Greenwald Critic Jeffrey Toobin Stole Classified Documents for Profit

[NOVA_Dem]

http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2013/08/20/jeffrey-toobin-preaches-on-sanctity-of-government-secrets-despite-once-stealing-classified-documents/
This guy is GRADE A HYPOCRITE!

In journalist Michael Isikoff’s book, Uncovering Clinton: A Reporter’s Story, he described how Toobin was caught “having absconded with large loads of classified and grand-jury related documents from the office of Iran-Contra independent counsel Lawrence Walsh” in 1991:

Toobin, it turned out, had been using his tenure in Walsh’s office to secretly prepare a tell-all book about the Iran-contra case; the privileged documents, along with a meticulously kept private diary (in which the young Toobin, a sort of proto-Linda Tripp, had been documenting private conversations with his unsuspecting colleagues) were to become his prime bait to snare a book deal. Toobin’s conduct enraged his fellow lawyers in Walsh’s office, many of whom viewed his actions as an indefensible betrayal of the public trust. Walsh at one point even considered pressing for Toobin’s indictment.

Toobin was “petrified” that he would have to face criminal charges for stealing information for a rather dubious book deal. According to Isikoff, he either “feared dismissal and disgrace, or simply wanted to move on.” Toobin “resigned from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Brooklyn (where he had gone to work after Walsh) and abandoned the practice of law.”

[Luminous Animal]

1. Thanks for posting this. I wanted to but didn't have time.

[NOVA_Dem]

2. I was shocked it hadn't been posted yet since it was on twitter for a couple of hours. n/t

[sabrina 1]

50. Finger pointers need to be sure they have nothing to hide. Especially the more moralistic

of them.

But he is one of the 'experts' who are part of the safe pool of 'experts' the Corporate Media has approved of.

[hlthe2b]

3. Count me unsurprised... The most vocal are often the most hypocritical... n/t

[NOVA_Dem]

6. If you had something like this in your background why would you speak on this issue?

He needs a tall glass of STFU juice.

[MotherPetrie]

4. Very interesting!

[snappyturtle]

5. What a find....thank you! Now maybe Toobin will stfu. nt

[nashville_brook]

7. how completely apropos.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. I'm sure Toobin will courageously turn himself in and face justice...won't he?

[NOVA_Dem]

12. I don't think "doing the right thing" is Toobin's forte .

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/cnn-legal-eagle-jeffrey-toobin-baby-mama-drama-daughter-cbs-news-jeff-greenfield-article-1.194924

A friend of Greenfield's said the outspoken Toobin has resisted putting his name on the infant's birth certificate and hasn't given his former lover the child support she's requested.

Toobin, 49, has been married since 1986 to his Harvard sweetheart, 51-year-old Amy McIntosh, who has held top positions with Verizon and the Zagat Survey.

[frazzled]

17. The case was tried and appealed in 1991: Walsh lost (Toobin won)

Fresh from Harvard Law School, Mr. Toobin joined the Walsh team in 1987 as its youngest member. Not until he left last year with 2,000 pages of notes and dozens of documents did he notify his superiors that he wanted to publish his story. Mr. Walsh forbade publication at least until the investigation ended and he could file his own official report. A Federal judge overruled Mr. Walsh. The court found no secrets worth preserving and found Mr. Walsh heavy-handed in enforcing his right to screen the manuscript. Mr. Walsh has appealed.
http://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/08/opinion/editorial-notebook-peddling-iran-contra-secrets.html

And for the appeal:

Court moots Walsh's `arguments' appeal, criticizes Penguin USA
AUTHOR(S)Reid, C.
PUB. DATEApril 1991
SOURCEPublishers Weekly;4/12/1991, Vol. 238 Issue 17, p12
SOURCE TYPETrade Publication
DOC. TYPEArticle
ABSTRACTAnnounces that the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit dismissed as moot Iran-Contra prosecutor Lawrence E. Walsh's appeal of the lower court ruling that allowed Jeffrey Toobin's controversial book, `Opening Arguments,' to be published. Court's criticism of Penguin USA; Further details of litigation; More.
http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/9104291268/court-moots-walshs-arguments-appeal-criticizes-penguin-usa

What Toobin did may have been ethically smarmy, but it apparently did not break any laws. As for the contention that he stopped practicing law ... well, so did Glenn Greenwald. And the latter is making money off his disclosures of stolen material.

The only thing I can say, is at least Toobin didn't try to make his name defending a Nazi who ended up in prison for soliciting the death of the judge in the case being tried. Ouch.

[NOVA_Dem]

18. What profit is Greenwald making?

[frazzled]

19. I assume he is paid for writing for the Guardian

And the journalists who make the biggest headlines generally are paid the largest salaries.

