The assertions of Scott McClellan and the earlier revelations that Armitage, Rove and Libby told reporters that Valery Plame was a CIA agent demand that all the facts concerning this unfortunate situation be investigated by the Special Prosecutor and a determination made what, if any, laws were broken so that any individuals involved can be prosecuted under the laws of our country. With what is known, no one could argue that there is not enough evidence to move forward and uncover ALL the facts. The argument that it would be a “Fishing Expedition” is simply not true!
Up to this point President Bush has refused to allow the people directly involved to testify under Oath or to produce documents that would enable the Special Prosecutor to determine the facts in this case. We have two important issues at stake-one Executive Privilege and the other is the ability of our Justice System to function. Executive Privilege is NOT mentioned in our Constitution. It has evolved over time and serves a useful purpose in many cases. However, the way Bush is using this power is preventing the Justice System from operating in the case of the outing of Valery Plame. The information that needs to be examined is not of a policy or national security nature. It deals with the WHO, WHEN and HOW of Bush and his top officials in this case.
It is possible that when Bush told us he would deal with any members of his administration that were involved with the outing of Mrs. Wilson that he did not know Rove and Libby were responsible for the leak. However, at some point the President and Scott McClellan became aware that it was Rove, Libby and Armitage that talked with two reporters. There is also the issue of what is the involvement of Vice President Cheney in this sorted affair. Did he direct or allow the release of this information to the press by Libby, Rove or Armitage? Was the release of this information in retaliation for Ambassador’s Wilson’s report that said Saddam did not try and purchase uranium in Africa which CIA Director Tenet later confirmed was correct?
We can not allow the President to prevent the facts in this case from being known to the Justice Department Officials. That would mean any President could shield himself or any one in his administration from acts that violated the laws on this country. NO person, including the President, is above the law or should be able to prevent the Justice System for operating as our Constitution specifies. It is time to force President Bush to allow any and all people involved to testify under oath and to produce any and all documents that are germane to learning the ALL facts in this case. One of our most basic principals is at stake and the stubbornness of George W. Bush can not be allowed to subvert our system of justice! Our new Attorney General should immediately begin the process to uncover ALL the facts concerning the outing of Valerie Plame as a CIA Agent and for Justice in America to function as our founding fathers envisioned.