It's All Libby All The Time In Media

The Skinny: Guilty Verdict Dominates Nation's Major News Outlets, But Does Anybody Else Really Care?

(CBS)  The Skinny is Hillary Profita's take on the top news of the day and the best of the Internet.

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Volume II of a lengthy Washington saga that captured the media's attention -- and pretty much no one else's -- is over. All of today's front pages (including the top of the Wall Street Journal's newsbox) document the details of yesterday's verdict in which Lewis "Scooter" Libby was convicted of lying to investigators in the CIA leak investigation.

The New York Times includes the most vivid description of Libby's reaction to the verdict: he "grimaced briefly before resuming his expressionless demeanor."

Everyone takes note of a special historical fun fact: Libby is the highest-ranking White House official to be convicted of a felony since the Iran-contra scandal. Or, as USA Today notes, he is also "the highest-ranking Bush administration official to be convicted of a crime."

And beyond that, each paper also has its own opinions on what this trial and the conviction represented for America.

"The trial highlighted the nation's divisions over the war, the Bush White House's intolerance of critics and the uneasy symbiosis between an elite tier of Washington journalists and their confidential sources inside the government," writes the Washington Post.

Other papers focus on the consequences for the Bush administration. USA Today writes that the conviction "could further burden a White House struggling with a 4-year-old war in Iraq and low poll ratings," and the Los Angeles Times echoes that sentiment, writing that the conviction "was one more setback for the Bush administration, already laboring under low approval ratings, public impatience with the war in Iraq and a new Democratic majority in Congress."

The LAT expends another front-page article discussing the potential of a presidential pardon for Libby, since the verdict "was also seen as an indictment of the White House political operation [Libby] helped design and direct."

The Google Factor

Meanwhile, in the real world, some job applicants are finding that Google searches are having an impact on their job searches.

A few law students interviewed by the Post reported that they were top-tier candidates for law firms, but were having trouble getting hired because of what they thought was "a new form of reputation-maligning: online postings with offensive content and personal attacks that can be stored forever and are easily accessible through a Google search."

The students were the subjects of "derogatory chats on a widely read message board" run by another law student. While it's "difficult to prove a direct link" between the messages' presence and their lack of job offers, the students' stories do raise some questions – especially since, according to the Post, "roughly half" of employers use the Internet to vet job applications and "about one-third of the searches yielded content used to deny a job."

Which means that there is a new service in town: ReputationDefender, "whose mission is to search for damaging content online and destroy it on behalf of clients."

More Fun With Financial Disclosures

After the Washington Post got some good mileage out of Sen. Hillary Clinton's financial disclosures, The New York Times has some questions about Sen. Barack Obama's.

The big question surrounds a $50,000 stock purchase in two companies "whose major investors included some of his biggest political donors."

One was a biotech company that was developing a drug to treat avian flu, and after buying $5,000 in shares, "Mr. Obama took the lead in a legislative push for more federal spending to battle the disease."

But, according to an Obama spokesman, the senator "did not know that he had invested in either company until fall 2005," because his broker purchased them as part of a blind trust. Once Obama learned of the purchase, he sold the shares at a $13,000 loss.

"Even so," writes the Times, "the stock purchases raise questions about how he could unwittingly come to invest in two relatively obscure companies, whose backers happen to include generous contributors to his political committees."

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[figuy30]

what else is new? greed & corruption seems to be everywhere in our government today. there doesn't seem to be an "i'm about america" agenda anymore. it's now an "all about me & lots of money" agenda. we've allowed our government representatives to spend our money any way they want to for so long that they've forgotten where they came from. if we don't get the corrupt & greedy politicians out of office & demand accountability we can look forward to more of the same. look around, there is more crime now than ever before. no respect for the law. no leadership. no accountability. we wonder why our young people behave as they do. no adult responsibility. no leadership. no accountability. if we continue to allow america to be destroyed by our own actions we can forget about finding one person to blame.

