Zed!

Good luck to ya’ll in DC! Now back to reading the post.

Jane !!

JANE!!! This is what brought me to FDL initally and I am so looking forward to not only Mr. Fitzgerald sticking it to Dead-Eye Dick, but also the smackdown you and the pups will be putting on all the spin!

Yee Ha!

Was there a conventional mail address for contributions posted? If so, I missed it, and I have a check all ready to mail. Well, once someone advises as to whom/how it should be made out.

Thanks much.

Hooray for the stupid-crap-beating-back bloggers!

Fitzmas!

Are you wearing costumes? I was thinking kneepads for Judy’s testimony, orange vests for BigTime’s day in the dock, gayface and funny hats for Ari, et al.

BTW, people were asking for a snail mail address:

The Fire Dog Lake Company
8033 Sunset Blvd. #966
Los Angeles, CA 90046

I’m looking forward to the reports, even if they aren’t live!

Happy Fitzmas!

TeddySanFran @ 8

Are you wearing costumes? I was thinking kneepads for Judy’s testimony, orange vests for BigTime’s day in the dock, gayface and funny hats for Ari, et al.

You can be fashion coordinator, Teddy.

Way to go Jane, I’m looking forward to you guys breaking it down for us. You’ll do better than the guys on the NFL pregame shows! (Just don’t wear a suit like Michael Irvin.)

For those of you in the FDL community who will be in DC next Thursday (the 18th), we’ll be hosting Dan Froomkin at Drinking Liberally, Dupont Circle. He’ll be speaking at 7:30 with Q&A afterwards, and we’ll have a happy hour starting at 6:30.

Drink discounts, appetizers, Froomkin. Good stuff.

More here for those who are interested.

Hope to see you there!

This is great. Blog the hell out of this Jane. It’s a great chance for you to show the netizenry how this stuff should be done.

I am confident you will kick some ass.

‘Course Cheney’s is so big and fat it’ll be hard to miss.

Seriously, I’d like real intense look at Cheney. In my opinion he’s just as dumb as Bush and even more incompetent. I base this opinion from my reading of “The Curse of Cheney”.

I will be looking forward to your take on his character.

Which Fitzgerald should be able to expose on cross.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee! Fat-assed NeoCon scum in the dock!

I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuv it!

Congratulations Jane. I’m looking forward to the reports.

What can one say about the WSJ?

. . . Prosecutor’s Success Hinges on Focusing on Perjury Charge,”

Yes, it’s true that a prosecutor’s success depends on focusing on the actual crimes charged. And their point is . . . what?

Also, when do we get to hear about the Ned party?

Jane Hamsher @
9

BTW, people were asking for a snail mail address

Thanks for the update. The check is, well, you know…

When you need a sanity break, go wander through the National Building Museum. Much more fun than it sounds.

Jane Hamsher @ 11

TeddySanFran @ 8

Are you wearing costumes? I was thinking kneepads for Judy’s testimony, orange vests for BigTime’s day in the dock, gayface and funny hats for Ari, et al.

You can be fashion coordinator, Teddy.

I thought they had to wear pajamas?

Nothing like a road trip, right Jane?

FANTABULOUS!!!

I don’t know how I’m going to get any work done during the trial as I try to keep up with what you all will be doing.

I hope the servers are going to have their extra special dose of Wheeties for this. The whole world will be watching and the best seats outside of the courtroom will be right here.

OT – sestak on hardballs

I’ve been told that the front doors of the Library of Congress are worth seeing, but you have to get there before they open. (Someday I’ll get to DC and see them myself. If the Neocons don’t blow up the world first.)

And the check is in the mail at 5 Pacific time (pickup for my building’s station).

Congratulations – let the real journalism begin! I have all put given up on the maid stream ie. corporate media to just report the facts. This shows that serious journalism can and dos occur outside of mainstream media.

I’m watching Hardball…

…just sayin’.

You’re going to DC and Hillary’s going to Iraq. One trip makes sense. The other does not.

RevDeb @ 19

FANTABULOUS!!!

I don’t know how I’m going to get any work done during the trial as I try to keep up with what you all will be doing.

I hope the servers are going to have their extra special dose of Wheeties for this. The whole world will be watching and the best seats outside of the courtroom will be right here.

Give the moderators on Troll Patrol some Wheaties, too, as I would not be surprised if the posts here attract some of the shrill ones on the far right.

I am almost dumbfounded that the bloggers (including the FDL folks) have been able to get passes for the trial, but I sure am happy that it is so.

Can you share any details of what it took for this historic occurance to be approved by the court?

Peterr @ 25

RevDeb @ 19

FANTABULOUS!!!

I don’t know how I’m going to get any work done during the trial as I try to keep up with what you all will be doing.

I hope the servers are going to have their extra special dose of Wheeties for this. The whole world will be watching and the best seats outside of the courtroom will be right here.

Give the moderators on Troll Patrol some Wheaties, too, as I would not be surprised if the posts here attract some of the shrill ones on the far right.

May need to enlarge the Troll Patrol as well as the servers. Good point, Peter.

Glad I was able to make a donation, small as it was (10.07). Think of it as a drink on me for your hosting session with Froomkin (he’s another one of my favorites)! My best to all covering the trial and looking forward to reading your posts. From Witney,
The Woodlands, Texas.

this is REALLY exciting, I cannot express

I don’t want to set myself up for a huge dissapointment so please tell me what the chances are of an adjournment

Jacqrat @ 23

I’m watching Hardball…

…just sayin’.

Iran, Iran, Iran. Matthews is asking the right questions.

This is exciting!

Jane Hamsher @
9

BTW, people were asking for a snail mail address:

The Fire Dog Lake Company
8033 Sunset Blvd. #966
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Thank you. Please consider adding it above.

This is such a thrill! Ordered a book locally and on amazon.

…Howard Dean on hardball now

Howard Dean on Hardball. “No stomach” for attacking Iran.

