The Scooter Trial

[oldtime dfl_er]

So I'm trying to follow the blogging at FDL, which is wonderful work, by the way. But I'm also at work, trying to do a job (and damn it's interfering with my blog-reading!). So is anyone else following it? And does it sound to you like the Grand Jury testimony that's being listened to today basically says this: VP Cheney told Scooter to go make phone calls to four reporters -- Miller, Cooper, and a couple others - to somehow discredit Wilson, and there was some kind of talk of "the wife" , and Scooter, wanting to use a "land line", went to the lounge at Andrews Airforce Base (with a pocketful of quarters???) and made calls from there.

Where am I getting mixed up on how this is not a criminal outing of a covert CIA agent by the vice president of the United States? I realize I could be misunderstanding, misinterpreting, or simply not following correctly what's being said.

http://www.firedoglake.com/

[LSparkle]

1. I haven't tried to follow as closely as you but that sure sounds like it

So why did Randi say that there are reports today that the defense may not even call Darth? How can he AVOID testimony when it's becoming so painfully obvious that he was up to his neck in this shit? HE's the real alibi for Scooter ... ???

[oldtime dfl_er]

4. There was also a brief mention

..by Fitz, I believe, that there is an "ongoing investigation". So maybe there's hope yet.

[H2O Man]

2. That's certainly

what it sounds like to me.

[Spazito]

3. As long as Cheney only shared the information with insiders

with the correct security clearance there is no criminal act, no breach of security. What his involvement is more likely to point to is conspiracy, imo.

Here is part of the letter from James B Comey, acting Attorney General at the time, clarifying the extent of the investigation:

SNIP


Dear Patrick:

At your request, I am writing to clarify that my December 30, 2003, delegation to you of "all the authority of the Attorney General with respect to the Department's investigation into the alleged unauthorized disclosure of a CIA employee's identity" is plenary and includes the authority to investigate and prosecute violations of any federal criminal laws related to the underlying alleged unauthorized disclosure, as well as federal crimes committed in the course of, and with intent to interfere with, your investigation, such as perjury, obstruction of justice, destruction of evidence, and intimidation of witnesses; to conduct appeals arising out of the matter being investigated and/or prosecuted; and to pursue administrative remedies and civil sanctions (such as civil contempt) that are within the Attorney General's authority to impose or pursue. Further, my conferral on you of the title of "Special Counsel" in this matter should not be misunderstood to suggest that your position and authorities are defined and limited by 28 CFR Part 600.

END of SNIP

Edited to add link to letter:

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/osc/documents/ag_letter_feburary_06_2004.pdf