The Goss Resignation

Why did Porter Goss step down as head of the CIA - did he jump, or was he pushed?

I am operating in near-radio silence, but speculate away, leave trackbacks, and leave good links to great articles or posts.

My two cents - it has something to do with

(a) Cunningham, the hookers, and the CIA friend;

(b) Valerie Plame (not likely);

(c) Mary McCarthy (why not?);

(d) Area 51 (an illegal aliens hook!)

(e) a sudden desire to spend more time with his family - hey, maybe he was looking at a tough commute to the summer rental.

Since Cunningham, Goss, and the CIA friend have a Congressional connection, I know where my money is.

Bonus Thought - this announcement has to be a surprise, which means it has to be to be to bad news.  Unless the summer rental market is *really* tight.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER: Don't ignore the elephant in the room, or the donkey at the Mayo Clinic - maybe Porter Goss was dealing Ambien to Patrick Kennedy.

Meanwhile, here is some NY Times coverage of Porter Goss - Goss resigned under pressure, a replacement is expected (hoped!) to be named Monday, Gen. Hayden is the leading candidate.  Whoa - since Gen. Hayden oversaw the controversial NSA warrantless eavesdropping program [here is his Jan 23 2006 talk to the National Press Club, and a Congressional Research Service commentary on the Fourth Amendment, "probable cause", "reasonableness", and FISA], we look forward to aneurysms everywhere, and an enlightening Congressional confirmation tussle. 

Well, they wouldn't leak Hayden's name if it weren't true, unless the leak is coming from Hayden opponents hoping for Death by Sunday Talk Show.  But for my two cents, this Administration has not exactly been running forward to chat about the NSA program - why volunteer for this fight (which I welcome!) when other candidates are available?

The WaPo tackles the confirmation question and finds a senior Administration official offering the "As well hung for a sheep" rationale:

Members of Congress privately predicted that Hayden, who once enjoyed tremendous support on the Hill, would face a contentious confirmation process over the Bush administration's domestic spying program. Other sensitive issues, such as the existence of secret prisons abroad for terrorism suspects, also are likely to arise.

"The calculus that would true about anybody at this point given all the other stuff, like secret prisons, is the confirmation is going to be tough for anybody," a senior administration official said.

And Lost In The Foggo: The WaPo eventually tells us this on the hookers and corruption angle:

In Goss's first days in office, his appointment of Michael Kostiw as executive director ended after it became public that Kostiw had been forced to leave the CIA under a cloud 20 years earlier. The subsequent search at the agency to find who leaked the information about Kostiw's past led the top two officers in the agency's clandestine service to resign in protest.

Kostiw's replacement, Kyle "Dusty" Foggo, is the subject of a review by the CIA's inspector general. The agency is examining whether Foggo arranged for any contracts to be granted to companies associated with Brent R. Wilkes, a contractor and longtime friend of Foggo who had connections to Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.).

Cunningham left Congress and was sentenced to more than eight years in prison for corruption. Foggo has said he has done nothing improper, and the agency has said the review is standard practice in such situations, not an indication of any wrongdoing. After Goss's announcement yesterday, Foggo told colleagues that he will resign next week. Last week, the agency confirmed that Foggo attended private poker games with Wilkes at a Washington hotel.

Unnecessary emphasis added.  Gosh, life is full of coincidences.  But nothing on Area 51.

Comments

[Jake - but not the one]

Why, Tom, thank you.

And very well said, too.

Jake

[SteveMG]

(d) Area 51

Undocumented alien nanny?

And I do mean alien.

Best guess: something about the little head doing the thinking for the big head.

Guys always get in trouble when we do that.

We? (okay for moi, college 1980 and Joan Baez. That's all I'm saying without a counsel present)

SMG

[Sue]

I'm not garnering friends with that same thought, Tom. Maybe you will fair better. ::grin::

[Javani]

"a sudden desire to spend more time with his family"

The "more time with family" excuse is usually given as a cover story for something else.

Goss didn't.

Maybe he's got cancer. Maybe he woke up one day and said "I'm sick of this."

