Fitz!

The hypocrisy is almost more than I can bear. Then I read today’s Froomkin and I felt better…

Christy!

EPU’d from last thread:

Biodun @ 94

P.S. We just got word that Anna Nicole Smith just died. Everything we’re doing here seems so small and irrelevant.

Don’t forget the astronaut in diapers. Great job this week, Swopa. Get a well-deserved dinner, drinks, and be merry!

SWOPA! JANE! FITZ!

Just got caught up — I’ve been busy at work today. Great blogging, as usual.

Hugs to Mrs. K8 – my thoughts are with you.

Mr. Potatohead I made you.

-Jack Welch

Wolfie and Co hypervenilating over Anna Nicole Smith making it up as he goes along. Good grief, now they’ve dragged in Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

MSM breathing huge collective sigh of relief that they can sweep their dirty little secrets back under the bed for as long as they can milk this story.

dunno, it just feels like another bs “shiny object” to me.

Wells is made such a big deal out of the ‘inconsistency” of fighting the supoena after testifying freely to the FBI. My guess it that NBC/Shapiro wanted to put on a big SHOW about journalistic integrity — can’t let the NYT hog all the feel good spotlight, now can we.

Or

– Russert talked to the FBI w/o realizing that his convo was a big deal in the investigation.

- Then when called by the GJ he found out that it was at the heart of the investigation, and he was in a panic OOPS! — “What about my journalistic credibility???? Now I must fight this”

JMHO frazzled opinion.

I read it slightly different with other context. Timmeh is clearly under both confidentiality agreements, and subpoenae.

he has been called as a witness in another matter, or several, and they all relate to this issue. Did no one else gather that there is at least one other matter pending that Walton knows about, and it sounded to me based on context that in fact there are 2 or more.

sure seemed obvious to me.

We just got word that Anna Nicole Smith just died.

does Cheney have an alibi?

How will we go on without her? /s

We interrupt the massacre in Iraq, the pending civil war in Lebanon, the dissolving of the Palestinian state the collapse of the American Republic to offer you this morsel of pap.

Will Speaker Pelosi fly to Ann Nicole’s funeral in a military jet?

-GSD

… sheepishly peeks from gabbly-ville….
Is it safe to come out now?

Neil @ 10

How will we go on without her? /s

Are the silk teddys all at half-staff at The Mansion today?
_

GE at 7 — Well, for the purposes of Libby’s defense, it IS a bright, shiny object. But for the purposes of analyzing the media? Not one that I’m willing to just say “bygones” about without further exploration.

Got my diapers on. Hoppin’ in the car. Hope I get to Hollywood,FL. in time !

Oh crap….

punaise @ 9

We just got word that Anna Nicole Smith just died.

does Cheney have an alibi?

I blame Bill Clinton.

So have we definitively established that document 402 has NOT previously been made available to the public?

Could this be an entirely new piece of evidence that we’re not familiar with or merely one whose history of safe-dwelling we were unaware of?

Wells must be so disappointed he couldn’t get Russert to say the magic word “Fitzmas,” so he could call Jane to the stand.

since everyone is already off topic, your’re gonna love this

we finally have a republcian talking about impeachement;

raw story reports;

GOP Rep. warns Bush if border patrol agents die in jail
‘there’s going to be some kind of impeachment talk

so that’s important enough to impeach, but lying our children into war?

not so much

GSD @ 11

We interrupt the massacre in Iraq, the pending civil war in Lebanon, the dissolving of the Palestinian state the collapse of the American Republic to offer you this morsel of pap.

Will Speaker Pelosi fly to Ann Nicole’s funeral in a military jet?

-GSD

mwahahahahah You should send that to Cafferty :)

for anybody who missed it earlier, check out Marcy’s elegant “thanks, but no thanks” re being co-opted by a blogging consortium.

perris @ 19

since everyone is already off topic, your’re gonna love this

we finally have a republcian talking about impeachement;

raw story reports;

GOP Rep. warns Bush if border patrol agents die in jail
‘there’s going to be some kind of impeachment talk

so that’s important enough to impeach, but lying our children into war?

not so much

only in a non-binding kind of way ……..

I’d pay to watch Jane and Arianna question Tim, the angry muppet.

Biodun @ 3

Christy!

EPU’d from last thread:

Biodun @ 94

P.S. We just got word that Anna Nicole Smith just died. Everything we’re doing here seems so small and irrelevant.

Don’t forget the astronaut in diapers. Great job this week, Swopa. Get a well-deserved dinner, drinks, and be merry!

Observation:

America is a vast and populous country.

There will always be some trashy story that the MSM can flog in order to distract attention from the important news.

If Anna Nicole Smith hadn’t died today, the television media would have just found some other scandalous and meaningless story to harp on.

There are plenty of crazy, sparkly and gossipy stories out there, every single day. It is just a matter of which story to emphasize.

Just check fark.com for hundreds of examples.

The corporate media noise machine will never suffer for lack of material.

And don’t forget that sports entertainment also serves an important role as well in keeping the populace occupied and content (see “Manufacturing Consent”, a documentary about Noam Chomsky, for more on this subject).

Veterans Group Speaks Out on War
Congressional Democrats Let VoteVets.org Talk for Them, Bluntly
By Lyndsey Layton and Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, February 8, 2007; Page A04

When Iraq war veteran Jon Soltz accused Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) of “aiding the enemy,” the Democratic senators gathered around him yesterday did not wince. Nor did Democrats object when Soltz, the chairman of a group called VoteVets.org, called President Bush and Vice President Cheney “draft dodgers.”