Jane, I have a suggestion wrt your address: maybe you could put it in the “contact us” area so that folks don’t have to sort through all the comments or posts to find it. Seems logical and permanent (unless it changes, at which point, you could change it there.)

The bloggers are going to show the turd polishers in the MSM how reporting this case is supposed to be done.
I can’t wait for Janes take on it, she has a great style about her writing. Not to mention, Da SNARK!

I wonder if Anchor Baby or Pammy got a press pass? After all, they are pretty credible journalists aren’t they?

Jane,
You all have done such a reat job. The accomadations the federal court is making specifically for bloggers it leterally historic. To my knowledge this is the very first time blogging has been allowed in a federal courthouse.

This is so huge and am so excited for all of us who will be racing to our computers each day to hang on every word. Thank you for this.

Anchor Baby is currently multi-tasking: polishing turds and soiling herself in EyeRack.

Kelven @ 37

I wonder if Anchor Baby or Pammy got a press pass? After all, they are pretty credible journalists aren’t they?

Oh wouldn’t that be a thumb in the eye if they didn’t qualify?

Pammy’s picking food out of Bolton’s mustache on Lawn Guyland.

Can anyone explain what insight Senator Hillary hopes to gather from a trip to the ‘Green Zone’?

Oklahoma kiddo @ 42

Can anyone explain what insight Senator Hillary hopes to gather from a trip to the ‘Green Zone’?

photo ops. Just like Jr. and the plastic turkey.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 42

Can anyone explain what insight Senator Hillary hopes to gather from a trip to the ‘Green Zone’?

The same thing that Joey Joe Joe Lieberman found out. That the troops love it over there and everything is going very very well.

Would Pammy even be interested? I mean her coverage these days is pretty much restricted to Islamiphobic race-baiting and making fun of non-white Dem politicians, isn’t it?

looseheadprop @ 40

Kelven @ 37

I wonder if Anchor Baby or Pammy got a press pass? After all, they are pretty credible journalists aren’t they?

Oh wouldn’t that be a thumb in the eye if they didn’t qualify?

It is so exciting….this could be the straw….please,please be the flipping point!

Oklahoma kiddo @ 42

Can anyone explain what insight Senator Hillary hopes to gather from a trip to the ‘Green Zone’?

Testing fellow-traveller Evan Bayh out as a running mate? Clinton-Bayh?

What about Drudge? Surely someone of his high journalistic standards got one. ‘Course I haven’t heard him crowing about it so maybe not…

OT,

Something I am very glad to see.

Jan. 12, 2007, 2:49PM
Convicted lawmakers may lose pensions

By JIM ABRAMS Associated Press Writer
2007 The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, behind bars for bribery, can at least be consoled by the federal pension he’ll continue to collect. Current or future lawmakers convicted of crimes may not be so lucky.

The Senate on Friday voted 87-0 to strip away the pensions of members of Congress convicted of white-collar crimes such as bribery, perjury and fraud. That could result in benefit losses of more than $100,000 a year.

snip

http://rawstory.com/showoutart…..66445.html

OT–but I’d really like some help in conceptualizing my anger toward Joe Lieberman.

He’s just so … so … what?

What’s a one or two-word term to best describe his maddening quality? Evil? (Nah, Bush is evil, but Lieberman isn’t powerful enough to have that be the best word to describe him.) Contemptible? (Not specific enough.) Smug? Liar? (Those are aspects but don’t capture the whole spectrum of what’s wrong with him.)

I figure if I can resort to a simple formula — “that ______ SOB” — I can work through my anger all the quicker. As it stands now, I missed the end of Bush’s speech because I was yelling at the TV when I heard Lieberman’s name mentioned.

Any help from the gang would be much appreciated. (By the way, has anyone heard how that bipartisan pro-surge commission is going? Any new members signing on?)

Federal Way schools restrict Gore film
‘Inconvenient Truth’ called too controversial

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/…..ent11.html

Scarecrow @ 17

Jane Hamsher @ 11

TeddySanFran @ 8

Are you wearing costumes? I was thinking kneepads for Judy’s testimony, orange vests for BigTime’s day in the dock, gayface and funny hats for Ari, et al.

You can be fashion coordinator, Teddy.

I thought they had to wear pajamas?

I have some nice business clothes I don’t have to wear for work, but might bring to D.C. just to avoid journalistic stereotyping. If the ties don’t have too much dust on them.

Kelven @ 48

What about Drudge? Surely someone of his high journalistic standards got one. ‘Course I haven’t heard him crowing about it so maybe not…

What about that guy (JOKER?… I never remember their names, sorry) that got that reporter fired and then thought AP made up an Iraq source…? Did he get a press pass?

Oklahoma kiddo @
51

Federal Way schools restrict Gore film
‘Inconvenient Truth’ called too controversial

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/…..ent11.html

a clip:

“Condoms don’t belong in school, and neither does Al Gore. He’s not a schoolteacher,” said Frosty Hardison, a parent of seven who also said that he believes the Earth is 14,000 years old. “The information that’s being presented is a very cockeyed view of what the truth is. … The Bible says that in the end times everything will burn up, but that perspective isn’t in the DVD.”

I’m gloating I know… sorry :)

Gotta bring the hemp clothes, Tevas and headbands. Hacky-sacks for the breaks, and lots of patchouli oil.

Matthews observes on Hardball that Brownback “is to the left of Hillary” on Iraq. Shame on you Senator Clinton.

I asked this at the time but got no answer. I sent $20.00 before I realized we needed to add the .07. Does that mean the money just went into the general fund?

An Al Sadr aid said get the coffins ready for US troops.

Says the US presence IS the problem.

-GSD

Twisted Martini @ 56

Gotta bring the hemp clothes, Tevas and headbands. Hacky-sacks for the breaks, and lots of patchouli oil.

I am laughing so hard there are tears in my eyes.