I have seen no leaks or counterleaks about the reasons, as came with the McCarthy firing.

[Semanticleo]

Ah, yes. It is bad news. Isn't it?

::grin::

[Oh grin away. Of course, the CIA has a real role to play in a real war against real enemies, but if it makes Bush look bad, its good news, right?]

[Javani]

One more thing. If we look to a scandal connection why not an unsexy one? The recent CIA procurement head's problems. Boring money stuff I know but maybe Goss connected? Or failure of oversight?

[Sue]

I have no idea but we are in a war, they have not found his replacement, it was on a Friday afternoon, during a democratic scandal that his retirement has overshadowed.

For what it is worth, Fox is reporting that the president will announce his replacement on Monday, that it was a fight between Goss and Negroponte.

[Semanticleo]

TM;

Still waiting (91 days to date for Instapundit
response)to hear you joyfully accept the
challenge to make an alliance with Instapusillanimous for the purpose of
live-blogging with Glenn Greenwald.

Lots of hot wind blowing over your
shared conservative sand dunes.

The sands in the hourglass continue
the relentless march of time. Biding
yours?

[Ahh, type slowly so I can follow - why are *you* challenging me to debate Greenwald? Shouldn't he be challenging me? Assuming, without evidence, that he doesn't think the idea is nutty.

After tackling that, tell us why a live debate makes sense when he is evidently unwilling to respond to my written posts. Or more generally, tell me why you think the written format is not appropriate - it works for all sorts of other people.

And wrap up by telling me why I should care that you challenged (I presume) Glenn R 91 days age, and why I should think he considers you to be any more than a flea on a wart on an elephant's.... well, why should he care?

Let me try for a constructive suggestion here, S Leo - try to make one comment that could be construed as advancing the general discussion. ]

[Javani]

"it was a fight between Goss and Negroponte"

Boring office politics. I want a scandal!

[Kevin B]

Of course there could be other explanations.
f) It's been in the offing for weeks. He's done his job and is moving on. Well that's what the WH and Goss are saying so no-one is going to believe that.

g) Goss and Negroponte have been having turf wars for ages and it all came to a head this week. Nah, that's what Fox is quoting 'insiders' as saying so it can't be that either.

h) Bush got fed up of reading about 'Senior Current and Former Intelligence Officials' saying how 'Valerie was our last best hope of stopping the Iranian Nuke and Bush outed her' and said 'I thought I told you to sort that mess out!' Well that's my theory so it acan be totally discounted.

No, it must be the hookers.

[Sue]

Well, Bush said he would clean up Washington. When he leaves, there won't be anyone left.

[PeterUK]

Some quarters feel that the CIA is being hollowed out and sidelined,that there isn't enough appreciation for the CIA's role in the cold war. Pity they missed the end of it.

[Laddy]

Doubtful it is scandilous; otherwise, W wouldn't have appeared with him today. Likely an unresolvable spat with the DNI, his superior, or the fact that the DCI is no longer a big player with the intelligence reorganization. But proximity to the summer rental sounds good as well.

[larwyn]

MacsMind has post with updates that I've already put in last thread - fingers are going.

But John Podhoretz, New York Post and NRO corner does not believe it is scandal.

Bush would not have invited him to WH and appeared with him.

On SUDDEN:
CNN's Peter King reported from "intelligence" sources that this has been going on for weeks.

Rita Cosby MSNBC reported that she heard from close friends of Goss three weeks ago, that he was "fed up" with all the infighting.

Many have reported that replacement will be announced Monday and that lists have been considered for weeks.

Need a bit of rest - hope someone will get the Mac link to post titled "Mission Accomplished".

[Sara (Squiggler)]

I think the best comment that negates the idea there is something wrong so Goss had to step down is the one that the President would not have appeared with Goss to make the announcement if Goss was in some kind of trouble or being kicked in disgrace.

Most believe the announcement will come Monday and the decision on the replacement was decided weeks ago. The consensus is that it will be General Hayden, who is already Negroponte's deputy and 2nd in command. He is described as a "spit and polish" military man and the highest ranking officer in defense intelligence who will be even tougher than Goss.