Journalists can write for newspapers or publish their journalistic findings in books. Neither is done for free, unless you're on the student newspaper.

PS: Interesting that you don't comment on my main point: that, indeed, this case WAS actually put before the justice system, contrary to the assertions being thrown about in this thread.

[NOVA_Dem]

22. How dare he take a paycheck for doing his damn job.

You people are ridiculous. How dare he take a salary!!

[frazzled]

25. Wow, like arguing with a block of wood.

I cede you your own mindset to enjoy without pesky intervention from dissenting opinion or consideration of a range of facts. Uncle. I realize that conversation is not a possibility with some, so I graciously bow out.

[NOVA_Dem]

28. You accused him of taking a paycheck from his job? What's wrong with you?

[Whisp]

20. of course he will not say.

he takes donations for his *ahem, work.

and every time there is news on his caper, his donation metre go ding ding ding from all the loyalists. I'm sure he is getting some nice cash since the Miranda episode.

ding ding ding

[NOVA_Dem]

21. Understood. You've provided nothing.

[Whisp]

26. I can find a link where GG says he takes donations

I don't think the Guardian pays his lying ass in salary, he just gets donation money.

I probably could find it, but I won't bother as I am sure you aren't interested in seeing it -- it's an article by his own self and at the end he explains how this is the new way for 'journalists' *cough, spit*, to get paid.

At least we know Rachel and Ed and Tweets get paid by GE who make lots of their money from war and that's why there was only one voice against the war at nbc, Phil Donahue, and he got his ass fired,

but I guess we aren't allowed to know who is investing in GG's shit stirring.

[NOVA_Dem]

29. You can use however he makes money (salary and/or donations) against him but

how does that affect the information he reports on? I'm sure you didn't despise Greenwald asking for donations when he was reporting on Buch Co. What matters to you above all else is protecting Obama.

You don't even know if he takes a salary or not so maybe you ought to focus on NSA reporting.

[Whisp]

31. Information can be very affected, depending on who is paying you

for what kind of information to put out.

I mean if a Koch Bro stuffed some cash in GGs jeans, or maybe some Fuck Ron Paulers...
if it's kept secret it similar to the Citisen's United ruling, isn't it - which GG was in favour of....

hmmm

[NOVA_Dem]

32. That is correct but you still need to evaluate if the information is correct.

Likewise I deal with the argument put forward rather than try to tear down the messenger b/c I can't refute the information put forward.

[Whisp]

37. I might have you mixed up with someone else...

Last edited Wed Aug 21, 2013, 06:21 PM - Edit history (1)

(on edit: I see I did not, so I don't expect to hear a reply about the link you have been asking for) you do seem to actually want to see this, so I found it for you (turns out I was wrong, o well):

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jun/04/reader-funded-journalism

Reader-funded journalism

This model is vital in sustaining real journalism: it fosters independence, invests readers in the work that is done, and keeps journalists accountable to individuals
---
Currently, this is not the conventional way journalism is funded in establishment circles, but I'm convinced it's the better way. For a deeply struggling field, and whether they want it or not, this is the way of the future: the short-term future at that, and I think that's a very positive development. I'm truly appreciative of all readers who spend their time coming here, and grateful for those who in the past have supported the work I do. Those who wish to do so this year can do that here(link).

[NOVA_Dem]

43. I read the article and you can include donations as part of your skepticism but for the situation...

to be the same Greenwald would have to have a job at the NSA and steal files. Snowden is the one who sought out Greenwald along with other journalists. Also, Greenwald has accepted donations since he was an independent blogger focusing on Bush and I don't recall anyone making a fuss back then.

[Whisp]

51. so transparency is okay for everyone except GG.

yes, that fits with his general message.

[NOVA_Dem]

55. It's about hypocrisy. n/t

[JDPriestly]

40. Toobin? or someone else?

[Babel_17]

48. More from that link

Lawyers often write self-praising books, but they don't usually betray clients and bosses or spill secrets that aren't theirs to sell. Mr. Toobin is no First Amendment hero but an opportunistic practitioner who searched for contract loopholes while his colleagues focused on Iran-contra. One wonders whether Mr. Toobin, as a junior Federal prosecutor now or in practice later, will need an ironclad no-publish contract to win the trust of his witnesses, clients or superiors.

Ouch. Though I am sympathetic to getting information out to the public.

[MisterP]

9. and didn't his loose lips get Ollie North's case thrown out AFTER HE WAS CONVICTED?

[City Lights]

10. Pot, meet Kettle.

Thanks for posting!

