AP reportedly has copy of Grassley letter to ATF
One of the ATF sources involved with “Project Gunwalker” (allegations by insiders from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that bureau management allowed guns to be transported across the border into Mexico and kept the authorities there in the dark) indicates management pressure is now being brought to bear against at least one suspected whistleblower.
I am told that an agent in Phoenix has gone on record that he is cooperating with the Judiciary Committee, that the ATF office there is retaliating, and that he needs help. I am told the best way to provide that help is for the media to call Grassley’s office and then run with what they are told.
I am told Sen. Grassley’s office has sent a letter to the acting ATF Director’s office and that the Associated Press has a copy of it—so that’s a question for reporters to ask Grassley’s people, as well as their AP colleagues.
I am told the Senate has already been provided with substantiating evidence that demands further investigation.
I’ve been in both email and telephone communication with several reporters of major news organizations, as has Mike Vanderboegh, who has been doing his own original reporting on "Project Gunwalker" on his Sipsey Street Irregulars blog. They are all unwilling to proceed unless they are put directly in contact with our sources or see documentation for themselves. As they are not in a position to provide whistleblower protection, the only safe approach is for the investigative reporters to do what has been repeatedly requested of them—take all of the information provided to date, contact the Senate offices Mike and I have identified, and start confirming what they can.
It’s like they don’t want to say anything until they can get the whole story, which won’t come out until public Senate hearings occur, and they want to be spoon fed instead of digging for themselves. But if they can just confirm that Senate offices are speaking to ATF insiders about the allegations outlined in my prior columns (see list at end of this article), or press their contacts at Grassley’s office or the AP about the alleged inquiry letter to ATF, those are both stories in themselves. To not report on that aspect of it, especially when people coming forward with allegations about wrongdoing are now in professional, if not prosecutorial jeopardy, is unconscionable.
I'm wondering how many reporters I've spoken with would be willing to go on the record and answer the question "Have you even called Senator Grassley's office yet?"
Powerful people are angry and scared. Our guys need light put on this, lots of it, and now. Investigative journalists: Investigate. Background information to bring you up to speed, including relevant questions to pursue, is in the following links.
The story so far:
- ATF source confirms ‘walking’ guns to Mexico to ‘pad’ statistics
- More information on ATF ‘walking’ guns across Mexican border
- Does Texas gun shop tie in with ‘Project Gunwalker’?
- Is ‘Project Gunwalker’ about to bust wide open?
- Open Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee staff on 'Project Gunwalker'
- ‘Project Gunwalker’ sources talking to Senate staffers
- Knox reports on ‘Project Gunwalker’
- ‘Project Gunwalker’ investigators: Watch for smears, focus on leads
- One question for ‘Project Gunwalker’ skeptics
Also:
Comments
This entire agency needs to be de-funded and eliminated.
You forgot a step Paul. All Agents arrested and jailed and put on trial for high crimes and Treason. Those who are innocent will be proven so in a court of law. Right now that Gestapo Agency is Guilty, and the agents are guilty by association until proven otherwise.
Andy, not all the agents are the jack-booted thugs we've come to know and love. Many agents are ashamed of the tactics and lies used by the agency and are calling for reform.
But the others? Yeah, try'em an toast'em.
I suggest we arrest all citizens, jail them and put on trial. If they're all innocent they have nothing to fear. Just because there are a few bad guys in the bunch doesn't mean you throw out the whole bunch. Your solution is no different than the way the anti-gunners view guns and gun-owners.
It's irritating that some reporters are very good with mouth service but they're completely spineless when facing opposition from those being investigated, i.e. US government corruption. Darkness hates light. Bravo, Whistleblowers. I've always thought Investigative reporters were supposed to investigate not whimper and complain, but in this article all the reporters are doing is trying to coverup what one of probably many rogue departments are doing. Abusing the authority they've been granted and trashing the Rights afforded to United States Citizens by the United States Constitution.
It could be that the very people who are so all fired eager to protect their freedom of the press don't really give an obese rodent's rectum about our right to keep and bear arms.
The Egyptian government had no problem at all suspending cell phone and internet service over the weekend. I wonder why the "journalists" don't seem to consider that DC has the technical ability to add newspapers and TV to that list. Note: I didn't say "Constitutional authority" - I said "technical ability".
[W3]
If these were reports of Tea Party people or Conservatives, these same reporters would jump on the story without caring about anything being factual.
Thanks for all the hard work you've done on this David and also Mike V.
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