By Carol Cratty and Mark Morgenstein
A former CIA officer who pleaded guilty to identifying a covert intelligence officer was sentenced on Friday to 30 months in prison.
John Kiriakou and prosecutors agreed on the term as part of the plea agreement he struck in October.
Kiriakou, 48, declined to make a statement at the Alexandria, Virginia, federal court prior to sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema.
"Alright, perhaps you've already said too much," Brinkema said.
She rejected defense attempts to characterize Kiriakou as a whistle-blower.
The judge was bound by the plea agreement, but said she would have handed down a tougher sentence had Kiriakou been convicted at trial.
"This case is not a case about a whistle-blower. It's about a person who betrayed a very solemn trust," Brinkema said.Ex-CIA officer in the news before
Defense attorney Robert Trout said during the sentencing hearing that Kiriakou did not intend to harm anyone or his country.
Trout described Kiriakou as "really thoughtless and really naïve" in not realizing that he would lose control of the information once he divulged it.
"He was concerned about certain practices that were employed in the fight against terrorism," said Trout, referring to enhanced interrogation techniques such as water-boarding.
Kiriakou had initially defended those practices, but Trout said his views "had evolved."
The lawyer said his client spoke to reporters in an effort to keep the spotlight on the topic.
Federal prosecutor Mark Schneider had a different view.
"The defendant acted out of a sense of ego and narrow-minded self-interest to raise his media profile," Schneider told the court.
Kiriakou pleaded guilty in October only to intentionally identifying an undercover CIA officer.
He also admitted to other allegations, including illegally telling reporters the name of a different CIA employee involved in a 2002 operation to capture alleged al Qaeda terrorist Abu Zubaydah, and lying to a review board about a book he was writing. But those charges were dropped as part of his plea deal.
The charges arose out of communications Kiriakou had with two journalists between 2007 and 2009.
Schneider said Kiriakou also discussed the identities of other CIA employees, despite signing multiple non-disclosure agreements which he was bound to honor even after he left the CIA.
Kiriakou served as a CIA intelligence officer from 1990 to 2004.
Neil MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said Kiriakou had endangered the life of a covert officer and "exposed our nation's vital secrets."
Kiriakou emerged from court on Friday, saying he was "positive, confident and optimistic."
He did not take questions from reporters but thanked supporters, including those who have signed a letter to the White House asking that his sentence be commuted.
The judge is allowing Kiriakou to surrender to authorities at a later date to serve his sentence.
Charges against Kiriakou followed an investigation that began when lawyers for detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, issued a court filing with classified information not provided by the government.
A probe found that defense lawyers got the information from a journalist, who got it from Kiriakou, the Justice Department said.
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Mankind is saying so what, God does not lie *Genesis 1:24 and it was so. *Job 9:24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof, if not, where, and who is he? *John 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. *Genesis 1:22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of Life, and eat, and live for ever; *Revelation 22:2 and the leaves of the tree were for healing of the nations. *Exodus 15:26 for I am the Lord that healeth thee.
*John 7:25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? *Jeremiah 5:12 They have belied the Lord, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine: *Jeremiah 34:17 Therefore thus saith the Lord; Ye have not hearken unto me, in proclaiming liberty, and every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim liberty for you, saith the Lord, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; *Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (*Lamentations 4:12*)
God is righteous *Isaiah 51:7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be afraid of the revilings. *Luke 11:45-46 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers!.. *Isaiah 43:28 Therefore I have profane the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches. *Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. *John 7:49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. *Hebrews 8:10 I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
I was tortured for almost 3 years by the FBI and their friends only
because 85 years old man, Roland Sibens(chicago) convinced them that I
am a terrorist. I was tortured for working on my prosthetic legs in
the basement. I done absolutely nothing illegal or wrong. They thought
that in theory it is possible to hide bomb in them. They saw an
opportunity to get famous, so they were trying to torture me till I
sign their insane story. They tortured me using more than 100
different torturing methods and trust to me waterboarding is not how
they torture nowadays. I dont know where to find justice.
I think that after 9/11 things got out of control. Freedom fighters
became tyrants. In 1945, most Germans had an opportunity to learn about Nazis death
camps. I hope that one day American citizens will get chance to learn about people
like me, who were tortured with no reason for years.
Anyone who exposes torture no matter which country does it does not deserve jail. It takes courage to dob in evil practices particularly when your own team is doing them. If a few SS men had dobbed in what was happening in the extermination camps in WW2 then we would have praised their courage.
