Josh Marshall Caught Something!

[julialnyc]

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/006893.php

[xultar]

1. Interesting....

[leftchick]

2. So Gellman edited his original version for today's WaPo?

or is that from a long ago entry about that date. I am confused.

[julialnyc]

4. it says more soon at the bottom

I think he'll break it down

[leftchick]

39. now on a re-reading I see what has happened. it is unbelievable!

I did not know you could access via nexus original documents like this. So I take it this was Gellman's original web posting of the story and then poof it was edited almost immediately? How dumb to think they would not be caught with (good) sharks like Marshall circling?

:)

[hang a left]

48. Someone needs to shoot this off to Fitz.

Also do a screenshot before it gets taken down.

[Old and In the Way]

3. Yes, he caught the Post doing rear guard protection for Cheney.

The SCLM correcting the record to help spin things more favorably for Cheney...

[DoYouEverWonder]

16. Funny, Matt Cooper admitted to doing the same thing today

He said he changed a story he already published to reflect what someone at the WH had wanted him to say.

[KoKo]

26. Is he admitting he runs his stories by the White House?

Where did Cooper say this? He was on with Stephanopoulis this morning but I only caught the last part of the disussion.

[DoYouEverWonder]

30. In the article he wrote for Time today

What Scooter Libby And I Talked About
Exclusive: A TIME correspondent recounts his role in the Libby case
By MATTHEW COOPER/WASHINGTON
Posted Sunday, Oct. 30, 2005


<snip>

I had no idea that that brief phone call, along with a conversation with Karl Rove the day before, would leave me embroiled in a federal investigation for more than two years and that Libby would end up facing a five-count indictment. I doubt it occurred to Libby either. That afternoon, we talked a bit on background and off the record, and he gave me an on-the-record quote distancing Cheney from Wilson's fact-finding trip to Africa for the CIA. In fact, he was so eager to distance his boss from Wilson that a few days later, he called to rebuke me for not having used the whole quote in the piece.

We updated the online version of the story, and I went on to co-author a piece for TIME.com called "A War on Wilson?," which would attract the attention of special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5221925

[KoKo]

44. Thanks for the link...I'll check it out...n/t

[julialnyc]

35. Ugh! I wish we could charge the whole Press with

criminal propaganda!

[Burried News]

38. I agree - the degree to which the press is in bed with the

administration is astounding. How is there any possibility of a viable democracy with this kind of 'cooperation'.
Coverup, lies, distortion, propaganda, shilling - we are running out of words to describe their actions.

[jasmeel]

5. Interesting- why would they delete this part?

"the vice president instructed his aide to alert reporters of an attack launched that morning on Wilson's credibility by Fleischer, according to a well-placed source."

To protect Dick?

[blm]

21. Because it proves Cheney was in the conspiracy against Wilson loop

.

[txindy]

46. And it explicitly names Fleischer, as well.

Oh, my, this is gettin' goooooooood! :evilgrin:

[TahitiNut]

23. Editors, in an abundance of caution, often require a confirmation source.

The key phrase is "according to a well-placed source" - just one. It's very possible the WaPo is gun-shy, knowing that they could get hung out to dry if this "well-placed source" is baiting them. I can easily imagine Fitzgerald burning up the printers generating a subpoena to determine who that 'source' is and whether it's the needed critical mass to indict Cheney. The firestorm at WaPo would be enormous.

[julialnyc]

6. Here's the whole thing

From the current version of the Gellman article in today's Washington Post ...

On July 12, the day Cheney and Libby flew together from Norfolk, Libby talked to Miller and Cooper. That same day, another administration official who has not been identified publicly returned a call from Walter Pincus of The Post. He "veered off the precise matter we were discussing" and said Wilson's trip was a boondoggle set up by Wilson's wife, Pincus has written in Nieman Reports.

From the original version now saved in the Nexis database...

On July 12, the day Cheney and Libby flew together from Norfolk, the vice president instructed his aide to alert reporters of an attack launched that morning on Wilson's credibility by Fleischer, according to a well-placed source.
Libby talked to Miller and Cooper. That same day, another administration official who has not been identified publicly returned a call from Walter Pincus of The Post. He "veered off the precise matter we were discussing" and told him that Wilson's trip was a "boondoggle" set up by Plame, Pincus has written in Nieman Reports.

