Cheney & Liz Have Been Sweating Bullets-Plame Notes Make It Clear Why - Scott Horton

[kpete]

By Scott Horton
November 2, 11:50 AM
Did Cheney Lie to the Plame Prosecutors?

In the prosecution that led to the conviction of former Vice President Cheney’s chief of staff, Scooter Libby, Patrick Fitzgerald famously spoke of a “cloud over the vice president.” His remarks suggested that, while no charges had been pressed against Cheney, the vice president was considered an unindicted co-conspirator in a scheme hatched in the White House to out covert CIA agent Valerie Plame. When, after a long struggle to protect Cheney from “embarrassment,” the Justice Department complied with a court order to disclose the FBI agents’ notes of the interview that Fitzgerald conducted with Cheney in 2004, the reason for these comments became clear. The cloud over Dick Cheney seems to be more of a fog bank engulfing him, however, and the fog is of Cheney’s making.

Cheney has been famous for decades for his steel-trap mind and near perfect recall. Yet in an interview that lasted only a couple of hours, Cheney competed with Alberto Gonzales for the selective amnesia prize. His memory failed him more than seventy times, on virtually every effort to probe anything of substance that had occurred within the prior year. Contemporaneous documents show that Cheney had been obsessing over these matters. Yet even when he was shown documents bearing his own handwritten comments, he had no recollection. His amnesia dovetailed perfectly with Scooter Libby’s forgetfulness on key points. Libby couldn’t recall having discussed Plame with Cheney, and Cheney couldn’t recall having discussed Plame with Libby. Their testimony seems well orchestrated, and the text of those “can’t recalls” is well designed to make a perjury prosecution difficult if the prosecutors should turn up solid proof to the contrary.

..............

There’s another significant nugget in the interview notes, flagged by Marcy Wheeler. Reports had previously circulated to the effect that Bush Administration figures had cooperated with the prosecution by executing release agreements–allowing journalists with whom they had spoken to talk freely with investigators about their discussions. On Friday, we learned that Dick Cheney refused to execute such releases. It’s been widely speculated that Cheney spoke with a number of journalists on the Plame-Wilson matter–probably Bob Novack and Judith Miller, possibly others. In holding his journalist friends to confidentiality, what was he worried about? This is particularly curious in view of the blistering attacks Cheney unleashed on Congress in 2002-06, in which he questioned their tendency to leak information to the press. How many congressmen could compete on that score with Dick Cheney?

........................

Cheney and his daughter have been sweating bullets about the prospect of a criminal investigation. These notes make clear that they have plenty to be worried about.

more:
http://harpers.org/archive/2009/11/hbc-90006017

[Myrina]

1. ... and Novackula's no longer around for more questioning ...

imagine that. :tinfoilhat:

[Canuckistanian]

20. That was first thought

Can't his records be subpoenaed?

Well, I guess with no active investigations by Fitzgerald, that's kind of a moot point.

[earcandle]

27. WTF is MOOT about Fitzgerald not being active in these investigations? Are you saying he can pick

and choose what he wants to work on?

Who is his boss?  Who tells him who to go after? Congress,
right?  I think different Congress Critters can form their own
investigation and appoint Deputy-Attorney Generals all they
want who secretly to do their work until the hearings where
they present findings.  But Congress doesn't always act on its
findings.  Sometimes it just files it. 

Shouldn't this be made public?   And fixed?  Who is going to
do this work? 

Are we collectively resigned? At the very level where change
can occur? Is there a lethargy caused by the heaviness of the
reality? Damn right if things are in your charge, if the
public isn't safe, someone is busy hiding things.  

If you can help, please help.  If you have access or can turn
the tide, get a collective together and  turn the tide,
please.  Anywhere you can.  If you do, then things will get
better really fast.  If we all get off it and get on to it
now.

Even the criminals will be glad when this is finally over,
once it is.  This is a very sick planet.  We don't want to
kill everyone who is guilty, but we don't want to release them
without clearance and support/justice.  

"Let's Split" sounds about right on this economy. By
Syd Barrett on Ear Candle Radio 9pm-ish.  (on edit) 

[Canuckistanian]

42. I didn't say Fitzgerald makes the decision

I just said that he wasn't active.

I'm sure he'd JUMP at the chance to empanel a new Grand Jury, but right now, there's no reason (read: no political will) to do it.

