August 2011
August 1, 2011 - Human Events, in a front page article in its' August 1st edition entitled "Enemy of the State", becomes the latest news outlet to report that the actual goal of Gunwalker was to advance a gun control agenda.
August 1, 2011 - The Atlanta Journal Constitution carries an opinion piece by Bob Barr. He suggests the following: First, the administration needs to work with Republicans in the Senate to find a mutually acceptable head for ATF. Second, AG Holder should set forth clear guidelines for under cover ops. Third, Holder needs to make it clear that DOJ will conduct a public investigation of Gunwalker - chips fall where they may.
August 2, 2011 - Local Phoenix TV station, KPHO, carries a story on the latest Congressional report.
August 2, 2011 - Writing in a blog for forbes.com, Larry Bell provides a comprehensive report on Gunwalker. He strongly suggests that the scandal was part of an overall plan to restrict gun rights.
August 3, 2011 - The Huffington Post runs an article by Adam Winkler, a UCLA law professor, in which he calls Gunwalker the first major scandal of Obama's administration. Complete with links to LA Times articles, he concedes that both DOJ and the administration appear to be covering up. He also expresses concern that the controversy will prevent passage of new gun control laws.
August 3, 2011 - The Eastern AZ Courier carries an editorial summarizing the ATF debacle, noting that the mainstream media has basically ignored the story. They note that when this story becomes more widely known, I has the potential to severely damage Obama's presidency.
August 4, 2011 - The Kansas City Star covers the story.
August 4, 2011 - The Fort Dodge Messenger prints an editorial stating that "Fast and Furious" was a program that should have never be undertaken.
August 4, 2011 - Human Events publishes an editorial asserting that the Washington Post has share of the blame in Agent Terry's death. They make the point that instead of exposing "Fast and Furious" they have acted as it's PR team.
August 4, 2011 - ticklethewire.com, a website covering Federal law enforcement, reports that William Newell, who headed the Phoenix Division during 'Fast and Furious", will not be appointed as ATF’s attaché to Mexico as had been previously stated by ATF. Instead, he’s been named special assistant to the ATF Assistant Director for the Office of Management in Washington. The word is that both the Mexican government and ATF agents are fuming over Newell's denials that ATF "let guns walk" into Mexico.
August 4, 2011 - The Ogden UT Standard-Examiner publishes an editorial entitled, OUR VIEW: A furiously bungled sting
August 5, 2011 - ticklethewire.com reports that ATF director Ken Melson is "Getting Out and Talking to the Troops" During at least one town hall meeting agents asked him about "Fast and Furious".
August 5, 2011 - The LA Times reports that the head of DEA, in interviews with Congressional Investigators, has admitted that DEA agents were involved in "Fast and Furious". The LA Times now has a central web listing for Gunwalker stories - the paper seems VERY committed to covering this story.
August 8, 2011 - USA Today prints a factual article on Gunwalker, focusing upon the one gunrunner who bought more than 700 guns with help from the ATF. They report that the gun store owner was concerned about the number of guns he was buying and ATF directed him to keep selling to the known gunrunner. The story also includes quotes from whistle blowing agents.
August 9, 2011 - Newsmax reports that court documents confirm that ATF enabled a suspect they knew was sending guns to a Mexican drug cartel to buy 20 handguns from a co-operating dealer. The dealer did not want to deliver the guns, but was directed to do so by ATF.
August 9, 2011 - A.W.R. Hawkins, writing in Human Events, makes a strong case that Gunwalker reaches all the way to the White House. Reportedly both Sen. Grassley and Rep. Issa are sure President Obama knew of the operation.
August 10, 2011 - The LA Times runs another article on Gunwalker. In this one they focuses on the fact that the Fast and Furious program was known to have gone off the rails many months before it was finally shut down. The ATF 2nd in command was well aware of the problems. ATF was sent agents to check the guns recovered at Agent Terry's murder scene, confirmed that two were from the program and continued the program unchanged for another six weeks. No one notified congress - the whistle blowing agents had to do that. The LA Times clear smells blood in the water and seems committed to uncovering the truth.
August 10, 2011 - WXYZ reports on an ATF press event held in Michigan. ATF is clearly working on its' image.
August 11, 2011 - The New York Post carries an editorial entitled, "'Fast and furious' failure -- still waiting for accountability". It contains a call for AG Holder to resign.
