Cannonfire

Monday, January 21, 2008

Those missing emails and the 12-hour warning

I've not written much about email-gate lately, primarily because the efforts of Marcy Wheeler go beyond the capabilities of mere mortals. But we must take note of this Raw Story piece, which reveals something new and important, yet which leaves out a key detail.

On the morning of September 30, 2003, White House counsel Alberto Gonzales sent a message to everyone working for the President and Vice President -- "preserve all materials that might be relevant" to the Valerie Plame probe, which was then just beginning.

Looks like someone didn't get the message. The emails from Cheney's office for that period were not preserved -- in fact, they have gone missing.

Ironically, Cheney's office is missing emails from the very day President Bush told reporters he'd "take care of" whatever staff member had actually leaked the CIA agent's name.

Here's the part Raw Story doesn't mention: Gonzales became aware of the probe on September 29, the day before this formal notice made the rounds. Twelve hours before that message went out, Gonzales gave White House Chief of Staff Andy Card a "heads up" warning, informing him of the probe.

...when Gonzales was notified about the investigation on the evening of Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, he waited 12 hours before telling the White House staff about the inquiry. Official notification to staff is meant to quickly alert anyone who may have pertinent records to make sure they are preserved and safeguarded.

I think we all get the picture. This passage from a 2005 WP story takes on new meaning:

Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.), appearing on the same program, questioned why Gonzales would not have notified the staff immediately by e-mail and suggested that Fitzgerald pursue whether Card may have given anyone in the White House advance notice of the criminal investigation.

At the time Biden said these words, we did not know that Bushco had set up secret email accounts using RNC servers. As far as we know, an email was sent out, warning everyone to delete everything -- including that very message.

posted: 1:49 PM

4 COMMENTS - CLICK HERE

Comments:

Gonzo wasn't AG then, he was WH counsel.

posted by

AitchD : 3:14 PM

Thanks; will rewrite.

posted by

Joseph : 3:21 PM

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

posted by

Anonymous : 4:53 PM

Joe,

I know my comment is irrelevant to this post, but my disgust at what I have just seen Hank Paulson say on TV means that I need to vent. Please forgive me.

I'm sure you are aware of the state the US economy and more specifically the US banking system is in. Certainly action is needed. But the proposed fiscal package is designed to bail out those who have put all of you in this position. It is an economic blunderbuss which showers largesse on precisely those who need it least. It does not directly address the underlying problem. It is designed to support stocks and the wealthy.

The most elegant solution would be temporary tax relief for homeowners, and specifically for single home owners. This would direct cash straight into the relevant pockets and help the banks.

The proposal which the WH has advanced doesn't do this. It is technically a bad proposal. Pelosi and Reed should block it. But the "financial interests" have been arguing that if they don't get what they want they will hold their breath until they go purple. Its true that the US needs a fiscal package. But its treasonous in this time of extreme economic peril, that they continue to focus on their own self interest and not the greater good of the country. The attempt to use this situation for political and economic gains disgusts me. I'm not American. I saw this coming and adjusted my behavior accordingly. However their attempted "solution" will ultimately bring economic disaster and inflation to these shores, and result in those least able bearing the brunt of the costs.

Maybe you should just delete this comment and think of someway to address this issue in your own time. I'm sorry for bringing up something which is not relevant to this discussion.

But really, these people have no shame whatsoever.

Harry

posted by

Anonymous : 5:52 AM