Here’s the spin: “If Libby lied, there was no crime.” Ya, that makes sense. Maybe, just maybe, Fitzgerald couldn’t make a case for the first potential crime because principle players like Libby were lying to him. We’ll soon see. But the reason perjury and obstruction of justice are a crime in the first place — since you both need a reminder — is because they tend to get in the way of discovering the truth. Understand?

Really? So when AWOL George says to the public he has no idea who–if anyone–leaked Ms. Plame’s occupation but we find later that AWOL George has taken Karl Rove to task for that leak–that’s not a lie? When Unka Dick tells MTP that he had no idea who Joe Wilson was and that he had no briefing about his trip to Niger–but we find out George Tenet briefed Unka Dick 3 months previously about Wilson–that’s not a lie?

Apparently, JD believes it’s ok to lie as long as you’re not before a GJ.

I didn’t know you were so sensitive.

Which is worse? Impeding the process of a civil sexual harassment suit, or impeding the investigation of a felony investigation of a crime that has a possible penalty of execution?

There’s no comparison. That’s why us Clinton defenders find it incomprehensible when Clinton bashers try to compare the two.

It was impossible to try Hiss for anything other than perjury, so his example does not apply in the Plame case.

Those who committed the actual break-in at the Watergate were convicted for crimes related to the break-in. So trying to compare them to the leaker(s) does not work if the Plame indictments are for perjury (a crime committed long after the initial “crime” of leaking).

WRT Hiss. You seem to be saying there was no law Hiss was breaking when he commited espionage.

Please point to what we know Hiss did to affect national security. What “espionage” do we know he committed?

Now the need to make excuses for the Rovians has driven them to belittle the alleged crimes of … Alger HIss. Priceless.

Am I ashamed of my attitude now when I think back on the Clinton persecution? No, because there is a fundamental difference: Rove, et al. are being investigated for breaking the law in the course of their official duties while in office.

Because the statute of limitations covering espionage during the 1930s had expired, Hiss was indicted instead for lying to a grand jury when he had denied his activities.

Therefore, both your analogies fail to relate to Rove/Libby.

It s fun to watch…JWG spin and split hairs.

What excuse have I made for anyone in the Plame case? Some of you need to apply some reading comprehension skills.

All I have done is correct some bad analogies.

WRT Watergate, 13 WH officials and GOP poohbahs were indicted (Porter, Kalmbach,Haldemann, Ehrlichman, Mitchell, Colson, Strachan, Mardian, Parkinson, Reinecke, Chapin, Dean, Magruder). Parkinson was acquitted; the rest were found guilty of making false statements, perjury, obstruction of justice, conspiracy. Nixon was listed as an unindicted co-conspirator.

Now, given the fact the seven implicated in the burglary (Hunt, Liddy, Sturgis, Barker, McCord, Martinez, Gonzalez) were convicted of burglary (5 had been caught at the scene) and conspiracy and wiretapping, myvassertion still holds true:

Most of the folks caught up in Watergate also didn t wind up in jail because they were convicted of breaking and entering.

13 > 7 even in alternative universes.

WRT Hiss. You seem to be saying there was no law Hiss was breaking when he commited espionage.

I see JWG needs remedial US History 100, as well.

No, what I said was exactly true. “The people who actually broke in WERE convicted of conspiracy, burglary and wiretapping.”

I then pointed out why this fact makes your analogy to Rove/Libby incorrect.

Jadegold needs remedial reading 100.

Most of the folks caught up in Watergate also didn t wind up in jail because they were convicted of breaking and entering.

You’re distorting history: The people who actually broke in WERE convicted of conspiracy, burglary and wiretapping.

Others who were behind the scenes were convicted of other crimes.

For your analogy to work, Rove, Libby, and anyone else who “leaked” information would have to be compared to the original Watergate group who broke in.

Additionally, you try to bring up Alger Hiss’ pergery convictions. Hiss’ actions took place well before the Intelligence Identities Protection Act. What would you have liked to see Hiss convicted of?

Alger Hiss, anyone? What did he end up going to jail for? Is Tuco going to say Hiss did nothing to affect national security?

Watergate? Most of the folks caught up in Watergate also didn’t wind up in jail because they were convicted of breaking and entering.

It is highly likely a number of senior WH officials will be indicted; this indicates a pattern of corruption throughout the administration. It also demonstrates, beyond dispute, AWOL George and Unka Dick have repeatedly lied to the American public.

Obviously, this entire matter will badly damage an already vastly unpopular administration. I’ll bet AWOL George wakes upworrying about the civil suit which will compell his testimony under oath.

any “extension”, if it happens, could mean anything from Rove being put on double-secret probation,

Bluto may throw a toga party at the Bush Animal White House but his ehtics grade point average will still be 0.0.