[SteveMG]

Pity they missed the end of it.

The late Senator Daniel Patrick Monynihan argued that once the Berlin Wall came down the CIA should have been completely dismantled.

Defining intelligence down (so to speak).

SMG

(For our foreign friends, Moynihan wrote a pretty influential essay in the 1990s called "Defining Deviancy Down" which argued, among other things, that we had become inured to outrages (drug gang shootings, pre-teen sex, et cetera) that at other times would have led to, well, outrage)

[Syl]

It'll all come out on Monday. Porter Goss was supplying Kennedy with Angel-Dusted Ambien.

[Syl, I swear I didn't steal that. Put it in the "Great minds run in the same channel / fools think alike" file.]

[larwyn]

TM & Kevin,
If it is Hookers - Goss at 68 has

great future and big $$$$ waiting

for him as spokesman for whatever

it is he's taken or the diet he's on!

Larry King's on his line as we read/write.

[Lesley]

Its either premature epicaricacy or I blame Viagra. Mac Link

[PeterUK]

Larwyn,
"Rita Cosby MSNBC reported that she heard from close friends of Goss three weeks ago, that he was "fed up" with all the infighting."

I have seen similar situations where the office politics have driven out a high flyer in despair,they go because they have transferable skills.It is amazing what the dead hand of bureaucracy can do to achievers.

[Jane]

I'm going for the Goss-Negraponte turf war. It forbodes the least amount of pain.

[Semanticleo]

Rita Cosby MSNBC reported that she heard

omg. it must be true

[Sara (Squiggler)]

I am choking on this:

Begala on CNN is spinning that Goss was charged with reforming the Agency and instead he went over there and politicized the CIA by cleaning out and firing the "guys who got it right" like Tyler Druemhiller (or whatever his name is). GAG!

[PeterUK]

SteveMG,
I would agree,bureaucracies tend to grow and be self perpetuating.One factor that has been ignored in all this is that during a period when nuclear proliferation is of great concern,the CIA did not have any operatives in a major Uranium ore producing country,Niger.As we say here,"Yer Wot?"

[annon]

Watch the WP tomorrow. They apparently know.

Right now - I'm betting hookers and blackmail. But that's just me (and Bill Kristol - check Wonkette).

[maryrose]

Goss did his job and hopefully those that have failed polygraph tests will be fired ala Mary McCarthy. A good broom like Goss sweeps clean! He doesn't look like the scandal type to me-a pretty straight arrow. I hope as Larwyn has suggested that he runs against Katherine Harris in Florida Senate race. He has until May 12th to declare his candidacy.

[Lew Clark]

1. Juicy reason: Bribes and hookers.

2. Real reason: Goss is a politician. His claim to fame was sitting on the Intelligence Committee. I think he has done a good job under the circumstances.
But what is needed now is an "intelligence professional" that is above reproach, knows the bidness and can't be snowed. Knows what asses to kick and what names to take, and will do it. Hayden was on my short list. I could tell you the other names, but then I'd have to kill you.

And BTW, Jake, I asked for this thread at 11:05, your asked for it at 11.35. So watch the credit stealing, because I know where you live and who you talk to on your cell phone!

[Sue]

I kid you not, over at Scary Larry's the Goss retirement is because of hookers, Plame, 9/11, Katrina, Iraq, Cuba, rigged elections, and the mafia. All in one post. The man (Mr. Murder, no less) deserves a medal for tying all of the events of the last 5 years to the retirement of Goss. ::grin::

[larwyn]

Peter,
Also Goss had wanted to leave Gov service 5 years ago.

He's done what he could do with the CIA - and firing McCarthy is a beginning. But having been a Congressman and all that that entails, with all the relationships to others in/out of Congress and those in/out of the CIA - MAYBE THEY THOUGHT HE COULD NOT BE AS TOUGH AS SOMEONE WITH NO POLITICAL TIES.

Someone like a General and former head of NSA.

