I know everyone is focused on elections right now, but the Republican fascists only playing card left is fear, Iraq, and their "record" on terrorism. I believe that by understanding the true crime perpetrated by outing Valerie Plame and the exposure of the CIA front company Brewster-Jennings, netroots activists and Democratic candidates can at will dismantle any of the GOP talking points.
By expanding upon DaveV's diary, "Valerie Wilson, a CIA WMD manager" - WTF?, I will attempt to show just how concerned the White House really was/is about Iran and other countries in the Middle East acquiring nuclear weapons. I will also show the extreme precautions that the CIA took in order to protect the identity of this HUMINT resource.
"Everybody knew Valerie Plame was in the CIA. It was no secret she worked at a desk in Langley." This is the talking point the GOP continues to espouse when the subject of Valerie Plame comes up.
Novak: Feds know who outed CIA agent
Novak also claimed that investigators know who leaked the information, although he did not say how they know.
"The question is, does Mr. Fitzgerald know who the source was?" Novak asked. "Of course. He's known for years who the first source is. If he knows the source, why didn't he indict him? Because no crime was committed."
Thanks to Constant's and Prissy's work, we know that Novak is lying. Scroll down to the first yellow table.
This is the infamous State Department memo that contained the classified information that was leaked to the press. Go to the bottom of the first page where it reads,
SECRET, ORCON, NOFORN
CLASSIFIED BY: [Person's Name]
E.O. 12958 Reason: 1.5(c) and (d)
This tells us why this document was classified and the various levels of classification, so there is little room for mistakes, about what is and what is not classified in the first place. The citation is EO 12958 Sec. 1.5(c) & (d)
Sec 1.5 Classification Categories
Information may not be considered for classification unless it concerns:
(c) intelligence activities (including special activities), intelligence sources or methods, or cryptology;
(d) foreign relations or foreign activities of the United States, including confidential sources;
Oh, then that means this document was classified SECRET and under Originator Control because it reveals intelligence sources and foreign confidential sources. Well I guess that would mean the phrase "Valerie Wilson, a CIA WMD manager, and the wife of Joe Wilson."
But what about the word ORCON? This paper on ORCON Creep explains ORCON. See the last paragraph on page 4 and most of page 5.
"If the information has been classified by Agency A, it cannot be reclassified or declassified by Agency B, unless Agency A consents to the change."
"The ORCON rule eliminates the ability of agencies to make judgments about the wisdom of releasing shared information."
Rules governing ORCON are in Sec. 9.2 of DCID 1/7.
Sec. 9.2 "DISSEMINATION AND EXTRACTION OF INFORMATION CONTROLLED BY ORIGINATOR" (ORCON)
9.2.1 This marking (ORCON or abbreviated OC) may be used only on classified intelligence that clearly identifies or would reasonably permit ready identification of intelligence sources or methods that are particularly susceptible to countermeasures, that would nullify or measurably reduce their effectiveness. ...
9.2.2 Information bearing this marking may be disseminated within the headquarters2 and specified subordinate elements of recipient organizations, including their contractors within Government facilities. This information may also be incorporated in whole or in part into other briefings or products, provided the briefing or intelligence product is presented or distributed only to original recipients of the information. Dissemination beyond headquarters and specified subordinate elements or to agencies other than the original recipients requires advance permission from the originator.
9.2.3 Information bearing this marking must not be used in taking investigative or legal action without the advance permission of the originator.
9.2.4 As ORCON is the most restrictive marking herein, agencies that originate intelligence will follow the procedures established in the classified DCID 1/7 <strike>Supplement, "Guidelines for Use of ORCON Caveat <strike>."
The classification of this document is easily discernable and it is easy to understand why it was classified. ORCON is the most restrictive classification and the SECRET/.../ORCON classification should have immediately thrown up a bright flashing Red Light to anyone with half a brain. It is this type of information loss that makes for Espionage and Treason cases.
Valerie Plame's front company of Brewster-Jennings took years to establish. The network which monitored WMD development in the Middle East to include Iran was felled in on full swoop. Now we are left with irreparable damage and a WMD intel void in the Middle East as a consequence.
Bush and Cheneys' reckless actions just to exact revenge, have endangered the lives of American soldiers and American citizens. They have trashed the the Constitution and irreparably hurt the country's national security. They are reckless and too incompetent to serve as President and Vice-President.
So in summary, we not only have the first President to admit to an impeachable offense (violating FISA), we now have the first President to admit to espionage and treason. How incompetent does he have to be before he can assert that as a trial defense?