...prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's name would regularly appear in sentences alongside Torquemada and Joe McCarthy.

...we'd know the exact number of months and the exact amount of money spent on the investigation, information that would invariably be followed by the taunt: "And all Fitzgerald got was one second-tier official."

...the ACLU and other left-wing groups would be in hysterics over judges jailing journalists, and journalists revealing their sources.

...the CIA agent's meddling in a domestic political battle would be likened to the CIA's involvement in the internal politics of various Third-World nations. Words like "coup" would be loosely tossed about.

...Lanny Davis, Paul Begala, and Geraldo Rivera would be bombarding the airwaves with statistics on the infrequency of perjury prosecutions, the political motivations of the prosecutor, and why covering up a non crime--and lying to a prosecutor about a non crime--really isn't a crime.

"...the CIA agent's meddling in a domestic political battle would be likened to the CIA's involvement in the internal politics of various Third-World nations."

and a "social justice" do-gooder would call the U.S. itself a "third world" nation.

Dan
You are just added to the political noise.
The facts are:
1.A CIA agent was outed by people in the Bush administration.
2.According to Fitzgerald, Libby prejured himself trying to cover it up.

Everything else is politics.
This is serious stuff. This isn't lying about immaterial consenual sex in the White House.
This isn't a 10 year old land deal that turned into Monica Lewinsky.

Is this 'outing' of a CIA desk jockey who most people understood was working for the CIA in the first place really a serious breach of national security or a threat to this country in any way, shape or form? This whole affair is small potatoes and has been blown completely out of proportion by the Dems and the msm. The same crews who gave a pass to a sitting Democratic President who lied (and it doesn't matter what was lied about)under oath and on TV directly to the American people.

You people kill me RC.

So, there are certain lies you CAN tell under oath? Cool! Is there a list somewhere?

So, if I have this correct, Scooter Libby is indicted for obstructing justice during a case for a crime that nobody could be tried, nor convicted for, because it was never commmitted.

Do I have that right?

Why isn't the justice dept. going after Joe Wilson for the lies he told? His op-ed piece was full of them. It was well known that his wife as well as many in the CIA looked for any opportunity to hurt the Bush admin, and they have a willing press to help them. I guess none of this matters. The only thing that seems to is getting Bush out of office, even if it tears apart the country. It also must be ok for all the grand jury testimony that was leaked. Doesn't matter that it's a felony, if it hurts the administration in any way, it's ok. Right?

No Ben T you don't have it right.

This Outing a CIA agent is small potatoes but Clinton and Lewinsky was big potatoes - Right?

What pass did Clinton get?
Bush, Chenny, Libby and Rowe should get the same pass.

Clinton lied under oath, and yet he was never tried for it. Libby did the same, but he was indicted. Clinton gets a pass because he was prez. The smaller fry get fried. I don't think it's because of political differences.

The "outing" can't be proved because this agent's identity was already revealed. It doesn't excuse the admin from bringing her name up in their trashing of Wilson, but it explains why no one is being charged with her "outing."

Isn't this person the super secret covert agent who appeared in a picture in Vanity Fair with her egotistical, leftist, old hippie husband and was clearly identified in the article?

If anybody 'outed' Plame, it was Wilson who was known to be looking for any crack to get something on Bush.

The Dems and the msm have been looking for all kinds of schemes to oust or chip away at Bush and his Presidency including making up stories and forging documents, beating him on his handling of the war (which most of them were in support of), Katrina, Rove, you name it.

Now, they've come up with this ridiculous non-issue hoping to make this a major conspicacy. But, ask ten Americans about this and most coudn't even tell you what it's about.

This has no legs and will evaporate quickly after Libby falls on his sword.

RC, I hate to beat the same drum time and time again, but let's stick with the facts. Valerie Plame had not been a covert operative in over six years. The statute in question (which Fitzgerald himself AND the Senate Intelligence Committee both stated) was not violated, as it specficies, among other things, requires less than five years. She was a WMD assessor (the correct term is an_lyst, but Dan's filter won't let that word through) at Langley, and everyone of any note in the Washington press corps KNEW she was Wilson's wife. I hate to ask this question, but in view of all these FACTS, how can you maintain Libby or anyone else "outed" a CIA agent?

Mr Mckee
Just on the face of it, If no one outed a CIA agent, what is Libby lying about? What is he trying to hide?
You guys are denying the facts. Plame was NOT known before she was indeed outed by the People who gave Novak the ability to publish her identity.
It is amazing how you guys have swallowed the kool aid.

Libby lied about it because he is an a**-covering admin type who knew they were involved in skullduggery and so he lied (probably) just incase they had broken a law. I doubt Libby knew of Plame's status, but if Plame was still covert Fitzgerald would have charged people. After all this time all he has is a perjury and obstruction of justice. Sure, he should and will prosecute, but if there were more he would prosecute more.

RC, so what you're saying is, the Independent Counsel is lying when he says no one outed a covert CIA agent? And if no one committed this crime (according of course, not to me, but to Mr. Fitzgerald) what the HELL are you talking about, and who's drinking the Jim Jones-flavored kool aid? RC, just because YOU say or believe something, doesn't make it right!

RC,
Bill Clinton was impeached and disbarred.
If the U.S. senate had a problem with perjury, (which it obviously didn't in those days)
he would also have been removed from office.

If Scooter Libby's alleged lies are worthy of so much scorn,explain why
Why Bubba's "lying about sex" is no problem to you?
I gotta hear this!

Ross
You assume facts not in evidence. Who said Clinton lying was no problem for me? A Republican appointed judge determined an immaterial lie did not rise to the level of prejury. She was upset that Clinton did lie and sanctioned him for it. But there was in fact no prejury. I, as a Clinton supporter was and still am infuriated by his behavior. But, I along with most of the American people felt that it wasn't an impeachable offense.
Congress did not get a majority on any count of the impeachment.
Now Libby and whom ever else eventually gets indicted didn't lie about a consenual sexual matter that didn't effect anyone but their own families. Libby has been indicted on lying about the facts surrounding outing a CIA agent. This is national security not personal sexual behavior.
Obviously Libby's behavior to you is not worth much "scorn", but Clinton's behavior is? Can you explain? Try sticking to the facts and not the republican spin.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't perjury lying under oath? Clinton lied under oath.

Guess it depends on what the meaning of 'is' is?

RC, please provide a list of the drugs your on.