Your absolutely right. It's a double standard.
That is the dumbest thing I have read all day!
The Nazi's, whom the SS were, would have executed their own that turned on them. This bloody fool only got 30 months in jail and not death from his own government. I am sure the terrorists are glad because now they can kill the American spy.
"The judge was bound by the plea agreement, but said she would have handed down a tougher sentence had Kiriakou been convicted at trial"
judge appears to be prejudiced and would not have given fair trail , by her comments -she had condemned the guy at source
This judge is probably a leftover fr the bush administration hiring of far right republicans referred by Rove/Cheney buddies, as were the DOJ attorneys who prosecuted this guy. There are many far right wack jobs now at the USDOJ and the US Attorneys office that were hired by people who were directed by the Cheny-Rove-Wolfowitz directives–which was "hire as many young right wing neo-conservatives in federal government agencies that will direct and enforce public policy for years to come, as possible". They laid the groundwork for continued rightwing republican ideals to be doled out by these Bush regime hires .Its causing enforcement and legal problems all over the federal landscape.
Are you tired, God is rest. *Isaiah 30:15 For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy one of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. *Hebrews 3:11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
The only issue that matters here, the defendant violated the non-disclosure agreements along with some oaths and other rights he signed away by accepting a job with the CIA. Legally this man is toast. The fact the Obama administration allowed this to go to conviction says a lot about their view about the interrogation issue. That's the only political angle here. The rest of you posters with fantastic allegations are living in the comfort of your colorful conspiracy theories.
Feed Satan the truth, and watch him turn on the wicked, for his payment is the Word of God. The wages of sin is death (*Isaiah 43:25*)
Come on! If you want to quote Scripture, at least use Scripture.
Hey Kleenex, get back in your box.
Obviously bottle fed as a child and agent.
People are looking at this as if President Obama prosecuted the case. I haven't been a big supporter of the president's policies but c'mon, give the guy a break. He is not the player here who prosecuted this guy. The CIA would have shielded him if they thought it was necessary and prudent. They did not.
So with that out of the way perhaps its time to look into the torture that was conducted. You do know its a crime against humanity and in a war its considered a war crime. So OBAMA stop harboring and protecting war criminals!!!
They need to go after the so-called journalists.
No offence CNN, but some of the people in your occupation are rotten and desperate for the Pulitzer Prize. The USA NEEDS to adopt the D-notice system.
"the Bush administration getting off scot-free when it comes to Valerie Plame" argument would actually make sense if it was the Bush administration who prosecuted John Kiriakou for blowing the whistle. Sadly, it is the Obama administration who has prosecuted John Kiriakou, and all for the "crime" of exposing torture and "revealing" a CIA agents identety, which was actually never made public (even to this day). I know lots of people love Obama (even I want to like him, I voted for him in '08), but it seems like a cop out to bring up the Bush administration when it is clearly the Obama administration that is out of line, at least at present. I also think it's quite hypocritical to turn a blind eye to what a present politician/political party is doing because he/she/it is better than than the politician/political party that came before it. We all remember how horrible the Bush admin was, but pointing the finger at him for an injustice that is being perpetuated by the Obama administration fails to hold the actual culprits accountable. The present administration (while better than Bush) needs to get the clear message that WE will not accept a "war on whistleblowers". (Btw, I am not a "Ron Paul Libertarian". For president, I voted for Green Party candidate Jill Stein in the 2012 election. Had I lived in a swing state, I'd of swallowed my pride and (cringe) voted for Obama.)
would not let me post my whole comment because of the word "identety". I changed the spelling slightly and it allowed me to post. Anyway, you suck, CNN! Quit censoring my comments!
The whole "Bush administration getting off scot-free when it comes to Valerie Plame" argument would actually make sense if it was the Bush administration who prosecuted John Kiriakou for blowing the whistle. Sadly, it is the Obama administration who has prosecuted John Kiriakou,
and all for the "crime" of exposing torture and "revealing"
a CIA
agent's
identety,
gv
bvb
goody, gg, g, & 'Sorry, but CNN':
the problem with ident ity is between 'iden' and 'y' which
CNN feels is a naughty word.
They have a big problem with it because
the censor/mediator department has no imagination or intelligence.
The particular syllable is common like "Const itution".