As John Gibson asked Peter Brooks, former Cia, now Brookings.
"Wasn't he head of the NSA and wouldn't he want to find out who leaked the NSA story?"

Peter said - He'll want to know and he'll find out. (paraphase)

The "pundits" must think that GW is a real dunderhead and never quite caught that secret DEM weapon bumper sticker:

PUBS - THE CULTURE OF CORRUPTION!

Lordy, we are going to have to put up with this all weekend - but the RNC should be able to cull some "award winning to appear in capaign ads" video bites for the next 3 to 4 days.

[Javani]

Laddy writes:

"Doubtful it is scandilous; otherwise, W wouldn't have appeared with him today."

Don't be such a kiiljoy with your succinct, rational and highly likely logic. :)

[ordi]

Sue,

Scary Larry just made it is safe to say Goss just retired.

[SteveMG]

the CIA did not have any operatives in a major Uranium ore producing country,Niger.As we say here,"Yer Wot?"

Yep, we spent billions on these remarkable spy satellites and we had not one single human source within al-Qaeda.

Spy satellites don't help much when you're looking at a mud or grass hut.

Terrific.

Stansfield Turner anyone?

[PeterUK]

Goss probably ruffled more than a few feathers at the CIA,he was there to clean up,it is common in business for the axeman to move out of the way to allow a manager to take over.

[Sue]

javani,

It wasn't Larry. It was one of his regulars. One of the half dozen or so who post there.

[Lew Clark]

Peter,
There were/are covert operatives in Niger. From a number of countries. Have been there since the first spoonfull of "yellowcake" came out of the ground. But they're real spooks. The kind that don't write op-eds or do talk shows. You think we're pissed about Joe Wilson deal, think how these guys/gals feel.

[windansea]

Well, Bush said he would clean up Washington. When he leaves, there won't be anyone left.

I like this one...

[Javani]

Sue says:

"javani, It wasn't Larry. It was one of his regulars. One of the half dozen or so who post there."

I addressed "Laddy" who is posting here. I don't know Larry or the other site you refer.

[larwyn]

You guys must have missed the Ray McGovern dribble on Wooooof's Day Room.

Follow this:

"Up until 1996 the Sats were directed by the CIA. After 1996 the CIA could no longer control the SATs.

Rumsfeld had control and therefore he didn't look where he didn't watnt to look.

,b>So the secret message here is that Donald Rumsfeld was in the Clinton Administration!

Thanks Ray!

Or should we just be awed by K/S/S's powers to make men total nutballs?

[ghostcat]

The VIPers wanted Goss gone. They should be careful what they wish for.

The only person in the administration the activist Left hates more than Bush himself is Negroponte. He is the hardest ass in that town. Rummy is a wuss by comparison.

Negroponte always gets his man. One way or the other.

[Sue]

Sorry. It was Ordi I should have responded to.

[PeterUK]

Lew,
Yes but could they drink mint tea with the same elan as Joe,would the Democrats believe them?
If however Niger was too hot and had a fly problem the CIA could have sent someone here:-

AREVA > Home > Contact Us
Contact Us

COGEMA Resources Inc. Head Office
P .O. Box 9204
817 45th Street West
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S7K 3X5
Telephone: (306) 244-2554
Facsimile: (306) 653-3883

Even Val would not stand out there.

[Sue]

Weird. The WaPo article makes it clear that Goss did not use the word 'resignation', the NYTs says he resigned today and Fox is now reporting he was 'shown the door'.

[Sara (Squiggler)]

I posted it up thread:

I think the best comment that negates the idea there is something wrong so Goss had to step down is the one that the President would not have appeared with Goss to make the announcement if Goss was in some kind of trouble or being kicked in disgrace.

Most believe the announcement will come Monday and the decision on the replacement was decided weeks ago. The consensus is that it will be General Hayden, who is already Negroponte's deputy and 2nd in command. He is described as a "spit and polish" military man and the highest ranking officer in defense intelligence who will be even tougher than Goss.

[ghostcat]

Notice the media spin on the story, BTW: they are consistently highlighting the manifold failures of the CIA.

