go On''] suffers from these afflictions. Disparaging references to ''monolithic, monomaniacal societies'' do not advance understanding or build bridges between peoples. Such language merely contributes to the resentment, anger and hatred that lead inevitably to tragedy.
JOHN S. KOPPEL
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 11:51 AM:Bethesda, Md.
Published: June 23, 2007
To the Editor:
The blood extraction practices described in “In the Amazon, Giving Blood but Getting Nothing” (front page, June 20) amount to taking advantage of unsophisticated people in the developing world for the benefit and material gain of individuals and companies in the developed West.
This kind of social, cultural and economic exploitation is characteristic of globalization and gives new meaning to the term “blood money.”
John S. Koppel
Bethesda, Md.
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 11:53 AM:Published: May 24, 2005
To the Editor:
''Hussein Photos in Tabloids Prompt U.S. Call to Investigate'' (news article, May 21) correctly observes that the dissemination of humiliating photographs of prisoners of war violates the Geneva Conventions.
But whether or not the release of the demeaning photos of Saddam Hussein was done with the connivance of American officials, the fact remains that the current messianic, triumphalist and crusading United States administration has demonstrated time and again over the past several years -- in its unlawful invasion and occupation of Iraq, for example, and its disgraceful treatment of detainees there and elsewhere -- that it has scant regard for the rule of law generally, and particularly little respect for international law.
John S. Koppel
DNS wrote on July 9, 2007 11:54 AM:Bethesda, Md.
I'd love to see thousands of civil servants march on the White House. No banners, no placards, no bullhorns. Just thousands of people dressed for work, standing outside the railings, looking at the building. And when the journalists ask them for their message, they all say the same thing: "They need to leave. Right now."
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 11:55 AM:Here's one to the International Herald Tribune
Published: April 16, 2004
President George W. Bush's press conference on Tuesday night ("Bush presents the case for a U.S. 'mission' to stay the course in Iraq," April 15) was most instructive. When Bush says, however, that it is America's mission to bring freedom to the world — evidently at the point of a bayonet — he is actually advocating a new order in which the whole world is "free" to share his values, embrace his policies and follow his leadership. This curious concept of freedom actually amounts to global dictatorship.
John S. Koppel,
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 11:56 AM:Bethesda, Maryland
Published: May 8, 2004
Notwithstanding President George W. Bush's statements of disapproval, at a minimum he bears moral responsibility for the outrages in Iraq because he created the conditions — through his unlawful invasion and occupation of the country — that made them possible. In addition, those at lower levels in the chain of command, who either authorized the atrocities or knew or should have known about them and failed to prevent or punish them, bear direct legal responsibility.
John S. Koppel
Scott L wrote on July 9, 2007 11:57 AM:Bethesda, Maryland
Once again Jake is hijacking the topic. Jake would you please get out and have a life. Seems most times that I get a chance to read this web sight you are attacking everyone and everything you can. I would like to read other peoples views on these matters and not have any one person trying to make a total mess of the web sight.
Orwell's Intuition wrote on July 9, 2007 11:57 AM:" What is wrong with my fellow citizens? How can we have sunk so low??? Where do we go to get back the spirit of 1776 now that it is utterly lost?"
c4logic, if you haven't already, then run to your nearest store and buy The Assault on Reason by Al Gore. He explains exactly what has gone wrong, and unlike Repubs who would prefer we live in fear and wring our hands, Al Gore offers genuine, workable solutions.
Code word: past. Very interesting. The past is present, once again.
BOB wrote on July 9, 2007 11:58 AM:I wonder how many other newspapers and/or other news media will carry this letter. It's certainly newsworthy though the self-censorship of the media in this country almost amounts to collusion with the administration.
Noam Sane wrote on July 9, 2007 12:00 PM:Wow, in the Denver Post. One step up from Grit.
Yeah, that'll help.
A good read, though.
