Video Flashback: Leaker-In-Chief Condemns Leaks
Video Flashback: Leaker-In-Chief Condemns Leaks
A court filing by Patrick Fitzgerald yesterday revealed that, in the summer of 2003, President Bush personally authorized Scooter Libby to leak classified information to New York Times reporter Judy Miller as part of an effort to discredit former ambassador Joe Wilson.
A few months later, President Bush – publicly and repeatedly – condemned the leaking of classified information. He also pretended to have no idea who might be responsible for leaking classified information to discredit Joe Wilson. Watch the video from October 2003:
Transcript:
This is a town of — where a lot of people leak. And I’ve constantly expressed my displeasure with leaks, particularly leaks of classified information. And I want to know, I want to know the truth. I want to see to it that the truth prevail. [10/7/03]
I’d like to know if somebody in my White House did leak sensitive information. As you know, I’ve been outspoken on leaks. And whether they happened in the White House, or happened in the administration, or happened on Capitol Hill, it is a — they can be very damaging. And so this investigation is ongoing and — by professionals who do this for a living, and I hope they — I’d like to know. [10/28/03]
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Oh…but it’s not a leak when King dumbya does it.
At least that’s what AG Gonzales is trying to claim.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:45 amIt’s really too bad that there isn’t any accountability for this President.
I’d love to see the Democrats walk out of the House and Senate just as a protest to all of this nonsense.
If they can’t do something positive, at least do something symbolic!
April 7th, 2006 at 10:45 amI’d like to know if somebody in my White House did leak sensitive information. As you know, I’ve been outspoken on leaks. And whether they happened in the White House, or happened in the administration, or happened on Capitol Hill, it is a — they can be very damaging
The equivalent of “I did not have sex with that woman” ?
April 7th, 2006 at 10:46 amThis guy should have coined the phrase: “Do as I say, not as I do.”
Hypocrite.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:48 amIt really makes me sick to see a picture of him. Really
April 7th, 2006 at 10:49 amSee, even a jackoff like Bush can lie with a straight face. No accountablility. Thanks Congress and Senate.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:51 am#3–one big difference is that the “sex with the woman” did not affect national security. Also, the leaking was done to discredit someone calling foul on the “evidence” being provided in a run up to a war. Turns out that the someone who was calling foul was right.
But you knew that already.
These guys are shameless criminals.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:52 amThe resident lier in chief has now turned out to be a slow leaker as well….Another day ,more crap……..Blessings
April 7th, 2006 at 10:53 amgeorge w. bush is a LIAR!
April 7th, 2006 at 10:53 amI’d love to see the Democrats walk out of the House and Senate just as a protest to all of this nonsense.
If they can’t do something positive, at least do something symbolic!
More great ideas from the progressives–the movement of ideas!
Why not try and cultivate an electable candidate, that’s a good start jackass.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:53 amNixon got his walking papers for far less than this bozo. Already people are spewing the “No big deal”, “Old news” talking points.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:53 amWhen are we going to be saved from this CROOK?
W
“We don’t do torture. Of course, if I feel like it, then we can, because I’m the President.”
“Leaks are bad, let’s find the leakers. Well, I can leak, because I’m the President.”
http://www.lcoliberal.blogspot.com
April 7th, 2006 at 10:55 amBushism Alert!: LCL
Dumbya is going to be a busy boy in the next few years. Once he completes his impeachment proceedings he’ll be out of office and eligible for the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague. Monkeyboy is going to be collecting alot of frequent flier miles hopping across the pond to the Netherlands.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:57 amIf Katrina and the Port deal was a one-two punch. This is a knockout blow. You have just lost all political capital, credibility and trust with the American Public Dubya. No one president has plummetted like you have after your post 9-11 high approval rating.
Strong work. Idiot.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:57 amMore President Bush from October 7, 2003:
For more details, see:
April 7th, 2006 at 10:58 am“What the President Knew and When He Knew It”
C’mon Chase, you can defend the pretzeldent better than calling someone from the other side “jackass”. I have faith in you.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:03 amone big difference is that the “sex with the woman†did not affect national security. Also, the leaking was done to discredit someone calling foul on the “evidence†being provided in a run up to a war. Turns out that the someone who was calling foul was right.
Comment by Preznit Pinhead — April 7, 2006 @ 10:52 am
Guess I meant in terms of accountability. Since apparently lying about oral sex is impeachable, I was wondeing if the country yet considers this to be an equal measure of guilt yet. I mean, since the lack of WMD, the domestic wiretappings without a warrant, the Abrahamoff Scandal, etc. haven’t yet been enough to balance those scales of Justice…
April 7th, 2006 at 11:03 amPresident Bushitler needs some leak detector.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:03 am#10 -
Hey, Chase. Perhaps we should just take a page out of the GOP’s book.
