Libby Says Bush Authorized Leak!

[AGENDA21]

The New York Sun reports that Scooter Libby "testified to a grand jury that he gave information from a closely-guarded 'National Intelligence Estimate' on Iraq to a New York Times reporter in 2003 with the specific permission of President Bush."

The new disclosure places Bush, "for the first time, directly in a chain of events that led to a meeting where prosecutors contend the identity of a CIA employee, Valerie Plame, was provided to a reporter."

More in link below:
http://www.nysun.com/article/30561

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2006/04/06/libby_says_bush_authorized_leak.html

[Me.]

1. I Wish This Story Came From A Better Source

Considering the fracas between the office of the rez and vp I can't help wondering if it is a plant. It'll make Rove mad and maybe speed up his plea deal.

[zbdent]

68. Considering that the Sun is as right-wing as you can get

I would think that this would be good news . . .

Of course, didn't they plaster the front page with the wrong VP candidate for Kerry?

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

115. 180 odd stories now at Google News, (and growing)

http://news.google.com

[Mnemosyne]

2. Can we have the impeachment now?! n/t

[LynnTheDem]

3. bush probably did. However, the NY Sun is rightwingnut tabloid trash

Makes the National Enquierer look like Pulitzer-Prize journalism.

[proud2BlibKansan]

83. Here ya go

http://nationaljournal.com/about/njweekly/stories/2006/0406nj1.htm

[Laura PourMeADrink]

4. This couldn't be true. If the President was involved, it would be

on every single news channel. I scanned the channels this morning and there was nothing about it !

[greenman3610]

6. you're being sarcastic, right?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

12. unfortunately, yes

[eShirl]

7. ha, good one

you almost had me going for a second there

[wordpix]

9. could be true & M$M is researching own sources so it won't get sued by * &

his dirty tricksters

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

77. It's breaking on MSNBC right now...

[FatDave]

82. w00t!

I was just gonna say that. Awesome awesome awesome. They're saying at the very least it's bad PR for the white house. They also mentioned that when Libby implicated Cheney is when Cheney's approval ratings started tanking, so I guess they're predicting similar for chimpy's numbers.

This could get really good.

[baldguy]

111. Bush authorized the use of torture on POWs

And wiretapping American citizens. How much about that do you hear on the "news"?

[long_green]

137. LOL!

good one.

[imax2268]

165. MSNBC

is covering it right now...

[annabanana]

5. wait wait

Bush said no one in his administration leaked "classified information"

I think the Sun is positioning so that Bush's permission declassified the info.. hence making his remarks true...

[htuttle]

13. Actually, as someone pointed out to me awhile ago

The President can only declassify information that has been classified by the Executive Branch. The identity of CIA agents was originally classified by Congress, hence, the President cannot declassify the identity of an agent (though they are able to declassify other things, like the NIE, I believe).

[ColonelTom]

46. But... but...

... if the President feels its in our national security interest, he can ignore that law and declassify whatever he wants!

That's okay, I'm sure someone will propose that we change the declassification law to allow the President to do what he's already done. :eyes:

[winga222]

116. How sad yet true

Excellent point.

[The Backlash Cometh]

48. You know what I'm thinking?

If it does come down to confessions from Libby and Rove stating that Bush DID approve the leak, then everything, and I mean everything that the Executive Branch and the Republicans in Congress have been doing legislatively to protect their actions becomes an indictment on the entire Republican Congress as co-conspirators in the biggest act of treason against the people this country has ever known.

[Kablooie]

73. Yeah but no one cares about that. Praise the Lord!

[slestak]

122. Who cares? At least gay people can't get married!

:sarcasm:

[Tight_rope]

140. And gay people should be allowed to adopt!

:sarcasm:

[Brundle_Fly]

179. I heard they can't adopt...

because they will try to subvert the youths...or maybe it was DHS personnel, I don't remember.

[jamesinca]

60. and this is an NIE

Scooter Libby "testified to a grand jury that he gave information from a closely-guarded 'National Intelligence Estimate' on Iraq to a New York Times reporter in 2003 with the specific permission of President Bush."

The question is then, was it classified at the time or not? You can discuss classified matters, but should you. If it was declassified and given to Scooter then there is no problem. How sound was the judgment in declassifying that particular piece of information is a different story.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

15. Well they can try, but the process to declassify is very specific

on the steps that have to be taken. Of course, rules and laws are not for this pResident.

[savemefromdumbya]

22. Would it have to be declassified to leak?

There were also rumors that Bush and Cheney had sealed indictments!

[Klukie]

32. Agreed.

I think it is a set up. They will somehow use Executive Authority.

[pinto]

34. I think you have their "line" tagged right. n/t

[PurpleChez]

92. Sure...when the president has sex with a corpse...

it's no longer necrophilia. That is implied in Article II.

[salin]

8. Murdoch turning on bush?

[ClintonTyree]

134. I doubt it.....

this is merely the preface to a long, nebulous defense of El Chimpo, in my opinion. That this was leaked to Murdoch's fish-wrap is no mistake. I believe it to be a carefully orchestrated Rovian ploy to start the defense of bush's indefensible actions. Only time will tell if I'm correct about this.