August 11, 2011 - Was the CIA involved in Gunwalker? Writing in the Washington Times, Robert Farago and Ralph Dixon suggest that the real motive behind the "Fast and Furious" operation was to strengthen the Sinaloa cartel in order to check their opposition, the Zetas. Citing sources within the CIA, they suggest that the motive is prevent the Zetas from disrupting the 2012 Mexican elections - and possibly conducting a coup against the Mexican government. The article mentions other indications that the US government has decided to favor the Sinaloa cartel. It is worth noting that there have been reports that the US government was sending weapons directly to this cartel.
August 11, 2011 - Fox News, Human Events and the Arizona Capital Times all report that the DOJ prosecutor in charge of the case against the man who bought the guns used to kill Agent Terry has opposed a request by Brain Terry's family to testify at his sentencing hearing. Fox News points out that this same Assistant AG may have partial responsibility for Gunwalker.
August 12, 2011 - CBS News publishes an opinion piece entitled, "Why U.S. foreign policy invites blowback". Gunwalker is cited as an example of what is wrong.
August 12, 2011 - The Washington Post publishes an editorial on Gunwalker entitled, "Slow draw on Fast and Furious?". Patrick B. Pexton defends the paper's coverage.
August 12, 2011 - The Washington Times reports that Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has written to AG Holder demanding answers, and pointing out that the Justice Department seems to be involved in a cover-up.
August 14, 2011 - The San Antonio Express News publishes an editorial calling upon the White House and the Justice department to stop stonewalling
August 14, 2011 - The Pittsburgh Tribune publishes an editorial recapping Gunwalker, and ending with this line: "Who thought allowing illegal gun sales was a good idea in the first place?"
August 15, 2011 - Another Michigan Newspaper - The News Herald - publishes an article on yet another media event held by ATF. The effort to bury the scandal with positive PR continues.
August 15, 2011 - Confirming earlier reports, the LA Times confirms that ATF has promoted the managers involved in the "Fast and Furious" program. The move reportedly has mystified many line agents and seems to be yet more evidence of the toxic culture at ATF.
August 16, 2011 - Additional outlets cover the ATF promotion story: New Mexico Independent Fox New York Newsmax NPR
August 16, 2011 - According to the Washington Times and UPI, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) blasted the ATF decision saying, "Until Attorney General (Eric) Holder and Justice Department officials come clean on all alleged gun-walking operations, including a detailed response to allegations of a Texas-based scheme, it is inconceivable to reward those who spearheaded this disastrous operation with cushy desks in Washington."
August 16, 2011 - World Net Daily publishes an overview of Gunwalker and strongly suggests that the true motive was to advance a gun control agenda.
August 16, 2011 - The LA Times reports that guns from "Fast and Furious" guns have turned up at 11 more crime scenes.
August 16, 2011 - The Tucson AZ TV station KOLD reports on the new Fast and Furious gun recoveries.
August 16, 2011 - CBS News, one of the first to report the scandal, reports on the ATF promotions.
August 17, 2011 - The Daily Caller reports that Issa and Grassley's investigation continues to move forward with further information requests direct to DOJ.
August 17, 2011 - Examiner.com, one of the first outlets to break the story, echos the Daily caller report, adding that "Issa, Grassley tell Holder ‘word games’ won’t do"
August 17, 2011 - John McGinness, former Sacramento County Sheriff and current KFBK radio host covers Gunwalker on his broadcast. In answer to a caller's suggestion that goal of "Fast and Furious" was more US gun control, he replied that a year ago he would have dismissed the suggestion - but not now. The broadcast should be available soon HERE.
August 17, 2011 - The Washington Examiner publishes an editorial on Gunwalker. In it they are very critical of the ATF promotions.
August 17, 2011 - The LA Times reports that ATF denies that the recent personnel moves were promotions because those involved did not get ay increases - just nice offices in Washington and very visible jobs with lots of prestige.
August 17, 2011 - Sen. John Cornyn appears on "The Factor" on Fox News. Interview runs 6 minutes. Evidence is that dealers did not want to sell these guns but were directed to do so by ATF. Cornyn is also very upset about more guns turning up at US crime scenes and the ATF "promotions". Republicans on committee will continue investigate until they get to the bottom of the matter. Cornyn believes Gunwalker "goes all the way to the top." He also categorized Eric Holders statements as "unbelievable".
August 18, 2011 - Human Events interviews House Oversight Committee member Rep. Paul Gosar on Gunwalker.
August 18, 2011 - Rush Limbaugh, in response to a listener question about ATF promotions, tells his 20 million listeners that in his opinion Gunwalker's purpose was to justify gun control in the US. He pointed out that if this had happened under a Republican president, impeachment proceedings would already be underway.
