Snow Falsely Claims ‘There Was Not Much Investigation’ Of Clinton’s Pardons
Snow Falsely Claims ‘There Was Not Much Investigation’ Of Clinton’s Pardons
Yesterday, White House spokesman Tony Snow was asked if the USA Today op-ed he wrote was an attempt to justify the President’s extraordinary clemency order with a “Clinton did it too” argument:
REPORTER: Tony, why do you … in your op-ed today you brought up the Clinton pardons, as well. Do two wrongs make a right? Is that the idea, like if Clinton did wrong …
SNOW: Well, this is … no, this is not a wrong, but I think what is interesting is perhaps it was just because he was on his way out, but while there was a small flurry, there was not much investigation of it.
Snow’s contention that “there was not much investigation” of Clinton’s pardons is an apparent attempt to preclude any congressional inquiry into Bush’s actions, particularly whether it was appropriate to extend clemency to an aide who has “knowledge that could incriminate his bosses in the White House.” The House Judiciary Committee has a hearing set for July 11 on the issue.
Furthermore, Snow is dishonestly distorting the facts when he says there “was not much investigation” of Clinton’s pardons. In fact, there was substantial investigation:
01/20/01: On his final morning in the White House, President Clinton grants 140 presidential pardons and 36 commutations.
2/08/01: The House Government Reform Committee, headed by Dan Burton, launches hearings into Clinton’s last-minute pardons.
2/14/01: Pardon hearings begin in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by Republican Orrin Hatch.
2/15/01: Manhattan U.S. attorney Mary Jo White, in conjunction with the FBI, launches a criminal investigation into all the Clinton pardons.
2/23/01: Manhattan U.S. attorney Mary Jo White announces her office is investigating commutations Clinton granted to four Hasidic men from upstate New York.
2/27/01: Clinton waives his claim to executive privilege, saying three of his former aides are free to testify before the House Government Reform Committee.
3/01/01: Former aides John Podesta, Beth Nolan and Bruce Lindsey testify for an entire day before the House Government Reform Committee.
3/11/01: Pledging continued investigations into the pardons, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott says Congress must not “walk away” from the work of pursuing Clinton.
3/13/01: Attorney General John Ashcroft asks White to expand her current investigation into some of President Clinton’s pardons to include all 177 of the last-minute clemencies and commutations.
In total, the investigations into Clinton’s issuances of executive clemency took over a year to conclude. The House Government Reform Committee didn’t release its final report until March 2002, well over a year after President Clinton left office. The Justice Department didn’t close its investigation, in which it concluded “it wasn’t appropriate to bring charges against anybody,” until June 2002.
It’s hard to see how over a year of multiple inquires could be characterized as “not much investigation,” but then again, Tony Snow has never appeared too concerned with getting his facts right when it comes to defending his boss.
UPDATE: Jeralyn has more on the congressional hearings into Clinton’s pardons here.
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Give it up TP
July 6th, 2007 at 12:10 pmdoes anyone know if lying gives you cancer?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:11 pmWhy can’t the White House fact check before they say stupid shit?
Oh I know, because facts don’t matter. They usually have a liberal slant.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:13 pmFU Flake-o
We’re taking this country back..
July 6th, 2007 at 12:14 pmCaption:
“I have exactly this much credibility.”
July 6th, 2007 at 12:14 pmSnow dishonest? No! (enough sarcasm to choke a horse)
July 6th, 2007 at 12:15 pmSnow falsely claimed something? Stop the Presses!
It’s a common GOP tactic. Do something unethical and say “Clinton Did it Too!“.
It’s a cheap variation of “It’s Clinton’s Fault!!!“….
July 6th, 2007 at 12:15 pmAl Jr has some drugs to help with cancer.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:16 pmWeed , vicodan, what do you need Fan?
Tony isn’t as dumb as you may think. The more this guy lies, the more you spend time on reporting and uncovering his lies, the less time you spend on the original truth. If you report on why his lies are lies you are distracted from reporting on why the truth was not told.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:16 pmThe White House is in self-destruct mode. The skeleton closet was way overstuffed and finally crashed open. This is what happens to an administration that relies on secrecy and deceipt. Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”. GWB was given power and went on to fully reveal his character. He sewed the wind and is inheriting the whirlwind. Impeach Bush and Cheny and Save the Constitution.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:17 pmWhat? You thought Phoney McSnowjob was going to take a day off from slinging the shit? Sorry, no rest for the truth-impaired.
Better check your facts, Phoney. You don’t want to accidentally cite one.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:18 pmAl Jr has some drugs to help with cancer.
Weed , vicodan, what do you need Fan?
Comment by Flaco
Poor flacko,
He has nothing to say except to talk about the son of someone NOT running for office. That is proof that he is in his last throes of Troll insurgency!
July 6th, 2007 at 12:20 pmThis “Clinton did it too” crap by Tony Snow and the White House is not going to wash. What Clinton did is nothing in comparison to what Bush has been allowed to get away with. We’re talking Watergate territory compared to someone’s infidelities.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:21 pmFacts have a Liberal Bias, Flaco.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:21 pmComment by Garf — July 6, 2007 @
Yeah, since when do WH Press Secretaries write op-ed pieces in newspapers, and then spend time at WH Press briefings discussing their own work?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:21 pmWH Press briefings are supposed to be communications from the administration regarding policy and actions. Or the lack of either, whtever the case may be.
Maybe this is what Tony meant, when one of the conditions of his hire was that he gets to be a “player”.
Not only is Tony Snowjob a mere flack, but he’s a partisan a-hole from Fox “News” to boot, which mean’s he’s an ideologuge who is used to telling lies in order to bolster his extreme held views.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:22 pmHis word isn’t worth a sh*t.
His children should be so proud to have him for a father.
“Oh I know, because facts don’t matter. They usually have a liberal slant.”
Yeah, a strange but true fact about facts nowadays…they indeed have by nature a liberal slant.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:22 pmI guess The Snowflake’s going to go down lying, isn’t he? He looks horrible and is still obviously lying his fool a$$ off for a buck. Now I call that real “prostitution”.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:23 pm#8
Al Jr has some drugs to help with cancer.
Weed , vicodan, what do you need Fan?
Yeah, good thing those Republicans don’t do drugs.
cough…Limbaugh…cough
July 6th, 2007 at 12:23 pmcough…Haggard…cough
cough…Bush family…cough
Tony Snow-occhio’s nose is growing! He’s a blathering fool at this point whom absolutely no one listens to. He’s become a national “joke”!
July 6th, 2007 at 12:24 pmIf you had to lie non stop for a living you would be full of cancer too.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:24 pmFlaco, the partisan hack:
TP is not going to give it up until Bush/Cheney/Rove are out of office. And then, TP will hold the DEMOCRATIC President to an even higher standard.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:25 pm“Yeah, a strange but true fact about facts nowadays…they indeed have by nature a liberal slant.”
Comment by CONservative
Accentuated by the (fact) that liberals tend to lean towards the truth…
July 6th, 2007 at 12:25 pmAnd reporting Snowjob’s lies only enlightens more individuals…..imagine all of those tv’s being snapped off in unison?? What a sound that must make when this ahole takes to the podium.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:25 pm“Fan_of_man,
Tony Snow and Laura Ingram both consevatives, both huge lairs and both got cancer. MMMMMMMMMMMM make you wonder.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:25 pmAl Jr has some drugs to help with cancer.