Put up some guy who’s completely unqualified, use scare tactics and smear campaigns to get him elected, and watch the carnage wreaked while in office.
Cause that worked well with Bush.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:03 amI hope Chimpy doesn’t clog the toilet, as his Presidency goes down the crapper…
April 7th, 2006 at 11:05 amWhat a bunch of pussies in congress….the next time Bush addresses the senate, I would love to see them stand up, and turn their backs on him. Better yet, I would love to see them shout him down.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:07 am#20: Bush doesn’t use a toilet. He pisses in the face of the American people.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:10 amDoes this mean that Bush also lied to Fitz? I understand that he wasn’t under oath, yet a president lying to an investigator seems to jump that gray area completely.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:13 am#17–Yeah, I hear you. Republicans campaigned as the “accountability” party. Ha Ha. Guess that’s like Hummer advertising their vehicles getting excellent fuel economy.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:15 amYa know I could almost believe him when he says that he would like to find out who leaked this information because I really believe that he is that stupid of a person to forget that he did it. He has people read him the newspaper for C’s sake….probably dwells on the funnies a long time…especially on Sunday when they are in color.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:15 am#24 – wouldn’t that be obstuction of justice?
Although I am sure Gonzales would say that Bush could obstuct anything he wanted to cause he’s king!!!
April 7th, 2006 at 11:17 am#24, that’s an interesting point. Why don’t Bush or Cheney ever go under oath when they “testify”?
April 7th, 2006 at 11:17 amIf Republicans knew what was good for them, they would “deal with their own” and clean up this mess that has invaded the WhiteHouse.
If ever there was a more impeachable group of people, I don’t know of it.
ITMFA now!!!
April 7th, 2006 at 11:19 amWould someone out there please…PLEASE….volunteer to give this idiot a blow job so the Repugnicans have no reason to not support impeaching him?? I’ll even buy the blue dress for anyone (sparing no expense on the cost) if you would please volunteer to do this most American thing. Please?
April 7th, 2006 at 11:20 amOne parting shot and then I’m out of here. Where are our representatives.? Why the hell are they so quiet over this.? Where is the back bone and outrage.? Will no one in office start the screaming for justice.?………Blessings are needed….Strong, honest people in government should be treasured and backed by us……
April 7th, 2006 at 11:21 am[...] Mise à jour #3 : Evidemment la blogosphère libérale est sur les dents. Think Progress propose une vidéo des déclarations de Bush de l’époque. C’est mal, très mal de faire des fuites : >> Bush condemns leaks [...]
April 7th, 2006 at 11:21 amCurfew – not even for $5,000 an hour! I have never hated anyone before and I an sad that I do now. I cannot even stand to look at a picture of him or listen to his stupid voice.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:23 amWould someone out there please…PLEASE….volunteer to give this idiot a blow job so the Repugnicans have no reason to not support impeaching him??
Comment by Curlew — April 7, 2006 @ 11:20 am
Gross – that’s why. Clinton was attractive. Shrub is icky in a perverted sort of way.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:26 amCurfew – not even for $5,000 an hour! I
Comment by Jules — April 7, 2006 @ 11:23 am
Damn funny Jules!
April 7th, 2006 at 11:27 amIt’s the same old, same old. Bareface lies to the public. Double standards for his side. No accountability, due to the fact, it’s already stacked with his cronies, who whitewash everything he does. A media that is bought and paid for, to say nothing of 80% of Congress(and I’m probably being generous). Big business who feels the American citizen is here for their benefit and use. Add Bush’s motto of “I want what I want, when I want it”, we’re basically screwed. I feel Kerry let us down, McCain seems to be playing both sides against the middle. Kennedy’s getting too old for that old “fire and brimestone”, Gore got a bum deal, & Hilary seems to be trying to play the middle also. Any bright shining star, who might make a good canidate in 08, is already being smeared, lied about, and generally made to look like an idiot. The media makes or breaks you. You can’t believe the either the bad hype or the good hype. I’m an independent, and I’m not very optomistic about the future.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:29 amThe dates on the quotes are wrong.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:35 amWith every passing day we are seeing the real bush. He’s been a fake his entire life but with the cooperation of big money and the corporate press been able to fake being presidental. In plain English, he’s selfish, egotistic and arrogant. Today’s reality: bush isn’t acting…he actually believes he is above the law and he’s surrounded by idiots who are willing to encourage him to continue to believe it. Ever notice how often this clown jokes about serious issues? Sincere, dedicated and thoughtful leaders actually care about serious issues. This clown doesn’t care. It’s a joke to him.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:35 amThis admin seems perfectly capable of performing the legalistic gymnastics the Repubs used to have fits over with regard to the Clintons.
