fitz

Woo-hoo!

MSNBC Reporting Kennedy to go into treatment tonite for pill addiction. Good for him.

They say Mayo clinic, but Hazelden is next door so….

Walsingham !!!

OT again, as usual, but the Rude Pundit cracks me up:
“Zacarias Moussaoui, the Pete Best of al-Qaeda”

cinco de mayo clinic

here goes kennedy presser…

clinic time will affect Patrick Kennedy’s voting percentage…not good for re-election

So it’s Friday, Take Out The Trash Day. TOTTD is living up to its expectations.

Goss needs to resign to spend more time with his lawyers. Hope he has some good ones.

Republicans, a permanent employment program for trial lawyers.

What other trash will be coming out?

Man, this “Watergate II” meme must make Repubs break out in a cold, cold sweat. It’s too bizarrely, poetically ironic not to capitalize on.

(But I imagine the Dems will find a way, so it’s up to us angry leftwing types.)

The Goss has been tossed… again.

Brilliant maneuver by Patches Kennedy. How will the Limbaugh apologists attack him now?

As with Limbaugh, he is sick and needs help.

Good luck kid. Maybe he and Rush can be in the same group therapy unit.

-GSD

If this has been coming for weeks – why the sudden announcement? Goss had a meeting scheduled with the Pentagon this afternoon – why not cancel it.

This smells. Of course, the MSM will repeat and repeat the republican spin. Until the polaroids come out.

Of course Russert’s news was a spin control leak. I’m wondering, how did he present it? With any skepticism, or with his usual doe-eyed credulity?

Here’s hoping for an entertaining Hookergate!

Bummer, there goes the press cycle.

Good for him,though. He seemed honest. Don’t know if I have ever seen an honest pol. ?!?!?!?

God, he’s my age, and has been a congressman for 15 years. I’m such a loser.

but patrick kennedy has a drug problem.

EPU’d:

Gawd I hate the New York Times. Here is their lede right now:

“The unexpected resignation was the latest move in a second-term shake-up of President Bush’s team.â€

Yeah, I’m sure this was just the “latest move†in a “second-term shake-upâ€. Just Andy Card’s replacement shaking things up.

Never mind that this is not a mere staffing matter but rather involves the director of the CIA.

And never mind that there are real questions out there about Goss’s involvement in bribery and prostitution scandals within the CIA.

And never mind that Goss quit with no replacement in sight.

No, forget all those indications that something bigger is going on here. The NY times says this is just a part of the ongoing shake up. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Nothing to see here, please move along.

And did I mention that Kennedy Jr. is on the web site front page for the Times?

Comrade Goss forgot that the first responsibility of a zampolit is to the Party, not his pecker.

Well, with Negroponte choosing the replactement this could get interesting.

There were *surprising* reports recently that Negroponte is firmly against the rush to use the “military solution” to deal with Iran.

Does that mean he could be less inclined to “cook the books” for Georgie and Dick? Would Georgie (or more importantly, Dick) be willing to accept such a replacement?

Negroponte, the new puppetmaster for the Deciderer.

Oh Cheney, we hardly knew ye…

It’s not only that there’s no replacement that is fishy. It’s also that it is effective immediately. They could have announced that “DCI will be leaving on June First, by which time we will have named a replacement”. That, for instance, is basically what happened with Scotty.

EPU’d
Larry Johnson just put up a post on Porter’s demise but so far only links to what’s already out there (e.g. TPM, AP, etc.) Presumably he’ll eventually have some inside skinny.
http://noquarter.typepad.com/m…..s_res.html

250+ posts in the last thread in a little over an hour. Hope the admins have some extra bandwidth laying around for when the big one hits! :)

Why does Goss leave now with no replacement ready to be named? How about they escalated the resignation so that it would be drowned out by the Kennedy flap?

Democrats need to get out front on this and demand a hearing for the next CIA chief. They need to demand it, and when Bush appoints someone with no hearing they need to ask why he is playing politics with national security.

Primordial Ooze @ 5
Patently unfair to the memory of Pete Best

I have nothing to add on l’affaire Porter Goss except either:
1. Something real bad will be tied around Goss’ neck real soon.
2. Our grandchildren will find our what really happened today.
Were I a betting man, I would take #2.
Either way – only a fool would believe that this has been ‘in the works’.
That would be the 32% backwash.

(Fly on the wall)

Negroponte to Cheney/Rove while Bush watches cartoons – “where can we find a sucker to take this job by next week?. Better come up with a distraction.”

Rove – “better have an extra medal of freedom minted”

Instead of twists and turns, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to speak of the ins and outs of this case?

Either way, Bush’s Goss is cooked.

Holy Cow! From break time to lunch time the sheet hit the fan!Over 250 comments on the last thread.Goss getting the hell out before the perfect storm?lots of speculation going on. I loved whoever said it wasnt the wheels falling off, the whole damn transmission just fell out. Good one.

Occam’s razor people, Occam’s razor–Goss resigns as Fornigate heats up, case closed. “Bridge into Hellish Darkness” may be pushing Goss out but Goss is only going because he’s about to get bitch-slammed–not slapped–by Foggo investigation.

That picture kinda sums up the whole thing, doesn’t it? If you look at it one way, it looks like something flushing down a toilet. Look at it another way, and it must have been a Goss-eye view of what was happening at the Watergate.

the Director of the CIA needs Senate confirmation which goes through the committee system which means a public hearing…

It’s a bit of a shame that this couldn’t have happened BEFORE Colbert’s routine….

xyz @ 25
“playing politics with national security”
Gee, when did *that* start?

wow i just wrote something similar to Russert…asked him where the preperations to face the media were IF this has been in the works for weeks…there is none….but thats whats being fed to the corporate owned media by the white house…a filmsy claim of “oh yeah, we knew about this for weeks” meme

does russert really believe that? if so he is an idiot.

zeppo: You mean they’re not bringing Colbert back for an encore this weekend??

Evidently there is a Libby hearing today. Byron York is reporting from it, and his big news is that Team Libby says they have five witnesses who will say under oath that Joe Wilson told them his wife worked for the CIA. One is presumably Paul Vallely, perhaps another is Cliff May’s source, and who knows who else. I bet Barbara Comstock has been spending Team Libby’s money judiciously on this.

Man, this “Watergate II†meme must make Repubs break out in a cold, cold sweat.

The Repugs were in cold sweat fearin’-for-their-lives before this — what fetid scandal is up next?

Damage control? Well, maybe — if sinking the ship to put out the fires can be considered damage control . . .

