Now
THIS is what we need to focus on when it comes to the Rove/Libby CIA leak. (This scandal really needs a more catchy name)
An excerpt from The Nation's coverage of the Senate Democratic Policy Council and the Democratic side of the House Government Reform Committee's unofficial hearing on Friday 7/22/05, specifically the testimony of former CIA case office and a former prosecutor James Marcinkowski.
David Corn says "I realized his statement was perhaps the most powerful rebuttal of and rebuke to the rightwingers who have been pushing disinformation about the Valerie Wilson case. I wish they all could have been tied to a chair and forced to listen to him."
A key part of his testimony after the flip.
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Each time the leader of a political party opens his mouth in public to deflect responsibility, the word overseas is loud and clear--politics in this country does in fact trump national security.
Each time a distinguished ambassador is ruthlessly attacked for the information he provided, a foreign asset will contemplate why he should risk his life when his information will not be taken seriously.
Each time there is a perceived political "success" in deflecting responsibility by debating or re-debating some minutia, such actions are equally effective in undermining the ability of this country to protect itself against its enemies, because the two are indeed related. Each time the political machine made up of prime-time patriots and partisan ninnies display their ignorance by deriding Valerie Plame as a mere "paper-pusher," or belittling the varying degrees of cover used to protect our officers, or continuing to play partisan politics with our national security, it is a disservice to this country. By ridiculing, for example, the "degree" of cover or the use of post office boxes, you lessen the level of confidence that foreign nationals place in our covert capabilities.
- Former CIA officer James Marcinkowski
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http://www.thenation.com/blogs/capitalgames?bid=3&pid=7948
I now wish to add my voice to the growing chorus of people asking the question: "What did the President AND Vice President know and WHEN did they know it?!?!"
PS. My 1st Diary. Gimme some love...