NormalLiberal @
16

Jane Hamsher @
9

BTW, people were asking for a snail mail address

Thanks for the update. The check is, well, you know…

When you need a sanity break, go wander through the National Building Museum. Much more fun than it sounds.

I strongly second this suggestion. They have a great exhibit “The Green House” going on right now. The museum is the big red THING right next to the courthouses. You can’t miss it, and it’s got free admission!

Now off the read the comments…

Oklahoma kiddo @
42

Can anyone explain what insight Senator Hillary hopes to gather from a trip to the ‘Green Zone’?

I believe she is wrapping herself in some sort of cloak…
not too different from the emperors clothes, but
If she is adorning herself maybe she’ll get off the durn fence soon

Will donate by snail mail now that I have the FDL address. I am really looking forward to the live blogging.

I’d love to be off work for the entire trial (glued to the news), but have already used my vacation time. But I do think that I may come down with a bug for a day OR TWO.

WOOO-HOOO !!!

My battle beginning next week will be to not become worthless at work. I’m my own boss, so that helps some things I suppose.

I want Edwards, Gore, Clark, Feingold, Bayh, or Kucinich, for 2008. And Rahm and DLC; don’t attempt to shove Hillary down my throat, or up my …

hi uncle toby!

(By the way, has anyone heard how that bipartisan pro-surge commission is going? Any new members signing on?)

Any Senate Dems who make that group tri-partisan are guaran-damn-teeing themselves a primary challenge. Who’d want the headache? Bet there’s lotsa perks, though: Camp David circle-jerks, carrier-group commemorative pins, briefings with Condi. Will OldLord McCain join the group? — W’s surge is just a wee surge, not the big manly surge the OldLord wanted.

In my best “Montgomery Burns”:
-EXxcellent!!!
looseheadprop @
60

Twisted Martini @ 56

Gotta bring the hemp clothes, Tevas and headbands. Hacky-sacks for the breaks, and lots of patchouli oil.

I am laughing so hard there are tears in my eyes.

Hee! they’re gonna know we’re there. (the DFH’s!)

uncle toby @
50

OT–but I’d really like some help in conceptualizing my anger toward Joe Lieberman.

He’s just so … so … what?

What’s a one or two-word term to best describe his maddening quality? Evil? (Nah, Bush is evil, but Lieberman isn’t powerful enough to have that be the best word to describe him.) Contemptible? (Not specific enough.) Smug? Liar? (Those are aspects but don’t capture the whole spectrum of what’s wrong with him.)

I figure if I can resort to a simple formula — “that ______ SOB” — I can work through my anger all the quicker. As it stands now, I missed the end of Bush’s speech because I was yelling at the TV when I heard Lieberman’s name mentioned.

Any help from the gang would be much appreciated. (By the way, has anyone heard how that bipartisan pro-surge commission is going? Any new members signing on?)

There may be a better choice than the one I’ve seen on prior threads, but it might be what you’re looking for: sanctimonious. How well do you think that fits?

oxide @
61

I strongly second this suggestion. They have a great exhibit “The Green House” going on right now.

Damn! The last time I was there, they had a massive (yes, in multiple senses) exhibit on concrete. Which was amazingly interesting, but this sounds much better.

I wonder if I can think of a really good reason why I need to go to Washington…

uncle toby @ 50

OT–but I’d really like some help in conceptualizing my anger toward Joe Lieberman.

He’s just so … so … what?

What’s a one or two-word term to best describe his maddening quality? Evil? (Nah, Bush is evil, but Lieberman isn’t powerful enough to have that be the best word to describe him.) Contemptible? (Not specific enough.) Smug? Liar? (Those are aspects but don’t capture the whole spectrum of what’s wrong with him.)

I figure if I can resort to a simple formula — “that ______ SOB” — I can work through my anger all the quicker. As it stands now, I missed the end of Bush’s speech because I was yelling at the TV when I heard Lieberman’s name mentioned.

Any help from the gang would be much appreciated. (By the way, has anyone heard how that bipartisan pro-surge commission is going? Any new members signing on?)

Traitorous bastard!

Interesting squib about last night’s PR performance

Normally after the president gives a TV address, news photographers take pictures of him standing behind the podium. That wasn’t allowed after President Bush’s Iraq address on Wednesday. “The speech was a very historic speech of news value, and they elected to manage it as a public relations function,” says Dennis Brack, president of the White House News Photographers Association. AP and Reuters refused to use the handout photo (at left).
> “Some might ask what’s the big deal — it’s just a photo after all” (Trib)

raven @ 58

I asked this at the time but got no answer. I sent $20.00 before I realized we needed to add the .07. Does that mean the money just went into the general fund?

Support your FDL Generals..)

Another interesting bit from Jerelyn:

For your Friday entertainment, you may want to read the police reports and documents (linked at Brad Blog) outlining the three crimes (two of them felonies) that might be charged against Ann Coulter, who misrepresented her address when she applied for a driver’s license, when she registered to vote, and again when she voted.

Links in the original.

Stephen Parrish, Ann in AZ,

Thank you! Sanctimonious and traitorous are both on the money.

NormalLiberal @ 69

oxide @
61

I strongly second this suggestion. They have a great exhibit “The Green House” going on right now.

Damn! The last time I was there, they had a massive (yes, in multiple senses) exhibit on concrete. Which was amazingly interesting, but this sounds much better.

I wonder if I can think of a really good reason why I need to go to Washington…

No worries. We have an internet now.

http://www.nbm.org/Exhibits/gr…..nHouse.htm

Bringing our soldiers home from Iraq IS supporting the troops.

oxide @ 75

No worries. We have an internet now.

According to the president, we have several. Thanks for the link.