Weed , vicodan, what do you need Fan?
Comment by Flaco
Wanna discuss the adventures of Ronnie’s spawn or maybe Cheney’s daughter’s life choices or any number of misdeeds, oddball stunts, and or youthful indescretions of all prominent members of all politic stripes. Perhaps Al jr, will be allowed to fall back on “When I was young and irresponsible, I was young and irresponsible” Whatya say? I realize it has nothing to do with the thread. But you obviously have nothing there so why not hijcak it for some dumb lameass other nonissue
July 6th, 2007 at 12:25 pmYou know, since Republicans keeps using the “Clinton did it” defense for Libby, I say we offer to do the exact same amount of investigation this time as was done when ‘Clinton did it.’
July 6th, 2007 at 12:26 pm#14
Facts have a Liberal Bias, Flaco.
Comment by Robert
July 6th, 2007 at 12:26 pm——————————–
And felons vote Democratic…hehehe
I know Flaccid’s bizarre Al Gore III fetish pretty much renders his comments irrelevant (as if his actual comments didn’t render themselves irrelevant), but I can’t rsist:
Just what exactly do you propose TP give up, Flaccid?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:26 pmClinton pardoned 141 people - most of which were favors for either votes, money, or in McDougal’s case - silence. IT would take about a year to look at all Clinton’s pardons, especially the FALN terror pardons.
Bush commuted the sentence of ONE man who was the subject of a left-wing witch hunt. Look at it all you want. When you nominate Hillary, we’ll review the 141 again.
TP Hate Machine - for your own good, let it go. You will lose this one badly.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:27 pmOn these Pardons, four words, Bush Sr Iran-Contra
#8
Al Jr has some drugs to help with cancer.
Weed , vicodan, what do you need Fan
I want some of what Noelle Bush had!
July 6th, 2007 at 12:27 pmWell, precedent has been set. To follow the fine example that the Republicans set for us, we should investigate the Libby commutation for at least two months.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:28 pm#25 - then how did your beloved mouthpiece, Elizabeth Edwards get cancer? Sicko.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:28 pmFlaco,
“And felons vote Democratic…hehehe”
Except Scooter right?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:28 pm#21 Vato: Snowjob IS a current “case study” for the mind/body effects of disease. He’ll someday be making history - albeit, not in the fashion he’d hoped. Instead, the deleterious effects of a life of corruption and lying and how it infiltrates and contaminates the body from the cellular level will be Tony’s “only” claim to fame -
July 6th, 2007 at 12:28 pm, I was young and irresponsible†Whatya say? I realize it has nothing to do with the thread. But you obviously have nothing there so why not hijcak it for some dumb lameass other nonissue
Comment by dbadass
July 6th, 2007 at 12:28 pm——————————————–
Do you think of the Bush twins?
Bush commuted the sentence of ONE man who was the subject of a left-wing witch hunt.
Comment by You Don’t Have the Votes — July 6, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
And…there were those other 112. But hey, who’s counting?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:29 pmso you are pro-drug flaco? good for you… then you at least support medical mary eh? its a start!
July 6th, 2007 at 12:29 pmthe little ones are playing today…
July 6th, 2007 at 12:29 pmToilet Paper: “Yesterday, White House spokesman Tony Snow was asked if the USA Today op-ed he wrote was an attempt to justify the President’s extraordinary clemency order with a “Clinton did it too†argument: ”
“Clinton did it too”?
An absurd premise on its face, since unlike Clinton, Bush didn’t sell pardons to the highest bidder, didn’t pardon terrorists to aid a colleague in a Senate race, didn’t pardon fugitives from justice in return for campaign donations, and didn’t pardon all manner of friends, relatives, cronies and campaign contributors to his library, defense fund and wife’s campaign. All because, in his own words, “just because he could.”
And Bush did it in the light of day; he didn’t try to quietly sneak them through at the last second.
Clinton did it “too”? Please.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:30 pmThe WH setting the bar at “Clinton level”?? Do none of these people understand the irony and the hypocrisy in that?
Tony acts like he’s in a vacuum and there is no documentation of the facts on this one. Maybe he should explore the power of “The Google”?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:30 pmFull Pardon for Scooter!!
July 6th, 2007 at 12:31 pmPresident Bush do the right thing!!!
so you are pro-drug flaco? good for you… then you at least support medical mary eh? its a start!
Comment by Fan_of_Man — July 6, 2007 @ 12:29 p
No flake-o is the reason we always said stupid people don’t need drugs.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:32 pmThe WH setting the bar at “Clinton level�? Do none of these people understand the irony and the hypocrisy in that?
Comment by Toss these losers — July 6, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
Setting the bar at the Clinton level?
DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Sorry, there was no bar at the Clinton WH.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:32 pm# 30 Bingo dude!
July 6th, 2007 at 12:33 pmYou are stirring up the moonbats early today.
Do you think of the Bush twins?
Comment by Flaco — July 6, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
No not much. Do you? They are just young people living lives. They seem sort of shallow but I don’t know them personally. The older one might become someone of merit in time but how the hell should I know.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:33 pm#37 - Did Bush ever take $$ for pardons? Did he pardon terrorists to aide his wife’s political ambitions? Did he pardon people so his wife’s brothers could make $$?
Not to mention liberals didn’t care when Clinton lied under oath before a federal grand jury to obstruct an investigation into a civil suit of sexual harrassment.
Liberals are hypcrites and LIARS. But, please keep playing the pardon card. Conservatives thank you.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:33 pmYou Don’t Have the Votes,
“TP Hate Machine - for your own good, let it go. You will lose this one badly.”
Wrong. There are substantive differences here.
MacDougal actually did time in prison. Including 7 weeks of solitary confinement. Are you arguing that she wasn’t the victim of a partisan witchhunt? Conservatives like Tucker Carlson have now said that the Clinton impeachment, and all the crap that surrounded it, were a mistake.
“Bush commuted the sentence of ONE man who was the subject of a left-wing witch hunt”
Bush commuted the sentence of ONE man who was the subject of a investigation intot he outing of a covert CIA operative who was working on WMD issues inside Iran. Which could be considered a treason like crime. He served, (and will serve no time) for obstructing that investigation and lying to a federal grand jury. These are crimes designed to subvert our justice system. They are serious.
You are subscribing to the two wrongs make it right defense. Good for you.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:33 pmComment by You Don’t Have the Votes — July 6, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
Funny we had plenty in 06, and 08 looks great!
Jake!
July 6th, 2007 at 12:34 pmFull hardon for Scooter!!
President Bush do the tight ring!!!
Comment by Flaco — July 6, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
July 6th, 2007 at 12:34 pmAn investigation into President Bush is without merit. This is one commutation, many months before the President is due to leave office, while Clinton slipped-in a massive 177 pardons and commutations before running out the back door. That was a more calculated, controversial move on Clinton’s part.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:34 pmSpit take
Ever hear of the non-existent Kurds that were gassed by some non-existent chemical?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:35 pm#45 - as they deserve to be stirred up. The left is shameless in their attack on Scooter Libby. I can only imagine if Clinton was sentenced to jail for lying under oath. I can hear the word “fascism” already!