[Me.]

10. Also

According to story Libby said the vp told him B*** gave permission. I think the old Agatha Christie rule applies here, just because someone tells you someone said something, unless they tell you directly, it doesn't mean they actually said it.

[lonestarnot]

11. I believe this to be crap. The evil bushilter would never authorize

disclosure of his intent. We must throw him out on the lawn.

[babylonsister]

14. I dunno. He appears dumb enough to me to do it, living in his

bubble as he does.

[lonestarnot]

16. No doubt he's dumb enough, but let's throw it on the wall and see if it

sticks.

[lonestarnot]

148. Whoooohooo it's stuck!

[helderheid]

17. Can we impeach yet?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

19. You know, what happened to the idea that someone figured

out a city, state, municipality could bring impeachment charges? I thought they were going to do it in DC?

[Pacifist Patriot]

67. Sadly, should we and can we are two different questions.

[johncoby2]

18. Bush was given authorization to do this with the resolution on Iraq.

He has been given authorization to break the law for national security issues.

:sarcasm:

[freebrew]

26. Well, that screws it...

This was definitely a Security Issue.

:sarcasm:

[donkeyotay]

59. The Unitary Executive knows best

and his orders come from you-know-who. We must obey, or "throw him out on the lawn."

[Igel]

133. The unitary executive is an 'it', not a 'he'. n/t

[Independent_Liberal]

20. Oooooooo.......

And didn't we just learn that Cheney's national security aide John Hannah was the one who leaked it to the press?

[stop the bleeding]

21. Anyone who has questions about this - should read the Court Docs

http://www.nysun.com/30561.pdf

[myrna minx]

23. Is there another source for this? n/t

[stop the bleeding]

24. PDF court docs here

http://www.nysun.com/30561.pdf

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=857961&mesg_id=857961

[myrna minx]

25. Thank you so much. This will be an interesting read. n/t

[AGENDA21]

29. Here..

Treasongate: Libby and the NIE "key judgements"

http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/007296.php

[stop the bleeding]

38. WOW - anyone read this?

the leftcoaster has done their home work.

[myrna minx]

39. Thanks. n/t

[Roland99]

40. VERY interesting development!

[stop the bleeding]

30. I already have pulled some things out of them - let me know what you think

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=857961&mesg_id=857961

[myrna minx]

37. Thanks. I'll go over to your thread. n/t

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

157. A Treasonous Act

USATODAY.com - Libby: I was told leak authority came from Bush

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-04-06-libby_x.htm?csp=24

On CNN, Situation Room now.

[seabeyond]

27. we knew this too way back when. i remember saying i was just sure

that bush would be leaning back in his chair saying, go after 'em..... that it was totally par to his personality. i dont remember what it was. a meeting with cheney and busha nd i dont know who else. but i remember including bush in it. ok'ing it. and then he and cheney go for an interview, NOT under oath

[salin]

31. It IS his personality. NOW is the time to keep repeating the COST

blowing up a major intel network to track the international flow of WMDs and WMDs materials.

Bush - pushed killing an intel network that is very important to our national security - to try to win politically against a critic. All the while still promoting going to war because of WMDs. Shows irony - and a very, very big lack of concern about the nation's security all in one foul swoop.

[Sinti]

41. Are you sure it wasn't the intent

to destroy the intel network that was tracking WMDs in the Middle East and Africa, with the extra benefit of messing with one of his critics? After all, these were the very people who could prove him wrong before the bombs start dropping on the nation du jour.

[The Wielding Truth]

105. These Repukes never change their ways. Nixon all over again.

Same actions but I think it is Rove who cooks them up and GW follows.

[Neil Lisst]

28. Were there any buffers between you and Mr. Corleone?

Buffers?!

[Marnieworld]

72. Ha Ha!

Very funny! :D :toast:

[leeroysphitz]

88. Great reference. Very apt!

Bush better see if he can't fly Libby's brother in to appear at the courthouse.

[Catherine Vincent]

33. Can't believe some of you here are referring to * as "the president"

I guess you guys didn't have your morning coffee?

[H2O Man]

35. What Libby testified

was that he was instructed by one or more superiors to share classified NIE with reporters. His superiors at that time were Bush, Cheney, and Card. It is worth noting that the president's order that allows the Vice President to declassify certain information occured in what appears to be a direct relationship to the Niger documents being exposed as forgeries; the idea was to share the NIE that supported the claim Saddam was seeking WMD components. As noted in my essay on Hannah yesterday, this was the (mis)information fed to the OSP by the INC.

Is it possible that Bush gave this instruction to Libby? Yes. But the court papers made public thus far point more to VP Cheney, in my opinion.

