Dick Dustbin speaks

Got this from a friend who wishes anonymity:
+++++++++++++++++++

Subject: Message from Senator Durbin

October 12, 2011
Mr. **********

Dear Mr. **********:

Thank you for your message regarding Operation Fast and Furious. I appreciate hearing from you.
For years, people known as "straw buyers" would purchase weapons in the United States legally and then smuggle them illegally to Mexico to sell to drug cartels. In 2006, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) implemented Project Gunrunner to tackle the problem of gun trafficking to Mexico and the violent crimes with which it is associated. The agency works with law enforcement both in the United States and internationally to identify and dismantle the firearms and explosives smuggling network of criminal organizations working along the Southwest border.

Operation Fast and Furious was part of a sting operation through Project Gunrunner to identify larger criminal organizations that trafficked firearms illegally. According to ATF whistleblowers, suspected straw purchasers were allowed to build up a large collection of guns as part of long-term gun trafficking investigations; these firearms are thought to have been trafficked to gunrunners and other criminals before ATF could arrest suspects and seize contraband firearms.

On December 15, 2010, Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry was killed in the line of duty near Rio Rico, Arizona. It is alleged that the firearms used to kill Special Agent Terry was part of a Project Gunrunner investigation. It is also alleged that a trafficked firearm was used to murder U.S. ICE Special Agent Jamie Zapata and to wound Special Agent Victor Avila on February 15, 2011.

As a result of these shootings and other circumstances surrounding Operation Fast and Furious, several lawmakers have called for action to be taken. Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa wrote several letters to ATF and Attorney General Eric Holder expressing his concern about the operation. Although Attorney General Holder instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to review ATF's gun trafficking investigations, Senator Grassley called for an independent review in March 2011. In April 2011, Representative Darrell Issa of California issued a subpoena to DOJ and ATF for documents related to Project Gunrunner.

In June 2011, Representative Issa and Senator Grassley issued a joint staff report on Operation Fast and Furious, and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing on this issue. The staff report shed light on information that ATF supervisors were concerned that hundreds of firearms were being transferred illegally during surveillance operations, but the supervisors were allegedly directed not to arrest the suspects or confiscate the firearms.

In the report to accompany the House Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2012, the House Appropriations Committee included language that recommends the appointment of "an outside, independent investigator" who would conduct an investigation into Operation Fast and Furious and similar operations. Additionally, the committee called on DOJ and ATF to cooperate fully with any oversight investigations. The Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations report did not include language calling for an independent investigator, but expresses support that the DOJ OIG "will fulfill its oversight duties by conducting a thorough investigation."

I will keep your views in mind as this matter is investigated further. Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to keep in touch.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

RJD/vy

+++++++++++++++++++
Completely ignoring reality, and insisting on highlighting "alleged" - sounds just like every other two-bit criminal lawyer out there with a guilty-as-sin client.