Jan 17, 2007

"And A Long Nose..."

Some say...Finding neutral jurors tough in CIA case

WASHINGTON - A former Washington Post reporter who wrote a book on spying and lived near someone who could be a key witness in the case was approved as a potential juror in the CIA leak case Wednesday. The man's acceptance into the jury pool showed the difficulty that attorneys have had in picking a jury in the highly publicized perjury case against former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. Several potential jurors have been disqualified for having strongly negative feelings about the Bush administration.

The former journalist who spent nearly an hour on the stand during the second day of jury selection lives near NBC "Meet the Press" anchor Tim Russert and knew or had connections to several key witnesses in the case. He once worked under Post reporter Bob Woodward and had followed the case in the news.

He was even friends with an attorney who played touch football with Libby — "He's got a great arm," the potential juror remarked. <more>

73 Comments:

Blogger FBI said...

Go Team Fitzie!!!

12:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good Afternoon Everyone! :)

It seems the process of Jury selection is going a little better today!

Hey Q!

Ditto that!!

12:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good Luck on that. With a majority of the jury pool being minorities and despise the Gerbil, brotherman Irve should had requested the trial to be set in Iowa! I had said yesterday that finding 12 jurors (especially minorities) to favor the defense team is a uphill struggle. This trial was bad timing for Irve since the Gerbil's poll numbers are in the toilet and the Gerbil got bad reviews by the American people in his 60 minutes interview and last week's speech.

1:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Forgot to add this:


CIA leak case figures reject Cheney immunity

As jury selection began Tuesday in the criminal trial of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, former ambassador Joseph Wilson and his wife, Valerie Plame, claim that the vice president cannot assert immunity from their complaint.

Attorneys for the Wilsons write that, "No case ever has accorded the Vice President absolute immunity." The court filing states that the fact that Cheney is a part of the executive branch "does not warrant according him absolute immunity."

1:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WASHINGTON - A potential juror in the perjury trial of former White House aide "Scooter" Libby was allowed to remain in the jury pool Wednesday after saying she would be impartial and put aside her tepid impression of Vice President Dick Cheney, an expected defense witness.

Libby seeks jurors who trust Cheney

Sure they do! Those ratbast@rds!

1:12 PM  
Blogger airJackie said...

Thanks SPB but Cheney gave it that college try anyway.
As for jurors who might lie we could say they had memory lost.
Some people want to be on this trial so yes they might say one thing but believe another. It's not uncommon. The thing that counts is will they give a finding of truth? Sitting in a room with 12 people talking and voting isn't easy. But this is a no brain-er with the time line. But the jurors get to talk about the cover up done by the White House and how Cheney got slapped three times. Look jurors are human and nothing is perfect. Judge Walton knows he has to get 14 people who will be fair even if they don't like Bush/Cheney. Let's face it who is Libby anyway he's only an ex employee of the corrupt White House. Now we know a lot more about the little soldier other then he's an attorney who know the law and broke it.

1:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is Randall still taking lunch orders?

1:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

LOL! Go luck Scooter for trying to find jurors who trust Cheney. Trusting Cheney is like trusting the devil. Even in a waterhole, Libby can't find jurors that trust his warprofiteer boss.

1:27 PM  
Blogger FBI said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

1:31 PM  
Blogger FBI said...

Fitzie,

I hope you packed your salami sandwhich in a distinct lunch box this time...no bomb scares at the courthouse, please. LOL

Hi S-Q, SPB, Jackie, et al

I've been trying to get some work done, read FDL's blogging and checking in here...very busy morning!

The voir dire is interesting today, expecially Tim Russert's neighbor...

1:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Patriot Girl:

It is a big deal and I am glad that it was on NPR. I noticed that the news didn't cover that story last night. This is certainly form of abuse by the Gerbil. I emailed Feingold last night and ask him to join in with Feinstein. Also, I mention about Bud Cummins, U.S Attorney, that was removed and replaced by someone who was put inthat position on Dec. 20, 2006 was never confirmed by the Senate. Bush snucked that new person in. Hopefully, Boxer will join in the fight since she is the Senator in CA. Glad others are joining.. I couldn't believe that how the San Diego Attorney was booted out.

Also, on a side note, Talk Left.com is asking for Gonzo is be impeached.. Thought I give you the scoop...

1:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Did Father Time Specter Give WH Power to Replace Prosecutors?

Specter needs to be removed...

2:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Did Father Time Specter Give WH Power to Replace Prosecutors?

Specter needs to be removed...

2:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

98 Joe Wilson says:


"I have great faith in a system of governance that is based on the rule of law, and as much confidence in the person of Pat Fitzgerald as I have in anybody outside my wife. The fact that the administration is now attempting to politicize the US attorney offices is to me a clear indication that they have come to fear the rule of law. More than anything the administration has done over the past six years, this act of firing US Attornies and replacing them without Senate confirmation is a subversion of everything we hold dear as Americans, not as Republicans or Democrats, as Americans. Our very republic is under attack."



A Great quote by Ambassador Joe Wilson, made today on the firedoglake blog.

Please FORWARD this quote, people.



*********************************************************************************************************

2:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good for Joe Wilson..It is great Wilson and his wife are supporting Fitz and have confidence...

This is interesting quote:

"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the president [Clinton] to explain to us what the exit strategy is."

- George W. Bush


Words like that can bite you...

2:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

186 blogger says:

This woman says she believes critics of the Commander in Chief, she has not problem with hearing their criticism, becasue they don’t really know all the facts, aren’t included in private White House deliberations.

This could be a prosecution peremptory. Though she answers as one who wil weigh everyone’s credibility as she sees it, including Cheney, she’s the classic believer in military presidential authority that favors the defense.



And who is Theodore Wells, Libby attorney?:

On FDL:

Wells, who is an African American, just did some background questioning of a white juror with a working class history and a history of much interracial social background. My take on this is, Wells wanted to establish a bond based on race with this potential juror. This juror is sensitive to race and class issues and Wells wants him on his side.

2:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here is update from FDL:

We need 36 jurors qualified before we get to peremptory challenges, to allow us a full jury with alternates.

They've reviewed 19 prospective jurors so far, of whom four have been dismissed. One of those was one excused due to work conflicts, and the other three because they harbor varying degrees of inability take the administration or its members, such as Vice President Cheney, at their word.

That leaves us with 15 of the needed 36 now at the lunchtime break in the niddle of day two of what is scheduled to be three days of jury selection. We will probably take all day tomorrow.


This is interesting comment from a blogger:

#4 comment:

One prospective juror from yesterday reported to the judge today her boss is giving her a hard time about her required court appearances. Judge Walton is going to call her boss.

2:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Stephanie,

Please stop interrupting Biloxi will ya?

3:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Stephanie,

Please stop interrupting Biloxi will ya?"

LOL!

Stephanie means well.. My prior comment is the latest. FDL put up a new thread since their posting was getting too long. Looking forward to hearing about the second half of day two.

3:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think that Randall may have eaten my lunch...

3:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

the sarcasm eluded biloxi

3:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Patriot Girl:

Not Gonzo says that the firing of the U.S. Prosecutor was not personal.. Pffft.. Yeah, right.. Gonzo is now in deep doo doo with the Patriot Act and carrying out the Gerbil's agenda.. And there is certainly will be an outcry from the Senators...

3:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"I think that Randall may have eaten my lunch..."

That's a bummer.. Maybe ask Scooter for half of his bean pie...

3:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Beans!

Yuck, I think I'll pass...

3:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Is Randall still taking lunch orders?"

Yes, 6 orders of hamhocks and collard greens from Soul Food for the White Man/Black Man restaurant.

