If You Want a Friend, Buy a Dog
David Frum writes: A reader draws my attention to this letter in support of Scooter Libby from Paul Wolfowitz:
I also remember how Mr. Libby offered his services pro bono or at reduced costs after he had returned to private law practice - to help former colleagues and friends with legal issues. In one case he helped a public official defend himself against libelous accusations, something that is extremely difficult to do for anyone in public office. The official in question was Richard Armitage who more recently served as - Deputy Secretary of State.
posted by wretchardthecat at 6/06/2007 08:20:00 PM
6 Comments:
If this is true then Armitage is an even bigger PoS than I believed previously.
He should do well on K Street but he and Powell both deserve a spot in a very low circle in Hell for their silence during the Palme investigation, while Commander-In-Chief Bush and his administration became a media piñatas and the troops were in combat.
MarcH
Politicians don't have friends, they have interests.
Spot on Raymond, in DC there are no friends. If you need a friend, a dog or a cat is the best option. The two legged variety will use you up and play you for all your worth. No loyalty or honor amongst thieves.
So Scooter helps "Dick" a while back ago. Helps him at no cost and acts as a good friend. Dick rats out Plame to Robert Novak, sees the circus he has created with the help of Robert Novak and allows the dog and pony show go all the way to a special prosecutor. Armitage explains. "I was not intentionally outing anybody. As I say, I have tremendous respect for Ambassador. Wilson's African credentials. I didn't know anything about his wife and made an offhand comment. I didn't try to out anybody."
. . . . Armitage says he didn't come forward because "the special counsel, once he was appointed, asked me not to discuss this and I honored his request." Richard Armitage, what a stand up guy. With friends like that..you know the rest. As for Fitzgerald, well thanks for all the hard work. Let's see Scooter fumbles under grilling and Armitage is given a pass. Great job there buddy. Thanks for wasting more of the taxpayers money then was needed.
The funny thing is that the media keeps acting like Scooter is the guy who outed Plame to Novak. Maybe this is why as an independent thinker, I find the media of today as reputable as used car salesmen and politicians.
Time for round number two. The Wilson's' civil action. Which includes initially Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, and Lewis "Scooter" Libby, and now has been amended to include Dick Armitage. Sit back folks and watch as Washington tries to out do the OJ Show.
Herkeng
Just as troubling was the failure of this administration to mount a vigorous defense of both Wolfowitz and Libby in their respective show trials.
As usual, the Mishna got this right 2000 years ago.
"Be careful of politicians, because they only become close to a person to suit their own needs. They seem like friends when it is to their benefit, but they do not stand up for a person when he is under pressure." (Avot 2:3)
One is reminded of the parasitic insect larvae that eat their way through the brains of many African ruminants. Wildebeeste, antelope, and springbok become progressively disoriented and clumsy, first running in circles, then finally falling to the savannah dust, twitching and flailing.
Of course, this progression is not missed by the predators posted on the fringes, always surveying for the weak, infirm, and distressed members of the herd.
The juxtaposition of the treatment of Sandy Berger compared with that of Libby will survive as an enduring symptom of the rot at the core of our political system. Berger admitted to using his privileged security clearance to STEAL AND DESTROY secret documents that would have shed light on President Clinton’s actions and omissions regarding terrorist attack against America; he is presently free and employed. Libby by contrast is charged with lying for conflicts in his testimony no less drastic than were seen in the testimony of scores of other witnesses NOT so charged. The charge has been magnified and pressed by a politically-motivated special prosecutor who was otherwise unable to show any underlying crime. Libby faces a vengefully lengthy imprisonment.
This is the modern Dreyfuss affair.
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