Josh Marshall is on fire

[Elidor]

So now we've got another story. It's all Deputy AG Paul McNulty's fault apparently. Right.

(SNIP)
Frankly, simply reviewing the multiple instances in which Bush Justice Department officials threatened the firees with attacking their reputations if they didn't go quietly, I have real doubts whether any of the performance related line started with McNulty. But it hardly matters. The fuse was lit when the White House ordered the DOJ to fire the list of US Attorneys for hurting Republicans and not damaging Democrats. A really good cover story might have kept the thing hidden but a blanket refusal to discuss the matter -- in a department the Congress oversees -- was never going to cut it.

There's this old line the wise folks in Washington have that 'it's not the crime, but the cover-up.'

But only fools believe that. It's always about the crime. The whole point of the cover-up is that a full revelation of the underlying crime is not survivable. Let me repeat that, the whole point of the cover-up is a recognition that a full revelation of the underlying bad act is not survivable. Indeed, the cover-ups are usually successful. And that's why they're tried so often. Just look at this administration. They're the ultimate example of this truth.

Just consider Watergate -- the ur-scandal from which this bit of faux wisdom emanates. Of course, there had to be a cover-up. How long would Richard Nixon have lasted in the White House after after he came forward and admitted that he had a private team of professional crooks breaking into the opposition party's headquarters and commiting various other crimes at his behest? How would that have gone over?

Same here.

Enough of this shambling foolery. The controversy wasn't 'sparked' by the break down of the cover-up. The 'controversy' is about the underlying bad acts. To say that there's a scandal because the cover-up didn't work is no more than a dingbat truism -- something you really would expect from Miers.

This is about finding out what really happened. All the effort that has gone into preventing that tells you the tale.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/013271.php

[wildbilln864]

1. Hmmm!

"The whole point of the cover-up is that a full revelation of the underlying crime is not survivable. Let me repeat that, the whole point of the cover-up is a recognition that a full revelation of the underlying bad act is not survivable."

That could apply to 911!

[Dhalgren]

2. It applies to the whole damned Bush administration!

From November 2000 through to today, and all of the toadies and lackeys who have made this stinking cesspool possible...

[Czolgosz]

3. K & R # 5

[On the Road]

4. Yeah, Josh Isn't Sounding Like a Thoughtful Moderate These Days

I heard him on on a cable news show saying "I don't know whether there's any specific statute that has been broken. But the entire scenario is JUST SO WRONG that it almost doesn't matter."

[xkenx]

5. Exactly why Fitz should have gone after the original treasonous crime of outing Valerie Plame.

Fitz seems to be lionized around here. My take is that he was more concerned with his "score" for successful prosecutions, rather than putting the screws to Cheney et al. THEY OUTED VALERIE PLAME! THAT IS TREASON! You only have to have a heartbeat to know that. The only questions are who gave the original orders, and how many were involved? Pressure from Fitz would have caused unbearable stress. Somebody or somebodies would have spilled enough to avoid a long stretch in the Federal slammer. As a minimum, some of them should have been called to testify in Libby's trial.
So last week, Senate Dems. hold a hearing. Is that it? If the situation were reversed, a dozen Congressional Rethugs. and all their associated talking heads and spinmeisters would have been crying "TREASON" from the rooftops 24/7. When Dems. grow a spine we might turn things around. If Chuck Hagel, of all people, can put impeachment on the table, why can't Dems. show spine? Jack Murtha and Jim Webb are two of the rare ones to lead by example.

[Supersedeas]

6. this goes directly to TR Goldman's point on Wash Journal this morning.

Only a fool believes it's not the crime, but the cover-up.

[Pachamama]

7. This just gave me chills!

Because I know in my gut that the real "crimes" are far worse than anything they are facing if caught in a coverup...and they know it....

I want to know what the real underlying crimes are that they are trying to prevent us from knowing...

Bring on the fishing expedition....I think we may catch the big one afterall!