And Tony doesn't officially start his new job until Monday.

[Sue]

David Ensor, CNN, is going with the shakeup at the WH. Says Goss was set to retire in the fall. Negreponte wanted Goss to move people around now. Goss said no. Negroponte said you gotta go.

[larwyn]

If you step back and look at:

-McCarthy as only the beginning - Rocky, Durbin and the gang are out there waiting for the knocks a their doors.

-Sure there is at least "dust" that Pelosi and the gang can throw on Goss with all those years in Congress and all that fund raising etc. Nothing has to be true to be played and replayed and replayed by the sick ones.

-So, now that the game is in the 7th, you need a fresh arm to wield that shovel - it is beyond the broom.

Enter your "spit and polish" non political General.

Perfect - hope you remember his press conference from a month or so ago on the NSA program.

As Mac says "A bang of a summer" and the entire Nov 2006 dynamics are stood on their heads.

Expect lots of downtime from the cable net stars as they check into those places that have "Day Rooms" with Nurse Rachetts maintaining ones med level.

[topsecretk9]

Krauthammer's going with (his sources say) diminished role of CIA director -- dick thumping with Negorpante -- ego --didn't like being subordinate

Barnes is going with sun in Flordia

[Sara (Squiggler)]

Maybe they delayed the announcement on the replacement to coincide with Tony's debut.

[ghostcat]

Watch them weave Libby's trial into the plot.

[Kate]

CNN has some good reporters, it's too bad their anchors are so political and so uninformed. I'm kinda of tired of some of the Fox silliness, and watch CNN sometimes, but they are so biased. I just leave the TV off except for Brit, O'Reilly, Cavuto and Gibson.

Today after the Libby hearing John King was reporting and the anchor tried to keep saying that the 5 witnesses did not matter because the case is focused on perjury (that seems to be the theme all of a sudden.) He was almost delivering Fitz/Wilson's talking points. King patiently explained why who released Plame's name is important to the overall case.

[topsecretk9]

Lone warrior once again, but I think they moved up the announcement to cap on a whole lotta news day...you don't do sudden on a slow news day.

[ordi]

Sara,

My thought too. They said they wanted to make news from the press Sec podium. Well this is could be the first "news" made from that podium. That is where I am placing my bet.

[topsecretk9]

---anchor tried to keep saying that the 5 witnesses did not matter because the case is focused on perjury (that seems to be the theme all of a sudden.)---

Then he should tell Fitz to keep the classified/potential damage on the down low then.

[MayBee]

Seman:Still waiting (91 days to date for Instapundit
response)to hear you joyfully accept the
challenge to make an alliance with Instapusillanimous for the purpose of
live-blogging with Glenn Greenwald.

I can think of few things that would interest me less.

[larwyn]

Squig,
Think you are right on with Tony Snow's first day on the job.
Missed first "tony" reference - didn't know Gen's first name off top.

But, what a knock out way to start off Tony Snow as Press Sec..
the WH correspondents are probably meeting now in one of Patrick's old wateringholes, trying to figure out what they should do.

Are they going to outright attack Tony's redition of the Goss tale - call him a liar right off - either to his face or off camera?

You know that Snow will have interviews lined up with Fox to "report" on how first days feels in new job.

So whatever the WHPC does will be answered immediately and everyone will be watching.

I will bet that FNC plans on carrying it LIVE!!!

Squig - you've caught the nut of the plan.....Colbert pay back!
Invite Joe and Val - HA! HA.

"There'll be time enought for counting when the dealings done!"

[kim]

Sue, I think you're close. When Bush leaves, there won't be anyone left at the CIA. My guess; it's not an agency worth administering anymore. It'll die on the vine and the Defense Intelligence Agency and the State Department will take over. Good intelligence drives out bad. The CIA will become a cesspool of political privilege until someone pulls the plug.

Wait Just One Minute. Now I get it.
==============================

[Sue]

Kim,

http://www.cnn.com/CNN is going with Ensor in their lead story on their site...

They say Negroponte's decision to transfer certain functions from the CIA to his office were fiercely resisted by Goss.

