A fresh start for the Wilsons

Posted: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 11:45 AM by Hardball
Hilary Rosen

I ran into Joe Wilson at Starbucks this morning. We hugged and thought neighborhood coffee was as good a way as any to celebrate Scooter Libby’s guilty verdict yesterday.

Seeing Joe looking happy and fresh made me realize that so many people outside of Washington see this verdict and the events of the past few years as just about politics, not about people.

Joe and Valerie are neighborhood parents. We both have boy-girl twins and our kids played together sometimes. Just like lots of my friends in the neighborhood, they are fun, friendly, smart, passionate and accomplished. Their kids are adorable and play well with others. They are certainly better behaved than my kids.

Joe was always a grand personality. If there is a room at the party that is Valerie Plame And Joseph Wilson Hold Press Conference On Lawsuit louder than others, where the talk is frenzied and the opinions are flying, then Joe is sure to be in the middle of it. Valerie is more reserved but no less engaging when she is talking.

So here they were—a neighborhood family. And then the most powerful men in the country decided that the Wilsons were getting in the way of their personal agenda of economic domination through war-mongering. Their lives were overturned. And after they were targeted and Valerie’s CIA career was ruined, they were attacked and victimized all over again by the right-wing defenders of the White House for having the temerity to stick up for themselves.

I never thought they were defending themselves.

The Wilsons knew and still know that when the powers that be can do that to them, they can do it to anyone. And they needed to be stopped. It seems by the reaction to the Libby verdict that no one at the White House or their defenders has learned any remorse or taken any responsibility for what they’ve done to the Wilson’s other victims of their bullying or self-interested governing for that matter.

The Wilsons are moving on. This week, in fact. They are taking a family ski trip this weekend and then moving out West permanently. The kids will start in a new school in two weeks.

I am sad they are leaving the neighborhood. But who can blame them. They need a fresh start. The country needs a fresh start too. I am just glad that this guilty verdict happened this week. I see it as a going away present to the Wilsons.

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Comments

The Wilsons are more than just a great family..they are brave Americans. Joe Wilson faced down Saddam during the first Gulf War, and god only knows who Valerie has faced down. Brave Americans, who traveled to Africa to find out about nulear proliferation, and I suspect that Valerie had more to do on that trip than just travel along on a junket. And how did the Cheney, Libby, Rove crowd reward this service to the country? It was to say the least disgraceful. I hope and suspect that the Wilsons will come out of this OK and get on with their lives. Afterall, they are the honest and brave Americans in this ordeal.

Al, Burlington, KS (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 12:10 PM)

Actually, the big news to come out of the Libby court case is that special prosecutor said that no other charges will be filed. There is now general agreement, on all sides of the political spectrum, that whatever what done, it did not violate the law. The bottom line is that no one in the administration did anything illegal by discussing Valarie Plame's activities. That is a considerable vindication for the administration if you remember all the talk, including some by Mr. Wilson, when the story first broke.

Herschel Chait, Terre Haute, Indiana (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 12:44 PM)

Wilson turned out to be a liar and Iraq was trying to buy the yellow cake after all, plus he outed his wife long before anyone else did, in a listing in a national directory. Sounds to me like your description of him is right on. An egomaniac. It's all about him. He's got to be the center of attention and is motivated entirely by his politics. He may have been a good neighbor or maybe just his wife was.

Doug Grey, Rochester, MN (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 12:52 PM)

I also see this as a going away present to the Wilsons. Shame on Bush!

jesse hill, overland park, KS (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 12:54 PM)

Great post Hilary. Thanks for reminding us that there are real people with real lives involved in this mess...my own relief at yesterday's verdict surely is nothing compared to that of the Wilsons.

Sarah, Chicago, Illinois (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 1:00 PM)

I would be happy to have the Wilsons has my neighbors and happy to invite them over for a BBQ. They have been bloodied by vindictive ideologues who will stop at nothing to silence their detractors. Democracy and the rule of law won this time, but we cannot allow complacency to settle in. VOTE: like freedom, democracy and the Country you love depends on it; because it does.

