*** Special to The BRAD BLOG
*** by Libby/CIA Leak Trial Correspondent Margie Burns
What did we learn from Tim Russert today, children?
Well, for one thing, we learned that Mr. Russert was interviewed ““ apparently willingly — by the FBI about the CIA leak matter back in November, 2003. Under cross-examination by Libby defense attorney Theodore Wells, Russert disclosed that he had been questioned by FBI Special Agent Eckenrode, formerly the case agent for the Plame matter. Russert said that Eckenrode was the one who informed Russert that Libby had said he (Russert) was his (Libby’s) source on the item that Mrs. Wilson, wife of former ambassador Joe Wilson, worked in the CIA. “Mr. Eckenrode shared with me what Mr. Libby had said.”
Russert is on record as testifying firmly and clearly that he did not tell Libby about Mrs. Wilson; he was not Libby’s source. Though he would do well to be equally clear and direct about everything concerning his involvement in the matter…
Another thing we learned about Russert today ““ or at least I learned ““ was that Russert himself trained as an attorney. Not that he put it that way. Under questioning, Russert acknowledged that he was allowed to have his attorney and an NBC attorney when deposed for the grand jury on the Plame matter. When Wells indicated that most grand jury witnesses are not allowed to have attorneys present, Russert allowed as how he “didn’t know that.” When Wells asked gently whether Russert himself was an attorney, Russert answered, “non-practicing.”
Looks as though he skipped that class in law school about how there are only three good answers in a criminal investigation ““ “yes”; “no”; and “I don’t know.” But it is probably one of the curses of a little legal education that even a J.D. who does not go on to practice continues to believe, for the rest of his breaths, that he is a lawyer.
Questioning by Wells also brought out that Russert drew up an affidavit to quash a subpoena in Judge Hogan’s court, arguing his determination to protect even his “non-confidential” sources — and not disclosing that he had discussed the matter already, in his FBI interview, which was not mentioned in the affidavit.
Back to that FBI interview in October 2003: also brought out in cross was that Russert did not get around to sharing that FBI “conversation” with his television public, on any of several occasions when the Plame matter was discussed for several minutes’ worth of air time and even when Russert’s own role in the CIA leak investigation was discussed. Russert’s explanation was that the FBI agent requested him to keep it confidential, and he also testified ““ accurately, I’d say ““ that he omits sources among other items in news stories all the time.
And that, children, is what I realize finally struck home about the courtroom testimony today. Somehow, it all felt familiar. Once again, I had that feeling one gets, receiving news and information from a few large media outlets ““ that nagging question in the back of the mind that is always the backdrop, regardless of the story ““ the unanswered puzzle: what’s being left out here?
In that sense, seeing Mr. Russert in the witness box, crutches resting to the side, is not altogether different from seeing him in the electronic box, though a lot more entertaining.
Can any viewer remember when Tim Russert or any other overpaid underreporter last got around to spelling out for the television audience the immense financial stake his own network has in the “war on terror”? As any journalism textbook will explain, journalistic ethics require disclosure of a writer’s own financial or personal stake, if any, in the topic. That’s Journalism 101, the fundamentals. But Journalism 101, the basis for going on and accomplishing anything, seems to be exactly the level skipped over by the overpriced pyramid scheme of the network star system.
I was just watching the INN Report, and they said,
“”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
*** A New Jersey Emergency Medical Technician has gone public on how
emergency workers were told that Building 7 was going to be “pulled”.
A 20 second demolition countdown was broadcast over emergency workers
radios before its collapse. The ground zero rescue worker who for now
wishes to remain anonymous also witnessed multiple underground support
columns of the WTC towers which were severed before the buildings
imploded.
“”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
…anyone think that’s a huge deal?
….that’s not big news, is it?
BIG DAN do you have a link for that story ?
mick
Don’t worry BIG DAN I found one or two
mick
I haven’t yet heard why Russert is on crutches. Does anybody know why?
Why doesn’t the “Wilson’s wife is fair game” quote from Rove to Chris Matthews ever get talked about and why does Chris Matthews never bring Bush into the conversation. Diane Rhem mentioned Bush may be involved and I read it in another publication.