In the United States Congress, where decorum usually holds sway, Soltz and his small band of veterans are saying things many Democrats would like to express but can’t. And as the politics heat up over the Iraq war, Democratic leaders increasingly are being drawn to Soltz and his angry soldiers

Go ahead Cheney, please respond, we are waiting to hear your response… . Anytime you would care to respond please feel free…

You folks need any bread?

-Julius Ceasar

GSD @ 26

You folks need any bread?

-Julius Ceasar

Sure, and could you throw in a circus too?

epu’d
but wanted everyone to know about it, was really interesting:

February 8th, 2007 at 7:14 am

diane rehm show doing an hour on libby trial and inner workings of washington…….go get ‘em diane……..guests are john dickerson, michael isikoff, and BYRON YORK…………WHERE’S MARCY i wanna know……am sending them an email……..

she is detail oriented in her questions and doesn’t back down when someone gives a non-answer, i suggest people listen to the show later.

she spoke in my little college town and she was fantastic, lotsa meat in her talk…….and took a lot of tough questions, and answered them brilliantly……..

go fdl

===then there were posts about marcy and her book======

February 8th, 2007 at 10:33 am

irt today’s diane rehm show about libby trial and marcy’s book-

when ms. rehm spoke here last year, she said how many books she receives a week, don’t remember exactly how many but it was a lot..a thousand is the number that sticks in my brain….. she looks through them all……in order to be considered for the show for a book, you must submit it-must mail her a copy……submission protocol is available on her website…….

to just have marcy be a guest on a topic might be another route to go, too, when you write your letters…….

i was rather surprised by some commentary by the guests, pleasantly….and not so surprised by other parts. many good points were addressed. and in a different tone than i have heard so far. a few mis-directing (see the shiny object) things, too. my favorite comment is when diane says that there seems to be an awful lot of sloppiness going on here–irt reporters’ ways…..and some good comments made by callers…..

i encourage everyone to listen to the show

diane rehm email is drshow@wamu.org
website for audio of show is
http://www.wamu.org/programs/dr/07/02/08 .php#12608

go fdl “plant your seeds and watch them grow”

AZ Matt @ 27

GSD @ 26

You folks need any bread?

-Julius Ceasar

Sure, and could you throw in a circus too?

I offer cake

GSD @ 11. TY.

Just in case anyone was wondering, here is a refresher on the charges against Libby.

There are 5 charges against Scooter Libby.

The first is obstruction “by misleading and deceiving the grand jury as to when, and the manner and means by which, LIBBY acquired and subsequently disclosed to the media information concerning the employment of Valerie Wilson by the CIA.” In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1503.

The second is that Libby “did knowingly and willfully make a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement and representation in a matter within the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation” when he stated that Russert had told him that Wilson’s wife worked for the CIA. In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2).

The third is Libby “did knowingly and willfully make a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement and representation in a matter within the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation” when he stated to the FBI that “LIBBY told Cooper that reporters were telling the administration that Wilson’s wife worked for the CIA, but LIBBY did not know if this was true.” In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2).

The fourth is “having taken an oath to testify truthfully in a proceeding before a grand jury of the United States, [Libby] knowingly made a false material declaration” re his testimony about the conversation with Russert. In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1623.

The fifth is “having taken an oath to testify truthfully in a proceeding before a grand jury of the United States, [Libby] knowingly made a false material declaration” re his testimony about the conversation with Cooper. In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1623.

List of charges begins on page 11 of the following pdf:
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/…..102005.pdf

oldtree @
8

I read it slightly different with other context. Timmeh is clearly under both confidentiality agreements, and subpoenae.

he has been called as a witness in another matter, or several, and they all relate to this issue. Did no one else gather that there is at least one other matter pending that Walton knows about, and it sounded to me based on context that in fact there are 2 or more.

sure seemed obvious to me.

To what extent have those other pending related matters been made public?

marie antoinette @
29

AZ Matt @ 27

GSD @ 26

You folks need any bread?

-Julius Ceasar

Sure, and could you throw in a circus too?

I offer cake

Naw, just a salad for me (Thanks, folks, I’ll be here all week. Don’t forget to tip your waitresses.)

marie antoinette @
29

AZ Matt @ 27

GSD @ 26

You folks need any bread?

-Julius Ceasar

Sure, and could you throw in a circus too?

I offer cake

I offer chocolate cake

oldtree @ 8

I read it slightly different with other context. Timmeh is clearly under both confidentiality agreements, and subpoenae.

he has been called as a witness in another matter, or several, and they all relate to this issue. Did no one else gather that there is at least one other matter pending that Walton knows about, and it sounded to me based on context that in fact there are 2 or more.

sure seemed obvious to me.

I believe Fitzgerald raised the issue when he tried to limit the examination of Russert just before his appearance when he made some reference to the “broader” investigation.

So, whazzup in court at the moment, anything?
_

punaise @ 21

for anybody who missed it earlier, check out Marcy’s elegant “thanks, but no thanks” re being co-opted by a blogging consortium.

Marcy, and everyone else here, are wise to stay far, far away from Bob Cox. In case you don’t know, he used to run olbermannwatch.com, an extremely anti-KO blog. He is no friend to liberal bloggers.

At about 4:05 pm today, I learned from yahoo.com that Anna Nicole Smith had died.

I then forget this.

At about 4:30 pm, I went to msnbc.com and saw that Anna Nicole Smith had died. I was taken aback. I learned this news as if anew.

Another great day of LiveBlogging. Can’t wait till the PoliticsTV wrapup…
Gonna go hit the PayPal button…
———-
Moron @ 38, hysterical!! :)

She keeps Moet & Chandon
In a pretty cabinet
Let them east cake she says
Just like Maria Antoinette

Met a man in China
Went down from Geisha Minor
And then again incidently
if you’re that way inclined

Perfume came naturally from Paris
For cars shoe couldn’t careless
Fastiduous and Precise
She’s a killer Queen
Gunpowder turpentine
Dynamite and laser beam

Re: Anna Nicole Smith….