August 18, 2011 - Business Insider publishes a comprehensive article entitled, "Inside The Gun Smuggling Scandal That Could Take Down Attorney General Eric Holder" The article confirms that Gunwalker continues to be big news in the Spanish language press, both in the US and Mexico. According to this Spanish language article, President Obama was asked during a mini press conference if Eric Holder should resign. His answer was one word: No. Is it possible that Obama could loose the Hispanic vote over this scandal?
August 18, 2011 - Sean Hannity announces that the primary focus of his Friday August 19th show on Fox News will be Gunwalker.
August 18, 2011 - The San Francisco Examiner publishes a scathing editorial on Gunwalker, saying that the promotions are evidence of a cover up.
August 18, 2011 - Tyler TX TV station does an editorial entitled, "A Crying Shame" and concluding that, "Attorney General Eric holder and the rest of high level feds have some explaining to do". They point out that gun dealers tried to stop the sales.
August 19, 2011 - Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News publishes an editorial by Christine M. Flowers: Iran-Contra, the Sequel. She questions how this could have ever happened without Eric Holder knowing.
August 19, 2011 - Sean Hannity devotes his entire one hour broadcast to exposing the "Fast and Furious" scandal from beginning to current. After laying the ground work, Hannity ended the broadcast with a comparison to Watergate, pointing out that the question here is the same: What did the president know and when did he know it?
Online videos at Fox News:
Behind the Fast & Furious Program
Tragedy on the Border
Did Justice Department Know About 'Fast and Furious'?
Direct Links to Sean Hanney's entire coverage: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6
August 19, 2011 - The Dallas Morning News publishes an editorial entitled "Details only get worse from ATF’s Fast and Furious fiasco". In it the accuse Eric Holder of engaging in a cover up.
August 19, 2011 - Newsmax publishes an interview with Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar, in which he is quoted as saying "Americans were 'Collateral Damage' in Fast, Furious" and “There was no way to get the drug lord. How could we? We didn’t even tell Mexico what we were doing. So how would we hope to get extradition of a cartel member?”
In a separate interview with Sen. Charles Grassley, he is quoted as saying that Holder is obstructing the congressional investigation and that the "promotion" of the two ATF figures was "A move to keep them quiet.”
August 19, 2011 - Politico reports that Rep. Issa has demanded a retraction of many items in a clear hit piece published in the New York Times. Issa has been a prominent member of the House for many years, why did the New York Times wait until he was heading the investigation into President Obama's worst scandal?
August 20, 2011 - Writing in a commentary for Yahoo News, Todd Jacobs writes, "Will Operation Fast and Furious be the Downfall of Obama Presidency?"
August 20, 2011 - The Fort Worth Star Telegram publishes brief article on Sen. Cornyn's efforts to investigate gunwalking in Texas.August 21, 2011 - The North County Times, a paper from Rep. Issa's home district, publishes an article entitled, "Issa makes waves leading oversight panel" It covers the Gunwalker investigation and the smear campaign launched against him since it began.
August 21, 2011 - Central Florida Future - the student newspaper of Central Florida University - publishes an article entitled, "Retribution should be Fast and Furious".August 21, 2011 - Chuck Norris publishes a commentary in World Net Daily entitled, "Obama smuggling guns and registering yours"
August 22, 2011 - The Albuquerque Journal Editorial Board publishes an editorial titled, "Lose 2,000 Weapons, Get a Big Promotion"
August 22, 2011 - The Dakota Voice publishes an article praising Sean Hannity's hour of Gunwalker coverage and providing links to the entire broadcast.
August 23, 2011 - Human Events publishes a article titled, "Media Matters Distorts 'Fast and Furious' Facts"
August 26, 2011 - The American Spector carries an article titled, "Arming the Cartels". They conclude that the stated reason for Fast and Furious doesn't pass the "smell test". They suggest that the actual goal may have been to arm one of the cartels to enable them to defeat the others so Mexico city could negotiate with only one of them.
August 26, 2011 - The Tiffin, Ohio The Advertiser-Tribune editorializes, "‘Fast and Furious’ discipline deserved."
August 27, 2011 - New Mexico TV station KASA reports that a gun smuggling case involving the mayor of Columbus New Mexico is linked to "Fast and Furious".
August 27, 2011 - The Des Moines Register prints an editorial on Gunwalker, by John Carlson: "How Chuck Grassley is causing discomfort for the Obama administration"
August 27, 2011 - Andrew Breitbart's Big Government reports that the "DOJ Raids Gibson Guitars over Alleged Environmental Infractions, but Mum’s Still the Word on ‘Fast and Furious’"
August 29, 2011 - The New American documents countless falsehoods in the New York Time hit piece on Rep. Issa. In addition to every charge being completely false, the liberal online outlet 'ThinkProgress" has pointed out that most of the article was lifted from their site. Maybe that is why they got so many facts wrong - the "paper of record" left the fact checking to a left wing web site. A greater question is; Why is a man with a stellar reputation for attacking government waste and corruption being attacked by the New York Times now?