Why would Libby think he could get away with blaming Russert so easily.
Questions, Questions!
Big Dan:
Even the Jewish guy who owned building number 7 said he had the building pulled, and it never got into the news, so I hate to say it, but that has already come out.
Uh, back to the point (although I am intriqued by BigDan’s comments too):
The connection from Russert to NBC to war profits (by reporting at the beck-and-call of warmakers) as an ethical proposition for journalists—I think you stated it very well indeed. I had not really thought of it in quite the way you put it. My mind is always drawn to the influence of money on shareholders and management when talking about corporate media. It’s a kind of Lou Dobbs drift. You reme,ber when GE used to run prominently its role in the radio show “Marketplace”–and then they announced they would quit publicly underwriting it—but they still kept the themesong to the show without the “jingle” inserted into it? I never trusted anything about the objectivity of that show after that time–I should have questioned it before, but ti was only after that big deal GE made (and the loss of the jingle) that I thought about how much influence they had over the show. Now, you have spotlighted journalistic ethics in a bigger way for me. Russert disclosing in every story that his boss gets paid for making the war look goooood—(so, don’t expect to hear the bad stuff from me!). I’d love to see that disclaimer. Just play the GE jingle during the MTP opening theme.
Larry #5
Tim was hurt by having to tell the truth which ends up hurting his old cronies rather than helping them as usual. Russert was the regime’s go-to-press-guy just as Jeffie Gannon was Snottie McClellan’s go-to-guy.
Timmy’s feelings were hurt when his “journalism” was exposed as partisan propaganda.
Poor Timmy … doncha feel sorry for him?
Yeah, Dredd, poor Timmy! He didn’t even get a chance to spew about Clinton’s cock this time around. What is his world coming to?
Larry Bergen re: #5 – He said that he broke an ankle and will be on crutches for 10 weeks. Firedoglake is doing a great job of keeping up with everything, including live-blogging from the trial. I expect to hear about more indictments being brought once this trial is over – may be just wishful thinking on my part, but I don’t think so.
Big Dan re: #1 – Wow. I need to read about and digest that one before I can even comment on it.
Momma Burns asks:
That Fitzgerald is going to be taken out if he keeps “going after the good guys”.
Gonzales is following orders to get rid of prosecutors that prosecute republicans (link here).
While the hearsay about the owner of the only privately owned World Trade Tower (#7) said to “PULL IT,” there has NEVER been an INDEPENDENT CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION to this collapse or 9/11 for that matter. In fact most American people do not even know 3 World Trade Towers collapse on 9/11 which is just the way these terrorists likes it. The corporate mass media in conjunction with the government and their BS 9/11 commission which was not even allowed at ground zero has covered up the truth.
NO VIDEOS playing over and over and over again showing #7 parroting a story about box-cutter wielding arabs hijacking a commercial jet and flying them into this tower..because it didn’t happen.
What intrigues me is how so many people, firemen, cops, whoever could live this lie in the DESTRUCTIVE WAKE of the current Bush/Cheney armegedon.
Facts:
1. Trillions missing the day before from the Pentagon.
2. CONSPIRATOR Guiliani had and entire floor.
3. Marvin Bush former security co. did all the security.
4. The 47 story steel concrete tower had a small containable structure fire on the 22nd floor (i believe), no windows broken and NY Firemen prepared to raise a US flag blocking in front of the building.
5. Evacuated at 9AM it fell 10 hours later in 6 seconds.
6. Over 1 block away from the twin towers, it was separated by World Trade Tower Building #6 thus there could never be a connection outside the fact that all 3 towers fell the same way..CONTROLLED DEMOLITION.
7. American people have to come forward and tell the truth so we can get these lying murderers and ant-environmentalists destructive plan of their greedy domination.
The Bushit administration is responsible for 9/11 and everyday of their do nothing approach to HUMAN CAUSED GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGES spins our world and all living things created carelessly, dangerously, out of control. They stand for greed, lying, mismanagement and manipulating the system to a fascist rovian perfection. These fcks need to go to jail ASAP!