More soon.

[liveoaktx]

10. Who else was on the plane with Cheney/Libby-was Fleischer?

[many a good man]

17. Catherine Martin

She is Assistant to the Vice President for Public Affairs, the post held by Mrs. James Carville six months earlier.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/12/20021213-5.html.

[julialnyc]

24. certainly more journalists

who may have been able to dodge the inquiry from Fitz

[DoYouEverWonder]

41. Fleischer was on the trip to Africa

on that day, I believe.

[julialnyc]

45. where in Africa?

Related?

[kentuck]

12. Rove?

Was that Pincus' source? Has it ever been reported?

[sundancekid]

22. this is HUGH1111 because it would put FukkaDick in a clear and present

dangerous position of co-conspirator (when Fitz finds conspiracy to break the law in divulging classified info to persons not entitled to receive such information), let alone instructing to violate said law ...

probably somebody at WaPo legal may have wanted some other source and/or "confirmation" before exposing themselves to libel/defamation etc. of VP

[PaDUer]

73. How do you use the Nexis database...

as stated below? Does anyone have a link and info on this? THANKS!

"From the original version now saved in the Nexis database..."

[julialnyc]

7. should we write the Post to ask why the change?

n/t

[justiceischeap]

11. Better yet we should send it to Keith O.

And every other Corporate Media outlet out there.

[julialnyc]

13. great idea

I will send to Keith O, Aaron Brown, Anderson C, ect...

[NNN0LHI]

20. Shoot it to Fitzgerald too if you have a minute

He may be interested in why the Post would do this?

Don

[fooj]

42. Yes. I think we should volunteer our time to help Mr Fitzgerald

fight for truth and justice, yes? :patriot:

We gather quite a bit of pertinent info here at DU!!!

Peace.

[DeepModem Mom]

15. It's [e-mail], [e-mail], or phone...

the ombudsman, Michael Getler, at 202-334-7582. I almost changed my sig line, but I'm afraid it stands -- Karl Rove still appears to have the press wrapped around his little finger.

[JanusAscending]

8. RECOMMENDED and

KICKED!:kick: :applause:

[still_one]

9. they will use the excuse, they needed to edit down for space

[JDPriestly]

14. Would they have printed a correction if the allegation was false?

Or would they just have changed it?

[KittyWampus]

19. would they have done the same for Clinton?

[calimary]

27. Bingo Bingo Bingo Bingo Bingo Bingo Bingo!

They need to hear this. They need to know we're onto them and that we are NOT obediently and quietly accepting what they're dishing out. We're looking at it carefully, scrutinizing it for all it's worth (doing the job their own editors are supposedly PAID to do and obviously shirking), and not blindly accepting it at face value. We're doing to them what THEY should be doing to the White House Treason-Tricksters.

[Marie26]

33. NY Times?

I remember reading that someone said that the New York Times recalled the Sunday edition of the paper at the last minute to make changes to the front page. Does anyone know what the original version was? Would these changes be in Nexis? Inquiring minds want to know!

[WiseButAngrySara]

51. I remember reading this too, though not as a main DU thread. I looked

for other posts regarding the change to the NYT's front page and couldn't find anything else. Your post just jogged my memory. Have you heard anything else?

[Marie26]

55. No, and I can't find the post now. Probably just a rumor, I guess. (eom)

[WiseButAngrySara]

66. From what I recall, a friend of a DUers has a habit of picking up the NYT'

early Sunday morning, and it was an hour earlier than usual because of the time change. When he got to the newspaper stand, there were no papers because they had been pulled (or the front page had been pulled)...Did you read the same post? Curious minds want to know!

[julialnyc]

25. if something they print is false

they need to print an apology

[emulatorloo]

18. kick n/t

[NNN0LHI]

28. How does this compare to the transcript pinned above from the NYT

I can't get the link to work now for days.

