There's an
AP article that got my attention as a possible right-wing attempt to harass Fitzgerald in the Plame investigation.
The Senate Judiciary Committee could be the next stop for the those involved in the federal probe into who exposed undercover CIA officer Valerie Plame as it weighs
a bill that would protect reporters who refuse to identify their sources.
Those called to testify could include the media outlets and the prosecutor in the case, in which New York Times reporter Judith Miller was jailed Wednesday. Plame's identity was first revealed publicly in a column by Robert Novak.
WTF? In the middle of an on-going investigation? Is this an attempt to provide a forum to slime Fitzgerald? Or is this an opportunity to dance with a box turtle... or both?
I'll explain below...
I have to wonder if this is just an attempt at political theatre.
"
If they would be interested in coming to testify, I think it would be informative and possibly useful," said
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a former Texas Supreme Court judge and state attorney general.
And what happens if they're not interested? Is it reasonable to assume that interest at this moment in time?
The remainder of the article dwells on Cooper whining and shield laws.
"I think this clearly points out the need for some kind of a national shield law. There is no federal shield law and
that is why we find ourselves here today," said Time's Matthew Cooper.
He spoke as Miller was jailed for refusing to tell U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald who leaked Plame's name to her.
The bill, sponsored in the House by Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., would require prosecutors and judges to meet strict national standards and exhaust other remedies before they could subpoena reporters...
Strict National Standards huh? Who are we kidding?