[quinnox]

11. Toobin has become a total tool

Not sure what happened to him. He is now completely in the tank for Obama, its embarrassing to see.

[NOVA_Dem]

13. I think he sucks up to power period. n/t

[riverbendviewgal]

46. a tubby tool

I get feelings and toobin is indeed smarmy as brought up in another post. Gut feelings , intuition I have does not trust toobin. I feel like jack webb when it comes to Greenwald and Snowden. They are giving facts. Very believable facts.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

14. "..a sort of proto-Linda Tripp"

Ouch. That's one of the cruelest things that can be said about a person. It sounds like it was applied to just the right tool.

[KittyWampus]

15. He's obviously pissed Snowden is getting away with it & Greenwald's making a decent profit.

[Fearless]

38. Obviously.

[Autumn]

16. I remembered that when I saw him on AC and that had

me on the floor listening to that fucking asshole spouting his bullshit.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

23. What about this lady who reportedly smuggled out classified documents in her underwear?

She was not prosecuted.

[Whisp]

24. aw, firedoglake is barking again.

I'm sure GG gave whathersstupidass name at FDL the thumbs up to find stuff on Toobin. But all is fair in these kinds of wars, I'm sure Toobin will have an interesting response if he will want to bother.

[G_j]

27. It's in Michael Isikoff’s book

don't think it took much digging

[NOVA_Dem]

30. She didn't bother to read the article when she found an easy way to discount it in her own mind.

"Oh it's from FDL I don't have to think for myself if the information is true or not? I don't have to burn the calories to assuage my cognitive dissonance."

[Vinnie From Indy]

33. Sad, but true apparently!

Cheers!

Toobin should quit poking at Greenwald. It isn't working out for him at all.

[navarth]

41. good clip thanks nt

[RainDog]

34. LOL n/t

[SidDithers]

35. ...

Sid

[NOVA_Dem]

36. It's info from Michael Isikoff's book but don't bother refuting the facts presented in the article.

[Robb]

45. How dare he attack the messenger attacking the messenger!

[Cryptoad]

39. Sure am Glad GG isn't makeing any money on this .....heh?

[NOVA_Dem]

42. The situation isn't analogous. n/t

[Babel_17]

49. If Greenwald said "buy my book for the lowdown" it would be

If Toobin pilfered the documents just to write articles, in a column which he already had, it would be.

[NOVA_Dem]

54. If someone stole the docs and handed them to Toobin and THEN he wrote

articles it would be similar and yet Toobin still wouldn't have the legitimacy to criticize Greenwald. Using the logic of NSA-defenders Toobin is on par or worse than Snowden.

[MNBrewer]

44. L.O.effin.L.!

Toobin....what a tool.

[Aerows]

47. It's okay when he does it

When anybody else does it, not so much.

[Babel_17]

52. Greenwald on what reader funding enables for his articles

Ever since I began political writing, I've relied on annual reader donations to enable me to do the journalism I want to do: first when I wrote at my own Blogspot page and then at Salon. Far and away, that has been the primary factor enabling me to remain independent - to be unconstrained in what I can say and do - because it means I'm ultimately accountable to my readers, who don't have an agenda other than demanding that I write what I actually think, that the work I produce be unconstrained by institutional orthodoxies and without fear of negative reaction from anyone. It is also reader support that has directly funded much of the work I do, from being able to have research assistants and other needed resources to avoiding having to do the kind of inconsequential work that distracts from that which I think is most necessary and valuable.

For that reason, when I moved my blog from Salon to the Guardian, the Guardian and I agreed that I would continue to rely in part on reader support. Having this be part of the arrangement, rather than exclusively relying on the Guardian paying to publish the column, was vital to me. It's the model I really I believe in.

It is an indispensable factor in my independence. It enables me to work far more effectively by having the resources I need and to spend my time only on the work which I actually believe can have an impact. It keeps my readers invested in the work I do and keeps me accountable to them. And it's what enables me to know that I'll be able to continue focusing on the issues and advancing the perspectives which I think are vital regardless of who that might alienate. I've spent all of this week extensively traveling and working continuously on what will be a huge story: something made possible by being at the Guardian but also by my ability to devote all of my time and efforts to projects like this one.

Currently, this is not the conventional way journalism is funded in establishment circles, but I'm convinced it's the better way. For a deeply struggling field, and whether they want it or not, this is the way of the future: the short-term future at that, and I think that's a very positive development. I'm truly appreciative of all readers who spend their time coming here, and grateful for those who in the past have supported the work I do. Those who wish to do so this year can do that here.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jun/04/reader-funded-journalism

[blackspade]

53. Toobin is such a authoritarian stooge

Freakin' hack.