How can they be saying it is "unethical but not illegal" ???

[garybeck]

I keep reading in the last few days that if Rove leaked the CIA identity, it's unethical but not illegal. What gives? For the last few weeks I've been reading and hearing all about these specific statutes that say specifically that it is illegal, even treason.

Is the "unethical but not illegal" spin just going on the fact that Rove didn't use her name, or that he didn't know she was undercover (both of which don't hold water).

It seems even the "liberal" news outlets are going with this twist but it doesn't make sense.

Everything I've read says that using her name or not has nothing to do with it, the statute says "revealing her IDENTITY" not her NAME. and the whole thing about him not knowing she was undercover is nothing but a lie, considering the AirForce1 memo, and the direct quote from Cooper, when he said that Rove's last words were "I've already said too much..."

we can't let them spin this to "unethical but not illegal."

am I missing something????

[ck4829]

1. As long as it is defined as 'moral' values then it's OK

[coolhandlulu]

2. how...??????????

because they can!!!!!! is that answer enough for ya? well, tough sh#&!!
i hate it too. but if we let them get away with it, they will keep pulling this bullcrap.

[kaya33]

3. Ever changing views

The white house has changed its tune on this so mant times it is ridiculous. The problem is once they come out with a new "statement" it is ceremoniously a fact, and all other responses beforehand are somehow lost in the wind...I am glad to see how reporters were actually demanding answers in the beginning to the scandal. Hopefully they will keep it up, and now demand answers for this recent spin on the facts.

[newyawker99]

18. Hi kaya33!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[louis-t]

4. Depends on what the definition of 'is' is.

I can't believe I've stooped so low, but that IS their defense. It's not a defense, it's an excuse. It's spin, it's a weak, hair-splitting legal maneuver. And it's pathetic.

[kaya33]

5. yet they continue to get away with

this bullshit time and time again.

[annabanana]

6. Someone should tell these snakes..

Just because it's legal, doesn't make it right.

(This crowd used to be called "Philadelphia Lawyers" - sorry Philly)

[garybeck]

12. but it is ILLEGAL

don't let them twist it into "unethical but not illegal."

it's only the public surveys and whitehouse spinners that are calling it unethical but not illegal. the lawyers and experts know it is not only illegal but a very high crime.

[Double T]

7. The feeble excuses may work with 50% of the American public.....

but I'm still counting on the prosecutor to do his job without partisan politics becoming involved.

[JDPriestly]

8. They are being cautious and trying to give Rove the benefit

of the doubt. A month ago, these people had never heard of Rove. A lot of progress toward getting the truth out there about him has been made in the past month or so.

Ordinary people do not know the law and do not want to think their leaders are as evil as the Bush crowd is. It's hard for people who voted for Bush to admit they've been had.

Let the prosecutor do his work. It's his job to decide whether the evidence suggests that Rove did something illegal or just something unethical. In the end, only the jury can decide whether Rove's acts were illegal or just unethical.

[kaya33]

11. This is a good point

I agree, but it is also true that when they start backpeddling and changing their tune they are trying to quietly cover up the wrongs that have been done..
Yes the prosecutor needs to do his work, and I pray nobody gets to him. Maybe you have more faith than me in his doing an honest job.

[anarch]

9. does that mean that "unethical" is A-OK?

what a crock, anyway--Rove's evident actions seem clearly illegal--but what the hell kind of message is it to say that "well, it was only *unethical*, not really actually illegal, so it's all good.."?

[mod mom]

10. It's kinda like * saying to the press they are helping the investigation

but refusing to call his staff in and demand to know who did what. It's the repuglican way dodging taxes in off shore account, treading on ambiguous interpretations of the law.

btw, Hi Gary. Glad to see you're back on DU!

[Stirk]

13. The FBI doesn't conduct a 2 year investigation unless they think

something illegal was done. They aren't the Federal Bureau of Examining Big Meanies, you know.

[Ian David]

14. No Controlling Legal Authority

PERRspectives Blog
The Rove Defense: No Controlling Legal Authority
http://www.perrspectives.com/blog/archives/000215.htm

Al Gore controversies: Information From Answers.com
http://www.answers.com/topic/al-gore-controversies

AMA denies physicians' duty to disclose financial incentives
http://www.yourdoctorinthefamily.com/commentary/comm011.htm

[barb162]

15. Legality has zero to do with ethics

at least in most countries, including ours. Ask any attorney worth his or her salt. If one tries to combine the two, it usually doesn't work because people have different ideas about what is ethical.

[jayctravis]

16. Apparently because they have no problems with unethical behavior. (n/t)

[mondo joe]

17. I believe it's because the statute regarding revealing a CIA op's ID

has very particular requirements to actually be illegal, which Rove may or may not have broken.

[writes2000]

19. Intelligence Identities Protection Act is hard to prove. But...

There are other laws that Rove has clearly broken.

The Repubs are praying that the country and Fitzgerald only focus on IIPA.