Valerie Plame Responds to McClellan's Disclosure

http://www.americablog.com/2007/11/plame-is-outraged.html

Nov. 20, 2007 10pm EST

Santa Fe, New Mexico--I am outraged to learn that former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan confirms that he was sent out to lie to the press corps and the American public about two senior White House officials, Karl Rove and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby who deliberately and recklessly revealed my identity as a covert CIA operations officer. Even more shocking, McClellan confirms that not only Karl Rove and Scooter Libby told him to lie but Vice President Cheney, Presidential Chief of Staff Andrew Card, and President Bush also ordered McClellan to issue his misleading statement. Unfortunately, President Bush's commutation of Scooter Libby's felony sentence has short-circuited justice.

Vice President Cheney in particular knew that Scooter Libby was involved because he had ordered and directed his actions. McClellan's revelations provide important support for our civil suit against those who violated our national security and maliciously destroyed my career.

Seems whatever might happen re: Congress, McClellan may have really stepped into it from the standpoint of Plame's Civil Suit :evilgrin:

I had completely forgotten about the civil suit until reading this post.

But this WILL figure prominently in proving the Plaintiff's case.

If only it was a simple thing to file them.

They not only destroyed her career, but also Wilson's consulting business. They even pressured the CIA to deny her an annuity that she was entitled to for her over 20 years of service!

When you consider the fact that these two people served their country honorably and literally put their lives on the line, it's a wonder that there isn't a national revulsion against this administration. Ihope you will write on this at some future point, Nance, as I would love to see whatyou have to say!

If dismissed, can this revive action?

And, can Bush now be named a defendant?

If the court has evidence of lying and cover-up ...

Can you imagine televised testimony by the Bush* moron?

(with no Papa Cheney there to hold his widdle hand?) ;-)

I don't know if that means they have to start back at square one or not. :shrug:

This is why I love coming to DU... I learn SO much! :)

McClellan's information is new and material to the case. The dismissal will be overturned because the new evidence should qualify this for a hearing... no matter what.

Any DU legals that can explain better?

and Mr & Mrs. Wilson given a nice job at the Pentagon or something...

So I am assuming it needs to be filed in a different court.

with Ed Schultz, I think, or maybe on KO....

Has H2O man made any comments today?

on this development.... Melanie Sloan (the chief attorney for CREW) is also representing the Wilsons, I believe. I'm guessing she was "hot" on the phone when this news hit. Could get very interesting.

That's good news. Even RWer's praise CREW (albeit when it serves their purposes).

I just hope this new evidence helps the Wilson's appeal.

wrap my brain around scotty, Kissing and Telling! Does he not know what his former bosses are capable of? Is he really that naive? How many former bushite ps would write a tell all?

Valerie may be Outraged but as you point out ..this can't hurt the civil suit. :evilgrin:

throwing out his little snippet, Scotty might be trying to "immunize" himself against any direct harm (i.e., nefarious end) from the Bushies*.... He didn't use the word "immunize," but that was what he meant, I'm certain. :shrug: who knows?

miffed when he was let go to bring in the big fauxnoise guy, snowjob, that he wrote a revenge book and threw caution to the wind?

A better way to immunize yourself is to keep your mouth shut like most bushites do. Not, that I'm not eternally grateful for scotty's revelations(we could have told him, but this better).

rumors that made him think that when the proverbial shit finally does hit the fan his best out is to squeal like the pig that he is hoping that someone will give him immunity for it. Or perhaps he thinks the best protection from having an unfortunate accident is to get something in print to point out who might have the incentive to see him silenced.

the theory that if your life is endangered, throw out just enough to let the world at large (as well as those who threaten you) know who would have a key motive, should something nefarious happen to you. In so doing, you supposedly "immunize" yourself from that threat, since to act on it, would essentially, "be telling the world."

(trying to remember)

I remembered that he didn't wanna go. The bushites obviously needed a better LIAR so they got tony snowjob and then poor tony..so now they have the female liar.

That's probably not a fair comparison, but they both went down on those dogs. (Some more metaphorically.) They're both suddenly compelled to disclose (or at least hint at it) information they have previously guarded. Oh yeah, they couldn't speak up or wink at that time for political/electoral reasons.

Frankly, I think Scotty has the bigger bombshell. He knows it. And he knows he is going to be crucified in and by the media. But after it's over, he might sell some books and still be alive to enjoy the profits.

Some strategic similarities? Who knows....

he knows the millions they have already stolen.

