May 07 2006
Judge Walton Gives And Takes
While the news media is in hysterics that Judge Walton, who is presiding over the Libby case, has refused to allow Team Libby acces to marginally important information, the judge did agree on something very important to the heart of the Libby case:
US District Judge Reggie B. Walton has ruled that Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald will have to turn over documents essential to the I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby legal defense team regarding how a secret government intelligence report on Iraq was declassified. Walton’s decision came in a hearing Friday concerning several Libby document requests in preparation for his trial on charges connected to the investigation into the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame’s identity. Libby’s attorney Theodore Wells maintained that President George W. Bush declassified the intelligence information and Vice President Dick Cheney authorized its dissemination before Libby allegedly leaked it to the media.
The prosecutors case, albeit a weak one, is based on the idea that there was a planned effort to leak Valeries name and employment to get back at Wilson. The process and thinking behind the declassification is one of many indicators that there was no such plan. Team Libby has identified large amounts of information Fitzgerald admits exists outlining the response planning, but which doesn’t mention Plame’s role. The news media admits to having numerous discussions with government sources where the name was never mentioned. Fitzgerald’s indictment is based on the assumption Libby lied to reporters when he said he could not confirm the rumors, just that he had heard them too (basically for not leaking). Evidence abounds showing the lack of a plan to get the Wilsons. This is just one more nail in Fitzgerald’s near dead case.
AJ–It appears this is based on the AP and Reuters report. To my knowledge there has yet been no order entered.
The idea that it was planned to leak Val’s name and employment as a CIA super secret spy in retaliation for Joe Wilson’s criticism of the reasons for going to war is common conventional wisdom in the antique media. (Reasons which he gave after the Iraq army was defeated. Not a prior effort to stop the war before it began.)
What does the antique media as the goal of the retaliation? Getting Val whacked? Getting her kicked out of the CIA? What? It is never stated.
If outing her was retaliation it accomplished nothing. Val, the Langley desk jockey, has had nothing happen to her except retiring with a good pension, plus a 2.5 mill book deal. Joe, who no one had heard of prior to the war, got 15 minutes+ of attention and a book deal.
What was the retaliation goal?
RedJeep,
First time commenters have to get approval. Most of your comments should get through now. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I agree with you 100% – but it seems logic is wasted on the antique media and its obsessions.
Freedom of Information Act Blog Fest
Stole the title of this post from MacRanger.
Mac has a great idea; use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to find out what is really happening in the Wilson/Plame Treason Affair.
Go to this CIA web page, and get to work.
For myself, I intend to ask for the following:
All documents concerning all of the trips made by Mr. Joseph C. Wilson to Niger.
Yes, there were more than one, maybe as many as four.
All documents concerning the referral to the Department of Justice concerning the covert status or classified status of Valerie Wilson a/k/a Valerie Plame.
I’m sure that there are many more avenues that can be explored.
Good Luck, Good Hunting, and have fun!
I have been wondering why the MSM hasn’t picked this out of their navel along with that kool aid residue.
Wilson’s self exposure and all the garbage post that have been torn to shreds by the blogs and government hearings..
The government could have just sat on their hands and Joe’s house of cards would have come tumbling down.
As others have pointed out , what’s the percentage in outing his wife, anyone in the white house would have to figure the MSM would go into full BDS mode egged on by the wacko left supporters