*lol*

3:37 PM  
Blogger FBI said...

From FDL"

"This witness is another who wants to believe the administration but is becoming leery of the Iraq policy."

Re: Cheney: “I’m not sure I’d want to go bird hunting with him, either.” LMAO

3:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Don't know why Jason hasn't put of the Mr. Fitzgerald calling on Truthout.org. Maybe he is waiting for the beginning of the trial to start. But, he did tell me on email that he will post that up again.. Hopefully, it will be back up next week...

3:42 PM  
Blogger FBI said...

Hey SPB,

I thought I read here that Christy from FDL used to work with Fitz..is that true? And if so, where?

3:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is Jason holding a grudge? Is that why he hasn't put Fitzgerald calling back up yet?

Why was it taken down in the first place?

Hmmmm...

3:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Q:

Christy was the former federal prosecutor assistant. She is familiar with Christy's work as she is is familiar with Fitz's work. Now, I don't if those two work together in a case since Fitz was in New York as assistant U.S.
attorney. They may have cross paths as most attorney do past and present.

Great quote, Patriot Girl..

I thiml I will just read FDL blogging. It is differcult to blog on there since they are sooooo many comments...

4:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Breaking News from ABCNEWS.com:

BI-PARTISAN GROUP OF SENATORS INTRODUCE A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING PRESIDENT BUSH'S IRAQ WAR PLAN

4:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think someone on Libby's defense told him to rethink that tie from yesterday.

4:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

from fdl bloggers:

"Fitz asks his standard question about how a juror would figure out if someone had a bad memory of if they were lying."

-----

"Please do tell, when you have a moment, what sort of answers meet this query. Seems it could be a difficult thing to ponder off the cuff."

-----

"Indeed. I would answer, “I would try to see if they had a motive to lie.” Which would probably get me kicked out of this pool…."



How would JB's answer?

I'd go with my gut feeling, is what I'd do!

Personally, I don't think I'd give much -- if any -- weight to a possible motive. (Sorry...)

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4:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

from fdl bloggers:

"Attorney General Gonzales just announced that Bush will not reauthorize the warrantless surveillance program.
Just like that

Looks like they’ve been watching all the jurors explain how they could never trust anything the Bush people said."

---------

"He won’t “reauthorize” it, they’ll just do it unauthorized. Then 3 months from now we’ll find it reauthorized in a tiny footnote to the Patriot Act that was appended at 3 a.m. by Joe Lieberman."



The bloggers at fdl have a good grip on this administration's MO........

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4:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"The truth is useless. You have to understand this right now. You can't deposit the truth in a bank. You can't pay rent with the truth. You can't buy groceries with the truth. The truth is a useless commodity that will hang around your neck like an albatross-all the way to the homeless shelter. And if you think that the million or so people in this country that are really interested in the truth about their government can support people who would tell them the truth, you got another think coming. Because the million or so people in this country that are truly interested in the truth don't have money."
---Jeb bush

Because of people like Jeb Bush, they are starting to be millions and millions without any money because of his family's crime fest. Lock all their butts up. Lord knows, it should have happened 30 years ago.

4:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

SPB on American Idol tonight?

Singing in his Speedos!

4:50 PM  
Blogger FBI said...

Thanks for the info SPB!

But what does this mean:

"Christy was the former federal prosecutor assistant. She is familiar with Christy's work as she is is familiar with Fitz's work.

4:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

94 Pachacutec says:

January 17th, 2007 at 12:37 pm *

"Fitz watching this juror being questioned by Wells, 40’s white female. He has his hand on his chin, looking up."



Oh, how cute ...... Can't you just see him?

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4:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

honestly in all respect to him...but why would leopold want to put back the write that wrecked his credibility?

5:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"SPB on American Idol tonight?

Singing in his Speedos!"

LOL!

I'll show my stuff if Fitz will do the same...

