http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspxThe jury is set and the opening arguments will begin Tuesday morning in the case of the U.S. v. Libby.  Here are Mr. Libby’s 12 peers – nine women, three men -- who will be considering the evidence and rendering a verdict of guilty or not guiltyen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38442Tue, 23 Jan 2007 04:27:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38442Devon, MissouriIt will be very interesting to see how this all plays out. It is my true hope that we will get answers on why Ms. Plame's name leaked and why we went to Iraq in the first place. (I am not holding my breath, though.) The thing people will do to cover for a "friend"... Mr. Cheney, should be so luck to have someone willing to go to jail to cover up for him... http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38658Tue, 23 Jan 2007 17:04:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38658Ken Liddy PhiladelphiaIt sure looks like Chris Matthews was 100% dead on about the magnitude of the role that VP Cheney had in the Scooter Libby case. If Fitzgerald can prove his case, it will make it extremely difficult for President Bush not to seek Cheney's resignation. I don't think it could get any worse for the Bush administration. I never thought we'd see a more difficult time for a President than the 18 months of Nixon's reign. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38749Tue, 23 Jan 2007 18:35:54 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38749G. Griffin Washington, DCI can see that race plays and important part of this article. Why must you state only the race of the two African American Women and no one else? Oh, you did mention the elderly and the ill.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38760Tue, 23 Jan 2007 18:46:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38760Jackie Rawlings Riverside CaliforniaAs Chris Matthews is friends with this band of crooks and an insider to the White House no wonder he's on the Prosecutors list of witnesses. I guess that old saying is right be careful who your friends are. Chris is now trying to play down his close association with the criminal team. Talk about back stabbing. Chris was proud and talked about his friends of the GOP and White House he even supported everything Bush said even the lies. Now Chris has pulled a Harry Potter magic trick out and said he never said that. His viewers know better he's in this one real deep. Making fun of Fitzgerald isn't going the change the fact that Libby lied and was covering up for Cheney. I feel bad for Tim Russert who tried to stay non bias for 6 years of the Bush crime wave. But like the Nixon crime team all things must come to an end. Libby lied and is guilty and all the players who were used will be exposed. There's a listen to learn in this so often said never learned CRIME DOESN'T PAY. Pat Fitzgerald's opening statement told the story of how and why Libby lied and that's what he's charged with. The cover up is from the Nixon play book as Cheney learned as a student of Nixons. Let many be sent out to do the crime thereby no one could find out who was first. Like Nixon, Cheney sent his team out while keeping himself safe. Of course Bush is only sitting in the chair of the President while Cheney runs the country in to the ground.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38763Tue, 23 Jan 2007 18:48:32 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38763Maureen O'BrienI can't believe that they cannot find a woman in Washington who reads the newspaper and watches the news. I'm embarrassed for my sex and frightened for the American Judicial system.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38811Tue, 23 Jan 2007 19:27:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38811Chris, New YorkWhy do you refer to the two women on the jury as African American? Does that mean the other 10 members are Caucasian?http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38816Tue, 23 Jan 2007 19:30:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38816David, Dodge CityThe "Review & Outlook" of Saturday's Wall Street Journal, presents to me an interesting and acceptable explanation of all this nonsense. This being, Mr. Fitzgerald is sore because he didn't get to prosecute Mr. Marc Rich, whom Mr. Libby was representing as his attorney in the 1980's & '90's. Who's Marc Rich? Well, he's the oil trader and financier that fled to Switzerland in avoidance of Mr. Fitzgerald's prosecution efforts. Then, guess who granted Mr. Rich a pardon? None other than Bill Clinton, now Hillary's hopeful "First Man" for the White House in 2009! Consequently, Mr. Fitzgerald is only being an injustified pain to Mr. Libby, when Mr. Richard Armitage actually confessed to this "leaking" back October 2003. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38821Tue, 23 Jan 2007 19:32:54 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38821Chris, Colorado Springs, COIf you're a DoD member and leak classified information, you go to jail. If you're affiliated with the executive branch of the government, it's okay to play cowboy with national security as one sees fit. Idealistic? Perhaps. Disgusting? Absolutely. I hope this trial is more than just window dressing or more than just a political exercise to assuage the concerns of the electorate. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38827Tue, 23 Jan 2007 19:39:34 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38827Anon Lawyer; Washington DCThis is an interesting rundown of the case; it should be an unprecedented view into the thinking and strategy of the White House during those early days of the Iraq campaign. One question for the HardBlogger: Why point out the race of only African-American jurors and ignore the classifications of others? What purpose does this serve? If race is a relevant identifier of jurors (and as an attorney, I readily acknowledge its prominent role in jury selection), why not identify the race of every juror? In particular, given that Washington DC is a city which is over 2/3 African-American, perhaps it would make more logical sense to point out the ethnicity of jurors other than African-Americans. Just food for thought.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38831Tue, 23 Jan 2007 19:42:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38831Bill apple lynn Massno more tnan a snake in the grass, http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38835Tue, 23 Jan 2007 19:48:03 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38835AnonymousSince Bush and Cheney have effectively turned this country from a Constitutional Republic into a Dictatorship, I don't see this trial as being anything but another puppet show. I just hope they don't start a new war or allow or engineer themselves another "terrorist" attack to distract the sheeple of the United States of America from this so called trial. I've lost faith in the justice system when it comes to people like these who apparently are above the law http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38838Tue, 23 Jan 2007 19:52:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38838kathi Washington North Carolinawhat this all boils down to is "big brother"... A few years ago Chenney was in Raleigh at Wake Med Hospital and as a former employee his demenor appalled me (some leader) complete ass instead.. and as a cover up.. there is definately one here.. Scooter is the fall guy for the big boys PERIOD! In my opinion he is just as guilty for lieing. But the truth must come out And the truth will show Chenney and Bush for who they really are... LIARShttp://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38853Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:07:31 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38853Williamwambollibby is taking the fall for Cheney, the Vioce President should be prosecuted for having a big mouth, I consider this treason because, the executive Department put a U S agent in jeopardy, Cheney is a sore loser and a big mouth and should be prosecutedhttp://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38854Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:08:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38854Williamwamboldlibby is taking the fall for Cheney, the Vioce President should be prosecuted for having a big mouth, I consider this treason because, the executive Department put a U S agent in jeopardy, Cheney is a sore loser and a big mouth and should be prosecutedhttp://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38857Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:12:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38857EbenezerVice President Cheney can be likened to Thabo Mbeki's ex Vee Pee, Nigerias current Vee Pee etc these guys are deep party men and theres no way a conflict would not arise in their roles. I think men of character nay statesmen should be appointed into positions of power and not someone who sees power as dishing out patronages thereby having a conflict of interest. Remember - the code - GOD ! ----- !! COUNTRY !!!http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38859Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:16:47 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38859Russ Nieland, Duluth, MNIt is interesting to see again a closed administration being found out and many dark secrets coming out. I thought that with VP agnew and Nixons Im not a crook would teach these people that they will get caught. I quess the old saying that "absolute power corputes absolute" lives strong in our policial enviroment.. Really to bad for us...http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38871Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:23:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38871Denis ByrneI am troubled by the six jurors who said that they knew little about the case and did not follow the news. Residents of DC, Va & Md are exposed to info relating to federal matters on a daily basis. I have a feeling that proof "beyond a reasonable doubt" will not be necessary for this group.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38879Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:33:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38879Jerri Dant, Keyesport, IlPresident Bush said he would fire anyone that leaked. Does this include the Vice President? I can't wait to see Mr. Cheney testify.