*** Today's Live Blogging threads at Firedoglake.com

[ralps]

Libby Liveblog: Wells Cross-Examines Grossman
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/01/24/libby-liveblog-wells-cross-examines-grossman/
"We'll start this morning with the conclusion of the Grossman cross-examine. Wells will argue that since Grossman talked to Armitage the night before he spoke to the FBI, then his testimony can't be trusted.

A reminder of housekeeping rules: First, this is not a transcript. I'm paraphrasing as best I can and catching quotes where I can. But I'm not a court reporter.

And second–I'm trying to note the timing of the updates. I'll be updating around every fifteen minutes, so, for the sake of the servers, please don't refresh wildly.

Filing into the courtroom now. Looks like there are fewer people in the court room, there definately are fewer people (so far) here in the media room. But then, it was a booze-inducing SOTU last night, so…

Walton: We have a problem with one juror who for the first time has indicated that she has a problem being here for the length of the trial. Her employer will only pay her for 10 days of the trial. I don't know why she didn't tell us this previously, but we'll just have to see.

Wells up. He's showing Fitz' guy something–looks like he's going to bring up the July 7 INR memo. Still waiting for the jury.
snip

9:33, 9:40, 9:51, 10:07, 10:13, 10:33, 10:42

[WiseButAngrySara]

1. Thanks for the link. Kick! and rec.... ....n/t

[ralps]

2. Thanks WiseButAngrySara!

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[hootinholler]

3. kick for the next rec. nt

[ralps]

4. Thanks hootinholler

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

5. *** Next update from firedoglake.com

"10:55

You had a meeting with Mr. Armitage, one on one.

He wanted you to know before the FBI interview that he had disclosed the fact that Valerie Wilson worked for the CIA to Robert Novak.

My recollection is that the conversation started with his reporting on his conversation with the FBI.

He Mr. Armitage had told the FBI that he disclosed to Mr. Novak that Plame worked at CIA.

And you knew at that time that there was an ongoing criminal investigation.

Armitage discussed with you that he did not view Mrs. Wilson's employment as covert or classified.

Sidebar.

Grossman looking away.
response to p lukasiak: Wells just asked Grossman about Armitage's statements about Plame's status. That's what this sidebar is about.
Wells is trying to introduce the idea that she wasn't covert by having Grossman repeat Armitage's words."
snip
11:11
"Sidebar over. 25 minutes! Fitz' side must have won bc Wells backed off the covert question.
Mr. Grossman. Is it correct that after you met with Mr. Armitage and he disclosed to you the fact that he had been the person to disclose info concerning Ms. Wilson to Mr. Novak that you then were interviewed by the FBI. And is it correct that after you were interviewed you went back and discussed with him the questions the FBI had asked you."
snip
& then a ten min. break
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[mod mom]

6. New documents up at Fitz's site:

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/osc/

[Catherine Vincent]

7. Thanks!

You should start a thread with that info, unless it's already been done.

[ralps]

8. Thanks for posting the link mod mom!

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

9. *** Next Live Blog thread from firedoglake.com

Libby Liveblog: Robert Grenier Testimony, One
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/01/24/libby-liveblog-robert-grenier-testimony-one/
"Fitz's lawyer mispronounces Grenier's last name, then corrects himself.

I'm employed by Kroll Incorporated in consulting group.

We're a risk consulting group, we provide info to business to help them manage their security risks.

I started there July 2006.

I was employed at CIA prior to that–for 27 years.

Started on January 14, 1979.

2002-2004, where were you working:

Starting in 2002 Iraq Mission Manager. "
snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

10. *** Updates at 11:57, 12:05, 12:11, 12:23 & then break for lunch

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[DoYouEverWonder]

13. Kroll is like a privitized version of the CIA

Kroll was responsible for security at the WTC.