He prolly notified his former partners in Crimes that he has the goods hidden. Notice that he said that he "unknowingly" forwarded lies. I don't believe that for a second. He knew but now is covering himself.
He was talked into having something sensational for his book so that it would sell. I am guessing that the book has little more info of actual crimes of the Busholini Regime. The statement was a tease. The Pres., VP, Card, Rove & Libby won't be indicted for anything.

surely dynamite

Chris Dodd demanded that AG Mukasey investigate this ASAP. It was posted here but I can't find it now.Haha as soon as I returned to the GD it was there. Funny that.

Not that I'm very hopeful for Mukasey to do squat, but we'll see.

Dodd was the DLC point man in engineering the so-called "Help America Vote Act"--a $3.9 billion electronic voting boondoggle that fast-tracked extremely insecure and insider riggable voting systems all over the country, run on'TRADE SECRET,' PROPRIETARY programming code, owned and controlled by rightwing Bushite corporations, with virtually no audit/recount controls--in time for the 2004 election. It was passed in the same month as the Iraq War Resolution, and is closely related to it. The IWR guaranteed unjust war; HAVA provided the means to shove the unjust war down the throats of the American people.

And, handing Bushites a tool by which they can steel thousands of votes at a time--a few lines of code, a couple of seconds, leaving no trace, that's all it takes--anybody think Bushites wouldn't use it?

So I don't trust anything Dodd says. His co-conspirators in this final blow to American democracy were the biggest crooks in the Anthrax Congress--Tom Delay and Bob Ney.

The system is still in place. And the rightwing Bushites who own and control the "trade secret" code owe Dodd.

--------------------------

This lends credence to the notion that McClellan's revelation is some kind of kabuki theater. If McClellan had evidence that Bush, Cheney, Card, Libby and Rove were involved in a crime, he would have taken it to the Fitzgerald grand jury, which had a prosecutor specifically designated to investigate the Plame/Brewster-Jennings outings, was immunized from interference. I can't recall right now if he was called to testify to that grand jury, but if he was--and/or if he was interviewed by the FBI for that grand jury--and DIDN'T tell the truth, and they caught him at it, Fitzgerald could have prosecuted him for perjury. The Plame investigation is still open. It's not active, but Fitzgerald can call up another grand jury at any time. It is not officially closed--and Fitzgerald made a point of that. So, by making this allegation now--if he lied about it before--McClellan is putting himself in jeopardy. If he DID tell them this story, then Fitzgerald--who was clearly aiming as high as at least Cheney--didn't think it was a crime, or didn't think it could be prosecuted.

And what does it amount to? McClellan passed lies (unknowingly, according to him) along to the PUBLIC. Is that a crime? Bush, Cheney, Card, Libby and Rove told their public relation spokesman (McClellan) to convey a lie to the public. Is that a crime? It did NOT "mislead" law enforcement, which has separate and official means of inquiring, in which people must tell the truth under penalty of perjury. A P.R. man is not required to tell the truth, and very often they do not. And, obviously, Fitzgerald was not mislead in pursuing Libby, and he brought Rove before the grand jury several times. He simply ignored McClellan. Further, the extent to which either Libby or Rove was involved in the Plame/B-J outings was obviously a matter before the grand jury. Libby had lied to the FBI (and I believe again before the grand jury). His lies and obstruction made it impossible for Fitzgerald to go higher up the chain. Libby was covering for Cheney. But none of these perps--Bush, Cheney, Card, Rove (and, in my opinion, Rumsfeld) were caught, by Fitzgerald or the grand jury, for telling Libby to lie the FBI (or the grand jury). They only told their P.R. man to lie the public--a routine event, alas, in the boiling cauldron of corruption in Washington DC.

It is scandalous that Bush & co. lied to the public about Libby's and Rove's involvement. And it certainly adds to the mountain of lies they have told the public, and could add to the cumulative effect, with other lies, in "high crimes and misdemeanor" charge in Congress (which is anything that Congress decides that it is--impeachment is just a bill of charges; and conviction on impeachment does NOT have to include an actual crime--because the penalty is merely removal from office; this charge would be something like "unfit for office, due to pervasive lying," but it would likely have to include more serious charges, and probably actual crimes, to achieve a 2/3 conviction vote in the Senate). My point is that it is not a crime to lie to the public. And there would need to be more evidence than this of a conspiracy. What were they conspiring about? Hiding some ugly facts from the public--not necessarily from Fitzgerald.

We're talking about statements to the press, not affidavits, and a book, not a legal indictment. The whole thing is made up of aether. That's what I mean by kabuki theater. (And it's just the sort of thing Dodd loves--a matter upon which he can posture and issue nifty-sounding, leftist-sounding pronouncements signifying nothing.)