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38898Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:52:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38898Jackie Rawlings Riverside CaliforniaThe rats are turning on the rats. Now all the journalist have memory lost. Libby is not smart but dumb. He worked in the White House holding two jobs and wrote the United Nations speech that Powell gave and he help create the plan to invade Iraq while all along our President/Vice President/Rummy said what a great man he was. Are we now to believe the White House took advise and guidance from a dummy. The Defense needs a better Defense for Libby lying under oath. Libby is only charged with lying if he did it to protect Cheney well that's not a reason to lie. If every employee lied for their boss our jails would be empty. I hope Abramoff, Duke, Ney and Skilling are watching this. If a jury says lying is legal these guys will get out of jail on their appeals. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38903Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:56:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38903A Mom with a military Son, Manchester, NHTHEY'RE GONNA GET IT --THEY'RE GONNA GET IT--ha! Everyone has missed the point, if there is a cover up and there seems to be the motive to shift the focus to Mr. Wilson and his wife--was to start a WAR!!! an illegal war....and there would be more than the VIP resigning-- it would mean early Heaven here on Earth--they both resign in shame!!! HA! Karl Rove is the mastermind and Scooter is the fall guy. How hard can that be to prove? Good work, America. How much more shame can we bear? How can we lead the world when our leaders are corrupt and most foul? May God have mercy on us all.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38922Tue, 23 Jan 2007 21:21:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38922Tess, Pittsburgh, PAIf you want to know why Ms. Plame's name was leaked, why don't you simply as Richard Armitage why he leaked it. Then you can also ask him why it took so long to admit to it. While you're at it, why don't you ask Mr. Fitgerald why, knowing it was Mr. Armitage who first leaked this, why does he continue to pursue Scooter Libby. What a huge waste of time and money. Ms. Plame was not an active agent in the CIA at the time anyway.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38933Tue, 23 Jan 2007 21:35:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38933Rick New Orleans LaLet me get this straight.Scooter Libby is not charged with leaking Valerie Planes cover because he didn't.Richard Armitage did and Fitzgerald knew this the whole time but has yet to indict him even though his job was to find the leak. Beem me up Scotty http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38942Tue, 23 Jan 2007 21:41:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38942carolJust read about the jurors... I've never read about such "illiterate" jurors before. Seems no one has really read the papers, watched the news, etc. etc. etc. You believe that and there's some land in the Florida swamps I'd like to sell you. This case will be decided on the political feelings of every juror that decides this case.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38970Tue, 23 Jan 2007 22:16:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38970James McCoy, Franklin, N.C.It totally amazes me that we, in the USA, can take a kid out of high school and take him/her into boot camp for the marines, air force, or army......AND IN 12 WEEKS, plus a little bit of school, turn them into a fighting force that is unbeatable......Then all of a sudden we are in Iraq and in four years we can't train a single one of them. It is sickening to see that we are in a country, spending billions upon billions of dollars on training people and they can't even police their city of Baghdad. Sickening I say. Oh well.......I guess it's just the government giving our hard earned dollars away to an incompetent society.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#38983Tue, 23 Jan 2007 22:25:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:38983John Kessinger, Vancouver, WashingtonSeem's like we have a prosecutor that caught Nifongits even before it spread to S.C. and has to nail someone to justify his existance.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#39002Tue, 23 Jan 2007 22:51:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39002Nancy ByrneShort but sweet!!! Regarding Cheney it proves that water seeks its own level. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#39057Tue, 23 Jan 2007 23:45:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39057Dave Huff, Fresno, Ca.Yadda, yadda, yadda. This is all nothing but a distraction to keep us all from looking at the real question, how the hell did we get into this Iraqi quagmire in the first place? This administration will give up a thousand 'Scooter's' to avoid having that question put on the table.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#39058Tue, 23 Jan 2007 23:47:05 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39058samuiray@hotmail.comI greatly admire the USA, for people can voice their opinion. Top of the pyramid is the president. What if that individual is less than ..... That's where the country is now. It won't be until a a thousand days or so before he's gone. God help us all - untill that time. Just changing the top of the pyramid is no guarantee things get better. It could be worse !! I can not imagine a scenario where the ELITE is going to be wanting, it's just 'working joe' who's shouldering the burden. And this is coming from a white, passport carrying, educated, property owning, cash in the bank, free of borrowing,- guy. I'm just shivering when I contemplate the future for my kith and kin + plus anyone else for that matter. I read a report in my news paper, quoting the World Bank, anyone owning more than US $ 500.000,= , belongs to the select few of the richest 1% of this world. Just lucky I made the grade. How abt you ? You're there already, any time soon, or just drooling? Even so, I'm a poor b'sterd in my own community. Think abt it,- so rich and yet ... drags of hte barrel. It just goes to show, you can't win. Short time yes, in the long run,ashes to ashes. Samui Ray.