Bush Ordered CIA Leak: MSNBC

Libby: Bush himself authorized leak on Iraq
Former Cheney aide says president OK’d giving prewar intel to media
EXCLUSIVELY ON MSNBC.COM

Updated: 1:11 p.m. ET April 6, 2006

WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney’s former top aide told prosecutors that President Bush authorized the leak of sensitive intelligence information about Iraq, according to court papers filed by prosecutors in the CIA leak case.

Before his indictment, I. Lewis Libby testified to the grand jury investigating the CIA leak that Cheney told him to pass on information and that it was Bush who authorized the disclosure of information to reporters about prewar intelligence on Iraq.

The authorization came as the Bush administration faced mounting criticism about its failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, the main reason the president and his aides had given for going to war.

Libby’s participation in a critical conversation with Miller on July 8, 2003, “occurred only after the vice president advised defendant that the president specifically had authorized defendant to disclose certain information in the National Intelligence Estimate,” the papers by Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald stated. The filing did not specify the “certain information.”

'Unique' circumstances

“Defendant testified that the circumstances of his conversation with reporter Miller — getting approval from the president through the vice president to discuss material that would be classified but for that approval — were unique in his recollection,” the papers added.

Libby is asking for voluminous amounts of classified information from the government in order to defend himself against five counts of perjury, obstruction and lying to the FBI in the Plame affair.

He is accused of making false statements about how he learned of Plame’s CIA employment and what he told reporters about it.

Her CIA status was publicly disclosed eight days after her husband, former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Wilson, accused the Bush administration of twisting prewar intelligence to exaggerate the Iraqi threat from weapons of mass destruction.

In 2002, Wilson had been dispatched to Africa by the CIA to check out intelligence that Iraq had an agreement to acquire uranium yellowcake from Niger, and Wilson had concluded that there was no such arrangement.

Libby says he needs extensive classified files from the government to demonstrate that Plame’s CIA connection was a peripheral matter that he never focused on, and that the role of Wilson’s wife was a small piece in a building public controversy over the failure to find WMD in Iraq.

Fitzgerald said in the new court filing that Libby’s requests for information go too far and the prosecutor cited Libby’s own statements to investigators in an attempt to limit the amount of information the government must turn over to Cheney’s former chief of staff for his criminal defense.

According to Miller’s grand jury testimony, Libby told her about Plame’s CIA status in the July 8, 2003, conversation that took place shortly after the White House aide — according to the new court filing — was authorized by Bush through Cheney to disclose sensitive intelligence about Iraq and WMD contained in a National Intelligence Estimate.

The court filing was first disclosed by The New York Sun.

Katie Couric - CONGRADULATIONS! You Deserve It!

I thought I'd post this as I've not seen anyone do it. Congradulations, Katie! And thanks to CBS and its president Leslie Moonvies for constant forward thinking.

Some people think the evening TV news anchor is supposed to be a man. I say that's stupid. I don't get how some can think of themselves as smart and yet constantly fall into the kind of "box" thinking that keeps the best person for a job from getting that position.

I'll never understand that aspect of the human condition.

But I digress.

I think Couric will show that she is worth -- more than worthy -- of the place held by Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, and Bob Schieffer (who I really liked in the position).

Best of luck, Katie.

Brian Doyle - What Was This Guy Thinking? A 14- Year Old?

I really don't understand why there are grown men who find 14-year old girls -- or younger -- sexually attractive. What is it? Power? I just can't understand how a person lets their brain get wired to think in those terms.

And do they know how much such a view can wreck their lives? Do they care? Wow, it's something else, indeed that men -- and women, if you think about all the teacher sex scandals -- are drawn to kids. Weird.

Homeland Security official arrested in child sex sting
Sheriff: Suspect chatted online with detective posing as teen girl

Wednesday, April 5, 2006; Posted: 11:38 a.m. EDT (15:38 GMT)

Department of Homeland Security deputy press secretary Brian J. Doyle faces extradition to Florida.


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A Department of Homeland Security official was arrested Tuesday night on charges of using his computer to seduce a child after he allegedly struck up sexually explicit conversations with a detective posing as a 14-year-old girl, authorities said.

Brian J. Doyle, 55, is charged with seven counts of use of a computer to seduce a child and 16 counts of transmission of harmful material to a minor, according to the Polk County, Florida, Sheriff's Office.

Doyle, a deputy press secretary, will be placed on administrative leave, although it's unclear if it he will be paid, a department official said.

Bill Gates Work World Is Almost Paperless....But That's True For Most Internet CEOs

According to CNN, Bill Gates doesn't need lot of paper in his office. But neither do I. He remarks that e-mail is the preferred way to communicate, but does that mean a lot of misunderstandings? I too use email, but it still doesn't beat the phone for complete understanding.

Boot Camp: Mac's Now The World's Best Computer For Everyone - Not Just Us Applephiles!

The battle between Mac and Microsoft is officially over! This is a milestone in Apple's storied history.

Madonna Tickets - Madonna's In Concert In May! Hooray!

Madonna, the undisputed Queen of Pop, is in concert, starting at The Forum in Inglewood, just outside of LA on May 21st. Get tickets with a click here.

Bengals Finally Land Big DT: It's Sam Adams

Teammates thrilled with Adams signing

BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Sam Adams' signing Monday was greeted warmly by the players he'll line up beside.

The 335-pound defensive tackle, who officially signed a three-year contract, could make a major contribution in improving the defense.

"A guy like Sam Adams is going to help you. I've talked to JT (John Thornton) and (Bryan Robinson)," defensive end Justin Smith said on the first day of the team's offseason strength and conditioning program "We're all excited. We just want to have a good football team.

"The better people you have, the better team you have. All the things you want in a 'D' tackle, he's him. He's been a part of some great football teams, successful football teams. Any time you get a guy like him it's going to be good."

Adams will be a 13th-year player in 2006. He was voted to three Pro Bowl teams in the past six seasons, beginning in 2000 when he started for Super Bowl-winning Baltimore. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis was the Ravens' defensive coordinator.

Adams was a Pro Bowl alternate for Buffalo in 2005. He started the first eight games before being slowed by an ankle injury that forced him to miss two games.

He has made 150 career starts in 12 seasons with 179 career games.

"We're excited to have Sam join the Bengals," Lewis said. "His abilities, both physically and mentally, will upgrade our defensive unit."

Though he had yet to sign Monday morning when reporters were allowed in the locker room, Adams already had a locker. A placard reading "Adams 95" hung above one stall. He will wear No. 95.

In Adams' three-year contract, the first year is worth almost $4 million if he reaches all incentive clauses.

Adams is expected to play primarily against the run, a weakness for the Bengals even after three years under defensive guru Lewis.

The signing of former Tampa Bay safety Jackson and the return of healthy free safety Madieu Williams also should help significantly.