So-o-o, if this is just some hot air from McClellan (if he doesn't have evidence of a crime), and is just another blip in this scandal-a-week regime (really, they are so outrageous, sometimes I think their purpose is just to insult us, and show us, once again, how powerless we are to do anything about it), then the question "why now?" is not a legal question. McClellan is a slick, lying, conscienceless disinformationist. That's why the Bush Junta hired him. I find it hard to believe that he has had a "come to Jesus" moment, and now wants to tell us the truth. He's been a good little fascist "soldier." Why would he want to alienate the billionaire rightwing 'think tanks' that he is now be so employable by--just to give us leftists a little taser thrill? (Oo, Bush lied! Oh my God! He LIED! They all LIED!)

Could be just the profit motive--which moves all Bushites deeply--that, by the time the book is published, Bush/Cheney will be on their way out the door, and no one will much care. So he has to push his tidbit now, to wring any money out of it, and to justify his book contract price. A third possibility--a good one, actually--is that it is some kind of further coverup (either part of an actual, prosecutable further coverup, or a P.R. manipulation--say, to drown some other matter out of the news). This makes the most sense of to me, considering the way the war profiteering corporate news monopolies are handling it--featuring it and all. They play along with scam news all the time.

that perhaps Bush himself was in the dark and that McClellan really needs to clarify this. Don't McClellan's statements have to be cleared by the Whitehouse? Perhaps Bush may be preparing/threatening to throw Cheney under the bus.

anything in the NYT or WaPo today?

Covering up the commission of a crime is a crime in and of itself. And when two or more individuals 'conspire' with one another for an illegal purpose, and there is an act in furtherance of the purpose of the conspiracy, all those who conspired with one another can be criminally prosecuted for conspiracy.

It sure sounds like Scotty is casting himself in the role of the 'duped' government official in an attempt to show he did not conspire with anyone in the White House to cover up wrongdoing. This might provide him with a defense to criminal charges unless there is evidence from another source that shows he did in fact know that what he was saying was untrue and designed to mislead law enforcement from discovering the crime committed and was part of a larger conspiracy to hide it.

It sounds like Scottie has cast the dye. He will be examined closely about what he has now revealed, and he had to know that when he submitted it to his publisher. And the publisher undoubtedly has evidence verifying the alleged claims against Rove, Libby, Card, Bush and Cheney.

This could get interesting really fast.

Conspiracy sounds right BHJ! Criminal Law 101! :-)

It's hard to believe that Scotty didn't know what was going on. But ... we sometimes must give something up to get what we need. What we need is the goods on */Cheney/Rove,Card, Libby. It would it appear that Scotty has the evidence to back up his claim!


I'm fairly certain that Scotty's legal adviser has explained that he could reveal these things in his book if, for example, he himself had been duped. Yes, he is cooked if he is stretching the truth, but we must not let that stop us from pursuing the avenues that are now opened.

Time for the halls of congress to echo with the question "WHAT DID THEY KNOW, AND WHEN DID THEY KNOW IT?"

Turkey Day is just around the corner!

I'm going to take some time today to write to my senators and congressman about the matter of Scotty McLellan's accusations, and will add John Conyers, Henry Waxman, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid too.

If this is the break we need then this will indeed be a wonderful Thanksgiving!

:toast:

glc

There is not middle ground here when it comes to illegal actions and possible criminal prosecution, and I think Scottie realizes that(or would understand it after discussing it with his personal lawyer).

Another observation: What would motivate a 'loyal Bushie' like Scottie to turn on Bush, Cheney, Card, Rove and Libby?

Well Scottie obviously knows about and likely is possession of evidence that could support other more significant wrongdoing by the same characters, and this revelation was like a vaccine to put him in the opposition camp and frame his public perception as the innocent dupe.

If events happened as Scottie has revealed here, there is a high likelihood that even more damaging information will surface --OR ALREADY HAS SURFACED by those looking into wrongdoing by the same characters.

I just see this as being motivated more by self-preservation than civic duty on Scottie's part.

I agree that it's self preservation and nothing more. If giving Scotty some level of immunity from conspiracy charges will get us the evidence to show that he's telling the truth about */cheney/card/rove conspiring, I'm fine with that.

The net result however could be much, much more. The net result could be the downfall, finally, of these thugs who have taken over our country.

glc

Thank you from the DU Grammar and Spelling Police.

To add an agent that changes the color of the substance used or the color of the article to which the substance is applied.

Indicates that a permanent change has occurred.

A euphemism for having taken a step from which one may no longer withdraw.

We will never know, but the CIA does...

I bet the FBI knows too, to bad they are all chickenshit cowards. Willing to watch their agents die so George and Richard can move capitalism into new and dangerous territory.

Hope agent Mike understands his bosses would let him die in a heartbeat.

Sad, pathetic, wrong.

As the wheels fall off the bushco wagon, all the rats run for cover. McClellan doesn't want anyone blaming him for the destruction of a major CIA operation, so he points the fingers at his bosses.

