Fitzgerald may have asked for extension of Grand Jury

[HootieMcBoob]

A source close to the Plame case is saying that Fitzgerald met alone with Judge Hogan yesterday, presumably to ask for an extension of the Grand Jury.

BushCo. sphincters to be set on "pucker" for a while.

http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2005_10_09_firedoglake_archive.html#112914911606549275

[Stephanie]

1. No!

I can't take any more waiting!!!

[benburch]

2. I'd rather he got it right, Stephanie.

This is too important for the future of this country.

[The Backlash Cometh]

24. The longer he takes, the more time they have to launch a PR campaign

against him. Unless you tie Limbaugh's and Coulter's lips together, they still have pundits that can stir the shit to raise the polls against Fitz.

[truebrit71]

3. If it means he gets the whole rotten crew....

..I say go for it....

[HootieMcBoob]

4. I know

I can barely concentrate on anything else now any longer and I might explode. :)

[alcibiades_mystery]

5. Yes, but this isn't about you

It's about the truth, or something like it.

[Tempest]

7. Are you kidding? Waiting for this is half the fun.

I'm getting a real kick out of watching the rightwing abandoning the administration like rats from a sinking ship.

There was an article in the WA Post today that gave a list of all the Repugs Bush has courted to run for the House and Senate who told him "no thanks".

[HootieMcBoob]

13. If this turns out to be true...

I wonder how long the extension will be for.

[snippy]

42. Ordinarily a new grand jury would have to be impaneled. The term of

the new grand jury would be 18 months I think.

[HootieMcBoob]

44. well if that's the case then I'm starting to think this must be bogus

what you and h2o man and walt starr have said makes more sense to me right now. If he met with the judge it could be that he's getting ready to wrap the whole thing up.

[ChickMagic]

50. That's right

An extension on a grand jury is 3 months, if I remember correctly. If a new grand jury is impaneled, they will have to start from scratch.

[HereSince1628]

54. Waitin just maybe the only fun we get...

there are no guarantees that there will be indictments.

But would Fitz' ask for an extension if he didn't have business to attend to.

[randyconspiracybuff]

11. Better To Let Fitz Take His Time

...and get it right rather than to rush this thing. The new revelations of Miller's notes may mean a lot more stones need unturning before indictments are issued (if there are any indictments).

But, I agree with you. The suspense is killing me!

[SpiralHawk]

15. Ah so, Grasshopper, a classic case of the "Emptiness of Waiting"

My old Zen teacher always used to say, "waiting is like..."

Ah, but why be trite, or even profound for that matter? I shall not bore your further.

Let's all just squat back on our bamboo mats and Blissfully Contemplate the steady drip, drip, dri...

(Help, my planet's Poles are melting and all my bimbo pResident wants to do is cut taxes for the rich !)

[Lindsay]

37. Or as Heinlein had it, in Stranger in a Strange Land,

"waiting is."

[SpiralHawk]

6. Set Repube Sphincters on Pucker: Make it so Mr. pResident*

* Special circumstances apply for "special" people, especially Connecticut Yankee Preppy Cheerleaders who somehow become pResident of their nation even after having deserted their National Guard units.

[Debau2005]

9. Oh my...

:rofl: :spray: :rofl: :spray: :rofl: :spray: :rofl: :spray: :rofl: :spray: :rofl: :spray: :rofl: :spray: :rofl: :spray: :rofl: :spray:

[moobu2]

8. They’re going to have sphincter fatigue

[Pithy Cherub]

10. Possibly a very good exciting thing!

New testimony may have brought new avenues and new potential crimes into view. Fitzgerald is sworn to uphold the law and go wherever this may lead including the Oval Office. My immediate reaction also means more principals and staffers on the NSC may be in deep hot water without their GOP water wings.

Stay tuned to Our new REAL political reality show! :popcorn:

[HootieMcBoob]

17. That's what I thought too

especilly considering the new info that the investigation was focusing on the white house iraq group now and that cheney may very well be a target.