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#39106Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:46:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39106John Doe Medford,OregonFrom What i have read in these comments i see the people of this jury panel have the most powerfull position they need to pay attention and then come to a 100% decision that Cheney and the rest of the cronies clear up to the top of the pile are taken out Lawyers Stink.John http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#39142Wed, 24 Jan 2007 01:15:45 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39142Bill from NYThe Plame affair is emblematic of the reprehensible political tactics of Bush and the GOP. The shouited down anyone who even questioned the war by calling them traitors or worse. They attacked Wilson who threatened to pull up the curtain on their false justification by placing his wife's life at risk by outing her as a CIA agent. This seemed to have two aims the first to destroy Wilson, the other to chill any potential administration employee that may have been tempted to tell the truth. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#39170Wed, 24 Jan 2007 01:45:32 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39170hgriceif your mother, father, sister, brother, wife, teacher, boss, clergyman, anybody in a position of character had performed as such, what would be your felings?http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#39178Wed, 24 Jan 2007 01:53:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39178DeeAnna, Green Bay WisconsinI fell asleep while watching the News (I work 3rd Shift don't take it personal) and had a very odd dream. I was reporting this story and all of a sudden, I saw Libby. I said to him, "Dude. You know you're goin down don;t you?" He smiled at me and said, "I know" Then the phone rang and I woke up. LOLhttp://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#39808Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:50:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39808Texazann PhoenixI really wouldn't expect anything LESS from Cheney and Rove. IF Cheney testifies - I can hear it now -- "I can't recall"Deny Deny Deny http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#40056Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:28:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:40056Mary-Hartsville-TennesseeIf you ask me Rove is behind this whole mess,Cheney is a follower, and Condelessa Rice is the devil in sheeps clothing.God help America until this bunch is out of office! Maryhttp://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#40304Wed, 24 Jan 2007 05:19:35 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:40304Dee, Fairfield, CARecently Valerie Plame tried to have her memoirs published. She was going to write about what happened and about her job. She was told no because it was classified. I find it interesting the official line of the current Bush administration is that she was not undercover. If that is true why can't Ms Plame have her book published?http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#40995Wed, 24 Jan 2007 20:49:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:40995credell Phillips, Boley,Ok.I dont think it is fair to blame David. I am an african american 71 years old and very sensitive to racial issures.In trying to give readers a sence of who will determine the out come, idelogy play a important part and I thing David was trying to demastrate that. What I dont understand is how is it that there are only two African Americans on that jury, where the population of African Americans are so high in the D.C. area. Jackie, In Riverside,Ca. You are wrong about Chris, He never supported this war.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/22/38403.aspx#41134Wed, 24 Jan 2007 22:57:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:41134Jackie Rawllings Riverside CaliforniaWells the Attorney of the Year is trying to smear the Journalist to find one juror who has doubt. Interesting that the defense wants all witnesses to have memory lost. Libby was so busy he couldn't remember who he spoke to but as a lawyer the words I don't remember never came to mine. Now looks like Libby is blaming all of NBC journalist as the leakers. Like he had nothing to do with any of this. One can only think about the meetings with Cheney on how to silence Wilson. The Defense knows Libby is guilty so their trying to change the subject and blame everybody but Libby in hopes one person is confused. This case should show Americans how corrupt this Administration is. All the back stabbing and covering up for the chosen people while letting others take the fall. If Libby knew Cheney was going to let him take the fall why didn't he just tell the truth why continue to lie. I trust David Gregory as a journalist and a person. Wells will have to pull a Harry Potter magic trick for me to even think he would be a criminal. But I give this to Wells his client is guilty has hell and blaming everybody even the Easter Bunny might work.