I’m tangentially involved with a redevelopment project that’s aiming for 100% LEED certification. I think I need a field trip.

breaking MSNBC – Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong asks to be replaced

Molly Ivins: Stand Up Against the ‘Surge’

The purpose of this old-fashioned newspaper crusade to stop the war is not to make George W. Bush look like the dumbest president ever. People have done dumber things. What were they thinking when they bought into the Bay of Pigs fiasco? How dumb was the Egypt-Suez war? How massively stupid was the entire war in Vietnam? Even at that, the challenge with this misbegotten adventure is that we simply cannot let it continue.

It is not a matter of whether we will lose or we are losing. We have lost. Gen. John P. Abizaid, until recently the senior commander in the Middle East, insists that the answer to our problems there is not military. “You have to internationalize the problem. You have to attack it diplomatically, geo-strategically,” he said.

http://www.truthdig.com/report…..the_surge/

EXCLUSIVE: DA in Duke Rape Case Asks to Be Taken off Case
(so exclusive I saw it on MSNBC first)

ooh ooh,

C&L reporting on a new article by Murray Waas:

Murray Waas has a new article out that has some breaking news qouting from the Federal grand Jury transcripts, Fitzgerald obviously is zeroed in on Cheney and this should be really interesting at the trial. Most of us feel that the outing of Valerie Plame was Cheney’s idea from the beginning and this new information looks to signal that Patrick Fitzgerald does too. “National Journal”

On March 5, 2004, special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald himself questioned Libby before the grand jury.

Asked by Fitzgerald if he recalled a conversation with Cheney during which they discussed Plame and that she sent her “husband on a junket,” Libby replied:

“I don’t recall the conversation until after the Novak piece. I don’t recall it during the week of July 6. I recall it after the Novak…after the Novak article appeared…”

Fitzgerald then bore down on the witness: “And are you telling us under oath that from July 6th to July 14th you never discussed with Vice President Cheney whether Mr. Wilson’s wife worked at the CIA?

Libby replied: “No, no, I’m not saying that. On July 10 or 11 I learned, I thought anew, that the wife—that the reporters were telling us that the wife worked at the CIA. And I may have had a conversation with the Vice President either late on the 11th or on the 12th in which I relayed that reporters were saying that.” As Libby further told it, if he discussed with Cheney that Plame was a CIA officer, he had only done so in the context of saying that the information was only an unsubstantiated rumor that he had heard from Tim Russert.

In a subsequent grand jury appearance, a skeptical prosecutor indicated that he found it hard to believe that Cheney would have written the notations he did in the margins of former Ambassador Wilson’s July 6, 2003 New York Times op-ed only after Robert Novak’s July 14, 2003 column appeared saying that Valerie Plame was a CIA “operative.”

“OK,” the prosecutor said, before asking, “And can you tell us why it would be that the Vice President read the Novak column and had questions, some of which apparently seem to be answered by the Novak column, would go back and pull out an original July 6th op-ed piece and write on that?”

“I’m not sure…,” Libby answered, “He often kept these columns for awhile and keeps columns and will think on them. And I think what may have happened here is what he may have — I don’t know if he wrote, he wrote the points down. He might have pulled out the column to think about the problem and written on it, but I don’t know.”

Libby then added: “You’ll have to ask him.” …read on

links in original.

Eureka Springs, AR @ 72

raven @ 58

I asked this at the time but got no answer. I sent $20.00 before I realized we needed to add the .07. Does that mean the money just went into the general fund?

Support your FDL Generals..)

’splain 2 me the .07, I have no idea what u r talking about

Blair pledges increased military spending as he defends intervention

Tony Blair promised more cash for Britain’s armed forces today as he defended his policy of intervention in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/mili…..45,00.html

perris @ 82

Eureka Springs, AR @ 72

raven @ 58

I asked this at the time but got no answer. I sent $20.00 before I realized we needed to add the .07. Does that mean the money just went into the general fund?

Support your FDL Generals..)

’splain 2 me the .07, I have no idea what u r talking about

if you add seven cents (.07) to your donation (ie $20.07), the donation goes to help pay for the DC Libby trip – if not, it goes in the giant FDL slush fund

Re the Murray Waas article; for some time I’ve treasured the hope that the whole thing is a giant perjury trap for Cheney.

May the FDL team be in the room to see him take the bait.

How exciting it will be to get the truth and not spin.

OK kiddo @ 79

“You have to internationalize the problem. You have to attack it diplomatically, geo-strategically,” he said.

Well, that’s a problem right there, because George and Dick don’t do diplomacy. They keep telling us it’s because it doesn’t work, but I think it’s really because their arguments are so bad no one will buy them.

uncle toby @
50

OT–but I’d really like some help in conceptualizing my anger toward Joe Lieberman.

He’s just so … so … what?

What’s a one or two-word term to best describe his maddening quality? Evil? (Nah, Bush is evil, but Lieberman isn’t powerful enough to have that be the best word to describe him.) Contemptible? (Not specific enough.) Smug? Liar? (Those are aspects but don’t capture the whole spectrum of what’s wrong with him.)

I figure if I can resort to a simple formula — “that ______ SOB” — I can work through my anger all the quicker. As it stands now, I missed the end of Bush’s speech because I was yelling at the TV when I heard Lieberman’s name mentioned.

Any help from the gang would be much appreciated. (By the way, has anyone heard how that bipartisan pro-surge commission is going? Any new members signing on?)

Shitty?

Bush’s tough tactics are a ‘declaration of war’ on Iran
By Anne Penketh, Diplomatic Editor
Published: 12 January 2007

http://news.independent.co.uk/…..145136.ece

SOOOO looking forward to reading your reports…..as it will most likely be the ONLY source of unbiased journalism. and please…detail the Cheney facial tics and growls should he take the stand Good Luck!!

Oh dear. Snicker. Went and looked at the National Journal article C&L cites, and found this.

On the flight back to Washington, Cheney huddled with two of his top aides — I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, his then-chief of staff, and Catherine Martin, then assistant to the vice president for pubic affairs.