[bleever]

11. Thanks ralps!

:thumbsup:

[ralps]

12. You're welcome bleever

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

14. *** New thread at Firedoglake.com- "Understanding the Libby-Rove Head Fake"

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/01/24/understanding-the-libby-rove-head-fake/
Understanding the Libby-Rove Head Fake
by Swopa
"Marcy (a/k/a emptywheel) asked me to do this week's installment of her review of Plame media coverage, but there was so little difference in this morning's batch of stories on the Libby trial opening arguments that I'd rather focus on the shiny object that got everyone's attention. The Los Angeles Times opened its report with this:

I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby feared that White House officials were conspiring to make him the fall guy in the CIA leak scandal to protect political strategist Karl Rove, Libby's lawyer argued Tuesday.

. . . "Karl Rove was President Bush's right-hand person in terms of political strategy. Karl Rove was the person most responsible that the Republican Party stayed in office. His fate was important to the Republican Party. He had to be protected," Wells said.

Hmm, laying it on a little thick there, aren't we, Ted? The melodrama of Wells' remarks produced a consensus reaction — "Libby is throwing Rove under the bus" — that I think may be unwarranted (as OldCoastie and perris have suggested here in comments). When you look closely, it doesn't seem like Wells actually accused Rove of doing anything in particular… and I doubt that we'll hear any claims from Team Scooter that Turdblossom had any direct role in the Plame leak besides the conversations we already know about (with Bob Novak and Matt Cooper)."
snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

15. *** New thread at Firedoglake.com- "Libby Liveblog: Robert Grenier, Two"

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/01/24/libby-liveblog-robert-grenier-two/
"Libby Liveblog: Robert Grenier, Two"
"We're all in back.

Libby's team has loaded up some super redacted memo to show on the screen.

Grenier, btw, is very dapper. Greying, nice suit, blue tie. His delivery was VERY credible (even if he didn't say anything about Plame for 2 years, the delivery of it was impressive). I think it was David Corn who said "you can tell he has done a lot of briefing." He's in the box, frowning a bit.

Jeffress is up with questions. He got Grenier's name right the first time."
snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

16. *** Updates at 1:41pm, 1:51

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

17. *** Updates at 2:03, 2:17, 2:25

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

20. *** Updates at 2:37, 2:56

"2:37

It's unclear whether he has the glasses or not, though I think they're right there on the witness stand.

Here we go.

J Directs him to his July GJ testimony. You asked Mr. Zeidenberg at the time to read back your testimony.

G It's a different individual, but yes I asked him to read it back.

J I'm sorry, it's a different prosecutor."
snip
"2:56


G There is reference in this to Joe Wilson. I KNOW I didn't ask her about that.

J Did Deputy Director ask you questions regarding whether Iraq sought uranium?

G I can say absolutely not

J where would your EA get information that the DDCI had asked you about Joe Wilson

J You have every confidence that you did not tell your EA that the DDCI had asked you about the Wilson trip"
snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

21. *** Updates at 3:02 Jeffreys & Fitzgerald's team

"3:02

J You were the Iraq Mission Manager in June 2003. When the forged documents were discovered there was an internal investigation and an inquiry from Congress.

G Yes, may have been a Congressional investigation.

J Did you read Congressional notification on Iraq in April 2003 regarding the purported Iraqi uranium deal on Niger.

Sidebar again.

J You probably don't recall the question.

G (restates the question perfectly) No."
snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[blogslut]

18. kick

Grenier is a great prosecution witness - as so far that I've managed to read today.

[ralps]

19. Thanks blogslut!

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[DearAbby]

25. I Agree

Grenier is very credible, he will not be backed into a corner.

Thanks Ralps, the transcripts are very informative. Great site!

[ralps]

26. You're welcome DearAbby

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[Nutmegger]

22. Hi ralps!

:kick: and :thumbsup:!!

[ralps]

24. Hi Nutmegger, & Thanks

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

23. *** New thread at Firedoglake.com- "Libby Liveblog: Craig Schmall"

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/01/24/libby-liveblog-craig-schmall/
"Libby Liveblog: Craig Schmall"
"Bonamici and Cline up (B and C).

Preparing for Schmall. Bonamici explaining that Libby's team wants to question Schmall about stuff relating to Libby's memory defense.

