Reply #52: Update from Congressman Waxman posted at dKos:

[understandinglife]

First, I want to iterate a point that I hope we can all keep in mind: the leak of Ms. Wilson's identity is a serious national security breach. There is no reason that the President should wait until someone on his staff is criminally convicted before he clamps down, isolates the leaks, and works to remediate the damage that has been caused. The President's first priority should be to protect the security of this country, not to engage in political damage control. That is his responsibility as President and Commander-in-Chief.

Last week, I put out this fact sheet (http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/Documents/20050715140232-17725.pdf) describing what the Executive Order 12958 requires.

If a career civil servant was involved in violating his nondisclosure agreement and leaking classified information, the agency head would be required under the executive order to take prompt corrective action, including issuing a reprimand, suspending the employee's security clearance, or dismissing the employee. There should not be a different standard for Karl Rove, no matter how elevated his position.

As I mentioned, I will be co-chairing a hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building at 10 am tomorrow that will hear testimony from four former CIA and Defense Intelligence Agency officials.

(http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/docs/docs_hearing_advisory_intelligence_july_22_2005.pdf).

The hearing may be shown on C-SPAN and video will be available after it is concluded.

Joining seven of their colleagues, these former intelligence officials issued an open statement -

(http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/docs/excia_open_statement.pdf)

- to Congress this week concluding that the coordinated strategy to discredit Ms. Wilson "reveals an astonishing ignorance of the intelligence community and the role of cover." Those are extremely strong words. I urge you to read their full statement, if you haven't yet already.

Among the questions I will have for these witnesses is how a breach like this impacts an agent's network of contacts in real terms. I also want to know their thoughts as intelligence officials on the White House actions to date.

There is much more to this situation we do not yet know, including who told Karl Rove and Scooter Libby, the Vice President's chief of staff, about Ms. Wilson's position at the CIA. That is why congressional oversight is so important.

Please know that I am working hard here in Washington to find answers to these questions. I appreciate your efforts on Daily Kos and elsewhere to make sure that this reprehensible abuse of power is not ignored.

Link to comments:
http://dailykos.com/story/2005/7/21/103055/210

Peace.

www.missionnotaccomplished.us