[bluestardad]

HERE ARE THE SENATORS UP FOR REELECTION IN 08 WRITE THEM OR QUIT COMPLAINING! The longer we interject American military and money in the Middle East the longer the problems will exists. If America pulls out of the Middle East then the countries will have to work out their differences between themselves and true peace will be achieved. 50 YEARS OF SACRIFICE IS ENOUGH! We cannot want peace in the middle east more than those who live there!

Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Baucus, Max- (D - MT)
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Durbin, Richard- (D - IL)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Harkin, Tom- (D - IA)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
Johnson, Tim- (D - SD)
Kerry, John F.- (D - MA)
Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA)
Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ)
Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR)
Reed, Jack- (D - RI)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

The House Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[skyk-2009]

The Jury said Libby was guilty of lying and obstructing justice. The case had nothing to do with outing a CIA agent. Actually, no one official evet said that a CIA agent was outed.




Posted by Jebby_One at 03:55 PM : Mar 07, 2007

LOL Well now the fascist are the ones who say no crime was committed so that excuses the crime Libby committed. I believe if you watch REAL news for a change and LISTEN to what Friz says the TRUTH will come to you. The OUTING come not be properly investigated because this clown LIED and OBSTRUCTED Justice. That according to the Fritz made a finding impossible. In other words the Fascist in the White House set this clown up to take the fall...to cover up for Cheney who was so determined to tear down Wilson that he would out the agent. He KNEW, Cheney did and LIBBY did the deed. In his attempt to get off his OWN Attorney told the Jury that Libby was the fall guy, was set up by the White House to take the fall for Cheney. Now WHY allow this man to LIE, Why set him up to lie and obstruct justice if there was NO WRONG? We need to have Cheney and Bush come clean on this...We need to know what THEY said to the FBI and the Investigators.

[skyk-2009]

Time grows short for the Southern Fascist in the White House. NOW there are Republican's starting to talk of impeachment. NOW there are Republican's starting to look at resignations. Time is growing short for the corruption and arrogance of the Worst Administration in US History. With the resurgence of the Taliban and the War in Iraq continuing to go badly, with even MORE troops being sent into Bush's War, the REAL Republican's are starting to get REAL nervous. REAL nervous indeed.

[skyk-2009]

The CIA is outraged, and their credibility, secrecy, and operations are severely damaged. How do you recruit spies when your government may blow their cover at any time? Everyone Plame ever talked to is now outed - every single person who helped the USA out by giving information is now in danger, and no doubt some have been killed if they didn't run fast enough.
Posted by SusanHelit at 03:17 PM : Mar 07, 2007


LOL You are right but if you think these fascist care you are dead wrong. THEY have determined there was no crime and it's fine to out her and then lie to the Grand Jury about it, then obstruct justice to cover up for the boss. It's all just fine as long as the Party is benefited. No wander they can't win the War on Terror. No wonder the majority of the citizens of the planet fear them more than Bin Laden.

[skyk-2009]

No COVERT CIA Operative was outed.
It is not illigal to disclose the name of an individual simply because they work within the CIA. There never should have been a two year investigation. There was no crime. But, lets go ahead and crucify someone in the Bush admin. Lets blame Libby and this time lets forget that the Clinton administration made it acceptable to lie to a grand jury, Just like they taught our kids that a &*%$ job is not ***. I NEVER HAD *** WITH THAT WOMAN!
Posted by doc18d at 02:54 PM : Mar 07, 2007

Now maybe in the small and very insignificant mind of a flame throwing fascist OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE and LYING for the Vice President, to admit you are taking the fall for that man is okay with you clowns. I guess you people have the illusion that somehow all these lies are okay because YOU, the same clowns who believe the mission in Iraq was accomplished, think there was no crime committed. ROFLMAO That's about the most insane statement I have EVER heard in my life. IF WE, the PARTY, determine there was no crime then lying and obstructing justice is okay? ROFLMAO Want part of Mein Komp do you intend to inforce next? ROFLMAO Sieg Heil

[long_rider]

There is a little more to the Libby story than the news media is letting out.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/030707A.shtml

GETMO time for the lying sleezzz of a VP.

[skyk-2009]

No. I think that Sandy Burger stealing classified documents from the national archives is a far greater crime.



