Folks, there's been a pretty huge move in the CIA leaker case

[WilliamPitt]

Whose picture do they have in the center of this article?



The CIA Agent Flap: FBI Asks for Reporters to Talk

Investigators are pressing Administration officials to let journalists tell whatever they know about the leak of a CIA agent's identity

By JOHN F. DICKERSON AND VIVECA NOVAK

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,570189,00.html

Friday, Jan. 02, 2004

FBI investigators looking into the criminal leak of a CIA agent’s identity have asked Bush Administration officials including senior political adviser Karl Rove to release reporters from any confidentiality agreements regarding conversations about the agent. If signed, the single-page requests made over the last week would give investigators new ammunition for questioning reporters who have so far, according to those familiar with the case, not disclosed the names of administration officials who divulged that Valerie Plame, wife of former ambassador Joe Wilson, worked for the CIA.

While irregular, the move is not unprecedented. Various officials were told from the start that such a request might be made. Along with the recusal this week of Attorney General John Ashcroft, this suggests that investigators are ready to enter the next stage of the probe. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has been named special prosecutor to oversee the inquiry. The FBI has already extensively re-interviewed some White House officials using emails and phone logs from their search to press for the identity of the leaker. “They are taking this very seriously,” says one close to the case.

Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters' Committee for Freedom of the Press, says asking people who are in the universe of possible suspects to sign such a document is unusual, though not unheard of. "From the prosecutors' point of view, it is likely a precursor to subpoenaing journalists to testify before a grand jury, and then asking a judge to hold them in contempt if they refuse to do so," she noted.

It's plain that White House officials are under some pressure to sign the documents. "They can't refuse," said one individual who's familiar with the case. "The worst thing to be accused of here is not cooperating with the investigation." But reporters are not likely to feel the same pressure. Journalists rarely divulge the identities of confidential sources even when threatened with contempt citations so the releases may make little difference. Still, in a post-9/11 world, a case involving the disclosure of a covert agent's identity could be taken very seriously by a judge, who would have the power to jail a member of the press for refusing to cooperate with a grand jury.

...more...

I'm not so worried about Mr. Fitzgerald anymore. This was a professional chess move.

[brainshrub]

1. Welcome back.

:toast:

Did you miss us?

[alcuno]

3. Huh?

Did * ever ask members of his administration to sign a document saying it was not them?

[caledesi]

43. No (according to the cadaver Scott McClellan)

Supposedly Scott McClellan asked him and Rove said "no."

[alcuno]

64. I saw another McClellan on TV the other day.

An FDA Commissioner talking about Mad Cow; he looked a lot like Scottie.

[snippy]

89. They are brothers.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. I think MR Fitzgerald should impanel a grand jury just like Ken Starr

did and put Novakula in jail for 18 months or so...he'll be singing like a bird after the second day :D

[arcane1]

12. I don't know why Novak isn't in front of a firing squad NOW

regardless of WHO the leaker is, the fact remains that he leaked it. Does that mean nothing?

[Dookus]

22. it means something...

about his personal ethics, but he broke no law.

I don't want to live in a country that executes journalists for publishing the truth.

[wtmusic]

30. Problem is

Novak is withholding evidence in the commission of a crime. If he gets a subpoena and doesn't talk, it's off to the Big House.

[Dookus]

42. just

tell me what crime he committed. Find me the actual law.

[Skittles]

48. Novak is no longer a journalist

he is a Bush whore masquerading as one in order to commit TREASON at the request of ROVE for the sheer purpose of SHUTTING PEOPLE UP.

[Dookus]

54. Whether you like him or not,

he's a journalist. A real one.

I don't want to live in a country that jails journalists for publishing the truth. I doubt you really do, either.

[HereSince1628]

65. Topic was discussed yesterday (?) on NPR

Apparantly there is no law allowing reported confidentiality with their sources. There is court precedence to allow confidentiality, and so...depending on circumstance and how judges parce things Novak may or may not be protected.

Being that there has rather obviously been a violation of a state secret which prima facia is a felony, and being that it directly effects the ability of the CIA to do WMD research which is an exceedingly high priority maybe even a conservative judge would say no priviledge in a nation-security case.

