Buffy ,'Beneath You'
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
The loophole I've heard mentioned in this case is that, since the President has the authority to declassify information, technically if Bush was behind the leak, the leaked info was no longer classified. It's a magical get-out-of-treason-free card.
I would argue that unless he declassified it before he leaked it, it was classified at the time of the leak, and therefore still a violation.
The not small issue I have with this is that is you are going declassify someone's STATUS AS A CIA AGENT, maybe you TELL THEM FIRST!
Yes, this. Because if you claim you have the right to declassify a CIA field agent without giving them a heads up first, you're basically saying you have the right to have them killed whenever you deem it useful.
I would argue that unless he declassified it before he leaked it, it was classified at the time of the leak, and therefore still a violation.
I'd agree, and I haven't actually seen this excuse used yet. Just mentioned as a possibility.
There isn't a specific allegation that Bush allowed the leak about Valerie Plame, but that Bush was orchestrating leaks to support the move toward the Iraq war. This could imply that Bush was involved in that leak, but right now that isn't an allegation.
I would argue that unless he declassified it before he leaked it, it was classified at the time of the leak, and therefore still a violation.
AFAIK, the Plame issue hasn't specifically come up in Libby's statement. I don't know whether the other info would be considered (legally) classified.
Seriously. My knife defenses are reasonably good, but still. Real knives. They say no one gets injured, but they could perpetrating a huge coverup.
Are any of these people mothers? Ay yi yi.
Right, so. I'm getting a little bit grumpy this afternoon. I'm having a hard time suppressing the violent impulses I feel toward certain coworkers.
I want to ask this guy - Are you a Goth? Do you know Jilli?
Sweet zombie Jesus. The thing is, I bet I know people who know him. (Which would be one of the many reasons why I'm not going to the local SF/fantasy/general media geek convention that's happening next weekend. Too many people I really don't want to be trapped in conversations with.)
The not small issue I have with this is that is you are going declassify someone's STATUS AS A CIA AGENT, maybe you TELL THEM FIRST!
Yes, this.
I wish I could say I'm no longer surprised by any of the news about the government. I really do. But yes, surprised and horrified.
Are any of these people mothers?
Mothers who'd train until month 7 of a pregnancy number among them, yes.
I'm having a hard time suppressing the violent impulses I feel toward certain coworkers.
If you hurt them too badly, the resultant legal stuff might interfer with your move to Chicago. I'd go with verbally evicerating them, m'self.
ETA: Or get a reeeeeally good alibi.