CBS News reports that the scuttlebutt was correct: The federal grand jury investigating the White House leaking of the identity of a covert CIA operative has handed down indictments against vice-presidential chief of staff Lewis "Scooter" Libby. The man known as Dick Cheney's alter-ego faces charges on five counts: two counts of making false statements, two counts of perjury, and one count of obstruction of justice. Arraignment will come at a date to be determined. Libby immediately handed in his letter of resignation; according to CBS News, he has left the White House.
White House senior adviser Karl Rove was not indicted today and continues on in his position. He may still be in legal jeopardy, however, as he remains under investigation.
More is sure to come, and this opens up scrutiny of how the White House maneuvered in order to invade Iraq.
But this ought to serve as a lesson. When a grand jury asks questions, tell the truth. What is interesting is that Libby isn't being charged for what he said about Valerie Plame — the indictment comes because the grand jury determined that he was not being honest, that he tried to cover up what happened. That is the same thing that brought down Bill Clinton, Martha Stewart, and now, Scooter Libby. Honesty, certainly when one is talking to a grand jury, is the best policy.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Eric Olsen
thanks Nat - you are quick! This whole milieu is startign to feel more and more like Watergate, I have to admit
2 - Dawn
Well, on the brightside of things, having a name like "Scooter" in the political arena is now a death knell.
Scooter? For crying out loud, I thought those preppy names went the way of the alligator back in '88.
Forgive me, but I refuse to have either pity or respect for a man who goes by the name "scooter."
"Bubba" on the other hand screams ethics and morals!!
3 - Natalie Davis
"Scooter" and "Bubba" stand for the same thing, apparently: Deception.
4 - Dawn
Ahhhh, maybe that's what I meant Natalie. All those silly nicknames are hard to keep track of. Tricky Dick's a personal fave - but it would be much cooler if it had a literal meaning.
Who doesn't like dicks that can do tricks?
5 - JR
I think his first name is Irving.
6 - Natalie Davis
"I" stands for "Indicted."
"Who doesn't like dicks that can do tricks?"
Me.
No, I'll take that back: I love ones that disappear.
7 - Dawn
Shame on him forgiving up a perfectly respectable name like Irving for a goofy name like "Scooter". What a douche.
As for disappearing dicks, well that depends on where they disappear to.
Yikes, I better get back to studying before this gets off topic.
8 - Natalie Davis
They can disappear to where they like, so long as the somewhere is far away from me.
And here's a segue: Same goes for Scooter.
9 - Aaman
As Jimmy Neutron's friend, Sheen might say "Libby-licious"!
10 - gonzo marx
Dateline: the Oval Office...
reports state that Bush and Cheney were found this afternoon, crying like schoolgirls in each other's arms...
then Laura entered the room and stated...
"don't cry boys, we can get you a new Scooter"
film at 11
Excelsior!
11 - Matthew T. Sussman
It's always the guy you never heard of.
12 - Cunning Linguist
Ah I see today's news has kept all you rabid liberal kooks out of the welfare lines and instead posting here today.
Didn't bag the the big ones though did ya guys. Better keep your fingers crossed that Cheney and/or Rove will be indicted at a later date huh?
13 - Natalie Davis
Mr. Linguist, it would be a waste of time to engage with you.
Moving on to something worthwhile...
Gonzo Marx!!!
14 - Nancy
No, dear - we're hanging out for the Big Guy: Bush Indicted, details at 11. But thanks for the best wishes, lol.
15 - tommyd
Libby indicted? YEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
One down, about 7 more to go! (including Dubya)
This is what happens when a CONSPIRACY takes place and ends up backfiring. Couldn't happen to a "nicer" bunch of people.
I am ashamed of the US Government.
16 - gonzo marx
why thanx, Ms. Davis, for the warm welcome Home...
it is interesting that most of the neocon theofascists aren't stepping away from their insider trading on chinese child labor companies or supervising their illegal alien house servants, to comment on this....
i wouldn't hold my hope up for much more than these INdictments...however Rove is still under investigation...and if enough is determined to hand down Indictments on him...well, then i will be one happy gonzo...
i'm still hoping to see someone take the hit for actually breaking the Law and outing the covert Operative...
yer humble Narrator sez that you, gentle Readers, shall see spin from the neocons such as has yet to be heard/seen before...
fun stuff, eh?
Excelsior!
17 - Nancy
Gonzo - we missed ya, babe. Where've you been? I think CL is already working on neofacist spin on another thread here. Haven't really seen the rest out yet. Maybe it's a little harder this time around because Fitz is a lifelong Republican & they have to figure out how to make him out to be anti-Republican and/or corrupt.
18 - Eric Berlin
I think the White House / Republican establishment reaction to the indictment and ongoing investigation will be truly fascinating. How the conventional wisdom changes based upon this reaction will be equally fascinating.
19 - tommyd
Gonzo is right:
We ain't seen nothing yet. Listen for the "Mother of all Spin Zones" from the Neocon Zionist Fascist Media belching out of a tv or radio near you soon.
Get out the disinfectant now.
20 - Eric Berlin
Zionist?
21 - Matthew T. Sussman
Indictment trifecta:
1. Scooter Libby
2. Tom Noe
3. Marion Berry
If your name ends in a long-"e" sound, watch your ass.
22 - Cunning Linguist
Yay Scooter was indicted. Maybe he will get the same treatment slick Willie got, a slap on the wirst and a big fat book deal.
23 - Dave Nalle
>>Ah I see today's news has kept all you rabid liberal kooks out of the welfare lines and instead posting here today.
Didn't bag the the big ones though did ya guys. Better keep your fingers crossed that Cheney and/or Rove will be indicted at a later date huh?<<
Relatively unlikely given that this Grand Jury has been sent home and a new grand jury would have to hear all the evidence again. If that happens no one is getting indicted until the administration is almost over.
Be happy with Lying Libby who could have just told the truth and gotten a slap on the wrist, cause that's all there is folks.
Dave
24 - Michael J. West
Indictment trifecta:
1. Scooter Libby
2. Tom Noe
3. Marion Berry
Aw, Councilman Barry getting in legal trouble is old news. Here in DC we don't even look up anymore.
25 - gonzo marx
hurm..let's see...
lying about a blowjob...
or....
lying about "outing" a covert Intelligence operative that specialized in WMD...
is it just me, or is this like comparing a mouse to a wooly Mammoth?
yet one took over 4 years and over $42 million tax dollars in a partisan witch hunt...and today's bit was by a Republican prosecutor doing his job, by the numbers
and remember...for those that want to think it is all "over" now...
Fitz did say Rove was still "under investigation"
curiouser and curiouser...
your mileage may vary
Excelsior!