Don

[antonialee839]

29. It's hard to believe the Post was once a decent paper.

[tiptoe]

31. kick nt

[johnfunk]

32. Ruh-roh!

Gee, Scooby, you don't think that the Washington Post might be covering for Dick Cheney... or could they be?

[julialnyc]

34. What were the sealed motions handed over along with the indictment?

Sealed Motions
"otions, briefs and the like that tend to reveal the substance of grand jury records, orders and subpoenas, nonetheless, should be sealed to protect the information contained in them."
"Division attorneys should file preindictment motions, subpoenas, letters of authorization, immunity orders and the like under seal, unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary."

http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/public/guidelines/206584.htm

(found this at dkos... it was someone else's inquiry I found interesting)

[vixengrl]

36. The weird thing about that delete--

"the vice president instructed his aide to alert reporters of an attack launched that morning on Wilson's credibility by Fleischer, according to a well-placed source."

Is that all it says is that Cheney told Libby to alert reporters of Fleischers statements. I pulled the link the the July 12 press gaggle, wondering if it was, you know, juicy--

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/07/20030712-11.html

(snip)MR. FLEISCHER: Let me explain to you the President's thinking on this. A greater, more important truth is being lost in the flap over whether or not Iraq was seeking uranium from Africa. The greater truth is that nobody, but nobody, denies that Saddam Hussein was seeking nuclear weapons. He was pursuing numerous ways to obtain nuclear weapons. The United States never said that he had nuclear weapons. We have said that he was pursuing them. It should surprise nobody that Saddam Hussein was seeking to acquire the means to produce from a variety of sources and a variety of ways.

He had previously obtained yellow cake from Africa. In fact, in one of the least known parts of this story, which is now, for the first time, public -- and you find this in Director Tenet's statement last night -- the official that -- lower-level official sent from the CIA to Niger to look into whether or not Saddam Hussein had sought yellow cake from Niger, Wilson, he -- and Director Tenet's statement last night states the same former official, Wilson, also said that in June 1999 a businessman approached him and insisted that the former official, Wilson, meet an Iraqi delegation to discuss expanding commercial relations between Iraq and Niger. The former official interpreted the overture as an attempt to discuss uranium sales.

This is in Wilson's report back to the CIA. Wilson's own report, the very man who was on television saying Niger denies it, who never said anything about forged documents, reports himself that officials in Niger said that Iraq was seeking to contact officials in Niger about sales. (end of sniplet)



Um, pretty much the same GOP talking points I heard from Brit Hume this morning (wow, totally the Wanda Sykes admonition--you just gotta stick to your lie. Here it is two years later, you know?) So it *could* have meant no more than, "pretty please stay on message that Wilson's report didn't 100% rule out Iraq trying to get weapons grade uranium from Africa..." Just a reminder to stick to the talking points.

But uh, somebody sure *thought* it could be taken to mean more. That bit is veddy interestink. Also cool trivia--two days after this presser, Ari left the building. So it was like, one of his last spins. Classic.

[julialnyc]

37. Ari left 2 days after?

interesting

[julialnyc]

40. here's Rice

Q Dr. Rice, when did you all find out that the documents were forged?
DR. RICE: Sometime in March, I believe. Is that right?
MR. FLEISCHER: The IAEA reported it.
DR. RICE: The IAEA reported it I believe in March. But I will tell you that, for instance, on Ambassador Wilson's going out to Niger, I learned of that when I was sitting on whatever TV show it was, because that mission was not known to anybody in the White House. And you should ask the Agency at what level it was known in the Agency.
Q When was that TV show, when you learned about it?
DR. RICE: A month ago, about a month ago.
Q Can I ask you about something else?
DR. RICE: Yes. Are you sure you're through with this?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/07/20030711-7.html

[Rose Siding]

43. What if the specific content of the rpt was classified

Is that possible? Cuz that would be, like :wow:

[justiceischeap]

47. I emailed Barton Gellman about this–his reply

It was a long piece that came together under deadline pressure, and we rearranged some parts between editions. I also was also getting updated feeds into the evening based on the reporting of my colleagues (as credited at bottom of story). You ask a perceptive question, but because it touches a subject on which we're still engaged, with plenty of competition, I'll have to borrow Fitzgerald's dodge and "just take a dive." Stay tuned.