John Reay (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 1:01 PM)

Glad to see this may allow Joe and Valerie a fresh start. But don't think Libby's conviction is a fresh start for this country. A fresh start indicates that something old is completed or forgiven. You just stated in your article how the White House is not apologizing or taking any responsibility for this gross injustice. The Wilson's may have forgiven this administration but the American people have not. And holding all the culprits involved accountable has certainly not been completed. Now if Cheney will be held accountable for his part, and Bush impeached for all of his lies and getting us into this war with Iraq under false pretenses, then that may set the tone for a fresh start for this country. But because their are those who still want to support Bush (God forbid one wonders why) or to excuse his and Cheney's behavior by bringing up Clinton's past, what we are about to experience is the same old back-biting, hateful, abusive divisiveness brought on by the up-coming presdential election. Fresh start? I don't think so. The meat grinder is being sharpened by both sides.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 1:16 PM)

I can understand the Wilsons decision to move their family to a new location which I am sure is for comfort and safety reasons. I look forward to reading Valerie's book someday and admire their courage as they move forward with a civil law suit. The Libby trial brought forward so much background about the lies practiced by the Bush administration it becomes more difficult for them to live in denial. Thank you to the Wilsons for practicing good citizenship.

Patricia Schwab RN, San Diego, Ca. (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 1:17 PM)

Coffee, Latte??? How is this news? Excuse me, I think Libby is a fall guy and a dirt ball, but I am sure Mr. & Mrs. Wuilson will be heading to Hollywood to recover nicely. Maybe a made for TV movie is in the making here. Le't get to the real news, will Dick Cheney ever be held accountable?

George Towns (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 1:37 PM)

As a Westerner, I welcome the Wilsons. They are to be commended for their many years of service to this country and for standing up and telling the truth when those who are running this country were lying. If Mr. Wilson had been listened to before, maybe we wouldn't be in this mess and Scooter Libby would not be facing jail.

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 1:43 PM)

You need to get the facts about the Wilsons, the facts about who actually leaked her name (Armitage), the fact that she was never covert )and that Fitzgerald knew all of this before he even brought charges against Libby), and the facts about why Joe went overseas in the first place. A bi-partisan congressional panel concluded that every claim Joe Wilson made when he came back and wrote his op-ed was false.(again-read the WaPo story and get facts)This mushy crap about I know their kids, they liven up a party, -give me a break. Read the Washington Post story and get a grip on the true facts about the case. It was a witch hunt on the administration, not the other way around. I am sure they will be able to "recover".

Sean, Jacksonville, FL (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 1:50 PM)

My admiration for the Wilsons continues to grow for what they did for this nation. They both showed courage to stand up for the basic democratic values that this nation used to honor. As a westerner, I say "welcome" and as an American, I say "thank you".

Jan Brown, Roseville, CA (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 2:10 PM)

Thank you to the Wilsons for their courage and being true Americans committed to protecting this country's citizenry. Now that the lies and "anything goes" that sent us to an unneccesary war that has claimed many innocent lives and maimed thousands more (never mind Walter Reed), why is Bush still allowed to continue with his lies (by) politicians arguing over what calamities would befall the world if our troops are withdrawn and kept from being sacrificed in order to ensure the fleecing of our economy by Haliburton and co? Why is Bush and Cheney not asked to account for their atrocities?

John Monterey, Bronx New York (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 2:23 PM)

How touching. But I'm not buying the whole "Wilsons-Are-Victims" thing. Joe Wilson and his wife are solely responsible for the unjust conviction of a dedicated public servant, Lewis Libby. It's a very sad day in America when the outright politically-charged lies of a former U.S. Ambassador and his trophy wife can lead directly to the personal distruction of a decent man. Valarie Plame was not outed as a covert CIA agent by anyone within the Bush administation. Rather, it was Clinton administration hold-over, Richard Armitage, who spilled the beans to Robert Novak on her job at the CIA. Sorry, conspiracy theorists. The Bush White did not commit a payback crime in any way, shape or form, no matter what Patrick Fitzgerald or the lemming-minded jurors in D.C. said or did yesterday. Lewis Libby fell on a sword for nothing.

Nick Colletti, West Des Moines, IA (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 2:30 PM)

I think you all have lost the point!! He was never charged with the Valerie Wilson’s outing. He said he could not remember saying something and that is what they got him for. They said he did and did not want to tell the truth about that. I see thing now as “if you can’t remember something just plead the 5th and don’t give any info”. The Wilson’s saw a dollar signs and a way to get them. Joe Wilson didn’t faced down Saddam during the first Gulf War, and only god knows if Valerie faced down because she was already out from “under cover” when her name only was out.

