Scooter Dogg Gets Pounded

[H2O Man]

Judge Reggie Walton appeared to be setting limits on the defense strategy that I. Lewis Libby's attorney outlined in federal court yesterday. For many liberals/progressives, this comes as a surprise, because they had anticipated that the conservative judge would be prone to helping "Scooter" avoid facing consequences for his criminal behaviors. Before we look at some of the highpoints from yesterday's pre-trial hearing, perhaps it would be beneficial to review a couple things from Judge Walton's past.

Judge Walton is often the source of strong, negative reactions from liberals and progressives. I note, for example, that when Daily Kos member Cedwyn submitted a thoughtful study, "Libby's Arraignment Judge: Reggie Walton" (10-29-05), which documented the judge has delivered verdicts that range from good to bad, another member accused Cedwyn of being a right-wing stooge.

While Reggie Walton is not Malcolm X, neither is he Clarence Thomas. It is interesting to note that Judge Walton came from a very different world than, say, Scooter Libby and his "dream team" defense attorneys. He grew up in Donora, Pennsylvania, where he had a troubled childhood and youth. He was part of a street gang, and was arrested three times. As a teenager, he often carried a hand gun and a razor. Most of the people he hung with are now dead or in prison.

Walton himself was headed for the life of a flint-hard inmate, until an experienced changed his course. He was involved in a gang fight, where another young man was stabbed 9 times in the back with an ice pick. Walton brought the victim to an ER for treatment. He realized that if the boy had died, his life's options would also end.

Reggie Walton began to focus on his education. This proved difficult, because he had problems reading. Other students made fun of him. Walton began to find himself on the football field, and won an athletic scholarship to West Virginia State, where he was being watched by the Baltimore Colts. Then a physical injury ended his dreams of being a professional athlete.

Walton then focused on putting himself through law school. He worked part-time jobs, and put in long hours of study outside the classroom.

An article by Peter Yost in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette (11-27-05) tells of how Walton has invested a significant amount of time since he graduated college, going to juvenile detention centers, and working with young people heading in the wrong direction in life. He's not ashamed of his past, and he has not forgotten his roots. When young people tell him that there are no opportunities for them in life, he makes clear that he recognizes how hard their lives are, but that they can change.

I'm reminded of Malcolm saying that there is no shame in saying you used to be a drunk, a criminal, or used to live in the gutter -- but there is shame in saying you choose to continue to be a drunk, a criminal, and to remain in that gutter.

It can take a rigid discipline for people like judge Walton to change their lives. And that rigid discipline often translates into a lack of sympathy for those who make excuses for their criminal ways. Thus, Judge Walton has a history of being a rigid jurist, who hands out harsh sentences to those who lie to try to escape taking responsibility for their actions.

And that, of course, brings us to Scooter Libby, the child of privilege, who Yost notes graduated from boarding school, Yale, and Columbia. In yesterday's hearing, Scooter's attorney Theodore Wells laid out defense plans to attack anyone who has hinted that Scooter was involved in a plot to smear Joseph Wilson; discredit anyone who says Scooter knew Valerie Plame's identity was sensitive; and to try to make Scooter's trial for charges of perjury and obstruction of justice into a circus that showcases Wilson's trip to Niger and Bush's State of the Union address.

Judge Walton, however, is being firm but fair. He did rule that Mr. Fitzgerald has to turn over evidence regarding President Bush and VP Cheney declassifying a National Intelligence Estimate regarding possible WMD programs in Iraq. This may not help Scooter explain away the charges against him, but it will surely put the role of President Bush in sharper focus. That is important, because too often the media refers to Libby only as VP Cheney's chief of staff. He was, in fact, also Cheney's national security adviser, and assistant to President Bush. Those two roles will be as important in Mr. Fitzgerald's case as the VP's chief of staff.

Wells also noted that he is prepared to attack Wilson; he repeatedly called Wilson a "habitual liar" and said he had 5 witnesses who would testify the former ambassador had told them about his wife's CIA employment. Walton told him, "I don't know how it has any bearing on whether your client allegedly testified falsely."

Wilson later told CNN that Fitzgerald's investigation "make it very clear that the government believes several administration officials were engaged in a campaign to smear and discredit me, and it wold seem from the sounds of this that that campaign is continuing."

