Federal Grand Jury Could Subpoena Talon News Correspondent (and RighTalk host)

Talon News ^ | 3/9/2004 | Jim Hauser

[mewzilla]

The g.j. should subpoena the Wilsons.

[Terpfen]

"The g.j. should subpoena the Wilsons."

Better yet, Novak.

[mewzilla]

Novak can claim confidentiality. The Wilsons can't.

[Peach]

This is a witch hunt because Jeff Gannon has slapped the reporters silly with at least one of his excellent questions at a White House press briefing.

[mewzilla]

The Dems should be careful what they wish for.

[JohnGalt]

Mr.Gannon is not being truthful when he says he does not know why he is being subpoenaed. When he interviewed Wilson last October he made reference to "an internal government memo" purporting to be the minutes of a meeting at which Plame played a key role in getting her husband the Niger assignment.

From the interview: TN: An internal government memo prepared by U.S. intelligence personnel details a meeting in early 2002 where your wife, a member of the agency for clandestine service working on Iraqi weapons issues, suggested that you could be sent to investigate the reports. Do you dispute that?

Since the Niger Uranium documents have been judged forgeries, Gannon is suggesting that he was made privy to counterfeit official/government documents which is a crime, and a separate crime at that and logically he would be hauled in front of a grand jury probing the Plame affair.

[Terpfen]

"Novak can claim confidentiality. The Wilsons can't."

Novak's also the only guy who knows the name of the leaker. Get to him, problem solved.

I thought it was sick when he mocked the situation at the Gridiron Dinner. It's an investigation of his own making!

[Jeff Gannon]

You are kind. What is interesting about this is that I have become ensnared in this matter because I asked questions of my government.

This may a chilling effect on freedom of the press.

All this commotion, but the central question has yet to be answered: At the time that Robert Novak's column was published, was Valerie Plame a "covert operative"?

The CIA has refused to comment on this very important point.

If she was not, then no crime has been committed and all communications between the administration and reporters is just gossip.

[Peach]

Good analysis. I wish you all the best of luck in this matter! We can't afford to lose reporters like you, and I believe the leftists would like nothing more than to see you and those like you defeated in whatever manner they can see you jobless.

[Jeff Gannon]

Your professed insight into the motivation of the Grand Jury is merely guesswork.

The document in question has never been acknowleged by any government agency to even exist.

This is a one-sided investigation where people are being accused of crimes for revealing names and information that may have not been secret in the first place.

[JohnGalt]

That is simply not true, Jeff.

You are ensnared because you made reference to a government document, which appears to have been a forgery. You need to tell the Grand Jury who made you privy to that document.

[JohnGalt]

What was the document you referred to in the interview with Wilson?

[Catspaw]

All this commotion, but the central question has yet to be answered: At the time that Robert Novak's column was published, was Valerie Plame a "covert operative"?

This, of course, would be argued in a motion to quash the subpoena, if you and other journalists are subpoenaed. If not then, before a judge in a contempt action, if they're so foolish as to attempt to compel your testimony, despite the First Amendment, or--and this is a stretch--if anyone is criminally charged out of this.

[Gabz]

This entire situation has me totally confused...........

[Jeff Gannon]

I disagree with your characterization of the document itself, but that aside, I maintain that I am under no obligation whatsoever to reveal my sources. That is a fundamental element of maintaining a free press.

[JohnGalt]

Sorry, Jeff, but you claimed in this report you did not why you were being subpoenaed which is untrue. You know very well why you are being subpoenaed.

You are a logical target for the Grand Jury probing either the forged Nigerian documents, 'forged' being the FBI's characterization not mine, or L'Affair Plame.

The law does believe you are obligated so you are incorrect. While I would respect your integrity in accepting the consequences in refusing to release your sources, you are still obligated by the law to reveal who made you privy to the document you referenced. I am sure as a 'conservative' you understand the difference, don't you?

[Jeff Gannon]

Justin Raimondo is that you? I didn't think you hung out here anymore.

Oops, now I've "outed" someone else!

[JohnGalt]

Sorry, Jeff, the only one 'outed' was you who claimed ignorance as to why you were being subpoenaed.

I have been on this forum since 1997. Twenty-something; I sell software over the phone. Plenty of people on this forum have met me in the real world.

[Jeff Gannon]

You're a riot!

Be careful you don't show too much knowledge about national security matters - you too could be hauled before a secret tribunal!