Donald W, OKC, OK (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 2:32 PM)

This piece is not a news story or even an editorial. It is just another attack against the Bush administration. By slanting the story (insert fake chuckle used by Democratic Party members here) implying the Wilsons are victims and not willing pawns is just plain misleading. Read the second sentence of the fifth paragraph again if you don't think this whole article is not just a veiled attack against our nation's leader..."And then the most powerful men in the country decided that the Wilsons were getting in the way of their personal agenda of economic domination through war-mongering."

Don Ryan, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 2:32 PM)

Agree wholeheartedly with your blog. Please wish Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame Wilson the best of luck in their move and their future. What they did, standing up to this crooked bunch in the White House and at great personal expense to their lives and careers, was truly courageous. What they did benefited all of us because they exposed the truth and helped begin the conversation about why the Bush administration really went to war in Iraq. They are my heroes (and I’m not one to use that term lightly)! Please thank them for me.

Madilyn, Rockville, MD (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 2:34 PM)

The guilty verdict given to Libby was a disgrace. I hope and pray that our President will issue a pardon for Libby. Please keep the Wilson's. We do not want them down here in the South. We have decent people here.

Lucille Wright (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 2:34 PM)

Everyone had enough of this Administration? What a joke. Time to throw all of them out with the bath water.

norb bauer (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 2:35 PM)

Hilary thank you for your comments. I feel it is about time that we, as a nation, recognize that Joe Wilson did us a great service, as did Valerie. We need people who are brave enough to take on the powerful who ride roughshod over the world. The Bush Administration lied about the weapons of mass destruction. They did not interpret the truth, they twisted it out of proportion. I hope that maybe we can look to a future when we as a nation stop and think before we wage war. If we are so moral as we claim to be, we must consider an alternative to a "just war". In doing so we need the help of people like the Wilson's. Thank you and your neighbors.

Tom Grage, Monticello, MN (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 3:21 PM)

It's nice to see the Wilsons will be moving on. I honestly can't wait to see what his wife has to say in her book. It's amazing so many people are willing to say they know the facts of this case when I bet the truth is just about no one does. I think the poster hit it right on, most people forget the human toll to this story. It's obvious the administration went after this family with a vengenace. Bush can declassify what ever he wants, it still doesn't make it moral in my opinion. Let's just hope when Libby is pardoned by Bush the rightwing nuts leave the Wilsons alone.

David Casper (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 3:23 PM)

The fact that the trial even moved forward after Fitzgerald already knew Armitage was the inadvertent leaker and that the leak was technically legal, is an absolute disgrace. I can't blame the jury for acting on this trial that never should have been with the verdict they reached, but under the circumstances, I would be shocked if the President didn't pardon him. He made a mistake while under duress and I think the humiliation, the fine and probably the end of his government career are punishment enough. But you have to be sick to actually want or CELEBRATE a decent man being separated from his family and taken to prison for making a crucial mistake under duress b/s he thought he was led to believe that he may have committed a crime which he clearly did not. Mr. Wilson wanted to discredit the President and that's his right, just like the White House in its own defense wanted to discredit Mr. Wilson's discrediting, which is their justfiable right. It's amazing that the Wilsons cry victim when they drew 1st blood.

Academic, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 3:24 PM)

You need to get our DC. Joe Wilson is a partisan hack. Why would he feel better? He lied about his trip and that has been proven. The leaking of his wife's name was not against law. Just because you liberals keep saying CIA Leak, does not mean the rest of the country believes you. Again, take a trip out of DC.

Chris Sexton, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 3:26 PM)

It would be great if by some miracle everyone in the U.S. could see the Bush administration as the rest of the world sees them (corrupt, lying, stealing, greedy murderers). But as long as the media is controlled by the few friends of Bush the right will never see the truth. The only fresh start we could have in this country is if Tom Cruise's alien buddies came down and zapped the White House & Co, the Congress, The Senate, the Superior court, the heads of all the government departments, the lobbyists and the rest of the right wing nut jobs then get everyone to vote on the old paper ballots to start fresh. Oh and return the press to a non profit entity.

Gene Mc Guinness (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 3:31 PM)

The Libby convictions give Joe and Valerie nothing except knowledge that the criminal justice system can produce an equitable result. The ordeal they and their kids have gone through at the hands of this malicious and corrupt administration will have been an overdue victory for democratic values only if it properly shames Messrs. Cheney and Bush. God bless the Wilsons. WP

wally pickford (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 3:37 PM)

I am amazed at how some of these bloggers are actually sticking up for Libby and the Bush administration. I mean its to a point where if Bush or Cheany on Live TV admitted to being "evil doers" or just strait up shot someone in cold blood, that some type of crazy excuse would get made up by these people to justify doing it. Wake UP! I hope the Wilsons move west is a good one. Of couse Bush is going to Pardon Libby. He doesn't care what the country thinks of him. He knows in 2 years he will be retired playing golf somewhere bombing bad jokes.