RevDeb @ 81

ooh ooh,

links in original.

Welcome to our town, gang!

P J Evans @ 87

OK kiddo @ 79

“You have to internationalize the problem. You have to attack it diplomatically, geo-strategically,” he said.

Well, that’s a problem right there, because George and Dick don’t do diplomacy. They keep telling us it’s because it doesn’t work, but I think it’s really because their arguments are so bad no one will buy them.

It’s really hard to do diplomacy when your idea of negotiation is “you do everything I demand, and then we’ll talk.”

Libby’s answers to the grand jury are so pitifully weak. You can just hear the contempt seeping from between the lines. I do hope that it comes back to haunt him, and that Fitz is able to turn some of the other principals and take down both Libby and Cheney!

Huge congrats to Jane, Christy and Marcy. We anxiously await your reports from the front. I am so proud of you all, and so happy you’re so strong.

Jane, maybe you can dress the dogs up in a hemp shirt and a head band for the press corpse?

Rosa Brooks mentions in The LA Times today:

How Republicans win if we lose in Iraq
Bush and the GOP are shifting tactics just like Nixon did with Vietnam — to win the next election, not the war.
January 12, 2007

http://www.latimes.com/news/op…..ion-center

uncle toby @
50

OT–but I’d really like some help in conceptualizing my anger toward Joe Lieberman.

He’s just so … so … what?

What’s a one or two-word term to best describe his maddening quality? Evil? (Nah, Bush is evil, but Lieberman isn’t powerful enough to have that be the best word to describe him.) Contemptible? (Not specific enough.) Smug? Liar? (Those are aspects but don’t capture the whole spectrum of what’s wrong with him.)

I figure if I can resort to a simple formula — “that ______ SOB” — I can work through my anger all the quicker. As it stands now, I missed the end of Bush’s speech because I was yelling at the TV when I heard Lieberman’s name mentioned.

Any help from the gang would be much appreciated. (By the way, has anyone heard how that bipartisan pro-surge commission is going? Any new members signing on?)

Distended?

HotFlash @ 91

Oh dear. Snicker. Went and looked at the National Journal article C&L cites, and found this.

On the flight back to Washington, Cheney huddled with two of his top aides — I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, his then-chief of staff, and Catherine Martin, then assistant to the vice president for pubic affairs.

RevDeb @ 81

ooh ooh,

links in original.

I like this part:

Both Cheney and Libby have repeatedly denied — both publicly and to federal investigators — that Cheney ever encouraged Libby specifically to leak information to the press about Plame. But since the early days of the leak probe in fall 2003, even before it was taken over by Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, investigators have maintained that Libby devised an elaborate cover story even though he must have known that contemporaneous records and the testimony of others was very likely to show that he was lying. Other than the motive to protect himself, the only other driving force behind Libby’s actions, federal investigators have theorized, was to protect Cheney or other superiors, according to attorneys who have been involved in the CIA leak probe.

From the Waas article:

Russert is expected to be a crucial prosecution witness against Libby.

That’s going to be interesting. I know that the liberal blogs think that “Pumpkinhead” sells out to the right on Press the Meat, but here’s hoping that the jury sees him as a stellar character. (I don’t think Russert is all that bad btw.)

Jane, is it too late to contribute? I’m waiting on a payday.

Considering all we’ve heard in the past few days about the role of the Cheney machine in trashing the ISG report and pushing for war with Iran, Fitzmas may be shaping up to be everything we had originally hoped. I don’t believe Bush is a complete puppet, but I do believe that impeaching Cheney or forcing him to resign is probably more important for restoring sanity to our government than impeaching Bush.

oxide @ 100

From the Waas article:

Russert is expected to be a crucial prosecution witness against Libby.

That’s going to be interesting. I know that the liberal blogs think that “Pumpkinhead” sells out to the right on Press the Meat, but here’s hoping that the jury sees him as a stellar character. (I don’t think Russert is all that bad btw.)

How will Timmeh cover the Libby trial? As a witness, can he talk about it on MTP? As a “journalist,” how can he not talk about it on MTP?

Ah, the crises of the career cocktail-weenie eaters.

Lindy @ 101

Jane, is it too late to contribute? I’m waiting on a payday.

I doubt it, fwiw.

The Fire Dog Lake Company
8033 Sunset Blvd. #966
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Jane, reading your post, I must be honest, gets me excited…no really. Are you single, I kinda new around here. *wink

Congrats to you and the whole FDL ‘litter’. I’m sure you’ll do us all proud.

BTW ~ The FDL servers stood up pretty well to the post-speech traffic. Should handle the trial. Pat on the back to your techs.

Hello, RevDeb – you’ve got mail!

Murray Waas . . . wow. It’s a longish article, but oh-so-tasty! I’ve just skimmed it, so it’s still sinking in, but here’s a snip from near the top to whet your appetites (as if that were needed):

Both Cheney and Libby have repeatedly denied — both publicly and to federal investigators — that Cheney ever encouraged Libby specifically to leak information to the press about Plame. But since the early days of the leak probe in fall 2003, even before it was taken over by Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, investigators have maintained that Libby devised an elaborate cover story even though he must have known that contemporaneous records and the testimony of others was very likely to show that he was lying. Other than the motive to protect himself, the only other driving force behind Libby’s actions, federal investigators have theorized, was to protect Cheney or other superiors, according to attorneys who have been involved in the CIA leak probe.

As I read the WH table of organization, “Cheney or other superiors” can only mean three people: VP Cheney, WH Chief of Staff Karl Rove, and President Bush.

Waas, in his usual well-supported manner, describes why investigators have been looking in this direction . . .

Jane, you are soooooooo going to enjoy this trip!

Jane Hamsher @
9

BTW, people were asking for a snail mail address:

Yee-ha! Mr. Dido & I have had a lonely envelope sitting out on the counter, waiting sadly to go to its new home. We are also ready to have shipments of best-top-rated Mr. Peet’s coffee sent, to keep the FDL crew totally alert. Can’t wait for your reports. Thanks so much.

