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Sen. Pat Roberts (R) of Kansas is Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence which investigated the 'flawed' intelligence which led to the War in Iraq.

On July 9, 2004 the SSCI released the first report of their investigation, placing the blame on the CIA. In the news conference when this was released, Sen. Roberts noted that investigating how the Bush White House used the intelligence was part of Phase two which would occur after the 2004 elections.

Hmmm?

On March 10, 2005 Sen. Roberts said of the failure to complete phase two, "[T]hat is basically on the back burner."

On March 31, 2005 Sen. Roberts wrote "I don't think there should be any doubt that we have now heard it all regarding prewar intelligence. I think that it would be a monumental waste of time to replow this ground any further."

As of July 2005 phase two of the Committee's investigation has not been completed (the above two paragraphs were found from this site).

Hmmm?

Today we learn that the committee plans to conduct hearings "on potential national security threats posed by leaks, including leaks to the media, and will aim to toughen legislation barring the unauthorized disclosure of classified information."

At the very bottom of the article is the paragraph that "the Senate committee would also review the probe of special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, who has been investigating the Plame case for nearly two years."

Hmmm...

So, let me see if I get this right. Sen. Roberts thinks it would be a 'monumental waste of time' to investigate how the White House used the intelligence but that it is a wise use of their time to investigate the security threats posed by leaks as well as the investigation into those leaks i.e. an investigation into an investigation isn't a 'monumental waste of time'?

Hmmm...

Anyone care to give odds that he'll put the review of Fiztgerald's probe onto the 'back burner' as well?

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Update: 7/26/05

I called Sen. Rockefeller's office and was told that Sen. Roberts, as Chairman of the SSCI, has the perogative to set the committee's agenda and schedule.

I then called Sen. Roberts's office. I asked if he had any plans to schedule hearings to finish Phase 2 of the investigation. The person I spoke with said she did not know.

I then asked if the Reuter's article was accurate and was told that she couldn't comment.

To both offices I expressed my opinion that the committee should finish its business into how the Administration used this intelligence before investigating Fitzgerald's investigation.

You can too:

Senator Pat Roberts
109 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1605
202-224-4774

Senator Jay Rockefeller
531 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-6472