Am I getting it? (re: Plamegate recent developments)

[garybeck]

It seems like the issue now is that Bush authorized declassification of information but it is not clear whether he declassified Plame's occupation.

playing devil's advocate:

It could be conceivable that he would declassify intelligence relating to WMD, because it is important to show the people the "facts" so they can judge their support for the war. So if he was declassifying intelligence, even if it wasn't exactly correct, it could be explained with some spin.

However, if he authorized the release of Plame's occupation, that is not "intelligence" and there is no conceivable reason why he would do this and there is no potential benefit for releasing this information.

Everything I've read is that the recent revelations ONLY show that Bush authorized declassification of intelligence.

The question of whether he authorized release of Plame's occupation has not been answered (yet).

The issue was confused in the public last week when the two issues seemed to be mixed together. A lot of people had thought that Bush authorized the Plame leak, but that has not been revealed (at least not yet).

is that about where we're at?

[Norquist Nemesis]

1. The Plame outing is one of two things

1) A deliberate, coordinated smear campaign with total disregard for that select group of brave Americans who serve the nation at risk to themselves and their families (NOCs)

2) A complete lack of competence, having little or no respect in dealing with highly classified that relates to the national security of the U.S. demonstrating a total disregard for that select group of brave Americans who serve the nation at risk to themselves and their families (NOCs)

Which it was, I'm not sure. I am certain the result is the same...total disregard for that select group of brave Americans who serve the nation at risk to themselves and their families (NOCs) resulting in exposure by this administration.

[garybeck]

2. right, would you agree

that the "revelations" of last week were a little overblown because it only came out that * approved the release of classified information, not that he approved Plame outing.

[Norquist Nemesis]

5. Well, I'd say the "revelations" have been filtered through the spin

I suppose, techinically, Bush didn't release classified info (at least according to the Bush Backers) because as soon as it is from his lips to the public's ears it no longer "classified". His administration, by extension would have cover because they speak for him. Of course, that also depends on whether he wants to provide that cloak. Either way, it's up to the Imperial President's discretion and IOKIYAR.

All sorts of scenarios have been played in my over active mind. Including Cheney showing up numerous times at the CIA and that cute little blonde named Valerie (Plame) Wilson caught his eye and something clicked. But logically, Cheney's been around way too long running in social circles with others who have top level clearance to have not known who she is and what she did/does with the CIA.

[Peace Patriot]

3. Yup, and Bush authorizing the Plame leak is what all the "aspens" have

agreed to cover up. ("the aspens turn together"--Libby's cryptography in letter to Judith Miller when she was in jail--i.e., now that we have a plan to save the Bush junta, you can come out of jail--"come back to life and work"--and tell the truth to Fitzgerald about meeting with Libby--Libby & others will take the fall for Bush--the season when the aspens turn.)

[garybeck]

4. ah, so you think

the Aspen plan is all about throwing Cheney in front of the bus?

[HereSince1628]

6. This story has plots inside of plots, a puzzle wrapped in an enigma.

In part--The revelations made clear that Bush authorized the release parts of the NIE and the parts released were bad intelligence. It seems that the "release" was another cherry-picked attempt to continue to a disinformation campaign against Americans about the war rationale.

In part--It suggests Bush would "release" information through a clandestine back channel in order to further his political interests, which is to say his has been caught being as devious as hell in covering his ass.

In part--The revelations reveal that, indeed, there was a high level group (conspiracy?) including the President and Vice President involved in undermining the credibility of Wilson's claims.

In part--The release confirms that Bush was presented with the opportunity and acted in a manner that while a bit ambiguous nonetheless can readily can be interpreted by rational people as directing a conspiracy to discredit Wilson. Plausible deniability of Bush's knowledge and involvement in whatever happened has reach zero.

All this would be typical for a mafia Don but it's very unbecoming of a President of the United States. That can't do any good for a guy percieved by half the country as a dictator.