Hello, I really have to say its really hard for Myself, to mention the things freely about the situation with the Government Authority's or Staff's Member(s), for I have family's of Hers that are victims of Public Society that can be in trouble or in danger if I, talk out to loud to be heard. That's not mentioning the trouble I have Had trying to get someone to hear Me, out with out any interference. Thank You, In Sincere of Your PA Landowner Ship. 2001-2003
I am a PA landowner Ship, I am an inheritor. 2001-2003.
Why wasn't Dick Cheney brought before the court of justice for what he did to former CIA operative Valerie Plame ?
Because the higher you go up the food chain with the GOP the less the rules apply. So when you are the Vice President you can get away with a lot more than just your regular run of the mill agent. I am sure Cheney has dirt on all of them and none wanted to open that flood gate.
A lesson learned from the Libs!!!
Woody – BS! More like a lesson learned from Richard Nixon. They were crooks back then, they're still crooks today.
Wood – when reason fails bring out the insults ("Libs"), Obstruction, and no good position or argument.
Hence you acknowledge your reason is bias, alone.
OT. Where's the Like\Dislike choices on this story, CNN? (Only dislike if you register, however – always very balanced and fair)
At any rate, It seems odd how you sometimes have them and sometimes do not.
CNN – never explain, employ biased & uninformed mediators.
CNN –
never explain,
employ biased & uninformed mediators.
goody, gg, g, ... the problem with ident ity is between 'iden' and 'y' which CNN feels is a naughty word.
cough*valerie plame*cough
I guess this is different 'cause it is not Cheney's office who leaked the info. ....
Treason – Life in prison.
A waste of money. Execution is the only fitting punishment for treason.
that someone who exposes torture gets sent to prison, yet the people who actually do the torturing walk free?
I agree torture is a horrible option. It lowers America as a country to the level of the enemy. However, war is nasty business. Essentially turning against your own country, rather you agree or disagree with an order is not the role of a single agent. People in these positions are trusted not only to protect our county but fellow agents. A break down of this trust is more deadly for America than the act of torture it's self. No plea deal, life in prison. Also, anyone who published information leaked by this agent should be held equally responsible. When people except one of these posts they give up some of their own freedoms. As Americans we are lucky there are people willing to do that so that we don't have to. This man violated not only the trust of his fellow agents but also the trust of the nation.
The U.S. has always tortured enemy combatants since the birth of this nation. We were just so good at hiding and denying it, telling the whole world it was wrong.
interesting question....
Only 30 months for risking another agents life not to mention the agents future!
This was definitely treason and there should have been no plea deal!
He should have been put in front of a firing squad as an example for other agents who might try something like this in the future!
Exposing torture is treason these days? Sheesh. I take it you are paid to spread misinformation on someones behalf...
is just an idiot.
Steve, turning on your country IS treason. There are dictionary's on the Internet that define this in case you failed high school. Regardless of torture being used he is guilty of treason.
You are absolutely right! No CIA agent should be divulging anything to anyone, especially journalists. The information he gave out was then put out to the public in a court case. Since we are a little more reasonable today, I would think life in prison would be appropriate.
Yep but if you are a VP you get away with it, and it even put the agent's life in danger. And we had to close down an undercover operation that took ten years to build. Oh, and did I mention the VP was a republican, that helped him to get by with it.
Right we still have Cheany to go after right
I dont get how this isnt treason
You are so right. Let's see how long it takes for this guy to get iced once he sets foot outside of prison.
Like I explained to Steve above, he turned on his country by revealing secrets. That is called treason.
Dick Cheney is untouchable, like the rest of the powerful Bush clan. They can do whatever they want and they did with no repercussions.
So the Bush admin outs Valerie Plaine and there are no consequences. No one goes to jail. But this guy does the same thing and he goes to jail. Oh that's right Republicans don't have to go to jail for breaking laws. I get it.
Sorry, I'm late. Did they find the entire bush administration guilty or just Cheney? Oh wait, just read the comments...they had a fall guy. Also kudos to bigfoots comments. Funny
Too bad Cheney doesn't meet his end in a "hunting accident" where he is on the receiving end of an AR-15. It would be too poetic.
You can tell by reading these posts that a significant number of people believe Dick Cheney outed Valerie Plame. Me included.
How come Dick Cheney can get away with it but he can't? I don't understand?
I just got here. Has anyone mentioned Dick Cheney?
Put Dick Cheney in there with him! Let them figure out who gets to be whose girlfriend for 30 months.
And Karl Rove....for outing Valarie.