[stop the bleeding]

42. H2O Man there were 3 sets of Court Docs from yesterday not just

the one set containing the 39 pages

MEMORANDUM OPINION as to I. LEWIS LIBBY; Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on 4/5/06. (erd) (Entered: 04/05/2006)

ORDER granting in part and denying in part 51 Motion To Bar Ex Parte Submissions as to I. LEWIS LIBBY (1);Signed by Judge Reggie B. Walton on 4/5/06. (erd) (Entered: 04/05/2006)

RESPONSE by USA as to I. LEWIS LIBBY re 68 Third MOTION to Compel DISCOVERY UNDER RULE 16 AND BRADY (Kedian, Kathleen) (Entered: 04/05/2006)

[H2O Man]

47. I was wrong.

There are few times when being wrong, and finding out, is such a pleasant experience. In fact, I had not read document 80.

While I do not often ingest alcohol, on this very day I shall consume a glass of wine.

I am hoping that Skinner would consider a request to have a spot where as many of the court documents as possible are made available to DUers.

I do not have PACER. I usually find things on one of three other sites. Do you have copies of the other documents?

[stop the bleeding]

51. I can't supply the links without using a login and password and then

it gets charged to my work, I can't throw up red flags. I don't know if there is another site that has all three sets on it, or if there is a way to make copies of the PDF's and provide a new link. so that DU can break them down.

[H2O Man]

53. I had been

organizing a paper on Lawrence "Ari" Fleischer, that I think will show how his role in dealing with the media in July '03 failed to meet its objective, causing an angry Scooter "PI" Libby to take things upon himself.

This information will put me back a couple hours. I see Fleischer mention on page 11, and likely more places.

[TacticalPeek]

58. Excellent suggestion for Skinner, which I second.

USAToday did something similar with President AWOL's military records.

The OSC site seems incomplete and lags way behind the news lately.
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/osc/legal_proceedings.html

[TacticalPeek]

45. Libby says Cheney says Bush says. Oh - and Addington says.

From page 23 -

As to the meeting on July 8, defendant testified that he was specifically authorized in advance
of the meeting to disclose the key judgments of the classified NIE to Miller on that occasion because
it was thought that the NIE was “pretty definitive” against what Ambassador Wilson had said and
that the Vice President thought that it was “very important” for the key judgments of the NIE to
come out. Defendant further testified that he at first advised the Vice President that he could not
have this conversation with reporter Miller because of the classified nature of the NIE. Defendant
testified that the Vice President later advised him that the President had authorized defendant to
disclose the relevant portions of the NIE. Defendant testified that he also spoke to David Addington, then Counsel to the Vice President, whom defendant considered to be an expert in national security law, and Mr. Addington opined that Presidential authorization to publicly disclose a document amounted to a declassification of the document.

http://www.nysun.com/30561.pdf


Makes you wonder for a few seconds why he obstructed justice and perjured himself then. For a few seconds.

:evilgrin:

[H2O Man]

49. This is intense.

This is surely one of those "Watergate moments"!!!

It looks like Team Libby is pulling out all the stops.

[leveymg]

114. This establishes the basis for an OOJ or Conspiracy Count Against Bush

I was over at another string. This is what I said there.

#1)
This implicates Bush in the conspiracy to out Plame.

While it seems the President could on his own authority order a CIA document declassified, Bush can not arbitrarily reveal the identity of a non-official cover CIA officer. By authorizing release of the NIE, he took an affirmative step toward advancing the conspiracy to out Plame. This gets us much closer toward nailing Bush as an unindicted co-conspiractor in the actual Plame outing.

The only question that remains, what did he know in advance about the plans of others to reveal Plame's identity? I think he'll have to be called back in to answer that question.

In the end, the Grand Jury will find Bush committed either conspiracy or OOJ. The President can no longer claim he knew nothing about the contours of the crime.
__________________________________________

#2
(Response to another post who asked whether this ties Bush to the Plame leak)

The Grand Jury Could Conclude That

It has to do with the law of conspiracy. If a Mafia Don says he wants a rival "taken care of", and a subordinate ends up killing the victim, the Don can be indicted and convicted of conspiracy to commit murder.

It's a matter of convincing a jury that this was the intent of the Don and that he had a reasonable expectation that the hit man would actually kill the victim. The Don doesn't have to say, "Shoot him in the head." Similarly, Bush didn't have to order Rove and Scooter, "Out Plame."

There seems to be enough here for a Grand Jury to now indict Bush for conspiracy to violate the Intelligence Identities Protection Act. All the pieces seem to be in place now if Fitz wants to go down that road.

Indeed, Fitz probably won't have to seek indictments under IIPA. If Bush lied to Fitz earlier about knowing about the plan to discredit Wilson -- as he almost certainly did -- then Bush committed Obstruction of Justice.

Mark

[Iowa]

156. Thank you leveymg!!!

This is a very helpful summary for those of us who aren't schooled in the law.

[AuntiBush]

178. Agree w/H2O Man

This looks like a lot of Watergate moments to come.

Edited to Add: Does everyone recall when Fitz called for Air Force One's (WHIG) recordings? Adds interesting factors as to why Fitz knew.

Does anyone recall who was on that flight?

[Me.]

54. Exactly

Did the rez actually tell Libby or did Libby get the info 2nd hand is a key point here. As Cheney and Addington are still part of the admin, maybe Libby should be wondering if he was led up a garden path.

[Hardrada]

120. Down a garden path to Hades!

Facilis descensus Averno!

