Here it is folks, the peak of a four year investigation, the verdict we have been waiting for:
"Count 1 – Obstruction of Justice: Libby
intentionally deceived the grand jury about how he learned, and
“disclosed to the media,” information about Valerie Plame Wilson’s
employment by the CIA.Count 2 – Making a False Statement: Libby
intentionally gave FBI agents false information about a conversation he
had with NBC’s Tim Russert regarding Valerie Plame Wilson, who is
married to Joseph Wilson.Count 4 – Perjury: Libby knowingly provided false testimony in court about a conversation he had with Russert.
Count 5 – Perjury: Libby knowingly provided false
testimony in court about his conversation with reporters regarding
Valerie Plame Wilson’s CIA employment."as compiled by thinkprogress.org
I have no sympathy for a man who thinks he can lie to a grand jury and get away with it! Although, I don’t think it is right that he should be the scapegoat for the real suspects involved in leaking the identity of a CIA operative. The people who actually leaked her name, suspected government officials from the office of the vice president, are to blame and should be held responsible. Howard Dean, Chairman of the DNC, released this comment today,
"Many unanswered questions remain about the other key Bush advisors who
participated in the Administration’s efforts to mislead the American
people and smear its critics who have yet to be held accountable."
I totally agree with what Dean is saying. The real criminals are out there, because Libby is an ex-white house aide is not an excuse to grant pardon or leniency. Richard Armitage was found to be the first to leak the CIA operatives name and was found to be supported by Karl Rove among others in retaliation of criticism towards the administration. He is guilty for his lies just as others are guilty of their lies. Case in point; former president Bill Clinton. Clinton lied to a federal grand jury on the case of whether or not he had "relations" with a former White House intern. I believe that the case itself was bogus as it was drawn up in a smear campaign against then president Clinton to unravel suspected illegal real estate deals which had allegedly occurred before his election. This man, even though involved in a trivial case against is character, had no right to lie to a federal grand jury just as Libby had no right to lie to a federal grand jury.
This is an event in our lives that will affect the credibility of administration members for all time. We had better be able to further scrutinize the government and pick apart every move it makes. We had better be able to question members of the administration. It is our right and duty as Americans to make sure our government is working FOR US.
Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth. –Abraham Lincoln