Larry Johnson: Undercover, Covert, and Classified (Also Hush Hush)

[understandinglife]

Undercover, Covert, and Classified (Also Hush Hush)

by Larry C Johnson

America got a terrific look at a classy lady yesterday when Valerie Plame testified before Henry Waxman's Government Reform and Oversight Committee about the events surrounding her betrayal by the Bush Administration. And America got a disturbing look at a Republican party devoid of reason and just plain common sense when Georgia Congressman Lynn Westmoreland and Libby loyalist Victoria Toensing did the intellectual equivalent of declaring, THERE IS NO SUN.

You see, it was rainy and cloudy in Washington, DC yesterday. Since they could not see the Sun there was in fact no Sun. They had to see it to believe it. Okay. I'm making that part up. Westmoreland and Toensing were far more obtuse and stupid than a person who would insist the Sun did not exist because they could not see it. Westy and Toenag demonstrated a level of stupidity and obtuseness that one usually only encounters among schizophrenics hospitalized with the criminally insane. Despite Valerie's sworn testimony and a statement endorsed by the current director of the CIA, these dopes droned on and on that Valerie Plame was not undercover when she was exposed in Robert Novak's July 2003 ill-fated column.

I find it absolutely mind boggling that adults like Westmoreland and Toensing can be so out of touch with reality and still allowed to walk around without a straight jacket keeping them under control. It would be one thing if we were arguing about the color of Valerie's hair color in 1989 and had only a black and white picture as evidence. Such a discussion would truly be one based on one's own opinions. But that is not the case here folks. It is a simple question. Was Valerie a covert officer when her name appeared in Bob Novak's column in July 2003?

Valerie's testimony on Friday the CIA had never put anything on the public record regarding her status. Yesterday the CIA came out of the closet. CIA Director Michael Hayden approved a statement that contained the following language:

During her employment at the CIA, Ms. Wilson was under cover.

Her employment status with the CIA was classified information prohibited from disclosure under Executive Order 12958.

At the time of the publication of Robert Novak's column on July 14,2003, Ms. Wilson's CIA employment status was covert.

This was classified information.

Got it? The Director of the CIA confirmed in public for the first time that Valerie Plame Wilson was undercover, was covert and that this information was classified. What is it about English that goober Congressman Westmoreland and ditzy Vicky Toensing don't understand?

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More at the link:http://noquarter.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/03/undercover_cove.html

Larry's commentary on the entire treasonous catastrophe that the outing of Valerie Plame Wilson represents, continues to be cogent and valuable.

Would be neat if DUers stopped by his blog and told him thank you!

[stellanoir]

1. 1st rec pal

[understandinglife]

4. Thank you! and I think you'll enjoy Marcy Wheeler's latest post at FDL ...

By: emptywheel

Two quick impresions: When Valerie Wilson came into the hearing room, there were so many camera shutters going off, it sounded like the wings of a butterfly. It kind of enhanced her ethereal presence. But then when Elijah Cummings asked Valerie about Victoria Toensing, I imagine we saw the side of Valerie that – – made her the best person at handling an AK-47 in her CIA class. Man, I wish I had an AK-47 face like that!

and and said so much Friday about individual aspects of the Waxman hearing, I thought I’d focus my recap on the way the hearing came off as a totality. Waxman structured the hearing very effectively so that it accomplished several goals. Effectively, the hearing laid out the problem — Valerie Wilson, whose career was ruined out of vindictive spite. It laid out the legally required solution–an Administrative investigation, even while establishing that solution had not been accomplished. And then it explored the legal realities surrounding leaked classified information (which is a polite way of saying it exposed Victoria Toensing for what she is). I’m going to look at each panel, but first let me say a word about the timing.

The Timing

I was skeptical, at first, about a Friday hearing. Democrats have ended the Republican practice of 2.5 day work weeks. But Congressmen do need to be home in their districts on weekends for constituent services. Which means if you’re going to hold a 4 hour hearing on a Friday, you’re really asking your members to jump through hoops to attend the meeting. And Waxman got that commitment from enough of his members to make it an effective hearing. Whereas Davis couldn’t persuade enough Republicans to attend even to give him a chance to launch his bid at closing the hearing.

The result reminded me of the rump hearing the Democrats had on the intelligence leading to the Iraq War—for most of the hearing, Tom Davis was the only Republican present. With cameos, of course, from Congressman Westmoreland so he could leer at Valerie. In truth, the Republicans were most consistently represented by a never-named attorney, a tall guy who sat right next to Davis in Congressman Dan Burton's seat. The lawyer had a look of “oh shit” on his face for the better part of the hearing and he kept swallowing his lips when he thought. For much of the hearing, Davis and GOP Counsel were sitting there, huddled with two aides, which really added to the look of desperation. And by the end, for most of Victoria Toensing’s appearance, the only one (aside from a few aides) sitting on the Republican side was GOP Counsel. That’s what they’ve come to—sending their lawyer in their stead, to protect them from the oversight they’re supposed to be exercising.