[arcane1]

36. really?

why is it illegal to tell Novak teh agent's identity, but legal for him to broadcast it?

I don't follow... it was HE who made it a problem... he could've protected Plame the same way he's protecting the leaker...

:shrug:

[Dookus]

46. This has been covered here countless times...

the law covering the disclosure of undercover operatives only applies to people who have AUTHORIZED access to that information, OR engage in a pattern of activities designed to "out" agents.

Novak did not have authorized access to the classified information. He has not engaged in a pattern of outing operatives.

The person who leaked to Novak probably broke the law. Novak didn't.

That being said, he shouldn't have published it on ethical grounds.

[arcane1]

47. thanks D

:)

[NNN0LHI]

80. Dookus! You are so full of...

...truth. :-)

Don

[loudnclear]

92. Why not throw Novak and others in jail for contempt like Susan McDougal

was thrown in jail? Who care if they can't work for a while...they haven't been doing journalism for the past three years anyway?

[drb]

41. And for the first guy that makes Novakula his...

...bitch, I'll buy him a carton of cigarettes!

[Serenity-NOW]

4. So many wheels have fallen off this wagon...

I've lost count. I suppose they pull out the old 'misspoke' 'mistaken' whoopsy daisy technicality card again. Just because the prez can't pronounce or spell 'responsibility' shouldn't give him a get out of jail free card.

[wtmusic]

7. welcome to DU

:bounce: :toast: :bounce:

[Serenity-NOW]

14. Thank you for the welcome! Glad I stumbled along. :)

[Kanary]

32. Hi Serenity! Could you lend me some? hehehe

Welcome to D.U.!

:hi: :hi: :hi:

:toast:

Kanary

[Serenity-NOW]

58. I'm all tapped out, my monicker is my mantra... check me 12/04

[T Bone]

82. welcome to DU, Serenity NOW

good to see you here.

-TBone

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

79. Welcome to DU! Nothern or Southern Cal?

[Punkingal]

85. Welcome to DU....

I hope you stay serene!

[coloradodem2005]

5. This is good news.

Maybe if they can make a serious case about this as well as pre-911 intelligence we could discredit * and the neocons worse than they tried to discredit Clinton.

[LibertyorDeath]

6. Is that a pot I hear boiling..

Thanks for the update and a very Happy New Year to you.

04 is going to be one wild ride.

Cheers.

[giantrobot_2000]

8. ...

Soup's on!

[greatauntoftriplets]

9. If numbnuts has to set Rove loose officially,

KKKarl will still be concocting potions behind the scenes.

[HereSince1628]

19. Prisoners get phones in camp Delta?

[wtmusic]

10. Who's Viveca Novak?

Any relation?

[Capn Sunshine]

78. That was my first thought also

since I'm convinced Rove is behind this

[NewJeffCT]

11. Big news

Unfortunately, it's Friday night, the day after a holiday and nobody will be paying attention right now.

Hopefully, we can keep this alive.

[KFC]

13. Fitz is putting on the screws

I guarantee he wasn't watching football yesterday.

The smartest man I have ever met. And not one to fuck with.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

16. So you have made his acquaintance?

IYO, do you think he has the grit and seeds to take this thing to them, or will he knuckle under? Is he a partisan mole, or can Diogenes finally put out his lamp?

[KFC]

24. Fitz didn't even vote in college

He was (is) completely apolitical. Think of an Irish cop with a 200+ IQ and no fear. Hard core Catholic in a good way.

I hope Bushco threatens him.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

26. Ok.

I grok your explanation completely, and goddamn, I hope you are right. It sure would be good to see the right thing done for a change, by someone with real integrity. I sure do hope my poor ol' hardened and cynical heart can take it.

If he does it, I will make it my life's work to save up enough money and take the man to The Black Rose, in Boston, and get him shitfaced, on my dime. Just the place to take a fine irish lad for a celebration.

[LibertyorDeath]

27. That is great news! Thanks KFC

[LibertyorDeath]

20. KFC What are the odds that Rove is toast with Fitz on his trail?

"The smartest man I have ever met"

Fair

Good

Excellent

[KFC]

59. Pretty damn good if he committed a crime

This will be sweet. I think Bushco thought Fitz is a conservative, but they fucked up.

