What Scooter Libby And I Talked About

TIME Magazine ^ | 10/30/05 | Matt Cooper

[RightFighter]

I think you're right - that Fitz just wants people to ASSUME that she was covert. Re-reading the indictment, he never uses the word covert, but in paragraph 1D, it states "the responsibilities of certain CIA employees required that their association with the CIA be kept secret; as a result, the fact that these individuals were employed by the CIA was classified" and then says that the disclosure of information about these "certain CIA employees" could endanger the safety of CIA employees, etc.. It then goes on to say that Plame's "employment status was classified" and was "not common knowledge outside the intelligence community."

He's wanting people to fall for this fallacious argument:

---If A then B {If (a CIA employee is covert and the disclosure of their identity could breach national security) then (their status is classified)}

---B {(Plame's status was classified)}

---Therefore A {Therefore (Plame was covert and the disclosure of her identity could breach national security)}

[jwalsh07]

Reporters taping off the record comments. Oh, that will go over big. LOL

[Torie]

Sounds like a good idea to me. At worst, you get tagged for the illegal taping crime, if you really need the tape. If the tape isn't helpful, you hit the erase button. :)

[NonLinear]

IF the allegations are based upon reality, then:

I'm wondering if Libby wasn't sure whether or not he had crossed the line and divulged classified information to the reporters in his attempt to expose the lies and agenda of Wilson.

If he thought that he had passed on classified information, then he may have calculated that the perjury/obstruction charges would be an easier battle. That is the only explanation I can find for him (an attorney) to even consider telling a lie to a GJ.

Disclaimer:
Allegations, only. The GJ standard for indictment is much lower than that required for a conviction.