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 12:03 PM:Scott L:
If you don't think all of these previous "opinions" are relevant to his credibility (as well as to my argument that he hasn't been fired from DoJ for any of these), I don't know what you think the topic is.
Frank wrote on July 9, 2007 12:08 PM:Other than Kucinich, have you heard of any dem presidential hopeful asking for the impeachment of Bush/Cheney?? I "wonder" why that is.
Time is running out for this congress to not go in down in history as complicit in the criminal actions of Bush/Cheney.
The ranks of the independent voters grows in direct proportion to the amount of time it takes for congress to take action to impeach the leaders of this criminal administration.
Steve5117 wrote on July 9, 2007 12:11 PM:Scott, please ignore the former Disneyland worker, Jake. His mind is really rather shallow and doesn't work correctly.
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 12:11 PM:Back on September 11th, Mr. Koppel wrote a letter to the editor which was published the very next day: "The inevitable temptation to change fundamentally the nature of our society, by
attacking the civil rights and civil liberties of any individual or group, must be resisted."
He also signed the following "OPEN LETTER FROM AMERICAN JEWS TO OUR GOVERNMENT" in 2002:
In the wake of the recent bloodshed in the Middle East, many Israelis and Palestinians -- and their supporters in the United States -- have reverted to an us-versus-them thinking in which they see themselves as righteous victims and ignore or minimize the injustices they have done, and continue to do, to the other people.
In fact, both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples have suffered great wrongs at the hands of the other, albeit in different and unequal ways; both have legitimate grievances, legitimate fears, and legitimate distrust of the other people's willingness to compromise for the sake of peace.
Though the signers of this letter have a wide range of views about the blame for the present situation, we have a common view of what a solution will have to consist of.
Incremental attempts at building trust have reached an impasse. The only alternative to endless war is a comprehensive settlement based on simple but radical principles:
-- Israeli and Palestinian lives are equally precious.
-- The Israeli and Palestinian peoples have equal rights to national self-determination and to live in peace and security.
-- The Israeli and Palestinian peoples have equal rights to a fair share of the land and resources of historic Palestine.
Fair-minded people throughout the world have long understood with some precision what a tenable solution, respecting these principles, would entail:
-- Two national states, Israel and Palestine, with equal sovereignty, equal rights and equal responsibilities.
-- Partition along the pre-1967 border as modified only by minor mutually agreed territorial swaps.
-- Israeli evacuation of all settlements in the occupied territories except those within the agreed swapped areas.
-- Palestinian and Arab recognition of Israel and renunciation of any further territorial claims.
-- Palestinian acceptance of negotiated limitations on the "right of return" in exchange for financial compensation for refugees.
Several years ago, polls showed that majorities of both Israelis and Palestinians were willing to accept a compromise settlement of this kind. Despite the current carnage, that may still be the case; but compromise is difficult when majorities on both sides support provocative military actions that they view as purely defensive, while powerful minorities pursue maximalist territorial aims.
If Israelis and Palestinians are unwilling or unable to negotiate a workable peace, the international community must take the lead in promoting one. This is in the long-term interest not only of Israelis and Palestinians, but also of Americans: recent events have made painfully clear that our own national security is deeply undermined by instability and injustice in the Middle East.
The U.S. bears a special responsibility for the current tragic impasse, by virtue of our massive economic and military support for the Israeli government: $500 per Israeli citizen per year. Our country has an extraordinary leverage on Israeli policy, if only our government would dare to use it. As American Jews who care deeply about the long-term security of Israel, we call on our government to make continued aid conditional on Israeli acceptance of an internationally agreed two-state settlement.
Rejectionists on both sides will of course attack any such settlement. Foreign troops may well be required to enforce it, and they must be prepared to accept casualties. One may nevertheless hope that majorities of both Israelis and Palestinians will realize that an imperfect peace is preferable to endless war.
SOUNDS "DISGUNTLED" TO ME.