ThinkProgress has some useful background info.

Mack #26,
I’m more optimistic re your #1. All indications are that career CIA realy despised Goss and they won’t hesitate to see to it that comes out of this slimed up to his eyeballs with whatever’s available.

Happy Stinko De Mayo Indeed ! ! !

Can’t a gal take to her bed on a lazy afternoon without all hell breaking loose !?!?!?

Guess I’d never make it as some pol’s flack – ‘cause I’d have told Congressman Kennedy to take 2 STFU’s and call me in the morning -

Conversely, think of how bad things must be for Porter Dross, to have made this announcement against all the noise about Kennedy – someone’s got something and is in a hurry for the show n tell

thanks to whomever upthread mentioned the lost kids over @ The Corner – made my friggin’ week !
my, my, my, so glad the Gods wrought an encouraging sign to communities like this one

Oh, and did someone say there’s some kind of hearing this afternoon ?

Fly Little Woodsteins, Fly !!!

from HuffPo : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…..20444.html
We’re Hearing… Resignation Of A Pentagon Under-Secretary Also Imminent…

The Huffington Post | Posted May 5, 2006 01:20 PM

*ilson46201 @ 32

the Director of the CIA needs Senate confirmation which goes through the committee system which means a public hearing…

“SIGNING STATEMENT!”

;>)

the goss story is going down the memory hole. cnn has devoted the entire last half hour to patrick kennedy. and bill schneider is now reciting the long sad tales of the ‘kennedy curse.’ is hit you not. unfuckingbelieveable.

OT (but not really)

Meanwhile, in England, there’s big trouble for Bush pal Blair (see the familiar “rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic” quote…

http://www.guardian.co.uk/ukla…..67,00.html

Labour loses out in elections
Friday May 5, 2006 5:28 PM

In Labour’s worst electoral bloodbath since Mr Blair came to power, the party is expected to have lost more than 250 councillors across England as well as control of more than a dozen town halls.

The disastrous results led to calls from Labour backbenchers for Mr Blair to set out a timetable to hand over the premiership to his presumed successor, Chancellor Gordon Brown.

Former health secretary Frank Dobson said the reshuffle would amount to no more than “rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic” and insisted the party needed “new management”. And a close ally of the Chancellor, former minister Nick Brown, suggested Mr Blair may not be the man to reverse Labour’s “drift”.

I think we need to hope that the hookers were female. That may get some play in the MSM, although Republicans have been playing with hookers forever, and that seems to be all-American. It’s when you don’t pay for it that it’s a problem. Free enterprise and all that, you know.

If the hookers were male, I suspect there’ll be major resistance in the MSM to covering the story. Just makes too many preconceptions too uncomfortable. A lot of MSM folks will be sitting there looking like they did at Steve Colbert’s performance, not knowing what to do.

It doesn’t play to readers, especially the homophobes on the right. And it plays into the insecurities of too many male reporters. We’ll see some interesting fallout if the hookers were provided by Jeff Gannon.

Maybe they’ll have to hand it to Dana Priest and Elizabeth Bumiller.

Goss and Kennedy certainly steps all over Comstock’s petit petards…

chisholm @ 12:14 pm (#30) – Occam’s Razor is most useful when there are no unanswered questions. Here, there are still quite a few.

Tony Snow is going to have a jolly-good first day at the podium on Monday, you think? Scotty had his swan song, said his goodbyes (to tepid applause from the assembled press)– he is so out of there.

Think snowjob is having second thoughts now??

I said it before and I will say it again. John Negroponte is an evil facist.

He was the Us ambassador to Honduras during the bloody reign of the death squads, Iran-Contra, and was in charge of the Reagan administration covert straegy to crush the legally elected Sandinistas government in Nicaragua.

Negroponte also oversaw the construction of infamous El Aguacate air base in Honduras where right-wing/facits Nicaraguan Contras were trained by the United States, and were widely thought to have been used as a secret detention and torture center during the 80s.

I won’t be able to enjoy the Goss story until I’m sure that it has nothing to do with clearing the decks for Iran.

Democrats need to get out front on this

Actually, no — this is so far beyond Nixon’s “don’t interfere when your opponent is hanging himself” that there is not much the Dems can do.

So yesterday we were told that W. was celebrating Cinco de Mayo a day early because he had prior commitments today.

You know, someone asked in the previous thread how many media people might be involved not to report the hooker angle right away.

Gee, we’ve said the media was in bed with the Republicans all this time. What a scream if it’s been literally!

Minnesotachuck
I have little doubt that this resignation is resultant from Company push-back.
And little doubt that the next appointee will be blessed by those powers.
But I don’t think that those powers care much what we know – and they operate better in half-light.
That said, they could be pissed off enough to opt for a little sunshine on their enemies.

timewarp @ 50– he is not only an evil fascist, but also a war criminal.

bush thought of naming joe lieberman to replace goss but then reconsidered because joe’s too close to israel so he’s going to name binyamin netanyahu instead

Possible headlines:

Goss says shlong to job

Goss: Emission accomplished!

Goss leaves his post in a tight spot

OK, sorry

Jeff said:

“Evidently there is a Libby hearing today. Byron York is reporting from it, and his big news is that Team Libby says they have five witnesses who will say under oath that Joe Wilson told them his wife worked for the CIA. One is presumably Paul Vallely, perhaps another is Cliff May’s source, and who knows who else. I bet Barbara Comstock has been spending Team Libby’s money judiciously on this.”

Hmmm… They could try to take this approach, but it really won’t undercut the perjury charge. I suppose they will try to point out that it is possible that the reporters all heard via Wilson as the original source somehow.

But what is the likelihood that all of the journalists involved are lying or forgot where they originally heard of Plame’s identity?

And who are these witnesses who claim Wilson told them of Plame’s identity?

Wapo says Blair fired Jack Straw. Is this going to be a Saturday Afternoon Massacre or what?

angie, he is and I said that in the last thread. He belongs at the Hague, in the goal.

At the convention, I was gonna wear a J-Lo Mold name tag but now I’m considering Porter Goss’s Secret.

Resignation Of A Pentagon Under-Secretary Also Imminent

Ew. The thought of anyone under Rummy’s fetid corpse is disgusting!

First Aftershock: Huffington Post says: We’re Hearing… Resignation Of A Pentagon Under-Secretary Also Imminent… (no link)

I think I agree that if you’re in the WH and you’ve been working on this for weeks, you sure as hell don’t step on the “drunk Kennedy” story. There will be another Friday afternoon in a week.