July 6th, 2007 at 12:35 pmPresident George W. Bush has pardoned 14 criminals, including several drug dealers and a man convicted for bombing a coal mine, but he refused to pardon two …
http://www.corruptionchronicles.com/ 2007/ 01/ pardons_for_drug_dealers_jail.html
Heckuva job POppY!!
July 6th, 2007 at 12:36 pm#49 - Not so sure ‘08 will look great when Hillary wins the nomination. It will actually look bad.
AND we have the five votes we need on the Supreme Court. Hopefully, we’ll get another.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:36 pm#37 - Did Bush ever take $$ for pardons? Did he pardon terrorists to aide his wife’s political ambitions? Did he pardon people so his wife’s brothers could make $$?
Bush pardoned to keep Skippy from rolling over on him while skippy was sitting in prison..not to bright are you jake?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:37 pmI did not follow politics when Clinton was impeached or at the time of his pardons. I could not have cared less about politics. But I knew Clinton had a controversial pardon just from the chatter.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:37 pmLive Earth first! Doobies second!
July 6th, 2007 at 12:37 pmComment by You Don’t Have the Votes
Have you had your anger management session yet today? If not, I would suggest immediate intervention. Your projecting so much hate and anger towards anything you don’t understand can be bad for your health, Dude/Dudette.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:37 pmI can hear the word “fascism†already!
Comment by You Don’t Have the Votes — July 6, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
I’m for sure that you have no idea what “fascism” is. Here is a link to a dictionary. http://www.dictionary.com. Please use it from time to time.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:37 pmI can only imagine if Clinton was sentenced to jail for lying under oath.
He was acquitted and fined by a republican led congress =) plus a loss of his law license for several years. Monica also got hot with Perjury and Linda Tripp for illegal listening device
July 6th, 2007 at 12:38 pm#59 - I am being accused by the TP hate machine of promoting anger and hate. UM - ok. Obviously, you can’t argue facts so go after my character.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:39 pmEver hear of the non-existent Kurds that were gassed by some non-existent chemical?
Comment by Flaco — July 6, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
Neither did the US gov when it happened. In fact it was really no problem at all. Moral highground is rarely high until some hypocrite wishes to claim it as such
July 6th, 2007 at 12:39 pmIt’s relative to the amount of investigations that will sprout up against this administration. Yello Snow is correct in comparison.
CT, you may not like it much, but the investigation is warranted. Libby is convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice. He has blocked those who want to know the truth. That truth may lie inside the White House.
Don’t you want the truth to come out, or are you going to stay in the cave and look at the shadows?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:39 pmNot your character, just your postings here. And I am not a member of any TP hate machine. Stop projecting about MY character.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:40 pm#61 - My point is the left’s hypocrisy on the Libby pardon is just too cute. If Clinton were a Republican, we would have to resign. Yet, they are ready to hang Libby and Bush for the same offenses. The partisan hypocrisy is dumbfounding.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:41 pmSpit take
Ever hear of the non-existent Kurds that were gassed by some non-existent chemical?
Comment by Flaco — July 6, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
????
What the hell does that have to do with anything I said?
Flaccid, don’t you have any friends that can keep you from posting and doing meth at the same time?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:42 pmAND we have the five votes we need on the Supreme Court. Hopefully, we’ll get another.
Comment by You Don’t Have the Votes — July 6, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
Good, because you’re to stupid to realize they’re voting against all Americans, and voting for the corporate masters. If you think any of the votes they have made are good for America, you’re a stupid christian who’s been told how and what to think for far to long.
Notice the increasing crime rate in America? Why is it not getting front page news on the “liberal” media?
So keep taking from those who have nothing left to lose, and someday they’ll come taking what you have, even if it’s just your water.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:43 pmPresident Ronald Reagan pardoned 393 in eight years!!!
Wooo WOOOo
July 6th, 2007 at 12:44 pm#64
Then the special prosecutor can continue his investigation. Congress doesn’t have to step in and make it political.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:44 pmBush commuted the sentence of ONE man who was the subject of a investigation intot he outing of a covert CIA operative who was working on WMD issues inside Iran.
Comment by Crump’s Brother — July 6, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
There WAS no “outing” of a “covert” CIA operative. Which is why no charges have ever been filed for such an offense. Because there WAS no such offense.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:44 pmEver hear of the non-existent Kurds that were gassed by some non-existent chemical?
Comment by Flaco
Yeh, Rummy looked the other way to the Aqaba pipeline…
July 6th, 2007 at 12:45 pmRight Wing defition of “hate” when used to describe TP, Media Matters, Olberman, etc:
“Hate” - to report facts and/or document the words and actions of conservatives.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:45 pmThere was not much investigations of Bush Srs. pardons, he was out of the loop.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:47 pmPatrick Fitzgerald,
Using your “logicâ€, JFK was not assassinated since no one was ever officially charged with the assassination.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:48 pmMy point is the left’s hypocrisy on the Libby pardon is just too cute. If Clinton were a Republican, we would have to resign. Yet, they are ready to hang Libby and Bush for the same offenses. The partisan hypocrisy is dumbfounding.
Comment by You Don’t Have the Votes — July 6, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
Can you understand the difference between a president being charged by a partisan prosecutor and then acquitted by a bi-partisan body versus a high-level Republican administration official being investigated and charged by a Republican prosecutor (apponted by the Republican administration), found guilty by a jury of his peers and sentenced to serve a term in line with federal guidelines by a Republican-appointed judge?
Sure. I knew you could.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:48 pmBush commuted the sentence of someone who could potentially incriminate him in outing a CIA agent. It’s called obstruction of justice and he should be impeached for it.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:49 pmWhat it comes down to is the fact that Clinton didn’t commute the sentence of a convicted felon to squash an investigation into his own office like President Bush just did at the behest of D. Cheney.
It is treasonous and an insult to the laws of this country.
Now you trolls chant the FoxNews mantras all you want.
But just like their writers, you’re running out of material and time.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:49 pmThe reason no-one was charged with the underlying crime,
was because “Scooter” lied and obstructed justice in the
July 6th, 2007 at 12:52 pminvestigation. He stonewalled for the OVP and all your
key talking points and Tony Snow’s snow jobs wont change
it.
The question right wingers can’t answer:
WHY DID LIBBY (an attoney no less) LIE? WHY? WHAT”S THE POINT OF LYING IF YOU AREN’T COVERING SOMETHING UP?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:53 pm#61 - My point is the left’s hypocrisy on the Libby pardon is just too cute. If Clinton were a Republican, we would have to resign. Yet, they are ready to hang Libby and Bush for the same offenses. The partisan hypocrisy is dumbfounding.
Comment by You Don’t Have the Votes — July 6, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
HAHAhHhHHAHAHAHAHAHA
Funniest thing I’ve read today. Talk about partisan hypocrisy. If only the Dems could do to Bush what the Repukes did to Clinton. LOL
Keep’em coming and I’ll be laughing at you all day!
July 6th, 2007 at 12:53 pmSusan MacDougal actually served 22 months in tough prisons, locked up 23 hrs per day. No luxury prisons like the Watergate criminals. And Whitewater was a big nothing.