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 12:18 PM:Aaron Schoeffler:
Nancy Pelosi will never impeach Bush -- that's why Cindy Sheehan is thinking about running against her next year -- run Cindy run!!!
senilebiker wrote on July 9, 2007 12:24 PM:Jake,
thanks for the research. Here is a guy who shares the views of the majority of Americans, is articulate and is willing to put his name on paper (unlike you or me who use a pseudonym), and was loyal enough to do this in the name of a private citizen.
Only when he is talking about a specific subject upon which his professional experience can bring additional weight does he expose his job.
PS - generally speaking - you are a complete waste of pixels.
Steve5117 wrote on July 9, 2007 12:25 PM:Jake, a person who has been described as "too dumb to rake leaves" while he worked cutting grass at Stanford, has admitted to having a hearing problem.
Kenny, a former co-worker of Jake, said Jake used to masturbated on his coffee breaks.
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 12:28 PM:YMMV
senilebiker wrote on July 9, 2007 12:33 PM:"too dumb to rake leave"?
How about a coke short of a Happy Meal?
foggylady wrote on July 9, 2007 12:36 PM:Hurrah !!!!..but not the last..
for Mr. Koppel.
Profile in Courage indeed...
Yes, I will join any outcry of retaliation.
any relation to Ted Koppel. I wonder?
Slippery Slope wrote on July 9, 2007 12:40 PM:If I worked in a child care center and spoke out against child abuse I witnessed would I be "DISGUNTLED"?
If I worked at a dairy farm and spoke out against someone pissing in the milk would I be "DISGUNTLED"?
Even if I disliked my place of employment for whatever reason, that does not make the speaking out about corrupt and unconstitutional actions one bit less valid.
This transparent, Karl Rove-ian, opposition research attack the messenger will only get loader. But it does not take away from the truth of what Mr. Kopple has written.
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 12:53 PM:That's right, foggylady, I'm glad Edward James "TED" Koppel lost his job too!!!!
Roberta wrote on July 9, 2007 12:56 PM:Re. Jake's posts of John Koppel's published letters:
If the intention was to undermine Mr. Koppel's credibility, reading these letters has only served to confirm what I saw in Mr. Koppel's op-ed today.
Even if he's opining on what should be in the Travel section, there's a consistent concern for the ethical conduct of and adherence to every agency's or corporation's mission. True, Enron's mission was to make money for its investors, but its tacit guidelines required ethical conduct toward its employees and the public.
The governmental agencies he's commented on have attracted his criticism only because they, too, did not adhere to the ethics implicit in their foundation.
What Jake interprets as disgruntled is, as I see it, an even-handed approach to the terrible situation between Israel and the Palestinians. He chides the US's funding for and involvement in the conflict as facilitating what Israel could easily interpret as an Israel-only solution rather than support for a two-state solution that, as any compromise must, would not make either side completely happy.
Mr. Koppel sounds to me like a man who cares deeply about his country and that those who are entrusted with its governance and operation--for the American people--follow the principles of law established in the Constitution. It is when the law is skirted, perverted, or subverted that Mr. Koppel seems to have a problem, because he seems to carry with him always the awareness that everything an employee of the government does (and that includes all in the executive branch--that's you Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney) should be an affirmation of the trust the American people have placed in them to work for their good.
So thanks for those posts, Jake. You saved me a lot of trouble finding them for myself!
Cheers!
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 1:06 PM:You're most welcome, Roberta. Of course, you probably agree with him on all those issues -- that's probably not very objective -- unless you are claiming you aren't "disgruntled" with Bush either? At the very least, you will admit that Koppel hasn't been fired for all those opinions (yet), right?
Jake wrote on July 9, 2007 1:12 PM:Can you also try to convince Scott L (above) that I did not "make a total mess of the web sight [sic]"?