Okay, so the MSM will run amuck with this story, and once again bury coverage of the Libby trial on the back page.

But let’s remember that with her death, an infant daughter has been left motherless, and the now very important matter of who’s her daddy is a matter of dispute. The poor kid is going to be a legal football for God knows how long.

That makes me sad. And however trashy and vulgar ANS was in life, she was a bereaved mother and clearly a very confused woman. That makes me sad too.

End of lecture. Back to our regularly scheduled program: LIBBY IS GOING DOWN!!!!!

SharonRB @
37

punaise @ 21

for anybody who missed it earlier, check out Marcy’s elegant “thanks, but no thanks” re being co-opted by a blogging consortium.

Marcy, and everyone else here, are wise to stay far, far away from Bob Cox. In case you don’t know, he used to run olbermannwatch.com, an extremely anti-KO blog. He is no friend to liberal bloggers.

So he’s doing something else now? How did he escape from his mom’s basement?

Moron @ 38

At about 4:05 pm today, I learned from yahoo.com that Anna Nicole Smith had died.

I then forget this.

At about 4:30 pm, I went to msnbc.com and saw that Anna Nicole Smith had died. I was taken aback. I learned this news as if anew.

BWAAAHAAAHAAAAA!!!!

litigatormom @ 41

Re: Anna Nicole Smith….

Okay, so the MSM will run amuck with this story, and once again bury coverage of the Libby trial on the back page.

But let’s remember that with her death, an infant daughter has been left motherless, and the now very important matter of who’s her daddy is a matter of dispute. The poor kid is going to be a legal football for God knows how long.

That makes me sad. And however trashy and vulgar ANS was in life, she was a bereaved mother and clearly a very confused woman. That makes me sad too.

End of lecture. Back to our regularly scheduled program: LIBBY IS GOING DOWN!!!!!

Well said, both the first part and the second part of your comment.

LIBBY IS GOING DOWN!!!!!

Moron @ 38

At about 4:05 pm today, I learned from yahoo.com that Anna Nicole Smith had died.

I then forget this.

At about 4:30 pm, I went to msnbc.com and saw that Anna Nicole Smith had died. I was taken aback. I learned this news as if anew.

ROFLMAO!!!!!

AZ Matt @ 44

litigatormom @ 41

Re: Anna Nicole Smith….

Okay, so the MSM will run amuck with this story, and once again bury coverage of the Libby trial on the back page.

But let’s remember that with her death, an infant daughter has been left motherless, and the now very important matter of who’s her daddy is a matter of dispute. The poor kid is going to be a legal football for God knows how long.

That makes me sad. And however trashy and vulgar ANS was in life, she was a bereaved mother and clearly a very confused woman. That makes me sad too.

End of lecture. Back to our regularly scheduled program: LIBBY IS GOING DOWN!!!!!

Well said, both the first part and the second part of your comment.

LIBBY IS GOING DOWN!!!!!

And THAT does not make me sad.

AZ Matt @ 44

litigatormom @ 41

Re: Anna Nicole Smith….

Okay, so the MSM will run amuck with this story, and once again bury coverage of the Libby trial on the back page.

But let’s remember that with her death, an infant daughter has been left motherless, and the now very important matter of who’s her daddy is a matter of dispute. The poor kid is going to be a legal football for God knows how long.

That makes me sad. And however trashy and vulgar ANS was in life, she was a bereaved mother and clearly a very confused woman. That makes me sad too.

End of lecture. Back to our regularly scheduled program: LIBBY IS GOING DOWN!!!!!

Well said, both the first part and the second part of your comment.

LIBBY IS GOING DOWN!!!!!

he might be going down, but not on anna

I think that Jane and Arianna ought to get a shot at asking Russert a few questions.

One can dream! Timmy would be a small potato really quick.

Anna Nicole always made me sad. Just another pretty lamb chewed up and spit out by the gaping maw of cynicism and phoniness that is the Hollywood myth and money machine.

Welcome to the boomtown.

-GSD

That being said, suck it Scooter.

GSD @ 26
You folks need any bread?

-Julius Ceasar
————
AZ Matt @ 27
Sure, and could you throw in a circus too?
————
marie antoinette @ 29
I offer cake
————
Tammy Faye @ 34
I offer chocolate cake

you might be offering choclate cake, but I am marie antionette and I will allow you to eat that cake

[Mod Note; Please don’t nest more that 2 or 3 quotes. Thank you.]

Now that Timmeh has buried Libby, his usefulness to the Republic is done. It’s time to bury him, too.

MBA is by the way Media Bloggers Association. They made a deal with the AP to distribute their blog feeds through the AP. Am I right in assuming that the problem here is that this was seen as a last minute and rather belated attempt for the MBA to put its name on coverage that represented longterm commitments to reporting and analyzing the Libby story by FDL (Jane et al), the Next Hurrah (Marcy), Needlenose (Swopa), HuffPo, and the dailyKos?

I am very sad about Anna Nicole’s daughter — what will be ahead for her? I hope whoever her father turns out to be will be able to give her a decent life.

“Dick’s Lament”, with apologies to the Who:

he’s going down
and when he’s on his way down
he’s spewing mo’ bile
play the tape machine
because he’s toast you see
going mobile
keep him moving

A serious question: what sort of sentence is Libby looking at? I caught a bit of Hardball last night and Tweety made it sound like it could be twenty years in a federal prison. Someone else then countered that it was more likely to be two to three years in a minimum security “camp” which seemed like such obvious spin I started looking for some Phenergan. But it gives fresh insight into the line o’ cow crap they’ve been feeding Scooter — “don’t worry, the worst that’ll happen in a few years in ‘camp’” — as if he’s going on a big sleepover in the piney woods where he’ll learn new crafts and toast weenies over a campfire.