Now, that'd be cruel and unusual punishment.
He committed treason. Bullet in the head is what he deserves – no less of a punishment will do for this serious a crime.
So when does Dick Chaney the man who got a heart recently get his 30 months for outing Valerie Plain?
yeah, he got a heart (he needed one 'cause he obviously had an empty space there) and of course he didn't get to jump the line of waiting recipients.....
Riiiight...we aren't in colonial day Europe. Not like it was right then either.
I second that motion.
It's OK for a sitting VP to do the same thing though?
What a bunch of dips!!! Who do you think protects this country, the soldiers on the ground?? Its the CIA, NSA, and covert agency's not named! They plant agents in forign countries and these people live undercover and report activities that they dig up. These people are couragious and are willing to die for there country, while all of you idiots gossip and talk about things you know nothing about!! By what you say, lets try not to let the rest of the world know how stupid some of our people really are!!!
Are You writing in American or English
I think it is Amglish. LOL
A good place to start would learning some rudimentary spelling and basic sentence composition.
You are of course, perfectly correct in your statement. That is why those replying to your post attacked you by criticizing your writing style.
He's probably not a cooperating member of the globalist agenda (CIA) so they staged a false flag charge on him & will put him close to gen pop. in prison so he gets killed.
That's how this gov't rolls.
So, the charges and convictions are totally trumped up, fabricated. Without any basis in objective reality. He never actually violated several disclosure agreements, never actually jeopardised anybody's life?
And himself never actually voluntarily pleaded guilty.
If it doesn't easily fit in said conspiracy theory, we'll torture it to force fit. Don't trouble me with facts because my mind is made up is the governing mindset of your post.
Why is it that the least intelligent people are put into such sensitive positions? I wouldn't have gone for a plea bargain were I the Justice Dept – make an example of him – ? possible treason charges.
15 minutes of fame , 30 months in the slammer (OK...FIVE months with good behavior)...then on to the lecture circuit... except the people who think he's a hero don't have the capital to pay him much...bad trade...
That is weird. Cheney and Bob Novack didn't get any prison time.
But Karl Rove did...oh wait
Seems fair. That's what Cheney got for naming Valerie Plame. Oh...wait a minute..
My question and thought, exactly. Little guys take in "in the shorts," but the Big Kahunas, or Darth Cheney in this instane get bubkas. This is not only the guy who "outed" a CIA agent but he also thought it was OK to say"F**! You" to a U.S. Senator on the floor of the Senate. Truly one of the great Americans of our day!
Laura, Very good point. Cheney was responsible for a ton of death and trillions of dollars wasted not to mention sitting down on the job and allowing Al Queda to commit 9/11, using 9/11 as an excuse to wage war and alienate the whole world.
I came to say the same thing. Is their a statute of limitations for Cheney for his crimes?
Treason has no statute of limitations.
Gen Allen will send him 30 to 40 thousand emails if he is also knows socialites!!! This is what marine theater commanders do. At that level, they call it warfitin.
Does he still get his pension? I had to work hard and honest to get mine.
I'm guessing you have no idea what sort of scrutiny is involved with becoming a CIA operative. Check it out sometime. I think it's safe to say that Kiriakou has served his country in greater ways than the vast majority of plebes posting on these boards.
10 he was an "intelligenge officer" which is not always the same as an "operative"...sometimes it means desk duty- 2) if blowing someones cover is his concept of "intelligence , that could explain some functional missteps- 3 "plebes"??????
You might ask the same question about Dick Cheney who "outed" and undercover agent.
Keep your mouth shut! If you have a security clearance KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! It's not your job to make a political statement. Do your job and move on or get out and then KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!
It is your job to expose war crimes which what he did. He did nothing wrong.
Umm you do realize every country everywhere does things they are not proud of but believe is rite for there country. If you honestly believe everything is black and white your an idiot this world is lies wrapped in lies and if your privileged to know the truth then you keep your mouth shut and enjoy what you know. Theres a reason we have spies jack-nut.
No you don't have to divulge the names of undercover agents to report war crimes! He should have quit when he saw these war crimes and reported the war crimes to competent authorities but instead he betrayed his colleagues and divulged their names to settle petty scores.
Does that comment include the same admonition to Dick Cheney and Libby? Or just the "little guys.?"
Just follow orders. It's always right if you're following orders.
Too easy a sentance. I hope he gets brutally raped in prison.