[RedEarth]

36. It will be interesting to see how this plays out....

most likely nothing will come out of it except denials and spin.

[Dora]

43. The NY Sun link isn't working for me.

:shrug:

[melissinha]

44. No doubt its true, but itching for more info

before I get any more excited....

[rpgamerd00d]

50. GO TO PAGE 23 of the PDF - its there ! -nt

[poverlay]

52. ALERT! Congress declares special session!

Unanimous "Yea" vote to make anything Bush does legal.

It's called the "Betray America Act"...


I'm seriously not getting my hopes up.

[KoKo]

55. It would almost seem Libby is testing the "Unitary President" theme....

In that case would Libby be able to get off? If Bush said to Cheney something like..."do whatever you feel is best..." and Cheney takes that as the "authority" and Bush has claimed he can do what he wants in the interests of national security then they all all off Scott free...or it goes to the Supremes who seem to have already declared that Bush is the Unitary P-Resident...having given him the job in 2000.

:-( I'm not getting my hopes up over this one, either. It sounds worse for any justice...particularly since it comes from a Murdoch rag. Sounds like they have pulled all the stops out...

Hope I'm wrong though...

[ClintonTyree]

141. Betray America Act.....BAA for short....the sound sheep make.

Yeah, that would make sense. If there was ever a flock of mindless sheep it's the Congressional Republicans. Following in lockstep with everything their shepherd, KKKarl Rove, wishes.

[FatDave]

56. so, is treason an impeachable offense?

:popcorn:

[proud2BlibKansan]

89. No

only blow jobs are impeachable.

[Rose Siding]

57. Bush *said* he'd get to the bottom of it!

Mission accomplished....er, preemptively?

He knew who leaked because he authorized it himself. Cheney's recent CYA on Fox tells us it isn't illegal for him to declassify at will.

[singe]

61. bush implicates bush

so if bush said back in 9/03 that he wanted to know of any leakers when asked about the plame case and at the time he knew the real deal was that he had declassified stuff so cheney could have libby talk to the press to save their political asses....was he being a bit....disingenous??

[renate]

65. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

And j'adore votre username!
:rofl:

[NewJeffCT]

74. go out & say it - don't skirt the truth.

Bush is a liar! Liar liar pants on fire!

Welcome to DU.

[UTUSN]

62. Notice what ho-hum play this is getting? Oh well, if Shrub O.K.ed it,

well then, it's FINE! since we all know Shrub can break any law. Like he said about the Constitution: "Why do you all keep throwing the Constitution in my face? It's just a goddamned piece of paper!"

And when he signs bills he makes statements that he reserves the right to not abide by this or that part.

[demo dutch]

63. NYSun site is experiencing lots of problems & is down now

[danm8r]

64. it appears as if the Suns site has been taken down

you can't get to the site now... maybe just too many hits.

[demo dutch]

66. Here's another link on it at - National Journal

http://news.nationaljournal.com/articles/0406nj1.htm

[Tight_rope]

153. I'm sure glad I printed my hard copy! I can just scan it in now.

[janx]

69. I just heard this on Air America radio.

Checked in here to try and find the source.

[jamesinca]

70. Raw story is now running story

On their front page, they are linking ot the nysun article.

[understandinglife]

71. Bingo!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=828043#829968

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=849949&mesg_id=851029

I've been comfortable with this prediction since the first time I made it; which dates to the day in July, 2003, when Novunkula made the dirty deed public.


If You're pro-Bu$h, You're Anti-America -- and you dig outing CIA NOCs

[onehandle]

75. Do-Over! Do-Over! Kerry/Edwards 2004! nt

[kayice]

80. From what I've read they won anyway.

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

76. Breaking on MSNBC right now...

Libby got Bush and cheney OK. HA Ha Ha

[kayice]

78. I wonder how worried some people are about the truth coming out....

did the power go off earlier this week at Capitol Hill? I haven't heard of this "trunews" before and this may be one of those weird news things but this is interesting and damn right scary....I googled if the power did go off and found one source, MSM doesn't report anything more.

http://www.trunews.com/public/trunews_04_05_06_wed.mp3

[Nye Bevan]

79. In June 2004 chimpy promised to *fire* anyone who was involved in

leaking Plame's name.

Therefore I expect his resignation shortly. We all know he is a man of his word.

http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/rm/33463.htm

QUESTION: Given -- given recent developments in the CIA leak case, particularly Vice President Cheney's discussions with the investigators, do you still stand by what you said several months ago, a suggestion that it might be difficult to identify anybody who leaked the agent's name?

THE PRESIDENT: That's up to --

QUESTION: And, and, do you stand by your pledge to fire anyone found to have done so?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes. And that's up to the U.S. Attorney to find the facts.

[singe]

81. presidunce fires self!!!!

Dear Mr. Presidunce, 4-6-06

Please be advised that effective c.o.b today your services are no longer required. Capital Police will meet you and Dickhead in your offices at your normal knock off time of 1:30p.m. to assist you in cleaning out your desks and to make sure the door doesn't hit you in the asses on the way out.