Steve5117 wrote on July 9, 2007 1:34 PM:Jake the troll is disgruntled because he knows he can't do anything to stop the administration from self distructing. Since his retirement from Disneyland, Jake has started two new jobs. Beside being a paid troll. Jake also greets customers at the Walmart on Crenshan Ave. in L.A. Jake's posts remind me of that brown stuff running down the back windiw of Romney's station wagon, LOL.
Powkat wrote on July 9, 2007 1:40 PM:I want to see Bush in an orange jumpsuit and flip-flops, shackled to Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove, Libby, Hadley and the rest of the criminals who have hijacked our country. I want to see them sitting in the dock at the Hague, facing the justice they have worked so hard to pervert in the US.
How's that for disgruntled, you nasty little troll?
And by the way, impeaching Bush is favored by 46% in the latest poll - only 5% from a majority - and Cheney is at 58% for impeachment. So I guess about half of we the people are disgruntled.
Roberta wrote on July 9, 2007 1:44 PM:Well, Jake, as I read Mr. Koppel's letters again in light of your query, I answer "yes, on balance, I do agree."
With the possible exception of what can be interpreted as curmudgeonly disdain for travel articles that tout where the "glitterati" go and what they do, I find a consistent theme of a desire to adhere to the laws of the land and the ethics that serve as their foundation.
Please tell me what it is that you don't agree with. Do you disagree with his concluding sentence, "One may nevertheless hope that majorities of both Israelis and Palestinians will realize that an imperfect peace is preferable to endless war"?
Do you disagree with the principles he details, starting with, "Israeli and Palestinian lives are equally precious"?
Please explain why you disagree with the statement, "When Bush says, however, that it is America's mission to bring freedom to the world — evidently at the point of a bayonet — he is actually advocating a new order in which the whole world is 'free' to share his values, embrace his policies and follow his leadership." Be specific, please.
What is wrong with Mr. Koppel's comment here: "The blood extraction practices described in 'In the Amazon, Giving Blood but Getting Nothing' amount to taking advantage of unsophisticated people in the developing world for the benefit and material gain of individuals and companies in the developed West"?
What is objectionable in "Disparaging references to 'monolithic, monomaniacal societies' do not advance understanding or build bridges between peoples. Such language merely contributes to the resentment, anger and hatred that lead inevitably to tragedy"?
How about this one: "Ever since prosecutors began methodically issuing subpoenas to journalists, threatening them with jail -- and actually jailing them in this case -- it has been reasonable to surmise that the chief objective of this investigation has been to chill confidential sources and to intimidate the press, rather than to identify and prosecute those at the highest levels of government, who were responsible for blowing Valerie Wilson's cover"?
One compelling thing about Mr. Koppel's letters is that his readers can feel certain that his opinions are based on a reasoned synthesis of premises and his moral beliefs that result in his conclusions. Please demonstrate how this is not the case, since this is implied in your posts, and tell all of us what your mode of reasoning is.
Please remember that the definition of "reason" as a noun includes "a sufficient ground of logical defense ... that supports a conclusion or explains a fact" (Webster's 11th, def. C). This is required to understand the verb's definition, which, relevant to my request, is "to use the faculty of reason so as to arrive at conclusions" (Webster's 11th, def. 2). "Reasoning" is defined as "the use of reason, esp: the drawing of inferences or conclusions through the use of reason" (Webster's 11th, def. 1).
If you can do this, I can give credence to what you post as your opinions.
Thank you.
Anonymous wrote on July 9, 2007 1:50 PM:As a public service a special account is being set up for "trolls4jake." So in two days time, it will be possible for friends and foes of jake to waste time over at the cafe on the blog: trolls4jake.
Hopefully this should keep jake busy and out of the hair of grown-ups. You can troll-rate him there to your heart's content!
Coming soon: trolls4jake!
In a thread near you!