Fedgov....Are u Karl Rove in disguise? or maybe one of the other republican toadies who outed Valeria Plame ..that was a real CIA outing.
bingo.
Were you of the same opinion with regards to Dick Cheney who outed Val Plame?
How many yr jail time Cheney get? And, how many years Bush get to lie to America going to war?
What difference does it make? Are you a Lawyer or Loser. I get sick of folks talking about upstanding GOP Members. Join the Tea Party and get edukated. G.W. Bush
Texas GOP, you should listen carefully what Gov. Jindal said today..the Republican Party.... "must stop being the stupid party." The Tea Party drove the GOP to that extreme, and Cheney should have served jail time for war crimes.
You should learn how to spell before you write. You only get one chance to make a first impression and poor spelling made the rest of you comment worth very little.
They killed thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of civilians. They don't deserve to ever get out.
Yeh! Right Remember Valery Plame. Bush and the other Republican hypocrites
perhaps he should spy his way into a salon to get his caterpillar eyebrows attended to..
he looks like the love child of clay aiken and eugene levy...
What do you know about the case are you a Lawyer or Tea Party Loser?
I don't know much about working for the CIA, but I do know you are not supposed to go around blabbing out the names of spys. What was this guy thinking?
ummm..."spies"
What was he thinking? If Dick Cheney can do it, anyone can.
This is why our justice system is broken. Sure this guy was probably guilty. But still the case clearly illustrates that when people make a plea deal and prevent a trial, they're subject to one third of the time in prison (and often as little as one tenth of the time) that they would be if they went to trial and lost. As a result. Innocent people do feel forced to take plea deals. What would you do if you were facing 30 years for a crime you didn't commit but you could plead guilty and serve 30 months?
I'm not that versed with this case, but in general that is so very true. Prosecutors are, in effect, allowed to bribe witnesses for their testimony and blackmail defendants into pleas. Defense attorneys would go to prison for attempting any of that. What's more, I think it has a corrupting effect on the morals of prosecutors... you can only bribe and blackmail for so long before you lose your bearings.
Bush's fault and the YouTube video.
What a country,Cheney and his fellow criminals outed V. Plane,just because they knew he was a Liar and murderer and nothing happens,this guy is going to prison.
Amen!!!
Absolutely correct. Dick Cheney should be sitting in prison right now.
getting brutally raped, as a teabagger above hoped for this other guy
Uh oh, a good session of "blame that administration" going on in here. I promise I can name a dozen serious flaws of at least the last 5, maybe more. Let's find practical ideas that these people can use to make better decisions. Other than that, this story appears to be a clear cut case of someone violating a damn serious oath (whatever the reasons). 30 months is less than most (federal) drug offenses. I feel almost no pity.
spot on.
Did you feel the same way when Dick Cheney did it?
I hope he will be ""positive, confident and optimistic." with all the totally reasonable inmates he'll interact with.HAHAHAHA
He'll end up playing basketball and tennis in a federal minimum security facility with a bunch of white-collar types.
Good.
So I assume Darth Cheney will alsobe reporting for his stay in the big house sometime soon?
No, Cheney will get away with doing the same thing to Valerie Plame.Wilson, thanks to all you "patriotic" conservatives who supported him. Nice.
So true!
Right on! Whats sauce for the goose is sauce for the Darth Vadar of politics.
he should of used his secret tacophone
Cheney not jailed for exposing Hillary plame.... you know something worse than BENGHAZI BENGHAZI BENGHAZI....
That's because Cheney was never charged with exposing Plame. Try to stay informed.
But Scootter Libby was found guilty.
But W. commuted Libby's sentence, which was incidentally 30 months.
But I guess since outing our leading covert CIA agent on Iranian nuclear technology was simply a slip of the tongue and caused no harm, there is no reason to punish anyone.
Off course,since when criminals charge one another.
They are all the same bunch of filth.
Yeah but he f did it and should of been tried for treason.
That's because he ordered Scooty Libby to take the fall. It went something like this: Cheney leaked to Rove about Valery Plame being CIA; Rove then leaked to Bob Novak who outed her in his newspaper column. Cheney told Libby to take the blame so the heat would stay away from the Administration and 'W' would pardon him anyway. W didn't totally pardon him, but did fully commute his sentence. Richard Armitrage, who, as Rove's errand boy and scapegoat, actually was the person who technically told Novak at Rove's behest. Please stay informed.