Joe , San Francisco (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 3:38 PM)

I applaud Joe Wilson and his wife, their life indeed was turned upside down, literally. I am so very happy for them, and yes, in a way sad for Scooter Libby. I ask that question too - "Where is Karl Rove, Dick Cheney and Armitadge"? Do ya think we will ever get "closure" on them? I doubt it. I think it is an absolute crime, a tremendous miscarriage of justice that you have a President, tried for 'crimes and misdeamenors' based on an adulterous affair and impeached. Yet, for the last 6 years how many crimes and misdeamenors do you think George Bush, Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, on and on ad nauseum, have committed, and how much innocent American soldiers blood is on their hands? I would venture to guess, more than this country wants to know. I guess trying to save your Daddy's name has consequences, huh George? Kudos to the Wilson's. At least there are those brave enough to take the heat and speak up regardless of the costs personally and financially; those that have nothing to hide and are telling the truth allow the sun to shine on them. We see how that other group of those men act; and it isn't gentlemanly nor is it even American. And they hide in "undisclosed locations", without sun shining on the truth.

Diana - Louisville, KY (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 3:40 PM)

Libby did not tell the truth to a Federal grand jury, while under oath, therefore the truth about the exposure of a CIA Agent and the role the VP may have (or not) played could not be unearthed. The Independent Counsel's job was impeded and Libby committed crimes. As a result there was no option but to hold him legally accountable within the context of our criminal justice system. Perhaps he should have simply told the truth instead of trying to apparently "save his boss", and this would have all gone away, as the Bush Administration has been hoping for from the first reports.

Alan, Walnut Creek, CA (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 3:46 PM)

The pro-administration people here who claim Wilson is a liar and that Plame was not covert seem to be missing the whole point of the case at hand. Eleven people, with far more detailed knowledge of the facts than any of us, concluded that Libby did not conveniently forget information, but rather that he lied, on several occasions, and at times under oath, on a very serious matter. Regardless of how you feel about Bush, Cheney, Wilson or Plame, how can Libby's actions be justified or excused?

R Vashko (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 3:50 PM)

Alright people.. This is not a "news" story or even an op-ed - this is a blog - get over yourselves. Mr. Wilson and Ms. Plame will move on and probably do very well for themselves, their children will adapt to their new surrounds. Mr. Libby was convicted of lying not outing Ms. Plame, please remember that [just like Ms. Stewart was convicted of lying not insider trading] and to you who thinks the Washington Post has all the "true" news - how's the weather on your planet? Noone will be charged with the "outing" because there is no clear individual to charge - there are many. Will those in this administration be held accountable for their actions in this matter and elsewhere - maybe not in this lifetime but Karma is Karma.

Susan, Denver, CO (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 3:51 PM)

First time I saw Mr. Wilson, I was hooked on the story. Why ? I just saw an honest person and went with it. Followed the story all the way. Good luck and God bless.

Georgi Fields, Weyers Cave, Va (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 4:06 PM)

Hurray - there is Justice. Libby hasn't yet got what he deserves though, that won't happen until he has actually spent a few nights in jail. I am so grateful to the Wilson's for their courage. I hope that their civil suit will be equally sucessful and that more evidence will be brought to light regarding the rest of the criminals in the White House Administration. Those responsible for: a)Lying to the American people about why we went to war in Iraq. And, b)For the sanctioning of brutal treatment of prisoners in Iraq. c)For brutalizing American citizens with the Bush Administration's idea of Patriotism which "if you don't agree with us watch out" d)The criminal use of American tax payer dollars being spent by the trillions to private contractors in Iraq, private contractors in our military hospitals and all the money that went to private goverment contactors in New Orleans for Katrina. The list is too long. Lets hope that the Libby trial is the first step towards bringing Freedom & Justice back home to America.

susan young, savannah,ga (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 4:50 PM)

How long will we enable, and defend incompetence? Incompetence is unamerican!

