The Politics of Truth
Nevertheless, it now appears that the person most responsible for the end of Ms. Plame’s CIA career is Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson chose to go public with an explosive charge, claiming — falsely, as it turned out — that he had debunked reports of Iraqi uranium-shopping in Niger and that his report had circulated to senior administration officials. He ought to have expected that both those officials and journalists such as Mr. Novak would ask why a retired ambassador would have been sent on such a mission and that the answer would point to his wife. He diverted responsibility from himself and his false charges by claiming that President Bush’s closest aides had engaged in an illegal conspiracy. It’s unfortunate that so many people took him seriously.
I guess that makes his truth a little less truthful…so his book is about as accurate as his report on yellowcake. After almost 3 years, a media tour, Vanity Fair, a book, and countless criticisms…it turns most of it was hype. The new readings on the left blogosphere pull the Dan Rather card, amidst musings of how the magazines they once touted as brave for running this story, are now just hack presses:
Just because Armitage may have blurted out this classified information to Novak supposedly as gossip, that doesn’t mean that there was no parallel White House operation to peddle Plame’s identity to reporters as retaliation.
So regardless of the fact someone else revealed the information first, they still believe it was a collaborated effort…while facts point elsewhere…they still cling to the proverbial “fake memo.”
It wasn’t Rove, it wasn’t Libby, it wasn’t Bush, it wasn’t Cheney…but where do facts come into play when we’re dealing with Bush Derangement Syndrome: n. the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal people in reaction to the policies, the presidency — nay — the very existence of George W. Bush.
UPDATE: Uber-Democrat Bob Beckel admits on Video…Wilson “is a douche” (artistic license taken with quote)
So what’s your opinion on why Libby wasn’t defended by his own? Why was he indicted? Why did someone in the administration have to take the fall?
Libby has been defended by his own, click here to see, but it doesn’t get the press coverage. You can view his full indictment here.. Libby has been the main source for getting all of the information, and regardless of your view, he’s been very open about addressing and making everything available, via his website, that’s been filed against him…which is admirable (though probably to the chagrin of the lawyers). Other than the innocent until proven guilty (an indictment is not a conviction blah blah blah), I don’t think someone “had” to take the fall…Libby didn’t deal with damage control very well it seems…however, recent events have shown that we was not the person who leaked at all, thereby refuting the anthem of the left that the outing of Plame was a collaborative effort of the right wing machine. If Libby is proven to have made mistakes while trying to aggressively defend the administration’s position on Iraq, then so be it…but that still means Joe Wilson was wrong about the government intentionally leaking his name, the left was wrong about their hand-wringing about Karl Rove being behind the whole thing, and in general, the whole thing is an over inflated soap opera.
Regardless of my view? What in my question implied any sort of view I may have? Just answer the question without assuming. It’s an easy three-part question. But when I request you not assume, I don’t mean about my own personal perspectives on the matter. I also mean I don’t want you to assume why or if Libby took a fall. The words “I think,” and “I feel” don’t work in the answer to my question.
Thanks!
on another note… I had Bob Beckle as a ‘professor” in grad school… one thing is for damn sure, he calls it like he sees it. fun guy.
I wish more political operatives – on both sides of the road – and the media had the courage to call a spade a spade. The Wilson/Plame issue is a perfect example of “why do we care… why are you talking about this… oh because you are still trying to find your agenda in it” issue that political elites (to use of a grad school phrase) pursue all too often.
Regardless of your view isn’t directed towards your view specifically. I was saying, regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum he’s been very forthcoming.