He wasn't charged because he was the veep with nearly limitless power to abuse the system.
I am informed.
Iran, Iran Iran teabagger!
so they finally prosecuted cheney????
Sad that our system of "justice" is so "unjust". You are correct – Cheney should also be prosecuted. As should Broadwell who also has violoated National Security agreements that she signed. Unfortunately those who are close the "top" always seem to get away with murder (or the like).
Are all liberals really stupid? Richard Armitrage revealed Plame's name; Cheney was not involved. Armitage was not prosecuted because Plame was not covert. Got it?
Get real!
No, Cheney did it – listen to what Wilson said on a TV interview, as well as Plame's testimony before the congressional committee. It's all on youtube. IIRC, Wilson noted that a 20-minute phone call to the press reporter was made by the govt official who had just gotten off a plane ride with Cheney, and the name was published the next day. Something like that.
And there was plenty of other evidence too. And Plame was covert, according to an official statement from the CIA (again, listen to the tapes of the congressional inquiry)
I thought treason was punishable by death.
Only applies to hard working ordinary Americans.
Who won, the black spy or the white spy?
The black one.
Find out by watching: "I Spy"
Hey, your comments about about Chenney are not the issue here. They are given this man a vacation in a prison that will have all the features of a resort. The man , if you could call him a man, ratted out on a fellow member of the CIA. That is what is important here. What if you were that agent and you were in a difficult place and some one in you organization told them that you were there. THINK ABOUT IT!
Yes, Cheney SHOULD be in prison. He outed a CIA spy. In his case it's worse. If you can't trust a VP with state secrets,mthen who CAN you trust. using intelligence people for political payback is wrong.
Cheney is and was a traitor. Just Ike Bush's granddaddy.
So you proclaim a former Vice President of the United States, former Secretary of Defense and U.S. Congressman a Traitor? Mark Hensley, you are an utter moron or possibly a poorly educated 13th or 14th grader. You confuse your own bias and emotions with facts to create your self developed yet uninformed babbling, and then take the time to boldly proclaim your nonsense to the world. The world and issues like these are not as simple as your thought processes and intellectual capabilities. Leave the big stories to the grownups that live in the real world and have critical thinking skills. No response needed...your kind of stupid doesn't matter.
Very true, he really does need to be in a federal prison for his betrayal.
If this guy really did what he's accused of, he should be punished but we should also have investigated who outed Valery Plame. If it was someone with a lot power, that shouldn't matter to the investigators.
yeah THINK ABOUT IT you know that's exactly what cheney did!!!
don't let your team mentality get in the way of the truth and the correct treatment of treason!
never speak up and jeopardize invading iraq under the bush/cheney dictatorship or you cia relatives will be outted....
So it's okay if Cheney did it to get back at someone, but not okay if this guy did it for personal gain? Yeah, we should throw the book at him. Perhaps he should've just shot someone in the face?
Yes, Cheney's actions are an issue here. He had a top security clearance. He knew Val P. was "covert." He was just getting at her husband. Still he DID expose an agent. BTW, Armitage just took a "hit" for him. If it was Armitage, he didn't get jail time either. All one cuddly family.
For those of you that are for some reason blasting Cheney need to check your facts. Straight out of Wikipedia;
The Plame Affair (also known as the CIA leak scandal, the CIA leak case, the CIA leak grand jury investigation, and Plamegate) involved the identification of Valerie Plame Wilson as a covert[1][2] Central Intelligence Agency officer by Richard Armitage.
Who is Armitage you ask? A registered democrat originally appointed to the state department by President Clinton.
But heck, don't let facts stand in your way when you go on your idiotic rants.
You're not really quoting Wikipedia as truth are you? Do some real research and you'll see that Karl Rove is the guy you're ultimately looking for–yes, the one and the same, now irrelevant Rove–who confirmed the classified information about Plame's status for Novak's article, not Armitage, but wait that's inconvenient now isn't it
Huh? Seriously, are you for real? Armitage admitted that he is the one that outed her. But hey, just keep chugging along with your drivel. Your liberal lemming friends will lap it up and cheer you on because it fits perfectly with their dillusional perceptions.
You rewrite history all the time, or just when it's convenient for you?
Larry – Cheney was involved and knew – that is what they don't tell you in Wiki.
Wikipedia? Wow! That's never wrong!