Redshift @ 102

Considering all we’ve heard in the past few days about the role of the Cheney machine in trashing the ISG report and pushing for war with Iran, Fitzmas may be shaping up to be everything we had originally hoped. I don’t believe Bush is a complete puppet, but I do believe that impeaching Cheney or forcing him to resign is probably more important for restoring sanity to our government than impeaching Bush.

If we could just get Junja listening to someone other than BigTime. But who would that replacement be? Condi? OldLord? RGJoe? Hagel? Santorum?

Recall that Agnew was Nixon’s impeachment insurance; Ford was chosen for an easy confirmation in rocky times, loved as he was on Capitol Hill. The flipside was, of course, that Ford as Veep made it easier for the Old Wise GOP Men (Baker, Goldwater, Scott) to make the long march up Pennsylvania to tell Nixon he had to go.

Who would W pick as impeachment insurance? Or would he need to pick a squeaky-clean Hill-popular non-ambitious replacement?

(I’m embarassed at how many waking — and working!! — hours I spend speculating about The Shooter’s replacement….)

Antiwar Tide Surging Nationwide
Helena Cobban 1-12-07

http://www.thenation.com/blogs…..pid=157014

Mandrake – time sensative!

Condi on C-Span1 per your desire to tape.

Apologies all for not taking time to check if anyone else has let you know – I’ve been off-line & off-TV the last four hours.

Jane, Christy, Pach, this is sooo awesome. Congratulations to all of you, however you pulled off this coup.

Here’s a possible Cheney defense, not that I think it will be used, but I believe he really does suffer from marked effects of pumphead syndrome, or the cognitive impairment which commonly follows coronary bypass surgery. From wikipedia:

Postperfusion syndrome, also known as pumphead, is a controversial condition that describes a constellation of neurocognitive impairments attributed to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during cardiac surgery. Symptoms of postperfusion syndrome are thought to include memory impairment, stilted speech, depression, confusion, and diminished hand-eye coordination. Patients are also thought to experience altered sex drive, lessened inhibitions and other personality changes.[1] Studies have shown a high incidence of neurocognitive deficit soon after surgery, but the deficits are transient with no permanent neurological impairment.

After his testimony, Libby’s lawyers could credibly use Cheney’s medical history to support a forgetfulness claim. Being a pumphead, however, it seems more likely it will aid in Cheney coming off as a belligerent jerk on the stand. Have fun, guys.

Godspeed Jane and Christy!
You make me proud to call myself woman.
Jane, I will be happy to buy a round at the 2a.m.! Your dogedness and ability to translate legalese back into something that is understandable and logical is a blessing.
Settle in, listen and report back from the front lines and sleep deep and restfully knowing you have done the peoples’ work.

Who would W pick as impeachment insurance

Please oh please if there’s a god – don’t let it be Lieberman . . .

You are supposed to add.07 to the amount you donate to earmark it for supporting the TrialBloggers. In my haste I donated before I read that part. I get the feeling this does not matter.

perris @ 82

Eureka Springs, AR @ 72

raven @ 58

I asked this at the time but got no answer. I sent $20.00 before I realized we needed to add the .07. Does that mean the money just went into the general fund?

Support your FDL Generals..)

’splain 2 me the .07, I have no idea what u r talking about

Jane Hamsher @
11

TeddySanFran @ 8

Are you wearing costumes? I was thinking kneepads for Judy’s testimony, orange vests for BigTime’s day in the dock, gayface and funny hats for Ari, et al.

You can be fashion coordinator, Teddy.

For the love of all mankind, please remind all to avoid the distraction of bright shiny thongs (things) that will be attempted.

does that fall to the fashion dept?

I’m so damn proud of you folks for this historic accomplishment. congratulations.

Waccamaw @ 111

Manrake – time sensative!

Condi on C-Span1 per your desire to tape.

Apologies all for not taking time to check if anyone else has let you know – I’ve been off-line & off-TV the last four hours.

anyone know at which point the heckler stands up and yells?

Looks like Jeralyn will be doing a live chat on the trial for the WaPo:

http://www.talkleft.com/story/2007/1/12/17453/4759

Heh, funny, what did they yell?

Good for you Jane!

Twisted Martini @ 119

Heh, funny, what did they yell?

they yelled something on the order of “lies, lies, all lies.” I didn’t get to see that part and was hoping to see it.

Thom Hartmann seems to not have much faith in Mr. Fitzgerald, stating that he “is a good Republican”, and that this surely has taken a very long time to prosecute.

What do folks here think about that? I was a bit taken aback.

TeddySanFran @ 109

Who would W pick as impeachment insurance? Or would he need to pick a squeaky-clean Hill-popular non-ambitious replacement?

Hmm, well, as Nixon demonstrates, it’s a lot easier to get impeachment insurance elected than appointed and confirmed. There are plenty of supremely awful Republicans waiting in the wings, especially ones that have just been voted out, so they don’t lose any seats in the process, but could they get confirmed? (If not for that saving grace, we might well see Vice President Santorum.)

Alternatively, he could appoint someone with an eye toward building up a successor for ‘08, but from what we’ve seen so far, His Highness doesn’t seem to give a rat’s ass about anyone else, even in his own party. Rove may have had dreams of a permanent Republican majority, but Shrub doesn’t seem that interested in doing anything to make it happen unless it’s based on worshipping him.

(BTW, I’m not quite old enough to remember about Agnew being impeachment insurance, but we used to refer to Dan Quayle as assassination insurance. *g*)

oxide @ 100

From the Waas article:

Russert is expected to be a crucial prosecution witness against Libby.

That’s going to be interesting. I know that the liberal blogs think that “Pumpkinhead” sells out to the right on Press the Meat, but here’s hoping that the jury sees him as a stellar character. (I don’t think Russert is all that bad btw.)

