Isn't 'Plamegate' about 'playing politics?

[harlinchi]

If Plamegate, the outing of a covert CIA officer in response to a negative op-ed by her husband, was simply 'political hardball' then can it not be defined as playing politics? Hasn't every action taken by this administration been just that? If the advance toward war in Iraq was accelerated to impact the mid-term elections then wasn't THAT playing politics? Isn't giving speeches where forest-destroying industries are rewarded while displaying a 'Healthy Forests' banner or those where the destruction of Social Security is discussed while displaying banners that say "Saving Social Security' playing that game as well.

What action taken by this administration was NOT playing politics? Why, then, does the GOP constantly accuse the Democratic party of the offense? More to the point, why do they appear to get away with it?

[nookiemonster]

1. It's called projection.

Accuse the other side of doing exactly what you're doing.

It's their M.O. Always has been.

[harlinchi]

2. I know. I just ask myself these questions to relieve the uneasiness.

Unfortunately, y'all get to hear me ask them!

[leveymg]

3. There's politics and then there's felony crimes. There's a line, and Bush

Administration officials seemed to ignore it or pretend they were had some sort of grant of immunity from the consequences. That isn't just business as usual.

BushCo made its most aggregious transgression when it screwed around with the professionals inside the intelligence community.

These guys do not play by the rules, and the career CIA, the FBI and the Pentagon are making sure they pay for it.

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

4. I am afraid they've succeeded in deluding much of the nation into

believing that illegal, immoral, unethical behavior is just "politics."

There is likely always going to be corruption, but they've institutionalized it and made it seem "normal."

Sometimes I get the impression that "journalists" like T. Carlson never learned the difference. I don't know his history, but he seems to have been shaped way too much by the Crossfire experience.

Talk loud, lie at will especially if you can get away with it. State everything in inflammatory terms for maximum emotional value, never mind the cold hard facts.