The word is "doubt."
plainjane wrote on July 9, 2007 1:54 PM:Jake
KilgoreTrout XL wrote on July 9, 2007 2:00 PM:Your post at 11:21 was vulgar. You have stated you are a Stanford educated.........?lawyer. I am willing to read and 'discuss' different points of view, but you should try to stay on subject and not lower yourself to slanderous statements. Where is the monitor today?
Nicely put Roberta.
Unfortunately, I believe it will net you nothing but additional ad hominem fallacy from our friend Jake.
By the way, Jake, you go ahead and attack other posters' spelling/grammar if that's what floats your boat. However, it's usually a good idea to check yours before you do so.
Roberta wrote on July 9, 2007 2:13 PM:Thanks, Kilgore,
I really didn't expect a reasoned response from Jake. A reasonable mind is not the source of his opinions.
I thought it was valuable to remind TPMmuckraker readers that posts like Jake's are there to undermine the point of TPMm's mission: to rake through the muck and expose the truth beneath.
As I saw in Dana Jill Simpson's courage in revealing the plot against Siegelman, I see John Koppel's letter today as one more encouragement to those who are (understandably) on the fence to reveal what they know. Yes, the costs can be high. But I believe that most humans feel better doing the right thing, even if the price is high in the short term.
Ad hominem arguments, by hitting below the belt, distract from the truth. We need to be reminded of this so we can persevere.
theswan wrote on July 9, 2007 2:14 PM:An so, another good American is heard. Thank You, Sir.
gcs wrote on July 9, 2007 2:33 PM:hey Jake, I'm curious about something.
Who pays for you to post on here all day long? The White house? The RNC? Sme other sleaze ball astroturf organization with some 180 degree from the truth name like, Free Americans for a Free America, or some other such lying garbage?
Do yourself a favor. Go to your master (on bended knee of course) and ask if you can see the soul, heart, morals, integrity, intellect, courage, and spine you sold to them. In any eventm I sure hope you got a good price for selling out your country, you treasonous snake.
Richard M. Mathews wrote on July 9, 2007 2:58 PM:I love the reference to turning the government into a "veritable Augean stable." What a nice way to say, "something that is full of BS" (and I don't mean Bradley Schlozman).
SteveW wrote on July 9, 2007 3:26 PM:Jake the troll is disgruntled because he knows he can't do anything to stop the administration from self distructing. Since his retirement from Disneyland, Jake has started two new jobs. Beside being a paid troll. Jake also greets customers at the Walmart on Crenshan Ave. in L.A. Jake's posts remind me of that brown stuff running down the back windiw of Romney's station wagon, LOL.
Posted by: Steve5117
Date: July 9, 2007 1:34 PM
Oh, dude that is hilarious! Jake must be working "backstage" at Disney when he types these responses. Frankly, as I've mentioned before, I'm not sure Jake is a guy. Maybe he's female bathroom attendant at Wal-Mart. Or, maybe Jake just works the bathroom stalls:)
Jake, whatever it is you are, like your hero Mr. Bush, you're just the gift that keeps on giving us all hours of endless laughter and amusement. Thank you for bringing joy to all our lives in these tumultuous political times:)
Steve
JNagarya wrote on July 9, 2007 3:58 PM:The man has his First Amendment rights -- he's probably a disgruntled Democrat though.
Posted by: Jake
Date: July 9, 2007 9:43 AM
That is a deliberate smear, based upon no evidence whatsoever, liar. And in fact, contrary to the evidence: Koppel is a 25-year career prosecutor at the DOJ. How long has Bushit been in office again? And added to that Clinton's 8 years amounts to what number?
Who was president 25 years ago -- circa 1980? Reagan.
As Fitzgerald abundantly exemplifies, it is without question possible to be non-partisan in pursuit of justice. Koppel shows the same awareness and capacity. When the gov't -- system of laws, and not of men -- is being subverted, it is patriotic to report, and treasonous not only to engage in the subversion but also to defend it by smearing the patriotic.