The president didn’t leak classified information, because he declassified it before it was leaked. Letter of the law? Check. Spirit of the law? Out the friggin window.
Sullivan’s take on this today is on point.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:36 amLet’s think of some of the consequences of this leak , some agents have undoubtedly been killed in other countries over this , that makes this even more treasonous . AS far as people like Chase goes , that is true , we do need more electable Dems , I’m against term limits for that reason . But when you support a president that has did this much damage to our country , and we haven’t seen the lot of it yet , and then call someone a jackass for complaining , you need taken behind the woodshed if you get my drift . Keep CHASEing your own justification for leaks .
April 7th, 2006 at 11:40 am#24, that’s an interesting point. Why don’t Bush or Cheney ever go under oath when they “testifyâ€? – - Because they’re reckless and stupid with other peoples’ lives, just not their own.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:41 amSee, he was faking “outrage” about the terrible leak back when he figured that the story would never get anywhere.
Now the story is broken into the open he and his folks, who have worn the nation down with their incessant lies..Now they can say…well if the president leaks the information it is not illegal.
If that was the cae, why, way back when didn;t the President just say..If I leak the information it is OK?
Crooks and Liars…..Bush, Cheney, Libby, Claude Allen, Tom Delay…Boy, you had these clownholes pinned way back when…
-GSD
April 7th, 2006 at 11:42 amWell Ladies, I lied, I’m stilll here, but only briefly and no one ever died over my lies. I agree with you Nancy. Jules I’m with you, theres no amount of money in the entire world that could pay me to give a BJ to this pig eyed dictator, it makes me shudder to even think of it EWWWWWWe. In fact they would arrest me if he put his arm around me like the kid in the photo op last week I’de get him with a left hook. Don’t think we would do any way, think he probably likes little boys or bloated white faced, lily hand news guys……..Sharon’s leaving the room..LOL…..Blessings
April 7th, 2006 at 11:43 amGWB doesn’t have enough integrity to resign. He hates us/US.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:44 am#30 hmm… already done?; ’secre’t visits to the WH by ‘Jeffie’ G….his tendancy to get all kissy-face with so many adult men…holding hands with old Saudis, etc. With his cowboy image and demeaning ‘nicknames’ for male underlings, I’d bet he’s a ‘bareback rider’ too. Just speclatin’ is all.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:47 amDR SINKER – well said!
April 7th, 2006 at 11:48 am28- Easier, and safer, to lie that way. I’m not a lawyer, I just play one on TV.
April 7th, 2006 at 11:56 amJust think ! If this man had not “won” the election, we would not be at war. Moms, dads, wives and children would still have their loved ones, and the country pobably wouldn’t be ridiculously in debt. I truly believe he will go down in history as one of our worst presidents. I also cannot bear to listen and look at him.
April 7th, 2006 at 12:03 pmThe MSM gave us the Clinton mea culpa, “I did not have sexual relations”…
…ad nauseum…
…The Dean Scream, “we’re going to move on to Texas, Georgia, California”…
…ad nauseum…
Anybody seen the 24/7 looping of the criminal Bushiva’s declaration?
…”If there’s a leaker in my administration I’d like to know who it is”….
NOTHING!
These corporate al Cracker sombiches in the MSM are actually attempting to HELP Bushiva…
…”the president has the authority to declasify classified information” the MSM keeps parroting that line…
If-heaven forbid- there are any future terrorist attacks let them hit Fox, CNN, and MSNBC et al…
…I despise TREASONOUS Bushite conservative inbred Republiscum, Democrats and Independents…
…may they ALL get what they TRULY deserve…
…Bush-style regime change, freedom and liberation from a preemptive adversary…
…like THEY’VE given the Iraqi people…
April 7th, 2006 at 12:06 pmJust think ! If this man had not “won†the election, we would not be at war. Moms, dads, wives and children would still have their loved ones, and the country pobably wouldn’t be ridiculously in debt. I truly believe he will go down in history as one of our worst presidents. I also cannot bear to listen and look at him.
Comment by sandra a. roatch
I am not so sure about that… Saudi Arabia attacked America on 911 and Pakistans military/scientists were selling nuke material to Lybia, Iran, and North Korea…
When pearl harbor happaned the democrats waged WWII on the people that were behind it and their allys.
If we had a REAL president we would most likely have been in a war…just not with Iraq.