The trouble with this scenario is that I don't really believe that McClellan could have gotten this book published without the support of bushco, so I'm suspicious of the entire story.

and that they only gave him the intel they THOUGHT was true (har har). So he just lied about his lie about their lies.

Yup, now I don't trust the story either. I just hope the CIA remembers how they were thrown to the wolves at the request of George's vanity.

Power might not listen, but history will, and it packs a punch.

And not later, but now. Now seems too late, but it's what matters.

an Attorney before he dropped this bomb. I don't believe for a second that he "unknowingly" forwarded lies. If Leahy doesn't dig deep into this I will be surprised & highly pissed off. This is Impeachment for Busholini & Darth if Documentation can be dug up to prove the case.

the manuscript... So if this is some stupid publisher's trick to drum up interest, it might very well backfire on them...

McClellan seemed so nervous towards the end of his WH time.... I always wondered if there might be major story there somewhere. We just might hear, one way or another.

and get the truth out of him

their committee. Only more crimes being committed without any accountability, they have to get these thugs.

Hope springs eternal! As others here have said, Numbnuts (and Darth) could roast a live baby on the WH lawn, and Nancy & Co. would find a way to say it doesn't apply.

anyone would look into it he would.

Surprised at Waxman and the Sibel Edmunds story. She says he refuses to hold hearings on it even though she has told him the whole story.

This may be a thin bone, thrown out to drum up book sales. Then again, the Republican party turned its back on his Momma last election. This could be payback.

"Then again, the Republican party turned its back on his Momma last election. This could be payback."

Inquiring minds wanna know! Seems I should remember this but am drawing a blank.

Thanks for any help jolting the memory cells...

glc

She quit the GOP and ended up running as an independent. She's McClellan's mom.

I saw on our local news mixed forum. The right wing mouth breathers were talking about McClellan switching to Dem. Not the case, but they get nutty over anyone who leaves the party.

Thank you. Found some more at this link:

http://www.intoxination.net/node/723

glc

Former comptroller for the state of Texas. She ran for governor this last 2006 - Independent ticket. Granted, she chose to run as an independent and she tried all sorts of ways to give her campaign relevance. She tried real hard to have her name appear on the ballot as Carole Keeton "Grandma" Strayhorn. No luck. In the end she got a little over 18% of the vote. Not bad considering that Rick "Governor Goodhair" Perry was re-elected with less that 40% of the vote.

I suppose that it wasn't so much that the GOP rebuffed her as much as she left the party. Just the same, the animosity between Perry/GOP and Strayhorn was quite real.

Incidentally, Democrat Chris Bell received 29.75% of the vote. He would have won if Dick Friedman had not thrown his cosmic cowboy hat into the fray.

Here's teh Wikipedia on Scotty's mom:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carole_Keeton_Strayhorn

Treason against America, treason most foul by the republicon homelander occult cabal...

With impeachment off the table, he had nothing to fear for blowing the whistle on the cabal.

:applause:

The "joy" of a civil suit is that it can be refiled, and unlike criminal, there's no double jeopardy clause. So, if there's new information that shows there was a cover-up and Snotty's testimony adds to that claim, it's time to relaunch the suit.

Now you can see why this regime wants all sorts of immunity...a lot of chickens are coming home to roost...many of the criminal acts we suspected were taking place are being proven.

Here's hoping the Wilsons just sold a lot of books (I bought several copies as holiday gifts)...as the best revenge is living well.

get a new Grand Jury. I want these criminals IMPEACHED, INDICTED, AND IMPRISONED!

The book won't be out until April. Why is Scottie spilling the juicy bits now?

I guess he feels the neocons haven't properly handled (i.e. paid) him.

:kick:

Thanks for the thread, hlthe2b

to the impeachment table! May we all give Thanks for this offering! and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Scotty revelation! RE: subjects--Plame,Edmonds,Cheney,nukes

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2100977

Kpete or others. Any more word on this subject?

how absolutely giddy John Dean was on Countdown last night? His voice was quivering in what seemed to be excited anticipation of how this statement could snowball into a MAJOR event that could possibly bring down this regime. If only the dems will pick up this fumble and return it for a touchdown. (Thought I'd use a metaphor like the big dogs.):bounce:

Except Scottie making some money off his "exciting" new book - and maybe get a movie deal, to boot.

Anyone who thinks otherwise just hates America.

Move along now...

office when he can't give blanket pardons or claim executive privilege. Of course he may declare a national emergency when his cabal sets off a new Q lar explosion in a major city in a state that votes Democratic, and thus justify canceling elections.
Rats forced into a corner are most desperate and dangerous.

I hope this leads somewhere.

congressional committees can request the transcripts from the libby grand jury.