Letter of Apology » Uncategorized

Former Boeing Engineer Pleads Guilty To Downloading Classified Data

Dave Westheimer — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:36:04 +0000

Abraham Lesnik of Valley Village, California has pleaded guilty to unauthorized possession of defense information for taking documents classified as secret and top secret from his office. Lesnik, a former engineer at a Boeing facility in El Segundo, pleaded guilty on July 1 before US District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper in Los Angeles. He was charged on June 16, nearly two years after the investigation into his activities began. Lesnik, who held a Top Secret DOD security clearance, admitted repeatedly downloading the classified documents to a USB thumb drive so he could work on them at home. He also admitted retaining 11 documents including one top secret document. Judge Cooper scheduled sentencing for October 6. Lesnik faces a statutory maximum often years in prison. but the plea agreement calls for no more than five years (LA Times, DOJ).

Some Thoughts To Ponder On Independence Day

Dave Westheimer — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:05:20 +0000

“The very essence of a free government consists in considering offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country, and not for the benefit of an individual or a party.” — John C. Calhoun, Speech (February 13, 1835)

“He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.” — Thomas Paine, First Principles Of Government (1795)

“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” — Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Colonel Charles Yancey (January 6, 1816)

“Real Patriots, who may resist the intrigues of the favourite, are liable to become suspected and odious; while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests.” — George Washington, Farewell Address (1796)

“The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.” — John Adams, Notes for an oration at Braintree (Spring 1772)

“I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpation.” — James Madison, Speech at the Virginia Convention to ratify the Federal Constitution (June 6, 1788)

“Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” — Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania (1759)

“The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary.” — H. L. Mencken, In Defense of Women (1917)

“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” — Barry Goldwater, Acceptance Speech at the 1964 Republican Convention

Supreme Court Declines To Review Jefferson Ruling

Dave Westheimer — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:50:33 +0000

The US Supreme Court on Monday declined to review last August’s decision by a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit regarding the FBI raid on the Washington office of Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.). The appellate court ruled that the raid violated the Speech and Debate Clause of the US Constitution and that Jefferson was entitled to the return of privileged legislative documents. Jefferson was indicted last June on 16 counts including including bribery, racketeering, money laundering and obstruction of justice. His trial is currently delayed while he seeks to suppress certain evidence and statements arising out of the search of his Washington home (earlier). The Washington Post story is here.

Showdown On the Hill: Clemens Is Ready

Solomon Wisenberg — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:31:15 +0000

The Washington Post reports here (story by Barry Svrluga and Amy Shipley) on today’s showdown in Congress between pitching great Roger Clemens and his accuser Brian McNamee. The Wall Street Journal also has a good piece here by Allen Barra which helps set the stage, and includes some insightful analysis from Bob Costas, who was interviewed by phone for the piece. Costas looks at Clemens’ career pitching stats, noting that they don’t corroborate McNamee’s allegations. One thing is fairly clear from all the hoopla. Representative Henry Waxman’s goal of using the proceedings to browbeat Clemens is likely to backfire. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s decision to excuse Andy Pettite and Chuck Knoblauch from testifying live also seems dubious to me. I suspect that Waxman wants a rigged game, and that Pettite’s and Knoblauch’s testimony would not have damaged Clemens enough to suit Waxman. Waxman is infamous, even in Washington circles, for his publicity hound stunts. This just in. The Journal runs its first report of McNamee’s actual testimony. The Washington Post is also streaming the testimony live on its website.