So, open question to the legal types at the Lake: what sentence is Walton likely to hand down? He’s got a reputation for being somewhat harsh and I don’t think he’s likely to view perjury and obstruction in this matter as a boyish misadventure.

Seems the jurors questions went to the heart of the matter, and ignored Wells’ shiny objects. Simple questions. Did TR know about Plame before Novak article? Answer No. Tells me they are not buying the defence.

“Missed a missing white astronaut story by that much, Chief…Oh well, on to the next wardrobe malfunction, I guess”

;>)

Did anyone catch Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner on C-Span talking repeatedly about the ‘Republic Party’?

I was laughing out loud everytime he said if.

-GSD

Cake – Never There

OT, but… The main German network news tonight reported on claims by French special forces that they had Bin Laden in their personal sights to kill or capture at least twice in 2004. Twice they requested a go decision from US Command in Baghram.

Both times no answer was returned. The French doc claimed two reasons: 1. that the US needs Bin Laden alive to continue as a threat, and 2. killing or capturing Bin Laden would lead to Musharaf’s overthrow.

The French troops appeared with faces completely covered. French military denied this ever happened. The troops remain so pissed they decided to speak to journalists.

I suppose the story will be picked up in englisch somewhere. Please do not trust my translation ability, i’m certain i got the main points but may have missed something key. We’ll see if Der Spiegel or other German media runs with it tomorrow.

I conjecture that if true, any command decision would immediately be sent through channels to the commander in chief.

Hugh @ 52

MBA is by the way Media Bloggers Association. They made a deal with the AP to distribute their blog feeds through the AP. Am I right in assuming that the problem here is that this was seen as a last minute and rather belated attempt for the MBA to put its name on coverage that represented longterm commitments to reporting and analyzing the Libby story by FDL (Jane et al), the Next Hurrah (Marcy), Needlenose (Swopa), HuffPo, and the dailyKos?

It sounds like a last-minute attempt to glom on to the coverage that other people actually *wanted*.

This weeks episode of Jailbreak with special guest stars Lewis Scooter Libby and Fred Thomspon.

-GSD

GSD @ 58

Did anyone catch Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner on C-Span talking repeatedly about the ‘Republic Party’?

I was laughing out loud everytime he said if.

-GSD

About two weeks ago, I heard an NPR newsreader on Morning Edition make the same slip. It sounded so good.

Once again, the NYT not sure who is really prosecuting this case:

On redirect questioning, Mr. Fitzpatrick asked Mr. Russert if he “took joy” in Mr. Libby’s indictment.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02…..r=homepage

Anna Nicole Smith must’ve just finished reading Amanda Marcotte’s writing and couldn’t handle it….Gasp! MalKKKin says that Marcotte swears! Cusswords I tell you. Can you believe it?!?

Seriously though, what a sad life, and my heart goes out to her 5-month old baby. Hope somebody takes good care of her.

Pectopah @
63

GSD @ 58

Did anyone catch Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner on C-Span talking repeatedly about the ‘Republic Party’?

I was laughing out loud everytime he said if.

-GSD

About two weeks ago, I heard an NPR newsreader on Morning Edition make the same slip. It sounded so good.

It was no slip….he was stuffing the ‘Democrat Party’ talking point back down their throats.

-GSD

AZ Matt @
25

Veterans Group Speaks Out on War
Congressional Democrats Let VoteVets.org Talk for Them, Bluntly
By Lyndsey Layton and Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, February 8, 2007; Page A04

When Iraq war veteran Jon Soltz accused Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) of “aiding the enemy,” the Democratic senators gathered around him yesterday did not wince. Nor did Democrats object when Soltz, the chairman of a group called VoteVets.org, called President Bush and Vice President Cheney “draft dodgers.”

In the United States Congress, where decorum usually holds sway, Soltz and his small band of veterans are saying things many Democrats would like to express but can’t. And as the politics heat up over the Iraq war, Democratic leaders increasingly are being drawn to Soltz and his angry soldiers

Go ahead Cheney, please respond, we are waiting to hear your response… . Anytime you would care to respond please feel free…

If the Dems really valued truth they could strategize a thorough thrashing of the WH and Congressional enablers with truth speaking groups like this. Truthful, ruthless, easy. Do it.

LBrowne @ 61

Hugh @ 52

MBA is by the way Media Bloggers Association. They made a deal with the AP to distribute their blog feeds through the AP. Am I right in assuming that the problem here is that this was seen as a last minute and rather belated attempt for the MBA to put its name on coverage that represented longterm commitments to reporting and analyzing the Libby story by FDL (Jane et al), the Next Hurrah (Marcy), Needlenose (Swopa), HuffPo, and the dailyKos?

It sounds like a last-minute attempt to glom on to the coverage that other people actually *wanted*.

From the MBA website:

The MBA has been credentialed to cover the trial of former VP aide Lewis “Scooter” Libby in DC District Court. We are aggregating the posts of our members who are covering the trial, click here for real-time coverage.

OOOOOoooooohhhh.h.h.hh..hhh…

THEY are “credentialed.” Impressive.

I’d like to see their hit counter numbers relative to FDL’s.
_

It seems to me a hefty gorilla in the courtroom is the on-the-fly “declassification” of the NIE and/or Plame’s covert status.

If the President or Vice-President declassified the document and/or identity(howver legally questionable such declassification was), then it was only for leaking for political purposes, since no legitimate national security purpose is fathomable (nor has even been offered). In this case, we have the political remedy of impeachment–the ONLY real remedy in fact, since by definition the President or Vice-President flouted proper legal authority.