Ensor waid Negroponte was pushing Goss to move those functions faster and Goss told him he wouldn't do it. At that point, it went to the president and the president settled the argument.

[Sue]

Yakka doodle...

::grin::

[tess]

Kate:

Walton seemed skeptical. "If Wilson is a habitual liar" about his wife's CIA status, the judge asked, "how does that bear on whether your client . . . allegedly lied?"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/05/AR2006050501379.html

[ordi]

Yeah, Amb Wilson tells us all again how much punishment this has been.

VALERIE PLAME WILSON'S SEVEN-FIGURE DEAL [Byron York]
While her husband's actions were being questioned in the Libby courtroom, Valerie Plame Wilson was wrapping up her book deal. The New York Times reports that Mrs. Wilson will be paid "a little more than $2.5 million" for "Fair Game," scheduled for publication in Fall 2007 by Crown.

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZTM1OGI0NTRlMmFjNTljZmNlZDJjZTRlMDZjYjY5MmU=

[ghostcat]

Negroponte knows he can't simply fire the career executives and policy types in the CIA, so he is basically taking their work away from them. After that, he may do a formal RIF (reduction-in-force). But paying them to shrivel on the vine, if that's the only practical option, is probably worth it.

[eric]

CNN has some good reporters, it's too bad their anchors are so political...I just leave the TV off except for Brit, O'Reilly, Cavuto and Gibson.

POTD

[topsecretk9]

Ordi, this too...

MORE ON WILSON/LIBBY [Byron York]
This afternoon CNN reported the news, published earlier in The Corner, that Lewis Libby's defense lawyers say they will produce five witnesses who will testify under oath that former ambassador Joseph Wilson told them that his wife, Valerie Plame Wilson, worked for the CIA, a job status that, allegedly, was classified. CNN also reported a response from Joseph Wilson:

BLITZER: And John, producer, Stephanie Katube (sp), just got a statement from Ambassador Joe Wilson. Let me read it to you and to our viewers. "The last I heard," Wilson says, "this is case is about allegations Mr. Libby lied, perjured himself before the FBI, special prosecutor and grand jury and obstructed justice. None of those charges of which he's been indicted has anything to do with me."

Wilson goes on to say, "Furthermore, the government in the person of the special prosecutor in his court filings has made it clear it believes several White House officials were engaged in a campaign to, quote, `discredit, punish and seek revenge' on me. It would appear that campaign is ongoing."

What seems notable about Wilson's statement, if CNN read it in full, is that it does not address the issue of whether or not he told people that his wife worked for the CIA.
Posted at 6:58 PM

[ghostcat]

Gonna put Russert and Cooper, et al up a tree, ain't it?

[narciso79]

It's curious, they're both Yale class of '60, same fraternity; Book & Snake
same prep school; Hotchkiss, one started
out in the Foreign Service; Far East Division, the other Company's Latin American
Division; one the NSC's chief hawk under
Nixon; Kissinger exiled him to Thessalonika
and later Guayaquil; for his insistance that the South Vietnamese not be abandoned
Then point man for the Contra's 'aircraft
career' in Honduras, our man in Mexico, Phillipines, Turtle Bay and Baghdad

[Syl]

"If Wilson is a habitual liar" about his wife's CIA status, the judge asked, "how does that bear on whether your client . . . allegedly lied?"

(1)If Wilson is a habitual liar, his claims in the press were lies too and thus the pushback to set the record straight--his wife was a side issue, not important

(2) If Wilson was blabbing all over town to reporters, it makes it more likely that the press knew and Libby and others heard the info from the press. So Libby wasn't lying when he said he learned it from reporters--the poor guy just can't remember who.

[Sue]

Tess,

To me that is a 'duh' moment. If Wilson is out telling everyone who his wife works for, then it is even more probable that reporters were talking about it and Libby could have heard it from reporters.

But, there was no down side for Libby arguing this. Even if the judge doesn't allow the 5 people to testify, it takes the sting out of Libby revealing the name of a NOC, if he did, by getting into the public domain Joe chatting about his wife. Which they have now done.