April 7th, 2006 at 12:08 pmIf we had a REAL president we would most likely have been in a war…just not with Iraq.
Comment by Gerald Gibson — April 7, 2006 @ 12:08 pm
That’s it isn’t it? That’s where he got off the path of leadership and took us down a path of real terror. And we were too much in shock from the 9/11 he didn’t prevent (which a REAL president might have stopped before it happened) to know what was happening. Clever. But not clever enough. I do believe his days are numbered if the Democrats and Independents don’t screw up in November. Because I don’t think they’ve yet rigged enouigh Diebolds to steal a landslide.
April 7th, 2006 at 12:16 pmcan someone tell the editor to fix the year of those two quotes because it didn’t exist later this year but in 03! (instead of 06)
April 7th, 2006 at 12:17 pmIf Pres. Bush can “declassify” classified information, then why did he keep harping about how the leak was wrong???
You can’t claim the ability to declassify info then BMW (bitch, moan and wail) about it being done. That’s hypocrisy at its best, and outright lying at its worst.
Either way, Pres. Bush is disingenuous in his arguments, both pre- and post-revelation that he was the one who authorized leaking classified information order to satisfy his political vendetta.
April 7th, 2006 at 12:26 pmAl Franken is talking about this on Air America, if you’d like to listen in.
April 7th, 2006 at 12:27 pmRemarks By George Bush, 41st President of the United States”
Even though I’m a tranquil guy now at this stage of my life, I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious, of traitors.
April 7th, 2006 at 12:32 pmRemarks By George Bush, 41st President of the United States
Even though I’m a tranquil guy now at this stage of my life, I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious, of traitors.
April 7th, 2006 at 12:32 pmReid on C- Span. senat floor right now about the leaker………
April 7th, 2006 at 12:38 pmBecause I don’t think they’ve yet rigged enouigh Diebolds to steal a landslide.
Comment by unbelievable
I would just like to mention that any computer programmer that is/has participating in this is a BENEDICT ARNOLD and using your skills to undermine anything and everything that this countries founders were attempting to achieve.
April 7th, 2006 at 12:58 pmBush promised to bring accountability back to the Government. I guess that doesn’t apply to himself. George W. Bush is nothing more than a lying, immoral, conniving, un-Christian, incompetent person.
April 7th, 2006 at 12:58 pm#53- It was the revelation of his illegal wiretapping activities,and the existence of his secret detainment facilities, in countries that are ok with torture, and let BushCo “do it’s thing”, while looking the other way. They really didn’t want THAT information “leaked”. The Plame affair was started by him. He requested the leak himself.
April 7th, 2006 at 1:01 pm#19 – your forgot to add that the candidate needs to claim to be “Born again” even though none of his actions would in any way seem to be compatible with the teaching of Christ — unless, that is, you are talking about the “Crusades” style of Christianity.
April 7th, 2006 at 1:28 pm#30 – Would someone out there please…PLEASE….volunteer to give this idiot a blow job so the Repugnicans have no reason to not support impeaching him??
Already happened. Remember Jeff Gannon? But the Emperor Bush loving MSM wouldn’t touch that story with a six inch rod.
April 7th, 2006 at 1:57 pmSorry, had to return briefly. Question. If as they are spinning it now, Bush had made the leak and at some time declassafied the material, causing danger for the people he outed, does it mean Scooter gets to walk, scott free like the lier and chief.? …….Blessings
April 7th, 2006 at 2:02 pmI don’t think so Sharon, Scooter is charged with obstructing justice, and perjury. This charges still stand whether it was a leak, or not.
April 7th, 2006 at 2:05 pmThe experts say this is not illegal. So what’s the big F’N deal with you spineless, don’t support the troops, American hating libs! You get me so angry.
April 7th, 2006 at 2:24 pmThank’s Krazny, I have a hard time getting my brain around the following. How can a self imposed dictator cause a war against a foreign country, killing 150.000 citizens of that country, killing 2,400 of his service persons, ignore the bad guys responsible for 9/11, raid our resourses, pollute water, air, soil, attempt to sell off our country, cut all needed infastructure and safety nets, lie incessantly, abandon all the people and especialy the south, violate the constitution and still be on the news daily and walking free. Why has Libby been endicted and not Bush. What is wrong with this picture.? Can any one tell me.? When in hell are we going to make these evil people pay for what they are doing to our country and humanity,?…..Blessings
April 7th, 2006 at 2:32 pmBush is a dispensationalist.
April 7th, 2006 at 2:35 pmRay is one of the last remaining “37% ers”. Keep carrying that water, cuz nothing the Prez says or does anymore can hold water.
