Letters and Politics

House Intelligence Committee Hearing on Russia-Trump Campaign Ties

Mitch Jeserich interviews Mel Goodman about the House Intelligence Committee hearing on the links between Trump’s campaign and Russia.

Melvin Goodman, was division chief and senior analyst at the Office of Soviet Affairs, Central Intelligence Agency from 1976 to 1986, and is currently a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy in Washington, D.C.

 

5 responses to “House Intelligence Committee Hearing on Russia-Trump Campaign Ties

  1. Haha. Melvin Goodman is funny. When you asked him if there are no “entrenched interests in the CIA and other areas of government” he petulantly responded no!! That’s it’s a a ridiculous idea. And followed by saying that the CIA has always been SUBSERVIENT TO THE PRESIDENT of the US. Ha. What a silly transparent ex spook.

  2. For starters

    In Chapter 36 of Title 50 of the US Code *War and National Defense”, Subchapter 1, Section 1802, we read the following:

    (1) Notwithstanding
    any other law, the President, through the Attorney General, may
    authorize electronic surveillance without a court order under
    this subchapter to acquire foreign intelligence information for periods
    of up to one year if the Attorney General certifies in writing under
    oath that—

    (A) the electronic surveillance is solely directed at—
    (i)
    the acquisition of the contents of communications transmitted by means
    of communications used exclusively between or among foreign powers, as
    defined in section 1801(a)(1), (2), or (3) of this title; or
    (ii) the
    acquisition of technical intelligence, other than the spoken
    communications of individuals, from property or premises under the open
    and exclusive control of a foreign power, as defined in section
    1801(a)(1), (2), or (3) of this title;

    (B) there is no substantial
    likelihood that the surveillance will acquire the contents of any
    communication to which a United States person is a party; and

    (C) the proposed
    minimization procedures with respect to such surveillance meet the
    definition of minimization procedures under section 1801(h) of this
    title; and
    if the Attorney General reports such minimization
    procedures and any changes thereto to the House Permanent Select
    Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Select Committee on
    Intelligence at least thirty days prior to their effective date, unless
    the Attorney General determines immediate action is required and
    notifies the committees immediately of such minimization procedures and
    the reason for their becoming effective immediately.

    While (B) seems to contradict the underlying permissive
    nature of Section 1802 as it involves a United States person, what the
    Snowden affair has demonstrated all too clearly, is how frequently the
    NSA and FISA court would make US citizens collateral damage. To be sure,
    many pointed out the fact that Fox News correspondent James Rosen was notoriously wiretapped in 2013 when the DOJ was investigating government leaks. The Associated Press was also infamously wiretapped in relation to the same investigation.

  3. Also I wonder if your all too frequent guest Melvin Goodman understands basic rationality and logic in terms of what it means to present a truthful claim His hair on fire claim that most of the Trump cabinet has met with Russians. OK fair enough so what is the fundamental source of said claim? Well it turns the evidence for the claims are based illegal leaks which cannot be legally verified by any of our intelligence or governmental agencies. Does Goodman not understand what it is to verify facts? I hear he is interested in having your listeners emails passed along to him Well feel free Mitch I would love to hear the answer

  4. Mr. Goodman gave a very good, insightful interview. He completely wimped out when asked about whether a Deep State exists in the US. Of course there is a Deep State — he DESCRIBED a Deep State in his interview. Completely disengenuous response.

  5. Yes! This is the precise reason why studio call-ins should be taken for at least 20, 30 or maybe even 40 minutes (as is generally done on KALW’s “Your Call Radio” show): when the host (like today, Mitch) wants to be too polite (because Mitch definitely has the knowledge) to challenge the guest WHEN THE GUEST IS CLEARLY MAKING STUPID/SILLY COMMENTS.

    (I guess here out to protect his former institution &/or to fundamentally protect the morality of the United States government (in a nation founded on racism, genocide, slavery, hypocrisy, imperialism, and one of the most exploitative and brutal forms of capitalism, and who’s power was extended using assassinations and, indeed, meddling in, and even overthrowing, other people’s governments and even democracies in the 3rd World, courtesy of the CIA.)

    Then, WE NEED MITCH TO OPEN UP THE CALL-IN PHONE LINES and let CALLERS who AREN’T too timid to firmly but civilly QUESTION/CHALLENGE some of the CLEARLY RIDICULOUS & IDIOTIC STATEMENTS of today’s guest — i.e., Melvin Goodman. At one point I was done with some of Goodman’s (‘limited hangout’) silly remarks and I just switched radio channels. Mitch, you demean yourself when you let Goodman (or such guests) get away with some of his/their utterly ridiculous comments.

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