If the President of Vice-President did NOT declassify the NIE and/or the identity of Mrs. Wilson before leaking same, then we have a clear violition of some sort, ranging from criminal procedural misconduct to violation of the IIPA to treason.

In any event, Congressional hearings must address the fallout of this trial. And the President’s words about disliking leakers must be seen as a commentary on his self-esteem.

[…]
That makes me sad. And however trashy and vulgar ANS was in life, […]

Please. Have some respect. The proper appellation was not ‘ANS’ but ‘TWANS’, The Widow Anna Nicole Smith.

SharonW @
17

So have we definitively established that document 402 has NOT previously been made available to the public?

Could this be an entirely new piece of evidence that we’re not familiar with or merely one whose history of safe-dwelling we were unaware of?

It has not been released as a thusly named exhibit yet. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t Wilsons oped, annotated by Cheney (or Libby!). Cheney’s copy has been released twice–once as a pre-trial piece of evidence, and once yesterday in the document dump attached to libby’s second GJ appearance. But if it were entered separated here, then it would have its own exhibit number.

Pectopah @ 63

GSD @ 58

Did anyone catch Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner on C-Span talking repeatedly about the ‘Republic Party’?

I was laughing out loud everytime he said if.

-GSD

About two weeks ago, I heard an NPR newsreader on Morning Edition make the same slip. It sounded so good.

It may not be slips. I used it here the other day and someone suggested we just make it the way to say it. Make it de facto by de jure, if you will.

Check out the Amazon ad on the side. It’s showing an advertisement for Libby’s novel now. Reading the reviews of the book is even sadder:

I couldn’t even get through this whole book, it was just… so… bad… Really it was just Lewis Libby writing his own masturbation material, no joke. I stopped reading when he talked, among other things, about bears having sex with ten year old girls.
Beyond being constantly creepy, it’s just really poorly written and completely pointless. Don’t waste your time, money, etc.

Is this a record day here at FDL?

http://www.sitemeter.com/?a=st…..e&r=12

You know those reports that come out that say how much money sick days, vacations, etc. cost the economy as a whole? I do know that FDL is costing a lot of productivity at my business, and I’m lovin every minute of it!

froggermarch @ 69

It seems to me a hefty gorilla in the courtroom is the on-the-fly “declassification” of the NIE and/or Plame’s covert status…In any event, Congressional hearings must address the fallout of this trial.

Exactly the point I made in writing to my Senators Reid and Ensign, and to my congressman Porter.

Selectively and surreptitiously “declassifying” NIE info to a favored reporter and the ID’ing of a CIA NOC for overtly political purposes exemplies the phrase “high crimes and misdemeanors,” or words mean nothing at all.
_

Crooks & Liars has the Matalin/Imus chat up and I saw a Colbert Report whacking Joe L and the GOP. Just in case you need something for later… .

punaise @ 59

Cake – Never There

Cake over there

froggermarch @
69

It seems to me a hefty gorilla in the courtroom is the on-the-fly “declassification” of the NIE and/or Plame’s covert status.

If the President or Vice-President declassified the document and/or identity(howver legally questionable such declassification was), then it was only for leaking for political purposes, since no legitimate national security purpose is fathomable (nor has even been offered). In this case, we have the political remedy of impeachment–the ONLY real remedy in fact, since by definition the President or Vice-President flouted proper legal authority.

If the President of Vice-President did NOT declassify the NIE and/or the identity of Mrs. Wilson before leaking same, then we have a clear violition of some sort, ranging from criminal procedural misconduct to violation of the IIPA to treason.

In any event, Congressional hearings must address the fallout of this trial. And the President’s words about disliking leakers must be seen as a commentary on his self-esteem.

Here’s a link to Executive Order 13292: http://www.fas.org/sgp/bush/eoamend.html

Although I have not had an opportunity to read it very carefully, I think that it is safe to say after a quick perusal of its contents that this particular executive order does not permit anyone to instantly declassify classified material.

mack @ 77

punaise @ 59

Cake – Never There

Cake over there

yikes!

punaise @ 59

Cake – Never There

Oh! I forgot about Cake! Cake is another Sacramento export — perhaps they make up for the others?? (Limbaugh, John Gibson, Imus . . .)

Crazy Horse @ 60

OT, but… The main German network news tonight reported on claims by French special forces that they had Bin Laden in their personal sights to kill or capture at least twice in 2004. Twice they requested a go decision from US Command in Baghram.

Both times no answer was returned. The French doc claimed two reasons: 1. that the US needs Bin Laden alive to continue as a threat, and 2. killing or capturing Bin Laden would lead to Musharaf’s overthrow.

The French troops appeared with faces completely covered. French military denied this ever happened. The troops remain so pissed they decided to speak to journalists.

I suppose the story will be picked up in englisch somewhere. Please do not trust my translation ability, i’m certain i got the main points but may have missed something key. We’ll see if Der Spiegel or other German media runs with it tomorrow.

I conjecture that if true, any command decision would immediately be sent through channels to the commander in chief.

If other resources appear on this please redirect with a link. Thanks

SP@79
Thanks
Some context relating to automatic declassification which might be well applied to Executive Declassification

Sec. 3.3. Automatic Declassification. (a) Subject to paragraphs (b)-(e) of this section, on December 31, 2006, all classified records that (1) are more than 25 years old and (2) have been determined to have permanent historical value under title 44, United States Code, shall be automatically declassified whether or not the records have been reviewed. Subsequently, all classified records shall be automatically declassified on December 31 of the year that is 25 years from the date of its original classification, except as provided in paragraphs (b)-(e) of this section.