Ray you wouldn’t understand the problem with Bush leaking the info, it’s too complicated for you to understand.
April 7th, 2006 at 2:38 pmFor Truth, explain please….Thank’s…..Blessings
April 7th, 2006 at 2:40 pmSilly TP, leaks are not leaks if the President authorizes them in the national interest. That has been the case, by Executive Order, since 1982. It made sense then, and it especially makes sense now, during wartime.
It is ironic that the Left, and their MSM allies – who so often have complained about secrecy by this administration – are now complaining that the President authorized the release of previously classified information about our reasons for invading Iraq. I reality, the President is damned by them no matter what he does. Their complaints are meaningless, because there is no way to satisfy ther unreasonable and conflicting demands.
So whine all you want, TP. Your head is in the sad and you don’t even know it.
April 7th, 2006 at 2:40 pmPS: In this case, the President IS different from other Americans. By virtue of his executive powers under Article II, including his powers as commander in chief, a president can do things in the national interest that other people may not do. This is one of the implications, I think, of the unitary executive doctrine.
April 7th, 2006 at 2:45 pmRay Ray,
The President said that the leaking of the info was wrong, we all know it was wrong, then it’s found out the Prez authorized the leak of the info, now he says it’s OK cuz he can declassify the info. And the reason for declassifying the info, was wrong. You don’t see anything wrong with that?
April 7th, 2006 at 2:46 pmif the president was authorized to leak classified information why didn’t he just step forward and tell the country that he was the leaker and we could have skipped over all this rig-a-ma-role
April 7th, 2006 at 2:50 pmBSR, how was leaking the info a matter of “national interest”? The President himself has been consistently saying the leak was wrong and the leaker should be brought to justice, etc. And in the spirit of your logic, Bush should have asserted his Executive abilities from the get go, and said that he declassified the info as a matter of “national interest”. A solid majority of Americans do not feel this was in thier interest, and Bush lied all along about it because it was a matter of his own personal interest, not national interest.
April 7th, 2006 at 2:51 pmThe issue is not over can Bush classify, or de-classify this info. The issue is, Bush made a number of strong statements about finding and punishing whoever was responsible for leaking the information in the first place, and as it turns out he was the leak. How does that work? Why wouldn’t he at the start of this whole mess save the taxpayers some money, and just say “hey I told scooter to tell Wilson”? I would think because he sent out information for no other purpose then to harm someone who was pointing out that the “facts” Bush was using to push the war in Iraq were wrong. Pure partisan politics. so much for bringing dignity and accountability back to the white house.
April 7th, 2006 at 2:51 pmIt’s an abuse of Executive Powers, I know the Right can’t see that, as abuse is a normal occurrance for them.
April 7th, 2006 at 2:56 pmW is not going to “tell” anyone that he did it, just like Clinton “I did not have sex with that woman”, wagging his finger. Give me a break! Clinton was so busted with that lie. Most Americans didn’t care that he lied to save his own hide. Bush is just protecting his Terrorist Surveillance Program. Because of all y’all who have nothing better to do, we just exposed our whole spy program. Now do you think those Muslims are going to be talking on the phone since they know you big mouth dems just gave away our secrets?
How unpatriotic.
April 7th, 2006 at 2:56 pmSharon,
It’s not too complicated for you to figure out, I hope I have explained it adequately.
Blessings to you too!
April 7th, 2006 at 2:57 pmNot sure how lying about a leak he created is designed to protect the warrantless wiretapping thing, but whatever you say Ray. Next time I would try for coherency.
April 7th, 2006 at 3:00 pmYep! most of you got it. It’s all about his own personal vendettas, including the presidency, war, big business, bankrupting our country all of it. He’s not dumb, just plane evil. He wanted to show daddy bush he was better than him at any cost. What a terrible cost of our people and the world…..Blessings
April 7th, 2006 at 3:00 pm#77 Ray,
Can you help me see the connection between Bush telling us he declassified this info in the first place, and the spy program? Declassified info is Declassifed info, we all can now obtain the info, so using your logic, Bush’s behavior was damaging to National Security. The spy program seems like a seperate issue. Besides the terrorists knew not to use electronic forms of communication for long before the illegal spy program came to light. If not, why haven’t we caught Bin Laden? Bin Laden was on to it years ago man.
April 7th, 2006 at 3:04 pm#77 sez…… “Bush is just protecting his Terrorist Surveillance Program.”……by leaking classified information? That doesn’t make a lot of sense
April 7th, 2006 at 3:15 pmif the president was authorized to leak classified information why didn’t he just step forward and tell the country that he was the leaker and we could have skipped over all this rig-a-ma-role
First, if the information is declassified it’s not a leak.