[snippy]

45. I am confident that Fitzgerald has been aware of the WHIG for a long time.

In fact, I think it may have been the existence of the WHIG and its responsibility for formulating and disseminating the lies to justify the invasion of Iraq that led Fitzgerald to expand the scope of his investigation long ago.

[back2basics909]

22. Apart from the wait...

.. this MUST be good news, if it's true.

[Jack from Charlotte]

61. I agree. New targets have been IDed. Wack them all.*

[HereSince1628]

12. I have no idea how this works someone help me out...

What are the various other possible reasons for Fitzgerald meeting with the judge?

If the GJ hands down an indictment does the judge have to sign them before they are served?

If there is a need to get some subpoenaed to testify does that take a meeting with the Judge?

[Stephanie]

66. If he were going to indict Cheney, wouldn't he inform the judge first?

That's so huge, I think he would alert the judge before he filed.

[Cronus Protagonist]

14. He might be moving into new investigative areas too

That would be his reason for an extension.

http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13
Buttons for brainy people - educate your local freepers today!

[Catherine Vincent]

16. I sure hope he's acquired body guards.

Republicans are dangerous.

[Blasphemer]

18. What is the time frame between indictments and a trial?

This story needs to be a big part of the upcoming elections. Ideally, the indictments would be timed for maximum effect. Would a trial start before next November if the indictments came down this month?

[lonestarnot]

19. hmmmmm....

[countryjake]

20. He's probably asking for protection!

With the tight ship he's run so far, I doubt anyone actually knows what that meeting could have been concerning!

[Walt Starr]

21. It's really difficult to say what he may have been talking to the judge

about.

Could be a lot of things, especially Miller's latest testimony and the implications to the case.

[Ilsa]

23. Let's hope nothing else critical is going on while Bushco

sits nervously awaiting the outcome. I'd hate for Dumbya's nerves to cause him to push the wrong buttons on Syria or Iran.

[H2O Man]

25. Don't think so .... n/t

[HootieMcBoob]

26. Is that a hunch?

Or do you have other information?
I'm not all that familiar with the person who posted this and have no idea how reputable she is.

[Sydnie]

27. H2O Man is above reproach

I'll vouch for him.

But share H20 Man ... what is the deal? Is he ready to rock and roll instead?

[Walt Starr]

30. I'd bet he was meeting with the judge to inform the judge

he was ready to proceed with the completion of the case and formulate indictments.

He may also have been talking with the judge about how they go about informing the GJ they cannot indict *.

[H2O Man]

31. Fitzgerald and the judge

may have been discussing: the widening area of examination of Mr. Rove; and/or plans for next Wednesday. (In theory, they could have discussed an extension, or empaneling a new grand jury. I would suggest that is not particularly likely.)

** unintended highlighting on post

[Sydnie]

35. Here's a question for you

Just how wide can he make the net on crimes that investigating the original crime exposes? In other words, can he stretch this investigation to include all the way back to the DSM and how they might play a part in the actions that led to this investigation?

I desperately want to see someone (him, if he can) tie these two things together in a way that makes the case air tight on just what happened and what the DSM really means.

If he has shown that all of the "cover up" began before Wilson wrote his article, can he trace it back to the proof they were fixing the intelligence to fit the policy, of which Wilson was a thorn in their sides where their plans were concerned?

[H2O Man]

41. There are not

limitations on how wide he can go. Matthews is saying this is the WHIGs bringing us to war. While the DSM is not going to directly come in to play, it is the same thing. Matthews just said Wilson showed the White House case for war was false.

[HootieMcBoob]

33. I'm all over H2O man

I mean...he's the man.
Last summer I was hanging on his every word about this...his and a few other folks. That's why I'm interested to know what he has to say. Like I said I have no idea of the reputation of this blogger, or her source, it was just something I happened upon.

{on edit} and when I say last summer i'm talking about july 2004! the plame papers i think they were calling them :)

[Sydnie]

38. I misunderstood -- I'm up to speed with you now though!

:) Sorry.