I find it very hard to think there will be a confirmation hearing on the next DCI. The Boy King loves recess!

So in regards to Wilson/Libby. Wilson was blabbing to everyone and their brother about his wife being an agent. Yet, no one in the highest echelons of power knew who she was?

Did Wilson describe his wife as a “partisan pencil pusher”?

Smelly stuff.

-GSD

If goopers would quit naming their kids with names like “Porter”- maybe they would have fewer problems.

Whoever heard of a guy named “Porter”?

#48 Time will tell.

Unless the DCI nominee is squeaky clean or Jomentum, there will be a recess appointment — no way is Clusterfuck going to face the wrath of Senate Confirmation hearings.

Jeff – where is this Byron York article? link please?

ck @ 12:23 pm (#52) – The only thing the Democrats should get out in front on is suggesting what they want to see in a new DCIA – things like respect for the intelligence process, respect for the Constitution, and maybe just a hint of independence from the President.

On all the scandals, they should probably keep their mouths shut other than to call for investigations when they’re warranted.

From the AP story: White House counselor Dan Bartlett praised Goss’ character and said, “This man has impeccable integrity.”

I guess that is to set up the, “We had NO IDEA,” comment later in the month.

2,415 US dead — no problem.

Sex with ___________ (intern, professionals, etc.) BIG problem.

WTF? Is sexual gratification the last taboo?

Did anyone see the press conference? I’m wondering if he really did have panties on his head…

Chisholm @ 60:

Not Straw, Charles Clarke. Straw’s the new Commons leader.

I dunno, Cujo.

I believe in kicking them when they’re going down. Don’t worry. They’re probably used to that! Wasn’t Guckert a dom?

The person with the best intelligence runs the country. That would be our boy John Negroponte.

Again, keep the nuns AWAY from the helicopters…

Democrats need to back off and let this scandal run its course without comment?

Actually, F-that. They should go on the attack. That is what the Republicans would do, and that is what the situation demands. It is also the right thing to do. Use this situation as a teaching tool and an opportunity to cut Bush off at the kneecaps regarding national security. Attack, attack, attack. Ask the question: Why the resignation? What else is there to know? Mention the possibility of bribery, etc. Get it out there in the public consciousness.

Condi on Goss: “No one could have forseen that the DCI was a whoremonger prevert!”

Oooo looky here

USA Today founder Al Neuharth, once known for his generally Republican views, appears to have seen enough of President Bush. In his column today for USA Today, he once again hits the Iraq war (he is one of the few mainstream journalists to favor a quick withdrawal), then notes the presient’s approval rating having plunged from 71% to 34% in the Gallup poll since 2003.

“How low can Bush’s approval rating go? My hunch is it’s at or near the bottom,” he suggests. “That 34% represents mostly unshakeable far-right wingers. Like Bush, Vice President Cheney and company, they are in denial. As were the 24% in the polls who still approved of President Richard Nixon before he resigned in disgrace.

“What happened to the 37% who have switched from pro-Bush to anti-Bush? They finally realized they were suckered by Bush and his buddies back then about Saddam Hussein’s alleged weapons of mass destruction, his tie to terrorists and his threat to the USA.”

Neuharth, a decorated war veteran, concludes: “President Abraham Lincoln was right when he said: ‘You may fool all of the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.’”

Nice to see there are still a few REAL Republicans in the land of the living.

The Friday Dump.

Aragoncillo admits to spying.

http://www.philstar.com/philst…..060401.htm

-GSD

Fun Porter Goss Quote, from 2003, wrt Plame:

The Herald Tribune reported his take on the Valerie Plame leak in October 2003: “Somebody sends me a blue dress and some DNA, I’ll have an investigation” (a sarcastic reference to the Monica Lewinsky scandal).

ditto xyz at 78

CNN is reporting that both Goss and Negroponte statements do NOT say why Goss quit. They point out how odd that is …

xyz – It’s over at the Corner. No link, thanks very much.

“In Washington, when there’s an information vacuum there’s certainly enough rumor to fill up the space” – Kelli Arena CNN

On Goss’s resignation.

Prof Foland 65

So is there a way that the dems can keep the congress from declaring recess. If it is done by unanimous consent as most things are, all it takes is one of ours to object.

If I were Harry or Nancy, I would plan to keep someone ready in the chamber at all times.

Me oh, my oh… another Friday dump.
Cue the graphic…giant melting ice cream cone and for the caption, Christmas Story’s Ralphie sayin’ “Oh, fudge…..â€

Reporter from WH on MSNBC just said that Goss had been at the CIA “for less than 2 years”!

What we have here is the Revenge of the Purged.

EPU’d OfT: Stephen Colbert fans: imo to Dana Milbank’s credit, he published a lot of very pro Colbert messages he received in today’s WaPo online chat. They were almost universally critical of Milbank.

I can’t decide if a drag problem is worse than a drug problem. I mean prescription drag, of course.

And the good news just does not stop!

Young viewers just don’t watch The O’Reilly Factor like they used to. April marked Bill O’Reilly’s lowest-rated month in the 25-54 demographic since August 2001.

His 415,000 demo viewers in March was a new low, but O’Reilly managed to lose a few more in April, averaging 412,000 in the demo. Here’s his post-Katrina track:

Sept: 1,115 / Oct: 518 / Nov: 468 / Dec: 460 / Jan: 472 / Feb: 458 / Mar: 415

But this trend started long before the hurricane. for O’Reilly, April’s numbers reflected his lowest demo rating in almost five years.

timewarp and angie –

Thanks for reminding everyone of Negroponte’s history. He certainly IS an evil war criminal.

But that makes it all the more puzzling as to why he ISN’T on board for more war, war forever. Is it possible that while he’s deeply evil, he just isn’t stark raving insane?

I don’t know what to think about it. I suppose it’s also possible he’s just playing the “good cop” routine, but the notion of Negroponte in the role of “good cop” is a stunning case of miscasting…

83 immanentize – Thanks.

This is the time to deal a death blow to Bush’s credibility on national security. The democrats need to stand up and start asking questions now. Demand investigations. Ask for hearings. The CIA director doesn’t just resign with no replacement. What is going on here? And what is this about bribery and Foggo? Educate the public. Start by raising the questions if you want to start slow. Pound away at it.

Popping in to provide link to York’s report on Libby hearing:
http://corner.nationalreview.com/ (scroll down).

