Authority versus DUTY: Cheney Admitted HE BROKE THE LAW ON PLAMEGATE

[berni_mccoy]

As another poster pointed out here on DU (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=438752&mesg_id=439207) there is an executive order that gives the sitting vice president the authority to declassify information, but only in the performance of his DUTIES.

Outing a COVERT CIA OPERATIVE to discredit her husband who is criticizing the evidence that was used to take us to war IS NOT THE DUTY OF THE VICE PRESIDENT. That is treason and violation of trust of the executive branch.

There is NO LAW that gives the v.p. authority to declassify information the way that Cheney did for any other reason.

[htuttle]

1. Indeed

If Cheney had the right to expose Plame, why did the CIA request that the Justice Dept. investigate it in the first place?

Why did Bush say he didn't know who did it, but who ever did it would be fired when they found out?

Why did Cheney not speak up when his assistant, Libby, was indicted on perjury charges related to covering up Cheney's involvement in the case?

Not. Buying. It. Dick.

[berni_mccoy]

3. Their responses to your questions (I'm pretty sure they will say this)

1. The CIA didn't know Cheney was the leaker
2. Bush didn't know Cheney was the leaker
3. Cheney didn't authorize Libby to obstruct, Libby did that on his own

[sinkingfeeling]

2. I don't think Cheney was questioned about Plame in the interview.

He admitted to declassifying the NIE, which he claims to have the right to do under executive order.

[berni_mccoy]

4. He's making a claim that he can declassify info

And using NIE to do it, but we all know he's defending his actions in outing Plame, which he's implicated in doing.

His only defense is to use this claim but he won't directly admit he authorized outing her. It's TRICKY!

[peacetalksforall]

5. Why does nearly everyone on DU only reference Plame - why not

Brewster-Jennings? Only mentioning Plame pushes the focus away from him. Read all the articles about his involvement of doing business with Khan of Pakistan in dealing in wmd. Brewster-Jennings was all about investigating the trafficking of wmd.

When only Plame is mentioned the focus goes to creating a lie for war and perpetuating the lie.

If Brewster-Jennings is mentioned the focus goes to his side businesses - the awareness of the accusations that are out there.

Under any logic, blowing out Brewster-Jennings would be very important to him in addition to reforming the CIA to eliminate any new investigations.

This shooting in TX is an excellent opportunity to turn on other people to his under the radar and secretive dealings.

It's time to stop making and laughing at the jokes and educate others about what others are claiming.

[berni_mccoy]

6. Thanks for the info... I'll keep that in mind for future discussions

[peacetalksforall]

7. It sound like I'm targeting you. I'm speaking in general. Hope you know.

[berni_mccoy]

8. Hehe, no problem.. I figured.

But it's good advice... and I've developed a tough skin here ;-)

[peacetalksforall]

9. Getting back to his declaration - he gave us a gift. I can't wait to

hear more from the lawyers about his claims.

I caught a snip of John Dean on FOX yesterday after the previews of Dick's statement. Sounds like he wasn't connecting with the claim. I have to go off to find out if he has written anything yet.

Is it hidden law or a right wing distortion?

[berni_mccoy]

10. I doubt it matters if he connects with it or not.. the BushCo machine

Will align all repubs on this anyway.

[EVDebs]

11. Why Plamegate and the NSA Wiretapping converge

See No Evil: What Bush Didn't (Want To) Know About 9/11
TomPaine.com
Saturday, March 1, 2003
http://www.gregpalast.com/detail.cfm?artid=195&row=1

""Despite these tantalizing facts, Abdullah and his operations were A-OK with the FBI chiefs, if not their working agents. Just a dumb SNAFU? Not according to a top-level CIA operative who spoke with us on condition of strictest anonymity. After Bush took office, he said, "there was a major policy shift" at the National Security Agency. Investigators were ordered to "back off" from any inquiries into Saudi Arabian financing of terror networks, especially if they touched on Saudi royals and their retainers. That put the bin Ladens, a family worth a reported $12 billion and a virtual arm of the Saudi royal household, off-limits for investigation. Osama was the exception; he remained a wanted man, but agents could not look too closely at how he filled his piggy bank. The key rule of any investigation, "follow the money," was now violated, and investigations -- at least before 9/11 -- began to die.""

Pre 9/11 NSA 'policy shift' away from OBL to 'Bush's enemies', defined as US citizens exercising their lawful right to dissent and demand accountability. Makes you wonder why the OIGs at NSA and DOJ just sit on their hands while Rome burns, huh ? The only one looking into any of this is the Fitzgerald special prosecutor, and this is getting soooo huge that we can only pray that more whistleblowers start spilling the beans...and fast !

[stop the bleeding]

12. game set and match as so eloquently pointed out by leveymg here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x441331