Big Dan…
I think 9/11 is huge and important…
that said…look outside…step away from the computer…step far away…Imagine your an indigenous Mayan in southern Mexico…Imagine you’ve never seen a computer…
The only things that matter are food, people who are true and you can trust, and staying out of the surrounding chaos…this country is already gone. I’m not a defeatist, it just a perspective.
I’m glad some are waking, but most will sleep until they die.
That may be true (directive to Big Dan) however if we are going to save and sustain life on this planet, we the United States have to become WORLD LEADERS as opposed to being run by the BIGGEST WORLD LOSERS. If we do not come together and lets these bastard continue their war of lies and assalt on the environment, as well as everything else since orchestrating 9/11, we are taking away any chance for our children to have anything remotely close to what we had growing up. WAKE UP!
This is a link to a letter against the new anti-environmentalist Bushit budget. READ IT! http://action.wilderness.org/ca...3s3dxi4p5eibei?
Bush’s perpetuation of wars leading to a nuclear demise or inaction by the criminals in highest offices of Federal power. US is #1 contributer of human caused global warming climate change. The arctic melted the size of TEXAS last year. Listen to me..we have 2 years to fix OR it will be so accelerated we will not be able to do anything. It will cause over 1 million specie extinctions in 4o years. Educate yourself.
to clarify, the previous comment was to #13.
sometimes I go to CNN to check the propaganda de jour, today–4 pics of Anna Nicole Smith on the front page. Really WTF. Pop culture is a disease of blindness.
It will take a social and economic revolution to overthrough the facsist police state…the age of oil is over and we’re broadening the age of control, with institutions that promote ignorance. Fight the battles locally, fight for sustainble food and an environment that will support life. Kill the chaos.
To:#14 “the United States have to become WORLD LEADERS as opposed to being run by the BIGGEST WORLD LOSERS”
correction—>the un-united people of the United States have to become the PRO-ACTIVE WORLD LEADERS as opposed to greedy and apathetic…You are the only person that will ever save you.
U and I can got to save it this time!
OK, I’m building a solar powered school bus…to get out of housing debt…I want to sell my car but it’s hard to live without…
what you doin’
of course I have a 19 year old brother in the Army…I watched Loose Change with him before he shipped of to Germany(training for armored infantry). “What you want me to do?” was his reaction.
This is the problem we face.
The school bus and my brother are the truth, I’m not making it up. I feel like I’m in the North and he’s in the South and where hurling musket balls at each other.
Lot of people doing stuff. See this and this.
It’s not one or the other. You have to fight the monster, too.
STORMY WEATHER
101 Solutions to HUMAN CAUSED
Global Warming Climate Change by Guy Dauncey and Patrick Mazza
http://www.earthfuture.com/stormyweather/
Stir a public outcry of the American populace and encourage world involvement. Once people are educated as to the TRUTH, we help people get the cause and effect. This “war on terror” has been used by the Bush crime family as the mother of ALL EXCUSES for most their actions AND supported by the corporate owned mass media parrots since orchestrating war games on 9/11. Make the disillusioned sheep connect the dots and become an informed flock! Strength in numbers my friend.
Independent criminal investigation starting with WORLD TRADE BUILDING #7.
Our US system of evoting and counting votes in secrecy is a sham and that’s why i come here when i can. Brad and people who write here are MODERN PATRIOTS using their voice as well as getting involved to fix our corrupt broken system.
WE CAN DO IT!
U and I got to save them this time. Imagine if other species had a voice and half the story like us. Facts and evidence we have about the greedy 1% interests being served the Bushit administration crime family. They will mismanage to a destructive unless we (collectively) stop them. As i said in an earlier post if not by people fighting a US takeover or response (like the deaths of 600,000 Iraqi civilians) then we have 2 years to fix put our heads together and solve the environmental crisis.
Let me help you..they would say
JOIN THE FIGHT TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THIS PLACE WE LIVE CALLED HOME!
Meet The Press has turned into one of the least interesting shows on television. If I need to see Joe Biden or John McCain I can see them on any other show I don’t want to watch.