Do you honestly believe Cheney didn't know about and help plan the leak? Really? The problem with right-wingers is they always resort to semantics and drama associated with isolated elements of each subject. You, in your heart know Cheney was involved. You also ranted to go after Hillary because she was at the top of the State Department when the crisis in Lybia developed. Why aren't you going after Cheney? How about his "special deals" for Haliburton? You know about those. What does Wikipedia tell you about that? Be honest to yourself.
The point is and you haven't approached it, that NO ONE, NO ONE got anything for outing VP. Not Cheney, not Armitage, not anyone.
I say we get in there and dig out his heart and give it to someone that deserves it.
Its too late, as DarthCheny already got a new heart.
what do you know about Cheney other than what you have heard from liberal press that you make such a stupid comment?
I think at this point, we all know more about Cheney and his henchmen than we would ever wish to. He is a national tragedy.
It is high time we lock up Dick Cheney – or worse.
It's never going to happen for two reasons. First, presidents and vice presidents have sovereign immunity for their actions in their official capacities. Barring impeachment proceedings, which are already out of the question for obvious reasons, there's little that can be done regarding Bush and Cheney's actions in office. Second, the only way around this involves prosecution at the International Criminal Court. Since the U.S. is not a member of the ICC, it would require a Security Council referral for Bush and Cheney to fall under ICC jurisdiction. As we all know, the U.S. would definitely veto such a resolution.
Although sovereign immunity applies to the U.S. government itself, it would not be difficult to use it as a successful defense given that the alleged crimes involved Bush and Cheney's official duties.
The justice dept will go after the rank & file... but there will be no justice until Cheney does time.
But Cheney isn't in jail for the same thing? Oh, that's right. Cheney's a republican. The rules don't apply.
The double standard raises its' ugly head yet again.
He was just trying to comply with the 'transparency' thing.
I think...that if I were Valerie Plame's husband, I would – at this point – just hunt down and shoot Dick Cheney!
You're being far too kind.
Cheney deserves to be dragged into the gutter and flogged.
That way, he could be punished again, and again, and again.
Cheney saw nothing wrong with waterboarding... give him a few bites at that apple!
When will the present and past four administrations go to prison for war crimes?
Why stop at four? This is the real world and nobody is playing by the Marquis of Queensbury rules. Every president has blood on his hands, even Carter. That doesn't excuse Dick Cheney and the neocons. They were the worst of the worst.
Well, why the hell wasnt CHEYNEY sentenced!?!?!??!?!?!
Next up, Bush, Cheney, Libby and a host of others for outing Valerie Plame.....too bad that won't happen. They all should be hanged in the city square at high noon for exposing her.
We really need to convince CNN to get a "like" button on this site..too many of us wasting keystrokes saying the same damn thing....
like
or.....forced to go HUNTING with Cheyney
Naw... he only shoots his lawyers in the face.
Absolutely. The Judges description of "Violating A Sacred Trust" fits completely around the necks of Bush, Cheney, Rove and Libby and they all got off with nothing but scratches. It illustrates the double standard but more important what a bunch of low lifes these people are at the core. They should be swinging from the gallows.
This guy goes to jail while Cheney walks free for the same crime.
He also shot someone in the face!
That's right! Plus this week they grilled Clinton about Benghazi, but I still haven't heard any apologies from Cheney, Rice or Bush about dropping the ball on 9/11/01.
"Alright, perhaps you've already said too much," Brinkema said.
Understatement.
Just goes to show, that if you are the President or the Vice President, or other high level government officials, that you are above the law! We will not get our country back until we take our country back! I just hope that we keep it this time!
Hmm Listen to what the media is "not" saying.
Oh well. I thought maybe Rove or Cheney had been brought to justice.
This guy could seriously get iced as soon as he sets foot out of prison.
Try turning the TV off once in a while and seek reality.
Maybe they could lobotomize him and place him in an assisted living facility so he could be slowly put to death with succinocholine?
Loose lips sink ships.
Thats what she said!!! Giggiddy giggiddy
That should be loose lips drips...
are we talking about Dick or Cheney?
Guess we can look forward to a similar prosecution of "Dick" Cheney.
Let's hope so, John. In fact, the whole rotten bunch on Capitol Hill need to be indicted and prosecuted. especially George W.Bush who knew all the time that Iraq didn't have any weapons of mass destruction.