Have to add this now at top of page (from email to K-Lo):

It may have become clear to Goss that the W.H. will not allow the DOJ to pursue subpoenas or indictments in the WaPo/Mary McCarthy matter. If so, Goss may have reached the (reasonable) conclusion that he cannot succeed in rooting out leakers in the CIA if there’s not going to be a serious effort at prosecution.

MWAHAHAHAh…BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

To quote markfromireland: *poof*!

GSD #81, it is as if a signal flare has gone up. If you have bad news, dump it today. They can’t cover it all!

*ilson46201 says:
May 5th, 2006 at 12:33 pm

CNN is reporting that both Goss and Negroponte statements do NOT say why Goss quit. They point out how odd that is
_____

The Most Serene Deciderer’s staff has gotta be in full CODE BROWN shitstain damage control mode, working on how they’re gonna attenuate the stench that is sure to emerge.

It’s Hard Work.

David Ensor, CNNs security correspondent was just on blathering and bloviating. He even said it was sorta expected Goss would be out by September of this year.
The disjointed explanations (sans Hookergate) all point out how peculiar this resignation actually is … Mehlmans memos havent hit the blastfax system yet

Here’s the York piece, so you don’t have to go to the NRO:

Bulletin from the Libby Courtroom [Byron York]

Lewis Libby defense lawyer Theodore Wells told a federal judge a short time ago that the Libby defense team has located “five witnesses who will say under oath that Mr. [Joseph] Wilson told them his wife worked for the CIA.â€

Wells said he expects that prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald will call Wilson himself to the stand to rebut those accusations.

Today’s hearing concerning what evidence Fitzgerald is required to turn over to the Libby defense team turned into an extended discussion of whether jurors will be allowed to assess Joseph Wilson’s credibility vs. that of the administration as it concerns the reasons the U.S. went to war in Iraq. Prosecutor Fitzgerald told the court, “We don’t want to try the war. The courtroom is not a reasonable place to try the war. Judge Reggie Walton seemed to agree, saying, “I’m not going to let this case end up being a judicial examination of the legitimacy of the war.”

In the hearing, prosecutor Fitzgerald suggested that he would offer the Libby defense team some proof that Valerie Plame Wilson’s status at the CIA was classified. But as he had said earlier, Fitzgerald again said, “We will not offer any proof of actual damages” caused by the revelation of Plame’s identity, although Fitzgerald said “the issue of potential damage will come up several times” in the trial.

67: Porter Waggoner.

Reporter from WH on MSNBC just said that Goss had been at the CIA “for less than 2 yearsâ€!

jinny –

Good grief. Why don’t they just go for broke and say that Goss was there “for less than a decade.” That would be equally truthy.

Here is the entire York post ….

Bulletin from the Libby Courtroom [Byron York]

Lewis Libby defense lawyer Theodore Wells told a federal judge a short time ago that the Libby defense team has located “five witnesses who will say under oath that Mr. [Joseph] Wilson told them his wife worked for the CIA.â€

Wells said he expects that prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald will call Wilson himself to the stand to rebut those accusations.

Today’s hearing concerning what evidence Fitzgerald is required to turn over to the Libby defense team turned into an extended discussion of whether jurors will be allowed to assess Joseph Wilson’s credibility vs. that of the administration as it concerns the reasons the U.S. went to war in Iraq. Prosecutor Fitzgerald told the court, “We don’t want to try the war. The courtroom is not a reasonable place to try the war. Judge Reggie Walton seemed to agree, saying, “I’m not going to let this case end up being a judicial examination of the legitimacy of the war.”

In the hearing, prosecutor Fitzgerald suggested that he would offer the Libby defense team some proof that Valerie Plame Wilson’s status at the CIA was classified. But as he had said earlier, Fitzgerald again said, “We will not offer any proof of actual damages” caused by the revelation of Plame’s identity, although Fitzgerald said “the issue of potential damage will come up several times” in the trial.

Posted at 3:05 PM

Looks like Wilson said vs. kool-aid drinkers said. (Bet one of them is Cliff May). Would expect nothing less of Wells – try to muddy the water and swiftboat the victim. Walton seems to agree with Fitz again, though. :-)

*ilson46201 @ 12:33 pm (#84) – I guess they’re not sure whom Goss wants to spend more time with …

With all the scandal dumping today I would almost think that Fitz will announce an indictment today too.

OT–can anyone help me? It takes forever for me to type in my posts. Is there something I can do to my computer? Thanks!

Thanks xyz at 100…I didn’t want to go to the Corner and you saved me. I’m sending our Patrick good vibes right about now. Smart man: don’t try the war, just try your case. The war trial will follow.

at least CNN has had the common decency of not making that hilarious “Cinco de Mayo Clinic” snark ! still, they are flogging the Kennedy story real hard (but not breaking the skin!)

Seems like a whole lot of chickens coming home to roost all at once. I think the GOP is in for one helluva ninja dick-slapping in November. How do you damage control Mount Vesuvius? You can’t. You don’t. Enjoy.

Mrs K8 #94,

Negroponte is undeniably evil. But that does not mean he is suicidal (I mean, stupid).

anon @ 12:41 pm (#103) – This testimony seems irrelevant to the charges. Libby’s accused of lying about what he told to whom.

I won’t take that Cliff May bet. Find another sucker.

timewarp, thats funny. Icing on the cake!

O’reilly has lost almost 2/3 of the 24-54 audience since Sept.

Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

Oscar @ 12:42 pm (#106) – If you can, turn off your browser’s Javascript interpreter. On Firefox, that’s either a yes/no option, or you can get the NoScript extension to do it on a site-by-site basis.

Turning off Javascript stops the “preview” function. That’s what’s taking so much CPU time, in all likelihood.

We have charts showing that Wilkes directed prostitutes to Democrats, too.

anon 103 –

The “Wilson-outed-his-wife” defense is irrelevant — Scooter Libby has been charged with Perjury and Lying to the FBI.

That pig won’t fly . . .

Finally a chance to reward Harriet Myers for taking one for the team.

scooter out of court now and new fitz video on CNN!!!!!!!!!!!

#112 – Olberman will have fun with this.

CNN website -

Red bannered “Breaking News” lead story w/large pic and headline, “Kennedy entering rehab after crash”

Goss story, small link to the right “CIA Chief resigns”.

CNN – PLAME update comingup after break.

Hugh #58–ROFLMAO (sorry, can’t help myself!)

Oscar 106 –

Type your post in an open composing window — email, word, notepad, etc.

Then copy/paste your comment into the FDL comment window — quick and easy.