Paula Mandros (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 4:51 PM)

I'll offer the republicans the same deal I did on the Olbermann blog. No, I can't pardon Libby. But what I will offer is that those of us on the left and in the middle will agree not to pursue Rove and Cheney for the crimes they have committed, or even to call for Bush's impeachment any longer (although that is a tough one), if you guys agree to automatically forfeit all Presidential elections for the next 20 years. I think by then we can clean up the mess you all have left us. Then we will agree to let you back into the Presidential races. That is if you have grown up and can play nice. How about it?

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 5:03 PM)

This story has no hero's. Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame have agendas just like Cheney and Libbey. If you like Olberman you love them if you like Limbaugh you hate them. Blue Dog Democrat

JimmyH, Chicago, IL. (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 5:15 PM)

It Seems To me that there was a loss to this country with rhis whole mess. We lost a good CIA agent (whether covert or not)and second we lost a ?good public servant, Scooter Libbey. This Administration is the ultimate liar,and we all loose! We were lied into a war that didn"t have to happen and because of these Lies Killed nearlly 3200 American Youth and 100,000 or more Iraqi youth. How could Iraq be any better Today than it was before this war began.Good Job George!!

James Scott, Tioga Center New York (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 5:43 PM)

fact is there were leaks ,And Libby took mone for the team ,A team that is failing ,and looking like the keystone cops,

Mick Mazurik,New troy Mich (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 5:45 PM)

They were just doing their jobs, just as Libby and Cheney. We live in a society that is governed by the use of misinformation and if a few people get in the way of the real truth getting out they will be taken care of in some manner to where they are totally discredited and no one would believe a word they say. Val and Joe did nothing but their jobs and Libby was just a fool whom couldn't keep his mouth shut or come up with a better lie to cover up his other lie, Libby is just a bad politician...................Libby will be pardoned and my father brought it to my attention that with Libby's appeal and Bush only having another year in office that Bush probably won't have to pardon Libby until his last day in office and Libby will never see the inside of a cell. Remember folks this is America and our leaders are just businessmen and money is what drives them, not wanting to help the American people at least that is what I feel about this administration. People don’t have to soldiers, family of soldiers or have anything to do with a war to have their lives ruined. I leave you with this quote. War is an ugly thing; but it is not the ugliest of things. Far worse is the shameful state of mock morality which, with its childish tantrums and wishful thinking, foolishly reasons that nothing is worth war.... Those who hold nothing dear enough to be willing to fight to protect it’ nothing they care for more than their own safety, comfort or impudent gratifications; are miserable, pathetic creatures more contemptible than any enemy. And these fools have no hope of ever remaining free unless their freedoms are fought for and kept strong by the pride, honor and efforts of those far braver and more worthy than they. -Aristotle

Eric Lichtig, Corona California (Sent Wednesday, March 07, 2007 6:04 PM)

I'm getting nostalgic for those days of yesteryear when the Left actually disapproved of CIA operatives attempting to destablize governments by planting false information in the media. Now it's applauded, apparently (though possibly just in the case of those attempting to weaken the Chimpy Katrinaburton regime). Make no mistake, Hilary, Joe Wilson lied and lied big in his NYT op-ed...there is simply no debate about that. That he is now praised for his "courage" in spreading rank falsehood and treated as a rock star on the port side speaks volumes about the mendacious, vile and base nature of today's Left. Did Scooter Libby lie to the grand jury? Probably. But that doesn't mean that this mealy-mouthed, self-aggrandizing hack and his wife didn't do the same to us, not matter how welcome their prevarications.

Jeffersonian, St. Louis (Sent Thursday, March 08, 2007 9:20 AM)

..On television...on C-span...there was a hearing..about Walter Reed Hospital. The house of Representatives held a hearing about Walter Reed hospital. There was a mention of volenters that help vetrans fill out paper work. the name Joseph Wilson was mentioned. Is this the same Joe wilson?

dorothy angeledes, New Baltimore,Michigan 48047 (Sent Thursday, March 08, 2007 10:52 AM)

When Libby left the court house yesterday after the guilty verdict, he was all smiles. How much money has been transferred to an off-shore account in his name? Yes, he has done a good job in diverting all the attention from the two culprits who have manipulated gargantuan fortunes into their own bank accounts before they leave government.

pf, west palm beach (Sent Thursday, March 08, 2007 10:55 AM)

Cheney was given forged doccuments that claimed Saddam was trying to buy yellow cake. The cia, on down the list exposed those doccuments for the fraud they were. Wilson, at Cheney's request, went to Niger and confirmed those doccuments were forgeries, Iraq had not attempted to purchase yellow cake from Niger. It was when the Cia etc. warned Bush specifically not to bring this up to the UN, and world, Bush falsly credited England intel for the forged doccuments, and used them as fact, lying us into war. When Wilson exposed the lies in his editorial, the Bush administration scorched earth Wilson just as it had Hans Blix, France, and the rest. They brutalized any and all who stood up for America speaking the truth. For conservatives to lay claim no crime has been comitted, that this is purely politics goes beyond deluded neurotics diatribe spewed, it's down right treasonous selling America out.

