Category: Old Dish

Just a comment on the press conference. Fitzgerald is more than impressive. His focus, grasp of the relevant facts, clear enunciation of what he is doing and dignified way in which he refused to speculate on anything else were, to my mind, deeply encouraging for anyone who cares about public life. He’s an antidote to cynicism. The Jesuits who educated him should be very proud today. It will be very hard to slime him; and the administration would be very foolish to even think about it.

Here’s the article that, according to the indictment, triggered the “chain of events” that led to today. (Link now corrected. It’s free now.)

Here’s my first take on the five counts of obstruction of justice, perjury and lying against Scooter Libby, before the press conference. The common thread appears to be Libby’s alleged determination to obfuscate where and how he found out that Valerie Plame was an undercover agent. I cannot understand why someone as smart as Libby would have taken such risks under oath, would have been so stupid, unless he felt the risks were necessary to protect someone or something. It’s hard to believe, in other words, that Cheney is not somehow involved. And it’s hard to believe that the indictment of Libby, and the continuance of the investigation into Rove, does not potentially lead to the highest potential source of this mess: the vice-president. Libby is now going to be pressured by the prosecutor to name others, as part of a plea agreement. (Who’s “Official A”?) The judge assigned to his case is known for hefty sentences, putting more pressure on Libby. The biggest aspen so far may be about to turn. Which other trees may fall? I’ll add one more thing: I don’t believe that five counts of obstruction of justice, perjury and lying by a major administration official are a “mouse,” or even a large rabbit. Not if you care about the integrity of government officials and the rule of law.

The new president wants Israel “wiped off the map“. We knew that already, although it’s scandalous how the MSM downplay it. Ahmadinejad won’t withdraw the remark, because it is central to his ideology: “My words were the Iranian nation’s words. Westerners are free to comment, but their reactions are invalid.” The term Islamo-fascism was never more appropriate.

Jeff Jarvis explains.

It’s in response to my insta-post of last night:

Andrew, you wrote: “If Fitzgerald doesn’t have enough evidence to indict Rove after two years, is it fair to prolong the agony?”

Yes, it’s fair. This was likely part of his reported discussions with the chief judge on Wednesday, to check if what he had on Rove was enough to keep the investigation going. This is very similar to his investigation of former Illinois governor George Ryan and the corruption in his offices over the course of years. What started with a fatal car accident eleven years ago has erupted into a trial putting an entire system of “doing business in Illinois” under a very public microscope. In that case, Fitzgerald repeatedly referred to “State Official A,” until he had enough to indict Ryan almost two years ago. That he would name Rove so early is not a good sign for the White House.

If the NYT is right, then there’s a high likelihood of a lot of smoke from Rove, but no flames yet. Libby, on the other hand… Fitzgerald is acting like any competent prosecutor here, picking one thread to pull on, and seeing what unravels.

Sure, but at some point, you have to stop, right? I guess we’ll soon find out enough to judge whether Fitzgerald has reasonably reached that point or not.

It’s a screed against market reforms in Europe. The European left is now among the most conservative forces in the world today. By conservative, I mean instinctively and somewhat fearfully opposed to change.

It’s a central case for our time, and certainly critical in understanding president Bush’s Supreme Court appointments. Emily Bazelon provides an excellent summary of what’s at stake in terms of individual liberty.

“Life is like a festival. Just as some come to the festival to compete, and some to ply their trade, while the best come as spectators, so in life the slavish men go hunting for fame, or gain, but the philosophers, for truth.” – Diogenes Laertius, The Life of Pythagoras. The press conference is scheduled for 2 pm.

“I want the president to look across the country and find the best man, woman, or minority that he can find.” – Senator Trent Lott, yesterday.