Republicans made a big deal wrt Monica, about the possibility of foreign governments using their knowledge of it to blackmail Clinton. If they choose, Dems could use this same excuse to investigate Goss’ involvement and give him a polygraph.
OT, when rumors about Goss’ involvement broke a few weeks ago, there were unconfirmed reports that the prostitutes were not all the same gender.

anon @ 12:41 pm (#103) – This testimony seems irrelevant to the charges. Libby’s accused of lying about what he told to whom.

Oh, I know it is completely irrelevant. Let’s assume a plausible scenario for this. Let’s say some reporter told Wilson they found out his wife worked at the CIA, and then Wilson confirmed it but asked them not to reveal that. So what? Has nothing to do with the fact that Libby lied and obstructed justice.

Good grief. Why don’t they just go for broke and say that Goss was there “for less than a decade.†That would be equally truthy.

the msnbc blond reporterbunny actually in the midst of questioning dana priest, asked about goss’ ‘8 years’ as director

The name Porter means gatekeeper or one who carries a load; Looks like Mr. Goss dropped his load…. Poor Preznit Bush-hog cringing in the offal office without his man at the CIA, and the whole agency headless and hating his guts. Things are looking up.

ShowMePatriot says:
May 5th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
From the AP story: White House counselor Dan Bartlett praised Goss’ character and said, “This man has impeccable integrity.â€

Bush went out of his way to use the same phrase. He looked like he was swallowing rocks, as he tried to remember his talking points.

Goss was chairman of the House Intel Comm., and the Cunningham bribers were getting fat contracts out of the DOD and CIA.

“At least five witnesses……..”

John King– a lot of legal stuff– it would leave your head spinning, so I’ll keep it short(paraphrased).

I say give it to us– Christy and Jane can figger it out!!!

John King is a complete kool-aid drinker so expect this spun for Libby

I think Porter Goss was Chair of the House Intelligence [oxymoronic?] Committee for eight years…

Lewis Libby defense lawyer Theodore Wells told a federal judge a short time ago that the Libby defense team has located “five witnesses who will say under oath that Mr. [Joseph] Wilson told them his wife worked for the CIA.â€
———————————————————-
Nice try, but I’m not biting. (A) When did this supposedly happen? (B) Were these people authorized to know? And (C) does this have any relevance to the charges? (If you can’t connect any of your five witnesses to either reporters or to Libby, I’d say no.)

The defense STILL doesn’t seem to realize that Joe Wilson is irrelevant to their case.

OT, maybe, but worth noticing:

Judges Challenge Internet Wiretap Rules
By TED BRIDIS, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON — A U.S. appeals panel sharply challenged the Bush administration Friday over new rules making it easier for police and the FBI to wiretap Internet phone calls. A judge said the government’s courtroom arguments were “gobbledygook.”

The skepticism expressed so openly toward the administration’s case encouraged civil liberties and education groups that argued that the U.S. is improperly applying telephone-era rules to a new generation of Internet services.
[snip]

the doughy porter load! offal office indeed!!! ROTFLMAO off, dru!

John King on CNN reporting that the defense will also center on Joe Wilson being a serial liar.

Looks like the civil lawsuit will be going forward.

Love those Bushies, they destroy anyone in their path. They are consistently on the side of devils.

-GSD

From the AP story: White House counselor Dan Bartlett praised Goss’ character and said, “This man has impeccable integrity.â€

Remember in Bush’s world everything has the opposite meaning.

Not a fan of Porter Goss. I wondered, during his confirmation hearings, why did former Sen. Bob Graham testify on his behalf? It was so amazing for him to do so, when you consider how critical Graham was during the 9/11 hearings, in his capacity as Chm of the Intelligence Committee.

Is it more possible that Goss is resigning because of Foggo’s shenanigans, or, because of something more injurious than bad PR to the WH?

Ditto 78 and 83!!
Dems, JUST STOP DOING NOTHING!!

I know everyone is having a grand ol’time thinking of Porter (”You can’t spell ‘PIG’ without the P and G”) Goss cum Duke (la)Cross-dresser, but has anyone speculated that his resignation is linked to the seemingly wrongful dismissal of a CIA agent for disclosing the (un)classified details of the secret spying program? If not, consider it so speculated.

White House counselor Dan Bartlett praised Goss’ character and said, “This man has impeccable integrity.â€

Bush went out of his way to use the same phrase. He looked like he was swallowing rocks, as he tried to remember his talking points.

Maybe Bartlett and Bush said that Goss has an “incredible pecker” — and AP translated for them?

This is too funny, and I needed a laugh today. Yes, the CIA has been in good hands for such a long time now.

Write Your Own Caption:

http://www.crooksandliars.com/

The Beeb on Goss:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4978776.stm

The BBC’s correspondent in Washington, Justin Webb, says the announcement came as a bolt from the blue.

While there have been several changes at the top of the Bush administration recently, and more are expected, Mr Goss’s name was never mentioned.

Friends of the former CIA agent and Republican congressman said they were hugely surprised.

Go read Josh:

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

John King on CNN reporting that the defense will also center on Joe Wilson being a serial liar.

Welcome to the swiftboating …. snort. I wouldn’t tangle with Wilson. He knows how to bite.

I love Libby’s new defense. “Lying … everybody does it!”

“A Question for Porter Goss”
by emptywheel
“I wonder, Porter Goss. Two weeks ago, when you fired Mary McCarthy just weeks shy of her retirement, did you have any idea you’d be resigning yourself so quickly….”

Porter Goss has reportedly turned in his badge and his shoe phone and will be debriefed in the cone-of-silence.

-GSD

FWIW, Ed Schultz was speculating that Goss resigned to challenge Katherine Harris in the FL senate primary. Filing deadline’s a week from today. Might make for an interesting campaign, one liability challenging another.

heh, wolfie leads with Kennedy’s crash.

Froggermarch #139,

I was just wondering the same thing a few minutes ago. Then I took it a little farther and was wondering if we might be seeing some more spooks speaking up wrt wtf has been going on in the recent past.

froggermarch @ 12:56 pm (#139) – Seems unlikely, especially given that this is Bush and Co. we’re talking about. Mary McCarthy admitted talking to news reporters without agency permission. This is enough for disciplinary action, in their view.

frogger 139: I think someone in the previous thread may have mentioned that connection, and that this may be been the ultimate Company retaliation. But good point. But the timing is still pretty damn unusual.

Personally, I think “Plan 9 From Outer Space” has a more realistic plot than all this crap. The characters are about the same, tho.

Thanks cujo!! Will try it.