[anong]

Two of the witnesses ...

Lt. General Tom McInerney and Maj. General Paul Vallely?

[ghostcat]

Gotta love the emerging spin that whether anyone (besides Joe) outed Val is irrelevant. Go ahead: make my day. Punk.

[Sara (Squiggler)]

narc: Who are you talking about re:

It's curious, they're both Yale class of '60, same fraternity; Book & Snake

[Sue]

Well, as Joe has reminded us, this is no longer about the outing of his wife. It is whether Libby lied, obstructed and made false statements. And smearing dear Joe.

[ghostcat]

narciso79 -

Goss is Joe Friday. Negroponte is Harry Callahan.

[PeterUK]

One of the things that has confused the issue is Valerie used her maiden name Plame,not the most memorable name,easily confused with the very similar Palme (Olaf).
I distinctly remember that when it first emerged there was confusion as to the spelling and pronunciation,let alone that she was Wilson's wife,Miller has "Flame".So the information that Valerie Plame or Valerie Wilson worked for the CIA would not be of great interest to anyone with a busy schedule.

[Crash]

anchor tried to keep saying that the 5 witnesses did not matter because the case is focused on perjury (that seems to be the theme all of a sudden.)

The Theme? I thought that was the CHARGE.

Holy cow, was Greenwald ever right about you guys.

Could be the McCarthy case, since apparently she is planning to sue, drag all skeletons out of closet. Need to throw some Goss to the wolves, scapegoat: think Lyndie England.

Hookergate. Agree Bush wouldn't have appeared with him if it was HIS face in the photos just seized, but maybe peripheral involvement. In any case, lots of Republican blood going to be spilled over that one. Kiss yer 'moral values' bullshit goodbye for a good generation.

[ghostcat]

Clyde -

Yer confusin' the charge and the media meme. Them two's on a collision course.

[Sue]

The http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/05/AR2006050501379.html?sub=AR>WaPo article says

an alleged effort by the White House to disclose the identity of Wilson's wife, undercover CIA officer Valerie Plame, to discredit Wilson's claims.

They have given her every title under the sun over there.

[PeterUK]

Greenwald,interesting that the latest darling of the left was a litigator,odd but still these people are so confused nowadays,probably ADHD.

[Tess]

Well, if everyone in Washington knew about Mrs. Wilson -- and her husband was telling half a dozen people -- and Libby was just one of those busy White House people who just happened to have that common knowledge about Mrs. Wilson -- why didn't all this come out three years ago?

Why didn't they, as soon as John Ashcroft got the criminal referral from George Tenet, all come forward on the White House lawn and say all the stuff the Libby supporters are saying now? Why not save the taxpayers the cost of this eternal investigation?

It would have been like Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky conducting a joint press conference on the day the story broke to answer every single question about what they did and where they did it and how many times.

Would have saved us the whole Starr investigation.

[ghostcat]

Oh, and Crashcup -

If the Kennedy men would stop lobotomizing, murdering, drowning and raping women, there would be less violence in our world.

[Sue]

Could be the McCarthy case, since apparently she is planning to sue

I'll bite. Sue for what?

[Sue for President. Duh.]

[MayBee]

Tess- would that have satisfied you? As I recall, there was quite a call to have this investigated. I don't think the admin saying "nothing to see here" would have satisfied those calls.

[Crash]

It's not about the MEME wingerdoodles. It's a court of law, not the Rush Limbaugh Hour. He's charged with PERJURY. He will have to do what Bushies most fear - face the law on an equal footing. So so solly.

Peter, don't you have your own country to worry about? Who gives a flying fuck what you think and why are you broadcasting it every ten seconds? Plus isn't it like 3 in the morning where you are? Take an Ambien and shut your hole.

[Folks with a long memory will recall that Crash/Clash/JayDee all share an IP address, political views, rhetorical skills (one might wonder whether they have enough to be able to share that), and personal charm (same caveat).]

[ghostcat]

Hey, crash -

There's an election in 6 months, pal. Memes matter. Go ahead, bet the farm.