Wells also told Judge Walton that he planned to focus on Wilson's trip to Niger. "You want to try the legitimacy of our government going to war in Iraq," Walton replied. "I just don't intend to have this case become a forum for debating whether Wilson is right or the administration is right.... I'm just not going to let this case turn into a judicial resolution of the legitimacy of the war or the accuracy of the president's State of the Union address. .... You want to try the legitimacy of the war, and I don't see how this helps us determine whether Libby lied when he talked to the FBI and went before the grand jury."

Scooter Libby is, in my opinion, as much of a thug as the gang member who stabbed the kid in the back 9 times with an ice pick in Donora, PA, more than 30 years ago. Libby is attempting to continue his gang attack on Joseph Wilson today.

Reggie Walton has to recognize the tactics of a coward who refuses to take responsibility for his criminal behaviors. He just might be the perfect judge for this case.

[babylonsister]

1. Fascinating, H20 Man! I had no idea of the background of the

judge and really appreciate you enlightening me!

[H2O Man]

3. I have an appreciation

for angry young men who turn their lives around. (grin)

[im10ashus]

43. Then you'd get a kick out of me.

:evilgrin:

[mr_hat]

17. Shake it! (Hey, somebody hasta from time to time.)

[babylonsister]

23. LOL! I try!

:hi: :bounce: :woohoo:

[acmavm]

2. All I can say is I sincerely hope your faith in this man, who sounds like

he is an honest and decent man, is rewarded. Because we all have a big stake in the intelligence of this man to sort the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. Libby's attorney is throwing every subterfuge and distraction he can into his defense. I am very very happy that this judge has been able to see through it all.

[H2O Man]

5. While I do not share

Judge Walton's political beliefs, and am not happy with a number of his rulings, I am satisfied when he makes the effort to be fair. So far, though he has not agreed with our main man on every ruling, he has already closed the door on Team Libby on an impressive range of issues. More, he has done it in a manner that greatly reduces issues they might appeal after Scooter is convicted on all charges.

[janx]

4. How very interesting.

Excellent post. I'm glad to hear about Walton--about his humanity and his education.

[H2O Man]

8. I thought that after

yesterday's hearing, more progressives would be open to considering that even a conservative judge can do the right thing. His background is interesting. A very different cut of man than some of the conservative judges who are in bed with this administration.

[Gregorian]

6. Your efforts are really appreciated.

This was one of those times when a lot of us thought we had another scam. If I remember, Libby even tried to get a new judge. If that is true, then I think I know why. And that history of Walton is very moving and telling.
I'm so glad to be wrong on this. He obviously does not have a corporate conflict of interest like so many others in the system. And thank god for that. I'm smiling a little, again.

[H2O Man]

10. Thank you.

I think you hit the nail on the head on the corporate conflicts point. When a guilty republican is on trial, I almost always want a conservative judge -- so long as he/she is honest. None of the republicans are going to be able to sling shit at Judge Walton in the manner they would if it were a liberal federal judge.

[Grateful for Hope]

7. Sounds like Walton has a good handle on what's important

"I just don't intend to have this case become a forum for debating whether Wilson is right or the administration is right.... I'm just not going to let this case turn into a judicial resolution of the legitimacy of the war or the accuracy of the president's State of the Union address. .... You want to try the legitimacy of the war, and I don't see how this helps us determine whether Libby lied when he talked to the FBI and went before the grand jury."

This was very interesting and informative. Thank you for posting this.

[H2O Man]

11. Scooter is getting

used to hearing doors slam closed around him. That is probably good, all things considered!

[Grateful for Hope]

16. Real good..

really, really good!

:toast:

[mod mom]

9. I wish we could get a judge like Reggie Walton to hear our election fraud

case in Ohio then we could let the public know who really belongs in the WH. (plus a few more scoundrels would be wearing orange).

[H2O Man]

15. You are absolutely right.

The voting fraud cases need a conservative judge. When only liberals & progressives talk about it, we are dismissed as "sore losers" and lunatics. And that's a crime in and of itself, because election fraud -- especially in the modern-day, computerized sense -- poses the greatest threat to democracy possible. It is a poison to conservative and liberal alike. But it will take conservatives who feel social responsibility to make the "main stream" media pay attention.

[al bupp]

12. Thanks for the Overview, H2O Man

I appreciate the intelligent commentary on Judge Walton. I had no idea about the his background, and how it may effect Libby's case.

[H2O Man]

33. It continues to remind me

of the infamous March 21, 1973 conversation between President Nixon and John Dean:

Nixon: Sirica?

Dean: Yes -- it is phenomenal.

Nixon: What is the matter with him? I thought he was a hard liner.

Dean: He is. He is just a peculiar animal ....