Republican John Dean long ago said this administration’s crimes are worse than Watergate. He should know.
So was Iran-Contra. So was IraqGate. So was October Surprise.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:54 pmAnd Reagan’s was BY FAR the most corrupt administration in U.S. history–before this one.
The Reagan gang were the first in history to have over 100 their members charged with crimes. They were the first to have a sitting cabinet member indicted, the first to have an Assistant Secretary of State indicted, the first to have an Assistant Secretary of Defense sent to prison, etc., etc.. More members of the Reagan Administration were charged with crimes than the cumulative total of all other presidents in the twentieth century. Now that’s corruption!
Compare this sorry record with the much-maligned Clinton Administration. Despite all the sliming, the Clinton people wound up with fewer convictions and forced resignations than any two-term administration since Herbert Hoover.
The Reagan administration was so corrupt, they would sometimes rack up more convictions and forced resignations IN ONE DAY than the Clinton Administration managed in its entire eight years.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:54 pmPatrick Fitzgerald,
“There WAS no “outing†of a “covert†CIA operative. Which is why no charges have ever been filed for such an offense. Because there WAS no such offense.”
Well Mr. Fitzgerald, you obviously have not read your own remarks on the matter. I’ll refresh your memory for you.
On February 3, 2006, court papers were released to the public pertaining to arguments held a year earlier before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia regarding the need for testimony from Judith Miller and Matt Cooper. Also released was a August 27, 2004 affidavit of Patrick Fitzgerald. In the affidavit, Fitzgerald states “[Judith Miller’s] testimony is essential to determining whether Libby is guilty of crimes, including perjury, false statements, and the improper disclosure of national defense information.” In a footnote to that argument, Fitzgerald writes:
“If Libby knowingly disclosed information about Plame’s status with the CIA, Libby would appear to have violated Title 18, United States Code, Section 793 [the Espionage Act] if the information is considered “information respecting the national defense.” In order to establish a violation of Title 50, United States Code, Section 421 [the Intelligence Identities Protection Act], it would be necessary to establish that Libby knew or believed that Plame was a person whose identity the CIA was making specific efforts to conceal and who had carried out covert work overseas within the last 5 years. To date, we have no direct evidence that Libby knew or believed that Wilson’s wife was engaged in covert work. ”
Once Libby decided to obstruct justice and not tell what he knew, he shut down the investiggation. It is because of his stonewalling, that no one was charged with the elusive ‘underliying crime’.
Further she was covert. As was confirmed by the DIRECTOR OF THE CIA.(God I wish you people would let this talking point go. You are trying to change the facts by trumpeting an outright false hood.) Here’s his statement:
On 1 January 2002, Valerie Wilson was working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as an operations officer in the Directorate of Operations (DO). She was assigned to the Counterproliferation Division (CPD) at CIA Headquarters, where she served as the Chief of a CPD component with responsibility for weapons proliferation issues related to Iraq.
While assigned to CPD, Ms. Wilson engaged in Temporary Duty (TDY) travel overseas on official business. She traveled at least seven times to more than ten countries. When traveling overseas, Ms. Wilson always traveled under a cover identity–sometimes in true name and sometimes in alias–but always using cover–whether official or non-official cover (NOC)–with no ostensible relationship to the CIA.
At the time of the initial unauthorized disclosure in the media of Ms. Wilson’s employment relationship with the CIA on 14 July 2003, Ms. Wilson was a covert CIA employee for whom the CIA was taking affirmative measures to conceal her intelligence relationship to the United States.
Got it?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:55 pmIf Clinton were a Republican, we would have to resign. Yet, they are ready to hang Libby and Bush for the same offenses. The partisan hypocrisy is dumbfounding.
Is it just me? or does that not make sense?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:56 pm#72
Ever hear of the non-existent Kurds that were gassed by some non-existent chemical?
Comment by Flaco
Yeh, Rummy looked the other way to the Aqaba pipeline…
July 6th, 2007 at 12:57 pm——————————————————————————-
Kinda like horny Bubba with the 800,000 dead Rwandans
Yeh, Rummy looked the other way to the Aqaba pipeline…
——————————————————————————-
Kinda like horny Bubba with the 800,000 dead Rwandans
Comment by Flaco — July 6, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
Didn’t like the response to your original moronic irrelevant question, eh?
July 6th, 2007 at 1:01 pmLet me make one thing perfectly clear: there is a pro-adminstration talking point that claims the failure to file charges against anyone for leaking the name of a CIA operative proves that no crime occurred.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
As I made clear in several official filings with the court, it is indisputable that Valerie Plame was a covert operative with the CIA and that the disclosure of her identity as such was a breach of national security.
Mr. Libby’s lack of full disclosure short-circuited an important investigation and obscured the truth. He quite simply obstructed justice, and a jury agreed with this charge and convicted him on it and three other serious charges. The statute under which a leak of a covert operative identity falls has a difficult threshold of proof to meet, and it is irresponsible of any prosecutor to pursue charges that he believes cannot be proven. False testimony is one factor that can cripple a case to prove guilt in such circumstances.
Those who perpetuate the false impression that lack of charge or conviction means no crime occurred are either partisan hacks or logic-challenged shallow thinkers.
Thank you.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:01 pmFlaco,
“Kinda like horny Bubba with the 800,000 dead Rwandans”
Again with the Clinton did it too/two wrongs make it right defense.
come on Flaco, show some originality.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:01 pmFlaco,
Can you EVER defend the love of your political life George W. Bush without bring up Bill Clinton? Does it ever dawn on you how PATHETIC that is?
July 6th, 2007 at 1:01 pmEver hear of the non-existent Kurds that were gassed by some non-existent chemical?
Comment by Flaco
Those peace loving non existant Kurds with the pictures of the moms and babies.
TheKurds were in the process of taking northern Iraq as their new Kurdistan. They wanted the oil fields and the leverage they would bring them.
Saddam shouldn’t have killed the civilians, or used the gas we helped him develop, but, that is what a dictator does.
But they weren’t sitting around and singing Kumba-yah. They were taking part of Iraq in an uprising.
What do you think would happen if the Southeners decided to form their own country in the south? oh, we know the answer to that one, don’t we.
Ever heard of Sherman and Atlanta?
July 6th, 2007 at 1:02 pmPresidential pardons need to stop.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:07 pmTheir main purpose is to sidestep criminal prosecutions of elected officials by creating scapegoats which in the end are pardoned for their offenses.
F*ckin’ bullsh*t corruption at work RIGHT IN OUR FACES.
Poor Flaccid. his Party has left him high and dry with no decent talking points, so his comments are getting progressively more absurd. Which is quite a feat, since he was really pushing the envelope already when he was at his best.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:11 pmDemocrats had the opportunity to invest Presidential Pardons in 2001, and pass any needed amendments.
Instead, they decided to stonewall to protect their slick hero!
July 6th, 2007 at 1:11 pmAnd…there were those other 112. But hey, who’s counting?
Might as well go back to Carter and the thousands of Vietnam dodgers.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:12 pmThis is totally off topic, but the gassing of the Kurds occured in 1988 during Iraq’s war with Iran and the Kurds in that area sided with Iran. Of course it is wrong to kill civilians. The Reagan/Bush administration lied and said that Iran did the gassing. Rumsfeld probably sold Saddam the chemicals.
