Indictment states that Bush was Libby's superior

[ProSense]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2452814&mesg_id=2452814

[BuyingThyme]

1. That's the way I've always read it.

[f-bush]

2. I'm hoping I smell Impeachment!

[SeaBob]

5. The I word.

shall I dare to dream

[Kagemusha]

3. It's been said for a long time Libby worked for Bush too

He held more than one job.

[H2O Man]

7. Yep.

There is absolutely nothing in the Libby indictments that could be considered as connecting Bush to the outting of Plame by a rational person.

[ProSense]

9. Speaking of rational:

The information that was just released wasn't in the indictment either (from link in OP):

The revelation is contained in a Jan. 23 letter from special prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald to lawyers for Libby, who was indicted last year in connection with the leak of the operative's name. In the letter, Fitzgerald recounts testimony in which the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney admitted circulating portions of the National Intelligence Estimate to reporters in June and July 2003.

"It is our understanding that Mr. Libby testified that he was authorized to disclose information about the NIE to the press by his superiors," Fitzgerald wrote.

The letter did not identify those superiors, although Cheney was Libby's direct boss at the time. The National Journal reported on its Web site Thursday that Cheney had authorized the disclosures.

[H2O Man]

13. Cheney

was one of three people who was Libby's "superior" or "boss" at the time. There has never been any question about that.

[ProSense]

17. This is from the first page of the indictment.

The indictment is posted at the link in the OP:

a. Beginning on or about January 20, 2001, and continuing through the date of

this indictment, defendant I. LEWIS LIBBY, also known as "SCOOTER LIBBY," was employed as Assistant to the President of the United States, Chief of Staff to the Vice President of the United States, and Assistant to the Vice President for National Security Affairs. In the course of his work, LIBBY had frequent access to classified information and frequently spoke with officials of the U.S. intelligence community, as well as other government officials, regarding sensitive national security matters.

There was no question when I read it the first time that these were the three positions he held.

[H2O Man]

19. Good. n/t

[napi21]

4. Hmmm...Don't get your hopes up too high here.

First of all, if it was Shrub, there's NO PROBLEM with "leaking confidential info"! The President has the right and ability to declassify anything at any time to anyone!

Second, this really sounds like a Cheney/Rove plan to me. Those two are the schemers in the admin, not Shrub.

Third, it doesn't really matter, because Libby isn't charged with leaking info! He's charged with lying to the GJ!!!!!

I know we all want to get Shrub and Cheney, but this isn't the case, at least not the Libby part of it.

[BuyingThyme]

6. Chimpy's problem is in that he make a big, public stink about

his intention to fire anybody involved in leaking the info about Plame.

So, I guess he's gonna have to resign.

[ProSense]

8. delete n/t

[leesa]

10. Since when can a President out an undercover agent though?

And yes, it really does matter, just not in these particular charges.

[napi21]

12. I'm not an attorney, but EVERY attorney I've listened to on the TV

shows, from all political sides, have said the same thing. The President has the suthority to declassify ANYONE or ANYTHING at ANYTIME. There was a debate over wether that authority applies to the VP or not. They all also said the President can delegate that authority to others, as he deems required.

Those same attorneys said it is customary for a President to consult with the Department head before doing so. In this case, it would ahve required Shrub to consult with the Head of the CIA. They said it is customary, but NOT mandatory!

[DoYouEverWonder]

16. The problem isn't whether or not Bush and/or Cheney

told Libby about Plame. The problem for them is that they both have lied about even knowing who she was and they lied about have any knowledge of the leak, when they were the ones who started the leaking. Both Cheney and Bush were interviewed for the investigation by Fitzgerald and if they lied about their involvement to him, then they have dug their own graves.

We don't have to split hairs over the issue of whether or not Bush and/or Cheney have the right to declassify information or reveal an agents ID. The issue is what did they know, when did they know about it and how many lies did they tell Fitzgerald in the process.

[Caretha]

18. Excuse me....

Small point regarding your statement:

"First of all, if it was Shrub, there's NO PROBLEM with "leaking confidential info"! The President has the right and ability to declassify anything at any time to anyone!"

The President has the power to declassify, but you wouldn't believe the butt-load (just learned this is an actual Texas measurement) of aficionado paperwork - regulations - not to mention all the "i's" to be dotted and the "t's" to be crossed before you can declassify.

In other words - the President can't just wake up one morning and say - "Gee Willikers! I think I'll declassify all that there secret shit!"

Edited to add PS

PS Since when did democrats start buying into the "Fucking Potus" has infinitesimal powers with no oversight - that he can do anything he damn well wants?

[goforit]

11. "Superiors" sounds like more than one

[Peter Frank]

14. Libby said, "superiors" (plural)...

How many superiors did he have besides Cheney & Bush?

[H2O Man]

15. One.

Andrew Card.