[Wapsie B]

43. And I predict Cheney will eventually avoid prosecution the same way.

Same as Bill Casey. Have a highly aggressive demeanor. Apologize for nothing and god help anyone who gets in their way. Then when it comes to answer for their crimes they don't. One should be able to convict a person after death, especially an ex VP.

[FourScore]

2. I'll kick and rec, but Cheney will never get prosecuted.

I wish he would, but it will never happen.

[newtothegame]

3. What part of relaxing in the good life is "sweating bullets?" n/t

[Orsino]

18. +1

A Cheney afraid of consequences? Not gonna happen.

[Spazito]

4. Now, will any of the MSM infotainers dare to question Darth and his spawn...

on this? No way, this will pass as if it never appeared.

Very interesting read, though, thanks for posting this, it is much appreciated.

Recommended.

[DearAbby]

5. Being Peppered? K&R

[defendandprotect]

6. Prosecute --

[TicketyBoo]

57. Prosecution?

I would be satisfied if he and his evil spawn would just shut up and go away.

[malaise]

7. Keep sweating

I hope these criminals are arrested in my lifetime.

[bjobotts]

29. When will the talk shows stop acting like Liz has anything credible to say and dump her

[bjobotts]

30. We don't want ot hear another word from these Cheney's unless it's in a court of law under oath

[Major Hogwash]

8. So, if he didn't answer the questions then, then that means the investigation

is not closed.

So, why is he shooting his mouth off now?

Because he thinks the "statute of limitations" applies to treason; it doesn't.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

9. Why would they sweat bullets? He got away with it.

Remember Fitzgerald said he got sand thrown in his face and that was the end of it?

Does anyone think the interview shows enough to formally charge Cheney with obstructing justice or collusion with Libby? If it does, why did Fitzgerald let him get away with it? I think Libby thought more than a few of them were going to go down - remember his wacky note to Miller about the aspens all being connected at the roots?

[pscot]

10. This has been Republican schtick

since the Reagan administration. It was perfected by Attorney general Ed Meese, in a bravura performance before a Congressional committee investigating Iran/contra. He barely remembered his own name. It was a display of official public amnesia that was unequaled until the obviously brain-damaged Alberto Gonzalez established new standards for dimentia in office.

[The Wizard]

12. It started with Watergate.

[Enthusiast]

53. And reached a pinnacle

of absurdity in the 9/11 hearings.

[The Wizard]

13. Watergate hearings 1974.

[Canuckistanian]

21. The National Lampoon from the period expressed it perfectly

Nixon, giving advice to the Shah of Iran after the coup:

"Stonewall as long as possible, then grab the palace silverware and run"

[robertpaulsen]

11. K & R!

:kick:

[Butch350]

14. Why don't you people stop frustrating yourselves.

[Hissyspit]

15. Meaning what?

[dysfunctional press]

31. meaning that cheney OR bush will never see the inside of a courtroom...

at least not from the defendant's chair.

[Hissyspit]

32. The statute of limitations has passed on these interviews has passed.

Doesn't mean the documented truth shouldn't be known.

The revisionist history Cheney and his cronies and I'll are trying to manufacture is very dangerous. The real truth needs to be constantly nurtured.

[dysfunctional press]

33. there are still constant threads by people wanting he and bush prosecuted for various things...

some people just don't seem to 'get' that it's NEVER going to happen.

[Wapsie B]

44. +1

[Nothing Without Hope]

16. Not obvious to me that they're "sweating bullets."

Guilty as hell, yes, but why should they worry about actually being held accountable?

K & R anyway - I can wishful-think along with the best of 'em.

[earcandle]

26. BUt why isn't this happening? Are we NOT A NATION OF LAW AND ORDER? IF NOT, WHY NOT?

Because the mercenaries are stronger than our army,navy and
marine corp put together?
Or are our own protective forces sold out for cash? 

What is happening?  Does anybody know what is happening?
Really?

[Moochy]

48. No, we are a nation ruled by the wealthy oligarchs and plutocrats

If the law happens to coincide with those monied interests, then hooray, we are a "Nation of Laws".

Otherwise not so much. The President will act to stop or whitewash any investigations into the previous administrations illegal war crimes and other nefarious shit.

Looking forward, moving jingoistically toward the future!

[earcandle]

49. So we tell our children and ourselves that the rich are the role models for success and that means

go ahead and do the crime?  Except that if you have no power,
you go to jail?