This guy is a fucking prosecuting machine.

[never cry wolf]

76. KFC, you have a way with words

This guy is a fucking prosecuting machine.

I love it. Everything I have read about the guy here in Illinois when he was appointed backs up what you say. I pray it is true!!

[caledesi]

45. And seems to move rather quickly. nt

[onecitizen]

15. I dunno........

do you really think Rove is as stupid to have done this? Really? I mean isn't he supposed to be so smart and skillful and so politically astute and yet done something THIS stupid?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

17. Once again, remember:

After Hubris comes Nemesis. Always has, always will.

[giantrobot_2000]

18. ...

Hubris and arrogance can cancel all of his smarts out, y'know.

[Melsky]

35. He is smart

So were the Watergate players. Arrogance can really bring you down.

[librechik]

21. what a pleasant thought: Bob Novak rotting in jail for not talking

to prosecutors! I'd pay big bucks to see that!

[boneygrey]

29. I don't care who the reporter is

they should not be forced to reveal sources. That would pretty much kill freedom of the press wouldn't it?

[arcane1]

37. he would be revealing a traitor to the United States

and besides, he didn't HAVE TO tell the world about Plame

it's hard for me to take this "protect the sources" bit seriously, since Novak is obviously not concerned with protecting people's identity, otherwise this would've never happened...

[boneygrey]

57. Here's a thought

If I remember correctly, weren't there 6 reporters who knew about this? How about allowing anonymous testimony? The source could be revealed but nobody would know which reporter did it it?

[DoYouEverWonder]

38. Too late

there's no such thing has a free press anymore. Bu$hCo sold that item when they passed Patriot I & II. Welcome to the brave new world.

[madrchsod]

44. freedom of the press?

freedom of the press is for the people who own the press. today the American press and news is the official broadcast medium for the cooperations and the Whitehorse. throat our history there has been only a few really "free press",owners who were not afraid to tell the truth no matter what the outcome.

[LadyDemocrat]

23. Welcome back Will

:kick:

[VelmaD]

25. Bwahahahaha

*see Velma engage in evil glee*

Gawd it feels good to see the media put his ugly face on this scandal.

[Cleita]

28. Didn't we all think it was him all along who created the leak?

Does he have the same access to teflon el presidente has?

[blm]

31. YES. It's Joe Wilson and Rand Beers who will bring Bush down.

It's a shame not more people can credit the Kerry team for doing the the REAL work against BushInc. They're about to REWARD someone else.

[DoYouEverWonder]

40. Kerry still has a bright future if he wants it.

Secretary of State maybe?

[NewJeffCT]

52. I like Kerry, but...

I would prefer he stay in the Senate if he does not win the nomination and subsequent election. We need all the Democrats we can get in the Senate, and with a RepubliCON governor in Mass, they'd appoint a RepubliCON to serve out Kerry's term.

[alfredo]

33. Imagine Rove in Prison

isn't it nice? Makes me grin at the thought of someone in King George's court being brought to justice.

[carpetbagger]

53. Future GOP role: preacher or talk-show host?

Neo-cons, ex-cons, what's the difference.

[supercrash]

34. This is a good move...

But...Doesn't Rove have dual citizenship ?...He will just hop a jet to Germany before sitting in any American jail

[giantrobot_2000]

49. ...

Supposedly his father was a SS officer. Scary dude.

[Cocoa]

39. the thing I don't like about this...

is the fact that it's being leaked. I'm worried that the recent moves are intended to give the appearance of a real investigation.

With Fitzgerald's successful prosecutions in IL, I don't remember developments like this last one making the news. If you heard about something, it wasn't tactics stuff like this, it was something real like an indictment or a subpoena.

[madrchsod]

50. different ball game at the whitehouse level

remember it took him awhile to get to ryan. everyone in the state knew ryan was going to get it, everyone was taking bets on when. i`m reserving judgement but someone going to fall on the sword for the whitehouse. it may not be karl but it will be someone very close.hell who knows maybe karl will fall on the sword for george.
no matter what the whitehouse is going to look bad-even the rabid dogs can`t bitch-fritz is a republican and a tough son of a bitch at that..

