It is difficult to think of another Congresswoman from the Chicago-area who is married to a man that is so influential in state politics that Turkish agents would want favors from him; thus, there is much evidence that supports Madsen's contention that Schakowski is the unnamed Congresswoman.
Unfortunately, with all the government classification and cover-up of this matter, there is no way confirm the Schakowsky story with 100% accuracy unless, of course, the Congresswoman admits she was a target of such extortion. An admission from Schakowsky seems highly unlikely given the very personal nature of the situation of the situation. But the evidence certainly points to her, which brings several thoughts to mind.
One thought is that it her alleged blackmailing, if it happened, does not tarnish Schakowsky's reputation as a person of integrity and a fighter for liberal causes. Sibel Edmonds admits in her deposition that she never had any evidence the Congresswoman caved in to the sexual blackmail. Particularly encouraging is that Schakowsky has joined the Armenian Caucus in Congress and has come out in favor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H. Res 252. However, to the extent that Schakowsky becomes more of a hawk on foreign policy relating to Israel and less of a strident anti-war voice, there is some cause for concern and it was probably not a good idea for Nancy Pelosi to put Schakowsky on the House Select Intelligence Committee, if indeed Schakowsky has been subjected to blackmail by foreign spies.
Secondly, the extortion of one of Congress's most liberal members should be a wake up call to progressives and all Americans. What other progressive Congressperson or Senators have been subjected to blackmail and extortion in order to turn them from 'doves' into 'hawks'? If Turkish agents are conducting this type of arm twisting, what are other lobby groups doing behind the scense? And is there anyway for citizen lobbyists, working ethically and morally, to be able to compete with multinational corporations and foreign entities in the face of such dirty tricks?
Third, it is quite disturbing that Attorney General Eric Holder, who was appointed by 'agent of change' Barack Obama, has not declassified the documents related to Edmonds' case. There is now strong evidence of foreign penetration of U.S. intelligence agencies, nuclear facilities and legislative bodies and allegations of money laundering, nuclear proliferation and public corruption from a whistleblower deemed credible by, among others, Senator Charles Grassley.
Yet Obama and Holder still apparently believe evidence in the Inspector General's report on the Edmonds case constitutes classified information the American public should not have access to.
The inaction on part of this Administration in this case is disturbing (as it has been in many other instances, from stopping illegal wiretapping to prosecuting torture). Instead of à ‚¬Ëœchange', the look and feel of the Obama government resembles, more and more, the one that preceded it. If the President does not start delivering on the open government and increased accountability he promised during the 2008 presidential election campaign, progressives may have no choice but to go shopping for a new candidate, and perhaps even a new Party.
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