What a dupe. 

[proReality]

17. With Novack deceased...

...couldn't his notes become part of an investigation, if the notes still exist? That would certainly keep Cheney awake at night, thinking there may be something incriminating that he hasn't been able to destroy.

[bertman]

19. Nice sentiment about sweating bullets and all, but the current Emperor already gave

Darth a pass. He's free as a bird and will be until his evil, bloodless heart stops functioning due to a holly stake firmly embedded in it.

[ThoughtCriminal]

22. The next time Cheney is interviewed by a real journalist

(like that is every going to happen) he should be asked if he had a roll in outing Ms. Plame. If he denies it again, then the next question should be "Since you claimed over 70 times during the FBI interview that you did not recall, How do you know something you don't remember?"

Hell, it could have been all you and Scooter talked about, but apparently you were both conveniently drunk enough to not remember exactly the same topic.

[pitchforksandtorches]

23. They both should be STRUNG UP just on general principles!

[Flying Dream Blues]

24. He deserves to spend the rest of his miserable life in prison.

If it gets too hot expect him to join Ken Lay in S. America. There will be NO justice done here, I'm afraid.

[rhett o rick]

25. My money says Ken Lay is in Dubai. nt

[earcandle]

28. Not Paraguay anymore?

[rhett o rick]

58. I think Dubai is perfect for wealthy criminals. nt

[Enthusiast]

54. I doubt he is any U.S.

grave, that's for sure.

[Hubert Flottz]

34. Who knew?

That cold blooded reptiles could sweat?

[mtnHov]

35. more info here

followed that (more) thread to another aricle by Horton (justice after bush/ prosecuting an outlaw administration).
it explains a lot. click on his name then click on 'he wrote'

[indimuse]

36. KNR! n/t

[indimuse]

37. KNR! n/t

[paparush]

38. Cheney Should Do the Honorable Thing

bwhahahahahahahaa!

:rofl:

I KNOW!

:rofl:

[Stephanie]

39. I always assumed Judy Miller was protecting Cheney

I thought she went to jail to cover for Cheney from the beginning. Where is she now?

[myrna minx]

40. K&R n/t

[BonnieJW]

41. Are you serious???!!!

They have NOTHING to worry about! NOTHING is going to happen to either of them EVER. That would take an uncorrupted judiciary. That would take an AG with balls. That would take a Congress with spines and a sense of justice.

[olegramps]

45. Your are looking at the evil face of fascism.

Fascists are born without a conscience and fully subscribe to the concept that the ends justify the means.

Those who shoulder the majority of the blame for allowing these monsters of iniquity and depravity to spew their lies unchallenged are the irresponsible journalists. The members of the Fourth Estate have consistently refused to inform the citizens of the clear intentions of extremist PNAC neo-cons who hijacked the Republican Party, took us to war and tortured people to obtain false confessions to bolster their lies.

Cheney and his daughter Liz are not just some radical right wing fanatics. They are the personification of evilness; the reincarnation of Hitler and his henchman Goebbels spewing hatred and division. When you look at them you are looking into the depths of hell. Don't ever doubt for one moment that if given the means, they along with their fanatical Evangelical world enders, would make the Inquisition look like a Sunday picnic.

[Enthusiast]

55. You said it, olegramps!

When I watched Bill Kristol on C-Span's Washington Journal the other morning I was deeply disgusted. Here he was giving his learned opinion on every issue. A lone caller called him out. I felt like jumping up and cheering.

Like you I get the feeling that only the thinest veneer of civility separates us from an insane neo-con controlled world that would be the envy of medieval despots of every sort.

[jtrockville]

46. Didn't John Dean say the statute of limitations had run out?

On KO last night... I think I remember John Dean saying something about Dick being safe because the statue of limitations had run out.

[earcandle]

51. There is no statute of limitations on treason.

[Enthusiast]

56. And by any measure

this is treason!

[montanto]

47. Sweating bullets?

I doubt it. Its pretty clear after all this time that nothing is going to happen.

[bvar22]

50. The White HOuse has decided to look the other way.

The Bush War Criminals WILL be protected by this administration.

[earcandle]

52. Then let us impeach the current administration for their complicity in his war crimes and reach back

to them while we are at it.

[Moochy]

59. You want the truth?

This site can't handle that much truth.