National Review: Oversight Committee Announces Hearing on disclosure of CIA agent's identity

[PhilipShore]

March 08, 2007

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZjY0Y2IzMDMxNzczNGQ3NjAxNjg3MTY4ZTA5YTY0YjQ=


WASHINGTON, DC - Today Chairman Henry A. Waxman announced a hearing on whether White House officials followed appropriate procedures for safeguarding the identity of CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson. At the hearing, the Committee will receive testimony from Ms. Wilson and other experts regarding the disclosure and internal White House security procedures for protecting her identity from disclosure and responding to the leak after it occurred. The hearing is scheduled for Friday, March 16.

In addition, the Committee today sent a letter to Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald commending him for his investigation and requesting a meeting to discuss testimony by Mr. Fitzgerald before the Committee. The letter - and multiple previous letters Rep. Waxman has written on the Valerie Plame Wilson matter - are available at www.oversight.house.gov. The text of today's letter follows:

March 8, 2007

Dear Mr. Fitzgerald:

I commend you on your professional and thorough investigation into the disclosure of Valerie Plame Wilson's identity as a covert CIA agent. It is apparent that you followed the facts where they led and served the interests of justice and the American people.

By necessity, your investigation had a narrow legal focus: Were any federal criminal statutes violated by White House officials? Your investigation, however, has raised broader questions of national significance. I am writing to invite you to meet to discuss how the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which is the principal oversight committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, can become informed of your views about these broader issues.

[annabanana]

1. Excellent!

Let's get the ball rolling guys. The overture has finished, the opus must begin.

[DURHAM D]

2. Question - Fitgerald was limited to investigating

"White House officials" only...?

Does that mean he could not bring charges/ investigate anyone in the State Department (Armitage) or DOD? Does the term officials refer only to appointed staff members and not elected officials (Bush & Cheney)?

[PhilipShore]

3. My guess is the CIA has immunity

I am not a lawyer: but I am assuming, I could be wrong -- that he is referring to the Military-Industry-Complex that Ike talked about in one of his speeches.

The CIA has agents in the State Department and DOD, and in Military-Industrial-Complex front groups like the (PNAC).

It must be a very difficult time for the powers that be, because if they investigate this - both Democratic and Republican's are involved in the corruption of militarism, because the "warmongers" fund both their campaigns.