Russert is a media whore of the highest order. He and Tweety bear tremendous responsibility for packaging and recommending straight talkin’ cowboy Dubya to the voters – twice.

Perhaps not so much lately, but Russert has dutifully and consistently performed a great polishing of many turds.

Did ya hear: Dubya called the Iraq Study Group Report a flaming turd?

Maybe Russert will polish it for him.

Sonoma Rus @ 114

Who would W pick as impeachment insurance

Please oh please if there’s a god – don’t let it be Lieberman…

Not a chance. As awful as we think Lieberman is, he still claims to be a Democrat, and that would make him no insurance at all, as far as Republicans are concerned.

Anyone seen this in from EPUland? I thought it relevant to this thread, Fitz being a Federal prosecutor and all.

looseheadprop @ 117

Mary @ 115

though I tend not to take them to heart anymore ?? Really? They seem to usually be links to other news service stories – is there something I missed there?

In any event, it was the Muckraker instead – sorry for the wrong sourcing.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002329.php

Cunningham Prosecutor Forced Out

They picked it up from this story:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/…..12lam.html

The Bush administration has quietly asked San Diego U.S. Attorney Carol Lam, best known for her high-profile prosecutions of politicians and corporate executives, to resign her post, a law enforcement official said.
Lam, a Bush appointee who took the helm in 2002, was targeted because of job performance issues – in particular that she failed to make smuggling and gun cases a top priority, said the official, who declined to be identified because Lam has yet to step down.
Lam has had high-profile successes during her tenure, such as the Randy “Duke” Cunningham bribery case – but she alienated herself from bosses at the Justice Department because she is outspoken and independent, said local lawyers familiar with her policies.
…
Several prosecutors in Lam’s office and many defense lawyers said yesterday that they were unaware of her impending dismissal, and were universally shocked by it.
…
But even some of Lam’s legal opponents said the supposed reasons she is being forced out are perplexing.
“What do they want her to do, lock up Mexico?” said Mario Conte, former chief of Federal Defenders of San Diego Inc.
…
U.S. attorneys are usually appointed by the president and require Senate approval. They typically serve the same term as the president that appointed them, and are replaced when a new president is elected.

However, a provision in the Patriot Act that was revised last year allows the Attorney General to appoint interim U.S. Attorneys for indefinite terms when vacancies arise, without Senate confirmation. Filling interim vacancies had been the responsibility of the district court.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., criticized the Bush administration yesterday for “pushing out U.S. Attorneys from across the country under the cloak of secrecy.”

“We don’t know how many U.S. Attorneys have been asked to resign – it could be two, it could be ten, it could be more. No one knows,” she said in a statement.

In any event, the story made me think about your prior references to the difficulty keeping a corruption case once you start it.

OMG Mary, I had no idea this was even happening.

Let me go do some reading. This really is bolt out of the blue.

anyone know at which point the heckler stands up and yells?

Just as Hagel is coming up. The protester held a sign aloft before the camera that read something like “same old lies”. Security moved in at that point, and tried to get him out quietly, but the guy started shouting. Funny scramble as the photogs chased the commotion. Hagel blamed it on Delaware.

Redshift @ 125

Sonoma Rus @ 114

Who would W pick as impeachment insurance

Please oh please if there’s a god – don’t let it be Lieberman…

Not a chance. As awful as we think Lieberman is, he still claims to be a Democrat, and that would make him no insurance at all, as far as Republicans are concerned.

Oh there’s a chance all aright. Lieberman would be the perfect patsy and it would look to most dip wads like he was reaching out to the middle. Any doubt the Joe would pardon dub “for the good of the county?” Lieberman is the repugs love child.

Twisted Martini @ 119

Heh, funny, what did they yell?

“Liar, you’re a liar”……or something to that effect :-)))))

jeffreyw @ 127

anyone know at which point the heckler stands up and yells?

Just as Hagel is coming up. The protester held a sign aloft before the camera that read something like “same old lies”. Security moved in at that point, and tried to get him out quietly, but the guy started shouting. Funny scramble as the photogs chased the commotion. Hagel blamed it on Delaware.

707!

new thread – open zed

HotFlash @ 126

Anyone seen this in from EPUland? I thought it relevant to this thread, Fitz being a Federal prosecutor and all.

looseheadprop @ 117

Mary @ 115

though I tend not to take them to heart anymore ?? Really? They seem to usually be links to other news service stories – is there something I missed there?

In any event, it was the Muckraker instead – sorry for the wrong sourcing.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002329.php

Cunningham Prosecutor Forced Out

They picked it up from this story:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/…..12lam.html

In any event, the story made me think about your prior references to the difficulty keeping a corruption case once you start it.

OMG Mary, I had no idea this was even happening.

Let me go do some reading. This really is bolt out of the blue.

Like the author of that story, I don’t know what to make of this. It’s wierd that they’d go after Lam now, I think. Why not before the Cunningham trial. Makes you wonder what else is up. There was at least one other U.S. Attorney who was asked to resign, right?

Wait, according to the Sign On San Diego article, there at least two others. Interesting quote near the bottom:

Of 11 U.S. Attorney vacancies since the Attorney General gained the authority to make the appointments in March 2006, the Bush administration has nominated four people and interviewed seven others, all of whom are expected to complete the confirmation process, said Justice Department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse.

Apparently, the 109th Congress gave Bush at least one other gift than the amnesty clause in the MCA before leaving town for good.

Jane, your awesomeness has no bounds. Unlike Lieberman.

Fitz aka Little Angel has a winner with this case because of the dates. Just follow the dates for your guilty finding. All the rest is dressing the meat is the dates. Novak’s article came out July 14th. Before that date Libby has spoke to Woodward, Arie, Miller, Cooper and many others as he was ordered by Cheney. Tim Russert was used in the lie as Libby couldn’t think fast enough about what lie would work. All the meeting that Cheney had with Libby and others to spin the lies about the war and yes who sent Wilson to Niger and what about his wife, yet Libby never even heard of Mrs. Wilson or her being a CIA agent until he read the Novak article.
So for all those who get to see the trial you’ll see Libby look for the jurors to feel sorry for him as one of the shortest jailbirds.