Of course, both found out that Sirica was a very hard liner.

[Pithy Cherub]

13. Judge Walton is not outsourcing his judicial reputation or

life philosophy over to the value-deprived GOP hackery. He is establishing independent legal creds after a lifetime of having to stand up against bullies who played for blood and death. That is an illuminating portrait of a man who embraces all that he is and has no shame in telling the full story to date.

Scooter's Dawg Pound has neither the law, the facts on their side so they are pounding the stuff that isn't applicable to keep their bully client away from doing hard time in a federal penitentiary. What tattoo do you think Scooter will embrace in the coming days and weeks - it's my new game?

Fitzgerald is telling Scooter here is what the case is about and your hopes and dreams about justifying the case for an illegal war is between him and his Maker. The fact that the Judge smartly granted the NIE be shared is also because guess who the big leakers are and if more of that is leaked, the more the jury pool will be tainted. Scooter needs smart people on the jury and he is quickly limiting his options. The Judge is also setting himself up to craft some righteous jury instructions that will be all out alarming to Team Libby.

All of this leads to the eventual realization to Scooter that he needs to make a Deal. The Frog Marchee In Chief is still awaiting his fate and both of them can not make a deal with the same info. This is really going to be a be a most entertaining summer for me and a hellacious one for the GOP.

Excellent H20 Man, excellent. Let's share some :popcorn:

[H2O Man]

34. I admire people

who never forget where they came from, and who go back to attempt to serve as a bridge to bring others to a better place. Judge Walton goes places where Scooter Libby and Teddy Wells could not go, and is listened to by people who would never, ever trust a pampered lap dog like Scooter. The fact that he does this makes me think that Judge Walton may have a side that liberals and progressives will come to have some degree of respect for.

[itzamirakul]

14. Thanks for the info, H2O Man..it really adds a new perspective, but

I still have problems appreciating anyone with rw leanings.

And if there is ANY chance that Walton will be "fair and balanced" in his judicial duties, I am almost positive that BushCo will have him replaced.

[Disturbed]

22. Thanks for another informative article.

I believe that Libby is guilty on all the counts and that the GJ will find him guilty of all counts. I feel that Libby is guilty of even more crimes and that he may yet be charged with more.

[H2O Man]

35. When we think of

men like Sam Ervin and John Sirica, we tend to remember them fondly for their roles in the Watergate episode. Yet both men were conservatives in the most unattractive sense. Neither you or I would have wanted to break bread with them in their pre-Watergate days. Still, when the pressure was on, both stepped up, and would play the role that best served conservatives and liberals -- everyone except the guilty parties.

I do not expect people to embrace Judge Walton. But I wrote this yesterday, rather than let's say a month ago, because I think that people are able to view him in a slightly different light after two pretty severe slams of the Libby defense team. I think that we are seeing an important chapter of American history unfolding now, and I think it is possible -- though no sure thing -- that Reggie Walton may be placed in a group with Ervin and Sirica.

[bleever]

18. Truly fascinating! It's encouraging to recognize that government of, by,

and for the people includes having a judiciary of varied backgrounds and viewpoints.

[thinkingwoman]

19. Bravo H2O Man!

Once again, I thank you for such an insightful and thought-provoking post! :applause:

I have been scarce around these parts lately and far too busy to keep up with the Plame case on my own. I've come to rely even more heavily on your posts here and elsewhere to keep me informed of the latest news. I'm trying to get my own life on track following a business failure and relocation last year. Wish me luck as I finally launch a new business this month.

Often I read your posts without comment but this one is so timely, so relevant, and so important that I made myself slow down enough to respond.

It is critical that we left, progressive, independent people remember to judge each person (and politician and judge) by their individual merits, not by who appointed them or what letter is commonly typed beside their name. After reading about Judge Walton's history I am fascinated by him. Even though I had my reservations about him, his rulings in this case so far give me hope that he will fairly conduct this trial. If he does, the verdict will be nearly spin poof, as it will be extremely hard for the far right to paint him as a liberal, activist judge.

Thanks again for your efforts, and remember that there are so many of us who appreciate them, even when we don't have time to respond.

[H2O Man]

36. Thank you.

And good luck in your new business adventure.

Also, keep some time open this week .... there may be an exciting new development involving defendent Rove.

[Fridays Child]

20. And, then, we have Patrick Fitzgerald who seems equally well-suited...

...to the task of prosecuting the CIA leak criminals, when you consider his background.

It gives me hope.

