While You Were Watching Katrina, Republicans derail probes of Plame affair

[dajoki]

Village Voice http://villagevoice.com/news/0538,waas,67952,2.html


While You Were Watching Katrina
House Republicans derail probes of Plame affair

by Murray Waas
September 16th, 2005 3:10 PM

Republicans on three separate congressional committees this week derailed three formal "resolutions of inquiry" by Democrats that would have required the Bush administration to turn over sensitive information and records relating to the outing of CIA officer Valerie Plame.

Had the resolutions of inquiry been adopted, they would have led to the first independent congressional inquiries of the Plame affair, and perhaps even the public testimony of senior Bush administration aides such as Karl Rove, the White House deputy chief of staff, and I. Lewis (Scooter) Libby, the chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, about their personal roles.

As things currently stand, a special prosecutor, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, continues to conduct a grand jury investigation of Rove, Libby, and other White House officials, but the public has gained scant insight into what, if anything, that inquiry has uncovered.

Votes on all three House committees this week were along strictly partisan lines. The House Select Committee on Intelligence voted 11-9 on Thursday to adversely report H. Res. 418, which would have opened a formal inquiry by Congress of the Plame affair. The House International Relations Committee voted 26-21 against the same resolution one day earlier. And the House Judiciary Committee voted 15-11 on Wednesday as well against launching an inquiry.

[shraby]

1. Actually that's good. In the Iran/Contra

mess, Congress granted immunity to some of the characters, for instance Ollie North. Then his conviction was overturned because he had been given immunity. We don't want a similar occurrence for this bunch of traitors.

[Kenroy]

8. exactly!

It would be horrible if congress got involved in this before the investigation is finished.

[Supersedeas]

10. and we believe the Fitz is in a better position to expose this affair

[Toots]

11. I agree.... this works for us in two ways

Word gets out the Republicans are blocking investigations into the betrayal of our country and yet it keeps the real investigation intact.

[dajoki]

14. that sounds good, hope it happens n/t

[Robertwf]

2. Do I Smell Fecal Flower in Action?

This is the most devious hit imaginable. It's the perfect example of why EvilK*arl should be kept away from the $200 billion cookie jar. No way will he be doing anything but counting his cut for the Reeps from all the contracts. He'll be turning every single aspect of redeveloping the South into bolstering his K*arlish plan. We will have no choice but to creat a Blue Nation.

[dajoki]

13. TURD BLOSSOM!! LOL

[CoffeeCat]

3. Great. (sarcasm)

I cannot bear to think that the Plame scandal will dissolve into nothing.

I have faith that Fitzy will come through.

So what if those Republican bastards are blocking measures to hold the thugs accountable. I'm not surprised.

It's all up to Fitzy.

I really wish something would happen soon. I'm trying to be patient.

The pessimistic part of me say that this is taking so long because Fitzgerald is having problems proving his case. The optimist in me is saying to sit tight because bringing down these thugs takes time.

[dajoki]

4. maybe he has bigger fish to fry n/t

[LittleClarkie]

5. But many here commented that perhaps others would get in the way

of Fitz's investigation, and maybe even grant immunity to the players. It's funny that Repubs wouldn't remember this from Iran Contra, and let the Congressional inquiries go forward. Maybe they WANT Fitz to finish his work.

[dogonarug]

6. subterfuge...

Dems hear pat roberts talking about investigating Fitzgerald's investigation...put forth their own resolutions of inquiry knowing that the pubs will never allow an independent investigation...pubs have no choice but to kill the Dem resolutions along with their own dreams of a partisan Fitz investigation...roberts does a wile e coyote(steam from both ears)

[bluedawg12]

7. If the public cared

they would be demanding the congress to investigate.

This will likely get swept under a rug.

[emulatorloo]

9. Maybe the public will after indictments come out. . .

Now the repugs are claiming it is "all politics by evil dems trying to smear the kind and gentle Karl Rove." If that lie is swept away by indictments, who knows what will happen w the public?

[dajoki]

12. it's seems MSM...

can only handle one story at a time. they think people will forget.