;-)

5:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

(from fdl blog)

103 hackworth says:


"I remember the Cheney/Edwards debate.
Edwards had to backtrack and correct Cheney’s false assertions before he could rebut them. It was exhausting.
Even though Edwards was right, he got tired and was overwhelmed by Cheney’s unflappable demeanor and unending rhetoric.

Maybe Cheney will tell Fitz that he never met him (Fitz). This little trick throws an opponent off balance."



Interesting comments about Cheney's MO ...... I'm sure Fitz is already well aware of it.

Mr. Fitzgerald, have a good breakfast of eggs and toast that morning.

Donuts may not provide the kind of stamina you will need.

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5:12 PM  
Blogger SP Biloxi said...

I have been so busy this week.. I have watched a little of the news about Scooter Libby trial. The analysis are completely worthless as usual. I am checking in the blog.. I finally read many of the comments on Firedoglake. I am glad that the jury process is going along fine. But, I still feel that Libby's case is a waste of time. I look forward to the update on Libby's trial tomorrow. I'll try to get on the blog as much as I can.

Good evening all...

5:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Donuts may not provide the kind of stamina you will need."


I was assuming that you eat your donuts in the morning, but I may have been mistaken.

Mid-to-late-afternoon would be the best time for a donut..... especially during the trial.

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5:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In the late afternoon, I usually have a slightly warmed tira misu with fresh raspberries, mashed.
I spit out the seeds.

If I were in DC, I would prepare
tira misu for you. I would even press the berries through a strainer so you didn't have to deal with the seeds.

(For the Good of the Country, of course!)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If I were a potential juror in the Libby trial, I would yell at Libby; Guilty, Guilty, Guilty as sin!
I'm sure the prosecution would pick me for the trial.

5:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"I was assuming that you eat your donuts in the morning, but I may have been mistaken."

Fitz has more donuts hidden behind his teddy bear, honey, in his briefcase. He doesn't want to share them with his team..

5:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Pick me as the juror. I'll behave myself.

5:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Three senior senators -- two Democrats and one Republican -- have formally introduced a non-binding resolution that condemns President Bush's plan to increase U.S. troop levels in Iraq.

Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) and Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Joe Biden (D-DE) were joined by Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), an outspoken Republican critic of the president who served in Vietnam.

Senators introduce resolution condemning Bush troop surge; Believe they have votes to pass

:) :)

5:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
"The truth is useless. You have to understand this right now. You can't deposit the truth in a bank. You can't pay rent with the truth. You can't buy groceries with the truth. The truth is a useless commodity that will hang around your neck like an albatross-all the way to the homeless shelter. And if you think that the million or so people in this country that are really interested in the truth about their government can support people who would tell them the truth, you got another think coming. Because the million or so people in this country that are truly interested in the truth don't have money."
---Jeb bush

anon , lol , did you make this up ?

it's not a couple million across the country , it's like 6 million in FL
alone

5:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fitz..looked very nice walking out of court today with his overcoat and briefcase in hand..

6:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

E if you were there you should have snuck up behind and goosed him. That would have made for a great photo into tomorrows front pages.

Even better, give him a melvin with his pink panties.

Betcha' S-Q would have.

6:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anon @6:44:

You know me too well! LOL

I would have laughed while I did it and then kissed him!

*Click of the camera*

Tomorrow's headlines..

Special Prosecutor Gets Goosed and Kissed!!

ROFLMAO

7:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fitz:

Well, the MSM would jump all over that story!! LOL

(Just joking of course!)

7:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Even better, give him a melvin with his pink panties."

And I want evidence of that! LOL!

;-)

And I wonder how the pink panties rugby man is feeling today...Must be A+...

7:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Even better, give him a melvin with his pink panties."

And if that was Scooter, we all have to get the magnify glass..

7:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anon @7:32:

OMG! LOLMAO!

7:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

SPB:

Is your gmail working? Mine is giving me a "Server Error" Errr..

7:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Little hands and little feet means little you know what...

Damn, Scooter was screwed by God big time in that department....

7:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

patriot girl said...

they had the US Attorney blackballing story on NPR this morning. Sounds like it's creating quite the stir.


EXCELLENT!

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8:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

...an August decision by U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor in Detroit, who ruled the government’s warrantless surveillance program unconstitutional and ordered it stopped immediately.



GIRL POWER, I like it!

Gonzales sounds like a real drag.

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8:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"...The two are among 11 top federal prosecutors who have resigned or announced their resignations since an obscure provision in the USA Patriot Act reauthorization last year enabled the U.S. attorney general to appoint replacements without Senate confirmation."


Eleven, wow!


(At first I typo'd "sos" above, I probably should have left it...)

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8:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In order to replace several U.S. Attorneys with handpicked successors, the Bush Administration has relied on a tiny, obscure provision tucked into last year's USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act.

How did it get there?

Former Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) slipped the language into the bill at the very last minute, according to one of the Republican managers of the bill.

A spokesperson for Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), who led the House team working on the bill, said that the provision was inserted by Specter into the final draft of the bill. The language was apparently requested by the Justice Department.



People, this is WAR.

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8:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Libby has a "great arm?" at what pushing a pencil or dialing while driving hehe

Well it took a while to get to the bottom of this blog today, but I'm better informed now- thanks to you guys.

Stephanie, I love tira misu too;-)
good posts and Spector is sorry excuse history won't be kind to him

I had an early dinner with a friend she just lost her job today-her and several others-downsizing. She really liked her job and had been there five years. She's now considering an overseas move.

I have been asked to work for an 08 prez candidates campaign;-D

Fitz someone is looking for your "democrat" connections and you know I always tell on the bad guys!

9:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

"The truth is useless. You have to understand this right now. You can't deposit the truth in a bank. You can't pay rent with the truth. You can't buy groceries with the truth. The truth is a useless commodity that will hang around your neck like an albatross-all the way to the homeless shelter. And if you think that the million or so people in this country that are really interested in the truth about their government can support people who would tell them the truth, you got another think coming. Because the million or so people in this country that are truly interested in the truth don't have money."
---Jeb bush


Wow, did he really say that?

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9:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Prezzildent despondent said...


Prezzildent despondent, I haven't said anything before now, but your handle is SO much fun. (Especially in conjuction with that picture of the hamster!)

:D

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9:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

t said...

Stephanie, I love tira misu too;-)



Good to know, t!

Next time, put it (along with the mashed raspberries) in a low oven for a few minutes, so it is half-way melted.

It is like a hundred times better this way. HEAVENLY.

(Assuming you have good tira misu to begin with. Fresh Market's is excellent.)


Enjoy! :-D

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

9:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Stephanie:

I love raspberries and that sounds delicious! yummmy... :)

9:55 PM  
Blogger calamityjane said...

Hi, everyone.

10:54 PM  
Blogger calamityjane said...

Good night, Prez.
Fitz, I've been busy, but I remembered you and your team in my prayers today and asked the Holy Spirit to guide you. Get some rest. I know it's getting late on the East Coast.

11:22 PM  
Blogger calamityjane said...

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Nation -- Some Bush administration critics kept in jury pool for CIA leak trial

I guess it's a matter of perspective.

11:52 PM  
Blogger calamityjane said...

Oops, I forgot. Notice how the title of the article, as well as the article itself, is phrased.

11:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Stephanie said

"Attorney General Gonzales just announced that Bush will not reauthorize the warrantless surveillance program.
Just like that
"

LOL when they tap the phones of their own people) or were their own people )ie , FBI , CIA, whistleblowers , Federal contrators, witness' and informants

how about their grandmothers ?

ss

2:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

U.S. Attorneys Quit; Senator Blames Bush


probably tapped their phones too ;)

2:21 AM  

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