That the Appeals Court threw out the Wilsons’ suit is not surprising. That the logic in Sentelle’s opinion is so crappy and ignorant is. It basically argues that because Valerie Wilson has no recourse to the Privacy Act wrt Cheney and Libby and Rove, those thugs can violate Joe Wilson’s First and Fifth Amendment rights too!

Colin Meloy – Valerie Plame

When evidence from the Scooter Libby trial showed that Dick Cheney had probably ordered Scooter Libby to leak Valerie Plame’s identity, Cheney built a firewall that legally excused the leak–but still insulated George Bush from involvement in knowingly outing a CIA spy. Cheney claimed, on at least two occasions, that he himself had the authority to declassify classified information, presumably up to and including Valerie Plame’s identity.

Who do YOU think Bush will pardon in his last days in office?

In a supplement to his responses to the House Judiciary Committee, Patrick Fitzgerald confirms what we’ve always suspected: Karl Rove was trying to have Patrick Fitzgerald fired while Fitzgerald was still investigating Rove for his role in leaking Valerie Wilson’s identity–and the timing lines up perfectly with the Administration’s efforts to fire a bunch of US Attorneys.

I’m receiving word that Bush just invoked executive privilege over Cheney’s interview with Fitzgerald during the CIA leak case.

There are still a number of unexplained aspects of Novak’s column. But the Attorney General seems determined to make sure we never explain them, since he’s refusing to turn over the Bush and Cheney interview reports.

Scottie’s back in the House.

Scottie McC seems prepared to testify more broadly about Plame (and about pre-war intelligence) than Chairman Conyers thus far envisions.

According to Roll Call, Conyers has cordially invited Scottie McC for an HJC chat on June 20 (h/t egregious): “I have extended an invitation to Mr. McClellan to testify before the Judiciary Committee after discussions between Committee staff and his attorneys,” Conyers said. “In his book, Mr. McClellan suggests that senior White House officials may have obstructed justice and engaged in a cover-up regarding the Valerie Plame leak. This alleged activity could well extend beyond the scope of the offenses for which Scooter Libby has been convicted and deserves further attention.”