[H2O Man]

40. People are anxious.

Chris Matthews again asked a guest (Miller's attorney) is this going to bring down the administration. Miller's attorney nodded yes to Chris's question about if Rove and Libby are indeed being indicted. Watch the show when it plays later.

Fitzgerald has had to meet with the judge numerous times.

Note: the Cheney forces have Victoria Toensing on. She said Fitzgerald has "gone over the edge." She is a disgusting human being.

[leftchick]

47. she is despicable

I am sure she has no reflection when she gazes in a mirror. :puke:

H2O Man I will be out of town from Friday to next Thursday and will only have sporadic internet access. I will also be at my Mom and Dad's where only faux is piped in.

It is a terrible time for me to be away from what could be the biggest events in this country in at least the last thirty years.

I am so sad. :(

[H2O Man]

51. Newspapers .....

even the very republican "Evening Sun" from very republican Norwich, NY, has an editorial about Karl potentially leaving the administration, in today's edition! Buy some papers, and you'll be fine!

[thinkingwoman]

55. Hey H2O...

Have you entered the Indictment Poll?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5041196

1st prize is a DU t-shirt. :hi:

[H2O Man]

58. I didn't see it.

Thanks. If anyone wants a hint at the correct answer, I suggest they use the official Water Man's guide to the changing colors of Sean Hannity's face. It was getting pretty bright red last night. I expect him to cry next Wednesday night, on air.

[thinkingwoman]

64. the official Water Man's guide...

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I would PAY TO SEE Hannity cry on the air!

It is a good time to be alive. Karma in action is a beautiful, terrible, wonderful thing to watch.

P.S. I have next Wednesday in the poll. ;-)

[H2O Man]

65. Poor Sean

is having a very difficult time with this. I suspect he will have Victoria Toenign (sp?/I'm tired) on to make himself feel better. He was losing control last night.

[leftchick]

56. lol!

Isn't it funny how net dependant I have become? I never even think of print editions of newspapers anymore. Well, I did buy the Washington Post in DC the day after the march for a "keepsake".

Thank you for reminding me and here is to an indictment filled future! :)

[thinkingwoman]

53. don't worry about being away from the net

even the idiotic bushlicking "liberal" media will cover indictments. Any TV will do. Hell, even Faux will have it.

They'll be spinning it as the second coming. But they'll have it.

[snippy]

48. So they are beginning the attack on Fitzgerald.

It was to be expected. Watch for the phrase "gone over the edge" to be used by other republicans when referring to Fitzgerald.

[thinkingwoman]

43. I'll 2nd that vouching

I've been watching him post on this issue for 2 years already. He owns this issue.

[cassiepriam]

28. What does this mean, why would he do this, is he digging deeper/wider?

[brettdale]

29. I hope not

I think thats bad news.

[Demobrat]

32. It sounds like new info is coming to lite

just this week. If so, it would make sense that he would ask for more time.

[DearAbby]

34. hard to tell what the meeting may be for, H2Oman has mentioned

very valid points, what the discussion may be about. Fitz is very closed about the case, so no one can be sure what the reasons are...again we just have to wait.

[snippy]

36. Fitzgerald may have just been giving the judge a heads up on the

indictments he is going to seek. Particularly as to the identity of those he intends to indict. However, if he does want to extend his investigation I believe he would have to ask the judge to impanel a new grand jury. If that is the case, I think it would be because he has expanded the scope of the investigation. This seems unlikely to me though unless Miller provided him with a lot of information that he did not already know.

That possibility exists of course, especially in light of Miller's recently discovered notes. But I doubt that Miller's notes would contain anything that would implicate anyone Fitzgerald was not already investigating or anything that would suggest crimes that Fitzgerald was not already aware of. I just don't see why the White House would give Miller that type of information or why she would write it down if it was provided to her. And Fitzgerald informed the court a long time ago that the scope of his investigation had expanded beyond the identities of the leakers.