(b) An agency head may exempt from automatic declassification under paragraph (a) of this section specific information, the release of which could be expected to:

(1) reveal the identity of a confidential human source, or a human intelligence source, or reveal information about the application of an intelligence source or method;
(2) reveal information that would assist in the development or use of weapons of mass destruction;

(3) reveal information that would impair U.S. cryptologic systems or activities;

(4) reveal information that would impair the application of state of the art technology within a U.S. weapon system;

(5) reveal actual U.S. military war plans that remain in effect;

(6) reveal information, including foreign government information, that would seriously and demonstrably impair relations between the United States and a foreign government, or seriously and demonstrably undermine ongoing diplomatic activities of the United States;

(7) reveal information that would clearly and demonstrably impair the current ability of United States Government officials to protect the President, Vice President, and other protectees for whom protection services, in the interest of the national security, are authorized;

(8) reveal information that would seriously and demonstrably impair current national security emergency preparedness plans or reveal current vulnerabilities of systems, installations, infrastructures, or projects relating to the national security; or

(9) violate a statute, treaty, or international agreement.

32; the wrangling today about the various questions, links to other matters that he was questioned about with the GJ, and the strange issues with confidences. I think Christy is right that he is probably being disingenuous about his 1st amendment defense. I question it because the attorneys were most worried about his speaking on other issues. Both sets of attorneys. It really leads to his having testimony about some of these other reporters having told him something (my idea) that Fitz knows about, that Wells and Walton know about, but that no one can talk about. It sounded like a delicate dance, and the FDL crew might have comment on some of this? Where we have seen this before in this trial, today’s bit had the most “wink, wink, nod, nod” air in the transcript, during those passages.
but what do I know?

emptywheel @ 71

SharonW @
17

So have we definitively established that document 402 has NOT previously been made available to the public?

Could this be an entirely new piece of evidence that we’re not familiar with or merely one whose history of safe-dwelling we were unaware of?

It has not been released as a thusly named exhibit yet. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t Wilsons oped, annotated by Cheney (or Libby!). Cheney’s copy has been released twice–once as a pre-trial piece of evidence, and once yesterday in the document dump attached to libby’s second GJ appearance. But if it were entered separated here, then it would have its own exhibit number.

But the fact that it had migrated from The Dick’s desk to a safe was not previously known, was it?

Crazy Horse, was that ARD or ZDF? I had the news on in the background and wasn’t paying attention (too obsessed with the trial!).

I just checked both stations’ websites and couldn’t find any mention of it.

Not sure how this plays out but I don’t recall a mention of the fact that hearsay is permitted in the grand jury but not in the trial. That means that Fitz did not need Russert in the grand jury to get this indictment of Libby. He could’ve just relied on the FBI case agent’s testimony reporting on his hearsay telephone conversation of Russert’s denial to obtain the Indictment. Am I recalling correctly that Russert DID testify at the grand jury anyway? But only after Fitz won Russert’s Motion to Quash Subpoena?

Hmmm. Why would Fitz not disclose the earlier conversation with FBI agent in the Motion to Quash context? Had to be because he did not want to give up the FBI 302 report of that telephone conversation at that time while the GJ was still meeting. Could that be because at that time the GJ was conducting a much expanded investigation that Fitz wanted to keep under wraps as much as possible? What would Russert’s conversation have revealed then about that? Just thinking. . . .

Listening to the Matalin call. Mary says “no crime was committed”. What a shill. Boo-hoo-hoo

Regardless of the verdict in this trial, the sunshine cast on this administration may well cause it to liquify.

punaise at 54

“Dick’s Lament”, with apologies to the Who:

he’s going down
and when he’s on his way down
he’s spewing mo’ bile
play the tape machine
because he’s toast you see
going mobile
keep him moving

man oh man, you are good. slick.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

have had judy in disguise stuck in my head for A WEEK!!!!!!!!!!
couldn’t get rid of it.
mobile, know the song well, am memorizing the new lyrics right now….was wondering this morning how to get judy in distguise outta my head!!!!!! song before that in my head from all of this was stephen still’s change partners…now singin’ “he’s goin down and when he’s on his way down he’s spewin’ mo’ bile”………boy i needed that!!!!!!!! and am a who fan, but REALLY i’m a pete fan……..he’s spewin’ mo’ bile……..wow.

go fdl “plant the seeds and watch them grow”

Re: the pic above: Is that Cathie Martin at her new job?

Exhibit 403 is Libby’s underlined op-ed. There was no 402 released today, so this must be the one in question.

Libby hid Wilson’s op-ed, which he printed out on July 7 and underlined and wrote question marks on.

Well, I guess I’m just stupid re: Otis at 87. Of course! Simple. Revealing Russert’s FBI conversation early on in the Motion to Quash Subpoena to GJ context would’ve revealed that Russert was already the star witness in a slam dunk case of “false statements” against Libby, and perjury too if Libby had already testified before Russert. Sorry I’m not better on my timeline. That’s enough reason to keep it secret then. D’uh.

sharonrb @ 53

” I hope whoever her father turns out to be will be able to give her a decent life.”

emptywheel @ 91. Thanks EW.

Pfifferling @ 85

Crazy Horse, was that ARD or ZDF? I had the news on in the background and wasn’t paying attention (too obsessed with the trial!).

I just checked both stations’ websites and couldn’t find any mention of it.

Das war ARD. Tagesthemen. halb elf. What surprised me was that it was done as a several minute feature. Conjecture: there is currently a huge debate in Deutschland about whether it’s right to send 6 Tornado jets to Afghanistan, just decided. The NATO conference is currently taking place, and Gates was upbeat about stopping a spring Taliban offensive.

punaise @ 9

We just got word that Anna Nicole Smith just died.

does Cheney have an alibi?

That’s slightly less humorous than you think. How to take people’s minds off the trial?

