Why Fitzgerald should spring the indictments unannounced...

[Larry in KC]

...and why it's truly an issue of national security...

If he gives good, clear warning of when the indictment bombshells are going to be dropped, I think we can predict that the *'s will wag the dog violently. There will be one or (more likely) more than one manufactured distraction, and of course, with the way these people apparently think, it will be something scary, literally.

With the political impact the indictments could have, I certainly wouldn't expect them to try distracting with some simple "raise the terror alert status based on unspecified intelligence". I'd expect something or things bigger and more terrifying.

SO... wouldn't it go some distance toward insulating the U.S. and the world from that sort of dangerous stunt if Fitzgerald announced the indictments, this afternoon, for instance, with little or no advance warning? A sudden al Qaida attack half an hour AFTER the indictments are handed down might be more than even the *'s think they could pull off.

[electropop]

1. I think they have something lined up for delivery

within seconds of the announcement. Rove just has to press one button and BLAM! bombs go off in Penn Station, LAX, and Joe Wilson's garage.

[Seansky]

2. You know, at this point, with all the noise about how * has protected us

from attacks, if one does happen (which I DON'T want to ever happen again), it will just backfire on * and his admin and we will be even more eager to get him out of office..another attack would just destroy any faith anyone might still have in the guy.

[formernaderite]

3. Honestly, I'm getting a little worried...

why would a prosecutor have the FBI doing factchecks at the 11th hour? Questioning the neigbors, now? Wouldn't you have done that, say...two years ago!!! I wish everyone here a merry little fitzmas...I just don't see it. Granted, I'm an atheist....so if i'm wrong I'll gladly start celebrating your little fitzmas holiday.

[DemReadingDU]

4. I just read that the grand jury

had a request to ensure that the Wilson's neighbors indeed did not know about Valerie working for the CIA. Surely this was done at the beginning, but I suppose they were checking it out again, maybe asking different neighbors?.

[Igel]

9. It was speculation that he had a request.

At least one neighbor said that's what was being asked. But the neighbor, like the FBI and media, have no more information about why than anybody else. Apart, of course, from those privy to the GJ proceedings.

[formernaderite]

13. I doubt it....they're pretty thorough when they question.

It just seems so dilletantish to be conducting last minute interviews. It made me think they're doing the last minute grasp. I've pretty much had it anyway. Sorry to be such a downer.

[Pepper32]

5. Glad to know I'm not the only one getting worried.

[Jane Austin]

6. I think he did it to make Rove nervous.

At least that could be one of the reasons.

[Joe Chi Minh]

14. What makes you think it will be little.... ?

And you'll want to rejoice? You don't sound all that enthusiastic. You sound more like a nursery teacher driven to distraction and trying to put a damper on the kiddies' celebrations out of pique!

[Igel]

7. It doesn't matter in the least.

Announcing the indictments is a trivial point.

Immediately after Fitzgerald says what--if--any indictments are, there'll be a million people claiming what the indictments really are, what they mean, what the consequences are, and how what others are saying is wrong.

Then there's arraignment. The charging of the defendants and impanelling of the jury. Just the preremptory challenges should entertain everybody on both sides for a week.

Then there's the trial. There's the evidence, spun until the angular momentum causes it to lose all integrity and shatter, shards flying everywhere until nobody outside the jury, the judge and the lawyers has any clue what the evidence actually is.

There'll be a bijillion artists' renditions of who looked like what when they or somebody else said something. If it's open to the cameras, we'll see non-stop coverage, and a never-ending parade of still-frame blurry pictures of people looking dorky as they pronounce rounded or spread-lipped vowels and consonants. And the inevitable photoshops and captioning.

Then there'll be endless motions to delay or speed up, dismiss or amend charges. Followed, probably, by some sort of verdict.

And the inevitable appeals.

:popcorn:

edited to correct subject-verb concord.

[Larry in KC]

11. I think your point's a good one, but...

I still think that even though there will be many more moments, the *'s likely think of this as one of those crucial momentum points, so that if the dramatic indictment moment is allowed the stage, the general public perception takes a leap forward into seeing the * administration in a horrible light.

BUT, if other "events" too big to pass up hog the spotlight, so the drama of this story can be muted until it's older news (at least it's easy to picture them hoping), they can weaken that whole perception, and hope that the very fog of events you're describing helps to keep that public view from ever crystallizing as clearly.

[WLKjr]

8. This could be one of the other things he is investigating

and is trying to get them to flinch so he can point it out with facts and a timeline.

[joeprogressive]

10. I thought the fitzmas holiday started today or did I just dream that?

n/t

[katty]

12. yes, throw out the lighteningbolt when nerves are almost shot