Headline on Raw Story: Libby lawyers plan to call Karl Rove as witness

More details later…

Porter Goss has reportedly turned in his badge and his shoe phone and will be debriefed in the cone-of-silence.

-GSD

If I was paranoid, I might take exception that remark…

125 —
That blonde, hard-hitting anchor on MSNBC this afternoon is Melissa Stark, formerly sideline reporter on Monday Night Football.

She was no expert on the NFL either.

CNN – “POTENTIAL connection between Wilkes and Foggo” – what a joke they are, they’ve known each other since their schooldays.

Did anyone else notice this sentence in the Silverstein piece? (Forgive if this has already been pointed out)

Apparently photographs were taken, and investigators are anxiously procuring copies. My heart beats faster in fevered anticipation. (mine too)

Right now, John Roberts going over Fornigate quite well. Saying IG investigating the allegations.

Rearranging of deck chairs on the Hindenburg continues as CIA Director Porter Goss resigns

Headline at FARK.

#154.

We have found the spy in our midst.

-GSD

cujo–

(To take GSD’s bait)

Missed it by THAT much!

Would you believe….

zeppo @ 1:03 pm (#151) – Oh, now I get it. Nevermind. Yes, there’s certainly a possibility that someone decided to deal with the Goss problem after that one. I think we’d need to look at the timeline, though. This has been brewing since at least April 27. When was McCarthy dismissed? April 21, if I’m reading the WaPo article correctly.

It’s at least physically possible.

#147—I heard this too and can’t decide whether that would be bad—or GOOD (if the Hookergate rumors are true!)

Someone at the CIA may have shown Porter what they’ve got on him and said “Wanna stay and live through this- or resign now!”

The CIA hates him.

OT

And here’s more hard hitting news from the “what’s on Press the Meat” Sunday
>>>>>>>>>>>
Then, a special live appearance by the comedian and presidential impressionist Steve Bridges, who had all of Washington seeing double with his remarkable joint-routine with President Bush at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner last weekend.
>>>>>>>>>>>
When is Colbert scheduled?

al-Scooter @ 147 may be onto something – Katherine Harris’s replacement. That would explain not explaining why he’s leaving.

Dumpster Diving.

Drudge has 10 stories and picture of Pat Kennedy. Two stories on Goss.

What a pud.

-GSD

P.S. You can write to give him tips, which I do on occasion. I tell him to drop the eggs and cover some Republican scandals.

GSD #159. You’re not tagging shoephone are you? I can personally vouch for shoephone’s bona fides.

FoxNews.com and CNN.com are leading with the Kennedy rehab story. Even on CNN’s politics page, “Porter Goss Resigns” is located under “In Other News”. What the Hell!

#147 & 162

There’s also a rumour out that Katherine Harris will be nominated as the next DCI

rwcole-
Your theory sounds the most plausible. Especially with the pictures rumor floating around.

Hmm.

Associated with hookers at the Watergate, *and* forced to resign by Bush, et. al., from the *CIA*, *and* probably accepted bribes.

Goss is providing a whole new meaning and context to the word: Clusterfucked.

#159 – Don’t forget, the original shoephone had a removable heel, exposing a small compartment containing suicide pills.

I think Goss took his this morning.

Moe.

I love Shoephone. Just jesting as always.

-GSD

Cafferty
“what does it mean when the director of the CIA resigns for no reason on a Friday afternoon?”

Send your responses to caffertyfile@cnn.com OR form at http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5t.html

Who Is The # 2 @ CIA ?? – website only has org chart – no names

jinny # 143 I’ve just come back from reading Josh – Why in the hell hasn’t Wilkes been indicted or charged ???? I don’t get it

I’m only speculating but I think whoremoans and poke her games are related somehow.

Jay @ 1:15 pm (#168) – Let’s help them out. Google for “Patrick Kennedy shark (attack|bite)”. The name Kennedy would have too many associations with white women already for that to be a useful line of inquiry.

cbl-
I think Wilkes is still spilling the beans.

Cleese, as Basil Fawlty; “Don’t mention the whore!”

Sure, Goss is gonna run for senate in FL. and Shirllington limo will be driving him around the state as he stumps for the job :-)

Regarding Libby’s claim that Joe Wilson is a congenital liar:

“I know you are, but what am I” is not a workable defense against perjury.

BTW, for those of you following the George Ryan trial which Fitz’s office is prosecuting.

Judge ruled for prosecution. No mistrial.

http://cbs2chicago.com/topstor…..60522.html

(I realize I may be the only one following this, btw. But it is another Fitz win.)

Hope Valerie Plame hasn’t signed a contract yet. Today’s news must be worth at least another $M.

anon – that is actually highly relevant to the leak case as the ruling means there is one less thing for Fitz to be distracted by.

How’s this for an FDL headline:

Shoephone Turns In Goss!

BTW, anyone who was watching John Roberts and John McGloughlan(sp?) on CNN – McGloughlan (former #2 under Tenet and Goss) is either the most ignorant SOB (not!) or the most cold blooded I have seen in a while – not a muscle on his face moved the entire time he was claiming not to know anything – scary

“For weeks”, my ass…

Not only is this an absolutely ridiculous claim given the fact that Goss didn’t wait for a replacement to be found, and his resignation is “effective immediately”, but also, hasn’t it been Bush’s pattern lately whenever a new deck chair gets rearranged to make the formal announcement more or less first thing in the morning?

Given that the Goss announcement came later in the morning, I’d say there’s a pretty good chance that Goss just walked into Bush’s office this morning and said “I’m the fuck outta here. You wanna tell ‘em, or should I?”

The ONLY other possibility I can think of is that the “clearing the way for Iran” idea some here have mentioned is more of what’s going on, and they suddenly realized that a Friday dump in the middle of this Patrick Kennedy story would provide them enough cover to ditch Goss and nominate in an even bigger lunatic like Gen. Hayden without the public noticing.

However, as somebody else mentioned… Occam’s Razor. I think it’s pretty obvious that this is about Fornigate, and possibly even that Jeff Gannon’s sudden announcement of “I’m gay, and guess who all ELSE is??” are what’s behind Goss’ sudden resignation.

But the story that this has been in the works “for weeks”? Utter horseshit. Timmeh oughtta be ashamed of himself for trying to pull something that insultingly lame out of his ass.

RevDeb 180:

Or strumpets for the job.

This was driving me crazy, as I was at the gym when the story broke. Tried to go online there when I was finished, but computers were down. Argh! Then on to run errands, listening to CNN in the car. Could barely get the groceries in the door before I ran to the computer, and gave the dogs rawhide to chew on so they’d be occupied.