[jerry]

Holy Porterhouse Batman!

He's out because the WH war on the Agency is over and the Administration cabal is in full, and desperate, retreat.

Big blocks moving my friends!

[Sue]

Crash,

I don't know who you are, but it is in poor taste to visit someone's blog and ask another poster to leave. Get your own blog site and then run posters off.

[ghostcat]

Riiight.

[Crash]

I see, ghostcat, so Libby is sacrificing himself to save the GOP??? Yeah, sure, pull the other one.

He's grasping at straws. He needs to get a defense against the charges in the court, not in the press. Wilson could have taken out billboards. If Libby lied to Fitz, then he's a dead weasel.

I swear the entire admin could resign tomorrow and you'd all still be wanking yourselves silly over Joe Wilson. This dude must have some charisma! You all are obsessed with him - just like Dicky and Dubya.

If anyone doubted Greenwald before reading this thread, they wouldn't by the end.

[larwyn]

=====================================
The genius of Vanderleun, {even Karl envies his talent} has
created a wonder that you must enjoy at site - so that links
are viewed:

The [Linknotated] Law of the Blogger

NOW this is the Law of the Blogger - as old and as true as the sky;
And the blogger that keeps it may prosper , but the blogger that breaks it must die.

Like the visits that pump up your hit count , Blogger Law runneth forward and back --
For the strength of all blogs is the Blogger that never cuts anyone slack.

Blog daily from news tip and hat-tip; blog long , but blog not too deep, ;
And remember the Pundit's for linking, and forget not that has to sleep.

The new blog may free flame the Bozos, but, Cub, when thy archives have grown,
Remember the Big Blogs are hunters -- go forth and make Scoops of Thine Own.

Keep peace with the Lords of the Blogsphere -- the Pundit , the Malkin, The Bear;
And trouble not Lileks the Bleater, but always mock Kos in his lair.

When Pack meets with Pack in the Blogsphere , and neither will put down the flame,
Lie down till the Spewers have Blathered -- it always will save you from shame.

A taste. Buy you cannot Zerox a DaVinci!

Y

[windansea]

It's not about the MEME wingerdoodles. It's a court of law, not the Rush Limbaugh Hour. He's charged with PERJURY. He will have to do what Bushies most fear - face the law on an equal footing. So so solly.

wow...the trogs have instantaneously changed the narrative to Libby lied from screeching that our most valuable NOC who was about to save the world was outed purposely and 1000's of agents were killed in their sleep...

[SteveMG]

Crash:
Try elevating the debate, please.

The lockeroom language doesn't impress anyone who's over the age of 13. Likely doesn't impress them either but I'm being charitable.

We've all heard the words before; used them too.

Then we grew up.

SMG

[ghostcat]

Cool, ain't it? The stench of raw fear.

[PeterUK]

Crash,depart in a copulating mode there's a good little chap,and don't be so familiar,it is Mr UK to you shithead.

[Crash]

Oh sorry Sue, I just don't take kindly to obnoxious furriners telling us what we should be doing in our own country.

Windandsea, go back and read. very. slowly. Never said a word about Plame or NOC status. Just said the obvious - Libby is charged with a specific crime. Giving jollies to wingnuts is not going to save his ass. He best deal with convincing - somehow, god help the gimpy dumbass - the jury that he didn't LIE UNDER OATH. Wilson is as relevant as Peter the Furriner.

[windansea]

If pete was from France it would be ok :)

[ghostcat]

crash -

Come again?

[jerry]

"Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it?"

[Tess]

Maybee:

It wasn't about satisfying me. Why didn't the POTUS put a halt to this investigation by bringing everyone forward to tell the whole story? He could have rebutted Wilson's charges and saved his staffers all this trouble. You know, hiring lawyers, etc.

[windansea]

Never said a word about Plame or NOC status.

never? ever? kinda doubt it

[Sue]

Oh sorry Sue, I just don't take kindly to obnoxious furriners telling us what we should be doing in our own country.

Who are you spoofing?

[jerry]

"That's what it is to be a slave."