We have a lot of cooperative thinking to do if we’re going to find a way out of the mess we’re in. Meet The Press is NOT the forum for that.
Commercial television has run it’s course.
The internet embodies what the inventor of the television had in mind. A learning tool. He wouldn’t let his children watch it in the 70’s. You can just imagine what he would think of it, or “touch screen voting” today.
Here’s a link from the INN Report, where they report 5 minutes into it, about the EMT that said he witnessed a 20 second countdown, and saw in the Twin Towers, beams already bombed out before the planes hit:
http://www.innworldreport.net/v...hp?2007-02-08n
Here’s WP’s take on it…
http://winterpatriot.blogspot.c...uilding-7.html
Here’s the original report…
http://www.prisonplanet.com/art...7building7.htm
What’s interesting, is that the EMT was told to keep quiet about it, threatened his job and harm, and it fits with the video of owner Larry Silverstein saying “Pull It”, when it went down.
Oh, and it also fits in with the laws of physics, which say a fire can’t disintegrate a 50 story skyscraper!!! Keep in mind, WTC-7 was NOT hit by a plane!!!
Even BEFORE this guy said this, WTC-7 was obviously brought down by controlled demolition. You have to be a complete babbling MORON to think otherwise…
My opinion of Russert on crutches, it was to negate Libby’s “crutches” strategy, of playing on the sympathy of the jury. Russert’s team had him show up on crutches, and Libby’s team went ballistic, acknowledging that Russert’s “crutches strategy”, to negate Libby’s teams’ “crutches strategy” for sympathy had worked. When Russert showed up on crutches as the final witness, it put a daggar into Libby’s sympathy “crutches strategy”…I saw Libby slap his lead lawyer in the back of the head, when Russert limped in on crutches. An immature slap-fight ensued with Libby and his team of lawyers…
The head of the Crutches subcommittee, now a Democrat, is spearheading an investigation into the misuse of crutches in the Libby trial…
Patrick Fitzgeral gave his final summation on crutches, to finalize negating Libby’s teams “crutches strategy”…
How about guys like Joseph Cannon, saying the building was weakened due to fire? Yeah, name ONE other building in HISTORY, not hit by a plane, that disintegrated in 6 seconds due to ANYTHING besides controlled demolition? There’s enough evidence to have an investigation of this, why is there no investigation? Why isn’t Larry Silverstein being investigated?
Here’s a subsequent article about WTC-7, with witnesses who have gone public, and video/audio of firemen clearing the area, because WTC-7 was going to “blow up”…showing FOREKNOWLEDGE.
The key thing is, then, that the govt LIED about WTC-7, so what else did they lie about pertaining to 9/11?
Is the truth important in a democracy? Or should we just not pursue it? Why was WTC-7 LIED about by our govt, and why was there never an investigation? It’s not too late, less than 5 years ago.
Why are the Dems not investigating this? Since they control the committee’s in congress? Any answers to that? Knowing what everyone knows about this, DOES IT WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION? Anyone who doesn’t think so, isn’t too keen on truth and democracy…
There are witnesses, audio, and video…enough proof and evidence, that WTC-7 was brought down by controlled demolition. It’s obvious. You can “not think about it”, or, like me, can’t HELP thinking about it! How can you just “not think about it”???
http://www.prisonplanet.com/art...roughtdown.htm
If we key on this ONE THING, WTC-7, where there IS PROOF, it could lead to the truth about other things.
I just want to know the truth!!!
RE: OFF TOPIC – WTC-7
From Big Dan’s link at #24 to Winter Patriot’s site (bold text mine):
That was my very first thought.
Have I grown overly jaded in the past six years?
***
Winter Patriot, we miss you.
Hey, have y’all heard this?
From comment #30 at the following link at Firedoglake (who has been following the trial closely with live blogging from the courtroom, and video updates on politics tv):
LINK
PoliticsTV’s Youtube account and all of its videos are now inaccessible. TPMMedia’s account has been suspended. Same with Atrios. I don’t know why these accounts are down, but I suspect it has to do with Viacom sending 100,000 indiscriminate takedown notices aimed at Youtube users, and Google capitulating.
Hmmmm….