[H2O Man]

37. Do you think

that Mr. Libby is sleeping well at night? It must be obvious to him that between Reggie Walton and Patrick Fitzgerald, he is going to be convicted. One can imagine his "dream team" telling him in past meetings that they have a half-dozen options .... and in the past two weeks, three of these have had the door either almost or totally closed.

It must also be becoming evident to others in the case that Mr. Fitzgerald is going to be knocking on their doors soon.

[Fridays Child]

52. I can't imagine that Libby is sleeping well but Rove continues to...

...look like the cat that ate the canary, in every photo. Does he have an ace up his sleeve or is his smile just a facade? I guess we'll find out soon.

[stillcool]

21. But H2O man....what about this?...

while I admit seeing conspiracies everywhere these days...the Sibel Edmonds treatment is cause for concern....No?

"Between 1989 and 1991, Judge Walton served as President George H. W. Bush's Associate Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the Executive Office of the President and as President Bush's Senior White House Advisor for Crime."

This does not imply financial involvement or corruption on the part of the judge, of course; Walton seems to be an honest and upstanding man, and a fine, anti-drugs motivational speaker as well. But it does very much indicate the likelihood that he has intimate, insider knowledge regarding the alleged activities of government officials and agencies that come up in both the Edmonds and Libby cases – prominent figures linked to foreign drug and nuclear smugglers and terrorists in Central Asia, Turkey, and the Balkans. And considering its strenuous attempts to bottle up former presidential records, it's clear that the Bush administration is not planning on opening up regarding any of these subjects unless absolutely forced.

Yet so long as people like Sibel Edmonds are prevented from speaking and the Libby trial remains restricted in scope, we will likely know little about the facts, whatever they may be and wherever they may lead.

Finally, the non-judicial nature of Judge Walton's prior job as a government policy crafter at a very high level, something that must have involved the same cast of characters, denotes in and of itself a conflict of interest. Courts are vexed whenever some famous person is tried and it becomes impossible to find jurors who have no prior opinion of them. That said, in what kind of country is a judge appointed to try his own former colleagues, who themselves are being defended by other former colleagues?
http://www.antiwar.com/deliso/?articleid=8340

[H2O Man]

29. Good question.

I start by saying that I am not familiar enough with the Sibel Edmonds case to have a strong opinion on it. I'm a card carrying member of the ACLU, and hence have read some on the issues involved. But I will not bluff, or pretend that I am in a position to say much of value on it.

I do understand and appreciate people's concerns about that case, and Judge Walton's rulings. It seems that he is being conservative in his interpretation of the law in that case. He is firm in his belief that classified information must be protected. It seems that may be consistent with his rulings in the Libby case.

A couple days ago, I suggested people read "The Trial of Martin Luther King," by Alan Westin and Barry Mahoney. It is about the landmark Birmingham case, which King lost in the US Supreme Court. The case has implications, I think, for today: it informs us of how the federal courts do not always rule in the manner that is fair and progressive.

King had great respect for the federal courts. He recognized them as an ally in the civil rights movement. When there were times that he had to consider violating a federal court order -- or any law -- he accepted that he would face a penalty. This is the way that it goes, sometimes. When we think of Gandhi, Thoreau, King, or the Berrigan Brothers, we know that there are times that people have a duty to their conscience and to humanity to violate the law.

And that is, in my opinion, exactly where Sibel Edmonds is today. I think that it is likely that Judge Walton's interpretation of the law is going to hold. I think Sibel must decide if she is strong enough to drink of the same cup as those others, and be true to her conscience, or if she will remain in the shadows.

[stillcool]

30. thank you....I make a habit of....

reading your posts, and have to say that I am perplexed and inspired by your objectivity and emotional restraint. It is difficult for me to see anything without shadows and overtones, which so mask the view that I completely miss the picture. Seems such a novel idea, that what it is...may just be what it is.

[napi21]

24. That's great to hear H2OMan. Thanks.

It's become so easy for all of us to assume all conservatives are in someone's pocket, and ShrubCo has managed to replace all Fed Judges with his patsies.

I know I only want fairness in the courts, and it sounds like Judge Walton does his best to insure that.

Thanks for the info!!!

[Me.]

25. Fascinating

Count me as among those who viewed Walton with suspicion at the beginning of this process. But, so far, I have no complaints with his rulings which seem fair and judicious. His story gives me even more confidence that he is the right judge to be paired with our law and order FitzG.