[Cocoa]

56. good point

plus the local press was somewhat less than aggressive on Ryan, to put it mildly. Who knows what they chose not to report, in order to be "fair" to him.

[Malva Zebrina]

51. going nowhere and will go nowhere

it will go the way of all of the Bush atrocities--

Bush has successfully invaded and occupied a country on false pretenses against all the UN objections as well as the countries in Europe who refused to sanction that. Not to mention the millions of people all over the world who took to the streets to protest this atrocity.

Nevertheless, he invaded and killed thousands of innocent people. And, here we are months later, still there and there is relatively little to do going on about it. I mean, it is just accepted now that Iraq is an occupied territory--and if there is any sort of resistance, well, let me tell you, it is being successfully squelched or reinvented as "terrorist" activity and Bush has won, indeed. We are there--we killed thousands of children in order to be there, but we gots the money and we gots the power and we gots everything necessary to occupy a country and take over it's resources as our very own.

and you think that something like this is going to bring down Bush when the atrocity of Iraq and his illegal and treasonous invasion has been allowed to go ahead full steam?

I don't think so. If the outrage is not there to bring the prick to justice for invading Iraq on false pretenses, it is not there to bring anything about him to justice regarding the Plame affair.

No way

[veracity]

55. Timetable is on schedule...

The leak was reported last July. It took thirteen weeks for Bush to say anything at all to Ashcroft. It's taken another ten weeks for Ashcroft to recuse himself. Well, well, well....how long will this investigation take? Uh. You know the answer. There will be NO results until after the election. Not a word. Nothing. Again... it's all sound and fury, signifying nil.

[Malva Zebrina]

61. Now if only there could be an investigation into an alleged blow job

perhaps by Condi, or some other very close to George female aide, then there would be something to get exited about! eh?

The only way this jerk will be confronted is if there is something outrageously SEXUAL that will titilate the American public into paying attention and then subsequently, ousting him for this immoral sexual behaviour . Other than that--who cares if he murdered thousands of Iraqi civilians?

[DoYouEverWonder]

62. I don't think the WH wants to drag this one out

and the CIA is demanding someone's head on a silver platter. My take is that this is why they put a bulldog on the case. Someone big will have to take the fall which is very bad for the WH. However, the faster they get the painful part over with, then the sooner people will forget about it and if they handle things right they might still be able to avoid letting this become an 'election' issue.

[KFC]

94. I think you are absolutely right

And it will be up to our nominee to take the best advantage of the outcome.

[DrBB]

67. Faulty premise, Marianne

I don't think so. If the outrage is not there to bring the prick to justice for invading Iraq on false pretenses, it is not there to bring anything about him to justice regarding the Plame affair.

As Gore Vidal puts it,

I actually see something smaller tripping him up: this business over outing the wife of Ambassador Wilson as a CIA agent. It's often these small things that get you. Something small enough for a court to get its teeth into. Putting this woman at risk because of anger over what her husband has done is bitchy, dangerous to the nation, dangerous to other CIA agents. This resonates more than Iraq.
http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=17442

You may be right--it may come to nothing. But the mere fact that it is of smaller scale and consequence to the misbegotten Iraq invasion, a valid point in itself, has nothing to do with its potential for bringing down, or at least damaging the Flying Chimp.

For my part, I like the image from the Bugs Bunny cartoon version of Jack and the Beanstalk. The bit where da rabbit sticks out his tiny foot, and the humongous Elmer goes DOWN, from about fifteen different camera angles.....

[Malva Zebrina]

69. well whatever floats your boat DrBB, but Gore Vidal may himself have a

faulty premise, as much as I am entertained by, and enjoy reading him.

actually see something smaller tripping him up: this business over outing the wife of Ambassador Wilson as a CIA agent. It's often these small things that get you. Something small enough for a court to get its teeth into. Putting this woman at risk because of anger over what her husband has done is bitchy, dangerous to the nation, dangerous to other CIA agents. This resonates more than Iraq.