The question was whether or not Iraq had WMD in late 2002/early 2003. The experts there said no and the Bush administration many times said they most definitely did.
Wilson said the yellowcake from Africa claim in the SOTU was false because he was the one who investigated. Cheney and Bush ordered retaliation. Libby and others carried it out.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:13 pmWe didn’t go into Rwanda because they are not sitting on our oil.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:15 pmFriday is apparently “Unforgivably Stupid Troll Day.” Oy…..
July 6th, 2007 at 1:17 pmHey Zooey
Head not too cloudy is it? Heard Boise could hit 107 degrees. Seriously!
July 6th, 2007 at 1:19 pmWe didn’t go into Rwanda because they are not sitting on our oil.
Comment by Keith G. — July 6, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
I heard that referred to as “The black stuff was above the ground, not below it”
July 6th, 2007 at 1:21 pm#95 Might as well go back to Carter and the thousands of Vietnam dodgers.
Comment by m12
Hey @ssClown! A couple of comments! I am a combat veteran of Vietnam and came back and helped stop that illegal war and find the ones that refused to go are heroes! And you don’t have the right to criticize them unless you served, OK?
And, it was a Repug, Ford who did it!
July 6th, 2007 at 1:21 pmmost of the draftdodgers are Conservatives
July 6th, 2007 at 1:23 pmMy best friend Wayne LaPierre (NRA) told me he got a friendly doctor to say he had a “nervous condition”. He told me it was not true.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:25 pmI agree with Flaco on the pole position. Tony Snow has as much credibility as Tim Russert and anyone else associated with MTP. He is another version of Cloaca.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:25 pmHey Zooey
Head not too cloudy is it? Heard Boise could hit 107 degrees. Seriously!
Comment by Keith G.
Clear as a bell, Keith! I had fun last night. :)
Yeah, I heard that too. Wow. Fortunately, I’m about 5 hours north of Boise. We’re supposed to hit 95 today.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:25 pmyou’re lying again tony - what a sad way to make a buck
July 6th, 2007 at 1:27 pmMy best friend Wayne LaPierre (NRA) told me he got a friendly doctor to say he had a “nervous conditionâ€. He told me it was not true.
Comment by Keith G.
That guy is your friend? He’s quite a gun guy.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:28 pmHe is another version of Cloaca.
Comment by the fly-man
**snort**
July 6th, 2007 at 1:29 pmI should have said he was my best friend from 1965-72. We went to the draft physical together in 1972. I had a high # and he had a low #.
He was way to the left back then. Totally flipped in order to get a job with the NRA. Used to talk about the gun nuts. Never touched a gun. Was on the committee to shut down his university in May 1970. Today lies about where he went to school his last two undergrad years.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:32 pmZooey,
I was just joshing bout the bad head. It’s about 60 degrees here (rub it in).
July 6th, 2007 at 1:33 pmThus far in his pResidency Mr. Bush has pardoned 113 people (as of June 29 2007
You can see a partial list on Wikipedia;
http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ List_of_people_pardoned_by_George_W._Bush
The list includes drug users, gun runners, tax evaders, takers and givers of bribes, defrauding the U.S.
Clinton did it too. So does every pResident. The difference with Scooter is they are obstructing Justice. They are protecting the members of a conspiracy to commit treason.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:47 pmThat’s the difference between all the crooks any President pardons, and Bush (including Daddy Bush) pardons. When you pardon someone who has knowledge of a crime committed by the Pardoner; thats obstruction of Justice.
Like Father like dim son.
RE; gassing of Kurds. U.S. made chemicals, and logistic support from GHW.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:50 pmSaddam was GHW’s ally
really like the line of argument: “well what he did was worse!” I think my 3rd grade teacher cured me of that one.
favorite past time of the Bush admin- Change The Subject.
if this is what the Republicans let continue to stand for their party, than they deserve to be blasted out of office asap. pathetic.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:50 pmDaddy Bush pardoning Casper Weinberger ended the investigation into himself for his part in Iran-Contra. Profits from illegal weapon sales to Islamic terrorists going for illegal weapons for Christian terrorists.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:51 pmHe was way to the left back then. Totally flipped in order to get a job with the NRA. Used to talk about the gun nuts. Never touched a gun. Was on the committee to shut down his university in May 1970. Today lies about where he went to school his last two undergrad years.
Comment by Keith G.
That’s truly an amazing switch. I wonder how he lives with himself? Nervous condition…..please.
I was just joshing bout the bad head. It’s about 60 degrees here (rub it in).
Comment by Keith G.
Not nice! It’s almost 11 a.m., and it’s 81 degrees. Nice breeze right now.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:52 pmThe reason no charges were filed (yet) by Fitzgerald against the conspirators, is that Libby (Rove and others) lied to obstruct the investigation.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:53 pmThe facts are “top secret” or as Cheney says “treated as secret”
Pardons are supposed to come after appeals process has been exhausted, not before it begins.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:54 pm#79 Since Scooter effectively halted the investigation further up the chain of command by his lies (obstruction of justice), now a special prosecutor can finally go up that chain and nail the real criminals who committed this treason. I’ve heard some rumors about the individual who may continue now that Scooter’s out of the way….
July 6th, 2007 at 1:54 pmDaddy Bush pardons a felon and TERRORIST…Orlando Bosch
Orlando Bosch
1. (1968 convicted for taking part in a bazooka attack on a Havana-bound Polish freighter docked at the Port of Miami)[1]
July 6th, 2007 at 1:56 pmThe Repubs are in total distraction mode because they cannot offer a valid and ethical reason for pardoning(don’t kid yourself, it will come) Scooter.
Remember when the shrub said anyone leaking would be fired? That he couldn’t interfere with an ongoing legal issue(ie. appeals process)? Or recently, that nothing had been decided on the full pardon idea?
For the Bush boot licking crowd, no amount of BS from this Administration is too much. They can block investigations all they want, but those can continue well into the next Administration. These clowns are going down and it’s just a question of when.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:56 pmZooey, I can assure you that Wayne LaPierre knows extremely well that everything he has said for the past 32 years has been a lie. He likes hobnobbing with the powerful. And his salary today is about a million per year.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:57 pmYesterday Tony Faux’s hair was gray, today it’s brown again? Too much grecian formula causes sterility, or senility, or both.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:58 pm#116 There’s no such animal in this constitution or the laws of this country which shield an individual from the law and intentional wrongdoing regardless of what their two-bit lawyer (Gonzo) tells them. That and $4.00 will get you a nice latte at Starbucks!
Now the real question is precisely how much of Fitzgerald’s case was “preplanned” and where Patrick Fitz fits into this escapade….is he complicit? Was it all planned for Libby to lie to end the investigation? Did he know that the Dumb would pardon him regardless of the sentence he received? How much of this did Fitzgerald know? And, is Fitzgerald actually a major player in this “obstruction of justice” case against the United States??
After all, Fitzgerald IS a Bush appointee….a Republican…so enquiring minds want to know how much of this was a staged scenario planned to go nowhere in order to protect the real criminals, Bush & Cheney?