August 29, 2011 - The Minot Daily News editorializes about Gunwalker: "Mistakes can't be rewarded"
August 30, 2011 - The hammer finally falls on personnel involved in Fast and Furious. acting ATF director Melson, reassigned, US Attorney out, several other people reassigned or out. Lanney Breuer is still safe and sound. It is unlikely that these moves will satisfy Issa and Grassley.
Fox News NPR Washington Post Reuters Politico Washington Post USA Today NY Post
August 30, 2011 - The Wall Street Journal runs another article on the "Fast and Furious" shake ups. They point out that these moves do not address the large issue of which high ranking officials knew of the program. Re. Issa is quoted as saying "much higher levels of the Justice Department". In particular it is known that Lanny Breuer, Holder’s immediate subordinate, was involved.
August 30, 2011 - CBS News reporter Sharyl Attkisson, one of the first mainstream media reports to cover the story, covers today’s events in a story titled: Gunwalker scandal: ATF director out of top job
August 30, 2011 - The Wall Street Journal publishes a second story: Grassley, Issa: Shakeup Won’t Stop Probe of ATF
August 30, 2011 - Rep. Issa appears on the Fox News program "On the Record". He makes it clear that the investigation is not over, that the career employees were sacrificed in order to protect "political appointees", including Lanny Breuer.
August 30, 2011 - The New York Times predictably takes the side of the Obama administration In their article, they portray the administration as "cleaning house" and the Congressional investigation as politically motivated.
August 30, 2011 - The LA Times article is lest bias then the NY Times, but still fails to mention the involvement of Breuer and possibily other high ranking administration officials.
August 30, 2011 - The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the investigation will continue and suggests that Eric Holders job may not be safe.
August 30, 2011 - Rep. Darrel Issa issued the following statement: “While the reckless disregard for safety that took place in Operation Fast and Furious certainly merits changes within the Department of Justice, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee will continue its investigation to ensure that blame isn’t offloaded on just a few individuals for a matter that involved much higher levels of the Justice Department. There are still many questions to be answered about what happened in Operation Fast and Furious and who else bears responsibility, but these changes are warranted and offer an opportunity for the Justice Department to explain the role other officials and offices played in the infamous efforts to allow weapons to flow to Mexican drug cartels. I also remain very concerned by Acting Director Melson’s statement that the Department of Justice is managing its response in a manner intended to protect its political appointees. Senator Grassley and I will continue to press the Department of Justice for answers in order to ensure that a reckless effort like Fast and Furious does not take place again.”
Aug 31, 2011 - Fox News video report: "ATF Director Reassigned Amid Uproar - Has enough been done in investigating Operation Fast and Furious?"
Aug 31, 2011 - The New York Post Reports. "Capitol Punishment - Some heads roll for gun-running debacle" The article strongly suggests that both AG Holder and President Obama had knowledge of the operation.
Aug 31, 2011 - Newsmax reports that investigation is not over and that the scandal goes much higher then those who have been removed.
Aug 31, 2011 - The Arizona Daily Sun publishes an article entitled, "U.S. Attorney taking the fall?"
Aug 31, 2011 - CBN News covers the story in a piece entitled, "ATF Chief Resigns over 'Fast and Furious' Debacle" They also echo the charge that the responsibility goes "much higher".
Aug 31, 2011 - Human Events publishes an article entitled, "Screw Up, Move Up, Cover Up: The Fast and Furious Edition", by Michelle Malkin
Aug 31, 2011 - The Tucson Citizen: Heads roll fast and furiously over botched ATF gun walking scheme
Aug 31, 2011 - The Daily Caller: Issa spokesman: NYT burying latest Fast and Furious stories shows paper’s ‘biased approach’ against Oversight Chairman
Aug 31, 2011 - The Washington Post reports that those dismissed have 'Taken full responsibility for "Fast and Furious"'
August 31, 2011 - The Christian Science Monitor publishes one of the best articles I have found on the story. The first I have found that has listed further targets of the investigation by name.August 31, 2011 - According to the Washington Post, the "Real Scandal" is the "flood of guns" going to Mexico, which is the fault of the NRA. How sad that the paper that broke and pursued Watergate no longer cares about the truth.
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