I do take exception with Wells' characterization of Wilson as a habitual liar when the only liar, habitual or otherwise, is the one who is facing trial for perjury. That statement is just another indication that Team Libby, both part A. (the lawyers) and part B. (the defense fund) are prepared to rip up the floorboards in their effort to make their case. Thank goodness, from everything we know about FitzG., he is more than able to meet them on the HardBall court. And I do hope he makes it amply clear the trifecta of positions Libby had at the WH, cause we certainly can't count on the media to do so.

As we now know, Scooter's lawyers say they plan to call KKK. Will they still do so if he is indicted? Is it wise to call someone also indicted for perjury for your defense? As for the 5 witnesses they say they have, they most likely are for the invisible case, the one that isn't being tried. As to who they are, well, the likes of the great Sean Hannity come to mind.

Funny world isn't it? Comey and Grossman (who is also being branded a liar) were friends of Wilson? You never know do you? It's only the know-it-alls who think they can get away with crime. It's always been that way and now Libby is tripping over his own feet in seeking a defense. Did he forget or...was there nothing to forget? I call this the Twilight Zone defense.

*shadow government*

[H2O Man]

38. When Mr. Wells attacks

Joseph Wilson in the maner he did, we can safely assume that his options to defend Scooter have been greatly reduced. Sadly for the little guy on trial, Dick Cheney is not the judge. Walton is, and if by any chance he allows Teddy Wells to attempt this rather desperate tactic, Mr. Fitzgerald's focus and Judge Walton's rulings will allow the jury to see it for exactly what it is -- the same type of viciousness that led to the criminal charges against Libby.

[nolabels]

40. Being of this world I would say they are all probing them points

Their is no such thing as a saint and even if the defense goes to the wire to lose this round, they have set the client up to win in a later round. The sad fact of legalese always rears it ugly head in today's U.S. of America. The only repercussions the infamous right-wing firebrands have ever paid is to loss of privilege, loss of privilege to the lime light that is.

The regular people needs some score keepers

[Me.]

41. Which Round Would That Be?

Are you talking about appeals? I think the judge here has been very careful with his rulings and has gone a good distance in being to the letter of the law, which rules out successful appeals.

*shadow government*

[nolabels]

45. Yea, sort of like Bush v Gore

Like gimme a break already, right or left and or conservative and liberal, the rhyme or reason for the thinking of some is as unique as the amount of stars in the sky. The extent of federal judges fashioning law out of whole cloth is replete in U.S. of America's history.

To the extent that judges of the establishment establish and reinforce laws for the establishment is the only thing that isn't new. If you look at the results first instead of the words it gets quite easy to understand

[Me.]

47. If You Look At The Rulings Of The Past Six Months

(Many of which are now in the DU research forum thanks to Stop The Bleeding with the help of some others like Helderhed) you'll see that in fact this judge has been very careful and has afforded Libby every accommodation the law allows. The results have so far have been speaking for themselves. And while I do agree that one of the main roles of any administration, or party for that matter, is survival, I don't find the justice system to be as shallow as your post might suggest. There are partisans, quite like Goss at the CIA who did his best to dismantle the system. We'll see just how well he didn't succeed in the coming days. Then there is the situation of warrantless wire taps. Justice said no, *ushco did it anyway. Was it the failing of the justice department that brought about the circumvention of the law or the activities of criminals who won't be held responsible for their crimes until such a time as we have a different Congress, they leave office and the people of this country want them held accountable or the world court indicts them?

*shadow government*

[nolabels]

50. The debate about justice could be the same one they have on truth

Depending on how it is looked at by someone or other, they invariably make the argument of the greater good. Even a dude like * will make it the reasoning (no matter how twisted his mind may be). And really the way I look at it is that the problem is not them doing it so much, but them setting the threshold of what is tolerable for a government official or employee. It is now okay for government officials to be a law skirting idiot that feels one could do as one pleases. This is leadership by example

Btw, if you don't think this thing that they call the 'justice system' is broken then you haven't really had any heart to heart talks with any law enforcement or prison guards (or prisoners for that matter).

[H2O Man]

46. On keeping score:

You raise some interesting points. When we look at the Iran-Contra sndals, it is true that most of the criminals got off easy. When we look at Watergate, we find that many people were incarcerated, and that a president resigned in humiliation. It's not perfect, but the system has the ability to work.

[nolabels]

53. The way I keep track is by observing what happens to us ordinary peers

Normally one must give respect to get respect. The establishment across the globe is giving people in their own communities and countries no respect. Police at every place you look have decided crowd containment is better than debating about what the crowd might be angry at.