July 6th, 2007 at 1:58 pmVietnam and came back and helped stop that illegal war and find the ones that refused to go are heroes! And you don’t have the right to criticize them unless you served, OK?
And, it was a Repug, Ford who did it!
No, it was Carter.
http://www.pbs.org/ newshour/ bb/ asia/ vietnam/ vietnam_1-21-77.html
July 6th, 2007 at 2:00 pmWe may have the making here of a real thriller?? If Patrick Fitz was “in on it all” from the outset, then it all begins to make more sense. Now we will have to get another prosecutor in to pick up where Fitz left off…and perhaps Fitz will find himself being subpoenaed for his own testimony of what he knew, when he knew it, and how this masterful plan was hatched.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:00 pmI do smell a rat in the BushCheney/Fitzgerald Libby mix!
July 6th, 2007 at 2:01 pmOff Topic Alert!
July 6th, 2007 at 2:02 pmCaption:
“… and it actually grows to this size after taking of one Rush’s blue pills!”
It’s hard to see how over a year of multiple inquires could be characterized as “not much investigation,â€
No, it’s not hard to see. He’s just feeding Bush’s dead-enders something to say so that they can appear to be thinking people engaged in a debate (not that anyone is fooled).
July 6th, 2007 at 2:02 pm.
Clinton did it too. So does every pResident. The difference with Scooter is they are obstructing Justice. They are protecting the members of a conspiracy to commit treason.
That is nothing but an unproven assertion pulled out of your hat.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:04 pmThey have learned that they can put forth any lie and the MSM will not call them on it. Say any lie often enough and it becomes the truth. It’s like 1984.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:08 pmI agree about Fitzgerald being an insider. We will know for sure by whether he continues to investigate…he could give Scooter immunity, but what good is that if he faces no penalty for lying. Maybe, though, with immunity he cannot use the 5th amendment to refuse to testify. I hope it does not end here. I hope Fitz has some integrity.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:09 pmMaybe Bush will offer him a federal Judgeship (if he hasn’t already!)
Zooey, I can assure you that Wayne LaPierre knows extremely well that everything he has said for the past 32 years has been a lie. He likes hobnobbing with the powerful. And his salary today is about a million per year.
Comment by Keith G.
I couldn’t do that for $50K per year. I like my soul where it is. :)
You must be disappointed in your old friend.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:10 pmRemember, it was a “Republican Investigation” so the “Findings” were concluded in the first week and then everyone took a 50 week break for prayer breakfasts and “Torture:Your Christian birthright” self-help classes.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:11 pmSome people just don’t have a conscience. He has nothing to do with anyone who knew him pre-1975.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:12 pmI agree about Fitzgerald being an insider. We will know for sure by whether he continues to investigate…he could give Scooter immunity, but what good is that if he faces no penalty for lying. Maybe, though, with immunity he cannot use the 5th amendment to refuse to testify. I hope it does not end here. I hope Fitz has some integrity.
Maybe Bush will offer him a federal Judgeship (if he hasn’t already!)
Comment by funky p
I have full faith in Fitzgerald. I said this the other night. There has never been a single cloud on this man’s record. He has been hobbled by this administration’s lies, and cannot do his job properly.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:13 pmSome people just don’t have a conscience. He has nothing to do with anyone who knew him pre-1975.
Comment by Keith G.
Somehow I think you’re better off for it, Keith.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:14 pmFacts:
July 6th, 2007 at 2:15 pmValerie Plame was a covert agent:
Patrick Fitzgerald who is investigating the case initiated by the CIA (not the “liberal media) is a Republican appointed by Bush. He says: In new court filings, special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald has finally resolved one of the most disputed issues at the core of the long-running CIA leak controversy: Valerie Plame Wilson, he asserts, was a “covert†CIA officer who repeatedly traveled overseas using a “cover identity†in order to disguise her relationship with the agency.
Fact: Scooter and others have admitted they spoke with reporters and revealed the identity of Ms. Plame to them. Revealing the name of a covert agent (covert by Fitzgerald’s and the CIA’s admission) is against the Espionage act, and is an act of treason.
Those are facts, and I could add more facts all day.
But, none is so blind as he who refuses to see.
I don’t know–I could sure use a million.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:15 pmIn the “unclassified summary†of his memorandum which was based on information cleared by the CIA and became publicly available Tuesday, Fitzgerald provided new details about Wilson’s previously classified activities at the agency. In January 2002, she was working for the agency “as an operations officer†in the Directorate of Operations’s Counterproliferation Division (CPD) and serving as “chief†of a unit with responsibility for weapons-proliferation issues related to Iraq. In that capacity, he added, she traveled overseas in an undercover capacity.
“She traveled at least seven times to more than 10 countries,†the document states. “When traveling overseas, Ms. Wilson always traveled under a cover identity … At the time of the initial unauthorized disclosure in the media of Ms. Wilson’s employment relationship with the CIA on 14 July 2003, Ms. Wilson was a covert CIA employee for whom the CIA was taking affirmative measures to conceal her intelligence relationship to the United States.â€
July 6th, 2007 at 2:18 pmWhat’s that I hear trolls? Silence. Crickets?
July 6th, 2007 at 2:21 pmI believe her CPD also included Iran.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:23 pmYes Keith, she also worked on Iran. I have seen reports that they sought to discredit Plame because she knew the truth about WMD in Iraq, and now Iran; or should i say the lack of?
July 6th, 2007 at 2:29 pmFlacko, m12, You don’t have the votes, and the rest of you … ‘conservative debaters’
================================================
Were all the things you keep accusing Clinton of doing (Lying under Oath, Last-Minute Pardons, involving himself in foreign wars, etc.) Bad Things?
Comment by Jeremy — July 5, 2007 @ 5:58 pm
Well, speaking for myself, I have only pointed out that Clinton lied, was involved in many suspicious pardons (way worse than what Bush did with Libby) used drugs, and stuck a cigar inside of an intern while he supposed to be working,
to answer your question, yes, but some were worse than others.
Comment by Mr. President — July 5, 2007 @ 6:06 pm
Ah…25. Answered while I was asking. OK. Then…here’s my big question. Why do you support Bush doing those exact same things? :)
Comment by Jeremy — July 5, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
=================================================
The bottom line is that if you keep screaming the Clinton Did It Toâ„¢! defense as if that excuses Bush from his wrongdoing, you and the people you support are shown to be transparently flaunting the law. It’s the same as a boy pouting and saying, “Well, Bobby did it too. Why could he do it without paying the price?â€
“Clinton Did It Too” is a valid comment for a conscientious Conservative, but when he sees Bush doing the same damn thing (let alone worse), his first words should be “…and it wasn’t cool then, anymore than it is cool now. I support the investigation.”
Heey, if Bush has nothing to hide, then he shouldn’t fear the investigation, right? That’ll clear his name and he can go back to killing the Islamo-Stalinistsâ„¢, right? ;)
July 6th, 2007 at 2:35 pmGood point Jeremy. And continuing the thread of the original story, when Clinton’s pardons were investigated, he waived Executive Privilege, and let three aides testify. Contrast that with the stonewalling by the Bush Junta. Clinton, obviously, felt he had nothing to hide. What about the Bush Crime Family? They hide everything. Ever wonder why, oh silent trolls?