Anyway, a couple thoughts.

Someone on CNN reported that the Goss resignation was a complete surprise at the Pentagon.

Heard the name Frances Townsend (author of our bird flu plan: “stay at least 3 ft away from people”) as possible replacement. Ick.

Heard the John King report on the Libby hearing. Was pleased to hear Tony whatever-his-name-is say to King: “This isn’t a case about whether it was widely known that Valerie Plame worked at the CIA, this is a case about lying to a grand jury and investigators.”

I distinctly remember Paul Vallely claiming that Wilson told Vallely about his wife working at the CIA when the two were in the Fox green room together. Not only does Wilson deny that, but a review showed that the two were never in the green room together. And I can’t imagine Wilson even deigning to speak to a weasel like Vallely.

I’m guessing we’ll know more about the Goss resignation in time for the Sunday shows; maybe Timmy will have to reschedule Bridges.

Spent a few minutes shouting at the radio when they were discussing the Patrick Kennedy story. These people need to go back to their notes on the Cheney shooting and then shut up about preferential treatment and failure to do breathalyzer.

I just posted this on the previous thread, but I thought it might belong here as well. I’ve already sent in my question. I know folks here write better than I do, and can compose much more pointed questions, perhaps they’ll actually be put on air.

Hi, I’m a frequent reader, but this is my first post. The Cafferty files on CNN, has asked for opinions on the resignation of Porter Goss. Quoting “Is this all part of the White House shakeup, Josh Bolton has undertaken? Or is it something more? Here’s the question, What does it mean when the CIA director suddeenly resigns on a Friday afternoon?†He’s asking for comments/questions to be sent to caffertyfile@cnn.com cnn.com//caffertyfile
I figure this is a good chance for folks to bring up the Pornigate issue.
By the way, thank you for all the wonderful articles and commentary. I’m glad that someone is still paying attention to Valerie Plame.

Thanks again

At #21 Professor Foland wrote:

“It’s not only that there’s no replacement that is fishy. It’s also that it is effective immediately. They could have announced that “DCI will be leaving on June First, by which time we will have named a replacementâ€. That, for instance, is basically what happened with Scotty. “

Precisely. Also, this was clearly ’sudden’. Planned departures such as Scotty and Andrew are ‘leaked’ to the media well in advance of the official announcement.

At #99 *ilson46201 said:

“…Mehlmans memos havent hit the blastfax system yet “

Yet more indication of the suddenness. Not even enough time to coordinate proper automatonic spewing points.

At #137 margaret asked:

“Is it more possible that Goss is resigning because of Foggo’s shenanigans, or, because of something more injurious than bad PR to the WH?”

Taking personal responsibility for the mistakes of your staff hasn’t really been part of the Bush approach to governing. So while resigning strictly due to Foggo may be possible, I’m a little skeptical.

At #147 al-Scooter mentioned:

“Ed Schultz was speculating that Goss resigned to challenge Katherine Harris in the FL senate primary.”

Stranger things have happened I suppose. But again, it is the suddeness of this announcement and the clear lack of pre-planning/coordination that argues against this possibility. Can you imaginge Porter walking into Bush’s office yesterday say “I’m outta here, Chief. Ya see, Katherine Harris is mucking things up a bit down in Florida and I’m thinkin’ need to save the good folks down there from this mess. Sorry I can’t stick around and do the CIA thing.”

At #163 rwcole stated:

“Someone at the CIA may have shown Porter what they’ve got on him and said “Wanna stay and live through this- or resign now!—

Porter may not be liked by CIA career professionals but again, even if someone had his cajones in the vise so to speak, the resignation likely would have been better coordinated. This theory is possible I suppose, but I’d need more evidence to bite.

My guess is that there IS INDEED a 900 pound gorilla in this room. But it’s looking like we’ll have to wait a bit to see what develops.

cbl at 186 — My understanding is that McLaughlin isn’t stupid. If you catch my meaning.

CNN “breaking” the “for weeks” meme.

So transparent. So pathetic.

If I was that bad a liar, I’d be in jail. ;)

Clem 187. . . Timmeh, shame in the same sentence. I don’t think so.

#179—“But Meester Fawlty, ees my hooker!â€

cbl @ #175 – Don’t you think they’re working on the theory of “takes a
thief to catch a thief”?

Kudlow gets a lengthy interview with Bush — probably part of the full-court press to improve his flagging numbers.

5:00 pm ET today if you want to catch it on CNBC.

One of the clips they are using shows Bush yapping about holding folks accountable if they lie and aren’t transparent.

BWA-HAHAHAHAHAH!!! Hello, Pot? This is Kettle calling…

The talking heads are also yammering about the Goss resignation…”Goss didn’t have the power he wanted and needed, blah-blah…” No mention of the Hooker-gate scandals, only the buzz that a resignation had been expected (Snows, somebody else on staff) but not Goss’s.

So now we know Rove has already been spinning on this one. What I’m wondering, because of the timing involved and the very careful parsing of words by Shirlington Limo honcho Chris Baker whether Gannon’s “emergence” isn’t somehow related. Think about it; Baker says that he was “never in attendance in any party where any women were being used for prostitution purposes.”

Can you say “honeypot”? Heh. I knew you could.

PJEvans 133That link goes to a Kennedy crash piece. ?

Would it be too much to hope that the Under Secretary story is true and more than that – that it would/could/should be Cambone? I don’t believe in fairy tales anymore, but that one would make remember them more fondly.

Re Hayden – you mean, “see no warrant, have no warrant, get no warrant†Hayden? At least is he was handling overseas and non-domestic ops you wouldn’t get so ill over his approach to surveillance and intercepts.

I thought someone said Fran Townsend might be in the loop for the appointment? He does need someone that can get past, not just Roberts but other Senators too and she could do it. OTOH, the were interviewing someone ex-CIA (can’t remember who) and he mentioned no one speculates bc, his reference point seemed to be that they try so hard to put cronies who will provide cover vs. anyone with any reasonably related skill sets for the job, that it’s a real difficult job to start guessing.

Ed N Sted @ 1:33 pm (#191) – Like I said, too early to pull out Occam’s Razor just yet. This one’s strange, and there are at least one or two possibilities besides the obvious. None really make complete sense given what we know at the moment.

BTW, is that the 900 pound elephantine gorilla in the room that no one’s talking about, or the one that gets to sit wherever he wants?

