Need to know.

[progressivejazz]

Some years ago I did a little secret research in a U.S. Government laboratory. One thing I remember vividly from that time was the compartmentalization of information that took place. When Secret information I didn't need to know about was discussed, I was ordered to leave the area, even though I had a Secret clearance. When I would discuss Secret information, those who had no need to know it were ordered to leave the area, even though they had Secret clearances.

With this in mind, I ask why Scooter needed to know Joe Wilson's wife worked for the CIA in the arms nonproliferation division. He was told this by Cheney, so Cheney must have decided Scooter had a need to know this information.

But why would Scooter need to know this? Two explanations come to mind. First, Cheney may have wanted to subtly discourage Scooter from disclosing the information and chose to do this by pointing out Valery Wilson's importance to the nation's security. But then I ask why Cheney didn't just order Scooter not to disclose anything he might know about Valery Wilson. After all, Cheney isn't noted for his subtlety. The second explanation is that Cheney wanted to give Scooter ammunition to use against Joe Wilson that he wasn't sure Scooter had at that time. In short, Scooter needed to know so he could blow her cover. This explanation has more of a ring of truth to it to me, and I'm sure to nearly all other Americans.

I would love to ask Cheney on the witness stand what he decided Scooter's need to know was when Cheney told him about Valery Wilson. But I suppose nobody ever will. After all, none of the pundits on either side have ever raised this issue, and neither did Fitz.

[MADem]

1. The buzz around the punditocracy is that "state of mind" WILL

be an issue in this whole case, and others that may follow. Was this just 'work gossip?' Or was it DELIBERATE? The whole 'need to know' concept is part and parcel of the 'state of mind' issue, so your question may very well be asked.

[progressivejazz]

3. Of course, intent is the real issue.

But even if it was just 'work gossip' that doesn't absolve Cheney from being guilty of the unauthorized disclosure of national security information. Scooter would have had a legitimate national security need to know about Wilson's wife.

The 'work gossip' excuse that Cheney and the pundits will trot out just doesn't cut it. 'Work gossip' is trumped by 'need to know'. Loose lips sink ships.

[MADem]

4. I'm not implying it will be an acceptable excuse, mind you

But stand by for some "framing" of the entire matter, and it could involve work discussions, and the question of whether or not their was 'intent' to out Plame. I believe that Fitz has more than enough to get Scooter on intent, he just needs to get that same sense to go after others who are involved in this business.

Personally, I think the Special Prosecutor is pulling the Scooter string and he expects to find, at a minimum, CHENEY at the other end of it. I also think Cheney may have been a source for Judy (who did not admit it) and perhaps Novak (who might have, who knows) as well.

However, he has to get Scooter to see that hard time awaits him if he does not play ball. Scooter can take the fall, but if it is a hard fall, he could end up in jail for a few years while waiting for a convenient time to get a pardon, especially if he is jailed pending appeal (and that is the way to really screw with him, IMO).

He may think he can do three years standing on his head, but once he gets a look at whatever AssPen they decide to assign him to, he may have other ideas...

[progressivejazz]

5. The reason for my post was to destroy that frame.

It would be nice if some of the people on our side would use it. So far I haven't seen it at all.

[MADem]

6. Well, Scooter seems to be taking an "I FORGOT" tack now

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9860621/

The fallback from that is "Hey, man, I was BUSY!!!!"

Man, that guy has a LOUSY LAWYER!!!!!!!

[progressivejazz]

8. But my sights are on Cheney, not Scooter.(n/t)

.

[riderinthestorm]

7. I believe Libby knows he will never see the inside of prison.

He is going to be pardoned. He knows it. Hell, even I know it. Whatever he says and/or does makes no difference - all of the blame can fall on him and deflect the attention from Cheney and BFEE.

You may counter this with the fact that the other Reps in Congress and elsewhere won't fall in behind the pardon.

I answer that with Diebold.

[MADem]

9. The congress has no say re: a pardon--it is a Prez show only

The trick for Libby is to stay out of jail until a pardon can be arranged. Unless the monkey wants to sweep the GOP out of the legislative branches in both 06 and 08, he has to wait until after the 08 presidential elections to do the pardoning.

Thus, the trick is to get him before the bar fast, and warn him that there will be a strong argument to deny him bail when he files the automatic appeal--the argument could touch on the likelihood of pardon, too, inferring that the guy could escape justice altogether.

Put him in the slammer, make him do hard time...squeeze him, in essence. Then he can see how much he likes it. And make him spend, spend, spend for good criminal defense. So long, kiddie college funds, so long, vacation house, so long, fancy holidays....

As for Diebold, and other cheating mechanisms, they only work around the margins--you can't screw with more than single-digit percentages or even the most obtuse exit pollers will sound the alarms, and we will have anarchy in the streets.

If the sense to get rid of the GOP is strong enough, and it would be if Bush pardons too soon, the GOP faithful will either stay home, not bother, or hold their nose and vote for the Democrat.

[EFerrari]

2. The argument that they didn't know she was covert

never made sense.

If they didn't know, why would they broadcast it?

If she wasn't covert, there would have been no story.

Cheney wanted to hurt the Wilsons because he could. And now, he will have to pay for at least this one crime.