Second, the President is not required to conduct all Article II executive activities in public, just to satisfy the unreasonable demands of the Left.
In this case, it was in the national interest to set the record straight about Joe Wilson’s lies and accusations – one of which was that the CIA sent him to Niger on behalf of the Vice-President. It turns out that this assertion, along with most of the material aspects of Wilson’s imaginary tale, was false.
The public disclosure via the press, that Wilson was sent to Niger without any administration input, and that his mission did nothing to undermine the reports by British intelligence of Iraq’s efforts to buy yellowcake, were important because they were the truth. Unfortunately, the Left doesn’t care about the truth. They only care about bashing America and bashing Bush.
April 7th, 2006 at 3:22 pmhttp://www.thinkprogress.org/2005/11/16/smears-lies-videotape/
Can’t wait for the sequel.
April 7th, 2006 at 3:45 pmBSRedneck,
You’re still shopping those long debunked myths? Son, you’re as dumb as a bag of rocks, and just useful. Get a life LOSER, and learn to read something other than newsmax. You’re sounding more and more like someone who should be hospitalized for a psychotic episode.
And I suggest you go read the congressional 9/11 report – unintentionally it completely debunked all of the crapolla you’re selling.
April 7th, 2006 at 3:57 pmBlue State Redneck,
Here’s the actual report http://intelligence.senate.gov/iraqreport2.pdf#page=54 and sorry child, but they prove Wilson was right – and the British Intelligence reports were bogus nonsense – much like yourself.
Were you always this DUMB, or did you have to work at it?
April 7th, 2006 at 4:00 pmHe’s not as dumb as you Lyin Ryan.
Here is a piece from the Opinion Journal of WSJ today that illustrates why the left is full of crap:
Well, here is how the filing (PDF) by special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald describes what happened (page 23):
Defendant [Libby] testified that the Vice President later advised him that the President had authorized defendant to disclose the relevant portions of the NIE [National Intelligence Estimate]. Defendant testified that he also spoke to David Addington, then Counsel to the Vice President, whom defendant considered to be an expert in national security law, and Mr. Addington opined that Presidential authorization to publicly disclose a document amounted to a declassification of the document.
In other words, this was an authorized disclosure of information, the opposite of a leak. Yet the Times, the Washington Post and even the New York Sun (albeit only in a headline) call it a “leak.”
These reports have served as pornography for the Angry Left, which has constructed an elaborate fantasy world around the Plame kerfuffle. One reader shared with us his reverie about how this is actually a signal that Fitzgerald plans to indict Vice President Cheney.
In fact, it is nothing more than a battle over procedure. Libby is seeking to compel the prosecution to turn over certain information to the defense; Fitzgerald is resisting. Among the information Fitzgerald has so far refused to turn over, by the way, are the two facts supposedly at the center of the case: whether Valerie Plame was a covert agent (extensive evidence on the public record comes close to proving that she was not), and who “leaked” Plame’s identity to columnist Bob Novak.
More than anything else, the whole kerfuffle is a reflection on the way anti-Bush animus has fed into the adversarial culture of post-Watergate journalism in America. First the New York Times beat the drums for a special prosecutor to investigate who provided accurate information to reporters, albeit supposedly in violation of the law. Among the results: A Times reporter went to jail.
Now we witness the astonishing spectacle of newspapers trying to spin a scandal out of a legal disclosure of information to the press. GayPatriot aptly describes it as “the Orwellian worldview of Bush-haters where releasing facts means having something to hide.” Maybe we can’t expect better from political partisans, but journalists are supposed to stand for the neutral principle of the public’s right to know. If they pervert that principle in the pursuit of a partisan program, they will find it harder to assert it when it serves their purposes, whatever those purposes may be.
April 7th, 2006 at 4:19 pmHello Ryan, good to see you back on a regular basis. In reading the trolls posts it reminds me of the comedian Ron White’s latest stand up. You can’t fix stupid. Their posts made a believer out of me. Think most of them need to put more water in their cool aid…..Blessings
April 7th, 2006 at 4:20 pmDefendant [Libby] testified that the Vice President later advised him that the President had authorized defendant to disclose the relevant portions of the NIE
correct me if I am wrong. But doesn’t this statement mean that Libby released the information, before being told by Cheney, that Bush had said it was okay. Notice the termlater advised
any opinions?
Ben, once again if the information was declassified, why did Bush not come clean with the public, and save the taxpayers the cost of this investigation?
April 7th, 2006 at 4:25 pm“He’s not as dumb as you Lyin Ryan. Ben”
How would someone as stupid as yourself, and with such an inability to distinguish reality be in any place to judge something that requires intellect and sophistication? BenDover, you’re just a moron fascist apologist – just like every other little fascist of the reichwing extremist movement. You’re as unamerican, and uncivilized as they come. Just go join the Taliban and take the rest if the Christo/Judeo reichwing terrorists with you.
This administration didn’t ‘release facts’, they released a combination of misinformation, distortions and what should have been private information about the identity of a covert CIA group. If you actually believe it’s good leadership for the president to destroy a key agent, and a key security group within the CIA on a personal and political vendetta – then you’re definitely dumb enough to be a republican. But then again, you always ‘take it for the team’ don’t you?
And my favorite part of the NYT reporter fiasco, is that she’s a REICHWING reporter. I call that karma! The NYT gets rid of a poisonous propagandist, and we get to see exactly how little republicans care about security or a valid set of reasons for invading another country.
But to all but the ‘faithful 400′ like yourself, republicans look like inept, corrupt and incompetent fools. Keep taking the delusion pills – it’s helping to ensure that you guys lose power for DECADES.
Oh, did you miss the fact that 3 ohio election officials were INDICTED yesterday for FIXING THE OHIO RECOUNT? You guys sure are consistently corrupt – and who is it that ‘hates’ again? Oh yeah – that would be you LOSER.
April 7th, 2006 at 4:34 pmSharon, Thanks.
Yeah, they’re delusional idiots. Too lazy to seek the truth, and too stupid to care that they don’t know it. Stupid is, as stupid does, and we’ve seen a lot of stupid does in the last 5+ years.
April 7th, 2006 at 4:36 pmUnbelievable, how many more crimes are we going to allow these murderers to get away with??
April 7th, 2006 at 4:36 pmIllegal War and all the deaths American and Iraqui that came with it, Domestic spying, torture of detainees, kidnapping of innocent civilians, plain thievery, shooting someone in the head, Haliburton contracts and now PLAIN TREASON.
How hasn’t he been impeached yet???
Ladies and gents we have a TEFLON PRESIDENT!!
Ryan do you have a link to the ohio recount, I would like to read the article?
April 7th, 2006 at 4:37 pmDid anyone else see, the AP poll has bush down to 36%. Even the ‘faithful’ are peeling off like a rotten onion. On scummy layer at a time.
I guess he hasn’t gone to the http://democrats.senate.gov lately. There’s plenty of plan – there’s just a complete press blackout and refusal to cover it.
Hey Judd, why don’t you do some linking and references to the democratic plans – isn’t that relevant news? They keep saying democrats don’t have plans – but the site is just full of them…
April 7th, 2006 at 4:39 pmHey Judd, why don’t you do some linking and references to the democratic plans – isn’t that relevant news? They keep saying democrats don’t have plans – but the site is just full of them…
Comment by Ryan Neat — April 7, 2006 @ 4:39 pm
That’s a great idea. Howard Dean was on CNN saying that there needs tobe uniformity in the Democrats sharing that plan. Would be good to see it in other places.
April 7th, 2006 at 4:43 pmKrazny,
Yeah, here you go.
http://www.cleveland.com/election/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1144312870224340.xml&coll=2&thispage=1
Basically the 3 conspired to find a hand full of districts where the hand and computer count matched without anyone knowing they did this. Then when the ‘random recount’ was supposed to occur – they randomly selected only the districts they had pre-tested, and none of the districts that showed problems. The Ohio recount requires that they randomly select a handful of districts and if there’s a discrepency, then a FULL recount is required by law. They rigged the recount sampling to avoid the full recount that should have occurred. And they were caught and indicted for their crime.
Yet another example of republican election rigging. It’s a sad day for our democracy. Two stolen elections in a row.
April 7th, 2006 at 4:44 pmRyan
thanks
April 7th, 2006 at 5:03 pmTwo stolen elections, 2 lied about invasions, too many examples if ineptitude and scheming to the point of treason so —– the let’s divert attention to demonizing Cynthia McKinney!
April 7th, 2006 at 5:22 pmOh, did you miss the fact that 3 ohio election officials were INDICTED yesterday for FIXING THE OHIO RECOUNT? You guys sure are consistently corrupt
http://www.cleveland.com/ election/ plaindealer/ index.ssf?/ base/ cuyahoga/ 1144312870224340.xml&coll=2&thispage=1
There are a number of problems with your “stolen election” conspiracy theory. These include (1) the absence in the article of any suggestion that the election was fixed; (2) the clear import of the article that Cuyahoga County election workers were motivated by a desire to avoid a lengthy hand recount, rather than to achieve a particular electoral result; (3) the absence in the article of any references to party affiliation; and (4) the absence in the article of any suggestion that these people’s actions in any way affected the electoral outcome in Ohio.
Last time I checked, Cuyahoga County was heavily Democratic. As a matter of fact, Kerry beat Bush in that county by over 225,000 votes. The Board of Elections there is half Republican and half Democrat, and the Director of Elections says that the precincts chosen for review were selected by one Republican and one Democrat. By the way, he also denies that there was any effort to alter the electoral result in Cuyahoga County.
Absent proof that these people were all Republicans, and that they connived to change the outcome of the Ohio election results (pretty hard to do in a Democrtatic county), your “stolen election” conspiracy theory is just another case of fever swamp nutball disease. If the charges in this indictment are prove (and so far they have not been proven), it’s far more likely that this is just another example of lazy govenrment workers scheming to avoid doing their jobs.
April 7th, 2006 at 6:57 pm“These include (1) the absence in the article of any suggestion that the election was fixed BSR”
Fixing the ‘recount’ is FIXING THE ELECTION you retarded RUBE. The whole point of the election recount process is that if there is a statistical problem, you RECOUNT. By FIXING the recount selection – they subverted the recount process and FIXED the outcome instead of allowing democracy and a proper recount decide.
“(2) the clear import of the article that Cuyahoga County election workers were motivated by a desire to avoid a lengthy hand recount, rather than to achieve a particular electoral result; BSR”
Clear import? Or CLAIMED import. How can you possibly KNOW their motivation, and do trust the word of 3 people who committed a crime to defraud an election?
Do you honestly believe that if the election had swung the other way you wouldn’t be screaming about this? Of course you would – because you’re a HYPOCRITE.
“(3) the absence in the article of any references to party affiliation; BSR”
The recount was run by Blackwell – a republican. It’s pretty obvious what their party affiliation was. And even if it they were democrats – this is a SUBVERSION OF DEMOCRACY and the TRUE outcome of the election was stolen.
“and (4) the absence in the article of any suggestion that these people’s actions in any way affected the electoral outcome in Ohio. BSR”
Boy you’re STUPID – of course the affected the outcome, the FIXED it in favor of Bush. The purpose of the recount is to DETERMINE the outcome, and not to FIX it.
Wow, you really hate american values, and the democratic process don’t you? Why worry about the terrorists – you clearly don’t value american values any more than they do?
April 7th, 2006 at 7:48 pmBlue State Redneck,
Kathy Republican Grier was the MANAGER OF THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS FOR CUYAHOGA.
When the manager of the process is a republican, it’s pretty clear what ‘motivations’ really were behind stopping a recount. The same motivations that prevented one in 2000. It’s because the republicans lose when scrutiny of ballots get involved. If you can’t win, you steal – it’s the fascist way.
April 7th, 2006 at 7:56 pmBush is the BIGGEST LIAR and the worst president the USA has ever had in office.
April 7th, 2006 at 8:30 pmWhen is the American public going to stand up and say “ENOUGH”!
Clinton lied for a BJ. Bush lied for a full tank in his SUV.
Who’s the real man here? ^_^
April 8th, 2006 at 12:29 amThe experts say this is not illegal. So what’s the big F’N deal with you spineless, don’t support the troops, American hating libs! You get me so angry.
Comment by RayFromGA #65
x-RayFromalCrackaville,
What “experts” moron?
Get your tongue out of Bushiva’s a*s and READ!
…Bushiva’s pappy passed an Executive Order making it “illegal” to reveal the name of a covert CIA operative…
…stop watching the Fox Propaganda network, and uncross your beady eyes you inbred retard TRAITOR!
April 8th, 2006 at 9:52 amThe public disclosure via the press, that Wilson was sent to Niger without any administration input, and that his mission did nothing to undermine the reports by British intelligence of Iraq’s efforts to buy yellowcake, were important because they were the truth. Unfortunately, the Left doesn’t care about the truth. They only care about bashing America and bashing Bush.
Comment by Blue State Red #83
Blue State inb’Red,
You sick imbecilic turd…
…the Fox Propaganda network is NOT, I repeat “NOT” a “news organization…
…obviously you’ve been persuaded by their slick productions and taken in by their misinformation…
…the Niger-Iraq yellowcake assertions by the TRAITOR Bushiva are false!
…the so-called Italian intelligence documents upon which this lie was based have been proven forgeries…
…the rest is history…
…as for you, it’s obvious…
…Bushiva could order your families raped by dogs…
…and you would praise him…
…you deserve nothing less than- like the faithful DOG you are…
…to be buried with your “EMPEROR”…
April 8th, 2006 at 10:02 am