News Libby: White House 'Superiors' OK'd Leaks

[Ivan Seeking]

Okay HRW [or was it SOS?] you said that you were in a hurry for justice.

WASHINGTON -- A former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney told a federal grand jury that his superiors authorized him to give secret information to reporters as part of the Bush administration's defense of intelligence used to justify invading Iraq, according to court papers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/09/AR2006020901745.html

 

[honestrosewater]

Wasn't me. I don't come in PWA anymore. (Except when I see a headline like that.)

 

[Ivan Seeking]

When Fitzgerald announced his indictments, he reminded me of a cat that just ate the Christmas turkey. I think he knows that this is going to be huge.

This and everything else going on reminds me so much of Watergate in the way that it's building.

 

[SOS2008]

Am I in a hurry for justice, you mean like yesterday?

With Libby testifying that his superiors authorized the leak of Plame’s name, it is likely V.P. Dick Cheney will be called as a witness.

The important part of Libby’s testimony is his confirmation that the leak was authorized to dispel criticism of the invasion of Iraq. As far as I’m concerned that is all that is needed to prove that Bush lied to Congress (most specifically about yellowcake).

Another new question in general is that of classified information, and the Executive branch’s selective leaking or declassification as it benefits them, most recently seen in regard to the attempted attack in L.A. While at the same time continuing their outcry about the press leaking information. And of course, in the meantime, other information such as the extent of NSA spying continues to be withheld.

I can’t believe the American people are so complacent and/or accepting of the double-standard information game, and more importantly the blatant lack of honesty and total disregard for the law.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

With Libby testifying that his superiors authorized the leak of Plame’s name, it is likely V.P. Dick Cheney will be called as a witness.

According to the NSA spokesman interviewed yesterday, Cheney didn't have the authority to disclose the information. So from what I am hearing, he could be guilty of treason.

 

[SOS2008]

An update:

WASHINGTON - Handwritten notes taken by the CIA show Vice President Cheney's top aide knew the name of CIA spy Valerie Plame a month before her cover was blown.

It appears to be the first known document in the hands of prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald that directly contradicts Lewis (Scooter) Libby's claim he learned from reporters in July 2003 that Valerie Plame was a CIA employee.

...Seven officials have testified that Libby raised the CIA spy with them before columnist Robert Novak outed her. In the filing, Fitzgerald also revealed that his investigators also confiscated computers.

Meanwhile, a judge overseeing Libby's perjury trial ruled yesterday that Libby won't get any copies of the secret daily intelligence briefings for Cheney and President Bush.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/story/395381p-335210c.html

 

[edward]

Cheneys defense will be that under executive order #13292, he has the authority to declassify information, like the name of a CIA agent perhaps? This would be a stretch because that executive order deals with giving the Vice president the authority to classify information

But in the interview, Cheney said an executive order gives him, and President Bush, power to declassify information

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/16/politics/main1322347.shtml

 

[turbo]

According to the NSA spokesman interviewed yesterday, Cheney didn't have the authority to disclose the information. So from what I am hearing, he could be guilty of treason.

Treason? That means he's going to get an airport named after him. Seriously, Reagan et al stole weapons from our military, funneled them through arms dealers, sold them to Iran (an avowed enemy of the US) and used the proceeds to fund a private war in Nicaragua. Somehow, stealing weapons from our national stockpile and giving aid and comfort to the enemy do not rise to the level of treason if you are a Republican.

 

[SOS2008]

Cheneys defense will be that under executive order #13292, he has the authority to declassify information, like the name of a CIA agent perhaps? This would be a stretch because that executive order deals with giving the Vice president the authority to classify information

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/16/politics/main1322347.shtml

Jon Stewart made the observation that Clinton should not have lied, he should have classified. Classifying everything is what has been saving this administration's butt--don't underestimate it. In the case of Plame, I think they overlooked the fact that her name was still classified, and their own tactic backfired on them.

 

[edward]

Jon Stewart made the observation that Clinton should not have lied, he should have classified. Classifying everything is what has been saving this administration's butt--don't underestimate it. In the case of Plame, I think they overlooked the fact that her name was still classified, and their own tactic backfired on them.

Which means that the administration must declassify then destroy classified information to save their behinds.
When it comes to the ultimate conspiracy theory, from my point of view the actions of this administration have been a continuing series of conspiracies.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Treason? That means he's going to get an airport named after him.

I never did believe that Reagan was a bad guy. I think his vice-president and friends were behind the abuses.

As for Treason, I was just following the logic. Of course I would love to see Bush and Cheney up on treason charges...and I think they both should be. However, a simple impeachment and removal from office is all I dare hope for; and we will be lucky to get that but things are looking up.