YESTERDAY, BEFORE A JAM PACKED AUDIENCE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LEGISLATORS, ACTIVISTS AND MEDIA, THE SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE HELD ITS FIRST HEARING ON THE CHARGES RAISED IN AN INVESTIGATIVE SERIES BY THE SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS. THE ARTICLES CHARGED THAT DURING THE 1980S, THE CIA HELPED FACILITATE THE FLOW OF CRACK-COCAINE INTO THE BLACK COMMUNITY OF LOS ANGELES BECAUSE PROFITS FROM THAT DRUG TRADE WERE SUPPORTING THE NICARAGUAN CONTRAS. TODAY ON DEMOCRACY NOW WE BRING YOU EXTENDED EXCERPTS OF THAT HISTORIC HEARING, CHAIRED BY SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.