The whole WMD fallacy is getting tiresome. You're nothing but a parrot. We went into Iraq because they violated a treaty from the gulf war that said Iraq had to allow surprise U.N. weapons inspections and they jerked around U.N. teams for 10 years. I guess the truth doesn't fit into your agenda, though.
i12bphil – You forgot the continuous violations of no fly zones and launching of scud missiles into surrounding nations.
And the 5 trillion we spent on the Iraq war was totally worth it. Retards
cheney never outed anybody. richard armitage outed valerie plame,but he was a washington insider so that was okay.
It will be interesting to see what his life will be like once he gets out of prison. I mean 30 months is nothing, soldiers deploy for up to 18 months in a place where they can be killed from one day to the next. I guarantee this guys gets a nice cell with all the amenities... then when he gets out, cheney will be waiting at the gate with a big fat "thanks for taking the hit" check. Mafia stuff.
Dream on, you clueless idiot. He will likely find that he is unemployable in any fashion at all. Not even at Burger <King. Why don't you realize that and climb down off your invisible high horse, and join reality. Reality is anyone with a criminal record will never be hired in the US. That's modern America.
You are sooooo wrong. Cons or Ex-Cons get work all the time. People with college educations have much better chances of returning to their chosen field. I see him going to work for a security firm somewhere. He will stay in the business. And maybe while he is in he will collect enough information from others that just makes him even more valuable.
Oh Please. Faux will have him as a contributor 5 minutes after he gets his cufflinks from the property desk.
What hit did he take for Cheney?
yes he did, Al. Yes he did
"not realizing that he would lose control of the information once he divulged it" Movie spy rule #1:
(smiles) I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you, *maniacal laughter* (solemn face) seriously though don't ask that question again...." (fade out)
Then why is Dick Cheney still walking around as a free man?
Well, if he can't be tried in court, then we should be able to .. you know..
OJ had a good team of lawyers.
Wait...He worked for the CIA and he is described as "really thoughtless and really naïve"?
The CIA is neither a thoughtless nor a naive organization. They employ some of the smartest people in America. The problem is that the CIA, just like the military, is forced to do stupid things by our government. Sure, blaming the CIA is easy- but the real blame is on mindless government politicians. The CIA is just doing their job.
In fact Bryceson, the C.I.A. is the biggest terrorist organization that the world has yet seen. Just look at what happened in Chile in 1973, the Congo in 1960, Iran in 1953, South Vietnam in 1963, etc. Need I say more?
I think that several nazi soldiers also tried that defense, "we were just following orders." Neither the CIA, the government and especially the leak have clean hands. It is never black and white unless you are eating oreos.
" just doing their job..." hmmm- echoes from 1945
wjmccartan, all of the incidents you mentioned were ordered by the government, not the CIA. The CIA was just doing its job. It is the government that should be blamed, not the CIA.
By the defense. They will say anything, no matter how absurd.
What Carl Rove is free?
Rhetorical question I guess. He should be hanged along with Bush, Cheney, Libby and a host of others for exposing Valerie Plame. I'll provide the rope and build the gallows if that would help move the process along.
Michael, sarcasm right? Nobody in the US has the right to execute anybody unless they have the authority to do so appointed or granted by the State agency involved- and that's an ugly issue. AND unless I miss my guess, the system should have already explained that to you in school.
But, that might become a debatable point in the near future – go figure:) !
Actually Rowe is being held by R. Murdock and forced to do Fox commentary to throw everyoff. He tried to send us a message by pretending to be shocked when Mitt lost.
WoW
Probably counting his blessings the Dems aren't as vicious as Repubs.
What a sad country. The sentence is indicative of a police state.
How is it indicative of a police state? This guy gave out information that could have easily endangered other people's lives. He isn't a patriotic whistle-blower, he is a traitor.
Out of curiosity, do you feel the same about Bush, Cheney, Libby and a host of others for outing Valerie Plame?
Bryceson. I hope you had this much righteous indignation when the Bush boys outted Phlame for political gain. Whatta bunch of hypocrits!!
Well kinda– only we call it the Patriot Act to hide it from America.
This has nothing to so with the Patriot Act. (Which I do believe is far more broad than it should ever have been allowed to be) Any time you have to call something patriotic be sure to look behind the curtain.)
lock patreaus up for 30 years
jaeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwww
Aaaaaaaassssssssssss
He needed to use Cheney's lawyer if he really wanted to beat the rap.
yeah, where is Darth Vader aka Cheney when you need him for legal advice?
He's really Clark Kent...............ssssssssssssssh don't tell anyone. Hahahahahahahahaaha