I cannot agree with Mr. vidal Gore, exactly, here, but I also realize I am relatively a little punk compared to Gore. I think if the CIA were really really intent upon defending it's position and it's agents, and is really really outraged at the arrogance of someone high up in the Bush administrationk that they do, I have no doubt, have the means and the methods to deal with that person no matter what anyone else says or does.

We shall have to wait and see on that one.

[DrBB]

73. Like I say, it's the premise, not necessarily the conclusion

...I disagree with; videt my other post below.

I think it may go somewhere, but there are lots of damage-control opportunities left before it gets to the point of impugning the Fatuous Smirking Moran himself. More's the pity.

[Trajan]

83. You speak of the CIA doing something ...

As if it were an individual ....

The CIA is an resplendent RIOT of different, colorful characters ... NOT one man with one plan ....

It is well known that most CIA careerists despise the Bush/PNAC camp .... as do many of the Generals in the middle and upper tiers at the Pentagon ... read Walter Pincus and Sy Hersh, among others ...

They do not lightly take undeserved blame on anothers behalf ...

Nor do they lightly accept such a cavalier attitude regarding their personal safety ....

They have spoken out, and will speak out louder ....

[mlawson]

60. As with Watergate, this thing unravels in fits and starts.

We had to go months during 1972/4 with no new revelations, then out of the blue, they came. There is no real hurry, after all; the voters have appallingly short memories.

Thanks, Will!!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

63. bush* will grant rove a presidential pardon...shades of iran/contra/

watergate

[Paragon]

66. Wait - I thought we were all misunderestimating the influence of Karl Rove

There's a face I didn't expect to see in a Will Pitt thread.

[Corgigal]

68. Lots of people don't think this will go anywhere

however do you really think it was wise to screw with the CIA in basically an election year? They probably know where all the bodies are buried, and while this may not bother them on most days if they don't get their way things are going to leak.

Bush, if he had any balls, should have fired whoever did this just because he didn't need to piss off the CIA. Even if Daddy knew most of the players might not be enough to protect his son. I would think CIA Agents work under a Law Enforcement Code Of Blue. I don't think any of us want to go there.

[DrBB]

70. I actually don't think it's Rove. Scooter's the cut-out.

I did think it was Rove originally, and posted to that effect several times, back when all this was breaking months ago. But I've been persuaded that those who were looking at Cheney's coterie rather than the Chimp's were on the money. Scooter Libby seems a much better fit for the profile, by everything I've read.

My prediction is that if their backs are up against it, they'll give up Scooter and that'll be it.

Scooter's the cut-out. They'll express shock and disappointment at his misplaced zeal, with all manner of disguised compliments--"He just felt too strongly that the President's mission was so important to the safety of the nation that he stepped over the line!"--but there will be no evidence of any orders from higher up. Scooter'll fall on his sword, end of story.

Above all, the idea that Bush himself could be so vindictive and petty will be right off the table. Even the "left wing" commentators--listen up, Colmes--will be saying things like, "At least we know Our President would never have done anything so dastardly for a petty political vendetta. That would be a terrible thing to have found out In A Time Of War."

And therefore it won't be found out, will it.

[Gin]

71. Plame had nothing to do with anything......she was leaked to scare others

from criticizing the misadministration policies....the jude in the case will see it that way too...

I predict!

[MoonRiver]

72. And Scooter will know if he squeals the truth

he'll be pork chops.

[Norquist Nemesis]

84. Scooter's got my vote too

and maybe someone in Condi's office. (She's been pretty quiet lately too. Hmmm. Guess since taking over the Iraq operations, she's a little busy.)

[dae]

74. He and Rush MUST be related, maybe clones?

[JanMichael]

75. At the very least I hope the "McDougal" Rove and Novak.

3 years rotting in a cell is the LEAST those rat f*ckers deserve.

[Kazak]

77. It was only a matter of time...

before someone with some schwing called them on their shenanigans. Let's hope this pans out.

[peacetalksforall]

81. Ok if you think it's Libby, then does the Pug talking point strategy work?

They are saying that there is nothing wrong here because (x person/s) didn't know that Plame was an operative.

So could Libby not have known?

Seems hundreds of people on the inside would know who Wilson's wife was - was Libby one of them? Or not?