Yours in Service to the Lord,
The Presidunce

[janetle]

90. This was great! Made me laugh--out loud--by myself!

[singe]

97. cool

if i can make you smile before i leave....

[riverwalker]

84. also Breaking on CNN n/t

[Lost-in-FL]

85. REJOICE!!! REJOICE!!! HE'S GOING DOWN!!!

:party: :party: :party: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[shantipriya]

129. going down!!!

I like to hope so BUT that ain't going to happen.Look what happened with the spying scanadal?

[Lost-in-FL]

164. I hate to say you are right on that one.

:(

[SpecialK]

86. Bloomberg has story...

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aTAo1LZSEZDA&refer=us

Not on any major cable news websites yet...

[newspeak]

87. so, when are the American people going to get it?

This cabal DID NOT protect us on 9/11--they've outed an agent and the company who monitored WMD. A network that was in place to keep this country safe!!!!! So, to further their maniacal agenda (PNAC), this cabal has done everything in it's power to de construct our infrastructure. Some argue it is not treason, I say it is!!!!

Hmmmm, Bush is doing his BS speech today and the media is covering it while this story is breaking. Perfect timing, wouldn't you say?

[Fiendish Thingy]

91. 39 page doc up on smoking gun...

go here:

[neuvocat]

93. Looks like the Sun went down.

Either its a traffic problem or some fundy had it taken offline temporarily.

[Patsy Stone]

94. Bloomberg News link to story

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aTAo1LZSEZDA&refer=us

"The administration had no immediate comment on the court document, which was filed last night."

Woo Hoo!

K&R. I'd like some impeachment proceedings please!

[chelsea0011]

95. First AWOL, now treason. IMPEACH THE BASTARD!!!!!!!

[katty]

107. IMPEACH HIM TODAY!

[Ignis]

119. Screw Censure, time to bring out the big guns!

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

147. Screw the guns, bring out the meathook

Busholini!

[MilesColtrane]

96. We can officially start using the term, "coconspirators" now.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

149. Unindicted co-conspiritor would seem appropriate

for the pretzel-dunce, until he's impeached and removed from office.

Then we can indict his sorry ass.

[mwb970]

98. IS THIS HUGH??/? (n/t)

[FatDave]

101. HUGH & SERIES!!!1 (nt)

[file83]

159. OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG....

Oh. My. God.

[huskerlaw]

99. This is a good start, BUT...

from my understanding, he said that Bush authorized the declassification of a document. Given that authorization, Libby met with Miller to discuss the contents...and sometime during that conversation he mentioned that Wilson's wife was a CIA agent.

The connection that still isn't made is whether, upon declassifying the report, Bush gave permission to discuss Plame. Honestly, from the court record, it kinda looks like he didn't. It seems to me that unless that document contained information about Plame, there's still a missing link.

Thoughts?

[newspeak]

100. so basically, what they're saying

is the Executive Branch has the right to de-classify anything they feel like. Then, if they wanted to, they could expose any vulnerability we have, they could expose security secrets that threaten our well-being just because they authorized it "declassified." Hmmm, I'm really feeling safe!!!!! :eyes:

[demo dutch]

125. But that's not true-President can only declassify information that has

classified by the Executive Branch. The identity of CIA agents was originally classified by Congress, hence, the President cannot declassify the identity of an agent.

[Kablooie]

102. CNN reports "Just business as usual". Nothing wrong about it.

Just regular Republican and Democratic tactics in Washington.

Sheesh!

[janx]

104. They don't want to jump the gun, so to speak.

This story is huge--and about to get bigger.

[paparush]

103. Story is on MSNBC Front Page

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12187153/

[katty]

106. Court papers Filed! Great!

[demo dutch]

109. Oh Poor Scott McClellan he'll get hammered on this one!!

[King Coal]

145. Scotty can't comment on an ongoing investigation.

Did you ever think about that?

[MrBlueSky]

108. People, this just BURNS me up!!!!!

This makes me so angry.

People... for more than a year, I've sent e-mail after e-mail to my neo-con Republican freshman Congressman, Rep. Dave Reichert, demanding impeachment of Bush and Cheney.

Knowing that he is in a "red" district in the middle of a "blue" state, he simply refuses to respond.

But this time... my blood boils.

If Rep. Reichert ignores my demand this time, a mushroom cloud will likely appear over my head!!!!!

[annabanana]

130. Welcome to DU

It has been a long hard slog for all of us.

When I hear that "Democrats are so ANGRY" I say,
oh hell yeah

I'm angry allright, and you should be too!

[jfkraus]

151. Support Darcy Burner! Dump Reichert!

Contribute and volunteer!

[onehandle]

110. I think this story should be taken off of newsworthy topics.

Until the media gets its sh*t together.

Right now this story appears to be wrong and is sending DUers into a tizzy.

[annabanana]

132. "until the media gets it sh*t together"?

Don't you get it.. they never will..That's not their job. Their job is to pre-digest the raw data and deliver it in an administration-freindly fashion...

WE are the media now and we have work to do.

[Acryliccalico]

112. Impeach * NOW!!!

:kick:

[NightOwwl]

113. This story is breaking big time!

Googled "Bush authorized leak" and the search returned over 160 articles from various news sources.

