This could be why there haven't been any Plame indictments yet

[lancdem]

I was checking google news and found this story from two weeks ago, when Bush was questioned by Fitzgerald. Buried in the story is a sentence about how two news organizations are fighting subpoenas and a hearing is set for July 8 (today) in federal court. It makes sense for no indictments to be brought before that issue is resolved.

http://www.tdn.com/articles/2004/06/25/nation_world/news02.txt

Fitzgerald is also attempting to subpoena reporters to testify before a grand jury about their coverage of the leaks -- a tactic that under Justice Department guidelines is permitted only as a last resort. Time magazine and NBC are fighting the subpoena requests, and a hearing is set for July 8 in federal court in Washington.

[Hamlette]

1. last resort?

means he can't find out who did it without talking to Novak? Someone in the Bush admin is lying? How can that be with all his moral clarity?

Good find.

[lancdem]

9. I'm certain in this case Fitzgerald has plenty of evidence

he just wants to leave no stone unturned, hence his subpoenas of the journalists.

[LeftHander]

2. excellent find....

certainly it is the reason.

The hearing either resulted in some extention or other motions presented which will further delay handing down of indictments....or the evidence from NBC and TIME will not have a direct bearing on the "sealed" indictments ready to issued.


THough I suspect that as soon as the green light is on....the indictments will explode on the media. It is a real shame that the Media is not pumping this story.

Really shows what whores they are.

[MallRat]

16. The Lewinsky story exploded. It wasn't pumped by the media beforehand.

Unless you were Drudge Report junkie, you didn't see that bombshell coming. The Lewinsky story had no exposure in the mainstream media until the Jim Lehrer interview. It quickly snowballed after that.

-MR

[merh]

3. That's it. Great find, thanks for connecting those dots for me. (n/t)

[olddem43]

4. I just hope and pray that the whole administration implodes.

[bear425]

5. excellent catch

I can't wait for this to come out...

[montanacowboy]

6. I believe the Grand Jury's term was up on 7/1

I did not see where Fitzgerald asked to have it extended - what indictments that came down (if any) are probably sealed and waiting to be opened...that's my take on it...anyone else have something to add?

[lancdem]

8. I haven't heard that's it's been extended, either

Any testimony he gets from these news outlets may not require a grand jury and could simply be used to strengthen the case. I wouldn't be surprised if indictments may be under seal.

[merh]

11. Since the press has not been covering this, it is no surprise that

you have not seen anything about an extension of the grand jury. Also, I am not so sure you would, it only takes an order of the court and that may not be subject to public release, depending on the nature of the order.

[chiburb]

7. One more possible reason...

Tenet's resignation isn't effective until July 11. Until then he's a member of Executive, and subject to Executive Privelege and can't be compelled to testify against other "Executives". Wait 'till July 12 at least... you might hear birdies singing!

[napi21]

10. Excellent point! And July 12th is a Monday too!

Gives the story a whole week to bubble bubble toil and trouble!!!!

Edit for spelling.

[Native]

12. I heard that Executive Privelege also

applies to former officials. Anyone else hear this?

[AngryAmish]

13. I would think so

The executive privilege is held by the executive, not the former employee (I think - all this is surmise and educated guess). An analogy could be made to atty/client privilege. If the client fires an attorney in a criminal case, the state can't subpoena the former atty to get evidence against a client.

Likewise, just because you leave an administration does not mean you are free to talk or can be compelled to talk.

Executive privilege did not apply to Nixon because they were planning crimes, which is never protected.

[shraby]

14. Please check the thread about

the Plame indictments..it's on thread #4 now. You'll find a lot of information there.

[Pallas180]

15. we need your input. Great find lancdem. come on over to

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1946368&mesg_id=1950820

it's an eye opener. Plame just isn't outing a covert agent. we dont think it was done for retribution to her husband. we think it goes
a lot deeper than that.