Mary @ at 1:37 pm (#198) – Yes, that’s the Hayden. He’s Negroponte’s deputy at the moment, and would certainly fit the bill, including being at least as dreadful as the guy he’s replacing.

Where’s everyone gone? Why, there’s hookers in the next thread!

GSD – whew! The old double-door deception trick!(thanks for the back-up, moe99).

“Clem 187. . . Timmeh, shame in the same sentence. I don’t think so.”

Yeah, I know… what the Fudd was I thinkin’? ;^)

The odd part is that it happened so suddenly and with no replacement. A possibility would seem to be if something happened that looked like it was going to speedily bring into question his security clearance. ???

If he resigns, does he lose it without it having to be publically revoked? Anyone asking the head of the FBI if HE knows anything about why Goss might be resigning on such a fasttrack basis?

Dang it – scratch all that. I just heard the real reason. Goss needs to spend more time with Andy Card’s kids. ;-)

Two weeks! Two weeks is just another example of the Republican Propaganda Machine. Throw up the smoke screen. I just can’t wait for the Snowjob on Monday. Any bets the “two weeks” gets mentioned more than two times? Four anyone?

shoephone @ 1:45 pm (#202) – You guys amaze me. I’d completely forgotten that routine. What was it on, one episode?

From the next thread ‘Hooker’ (as in getting the…?) (freakin’ internal firewall won’t let me post…):
the White House would’ve probably sacrificed its collective left nut to avoid stepping on a drunk Kennedy story.

I guess this will soon leave us with the ‘collective nut left’…and you can call him, (wait for it…) George W.

Hey, they only got one left.
~

How will Fox News be able to resist the Hookers?!
Watch ‘em squirm.
Hilarious.

The President: Where the hell is my new chief of staff?

Bolton: I’m here, Mr. President.

POTUS: Things really are going downhill here since Andy left. Why can’t I get a good cup of coffee anymore? [He throws down the cup, which spills on the table.] This stuff is shit!

Bolton: [sponging the spill with cloth napkins with the presidential seal on them] Mr. President, I have some bad news for you.

POTUS: Bad news, shit! I hired you to solve problems, not to create them. Not to bring them to me. Can’t you solve it?

Bolton: Not this one, Mr. President. I’m afraid you will have to make a statement.

POTUS: What is it now? Has Karl been indicted?

Bolton: Not yet, Mr. President. We expect that momentarily.
POTUS: Has Scooter flipped? I knew that stupid egghead with his. . .

Bolton: No Mr. President. Libby has not flipped, as far as we know.

POTUS: Then what is it, damn you? Why can’t you leave me alone?

Bolton: It’s Porter Goss, Mr. President.

POTUS: Goss? Goss? Is he my new Homeland Security Chief?

Bolton: No, that’s Chertoff, Mr. President.

POTUS: Head of the FBI? Don’t tell me. I’ll get it.

Bolton: The head of the CIA, Sir.

POTUS: Of course, the CIA. What did Goss do and what will it cost me?

Bolton: Do you know that ring of gambling and prostitutes at the Watergate in the news last week?

POTUS: Why don’t you remind me?

Bolton: A major lobbyist maintained a suite at the Watergate for politicians to meet privately with major corporate folk. There were poker games and hookers.

POTUS: Hookers?

Bolton: Yes, Mr. President.

POTUS: And Porter?

Bolton: Yes, Mr. President.
POTUS: Shit. Hookers. What am I supposed to do?
Bolton: Mr. President, there are security concerns. Mr. Goss has compromised America’s security. He has to resign immediately.

POTUS: Immediately? Shit. Do I have a replacement? What does Dick say?

Bolton: I just came from informing the Vice President, Sir. He says that you should announce Goss’s resignation immediately.

POTUS: Oh, all right. Do I have to take questions?

Bolton: No, sir.

POTUS: OK, write me out the usual stuff. . . Great public servant. . . transitional figure. . . blah, blah, blah.

Bolton: I’ll take care of it, Mr. President.

POTUS: You bet your ass, you will.

Patience, patience! Kennedy will go into rehab and then…..silence. His condition will improve medically. His rehab may take a few months and the Kennedy machine will protect the privacy of the patient. This is the story that will fall off the radar for lack of info. On the otherhand, Hookergate seems destined for many salacious repeat performances. The 6 or so current and former members of the Intelligence Committee have still to be named. Foggo’s still in the headlites. Wilkes and Wade are still talking. The MSM must be crapping all over themselves. They can’t find enough carpets to sweep this all under. Who wants to be Tony Snow on Monday morning? You think he will be reporting on what Kennedy’s condition will be? The Kennedys will tell the MSM and the White House to go f* themselves before they give up any info on their boy. So what will the Press want to ask Tony about?

Where did you get that photo? Do you know that is the exit “ramp” of the Vatican musuem?? Interesting choice of a picture and one of the worst pieces of architecture I have ever walked down…

Margaret (137), Graham and Goss are both from Florida and I believe for that reason it was a courtesy for Graham to introduce Goss.

For those speculating about Hayden, someone reported Hayden (Satan personified) has the job. Bush is so po’d about his poll numbers, he wants his critics to be likewise.

Things are never so bad in Bush-land, that they can’t get worse.

Representative McKinney is getting a break while Wolf and company beat up on Patrick Kennedy and the Kennedy family.

The big story here for mine is that the CIA will now become even more like J Edgar Hoover’s Gestapo and the USSA version of the STASI.
The means exist to compartmentalize the data streams they are scooping up but they are not advertizing that. This is a huge clue that they want backdoor access – they are fucking worse snoops than even Nixons gang of criminals.
Worse than watergate and worse than Iran/contra, this is the mother of all scandals.
If Dan Bartlet is smart he will put out a butt covering story on how translucent the database is and then very quickly arrange for Shirllington Limo’s to drive ol’Chemo-suit out where Jimmy Hoffa got dropped off.
Past time to put the kybosh on Big Time.
Throw Crashcart from the train.
Ditch the shotgun off the bridge.
Lighten the Hindenberg quick – ‘ These things go down!’

The issue with Patrick Kennedy as far as I can tell is that he is bipolar and probably self-medicating. I have 100% more sympahty for persons who are suffering from some sort of illness, mental or otherwise, and are coping than I do for persons like Goss, Rove and Rumsfled who are morally corrupt and downright criminal. There is a huge distinction to my mind. P. Kennedy is apparently a big mental health parity and mental health rights advocate. I hope he recovers and continues the good work, and stays to fight another day. For the criminal Rethugly critters in congress or in WH, I have no sympathy. Either den Haague or ankle bracelets for all of them.