[grasswire]

50. good job (eom)

[Tatiana]

53. Great going! Thanks! n/t

[julialnyc]

60. great job........ but I'm not quite getting his response

updated feeds???

I need coffee!

[blm]

61. "RE-arranged" the part that contained the most NEWS??? What a crock.

.

[julialnyc]

62. and what's up with the reference to being like Fitz and taking a dive?

N/T

[julialnyc]

63. hopefully people will keep on him so he does some more splaining

N/T

[Window]

49. Hmmmmmmmm.

Kicked and recommended.


Peace

[goodboy]

52. THAT IS "INTENT" to out her, and CONSPIRACY! ARREST THEM NOW!

[SpiralHawk]

54. WTF? The post is wiping Cheney's butt crack after the shit hits the fan

The must be called to account, along with the NYT-Miller sell outs.

How about a little TRUTH once in a while, corporate media.

You are rendering yourselves more and more irrelevant.

Who needs a skewed pack of FOMA? No one.

[FreedomAngel82]

56. Very good catch

So Cheney was pretty much involved with the whole ordeal. I hope Fitzgerald knows this.

[Ioo]

57. Wow, that is a heck of a change n/t

[mestup]

58. kick

[julialnyc]

59. I keep waiting for the more soon!

Nothing yet :(

[mmonk]

64. All the reason

for the democratic party to take this track.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5226596

[julialnyc]

65. I wish we could.... but easier said than done

The only way for that tactic to be effective is if one big media took a chance a listened to us, or else our voice and our dissent wouldn't be heard. It is unbelievably frustrating figuring out how to deal with a media that is beholden to big business.

[julialnyc]

67. also this is a huge reason I really have put all my hopes on Fitz

because not only dies he seem thorough and fair, he also has a microphone and seems to come off this way to everyone.

It is hard enough to be heard,but once heard it is very very hard not to be pegged as a political operative. Look at Cindy Sheehan, she did the amazing job of actually getting people to focus on the war, but there is doubt she is perceived as just as partisan as people view Ted Kennedy. I'm sure she changed some minds by getting people to look at the truth, but when it boils down to it she is a mom who went up against the huge billion dollar media.

Fitz is different. He has a huge resume which speaks for the fact that he is a professional and has no evidence that he has engaged in a political thing in his life. If he comes back and steps to the microphone with more indictments it will be a moment where the media will have to take a good look in the mirror and ask themselves if they would dare take him on.

[Norquist Nemesis]

68. I'm confused

What does it mean that Cheney told Libby to "alert" people? What steps did Fleischer take to start an attack on Wilson?

I'm concerned that Libby's defense will be to say Cheney told him to watch it because she was classified but not worry too much because that expiration was about to pass. (really confused!!! :banghead: )

What I really don't get is...SO WHAT if Valerie Plame Wilson had ANYTHING to do with Joe Wilson going??? Why is that significant? Would Valerie Wilson have something to gain by doing that, and what? What would Joe Wilson have to gain? From my understanding, he didn't become a Kerry supporter and working on his campaign until after the character attack. :shrug:

[Marie26]

69. Cheney had a war going with the CIA

According to Judith Miller, Libby talked with her about the "perverse war" between the CIA & Bush Adm. over who was responsible for the bad intelligence about Iraq's WMDS. The CIA was not happy w/Cheney cause he was bullying them to find WMD evidence, twisting their reports, and putting neocons into key positions. And Cheney knew the CIA hated him. They were suspicious anyway of this ambassador, & when they found out his wife was CIA, they went into paranoid overdrive. I think they maybe thought the whole trip was some sort of CIA plot to make them look bad & blame them for the faked evidence. So they went into attack mode. I don't think it was as much a Democrat/Rep. thing; as much as a CIA/Cheney rivalry that provoked this.

[julialnyc]

70. CIA verses Cheney with the media manipulation brainstorm

By Rove (IMO)

[Supersedeas]

71. an attack lauched by Fleischer??

[julialnyc]

72. more like a script given to Fleisher to launch an attack

conceived from his bosses

[iconoclastNYC]

74. I hope it's not bird flu! n/t