Posted by Jebby_One at 04:42 PM : Mar 07, 2007
ROFLMAO Now YOU are a real nut case! Here we have a guy who sat in front of a Grand Jury and LIED. He then obstructed Justice and was conviced of it! In his closing he admitted he was covering for and was a fall guy for the White House and you equate that to Burger taking a document that he'd seen and had been in position of several times? Unbelievable... just about as UNBELIEVABLY STUPID AS ANYTHING I've ever heard in my life!!!

[skyk-2009]

The partisan furor over this allegation led to the appointment of special prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald. Yet after two years of investigation, Mr. Fitzgerald charged no one with a crime for leaking Ms. Plame's name. The trial has provided convincing evidence that there was no conspiracy to punish Mr. Wilson by leaking Ms. Plame's identity -- and no evidence that she was, in fact, covert."- Washington Post


Posted by perception5 at 04:53 PM : Mar 07, 2007

HUH?? What are you babbling about? Libby was tried in a FEDERAL Court for OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE for God's sake. What difference does it make IF you do not think there was a crime being investigated. Are you saying that EVERYONE who lies in EVERY case where YOU think there is really no crime involved should be able to just lie and Obstruct Justice then walk away? That's INSANE! ABSOLUTELY INSANE!! The INVESTIGATION is supposed to REVEAL if there was a crime.. that's what it's for. You simple minded fascist seem to be saying that because you clowns have determined there was no outing then he should be allowed to lie and obstruct the investigation. Come on!! That's to stupid even for a fascist. Sieg Heil

[skyk-2009]

are you serious? Bill clinton lobbed bombs at Iraq long before Scooter Libby arrived on the scene. Bill Clinton apparently believed that Saddam was attempting or planning to build WMD's. Who told Bill Clinton all the lies then?


Posted by Jebby_One at 07:24 PM : Mar 07, 2007

To even compare what Bill Clinton did, targeted the LAST remaining facilities to produce WMD to what Cheney, Bush and the rest of the Magots in the White House is without a doubt beyond belief! Have you people COMPLETELY lost your minds...COMPLETELY. This little man was CONVICTED OF LYING AND OBSTRUCTING an INVESTIGATION of the Bush Administration. HE took the fall for Cheney and ADMITTED it in the TRIAL. HIS ATTORNEY said it in his CLOSING STATEMENT for God's sake. What is WRONG with you people???

[waynabq]

To call Bush supporters delusional idiots would be an understatement. These idiots are still blaming Clinton after six years of Republican control of all three branches of government, up until the last Congressional election.

Its obvious to anyone who hasn't lived in a cave, Bushco fabricated lies about non-existent WMDs and ties to Al Quaeda. The Libby trial is just the tip of the iceberg, why would Libby lied? What was his motivation to do so?

Bush supporters are more concerned with Anna Nicole Smith, Natalie Holloway, Flag burning, banning gay marriage then actually trying to figure out why 23,000 U.S. soldiers have been permanently maimed or killed, why under Bushco the national debt has increased by over 3 Trillion dollars and after all the lost lives and treasure, Iraq is more of a hell hole now then before we invaded.

[scott4261]

I cannot think of one good thing that President Bush and his administration have done for this country. Not one d a m n thing.

[scott4261]

The PNAC was trying to influence Bill Clinton even back then. They couldn't get a full scale war, but they did manage to get him to drop some bombs. Anyway, don't look to me to defend Clinton in the same way that you defend Bush. Ain't gonna happen. I have plenty of criticism for him as well.

[jebby_one]

" Scooter Libby's actions helped perpetuate a lie that there were WMDs in Iraq, when clearly there were none... "

are you serious? Bill clinton lobbed bombs at Iraq long before Scooter Libby arrived on the scene. Bill Clinton apparently believed that Saddam was attempting or planning to build WMD's. Who told Bill Clinton all the lies then?

[imprisonbush]

And you wonder why the media got such a bad reputation, when they publish articles like this???!!!

