On the eve of indictments - prediction time

[Ugnmoose]

Based upon disclosure that Fitz has been investigating forged Niger documents for some time, along with other evidence of the widening of his investigation beyond the outing of CIA Agent Plame, including the collaboration of efforts with McNulty's Grand Jury, here is my prediction:

All key members of WHIG's (Cheney, Rove, Libby, Hadley, Rice)will be indicted on violations of Espionage Act and Treason against U.S. for fabricating documents and evidence presented to the U.S. Congress in an effort to bring us to War with Iraq. Depending on what was told to Grand Jury, there will also be conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury charges. Bush will also be indicted for similar charges for statements made in State of Union address. Hannah and Wurmser will be indicted, but plead to lesser charges in return for their testimony to the GJ as well as some lower level staffers. Judy Miller will also be indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice. Michael Ledeen will be tied to Franklin/AIPAC case and similarly indicted for treason/espionage. Colin Powell has turned and provided important information to GJ to help make case for treason/espionage, also much cooperation from CIA and foreign government sources.

All in all, I think the charges will be much more severe and wide ranging than anyone imagines. Stay tuned - it won't be long now.

On Edit: As an aside, Novakula flipped early on to point the finger at Rove and possibly others as well.

[sarcasmo]

1. TERRA in Chicago the day the Indictment bomb drops.

[Lancer]

2. Seems plausible -- jaw dropping, yes -- but plausible

there is no hard and fast rule that says a sitting president CANNOT be indicted, but Bush would be the first were your scenario to come true. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. :sarcasm:

[LiberalEsto]

7. They indicted Clinton

AND impeached him.

[Perky]

22. Clinton was not indicted!

[TallahasseeGrannie]

3. Whoa

If that happens DU might implode!

You really think so? All of them? Espionage and Treason?

OMG.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

4. Not to mention

that this would make Watergate seem like jaywalking.

[geekgrrl]

5. I would love for all that to be true-- what would happen if Cheney were

indicted? I know a sitting president can't be (although bushy-boy could achive the first honor), but what about Cheney? Has a VP ever been indicted?

I tend to think everyone BUT Cheney (and Bush) will be indicted. But, Cheney will follow with a resignation later on.

I am crossing my fingers that this blows the roof off the Bush Crime family!

[DelawareValleyDem]

19. Aaron Burr was indicted while VP

he faced murder charges in NY and NJ for the fatal duel with Hamilton. I believe Agnew reached a plea agreement before he was formally indicted

[stopbush]

6. You may be right. I think the leak-proof info blackout from Fitz's

office is damning. Had this been a low-level affair we would have had at least a few snippets along the way. Fitz turned Novak early and has spent the rest of the time building an air-tight and all-encompassing case.

Or...

[wtmusic]

8. Treason is "aiding and abetting the enemy"

People throw that word around a lot, but its application here is a fantasy, much as I wish it wasn't.

[hippiegranny]

9. Wow, you're thinking BIG

I can believe all except Rice and Bush. I think they'll skate.

[hiaasenrocks]

10. WOW. I hope you are correct! n/t

[longship]

11. I don't think there will be treason charges.

That's just a very large jump. Understand, that I think treason could be appropriate in this case, I just don't think that the GJ is likely to go that route at this time.

There could indeed be espionage charges, but that will likely be against the original leaker and not the whole cabal.

The big charges against everybody might be criminal conspiracy. They could do this either as conspiracy to obstruct justice (for the cover-up) or, if Fitz really has a lock on these bums, conspiracy to violate the espionage laws.

I think the majority of charges will be perjury, obstruction of justice, and the lesser conspiracy charges (which themselves are not minor charges).

[smoogatz]

12. I hate to say it, but this sounds like wishful thinking.

I think we'll see a count or two of espionage, at the most; but multiple indictments on multiple counts of obstruction, conspiracy and perjury. Six to eight Bushco functionaries will end up going to minimum security prisons for 6-18 months, where they'll play tennis, write their memoirs, and attend the G. Gordon Liddy School of Broadcasting. which will be an entirely satisfatory outcome for me. Best of all possible cases--Cheney forced to resign, but pardoned by Bush because of his health. Nixon was pardoned (so the story went) because he had phlebitis in his leg, too.

[Nay]

13. Holy shit, if that happened, I'd have to take a few days off work

to recover. I would be giggling and laughing and generally acting like a frigging mental patient.

[madokie]

18. AAH, but you too

[TallahasseeGrannie]

21. You know, that is exactly what I thought

I couldn't teach a class if this was going on. I'd have to take personal leave.

[phusion]

14. I believe. n/t

[Wapsie B]

15. Dear god in heaven

let it be so.

[Emit]

16. Let's not forget

RE your statement:

"Bush will also be indicted for similar charges for statements made in State of Union address."

Bush's 16 words in his SOTU address referred to British intelligence, and the WH, while subsequently backtracking on that whole uranium/yellow cake issue, also has repeated numerous times that Bush was relying on independent British intelligence when he made that statement.

While there is some speculation that the Brits were referring to the same forged Niger docs, they (Blair) have come out numerous times and stated that their intelligence was independent and separate from the forged Niger documents.

Until evidence can show that the Brits were involved, and/or that their intelligence was dependent on the forged Niger documents or some equally lame source, I think it will be difficult to go very far with this specific issue, technically. I do still think that the forged documents is a major issue, and should be part of the investigation, and that those who were involved should be brought to justice. I just think that by having the SOTU address be based on the Brits' intelligence gave Bush a way out.

I hope I'm wrong, and I hope further evidence will contradict the Brits' claims.

[jzodda]

17. Wow you are shooting for the whole shebang!

I doubt it will go that high. The worst thing (in the eyes of the RW) that can happen in all this is Cheney is forced to resign and Rove has to pay a big fine and resign as well. I would settle for that much too if the facts take it that far.

If it takes it higher??? Then wow we are talking huge historical event here

[deadparrot]

20. If that were true, I don't know what I'd do with myself. nt

[Perky]

23. I think we are are going to be stunned

I think Cheney is going to be indicted on Perjury charge. Perhaps not right away but before Libby goes to trial.