By this afternoon I imagine that number will have quadrupled!

[Ganja Ninja]

117. The spin is Bush authorized the leak but ..

not specifically Plame's identity. Expect the excuse now to be it was all just a big misunderstanding between Libby and Cheney.

[demo dutch]

143. It's vague, but he clearly authorized declassification of info

in order to further the justification of war. More proof that he was well aware! Go back to the Downing Street memos etc. etc. The country knows that we went to war based on lies, but doesn't really seem too concerned.

The least we can hope for is that when Hans Blix says Iran is at least 5 yrs away, and diplomacy should be the course of action, the country listens! Hopefully, the momentum will continue as we get closer to the elections (alongside the Abramnoff mess)

[wickerwoman]

182. That doesn't even make sense.

Their story is Bush said, "Ok boys, I'm feeling ornery. Let's leak something. Surprise me."?

If he authorized a leak, he must have authorizing the leaking of something... i.e. Plame's identity.

[UrbScotty]

118. No surprise here (nt)

[Bluebear]

121. Impossible! Jesus changed his heart!

:sarcasm:

[debbierlus]

123. WOAH! The war between the VP Office & the President's Office begins

:popcorn:

It won't be up to the MEDIA to decide this one! It will go through the courts with every rat for himself!

[Ratty]

124. If the president authorized it then it is not by definition a leak

Just had to pop in on some of the RW forums to see how they're spinning this one. So their "logic" is that it's not illegal, it's not a leak, because, apparently, the president alone can decide what is illegal and what is not, what can be released, etc. Not a peep about the moral implications of the commander in chief betraying one of his own intelligence agents.

I'm surprised their heads don't all explode trying to justify this one in their own minds.

[demo dutch]

127. Again by law - President can only declassify information that

has been classified by the Executive Branch. The identity of CIA agents was originally classified by Congress, hence, the President cannot declassify the identity of an agent.

[Igel]

131. But the story doesn't say that * authorized the leak

of Plame's name, just the information in the NIE that was classified by the CIA.

There's no assertion in the facts from the story or the court filing that * attempted to declassify the identity of an agent. That's in some of the banter here, some secondary sources, and lots of tertiary sources, not in the primary source.

(On the other hand, I suspect that since the act defining what a covert agent is also requires certification of her status by the CIA, somebody could make a claim that the prez could just simply tell Goss to decertify her as non-covert ... whether the prez could make that change in status on his own, or Goss could refuse to change her status and make his refusal stick, I simply can't tell. I'm not sure a naive reading of the law is sufficient, and that's the best I can pull off.)

[demo dutch]

136. You're right. Prez isn't implicated leaking "Plame" just authorized

declassification of info surrounding WMD's in Iraq to further his case for war. Libby could have leaked Plame by himself with encouragement by Cheney. At the very least it's a PR nightmare and shows again how the president was well aware of the facts re: WMD's. Surely Libby will fight like hell in order to avoid being indicted, so we'll see whatelse will be uncovered.

[PRETZEL]

144. I don't know the answer,

that is that the NIE was originally classified by the Executive Branch? Is that true for all NIE's.

[demo dutch]

155. The agency that classifies is the one that declassifies as far as I know

[Igel]

174. As far as I know that's the Big Picture.

The smaller picture is that each agency that's classified a document or information is to have an officer that's in charge of reviewing the document's classification and then deciding if it can be declassified; no other agency can declassify a document classified by another agency. That means the CIA classified the NIE, the CIA declassifies it.

On the other hand, the 'law' that set up this procedure, as far as I know, is a presidential Executive Order first signed by Clinton and then reissued, with a few changes (such as including the VP) in, IIRC, 2003.

If the only basis for the declassifying procedure is that EO, then presumably the prez can reclaim the authority at any time. But I'm not going to make the claim, because I don't know if the continency (the if-clause) is true.

[worldgonekrazy]

162. BUT it does implicate Bush in the conspiracy

Assuming that you see the NIE leak and the Plame leak as intertwined, which Fitzgerald apparently does. So yes, this does not indicate that Bush actually authorized the leak of Plame, but it does show that he was at least aware of and gave approval for the broader conspiracy to discredit Wilson and prop up the very dubious intelligence claim that Iraq was trying to purchase uranium.

[FighttheFuture]

169. It's weakly suggestive, at best. I see this spun as Bush...

defending his assertions against Wilson's Op-Ed with classified information that he declassified (perhaps, that is not very clear if him saying go leak it is a correct declassification procedure).

He will come out looking, maybe a little smarmy, but so what? It won't be any worse than he looks now. Some goofs may even feel sorry for the the Jr. Sociopath-n-Chief. It also may clear the way for him to pardon any leaker(s) of Plame (see my other post below).

Hopefully, Fitz has more ammo in reserve.

[shantipriya]

126. Bush authorized leak!

Good news BUT don't get too excited about it. Nothing is going to happen as long as the three branches of the Govt. are controlled by the Repugs.And also because we have a general population which is too busy worrying about Couric, Viera, baseball, and other very important and pressing issues !!!

