Congress plans to scrutinize Plame-related issues

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N256066.htm

Congress plans to scrutinize Plame-related issues

WASHINGTON, July 25 (Reuters) - Congress will conduct a series of hearings on national security and espionage issues raised by the CIA-leak controversy surrounding senior Bush adviser Karl Rove, officials said on Monday.

The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence plans hearings on potential national security threats posed by leaks, including leaks to the media, and will aim to toughen legislation barring the unauthorized disclosure of classified information.

"It's time there's a comprehensive law that will make it easier for the government to prosecute wrongdoers and increase the penalties that hopefully will act as a deterrent," said Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan, the panel's Republican chairman.

Media leaks and the covert status of espionage officials have become politically charged issues with the controversy over Valerie Plame, whose identity as a CIA agent was leaked in 2003 after her diplomat husband Joseph Wilson accused the White House of exaggerating intelligence to justify the Iraq war.

<</SNIP>>

[skip fox]

1. Fantastic. It could be better, but in this climate it's pretty good.

May it keep the story a bit nore alive so they can't just say "old news" after indictments are issued or a damaging report comes out.

:toast:

[sabra]

4. I agree. But I am still trying to figure out the catch!

As it is being headed by a Republican...

[Up2Late]

9. Most likely, the catch is the RePukes get to make a LOT...

...of False and misleading statements that can be repeated endlessly on the Cable "news" echo chamber.

And since they control the hearings (and the amount of TIME they give to Congressional Democrats and any witnesses that disagree with them) they can get their "talking points" out there, without any REAL rebuttal.

The Democrats in Congresses biggest problem is, it's very hard to discredit a bunch of half-truths, in a very short period of time and if you don't control the Television Media.

[americanstranger]

22. Here's the catch.

Little said the Senate committee would also review the probe of special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, who has been investigating the Plame case for nearly two years.

They're going to use this public show of concern for leaks to defuse Fitz. Somehow, they will discredit the investigation and get Rove off the hook.

-as

[PennyLane]

41. The REAL Catch

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2005/04/11/LI2005041100879.html

So was the Roberts nomination moved up in an attempt to distract from the CIA leak scandal? And did it fail?

Howard Kurtz asked the National Review's Byron York for his thoughts.

York: "Just shows you the president's brilliance, that Roberts is not taking the heat off Rove; Rove is taking the heat off Roberts. And now we don't have the Supreme Court controversy which we thought we were going to have."

[Straight Shooter]

46. York is being silly.

Roberts was always going to be the stealth candidate, rove as an issue or not. Also bush is refusing to reveal critical documents which reveal Roberts' position, as a way of stonewalling further controversy.

"Brilliance," my ass.

[HereSince1628]

2. No matter how good the laws, you still have to catch and convict

the perps. Conspiracy in the highest levels of the government makes doing that unlikely.

[skip fox]

7. So many were involved that much will come out that the coverup won't

work

We know there were 11 contacts: 6 initial calls and 5 others, probably all confirming calls made by reporters. It becomes apparent what occurred. One administrative official discovered the Plame-Wilson-Niger relationship, took it to the White House Iraq Group, turned it over to Rove, who on the spot assigned tasks to different primary leakers/sources assuring no source called another source's contact (so as not to appear too eager), that no source's "pitch" was exactly the same but that their information was all given in an "off hand" manner (e.g., "Don't go too far out on this Wilson thing, I don't want you burnt").

Simply "doing the numbers" has told me this all along, but as new information comes out my analysis is being confirmed. We knew there were at least 6 initial leaks/contacts. Now we know that there were at least three different initial leakers (Fleicher Rove, Libby) and of the 6 reporters 4 are confirmed as Miller, Novak, Cooper, and Pincus. We also realize that there must have been a number of other confirming sources (because you cannot assure who the reporter will call for confirmation).

A master-mind would have been necessary to coordinate all these calls by different people AND would have to insure that a number of other officials were ready and willing to confirm the initial leaks.

They would have gone to Rove immediately and he, probably in an emergency of the White House Iraq Group, assigned the roles, the stories and the stances, etc.

So he not only leaked by was the mastermind of a conspiracy to leak.

We can only hope he lead a cover-up and committed perjury as well.

[HereSince1628]

13. It's still a game of the Prisoners' dilemma

Unless one of the conspirators cracks, this isn't going anywhere.

I'll readily admit that the more co-conspirators there are the more likely that at least one of them will crack.

What makes this unlike the prisoners' dilemma is that the prisoners are isolated from each other. The likelihood doesn't seem to increase linearly, it seems to be contingent on an exponent that could be called the "schooling effect." The individual likelihood of cracking due to prosecuter pressure is diluted because distributed across the size of the "school." Moreover, resistance is increased because the members of the shoal see each other being effective by remaining tight lipped.

[skip fox]

48. Well put, but the analogy is a bit different because of additional people

including aides, State Department officials, secretaries, timetables, etc.

[Independent_Liberal]

3. Kick!

[Up2Late]

5. Cool, I was just about to post this, here's another link

<http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyid=2005-07-25T203454Z_01_N256066_RTRIDST_0_POLITICS-BUSH-LEAK-CONGRESS-DC.XML>

[bemildred]

6. I'll keep my bets on the Grand Jury. nt

[skip fox]

8. Me too, but it doesn't hurt to keep pounding it. RW blogs and Fox

are either mute or only grudgingly giving the story any time (a new Republican talking-point type strategy?)

[bemildred]

10. Agreed. nt

[Robbien]

11. I really don't like the part about Robert's reviewing Fitzgerald's

investigation. Robert's review of covert agents is a joke but this Bush toady being able to get his hands on Fitzgerald's investigation is very worrisome.

[whosinpower]

18. I agree

The whitewashing will begin with a fury.

[Demeter]

12. Took Them Long Enough

They'd better sort out their priorities.

[WhiteTara]

14. WOW the hearings are out of the basement

and in the house chambers, led by a republican. This is fantastic! Okay, impeachment proceedings, here we come!!!
:woohoo::applause:

[SuperWonk]

15. I think this is now...

a bipartisan issue. This story is too big not to be taken seriously by everyone.
However, until Fitzgerald actually comes out with any results, this seems to be more of a media firestorm than anything else.

I can't wait for the results, though!

[WhiteTara]

19. me either.

This is how Watergate developed and maybe even Iran/Contra. Little leaks, bigger leaks, hearings, realizations, and in Watergate, then impeachment proceedings, that began slowly, tediously and then John Dean testified and it was all over.

The pressure has to be kept up everyday. I watched Nixon turn into a lunatic. I can't imagine what is going to happen to chimpy and rove. I wonder if chimpy will get drunk in public or rove will come out and try to shoot someone. Look for bruises. The backroom is gonna get hot!

:popcorn:

[bemildred]

16. A good point. Progress is being made. nt

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

17. Will the law include tough penalties for treason?

Just askin'....

[The_Casual_Observer]

20. Isn't this against the rules in a "time of war, when our troops are in

harms way?"

[Trillo]

21. Good timing!

The Plame/Rovegate outrage needs to be ground finely and completely in the various wheels of justice.

[Buford Pusser]

Congress plans to scrutinize Plame-related issues

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/bush/articles/2005/07/25/congress_plans_to_scrutinize_plame_related_issues/

Notice the spooky last paragraph, snipped below: Republican Senator Pat Roberts is gonna INVESTIGATE FITZGERALD.

(For the sheer self-serving hypocrisy of this GOP move, see TPM at http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2005_07_24.php#006156


Congress plans to scrutinize Plame-related issues
By David Morgan | July 25, 2005

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Congress will conduct a series of hearings on national security and espionage issues raised by the CIA-leak controversy surrounding senior Bush adviser Karl Rove, officials said on Monday.

* * * .

The chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence could hold hearings on the use of espionage cover soon after the U.S. Congress returns from its August recess, said Roberts spokeswoman Sarah Little. Little said the Senate committee would also review the probe of special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, who has been investigating the Plame case for nearly two years.

Buford Pusser

[54anickel]

23. Investigate the investigator? wtf?...eom

[Auntie Bush]

33. It's their sneaky way of finding out what goods Fitzgerald has on them

so they can get an early start on a counter offensive/attack and plan their smear campaign. They are looking for a reason to fire him. They're also looking for something to complain about and distract the media from Rove. Those bastards are going to find something to fowl up the results of Fitzgerald's investigation. I bet Rove is behind the scene pulling the strings. We can count on that.

[joemurphy]

24. It's time something is done about Pat Roberts

Doesn't Kansas have anything better to put up than this repulsive Bush lickspittle?

After refusing to look into the DSM and reneging on his promise to investigate the uses put to intelligence in the runup to the Iraq War Roberts now gives us an investigation of an investigation. America thanks you, Senator Roberts.

I'm so angry right now I need to take a break before I start waxing into expletives.

[emulatorloo]

25. PAT ROBERTS is either the dumbest person ever born or a bold-faced liar

to paraphase Judge Milian of the People's Court.

It is time for this BushBot to testify/spout his talking points under oath to Fitzgerald or shut up and go back to Kansas.

[mod mom]

26. So basically even special prosecutors appointed by conservative republican

, Ashcroft, are suspect if their results question the bu$h administration. Can anyone say FASCISM!

[nookiemonster]

27. My good senator, grab your ankles.

'Cause this is going to be the probing of your political ass.

Bring it on, ratfuckers.

[evermind]

28. Hi! You've posted a duplicate.. Even without donating, you can search

Latest Breaking News as follows:

go to the LBN forum, click search, at the top.

(It won't work if you search from the Lobby, Latest, or Greatest pages).

Helps avoid dupes, which they're strict on in this particular forum..

The earlier thread is at: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1653214

[joemurphy]

29. Perhaps we should investigate the investigation of the

investigation of the investigation of the investigation of the investigation of the investigation of the investigation...well, you get the idea.

[mod mom]

30. Do you ever feel like Alice in Wonderland? nt

[joemurphy]

32. Yeah, all the time. And our Prez is the Cheshire Cat. n/t

[Justice]

31. I suspect this will cause Fitzgerald to indict before the end of August

Fitzgerald will want to indict before the Republicans try to interfere with the investigation.

Why is Roberts investigating? What happened to the great confidence all in in investigator - let's see where this ends up?

[jaxx]

34. Another investigation..........just what we don't need.

Instead a few answers on the ongoing investigations would be nice for a change. But with the bushcos it's easier to keep opening new ones, and forget the others. Now with the grand jury happening and the info coming out of there, the WH is worried. They should be. Investigate their pants off...........after the inditements.

[Independent_Liberal]

35. I have a feeling this will lead to something big...

I don't know about you guys, but I think we're getting ready to open up a whole new can of worms.

[MasonJar]

36. Does anyone have the 800 # for the Congress? I want to either

call or e-mail this useless piece of offal.

[sabra]

37. Democratic Senators Press CIA Leak Probe

<<SNIP>>
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/26/AR2005072600008.html

Democratic Senators Press CIA Leak Probe

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- More than two dozen Democratic senators on Monday asked Congress to investigate the leak of a CIA officer's identity.

"Americans deserve a Congress that holds Washington accountable for the truth about our national security," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who authored the letter. "Can anyone argue with a straight face that Congress has time to look at steroid use in baseball but doesn't have the will to provide congressional oversight of the leak of a CIA agent's name?"


The letter, sent to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., said the disclosure of CIA officer Valerie Plame's name most likely compromised her safety.

"The United States Congress has a constitutional responsibility to provide oversight of the executive branch, whether a law has been broken or not," the letter said. "It is time for Congress to fulfill that constitutional responsibility in this matter by initiating a thorough investigation."

<</SNIP>>

[Kagemusha]

38. I thought Congress is going to investigate...

...the Fitzgerald probe. Since Fitzgerald is part of the Executive Branch.

[ngGale]

40. Me too ...read it somewhere tonight ...

with the Repubs in charge, last paragraph was telling because they were going to investigate Fitzgerald. Close to firing Fitz and sweeping it under the carpet.

[burrowowl]

39. Signed a Boxer petition

Sure as hell hope they investigate.
As Dean's book says: Worst than Watergate!

[salin]

42. I think Roberts is trying a different version of the "Saturday Night

Massacre." (Where Nixon had key players in the investigation into the Watergate breakin fired.)

He seems to be angling to investigate Fitzgerald... intimidate and/or discredit would be my guess per his motivation. Having learned a few things from the mistakes made by the Nixon administration ... my guess is that someone in the WH (now who could that be?) wants to set up a similar end effect (eventually either get grounds to "fire" Fitzgerald but not "look" like the SNMassacre, or to attempt to discredit the grand jury investigation and Fitzgerald in a way that the public stops crying for Rove's hide.)

Same end goal - just a different avenue.

And I don't think it will work, btw. Each of these moves - demonstrating naked hubris - gives bare to the public an image of a GOP machine that lives the adage "power corrupts, absoluite power corrupts absolutely"... and while the rw media echo chamber jumps on the talking points, increasingly only the blinded base follows - and more middle of the roaders get off the train.

[sattahipdeep]

43. Naked?

Patrick J. Fitzgerald began serving as the United States Attorney for the
Northern District of Illinois on September 1, 2001. Mr. Fitzgerald was initially
appointed on an interim basis by Attorney General John Ashcroft before being
nominated by President George W. Bush. The United States Senate confirmed his
nomination by unanimous consent on October 23, 2001, and President Bush signed
his commission on October 29, 2001.

Mr. Fitzgerald served on the Attorney General's Advisory Committee
from 2001-2005, and he remains Chair of that Committee's sub-committee on terrorism.
He is also a member of the President's Corporate Fraud Task Force.
In December 2003, he was named Special Counsel to investigate the alleged disclosure
of the identity of a purported employee of the Central Intelligence Agency.

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/aboutus/patrickjfizgerald.html

[lovuian]

44. Republican Congress is feeling the heat from the CIA

if they sit and cheer this treasonous bunch well the CIA will have their revenge!!! And if they try to take Fitzgerald down they will be part of this too!!!

Be VERY CAREFUL HERE REPUBLICANS!!!

[zanne]

45. "We made a mistake, but we'll never do it again".

When will we learn about these "hearings"? This is just another distraction to avoid the real issue. The pre-9/11 terrorism intelligence (We made a mistake, but it won't happen again), the false WMD reports (We made a mistake, but it won't happen again) and now Rove/Plame (We made a mistake, but it won't happen again). How can we ever hope to beat these people when we're so easily lied to?

[Supersedeas]

47. Hmmm....widow dressing the sewer?

[R Hickey]

49. Rove gets everyone off this way.

They will be given congressional immunity to testify. That way Rove, Libby, Flecher or anyone else, will be let go.