Cline. Schmall will talk about June 14. Wants to cross about briefing on that day. He doesn't recall any of the briefing on that day. He's still not going to recall them. Not putting documents into evidence. I want him to read the documents to the jury so they have context for the briefing.

B We don't object to the Defense asking him if he recalls the content of the briefing documents.

Walton He remembers the Wilson related stuff. But he doesn't remember the briefing items. "
snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

27. *** Updates at 3:31, 3:51, 4:02

"3:31

Cline and Fitz having a somewhat animated discussion.

Schmall looks kind of rat-like. He has a very small chin. Dark hair. A rust? color tie. Biggish ears. (What is it with these big-eared people).

Fitz is doing the questioning.

Schmall mger in Directorate of Intelligence.

F What job you held in 2003?

S Libby's morning intell briefer, later on became Cheney's morning intell briefer.

S Mr Libby's MIB Summer 2002 until Fall 2003. Cheney until May 2004."
snip
"3:51

S would have remembered the Tom Cruise conversation.

F Second one

S He was pretty annoyed about this. He told me that a reporter had talked to him and this reporter told him that a direct source had told him—the reporter—that analysts were feeling pressured and bullied at one of the recent briefings that Libby and Cheney had participated in. He was annoyed that someone was talking about this to a reporter.

F Would that be proper—someone talking to a reporter about a briefing.

S no

S I talked to a manager who was present at the briefing. I asked her if she or her folks felt pressured. She said absolutely not. They were happy to talk directly to Libby and Cheney about their topics."
snip
"4:02

Walton new instruction, No evidence will be presented to you as to Valerie Wilson's status and whether or not disclosure posed a risk of damage to security. Her actual status, or damage, are totally irrelevant to your assessment of defendant's guilt or innocence. You may not speculate or guess about them. You may consider what Mr. Libby believed about her status.

Cline up for Schmall.

C The goal of these MIBs to provide Libby and Cheney with the most significant intell available. Part of your job to select intell.

S Yes, Some of it.

C Some that would be routinely in there. And some they were interested.

C You'd get to work at 2:30 AM, correct?"
snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[DoYouEverWonder]

30. So Tom Cruise gets private meetings with Libby

to talk about the Church of Scientology? Excuse me. :puke:. I thought this asshole was a very busy man?

[ralps]

32. Hi DoyouEverWonder, I believe Tom Cruise wanted to talk about bringing

Scientology to Germany! :hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :shrug: :crazy:

[ralps]

28. *** Updates at 4:12, 4:25

"4:12

Talking about briefers' meeting pooling what had happened during the morning meetings.

C You'd take notes in the TOC. You'd use those notes to talk about this briefing at the DCI briefing.

C You'd remind yourself to set taskings.

C wrote notes you'd like to share with Libby or VP.

S Things I could pass on, but didn't have an analytical report worth putting in the book. I'd pass on either first thing or maybe at the end. Just wanted to remind,something like a bombing in Indonesia about which we had no information."
snip
"4:25

C shows him the documents

S The handwriting is not mine

C you had someone fax these.

C Put them to one side.

C June 14 notes, July 14 not your problem, risks of exposing CIA employee"
snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

29. *** Updates at 4:39, 4:46 that's the end of today's testimony. Christy &/or

emptywheel/Marcy probably will have a wrapup thread later.
"4:39

C you were doing your best, but you didn't recall those two conversations

C CIA lawyer asked you to follow up on some items

S That's plausible

C Review your files, see what triggered your memory about Libby's complaint about the Cheney pressure"
snip
"4:46

Walton recessing the jury. Ragging on one of the jurors for being late.

The sidebar seemed to be about the "original" of Schmall's notes from these days. I'm guessing Cline has an original that doesn't include it? Or that one of these didn't have the original?

Cline and Fitz talking.

Schmall, then Martin, we'll have a witness behind Ms. Martin. It seems like he's going in order of their chronology.

BuhBye. It's beer thirty!"
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[Kurovski]

31. Kick(nt)

[ralps]

33. Thanks Kurovski

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo: