Today's Watergate?

[PrettySquareGal]

http://www.thesmokinggun.com//archive/0406061libby1.html

 

[Baron Kurtz]

If Libby has a paper trail to back himself up, Bush is a goner. Treason is surely an impeachable offense.

Wouldn't that be a coincidence? - Liddy did for Nixon, will Libby be the one who does Bush in?

bk

 

[Marc Chevalier]

One thing's for sure, Bush won't be re-elected! Er, wait a minute --

 

[Pilgrim]

I heard the story today and don't have any basis for judging. I honestly ALWAYS figured that the leak was done at Carl Rove's urging. It's clear from his record that Rove would pretty much do a dirty deed to anyone who didn't toe the party line...it's his standard M.O.

However, if there's a paper trail, I'm wondering if it's not most likely to connect to Cheney, since the implication is that he was the contact.

Interesting quote from CNN.com:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/06/libby.ap/index.html

"But the disclosure in documents filed Wednesday means that the president and the vice president put Libby in play as a secret provider of information to reporters about prewar intelligence on Iraq."

That implies that there IS a paper trail, and that it is being reviewed.

Interesting, interesting, interesting.

Side political comment, and ONLY my own opinion: if starting a war under the guise of enforcing UN resolutions when the UN never gave permission to act; disregarding a Federal law on domestic surveillance and blithely initiating illegal domestic wiretaps; and holding hundreds of international citizens incommunicado for years haven't resulted in meaningful calls for a change in this administration's behavior, I doubt that this will have any effect either. 9-11 has become a universal excuse for all misdeeds, foreign and domestic.

 

[Burma Shave]

One way or another...

...it doesn't matter. Bush has done so many ill-advised things that one more screw-up isn't going to stand in his way. Why stop now? Don't let the evil-doers win!

 

[Katt in Hat]

Tally Ho Lads! Our Democratic Republic May Be Saved Yet Again

Here's my plan...

1. The November Elections must be on the square...

2. All else is commentary.

3. See # 1. :arated:

 

[Lincsong]

The stock market is above 11,000.

 

[Katt in Hat]

I don't see your point...

The stock market is above 11,000.

fftopic:

Do please favour us with expansion and elucidation of your market comment.

What have the price of eggs to do with the "Current Approval Ratings" of our President?

If...laws are violated, then I'd have supposed that "Law and Order" supporters would like the 'transgressors' punished. Care to disabuse me of this notion?

 

[Lincsong]

I was being fascetious

It was a mundane comment, meant to highlight that to most people they aren't going to pay much attention. Ask the average person on the street who is "Scooter Libby?" and I bet the most common answer would be "weren't they in Toledo? I think I got one for Christmas 1961".
Now, to political junkies like us, it means something. But to most people, I doubt they're going to care. Right now, most peoples topics are on the Illegal Immigration debate.
As a side note fftopic: I always find your comments fascinating.

 

[Katt in Hat]

I truly hope that you'll give me at least

¬? "the benefit of the doubt" that you were able to find in your heart to give [X.X] (not his initals)... :deadhorse

 

[Lincsong]

¬? "the benefit of the doubt" that you were able to find in your heart to give DR... :deadhorse

I have no animosity towards you. Why would I have to give you a benefit of a doubt?[huh]

 

[EdinLA44]

The President, as Commander in Chief, has the authority to declassify military documents. There was nothing illegal about it (if he did authorize it). It's a non-story.

 

[mysterygal]

I think the majority of people have lost trust in politics that nothing anymore comes as a shock. Me, I like Bush, and hope he didn't do anything wrong

 

[Katt in Hat]

It is news on every outlet and will be the lead tomorrow.

The President, as Commander in Chief, has the authority to declassify military documents. There was nothing illegal about it (if he did authorize it). It's a non-story.

"It's a non-story." is just like whistling past a graveyard, Ed. Wishful thinking on your part in my estimation. Let's wait a few days and see. Umm-K?

 

[jamespowers]

The President, as Commander in Chief, has the authority to declassify military documents. There was nothing illegal about it (if he did authorize it). It's a non-story.

This is true as long as he followed the procedure put forth by the previous president. There is a paper trail and if there is then there is nothing illegal about declassifying documents for distribution. It is within his scope of power as president.

Regards,

J

 

[jake_fink]

The President, as Commander in Chief, has the authority to declassify military documents.

That is true, but what if those documents are declassified and leaked in order to discredit a political opponent? Is that an abuse of office, or is anything the president does fair game? Let me rephrase that: ...is anything THIS president does fair game?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Are we talking about declassified military documents, or the putting in danger of an active CIA agent by "outing" them in the media? Declassifying documents may not be illegal, but i'd be interested to hear a legal opinion on the second possibility. Surely that is the crux of this story.

bk

 

[Pilgrim]

As Edlin pointed out, and as the story is developing:

"The President, as Commander in Chief, has the authority to declassify military documents. There was nothing illegal about it (if he did authorize it). It's a non-story."

I agree with the first part of this statement. It has become clear that the Commander-In-Chief can de-classify documents, and that he has issued an Executive Order giving the VP the same authority.

However, IF the documents WERE de-classified, then I strongly disagree with the last statement, because:

1) There is no criminal act in revealing Plame's identity
2) There is no mis-deed to punish
3) There is no justification for the administration to go after someone who was NOT revealing classified information
4) The Bush administration has been falsely claiming that security had been breached in this leak - you can't breach security if you're not revealing classified information! They can't have it both ways.

Either this information was classified or it wasn't. If it wasn't, it was completely unethical and hypocritical for them to allow a special prosecutor to pursue the matter.

So I see this very much as a story, since the Bush administration has been allowing a special prosecutor to pursue someone for an act that the President evidently authorized and the Vice President then ordered!

THAT, my friends, is VERY MUCH a story.

 

[Feraud]

THAT, my friends, is VERY MUCH a story.

That which some people call a story others view as "business as usual".. [huh]

 

[Pilgrim]

Feraud, you are absolutely on target.

Unfortunately.