[imprisonbush]

The existing American president deliberately lies to the American public to convince it that a foreign land will use nuclear type weapons to prove that war is justified. An emissary for the CIA discovers and discloses that the President's case is built upon a complete lie. The vice president -- though having to admit that the facts were false -- engages his top aide for damage control, who tries to smear and disclose the identity of a covert CIA agent and her CIA employed spouse because the emissary did his job and disclosed that the President's facts were faulty. A jury convicts the vice president's top aid of felony perjury and obstruction of justice. This presidential deceit and dirty tricks nonetheless result in an illegal war that kills hundreds of thousands of people, including many innocents, injures and uproots hundreds of thousands of more, costs hundreds of millions of dollars that this country must finance as debt. These facts tear the country apart politically, emotionally, financially, resulting in a change of political leadership in Congress and motivating thousands of Americans to demand and initiate impeachment proceedings.

And CBS News asks: does anyone really care????

No morons, nobody cares. Just feed us more BS stories about Paris Hilton, the battles over Nichole Smith's baby and the amazing success of American Idol, and leave us alone. You bunch of idiots. Of course all thinking Americans care. You in the media are supposed to care too.

[scott4261]

"This is the worst government scandal since Watergate."

No. I think that Sandy Burger stealing classified documents from the national archives is a far greater crime.

Posted by Jebby_One at 04:42 PM

-------
What Berger did was clearly wrong, but as harmful as this? Surely, you really must be joking! Scooter Libby's actions helped perpetuate a lie that there were WMDs in Iraq, when clearly there were none. A career was ruined. We are approaching 3200 dead American soldiers. Many, many more with wounds from which they will never recover, physically and psychologically.

To me and many other Americans, those are impeachable offenses. Not only should Libby go to jail, but D i c k Cheney and George W. Bush should be impeached!

I swear. You Bush water-bearers never cease to amaze me!

[perception5]

Mr. Wilson should be going to jail for consistently lying about the facts of what "really" happened...... from the Washington Post this morning, the facts of this case:


"In conversations with journalists or in a July 6, 2003, op-ed, Wilson claimed to have debunked evidence that Iraq was seeking uranium from Niger; suggested that he had been dispatched by Mr. Cheney to look into the matter; and alleged that his report had circulated at the highest levels of the administration.

A bipartisan investigation by the Senate intelligence committee subsequently established that all of these claims were false -- and that Mr. Wilson was recommended for the Niger trip by Ms. Plame, his wife. When this fact, along with Ms. Plame's name, was disclosed in a column by Robert D. Novak, Mr. Wilson advanced yet another sensational charge: that his wife was a covert CIA operative and that senior White House officials had orchestrated the leak of her name to destroy her career and thus punish Mr. Wilson.

The partisan furor over this allegation led to the appointment of special prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald. Yet after two years of investigation, Mr. Fitzgerald charged no one with a crime for leaking Ms. Plame's name. The trial has provided convincing evidence that there was no conspiracy to punish Mr. Wilson by leaking Ms. Plame's identity -- and no evidence that she was, in fact, covert."- Washington Post

[jebby_one]

"This is the worst government scandal since Watergate."

No. I think that Sandy Burger stealing classified documents from the national archives is a far greater crime.

[scott4261]

Does anyone care? Well, we should all care. This is the worst government scandal since Watergate. But you would never know it, because every news outlet has concentrated on celebrity to guide their newscasts instead of real journalism. The only reason the Scooter Libby trial is now getting the publicity it should have received all along is because of the resulting guilty verdicts. The fact that we were sold a war based on cooked intelligence was made obvious to the world a few years ago through the Downing Street Memo. Yet, nary a peep about this in the U.S. press. Here, the media would rather play it safe with news than not only tries to offend no one, but offers little information.

Ever since Bill Clinton signed the Telecommunications Act of 1996, media has not focused on real news, but infotainment. I just read a report on Monday morning which stated that one is much more likely to be current on Britney or Anna Nicole than on the war on terror.

"Liberal" media? Ha! What a joke! Not that it ever existed, but it certainly doesn't now. Media is guided by profits here, not ideology. It's the dumbing down of America.