[AuntiBush]

128. Gossip

Word of mouth. People gab, you know. Neighbors, passersby, shoppers, internet.

It gets out. Here it all the time. The propaganda isn't working. Hasn't been in sometime, at least not in my big neck of the woods.

[vickitulsa]

138. Same here, Aunti. Tulsa was once rife with Bush/Cheney stickers

proudly displayed on cars, but I realized as I saw one small one yesterday that I NEVER SEE THEM ANYMORE! Folks have obviously made the effort to remove them from their autos, and to me that speaks worlds about their opinions.

Just shows how fully "bought" the MSM is, and how little its members have their fingers on the true pulse of the American people, that there is such a large gap between what our citizens feel and what is being reported -- STILL!

But I was watching MSNBC as this story broke this morning and was glad to see it given Breaking News status ... and the anchor stayed on it for at least five minutes. Pretty much made it clear it was considered "important."

Odd that I happened to be watching at that time -- or any time these days, because I who used to be a cable news junkie hardly tune any of them in at all anymore, for obvious reasons. Now I only check in briefly on occasion -- usually when the Star Trek or Law & Order reruns are episodes I've seen six times already. :)

We'll see where all this goes, but from what I gathered from the report earlier, it amounted to "Libby said Cheney said that Bush said." Not sure if that's good enough, but I can hope! And as someone mentioned above, I keep thinking I see definite signs of an impending major skirmish (if not a war) between the criminals occupying the offices of VP and President in Washington....

[AuntiBush]

142. Yes, vickitulsa...

We'll see where all this goes. Been up and down sooo many times, everyone (self included) feels like we live in bizarre yo-yo land.

And, sick of it, honestly! We're on the same page.

P.S. MSNBC is again preparing to update on the "Leak Investigation" right after the current commerical.

[skip fox]

135. If so, the fact that W. insisted on not talking to Fitzgerad under oath

indicates he knew what he did was wrong and KNOWINGLY and WILLFULLY mislead a federal criminal investigation.

Let's hope more and more Americans know how to pay attention.

[demo dutch]

139. That sounds about right!

[Garbo 2004]

146. Lying to fed investigators is a crime nonetheless. Don't have to be under

oath. One of the charges against Libby is providing false statements to investigators. Martha Stewart was sent to prison for lying to fed investigators, she wasn't under oath at the time.

[Kurovski]

150. Kick(nt)

[orleans]

152. 422 hits on google

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=&q=libby

i heard this in the car today! i said OMG and started clapping. couldn't believe this is finally being said & coming out!

[keopeli]

154. He's singing like a canary

Scooter Libby, senior aid to VP Cheney, told the grand jury that he received direct orders from Bush the Lesser to leak Valery Plame's identity as a covert operative to the press.

I tend to believe him. His only possible motive is saving his own skin.

In fact, this could be looked at as an attempt to blame the second-in-command in order to protect Cheney.

Why do I feel like this news will be ignored by most Americans.

Kyrie Eleison!

http://nationaljournal.com/about/njweekly/stories/2006/0406nj1.htm">link

[janetle]

158. And we were all thinking it was Rove......

....but it was BUSH along with his underlings.

[FighttheFuture]

160. This is not illegal, only scummy. The Plame leak is treason....

and the real criminal act.

All this does it put monkey boy in the circle, which we all knew in our hearts. That is good, of course, but not damming as yet.

Now, there might be a question as to whether Bush "officially" declassified the NIE, or just said go ahead and leak it to whomeever. That may be illegal as it may have still been classified, regardless what the yes-men lawyers might say.

[Jemmons]

166. Could there be an element of threat to Bush in this?

Libby might not have made it clear that Bush authorized the disclosure of Plames cover. Could Libby be "persuading" Bush to make Libbys crimes "lesser" - as they were authorized by the authority of Bush?

If Bush really did authorize the Plame-disclosure might he save a bit of graze by "admitting" to be behind Libbys crimes and never have to hear Libby accuse him of that?

[FighttheFuture]

167. I do not think so, this is part of the plan. Bush can look good....

here.

Look, Wilson wrote an op-ed calling Bush, and Bu$hitCo out. Bush "knew" he was "in the right" because he had info that was not out in the public sphere, the NIE. So, he can be made out to be a good guy (at least to the kool-aid swillers and enablers) in declassifying the NIE to defend his decision. Never mind that the NIE was all a bunch of bullshit with Cheney strong arming anyone who did not go along--that's a different kettle of fish to fry.

All this, so far, is a bunch of nothing, unless there he illegally declassified the NIE, which does not seem likely.

This can be further spun that Libby, or some lower level lacky, in their zealousness, squealed about Plame. They will claim, with some probable success in out currently stacked courts, especially the Supine Court, and the rubber stamp Congress, that it was a mistake with no maliciousness behind it. Should the perpetrators be punished? Perhaps, but it was an "honest" mistake (as if such a thing exists with these conspirators and criminals. This will clear the way to a "reasonable standard" for a pResidential pardon.

Who wants to bet?!

