OpEdNews » Karl Rove Non-Indictment – Time for Jason Leopold and William Rivers Pitt to Pony up with Names and Specifics

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Tag(s): Conspiracy; Espionage- Spygate- FBI- NSC; Federal Agencies Enforcement; Leaks; Lies Republican; Lies Republican; Lying- Lies- Prevarication; Rove Karl; Rove Karl
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June 13, 2006 at 11:14:00

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Karl Rove Non-Indictment – Time for Jason Leopold and William Rivers Pitt to Pony up with Names and Specifics

by Steven Leser Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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According to John Solomon of the Associated Press, Patrick Fitzgerald did not indict Karl Rove and reports have surfaced that he will not be indicted despite reports to the contrary. Truthout as well as Jason Leopold who reported that the indictment had in fact happened on Friday May 12 http://www.truthout.org/fitzgeraldcalling.shtml and his editor William Rivers Pitt now have a responsibility to take readers through the process that led them to report the incorrect information. Depending on the way sources provided information, particularly if it can be determined that sources intentionally misled Leopold, those sources should be named along with details of what information they provided. Sources that lie or otherwise intentionally provide disinformation to the media should not have assurances that they will remain anonymous. Naming them will alert other journalists to be wary of any information those sources might provide as well as a deterrent to others who might act similarly.

While Republicans and the Bush Administration might be tempted to celebrate today, such a celebration would be premature. The news is certainly good for Rove personally, but as this passage from Solomon’s AP article, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060613/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cia_leak_rove shows:

“With Rove's fate now decided, other unfinished business in Fitzgerald's probe focuses on the source who provided Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward information about Plame.

Woodward says his source, who he has not publicly identified, provided the information about Wilson's wife, several weeks before Novak learned of Plame's identity. The Post reporter, who never wrote a story, was interviewed by Fitzgerald late last year.”

at least one person in the Bush administration has good reason to be nervous. There is much speculation about the identity of Woodward’s source. Some believe that the source is Vice President Dick Cheney. I believe it is another official in Cheney’s circle acting on unofficial orders from the Vice President to punish Valerie Plame and her husband for his NY Times article debunking administration claims on Iraq seeking to purchase uranium from Niger. I do not think Cheney would expose himself by calling Woodward directly. Regardless, the investigation is continuing and between the impending trial of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, and the sword of Damocles hanging above the head of Woodward’s source, I think it likely that many bad days are still ahead for the Bush administration on Leak-Gate.

Steven Leser specializes in Politics, Science & Health, and Entertainment topics. He has held positions within the Democratic Party including District Chair and Public Relations Chair within county organizations. Steven Leser writes for www.opednews.com, an internet only media site that has grown to become one of the highest traffic news sites in America, reaching more traffic, according to alexa.com, than all but the thirty largest daily newspapers in the US. Mr. Leser is one of the 500+ liberal pundits who, each month, are published in what has become one of the top five Liberal/progressive media sites in the US.

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2 comments

Jay Esbe is a writer with a background in cultural anthropology and comparative religion and lives in Seattle Washington.
EsbeJay Esbe is a writer with a background in cultural anthropology and comparative religion and lives in Seattle Washington.

What we know, and what makes sense.

What we know:

Rove was named as "Official A". "Official A" in any indictment is almost always indicted at some point.

Rove had to testify no less than five times, the last time of which, his attorney Robert Luskin ASKED that he be allowed to testify one more time. That could only have meant that an indictment was in fact imminent.

It IS possible, that a sealed indictment was handed down at some point, the purpose being to create a legal hammer out of the public eye which would compell Roves testimony about something important. More on that later...

Today, we have a claim that Rove will not face indictment. The source of that claim has to be considered. The source is Rove's attorney, Robert Luskin. Does this mean it's not true? No.
But as Roves attorney, his sole task is to protect his client, not to provide anyone else with information he does not have to divulge.

Now, so far, I've presented only the facts. Now I'll tell you what I believe this means:
Fitzgerald GOT SOMETHING IMPORTANT FROM ROVE.

No, we don't know what it is. But given the duration of Fitz' investigation of Rove, and the number of times Rove appeared before the grand jury, and given the fact that Rove REQUESTED that he be allowed to testify a 5th time, COMMON SENSE tells me that Fitzgerald did indeed work his way up the chain of perps to the bigger fish through Rove. That'd be Cheney himself.

Attorney Robert Luskin is NOT going to announce that his just client stuck a legal knife in Dick Cheney's back in exchange for Fitz dropping the charges. And IF there WAS a sealed indictment, you will never know about it. That's why they call it sealed. DUH.

As I said, I certainly COULD end up being wrong about all of this. But if I am, it won't be on account of any failed reasoning. I have said all along, as has everyone else with a brain, that I knew that Fitzgerald was going to start at the bottom, and work his way to the top. I still believe that because the ONLY source to the contrary is Rove's attorney. And If you believe HIM, I suggest you get out there and start assisting in the search for Nicole Simpson's "real killers".

Finally, we have the apparent box in which Jason Leopold now resides. On account of nothing more than the vehemence with which Truthout has stood by him, I am inclined to speculate as to the reasons he may be right, rather than wrong;

IF there were a sealed indictment, anyone who leaked it's contents could be subject to criminal prosecution. It seems rather reasonable to me, that an organization such as Truthout, and even an individual reporter, would certainly NOT rat out a source who was in fact correct, but who'd be in legal jeopardy if they did, unless they were very, very certain of their actions. This is COSTING Truthout and Leopold big time. It's costing much more than a mea-culpa. One has to ask then what the UNSEEN price must be, for them to remain so commited. I do not believe this is Rathergate II. I could be wrong. But I doubt it.

by Esbe (50 articles, 0 quicklinks, 17 diaries, 85 comments) on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 5:00:20 PM

A writer is a rogue goose. All other gees fly in a flock formation; every goose knows his place and time for honking. The rogue goose is undisciplined. He leaves the formation indiscriminately to have a look at it from aside. He roams back and forth, takes a peep at the leader, honks a little bit from behind, distracts everyone and writes on what he sees. Time passes and as he wants to return back to his place he discovers someone else there. Thus he either has to wait until they land for rest...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Mark SashineA writer is a rogue goose. All other gees fly in a flock formation; every goose knows his place and time for honking. The rogue goose is undisciplined. He leaves the formation indiscriminately to have a look at it from aside. He roams back and forth, takes a peep at the leader, honks a little bit from behind, distracts everyone and writes on what he sees. Time passes and as he wants to return back to his place he discovers someone else there. Thus he either has to wait until they land for rest...

to see more of bio, click on member name

I think, we need to know where our priorities are

I read truthout all the time. It is about 99% accurate and considering its resources it is amazing. Now, OK, maybe Leopold was factually wrong about the fact of the Rove indictment. But I do not think we, on our side should join the chorus of the 'formal thinkers'. We have to understand that in the normal world such person like Rove would be in jail long ago and no matter is he swirled out now he still belongs there. So I would prefer the heading:
Rove not indicted yet. Next time!

by Mark Sashine (54 articles, 19 quicklinks, 252 diaries, 3605 comments) on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 7:44:20 PM