The Un-Indicted Co-Conspirator, circa 2006
06 May 2006 2:04 pm by Taylor Marsh
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| cartoon: Herb Block |
Ah, yes, there's that word. Don't you just love that term? It conjures up everything
Nixon, Haldeman, Pentagon Papers, but most of all deep rooted, pathological
paranoia and criminal behavior that had us illegally bombing Cambodia over three
decades ago. A time when America was led by a deeply flawed human, with serious
intelligence, that was willing to take down the country rather than admit he
was a crook. It's similar to today's times, without the “serious intelligence.”
Having lived through those amazing days, Vietnam, Nixon and when the Washington
Post wasn't just a kitty litter box liner and I still revered Bob Woodward.
When I saw the term “un-indicted co-conspirator” trumpeted yet again today, in reference to the defense contractor Wilkes, I must admit I got a little tingle in my political nether regions. No it's not
the number one or two guy, but it's getting closer every day. Hey, Karl, can
you feel the heat?
The abrupt resignation of Porter Goss is the cork off the champagne for people
who are sick and tired of politics playing havoc with our intelligence system. It's
been standard operating procedures since Bush and the neocons came into office.
Unfortunately, the bubbly is likely to go flat if Goss' departure ends up with Deadeye
Dick's guy, General Michael I don't need no stinkin' FISA Hayden, getting
the nod. That someone who is clueless abuot the Fourth Amendment is even being considered for the top job at CIA is frightening squared.
Today, the New York Daily News talks about an “impending indictment”
against Foggo, Goss' number 3 guy, for steering defense contracts to his poker
pals. But even though there has been some distancing in the last couple of days
of Goss from hookergate. It's obvious that Goss knew what was going on, even though he might not have been shelling out cash
for sex himself. Hey, some people like to watch. That doesn't make him innocent, which was illustrated by his resignation. That his number three man was hooked up with Wilkes, the “un-indicted co-conspirator,” and might be indicted himself, well, aaaaaaaaaah.
Goss talking about the CIA being on “an even keel” doesn't say much
for his competence meter either. Let's face it. The CIA is in free fall and Bush and Deadeye Dick gave it the last shove through their cherry picking program on preemption. Bush saying Goss “led
ably” only makes the goofiness of these guys tilt to the ridiculous. If Goss thinks the CIA is on “an even keel,” and this is Bush's idea of able, it can't be long before the next badly aimed kaboom.
But back to that un-indicted co-conspirator story…
Kyle (Dusty) Foggo, the No. 3 official at the CIA, could soon be indicted
in a widening FBI investigation of the parties thrown by defense contractor
Brent Wilkes, named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the bribery conviction
of former Rep. Randall (Duke) Cunningham, law enforcement sources said.A CIA spokeswoman said Foggo went to the lavish weekly hospitality-suite
parties at the Watergate and Westin Grand hotels but “just for poker.”Intelligence and law enforcement sources said solid evidence had yet to emerge
that Goss also went to the parties, but Goss and Foggo share a fondness for
poker and expensive cigars, and the FBI investigation was continuing.Larry Johnson, a former CIA operative and a Bush administration critic, said
Goss “had a relationship with Dusty and with Brent Wilkes that's now
coming under greater scrutiny.”Johnson vouched for the integrity of Foggo and Goss but said, “Dusty
was a big poker player, and it's my understanding that Porter Goss was also
there [at Wilkes' parties] for poker. It's going to be guilt by association.”“It's all about the Duke Cunningham scandal,” a senior law enforcement
official told the Daily News in reference to Goss' resignation
Foggo's “impending indictment” is just the latest Republican who
can't keep his ambition tucked into his pants. It reminds you of someone else.
Karl's got to be wondering
if he's next.
Oh, and Josh has more on Shirlington
Limo, part of hookergate. It's a story you can love.