Professional lying shitheads such as you notwithstanding, Koppel will prevail -- especially if you and the anti-American scum you support attempt to discredit him by imputations and name-callings and smears.
As with the illegal occupation of Iraq, you've lost the war but don't realize it yet.
Reality is not a fantasy, and will not be lied into submission to your totalitarianism.
The Colonel wrote on July 9, 2007 4:05 PM:Jake,
Thanks for the Koppel letters! They say a lot about his true values and character. He is consistent in his views and I would say a very patriotic American.
You have called him disgruntled based on his strategy outline for peace in Palistine. Would you kindly articulate your strategy for peace in Palestine?
JNagarya wrote on July 9, 2007 4:13 PM:I don't think a career DOJ employee of any stripe would take issue with anything he, or I, wrote. That's hardly relevant, however, to whether he's a disgruntled Democrat or not.
Posted by: Jake
Date: July 9, 2007 11:07 AM
Whether he's a disgruntled Democrat or not is irrelevant, ass -- unless only Republican lies are legitimate opinion.
What we do know, ass, is that Koppel is a 25 year career employee at DOJ, and knows the context in which he works, and affirms the facts we know are the facts.
And what have you to "contribute"? Character assassination. Smear. Personal attack. Based not upon evidence but upon your bigotry against everything not a Republican lie.
None of which is legitimate contribution -- which is why destructive hate-mongering liars such as you should be banned from every adult website and blog on the Internet. Then, if anyone wants to hear serial lying, they can listen to the Nixon tapes.
RW wrote on July 9, 2007 4:20 PM:John:
If you are reading this, I read your column with amazement this morning (a CO resident) and sometimes it takes the courage and indignation of one person to ignite a human storm, (may I suggest Rosie Parks as an example, or William Wallace of lore), this in turn gives courage and permission to others who perceive and feel the same abjunct injustice. Maybe you will get bureaucratically whacked. But then maybe it might start a landslide of fellow professionals opting out of the cabal. Then what? Chaos, maybe, but eventually the weight of ineffectualness will prevail. My guess all along will be that eventually this would force Gonzo and crew to resign, the sheer weight of the events.
Richard M. Mathews wrote on July 9, 2007 4:58 PM:First, I have to correct Jake on Carla Koppell. Since she spells her last name differently, I think it is a safe bet that she is not related to John S. Koppel.
Jake perhaps is guilty of selective editing. Are all of Mr. Koppel's writings favorable to Democrats and their ideas? Or is the common theme of the writings posted by Jake only that Koppel sees something wrong with the current government that he serves? Here are some other letters to the N.Y. Times from Mr. Koppel. I don't see a flaming liberal in these. I could easily see these as being written by a conservative who is anti-Clinton, who is anti-pornography, and who is gung ho on remembering 9/11.
Published: January 13, 2002
To the Editor:
Anthony York writes in his review of Marvin Kalb's ''One Scandalous Story'' (Books in Brief, Dec. 16) that ''Kalb painstakingly documents the plot to ensnare President Clinton, forcing him to commit perjury in an attempt to drive him out of office.'' Whether or not there was such a plot, no one forced President Clinton to commit perjury. He made that choice himself.
John S. Koppel
Bethesda, Md.
Published: August 12, 2001
To the Editor:
Judith Lynne Hanna concludes her article on a cautionary note by quoting from ''Mein Kampf,'' in which Hitler declared that the arts should be purged of ''sexual ideas and stimulations.'' Is she suggesting that it's just a short step from banning nude dancing to creating a new Third Reich? Come on. I am keenly sensitive to the perils of censorship, and I believe that a respectable legal argument can be made that nude dancing is entitled to more generous First Amendment protection than it is receiving, but Ms. Hanna's suggestion is ridiculous.
JOHN S. KOPPEL
Bethesda, Md.