Christopher Eugene Oregon (Sent Thursday, March 08, 2007 10:55 AM)

Hey, Ambasator Joe Wilsons book I for get the name of it. It was a most pleasant read. When ever an ambasator writes a book you get a pleasant read. Ambasator s are just pleasant people. So the book was pleasant, even thought..the subject mater of the book..was heavy,really important. i read the book when it first came out, then I pasted it on right away

dorothy angeledes, New Baltimore,Michigan 48047 (Sent Thursday, March 08, 2007 10:56 AM)

Sounds like life is treating the Wilson's real well. I would like to know what the CIA pays Valerie for her pension, and how much Joe sucks out from the Govt. each month. Also, how did Joe get the gig in Niger and how much did he pocket from his junket to Africa? I would like a trip like that.

keith schultz, Oro Valley Arizona (Sent Thursday, March 08, 2007 7:28 PM)

I think a lot of people are missing the point here. Who really published Valerie's name? The person who wrote and was responsible for the newpaper article (if that's where it happened) or her husband who I understood from the beginning had already talked about her, or the person who verified that someone on the paper had the name right????

Lucille Higley, Pocatello, Idaho (Sent Thursday, March 08, 2007 9:22 PM)

I'm a conservative Republican. I applaud the courage of former Ambassador Wilson to speak out against the sham rationale for a war. Hopefully this sends a powerful message to Libby's neo-Con allies throughout the Bush administration.

Lewis Fleming, Great Falls, Virginia (Sent Thursday, March 08, 2007 11:03 PM)

I think the Wilsons are self serving people that got in over their heads. She got him hired to do some investigations he wasn't necessarily qualified for. It is another case of nepotism on our taxes dollars. I think this whole think was overblown and only centered on Scotter Libby lying to investigators not on the allegation of "outing" Ms. Plame. I for one hope they move to California and stay out of the State of Washington.

John O"neill, Olympia WA. (Sent Thursday, March 08, 2007 11:50 PM)

Are you kidding? Do you really expect people to believe that these are just simple folk with no political goals of their own? There is plenty of shame and plenty of blame to go around in DC and history will place some of both on the Wilsons too. Libby was found guilty of lying and I will not defend that. But we are talking about politics here. If we start prosecuting every politician who lies, nothing else will ever get done. Hey! Maybe we're on to something.

Bill Dotson, Norwalk, Ohio (Sent Friday, March 09, 2007 10:21 AM)

Everyone in Washington is there for there own personal gain... it doesn't matter if it is Republican or Democrat, they are the same... what is hard for me to believe is that ANYONE in Washington can be 'convicted' for lying... is there any member of any political party that hasn't lied, many times while under oath? Certainly to the American people... I vote every time we have an election, and I always vote for someone that is not in office now... once they get in, they become just like the Wilsons and all the other Washington insiders; they have their own personal agenda and they don't care what or who they have to destroy to achieve it. I don't feel sorry for the Wilsons, Scooter Libby, the President, or anyone there. Every one of them was cut from the same cloth, and in the end are after the same thing.

Robert ONeal (Sent Friday, March 09, 2007 1:45 PM)

Libby did not testify - Cheney did not testify - so the truth of their dirty business would not be told. I can only hope the Wilson's civil suit will bring Cheney and Rove to the witness stand, so they are either forced to tell the truth or forced to lie under oath and be known for the liars they are. I understand Libby must acknowledge his guilt before being granted a pardon.

BSS, Miami, Florida (Sent Friday, March 09, 2007 3:49 PM)

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A fresh start for the Wilsons

Posted: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 11:45 AM by Hardball
Hilary Rosen

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A fresh start for the Wilsons

Posted: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 11:45 AM by HardballHilary Rosen

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Posted: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 11:45 AM by Hardball
Hilary Rosen