July 6th, 2007 at 2:43 pmI guess the facts overwhelm your feeble arguments.
I think that Tony Snow has given up any hope of being allowed to enter the pearly gates when he meets his maker. I don’t think they allow people who don’t know how to tell the truth into heaven. But, he should enjoy himself in Hell. He will be able to spend eternity with all the people he admires like Bush, Chaney, et al. He just might get there a bit quicker than the rest, but they will all be together in hell eventually.
July 6th, 2007 at 3:01 pmBoo hoo, boo hoo! Republicans are so evil. They always lie, boo hoo, boo hoo! Wait a second, it is time for me to go blow my nose and unknot my panties again.
July 6th, 2007 at 3:02 pmHe can’t help himself. He lies for a living. He honed his skills on the Faux Noise channel and now he has his white house pulpit from which to broadcast those finely tuned lies with authority and impunity.
July 6th, 2007 at 3:12 pm“I say we offer to do the exact same amount of investigation this time as was done when ‘Clinton did it.”
Yes, we need 3 1/2 years of a special prosecutor going through everything these criminals have done. I would just settle for a special prosecutor. How come the Republics got one to investigate Clinton’s lying about sex, but the Democrats don’t get one to investigate the dozens of more serious crimes committed by this president? Oh, I know, the Democratic president (that would be Clinton), allowed his Attorney General to appoint a special prosecutor to look into his activities. Now, can you see Bush doing that?
July 6th, 2007 at 3:12 pmComment by STFU — July 6, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
Good, because you’re to stupid to realize they’re voting against all Americans, and voting for the corporate masters. If you think any of the votes they have made are good for America, you’re a stupid christian who’s been told how and what to think for far to long.
Yeah, don’t you know that if you don’t disagree with Roberts’s basing his decisions on sound Constitutional principles–rather than some leftwing professor’s marxist claptrap–that it means you can’t think for yourself?
Didn’t you learn that lesson yet?
Notice the increasing crime rate in America? Why is it not getting front page news on the “liberal†media?
Do the liberal media EVER report on increasing crime rates?
No, because they fear it as an issue, since the left is weak on crime, and because they don’t believe in punishment.
Of course, there are exceptions: the liberal media will discuss rising crime if: (1) It’s near an election and they’re trying to trash a Republican incumbent; or (2) if they want to bellyache about the incarceration rate–or the “contradiction” between decreasing incarceration rates and increases in crime. Quite a dilemma. Maybe we can get some marxist professor to do a study on that puzzling phenomenon.
July 6th, 2007 at 3:53 pmUsing your “logicâ€, JFK was not assassinated since no one was ever officially charged with the assassination.
Comment by Robert — July 6, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Well, I hate picking the low-lying fruit, but in the Plame affair, there was no leak, because there was no covert agent. That’s why no charges were filed, in spite of a vigorous financial and legal effort to make such a case.
As for JFK, you may be too young to remember, but there was a body with a bullet hole in its head.
See the difference?
July 6th, 2007 at 3:57 pmWHY DID LIBBY (an attoney no less) LIE? WHY? WHATâ€S THE POINT OF LYING IF YOU AREN’T COVERING SOMETHING UP?
Comment by Robert — July 6, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
Uh, dummy, Libby was not the one who talked to the press about Plame — it was Armitage. Fitzgerald knew that, but didn’t deem that fact a crime, or he would have brought charges.
So who were these “lies” meant to protect?
July 6th, 2007 at 4:04 pmGive it up TP.
heh.
Good one Flaco.
July 6th, 2007 at 4:09 pmComment by Crump’s Brother — July 6, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
Once Libby decided to obstruct justice and not tell what he knew, he shut down the investiggation. It is because of his stonewalling, that no one was charged with the elusive ‘underliying crime’.
That’s funny–how did Libby’s “lies” prevent Fitzgerald from knowing the identity of the leaker, Richard Armitage?
Answer: It didn’t. In fact, he knew about Armitage long before Libby’s so-called “lies” were ever uttered. So that’s DEMONSTRABLY false.
Further she was covert. As was confirmed by the DIRECTOR OF THE CIA.
Except that one of the authors of the original statute, Victoria Toensing, strongly disagreed with the Director’s OPINION of her status. And she was in a far better position to know. Of course, the Stalinist inquisitors on the panel refused to allow her testimony.
Crump–save the spin.
And just tell me, who has ever been charged–not indicted, not even merely accused–but CHARGED with that offense?
Who?
Or do you libs–who defended every last criminal action of Bill Clinton, often on technical grounds–have a new standard of guilt now?
July 6th, 2007 at 4:13 pmWhat is Snow going to say when the other really heavy criminal stuff surfaces? I was in a family for more than 26 years who is part of it and their job is to launder “Drug and Gun Running†criminal money straight into property using Mortgage Fraud for those involved. By the way, the Gun Running part is already in the news (ie, Chiquita and Drummond) but many don’t know about the Drug part yet!
July 6th, 2007 at 4:14 pmDummy Patrick Fitzgerald,
Why did Libby Lie? Answer my question, dummy! You can’t.
July 6th, 2007 at 4:20 pmUh, dummy, Libby was not the one who talked to the press about Plame — it was Armitage. Fitzgerald knew that, but didn’t deem that fact a crime, or he would have brought charges.
So who were these “lies†meant to protect?
Comment by Patrick Fitzgerald
Uh, YES he was ONE of the “leakers”.
The TRIAL showed:
1. Armitage, Libby & Rove ALL exposed the COVERT Plame to the press
2. They did so at the request of Cheney in order to SMEAR Wilson. Fitz said that there was a “cloud” over the VP’s office (i.e. INVOLVED).
3. Libby OBSTRUCTED JUSTICE and kept Fitz from doing a THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. The jury AGREED and CONVICTED Libby…
And the investigation is NOT OVER YET. Fitz has over TWO YEARS more that he can STILL PROSECUTE, and CANNOT be REMOVED…
July 6th, 2007 at 4:30 pmThese people in the White House have lied to the American people about matters of life and death. And in those terrible lies over 3300 of our finest men and women have lost their lives in what is obviously a war for profit. In addition to the murdered U.S. Troops another 35000 have been wounded or maimed. And for what?…This administration is ruining our country. This administration is robbing our country. And this administration is in the process of slowly enslaving the American people. I mean come on..They put gag orders on local librarians..LIBRARIANS!…These people are completely totalitarian(NOT American)…The HATE America…But they sure do love sending us to our deaths and robbing us of our fortunes and removing our liberties. They HATE the Constitution..Don’t believe me??..Read the Constitution…Then read the “Patriot Act” or any other piece of legislation they have had their cronies pimp in Congress. If this was 1807 we would have already hanged these people after a public and open trial and with the blessing of the Nation…..
July 6th, 2007 at 4:35 pmThe trial was a trial of DICK CHENEY, by proxy…
Fitz made that CLEAR when he said there was a “cloud” over the VP’s office. Libby, Armitage and Rove ALL leaked to the press, at Cheney’s request…
Libby OBSTRUCTED JUSTICE by LYING to the grand jury to protect CHENEY.
Armitage DID leak Plame.
So did Libby and Rove at CHENEY’S request.