[Stephanie]

67. I think if the indictments are going as high as we think they should -

then definitely Fitz would have to inform the judge before he makes his charges

[RagAss]

39. There is no more time...the Pukes are mounting a Swiftboat..

on him now. Before it's over he'll be in Gitmo.....

Bad Move .....

[BrotherBuzz]

46. Can Fitzgerald indict now, then form a second Grand Jury...

and continue an expanded investigation?

I think this nation deserves a bone thrown to them now, say, three indictments (Rove, Libby, and ?) for us to chew on while a new investigation continues and expands to include all of the White House rats (I count about twenty heads that need to be snagged).

We deserve the right to lick the bowl while the cake is in the oven.

[KharmaTrain]

49. I Suspected He Would - New Evidence

We know for certain there are new Miller notes that Fitzgerald hadn't seen until last week...hence calling Miller for not just an interview but to testify again before the entire Grand Jury. This meant there had to be more information Ms. Miller had in these notes that Mr. Fitzgerald felt was important to present in this case and could open the door to even more questions.

We don't know what those notes entailed other than it was another conversation with Libby. We also don't know if there were other conversations discovered or if Fitzgerald is holding other records that now have to be coroborated with what Ms. Miller has just turned over.

Also hauling Karl back in again means that side of the investigation is going strong as well...as Karl is caught between what he told investigators and what we're starting to find out now. Surely Fitzgerald has a bunch for material and whatever is being leaked has a purpose...to flush out other information. Miller looks like she's a case in point...protecting her own ass by serving up Libby's...which in turn is serving up Rove's.

The fact The White House Iraq Group is getting more press and fingers are pointing in this group's involvement in this scandal also is quite revealing. If this is a broader conspiracy, Fitzgerald will either need to extend his mandate or another investigation will have to take place.

Yes, patience works in our favor here. Let these goons twist in the wind. Fitzgerald had played this game before. Right now, Scott Fawell, George Ryan's "Scooter Libby" is singing like a bird in Ryan's trial...spilling out story after story of cronyism and other corruption. It took Fitz years to get Fawell to turn on his former boss...and even indictment and the threat of long jail terms didn't seem to matter to Fawell at first. Fitz found other ways to get to him. I imagine he's got some interesting angles to play in this scandal as well.

[cascadiance]

52. Waiting for Sibel Edmonds' case to be heard by SCOTUS...

Probably wants to interview her and others that have been muzzled from him by the "States Secret" privilege gag rule. Would give him more ammunition if he can move forward then!

[lovuian]

57. I think we are going to have an extension!!! This is too Big!!!

Its a cleansing process!!!

[Generator]

59. Well if he can hook the big reptile

aka Cheney then I will live with my heart palpitations. (yes that WSJ story mentioned WHIG but not Cheney-chain yanked again-I'm a waiting-Of course it's CHENEY.)

Otherwise I'm screaming on the inside.

[DemsUnited]

60. 7/25/05 WSJ article discusses possibility of up to a 6 month extension

<snip>

Ms. Miller remains jailed over her refusal to cooperate. The grand jury's term ends in October, but could be extended for six months if prosecutors believe there is a reason to continue. Ms. Miller could face more time if prosecutors decide to seek criminal-contempt charges.

<snip>

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB112224465667094383-vL1oAwRLRhzsgM2Y_TL32y_tsQA_20060725.html?mod=blogs

A six month extension is a small price to pay if Fitzgerald is extending the scope of his investigation to the White House Iraq Group & the forged Niger memo.

[cascadiance]

62. Something this long may work to our advantage...

If the subsequent impeachments won't happen until after the 2006 elections by delaying it that long, giving it that much attention around election timeframe as well as allowing a Dem congress to take over in 2006 might help us that much more clean house later if we can have President Pelosi doing it!

[crispini]

63. Oooooooo. There's waaaaaay too much....

antici -
















































(wait for it)




























pation.