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Insightful, as always.


Peace.

[La_Fourmi_Rouge]

2. Shout it from the rooftops!

Mr. Johnson is capable of some serious smack-down, and he has been livid about this since the day it happened.

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. I wonder how they'll try to SPIN THIS?!! K & R!!

:kick:

[Patsy Stone]

5. This was such an enjoyable read

He burst every lie and illusion they tried to get out.

Thanks for posting and :hi:!

[SeattleGirl]

6. But, but, Valerie is a DEMOCRAT! Toenag is a REPUKE!!

Therefore, we MUST believe Toenag! We all know that Repukes never lie! :sarcasm:

[mod mom]

7. "The undisputed fact is that we have irreparably damaged our capability to collect...

human intelligence and thereby significantly diminished our capability to protect the American people."
-James Marcinkowski

Friday, July 22, 2005
Disclosure of CIA Agent Identity Hearing

IMPORTANT SO I'LL REPEAT THE QUOTE:

"The undisputed fact is that we have irreparably damaged our capability to collect human intelligence and thereby significantly diminished our capability to protect the American people."


James Marcinkowski Former CIA Case Officer James Marcinkowski has been the Deputy City Attorney in supervision of criminal prosecution in the Royal Oak City Attorney’s office since 1996. He was the Assistant Deputy City Attorney, also for the City of Royal Oak, though he maintained a private practice, specializing in criminal defense and as a General Counsel to Financial (Mortgage) Institution, from 1993 to 1997. Mr. Marcinkowski has also worked in the Computer Systems Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1974 to 1975, as an operations specialist for the United States Navy from 1975 to 1980, as a prosecutor intern in the St. Clair County Prosecutor’s Office from 1984 to 1985, as Operations Officer for the Central Intelligence Agency from 1985 to 1989, and Executive Staff Attorney in the Oakland County Prosecutor’s office in Michigan from 1989 to 1993. He received his B.A. in Political Science at Michigan State University in 1982 and his J.D. from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1985. He has been a member of the Michigan Bar Association since 1985. He has also been a member of the Prosecuting Attorney's Association of Michigan and the National District Attorney's Association.

http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=898&Issue=Discl...

[understandinglife]

9. Oh, yes, I remember the day that was published ... just as I remember ...

... the first few moments after reading Novak's treasonous article ... at any other time in the history of the USA, all the perps would have been behind bars within hours ... the exception this time is that all the perps included the pResident, VICE pResident, and a vast number of employees of the corrupt executive and legislative components of Our government.

The repair process for Our Republic will be long and costly, at best.


Peace.

[Old and In the Way]

12. Indeed, I don't think this has really sunk in.

Republicans have so politicized our ability to govern in an non-partisan basis, I think the damage will be generations in healing.

[TacticalPeek]

8. K&R

:kick:

[Cha]

10. Whenever I see vicki's name

I read "toefungus". You'd think it would be one thing to sit there and LIE on the punditheads but to LIE in Congress?

[walldude]

11. K&R Johnson was great on Olberman

he called Toefungus a "twit". He needs to add Brit "Plame lied under oath" Hume to his list of liars...

[understandinglife]

13. I agree re: Hume -- what a colossal neoconster jerk Brit is!!

:thumbsup:


Peace.

[mod mom]

14. Seeing that her covert status was cleared by the CIA, cant hume be fined by the FCC

for his blatant use of propaganda? or at least can't the Wilson's sue his sorry ass for spreading lies and defaming her character? Someone needs to take action on his thugs and make a clear example of them. There was be different opinions but only one truth.

[understandinglife]

15. One would expect that to happen ... and, I see no reason why Ms Wilson ...

... doesn't bring a major civil suit against him and his Fox enablers (and all Fox shareholders).

:hi:


Peace.

[autorank]

16. K&R. Johnson is the best! And Hayden shows a lot of leadership!

Larry Johnson is the man! He's beyond the man, he's officially a legend!

You see, it was rainy and cloudy in Washington, DC yesterday. Since they could not see the Sun there was in fact no Sun. They had to see it to believe it. Okay. I'm making that part up. Westmoreland and Toensing were far more obtuse and stupid than a person who would insist the Sun did not exist because they could not see it.Westy and Toenag demonstrated a level of stupidity and obtuseness that one usually only encounters among schizophrenics hospitalized with the criminally insane.

And Hayden, what a move. A first...he's out there in public making the point and pointing to what we need to make the case for impeachment.

OLA understandinglife, a pleasure to see you!

[WillyT]

17. I Am So Glad Johnson Is On This !!!

He must feel like he's playing whack-a-mole some days. Thank goodness he's fantastic at it.

I wonder if any of the posters on his blog are "company" men and women. Not that he'd say, or that I need to know, mind you!

:scared:

:evilgrin:

[countryjake]

18. kick