And Fitz is NOT DONE INVESTIGATING, and has TWO MORE YEARS if he NEEDS them, and only HE can CLOSE it DOWN.
Not even Bush can STOP him from INVESTIGATING the TRUTH about SABOTAGING NATIONAL SECURITY for political revenge…
July 6th, 2007 at 4:35 pmComment by Robert — July 6, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
Why did Libby Lie? Answer my question, dummy! You can’t.
Stop stomping your feet long enough to open your ears.
His “lies,” such as they were, consisted of a faulty memory of insignificant, immaterial events.
Again, that is a FACT, since Fitzgerald KNEW the identity of the “leaker” BEFORE Libby even testified.
And since Libby obviously KNEW that neither he nor Cheney were the source, he had no reason to lie.
July 6th, 2007 at 4:39 pmArmitage DID leak Plame.
So did Libby and Rove at CHENEY’S request.
Comment by Mr. Bush Goes To Hell — July 6, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
There’s no evidence of that, and not even an accusation of that by Fitzgerald or anybody else (the wackos on this board don’t count).
Now you’re just making it up as you go along. Of course, that’s what the left does.
July 6th, 2007 at 4:41 pmPatrick Fitzgerald,
You’re delusional and I accuse you of being Jeff Gannon or Marc Sanchez or a lover of both….Martha Stewart lied to a federal investigator…There was no insider trading ever proved..But she went to prison for LYING…She did her time in a very honorable fashion….I don’t even like Martha Stewart but she is more of man than that maggot Liar Libby…He should be in jail…You don’t have a rocket scientist to know that you are an eyewitness to blatant corruption.. We saw this same crap with Bill Clinton too…..Bill got a blowjob and defiled the oval office.. Scooter Libby was involved in a plot to betray and deceive the American People…He should be forced to be Charles Manson’s cellmate.
July 6th, 2007 at 4:50 pmPF, you are so full of your own BS. Libby committed PERJURY, convicted by a jury of his PEERS, by a Republican appointed judge no less.
No matter how many times you type it, LIBBY LIED IN A COURT OF LAW. HE is a LIAR. He got convicted of PERJURY.
You are the dishonest TROLL I have ever seen.
July 6th, 2007 at 5:00 pmThere’s no evidence of that, and not even an accusation of that by Fitzgerald or anybody else (the wackos on this board don’t count).
Now you’re just making it up as you go along. Of course, that’s what the left does.
Comment by Patrick Fitzgerald
Armitage, Rove and Libby ALL leaked at the request of Cheney…
Wrong again, RNC-paid LIAR. FACTS!!!
It is in the TRANSCRIPTS of the Libby TRIAL, so told UNDER OATH.
Something that Bush and Cheney REFUSE TO DO…
Fitz said there was a “cloud” over Cheney’s office, and Libby OBSTRUCTED Fitz’s investigation.
You need to READ the transcripts.
Google “libby trial transcripts” and learn for yourself.
If you are REALLY WILLING TO DO SO…
I doubt it.
July 6th, 2007 at 5:00 pmLibby was the victim of a partisan, liberal witchhunt. The liberals at the CIA sent a referral to the liberals at the Dept of Justice when one of their covert operatives’ names was revealed by the arch-liberal Robert Novak. The liberal prosecutor, the liberal judge and the liberal jury all conspired to convict poor Mr. Libby on these trumped up charges. Thank God for true law and order conservatives like George W. Bush who are not blinded by partisan loyalties nor self-interest.
July 6th, 2007 at 5:25 pmAttorney Scooter Libby lied to protect his bosses (Bush/Cheney) who lied us into an unnecessary war the NeoCon Utopians wanted. There is no other answer.
July 6th, 2007 at 5:26 pmAttorney Scooter Libby lied to protect his bosses (Bush/Cheney) who lied us into an unnecessary war the NeoCon Utopians wanted. There is no other answer.
Comment by Robert
CORRECT. Game, set, and match.
Everything else, such as RNC talking points are DISTRACTIONS…
July 6th, 2007 at 5:28 pmTurk Meister,
Thanks - you made my day. Those poor victims - Bush, Cheney, Libby - etc - nothing bad is every their doing. They are just selfless, humble civil servants who only want the best for the least deserving of our country.
July 6th, 2007 at 5:28 pm#
It’s relative to the amount of investigations that will sprout up against this administration. Yello Snow is correct in comparison.
CT, you may not like it much, but the investigation is warranted. Libby is convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice. He has blocked those who want to know the truth. That truth may lie inside the White House.
Don’t you want the truth to come out, or are you going to stay in the cave and look at the shadows?
July 6th, 2007 at 5:32 pmAttorney Scooter Libby lied to protect his bosses (Bush/Cheney) who lied us into an unnecessary war the NeoCon Utopians wanted. There is no other answer.
Comment by Robert
That’s your opinion. And it’s wrong.
He lied to protect his bosses from… WHAT?
There was no crime committed, so there’s was nothing to protect them FROM. If You have evidence that there was a crime, you ought to bring it to Patrick Fitzgerald’s attention. Because as far as I can tell, nobody has been accused of the crime of exposing a covert agent.
July 6th, 2007 at 6:20 pmPatrick Fitzgerald
July 6th, 2007 at 7:03 pmPost #139 above, states the facts you cannot handle. Reality check time
funky p,
PF the Denial King hates facts……He’s a liar and that is exactly why he advocates for other liars…Liars HATE AMERICA….And that is why we must hunt them down wherever they live, ,hide, rats nest or den and bring them to justice…
July 6th, 2007 at 7:21 pm.And that is why we must hunt them down wherever they live, ,hide, rats nest or den and bring them to justice…
Comment by Patrick Fitzgerald is Jeff Gannon — July 6, 2007 @ 7:21 pm
The trolls/liars have scurried into their holes. The truth in their face is like sunlight to vampires.
July 6th, 2007 at 7:28 pmA GREAT question about Libby from the RUDE PUNDIT.
http://rudepundit.blogspot.com
A Genuine Question Regarding Joseph Wilson:
Has any right-winger, in all this time, come up with a legitimate reason for there being a need to discredit Joseph Wilson by outing his wife through Scooter Libby? Because if, as conservatives claim, Wilson was demonstrably wrong in his Niger report, it seems you’d just show he’s wrong and leave his wife out of the whole damn thing. Unless…well, you know.
Anyone got an answer they can point out?
July 6th, 2007 at 8:34 pmI gotta hand it t’ old Snowjob…
…it’s got a lot more viscera than I gave it credit for…
…that cancer is still munching on it’s EVIL a*s…
…when I’d have taken bets that it would have ‘expired’ by now…
…Oh well…
…it IS entertaining…
…if not downright infuriating…
…STILL…
…I don’t guess it’ll be around to spread its TREASONOUS, corrupt…
…masters’ lies much longer…
July 6th, 2007 at 9:03 pmGood point Jeremy. And continuing the thread of the original story, when Clinton’s pardons were investigated, he waived Executive Privilege, and let three aides testify.
Clinton was no longer the Executive. He had no executive priviledge.
Patrick Leahy - “The pardon power is absolute. It is absolute for Republican presidents, and it is absolute for Democratic presidents. ” 2/14/01
Hmm…..
July 6th, 2007 at 9:44 pm