Reaction to the Newell Letter "correcting" his testimony.

Just Gunwalker Bill, lyin' like a sack of shit again.

When I posted the link to this letter of "Gunwalker Bill" Newell's late last night, I did not have time to comment or to solicit the comments of others I trust. Below are some of those reactions.

From a long-time observer of federal doings:

It comes across, for one, as having tossed the dice at the hearing; the winds afterwards not blowing favorable; and doing some backtracking. The impression left is that Newell knew he was being unsatisfactory to begin with.

But what's fatal is some of the other language. Specifically, the disrespectful language that Newell uses in characterizing the hearing itself. My take on that is that (1) the letter was written all or in part by Department of Justice attorneys, and (2) the disrespectful language was DELIBERATE, and intended to show disrespect to the Committee. One might say "nobody is that stupid," but the testimony of Roland Weich was combative, disrespectful and arrogant; and Weich is supposed to be the "public face" of the Department of Justice to the Committee, and represent the attitude of the Department of Justice. That attitude was not one of respect.

In my view, the letter destroys Newell.

From a thoughtful, long-serving ATF employee:

I think Mr. Newell is trying to mitigate his position in order to help his situation when he gets indicted.

His attorney, who tried to pressure acting Attache Canino to minimize his testimony against Newell during the Congressional Hearings, is now trying to mitigate after the fact.

The rest is just "woe is me" nonsense. He does not worry much about the family of Brian Terry does he? Nor does he worry about the fate of his subordinates. He throws everyone under the bus except himself. Signs of a real leader isn't it?

I learned a long time ago in the military from some smart old soldiers, "you cant go wrong by always taking care of your troops!" Newel never served of course.

Newell says in his letter that Darren Gil and Carlos Canino were being briefed weekly in reports, and that much is true. However, sources say that those are the reports that the Mexico City ATF analysts who reported to Gil used to notify him (in addition to Newell's own reports) of the increased seizures. However, sources say, none of those reports noted that firearms were knowingly and willingly being walked into Mexico. None. Newell's attorney (who surely wrote this reply) failed to note THAT small issue in his reply.

The sources say that the ATF in Mexico City knew there was an investigation (by whatever name) was going on where too many firearms were being traced backed to. This is why Gil and others raised their voices.

Said one, "Newell's attorney gives a little truth, but only where it helps his client. He fails to note that aspect in the reply. This was all noted in the hearings."

Some of the street agents over at CleanUpATF.org put it a little harsher. Said one:

Cleanupatf.org Webmaster and moderators, I am going to ask that you tolerate this post even if you feel it is too strongly worded. That is how passionate I am about what I am about to write and I really can't take the edge off this.

Who saw Bill Newell's written statment to Congress today? If you have not then here it is attached below. Be prepared to vomit.

Bill Newell you are a lying coward. This letter was written not to clarify anything you lied about but to attempt to avoid an indictment. You repeated your lame justifications and made excuses, the same thing you have done since the day you set foot in ATF. You lied to Congress and you are trying to cover your lies by calling the Whistleblowers, Gil and Canino liars. You are a 100% chickenshit.

You are a whiny little bitch to actually compose a letter to Congress after you lied to their faces and blame your lies the the "pressure" you feel and that this is "unlike anything you have ever experienced". You are pathetic to say that this experience has taken a toll on your health and family.

What about the toll on Brian Terry's family? What about the toll's on the hundreds of dead Mexican citizens and their families? All you ever have or ever will care about is you. You are one self-centered m_ _ _ _ _ rf _ _ _ _ r.

Here is where I am going to get off and probably be deleted. My friend is Jay Dobyns. Newell you are quite possibly the biggest hypocritical pussy ever in ATF to make the statements that you made in your letter knowing what you did to him and his family. You helped your boys Gillett and Higman go above and beyond to try and frame him as an arsonsist and attempted murder. You turned your back just like you did in Fast and Furious. I don't have the vocabulary to state what a double-standard POS you are. You think Dobyns felt pressure living under the allegation that he tried to murder his family for the last three years? How about the toll on his family have to hear that their husband and father intended to burn their house down on them and murder them? Then you lied under oath in that case too.

Don't bother to apologize. Whatever it is that happens to you, it is not evil enough to balance what you have done. Rot in hell.