[ClevelandSportsCurse]

161. This does not necessarily implicate Bush

Cheney could have lied his ass off and told Libby that Bush authorized the disclosure when no such authorization was made. Remember who really runs things in White House. I am sure Cheney has done a lot of Presidential tasks without any authorization from Bush. Wasn't Cheney the one to order United Airlines Flight 93 to be shot down?

[skip fox]

163. Even if W. wiggles out of this, he's got major questions to answer:

WHY did you release?
How is the release in the United States' interest?
Were you not selectively releasing information and doesn't that indicate you knew that major voices argaued against your "evidence"?

Etc.

I think we should be ready with questions like the above in case W. squirms out of this one legally.

[Kablooie]

171. Yeah, but he'll refuse to answer and it will all soon be forgotten.

[FighttheFuture]

168. I suspect that Bush will come out smelling of Roses here. All...

part of the "plan".

Look, Wilson wrote an op-ed calling Bush, and Bu$hitCo out. Bush "knew" he was "in the right" because he had info that was not out in the public sphere, the NIE. So, he can be made out to be a good guy (at least to the kool-aid swillers and enablers) in declassifying the NIE to defend his decision. Never mind that the NIE was all a bunch of bullshit with Cheney strong arming anyone who did not go along--that's a different kettle of fish to fry.

All this, so far, is a bunch of nothing, unless there he illegally declassified the NIE, which does not seem likely.

This can be further spun that Libby, or some lower level lacky, in their zealousness, squealed about Plame. They will claim, with some probable success in out currently stacked courts, especially the Supine Court, and the rubber stamp Congress, that it was a mistake with no maliciousness behind it. Should the perpetrators be punished? Perhaps, but it was an "honest" mistake (as if such a thing exists with these conspirators and criminals. This will clear the way to a "reasonable standard" for a pResidential pardon.

Poke holes in this strategem, please!

[Kablooie]

170. Not to mention that breaking the law is not a crime for the president

[AuntiBush]

177. Don't Think So

Roses? Try weeds :)

[Iniquitous Bunny]

172. If this doesn't do SOMETHING...

At minimum censure, but really, if this isn't worthy of being called a HIGH CRIME OR MISDEMEANOR, I'm not sure what is. This is impeachment worthy right there in everyone's face. It's time for more action here people.

CALL OR WRITE YOUR SENATORS AND REPS NOW!!!! Tell them how you feel. We need to move NOW and so do officials within the Democratic Party leadership.

[Kablooie]

173. Sorry but bush is fully authorized to commit high crimes and misdemeanors

Authorized by Congress.

[AuntiBush]

176. You Forgot to add

:sarcasm:

This is not going away anytime soon. Betcha.

[Notoverit]

175. Saw that on Faux local news tonight!

Complete with the spin: but not her identity" "only a little bit of treason"

[Nothing Without Hope]

180. ***The Friday NYT says Libby did NOT say Bush or Cheney authorized

leak of Plame's ID, "only" of selected portions of the NIE - thus the NYT claims the earlier report is false. The page with the NYT article also has a link to a video of one of the authors (Sanger) talking about it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/07/washington/07leak.html?ei=5094&en=98d2386b13fe4dd0&hp=&ex=1144468800&partner=homepage&pagewanted=all

Cheney's Aide Says President Approved Leak

By DAVID JOHNSTON and DAVID E. SANGER
Published: April 7, 2006

WASHINGTON, April 6 — Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff testified that he was authorized by President Bush, through Mr. Cheney, in July 2003 to disclose key parts of what until then was a classified prewar intelligence estimate on Iraq, according to a new court filing.

The testimony by the former official, I. Lewis Libby Jr., cited in a court filing by the government made late Wednesday, provides an indication that Mr. Bush, who has long criticized leaks of secret information as a threat to national security, may have played a direct role in authorizing disclosure of the intelligence report on Iraq.

(snip)

The president has the authority to declassify information, and Mr. Libby indicated in his testimony that he believed Mr. Bush's instructions — which prosecutors said Mr. Libby regarded as "unique in his recollection" — gave him legal cover to talk with a reporter about the intelligence.

(snip)

Mr. Libby did not assert in his testimony to a grand jury, first reported on the Web site of The New York Sun, that Mr. Bush or Mr. Cheney had authorized him to reveal the name of an undercover C.I.A. officer, Valerie Wilson. Mr. Libby is scheduled to go on trial next year on perjury and obstruction charges connected to the disclosure of Ms. Wilson's name.

(snip)

Also note the blanket statement that the President has the authority to declassify secret information. According to the info in this thread, that's not an accurate statement when applied so universally:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x863042
thread title (4-6-06): The President is NOT authorized to declassify a Covert Agent.
So close reading on this point is important. Here is a thread with links to pdfs of the documents:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x860418
thread title (4-6-06): LINKS for all 3 PDF COURT DOCS from FIBBY'S 04/05/06 filing(s) - HERE!!!
(The NYT only links to one court filing document: http://news.findlaw.com/nytimes/docs/iraq/uslibby40506grsp.html)

[Marie26]

181. Sort of looks like...

Cheney is throwing Bush under the bus, doesn't it?