For the singel ladies Fitz will be looking GQ as usual so try to get your camera phones or borrow one from a friend, he’s hot.

You know what would be really fun to do? Play Plame Trivia!

When did Rove tell Tweety that “Wilson’s wife is fair game” ?

Are ya’ll going to have any meetups or happy hours out and about in DC?

Howie’s got a new thread upstairs.

rumi @ 136

When did Rove tell Tweety that “Wilson’s wife is fair game” ?

Look for Wilson interview…
Matthews said “I just got off the phone with Karl Rove and he says your wife is fair game.”

$seconding the major hat tip to steelthing. and, IIRC, urban pirate pitched in a big chunk too.

Thanks twolf1, for ’splainin’ .07. I was tending fires and stacking wood. Winter is back in these parts with three days of ice in our forecast.

Hot chocolate anyone? *s*

Re:Waas article.

I could be off base but my nose tells me that Rove aka Luskin has just thrown Cheney under the bus. I say this believing that Luskin is one of the sources giving info to Waas.

I also believe that Waas has spent a lot of time verifying the facts and has found an additional or multiple law enforcement sources who are fed up with the shit they have been dealing with in this case.

I believe that by providing info to Waas, one of my Band of Brothers has begun to extract a form of “street justice” on Scooter and Slick Dick.

Eureka Springs, AR @
141

Thanks twolf1, for ’splainin’ .07. I was tending fires and stacking wood. Winter is back in these parts with three days of ice in our forecast.

Hot chocolate anyone? *s*

yas, please.

hey, if it gets too cold down South, come up North where it’s warm these days…yikes!

Elliot N – I thought Rover did that on his last GJ appearance that resulted in his directing TeamFitz to the hundreds of previously ‘lost’ emails in Dick’s office. There was another flurry of appearances after that but it got real quiet for Rover.

It seems like now would be a great time for Cheney & Co. to begin launching attacks on Iran as a precursor to a war with Iran.

Gotta do something to keep Libby & his boss off the front page.

this is just soooooooooo right! i feel great and glad i was able to contribute a bit so FDL could be in the “COURTHOUSE”!!! O M G!!!!!!!

Elliot Ness @ 142

Re:Waas article.

I could be off base but my nose tells me that Rove aka Luskin has just thrown Cheney under the bus. I say this believing that Luskin is one of the sources giving info to Waas.

I also believe that Waas has spent a lot of time verifying the facts and has found an additional or multiple law enforcement sources who are fed up with the shit they have been dealing with in this case.

I believe that by providing info to Waas, one of my Band of Brothers has begun to extract a form of “street justice” on Scooter and Slick Dick.

Interesting. Thanks Mr Nose, er Ness.

knock ‘em dead, fdl’er’s, and keep ‘em honest.

the gang at skippy wishes you good luck!

.

.

The dipshits at the WaPo took the story about bloggers covering Scooter’s trial, and plastered a “Blogging Without Journalistic Standards” graphic in the middle of it. (It’s at the bottom of the online version, but in the print version, it was more prominent than the lead paragraph.)

Damned if I even know what their point is. They say stuff like “Although a third of bloggers identify themselves as journalists, a recent survey by the Pew Center showed the majority of bloggers don’t abide by some common journalistic practices,” without mentioning that there are several thousand paid journalists in America, but millions of unpaid bloggers. (If there were several thousand paid bloggers, and millions of unpaid journalists, which do you think would have standards?) But I’ll bet the best several thousand bloggers’ journalistic standards are pretty damned good.

Congratulations. If anybody deserves it, this site does. It would be nice to see Swopa get involved a little too.

I know you will do a great job.

I can make a donation but cannot find where to do it.

Cando,

The credit card link is on the upper right side of the front page. The snail mail address can be found in Jane’s comment at comment #9.

Hope that helps.

uncle toby @ 50

OT–but I’d really like some help in conceptualizing my anger toward Joe Lieberman.

He’s just so … so … what?

What’s a one or two-word term to best describe his maddening quality? Evil? (Nah, Bush is evil, but Lieberman isn’t powerful enough to have that be the best word to describe him.) Contemptible? (Not specific enough.) Smug? Liar? (Those are aspects but don’t capture the whole spectrum of what’s wrong with him.)

I figure if I can resort to a simple formula — “that ______ SOB” — I can work through my anger all the quicker. As it stands now, I missed the end of Bush’s speech because I was yelling at the TV when I heard Lieberman’s name mentioned.

Any help from the gang would be much appreciated. (By the way, has anyone heard how that bipartisan pro-surge commission is going? Any new members signing on?)

how about “APACIAN”

sorry “uncle toby @ 50

OT–but I’d really like some help in conceptualizing my anger toward Joe Lieberman.

He’s just so … so … what?

What’s a one or two-word term to best describe his maddening quality? Evil? (Nah, Bush is evil, but Lieberman isn’t powerful enough to have that be the best word to describe him.) Contemptible? (Not specific enough.) Smug? Liar? (Those are aspects but don’t capture the whole spectrum of what’s wrong with him.)

I figure if I can resort to a simple formula — “that ______ SOB” — I can work through my anger all the quicker. As it stands now, I missed the end of Bush’s speech because I was yelling at the TV when I heard Lieberman’s name mentioned.

Any help from the gang would be much appreciated. (By the way, has anyone heard how that bipartisan pro-surge commission is going? Any new members signing on?)

sorry “AIPACIAN”

Jane,

Congratulations.

Let the truth be told!

I’m excited that I was able to contribute.
I feel you and we are making history with this effort.
Keep up the good work/fight