When the first bush was in office we had the LA riots out here. I couldn't understand why it seemed like such an overreaction at the time. Now though I realize after observing how things really operate that it was an under-reaction at best. Then to prove the justice system is always correct they tried the cops twice which is against the bill of rights just for starters. The idiots in them corporate and government penthouse perches will only change and or leave office when enough people demand it.


http://www.antiwar.com/

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

26. Great reading

Thanks for posting :thumbsup:

[DrDebug]

27. Excellent post, H2OMan

I appreciate the completeness and the amount of research which goes into such a post. I think the most important part is that the judge is honest and will rule fairly. From the above I gather that he will be strict but probably also fair and it is important that justice is done and that it doesn't get sidetracked into a horse and pony show. Especially Libby's role as assistant to Bush will be interesting.

Recommended as usual...

[understandinglife]

28. "Scooter Libby is, in my opinion, as much of a thug as the gang member ...

... who stabbed the kid in the back 9 times with an ice pick ..."

Yep.

Recommended.


Peace.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

31. Excellent info, as usual, H2O Man! Thanks!

[TacticalPeek]

32. K&R

:kick:

[0007]

39. Your comprehensive view of Judge Walton was outstanding.

I find it interesting that the far right believes Wilson is a "habitual liar" and Wells has five witnesses to prove that Joe Wilson is a blabber mouth. And the Judge sez, "I don't know how it has any bearing on whether your client allegedly testified falsely."

[im10ashus]

42. Such a wonderful background story.

He knows what it is like to be on both sides of the bench. A complex and courageous man.

K&R!

:kick:

[Spazito]

44. Thank you for the information on Judge Walton's past....

I was unaware of it. There is no doubt, the lessons he learned in those formative years would determine the man he is today and, from his decisions so far in the Libby case, he is a man to be respected.

[robertpaulsen]

48. Thanks! Great research, H2O Man.

I admit to being skeptical of Walton, but this is very reassuring. I know there are too many Watergate parallels in this case already, but perhaps this is a case where, as with Judge Sirica, the powers that be thought, "he's one of our guys". Not realize that the moral toughness they equate with conservatism would get thrown back in their face!

[KoKo]

49. Very interesting and good news for some of us who thought Walton was

another Clarence Thomas and part of the New Black Repuglican Movement who somewho forget who they were and where they came from and what it took for the fight for rights against "Slave Owners. It took tearing a nation apart and giving it to Repugs for Decades to do what Kennedy/Johnson did to restore Democracy that had abandoned Blacks since post "Re-Construction."

I say this because I'm shocked at those of my own generation who have long forgotten how hard folks fought for what they enjoy. When I see Condi and Clarence and the host of other folks...including Poor White Southerners who have now risen above what was called in more harsh times "Trailer Park Trash" running our Government and using Lobbyists to fund vacations, exotic lifestyles and other such flummery...it's hard to take that a generation fought for their rights and they made fun of us and lived to roll us under a bulldozer and see those who fought so hard to rise up from how they were kept down..now doing it to everyone else. :-(

I realize my post might seem offense to many...but I've learned that on DU folks don't read more than a couple of paragraphs of a post...if that...and I won't go into the history of what I saw...but know it sounds "somewhat offensive" unless one knew me and my background....

[Catherine Vincent]

51. Thanks for the background on Walton, H2O Man!

I'm hoping and praying that Walton doesn't become a Clarence Thomas. We shall see.

[H2O Man]

56. People like

Clarence Thomas and Scooter Libby are indoor dogs. Clarence was raised as a pampered puppy, doing tricks for his master to earn some table scraps. Scooter is one of those annoying, tiny "lap dogs." He feels secure when he rests his head on Dick Cheney's lap, and dreams of big things.

Reggie Walton was raised out of doors. He's a different breed of dog. He has a different temperment.

[lovuian]

54. Applause H2O man

:applause:

And may I add
Scooter libby's obsession has been his destruction!!!

[Octafish]

55. Five witnesses? Wonder how much they cost?

Scooter's lawyers are doing all they can to spin the living daylights out of Corporate McPravda. As you've made clear, Fitz has built an airtight case against Scooter the Traitor for obstruction of justice, two counts of lying to investigators and two counts of perjury. As you've also made clear above, Judge Walton is going to keep the trial focused on that. The Judge seems like somebody who grew up to be a no-nonsense kind of guy, a real patriot.

Excellent work, as always. Thanks for clueing us in, H20 Man.