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What I learned from Plame-gate

This is essentially all that has ever been said about the whole Plame-gate affair (From CBC):

A new report in the U.S. media is once again linking Karl Rove to the unmasking of an undercover CIA agent. Rove, 'Bush's brain' as he is often called, is legendary for his ability to get his boss elected and his political enemies destroyed.

Now Democrats are hoping to turn the tables with some new ammunition in this week's Time magazine. Journalist Matt Cooper reports it was Rove who told him him that Joe Wilson, a prominent critic of the Bush administration, was married to a CIA agent later identified as Valerie Plame. "After that conversation [with Rove] I knew she worked at the CIA and worked on WMD [weapons of mass destruction]," said Cooper. It is one more twist in a tangled story that began when Saddam Hussein was accused by President George W. Bush of trying to buy nuclear materials in Africa. The charge was used to justify invading Iraq but it was later discredited by Wilson, a former U.S. ambassador and who in 1990 was U.S. charge d'affaires in Baghdad, who investigated the claim and wrote an article in the New York Times saying it was false. It was shortly afterwards that article was published in July 2003 that Wilson's wife's identity was leaked to several Washington reporters: an effort some claim to punish him. Disclosing the identity of a covert CIA agent is federal crime in the U.S and the case is now being investigated by a grand jury. "Using the West Wing of the White House to be engaged in a smear campaign is an outrageous abuse of power," said Wilson. What is most damaging for Bush is that two years ago, the White House denied allegations that Rove was involved.

Rove's only public statement on the issue was last year when he said "I didn't know her name or leak her [Valerie Plame's] name." On Monday, Bush was noncommittal about Rove's involvement. "I would like this to end as quickly as possible so we know the facts," said Bush. "And if someone committed a crime, they will no longer work in my administration." The Democrats though are already mounting protest demonstrations saying it's time for Rove to go. "I believe very clearly that Karl Rove ought to be fired," said Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. Political analyst Stuart Rothenberg says there could be a backlash for the Democrats. "Certainly this is of political benefit to the Democrats, or at least potentially of benefit over the long term. But there is an element of 'Gotcha' in all this, of sticking it to a political strategist who has stuck it to them over the past number of years." Because Rove didn't actually name the CIA agent it's not likely that he will be charged with any crime. But it is clear that the White House misled the public about Rove's involvement for the past two years years and that could raise new doubts about both the administration's credibility and its judgment.

Now, please allow me to translate for you what it is I got out of all of these stories over the past two years:

Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Karl Rove blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah ‘Bush's brain’ blah blah blah oh thats funny, never heard that before blah blah blah blah blah

Blah blah blah Democrats are hoping to turn the tables blah no kidding! really? blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Saddam Hussein was accused by President George W. Bush of trying to buy nuclear materials in Africa.blah blah blah blah blah. Blah! blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah, bl-bl-blblah. Blah, blah blah blah! Oh, blah blah! Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Kennedy wannabe alert blah blah I believe very clearly that Karl Rove ought to be fired," said Massachusetts Senator John Kerry blah who talks like that blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Political analyst Stuart Rothenberg says there could be a backlash for the Democrats, Ha! the bitter flat beer taste of blowback will make Harry Reids face disappear into his hairline with the pucker this sour sucker of a story is going to generate He he he ho ho ho he hehe. Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah an element of 'Gotcha' blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah White House misled blah blah blah like that’s news blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

Oh wait – There it is - Because Rove didn't actually name the CIA agent it's not likely that he will be charged with any crime blah blah blah blah bury the lede why dontcha blah blah blah blah blah.

BLAH! Now please go away and find something to report on would you? Aren’t there shark attacks in Miami or Hurricaines to report on?

Jeez. The biggest nothing story of all time. It sure makes you appreciate the 'Blue Dress' days doesnt it?

Posted @ July 18, 2005 09:46 PM | Current Affairs