Not left to chance
The Valerie Plame cause celebre appears to finally collapsed, imploded even under its own weight
New Questions About Inquiry in C.I.A. Leak - New York Times. The only question on most people's minds was why it took so long. The case had ground to a halt that much was obvious. When Richard Armitage's name started coming up a week ago, people (pundits) fell over themselves to declare it the 'worst kept secret in Washington'. I did a brief check over my recollections I can remember his name circulating through this even critically - a briefing document on a plane flight (see the 'timeline' side bar to the first Times article). But I do not recall the turn-out-the-lights,-shut-the-door surety everyone demonstrates now. Still it seemed apparent that this issue had run its course and had run it for no reason. I wondered briefly on what had let it go on as long as it did, particularly when Armitage finally went public at the end of last week he indicated he explained all this to Mr. Fitzgerald a year ago
Armitage Says He Was the Source in C.I.A. Leak - New York Times. It seemed like Fitzgerald was pursuing a secondary or obstruction charge in lieu of a primary charge. David Broder speaking for the majority pronounced "all of this...a tempest in a teapot." Further adding ..."These and other publications owe Karl Rove an apology. And all of journalism needs to relearn the lesson: Can the conspiracy theories and stick to the facts."
One Leak and a Flood of Silliness . Here Mr. Broder himself may have stepped further then he had light to illuminate his steps. I noticed a passage about 16 paragraphs into the first of the New York Times articles: Mr. Armitage spoke with Mr. Novak on July 8, 2003 those familiar with Mr. Armitage's actions said. Mr. Armitage did not know Mr. Novak, but agreed to meet with the columnist as a favor for a mutual friend, Kenneth M. Duberstein, a White House chief of staff during Ronald Reagan[base ']s administration. At the conclusion of a general foreign policy discussion, Mr. Armitage said in reply to a question that Ms. Wilson might have had a role in arranging her husband[base ']s trip to Niger. At the time of the offhand conversation about the Niger trip, Mr. Armitage was not aware of Ms. Wilson[base ']s undercover status, those familiar with his actions said. The mention of Ms. Wilson was brief. Mr. Armitage did not believe he used her name, those aware of his actions said.
Mr. Armitage, I'm sure, is aware of of his actions. I don't know much, I'm just a library clerk with a web log. But I've seen the name Ken Duberstein come up before. Probably a nice guy. He is the sort of person you turn to when you do not wish to leave things to chance. I do not believe anything was left to chance. I do not think anyone owes Karl Rove jack, let alone an apology.
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