CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
Feb. 6, 2009 – 4:54 p.m.
Congressman Twitters an Iraq Security Breach
By John M. Donnelly, CQ Staff
A congressional trip to Iraq this weekend was supposed to be a secret.
But the cat’s out of the bag now, thanks to a member of the House Intelligence Committee who broke an embargo via Twitter.
A delegation led by House Minority Leader John A. Boehner , R-Ohio, arrived in Iraq earlier today, and because of Rep. Peter Hoekstra , R-Mich., the entire world — or at least Twitter.com readers—now know they’re there.
“Just landed in Baghdad,” messaged Hoekstra, a former chairman of the Intelligence panel and now the ranking member, who is routinely entrusted to keep some of the nation’s most closely guarded secrets.
Before the delegation left Washington, they were advised to keep the trip to themselves for security reasons. A few media outlets, including Congressional Quarterly, learned about it, but agreed not to disclose anything until the delegation had left Iraq.
Nobody expected, though, that a lawmaker with such an extensive national security background would be the first to break the silence. And in such a big way.
Not only did Hoekstra reveal the existence of the lawmakers’ trip, but included details about their itinerary in updates posted every few hours on his Twitter page, until he suddenly stopped, for some reason, on Friday morning.
Since it’s already a matter of public record, here are some of Hoekstra’s twitter dispatches, typos and all, delivered in just 140 characters or less:
“On the way to Andrews Air Force base.12 hour flight to mid east. Be back on Mon instead of tues. Votes mon. I’ll keep you posted,” he wrote on Feb. 4
In his last dispatch today, he wrote: “Moved into green zone by helicopter Iraqi flag now over palace. Headed to new US embassy Appears calmer less chaotic than previous here [sic].”
Comments
"Think we got a bead on Bin Laden! Let you know if we get him!"
In a sane world would that be an impeachable offense, or is it just plain stupid?
What an idiot. If he were not a Repug, would his co-partiers be screaming "treason" now?
What is the consequence to this blatant breach of security? Is there a legit chance he could face some sort of charges for this?
Am sitting here shaking my head. If that was a democrat this would be splattered all over the television screens with numerous heads - republican ones of course - ranting or nodding sagely.
"@GOP Have met insrgnts, promise keep up heat so no Obama withdrawal possible. Must keep $$$ flowing! Tell Boeing, Raytheon all OK! <3 Pete"
FYI, John, Pete tweeted again, about five hours ago: --- Iraq! Issues! lLong term impact on containing Iran.. Need a coherent detainee strategy. Amb Crocker leaving after very successful tenure. ---
why is this such a big deal? Its not overly smart, but seriously-- most iraqis dont care about a few measly congressmen...
I was disgusted to read this, but keep in mind that the Left spilled security secrets for Bush's entire tenure, and not only were never prosecuted but actually won awards for it, such as the New York Times.
I think they are secretly hoping that something 'bad' will happen so they can point their fingers at the New Administration for not being tough enough. Since things are getting better...they are setting themselves out there as 'bait'...how pitiful.
Jose Chung, the problem with your assertion is that the New York Times is not a member of the United States House of Representatives. And their sources were people from within the administration and the Pentagon -- not members of the Left!
Just another boondoggle trip for them to pad their resumes. because of twitter we know about it. there must be millions squandered on similarly useless endeavors. attn:govt leaders - please work for US and spend our money wisely.
I am so embarrassed to think that I thought he was an intelligent and thoughtful member of the Republican Party delegation from my home state (which is damning with faint praise, I'll admit.) I think he needs to find a new committee assignment.
Wow. A lawmaker is in Iraq. But the MSM doesn't break the story. That's gotta be 'treason', right? No, treason would be 50 Secretaries of State allowing an anchorbaby onto their respective state ballots. Ballots We The People used to elect our 'President' this past November. http:www.fightthesmears.com/articles/5/birthcertificate Obama Jr. was a Kenyan up until Aug.4, 1981. That makes him ineligible to be my President. That makes anything he signs into law null and void. And you retards are worried about a Congressman in a foriegn country? That makes sense.
1. Hey "Career fed", your comment that "Republicans want something to go wrong so they can blame Obama" is pure projection. We're not like you; we actually want the country to do well even if our guy's not President. And yes, it's quieter in Iraq now, b/c of Bush's decision over Dem objections. Done your way in 2006, we'd have lost. Now we're winning and Obama had nothing to do with it. 2. I agree with 014's comment that Hoekstra should lose his committee seat. This is inexcusable, and I believe this might not be his first breech.
WOW! Does no one get the transparency issue as it relates to what's possible with a service like Twitter? What are we all afraid of?
I'm embarresed to be from W. Michigan. Way to go Pete. Lost my vote........big time
Hey Hoekstra, did you forget what YOU WROTE back in 2006???? Leaking Away Our National Security http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=AF7D2DA9-D2C7-4230-824D-0536B6B404F9
um... nilesmc... did you even LOOK at that website that you have in your comment? it says that Barrack Obama was born in Hawaii on Aug. 4, 1961. In other words... he is, by birth, an American citizen. Therefore, he IS eligible to be your president (and every other citizen of the United States of America). That also means that every single law he signs, while in office, is certainly NOT null in void. As for Mr. Hoekstra, this was very stupid and could have cost people their lives (worst case scenario). However, everyone makes mistakes. We don't know all the details, therefore, it's not for us to decide. Nevertheless, I will expect something to be done about this breach. It is was a dangerous blunder and incredibly unintelligent. Our officials should be trained better than that. I am rather disappointed that something so simple and obviously idiotic was done by a High Ranking American Government Official.
He probably thought he was writing entries in his diary, or sending updates to his wife.
Grasshopper, you might want to check you facts before making that claim. The GOP's Big Mouth has publicly stated he's hoping that Obama's administration fails. Pure projection? Hell, it was pure broadcast, and nationally. Then there are the GOP lawmakers who demand all kinds of concessions to the stimulus bill--which they get, and still refuse to support. Want to see the country succeed? Right--right after your guy(s) nose dived us into the worse economic mess since the Depression, and took up two wars in Asia, while calling for more. Check your facts before you wail about people projecting.
LMAO, Wow! Michael Steele said he hoped that the Obama Administration would fail? When? Links please.
"I was disgusted to read this, but keep in mind that the Left spilled security secrets for Bush's entire tenure, and not only were never prosecuted but actually won awards for it, such as the New York Times." Keep in mind that most on the right have the IQ of a turnip, and you have managed to pack numerous errors in that short paragraph. The NYT is not "the Left", and what they spilled were violations of the law by the Bush administration -- who are the ones deserving prosecution.
@Grasshopper As noted, Rush Limbaugh said loudly that he wanted Obama to fail, and his view is echoed by Republicans all over the internet, so your claim that it is pure projection is another pathological Republican lie. OTOH, we wanted the country to succeed -- that's why we voted against Bush and opposed his disastrous policies. The millions of Iraqis dead and/or exiled, and the financial catastrophe we face as we lose 600,000 jobs month is a consequence of the fact that every single Republican i ignorant, stupid, and/or corrupt.
Well, that was amazingly stupid.
so pretty..wish you were here, be home soon. what a moron.
This is bad, but the New York Times does it all the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peter Hoekstra got you all fooled. That was a diversionary tactic. He was really in Pakistan hunting down Bin Laden.
And what's so bad about U.S. citizens knowing what their leaders are up to? Since our economy's wrecked (thank-you Wall Street and Fed) and so many out of work and not much worth watching on TV, it's practically the only 3-ring circus in town.
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