We know that ignorance isn't good enough in a courtroom, but if the Pukes think that they can whitewash the crime with that excuse for the public, will it work?

[Norquist Nemesis]

86. Let's play with that theory

The first question I'd be asking him is where did he get the name Valerie Plame and what was he told? Maybe he was set up, but somebody(s) that was giving him the name knew she was an undercover operative.

Considering it's HIGH treason, my guess would be ol' Scooter will be singing like a canary.

[RBHam]

87. How long can BushCo delay this...

Before they get drastic...

William Safire's heard something, I'm sure...

New York Times’ Safire predicts “major terror attack in the US” on eve of 2004 election
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/jan2004/saf-j03.shtml

[Unknown Known]

88. Ruppert cites a "document" surfacing out of State Dept.

and the several recent "mysterious" deaths of State Dept. employees will be of key interest in this case.

What exactly was in the Dascle-Levin letter to make Ashcroft suddenly recuse? Could it have something to do with this "document".

I mean when did the bushies ever care anything about what Dascle has to say?

Of key interest in this investigation is a document which surfaced out of the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research and the fact that there have been several mysterious deaths in that unit in recent months. (FTW is currently preparing a detailed subscriber-only investigation of the links between these developments, the deaths and the fact that the CIA and the Bush administration are in a feud just short of a “shooting war”.)

If a grand jury is empanelled in this case it could – as was the case with the Watergate grand jury and Richard Nixon – spell the end of the Bush administration. The current regime has proven itself an inept manager of world affairs for the benefit of the financial system and offensive to most of the world's population. As FTW has said for a year, George W. Bush may be unbeatable in the election. He will certainly raise more money than all of his challengers and, if the three preceding years are any measure, he has demonstrated that he will go to any lengths to retain power. But that does not make him unstoppable. Richard Nixon believed that he was unstoppable and played a tough poker hand to the very end. The difference between Richard Nixon and George W. Bush is that Richard Nixon capitulated when he saw that further struggle would destroy the country.

I agree with Ruppert's assessment - between this, the prosecution of 9/11 (including Cheney's energy task force), and what will happen to Saddam Hussein - the BFEE is running out of space to hide. They are getting desperate, and we all know what that may mean.

http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/123103_danger.html

[cthrumatrix]

90. i think the "orange alerts" started right on cue...BTW where is the media?

Certainly this is more interesting than MJ and the othe circus trials.

Let the show begin and may the prosecuation leave no stone unturned.

[goforit]

96. Fascinating turn of events. Can you possibly.....

send any links in to the number of deaths recently within the
last three years in the state Dept. here or abroad?

I do remember reading about the mysterious suicide of the gentleman
whom jumped off the top of the building without his shoes.
It was in the NYT. Who was also in the same dept that Cheney's daughter worked in and the boss of the Dept. was Cheney's long
time subordinate.

[Unknown Known]

97. Sorry, I do not have that info

I'm only familiar with the one that you stated. But according to Ruppert, he references "several". There may possibly have been more. We would never know because we are told nothing by our "free press".

[goforit]

98. Keep one eye open..................always.

:thumbsup:

[underpants]

91. We need a name (it's that simple)

Just one name will do and yes this is a chess move but I don't think reporters need to name names. If they are willing to fine but this investigation is of the White House and they can't spin non-cooperation away.

We know that only a few people are allowed to talk to the press (so having the clearance to know this is out of the picture), remember what happened to the author of the "Axis of Evil" line in the SOTU speech? His WIFE e-mailed friends bragging on her husband (understandable) and he was FIRED toot sweet as that took credit and praise away from W for something everyone knew he didn't really do (write the speech).

So the field is narrowed to:
VP Dick
His Chief of Staff I.E. "Scooter" Libby (my money is on him going down for this whether he did it or not)
Condi
Rove
POTUS Chief of Staff Andrew Card

W's out of it because he only reads what they tell him to read and say.

We need a name.

[Dover]

93. You were worried about Fitzgerald? How so?

Wasn't aware you were worried.

[Norquist Nemesis]

95. Let's not forget

as much as we hope, wish, and pray for GWB to be ousted ASAP, the next in line for their finger on the button is Cheney. Gotta get rid of that SOB at the same time as Bush.