Oh, you think they wouldn’t do this? After fabricating evidence taking our nation to war?

emptywheel @ 91

Exhibit 403 is Libby’s underlined op-ed. There was no 402 released today, so this must be the one in question.

Libby hid Wilson’s op-ed, which he printed out on July 7 and underlined and wrote question marks on.

This Is Big.

Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 79

Here’s a link to Executive Order 13292: http://www.fas.org/sgp/bush/eoamend.html

Although I have not had an opportunity to read it very carefully, I think that it is safe to say after a quick perusal of its contents that this particular executive order does not permit anyone to instantly declassify classified material.

I’m certainly no expert in executive-order-ese, but as I read it, the order only gives the VP authority to classify, not to declassify (insta- or not.) Declassification authority is explicitly separate from classification authority, and one does not imply the other.

Oh, and:

(b) Officers and employees of the United States Government, and its contractors, licensees, certificate holders, and grantees shall be subject to appropriate sanctions if they knowingly, willfully, or negligently:

(1) disclose to unauthorized persons information properly classified under this order or predecessor orders;

(2) classify or continue the classification of information in violation of this order or any implementing directive;

(3) create or continue a special access program contrary to the requirements of this order; or

(4) contravene any other provision of this order or its implementing directives.

I think Cheney is four for four!

Neil @
94

emptywheel @ 91. Thanks EW.

Actually, it can’t be, bc 302 has DICK’s handwriting on it, not Libby’s.

I think it’s Dick’s op-ed and for some reasonthey didn’t send it. I’ve got a f-up email in on it.

to sp at 78

Thanks for the link. The relevant passage (which applies to classification but which the Order makes clear also applies to declassification):

“Sec. 1.7. Classification Prohibitions and Limitations. (a) In no case shall information be classified in order to:

(1) conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative error;
(2) prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or agency;

(3) restrain competition; or

(4) prevent or delay the release of information that does not require protection in the interest of the national security.”

Either they declassifed and violated their own Executive Order or they didn’t declassify and broke the other laws (improper handling, IIPA, treason). Either way, there is a rule of law to which they should be held accountable.

Seriously, Diane Rehm is such a tool. She’s practically built a little cult around herself, what with all her callers always fawning over her and how she presents both sides, a reasonable tone, blah, blah, blah… All you have to do is look at how skewed right her guest list is; typical bunch of bobbleheads, with very few and very seldom any real progressives…

BobbyG @ 13 “Are the silk teddys all at half-staff at The Mansion today?”

Yes, and cinsider this. If the silk teddys are at half-mast then little jimmy, you know the guy that wears the jimmy hat, is standing at a full salute.

Crazy Horse @95

LOL! A several-minute feature?! I had it on and didn’t even hear bin Laden’s name! I did hear the bit about the Tornadoes, etc. I’ll look for it tomorrow.

Thanks for getting back to me. G’night!

Just so y’all know…TRex is upstairs.

I ponder why it is that we lament the death of one celebrity while large numbers of unknown individuals including women and children suffer and die in PNAC’s ginned up war.

I watched about an hour and a half of Waxmans hearings late last night. May I just say Congressman Shays is quickly nearing the boundless levels of contempt I have for Senator Lieberman.

A few points I heard in the hearings.

Suggestions at least 800 paid militia have died in Iraq.

Not one congressman hints at having a problem with the idea of paid militia.

An enormous amount of very basic questions appear to be off the table.

Nobody knows or is able to find out exactly who hires blackwater for the most part. But in one scenario it was suggested that blackwater was hired four tiers down. Of course each tier charges 35 percent over and above the lower one.

One congresswoman from Illinois (didn’t get her name) had actually watched GG’s DVD, Iraq for Sale and recommended it highly.

LBrowne @
55

A serious question: what sort of sentence is Libby looking at? I caught a bit of Hardball last night and Tweety made it sound like it could be twenty years in a federal prison. Someone else then countered that it was more likely to be two to three years in a minimum security “camp” which seemed like such obvious spin I started looking for some Phenergan. But it gives fresh insight into the line o’ cow crap they’ve been feeding Scooter — “don’t worry, the worst that’ll happen in a few years in ‘camp’” — as if he’s going on a big sleepover in the piney woods where he’ll learn new crafts and toast weenies over a campfire.

So, open question to the legal types at the Lake: what sentence is Walton likely to hand down? He’s got a reputation for being somewhat harsh and I don’t think he’s likely to view perjury and obstruction in this matter as a boyish misadventure.

I’m neither a prosecutor nor a criminal defense lawyer but I’d expect something along the lines of 2 to 4 years if Libby’s convicted of all counts. Chris Matthews often talks about Libby facing 20 or 30 years, but that seems way too high to me. First of all, he’s just adding up the maximum statutory sentence on each count, but sentences for multiple convictions generally run not consecutively but concurrently. In other words, the defendant gets sentenced to prison time based on the worst offense and serves the time for the other offenses at the same time as s/he serves out the longest sentence. In addition, 20 years is more like something a repeat violent offender would get — just way too long for a first-time offender on a white-collar offense.
Federal criminal sentences are pretty well spelled out in the sentencing guidelines. There isn’t too much room for the judge’s individual discretion. The guy who made the estimate of 2-3 years is an experienced criminal defense attorney who does this for a living. I’d take his figure over Matthews’.
And don’t take a prison sentence of 2 years too lightly. Put yourself in Libby’s shoes (or those of his wife or kids) should he some day be asked to rise as the judge walks in to pronounce his sentence.

bonkers @
74

Is this a record day here at FDL?

http://www.sitemeter.com/?a=st…..e&r=12

You know those reports that come out that say how much money sick days, vacations, etc. cost the economy as a whole? I do know that FDL is costing a lot of productivity at my business, and I’m lovin every minute of it!

thanks for that link… I’d buy stock in that company!!!
oh wait, I do each time I hit the button…

litigatormom @ 41

Re: Anna Nicole Smith….