Published: June 9, 2002
To the Editor: It was refreshing to read Ms. Berne's eloquent and moving essay about her visit to the World Trade Center site -- a place that my family, like so many others, has visited repeatedly in the course of post-Sept. 11 visits to Manhattan. Without a single propagandistic, sentimental or otherwise false note, Ms. Berne captured the enormity of what occurred there.
JOHN S. KOPPEL
JNagarya wrote on July 9, 2007 5:09 PM:Bethesda, Md.
"Other than Kucinich, have you heard of any dem presidential hopeful asking for the impeachment of Bush/Cheney?? I "wonder" why that is."
I'm sure you have a conspiracy theory you believe explains it for us all -- but no evidence.
"Time is running out for this congress to not go in down in history as complicit in the criminal actions of Bush/Cheney."
Investigations and subpoenas are the opposite of complicity. But, heck, for one who implicitly claims to be concerned with the rule of law, you make no effort to learn what that means in real terms.
"The ranks of the independent voters grows in direct proportion to the amount of time it takes for congress to take action to impeach the leaders of this criminal administration."
Politics is the art of the possible, neophyte; not the art of the tantrum.
The Democrats do not (yet) have sufficient votes to do as you demand. Accept reality and grow up.
Posted by: Frank
SteveW wrote on July 9, 2007 5:32 PM:Date: July 9, 2007 12:08 PM
"Other than Kucinich, have you heard of any dem presidential hopeful asking for the impeachment of Bush/Cheney?? I "wonder" why that is."
I'm sure you have a conspiracy theory you believe explains it for us all -- but no evidence.
"Time is running out for this congress to not go in down in history as complicit in the criminal actions of Bush/Cheney."
Investigations and subpoenas are the opposite of complicity. But, heck, for one who implicitly claims to be concerned with the rule of law, you make no effort to learn what that means in real terms.
"The ranks of the independent voters grows in direct proportion to the amount of time it takes for congress to take action to impeach the leaders of this criminal administration."
Politics is the art of the possible, neophyte; not the art of the tantrum.
The Democrats do not (yet) have sufficient votes to do as you demand. Accept reality and grow up.
Posted by: Frank
Date: July 9, 2007 12:08 PM
Posted by: JNagarya
Date: July 9, 2007 5:09 PM
Okay, it's one thing to go after Jake, however it's another to go about destroying a poster who may or may not understand the political realities you claim to be an expert.
How about explaining your point of view, rather than ramming it into a fellow-progressive's head who is essentially on the same page as you?
Frank is rightfully angry, just as many "neophyte(s)" in this country. There's nothing wrong with Frank or anyone else expressing that anger here...of all places. That's just mean and cold and I'm no pushover afraid of confrontation.
How about the Dems try to educate the public about how "supporting the troops" is getting the troops out of Iraq? Maybe this change in framing how people perceive "supporting the troops" will in fact lead to pressure on Reeps to change their vote, thus meeting the 67 vote threshold?
Come on!
Sully18 wrote on July 9, 2007 5:59 PM:I am glad to see another courageous lawyer at DOJ speak out about the Bush gang`s lawlessness.Perhaps more and more honorable people will continue to speak out against these men who have no honor and disgrace this country by their very presence in office.
drmoore wrote on July 9, 2007 6:46 PM:Code word smell,as in "Democracy is not dead.It merely smells funny."
Watergate was about lying and lying about lying and being above the law. THIS is about scrapping the law, PERIOD. THIS is a constitutional crisis.
jeremyv wrote on July 9, 2007 10:35 PM:You guys are so cute. You seem to think Jake gives a crap about right and wrong.
Hey, TPM, where's that feature so you can automatically ignore the comments from silly trolls? You know how many inane posting from that bozo I had to scroll through to read anything authentic?
Sally wrote on July 10, 2007 11:15 AM:THIS is why we MUSt have impeachment. When law-brakers are continuously pardoned, it only supports the following governments to to duplicate and refine THEIR duplicitious corruption of our Constitution and our very lives as Americans. Kudos to a brave and honorable patriot.