Is he DeclassiLYING?
I am seriously pondering this.
And I am also thinking that Scooter Libby is part of this conspiracy to change the truth.
Why?
I’ll pull out Ockham’s razor…
First, allow me to shave the left side of my face.
On March 25th, 2003 — days after the Iraq war — the Bush administration significantly changed WHO could classify or declassify secret government information. Upon further reading, I have discovered that Executive Order 13292 effectively creates a “co-president” in matters of classified information. That is, the vice President now has the same authority as the president to classify and declassify information.
Remember this.
Now, allow me to shave the right side of my face.
Given that the Vice President did not need the president to declassify portions of the NIE, why did he do so? Why did they unnecessarily jeapordize the president politically? It makes no sense. Especially in light of the fact that one of Executive Order 13292’s chief distinctions was to give these powers to the Vice President.
Furthermore, as I stated in my previous diary, why would the White House be so vague wrt answering questions about the declassification of portions of the NIE — and yet, at the same time, sound so definitive? What I am refering to is the fact that during all of the White House press briefings on the matter, McClellan NEVER mentions that “the president” actually declassified this information. It’s always “WE” declassified it. The impression given is that the president was the one who declassified the NIE — but they never state that.
Why?
Now, allow me to shave my chin.
As I also stated in my previous diary, the Vice President has publicly stated that he, in fact, has the authority to declassify secret government information. He stated that he has these powers during the Brit Hume interview in mid February, 2006. When asked, he did not answer whether he actually declassified information about the NIE or with regard to the Plame leak.
HE REFUSED TO ANSWER.
Why?
And now, why is the Vice President noticably absent from this whole affair? Why is he not talking?
I am really curious to hear what he has to say about this declassification — now that it’s out in the open! My guess is that he will continue to use the “ongoing investigation” argument.
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Now, allow me to splash some after-shave on my face.
You may ask, “Why would the President risk lying about this?”
Well, if the whole team is in on the lie — and there is no evidence to refute their statements — then what’s to worry about? It is known that this declassification of portions of the NIE were only known to 3 people (maybe only 2(?)). Libby, Cheney, and the President(?).
I’ve also read that the declassification procedure is relatively informal (however, I’ve also read that certain protocol must be followed — which wasn’t in this case). Perhaps Executive Order 13292 makes this procedure even less rigorous and allows one to eliminate the need for a paper trail?
Is there a constitutional lawyer in the room?
O.K. So the risk may be minimal for lying. But why lie? Perhaps Gonzales has discovered that the Vice President doesn’t, in fact, have the powers that he thinks he has. Perhaps the Vice President has overstepped his constitutional powers and is in serious legal jeopardy here.
Maybe the risk of the president being exposed about lying is less of a risk than finding out that Cheney has committed a felony here.
Again, is there a constitutional lawyer in the room?
Whatever the case may be — one must seriously ask:
Why would they go to the trouble of creating Executive Order 13292 only to have the President be the one declassifying these documents?
Forgive me for pondering aloud.