Okay, so the MSM will run amuck with this story, and once again bury coverage of the Libby trial on the back page.

But let’s remember that with her death, an infant daughter has been left motherless, and the now very important matter of who’s her daddy is a matter of dispute. The poor kid is going to be a legal football for God knows how long.

That makes me sad. And however trashy and vulgar ANS was in life, she was a bereaved mother and clearly a very confused woman. That makes me sad too.

End of lecture. Back to our regularly scheduled program: LIBBY IS GOING DOWN!!!!!

All true, and yet, all none of my business. The corruption of elected federal officials and their staffs is definitely my business. Pity the MSM don’t use that as their criterion for deciding what to overplay.

cleveburgian @ 102

Seriously, Diane Rehm is such a tool. She’s practically built a little cult around herself, what with all her callers always fawning over her and how she presents both sides, a reasonable tone, blah, blah, blah… All you have to do is look at how skewed right her guest list is; typical bunch of bobbleheads, with very few and very seldom any real progressives…

My main beef with her is having shows with wingnut welfare hacks (from organizations that explicitly state their purpose is to advocate for conservative causes) “balanced” with journalists, thus entirely knuckling under to the “liberal press bias” canard and reinforcing it.

That is what drove me permanently away, combined with allowing conservatives to tell bald-faced lies without being called on it or denied a return invitation, and their constant interruptions (the conservative gets to speak his piece and then interrupts when the non-conservative is halfway through.)

Anna Nicole Smith was just about the perfect example of all the things one person could aspire to that are utterly worthless , yet seen as one level of the American dream . How that differs from Irving Lewis Libby beats me . Except for one minor detail . Anna failed to disregard her fans or whatever else you would call the attention she derived and those people who were attracted to her noise buzz or flash as integers to pay for a Utopian Society that Cheney , Libby and all their little friends are driven to do . In some of her portraits recently in the papers she actually looked or appeared to be an adult , something not clearly evident historically . A life of horrific fascination with a child lady as its CEO . I could be wrong and she could have been something else , something more personally sinister (unconvincing) , but I estimate she at her worst was twice the man Libby or Cheney ever dream they are when they’re finished counting whatever it is they count before they start their manly giggles .

punaise @ 9

We just got word that Anna Nicole Smith just died.
does Cheney have an alibi?

Moron @ 38

At about 4:05 pm today, I learned from yahoo.com that Anna Nicole Smith had died.
I then forget this.
At about 4:30 pm, I went to msnbc.com and saw that Anna Nicole Smith had died. I was taken aback. I learned this news as if anew.

Snarkspear at the Lake – half the reason I come here.
Top notch, TOP NOTCH

twc @
107

I’m neither a prosecutor nor a criminal defense lawyer but I’d expect something along the lines of 2 to 4 years if Libby’s convicted of all counts. Chris Matthews often talks about Libby facing 20 or 30 years, but that seems way too high to me. First of all, he’s just adding up the maximum statutory sentence on each count, but sentences for multiple convictions generally run not consecutively but concurrently. In other words, the defendant gets sentenced to prison time based on the worst offense and serves the time for the other offenses at the same time as s/he serves out the longest sentence. In addition, 20 years is more like something a repeat violent offender would get — just way too long for a first-time offender on a white-collar offense.
Federal criminal sentences are pretty well spelled out in the sentencing guidelines. There isn’t too much room for the judge’s individual discretion. The guy who made the estimate of 2-3 years is an experienced criminal defense attorney who does this for a living. I’d take his figure over Matthews’.
And don’t take a prison sentence of 2 years too lightly. Put yourself in Libby’s shoes (or those of his wife or kids) should he some day be asked to rise as the judge walks in to pronounce his sentence.

Yes, I can see that the sentences might be served concurrently, especially for a first-time offender. I actually wondered if the 20 years was a deliberate overestimate setting up the 2-3 year estimate in “camp”. The use of the word “camp” rather than “prison” or “facility” raised a red flag for me. Perhaps that’s an accepted term in prison lingo but given the number of talking point vendors that have appeared on Hardball, it came across as a “Libby’s not actually going to go to jail“.

If two years is the prison sentence Libby was hoping to avoid by going to trial, I’ve got to wonder what sort of deal Fitzgerald was offering that Libby found so unattractive — and whether Libby is having second thoughts about rejecting that deal now.

cleveburgian @ 101

Seriously, Diane Rehm is such a tool. She’s practically built a little cult around herself, what with all her callers always fawning over her and how she presents both sides, a reasonable tone, blah, blah, blah… All you have to do is look at how skewed right her guest list is; typical bunch of bobbleheads, with very few and very seldom any real progressives…

I agree. Plus her comments/questions always seem to be about her.

Steal a loaf of bread, 20 years to life.

Steal half a billion like Michael Milken, 8 years.

Kill hundreds of thousands of innocents like Bush & Co., … look Anna Nicole Smith died.

The MSM has a lot of splainin’ to do.

Why is it the Rich in America, those who run corporations and give the most money to control who gets heard or elected don’t seem to trust in our Democracy? Why do they hate America?

I don’t believe that OBL story, given that the $25 million bounty on his head is still in force AFAIK.

none @
116

I don’t believe that OBL story, given that the $25 million bounty on his head is still in force AFAIK.

Of course, if you’re a French special forces soldier newly rich, your court martial prevents you from spending it.

“she at her worst was twice the man Libby or Cheney ever dream”

I might have interpreted this as snark, but actually, it rings quite true, considering the treehouse boy’s clug atmosphere the Cheney and his neoR’s have built for themselves in this Bush administration…