In a press release this afternoon titled " Intimigate" Scandal at the White House, the Center for American Progress says:

...the White House has developed a pattern of firing, intimidating and defaming anyone who has had the courage to tell the truth about Iraq. In fact, the Iraq policymakers whose influence has grown in the White House are largely those who parsed and distorted intelligence and misled the American people.

INTIMIGATE

The recent story of the Bush Administration leaking classified information in an effort to defame a WMD report is just the latest in a well-established pattern. A look at the historical record shows that the Bush Administration has summarily fired, intimidated and defamed anyone who has had the courage to tell the truth about Iraq. In fact, the Iraq policymakers who have remained in the White House are largely those who parsed and distorted intelligence and misled the American people.

They go on to give several examples. As we haven't had time to read them, we'd like to hear your thoughts.

We are delighted to report that Lisa English of Ruminate This is back today after a short hiatus. She has an excellent post up about whether Bob Novak has anything to fear from John Ashcroft. As always, Lisa provides a unique perspective. We agree with her, go read.

Two books have been published about Karl Rove: Bush’s Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential by James Moore and Wayne Slater and Boy Genius: Karl Rove, the Brains Behind the Remarkable Political Triumph of George W. Bush by Lou Dubose, Jan Reid and Carl M. Cannon.

Here is an in-depth look at what the books have to say about Bush's "Hatchet Man."

The AP reports on who is conducting the CIA-Plame investigation:

For now, the investigation is being done by FBI agents in the counterintelligence division, based at the FBI Washington field office, and overseen by 11 career prosecutors in the counterespionage section of the Justice Department's criminal division.

The article says Ashcroft could decide to go with a special prosecutor:

While the administration appeared cool toward naming a special counsel, Ashcroft has not ruled out that possibility, a senior law enforcement official said.
That decision will depend on a number of factors, such as whether a suspect is identified who presents a potential conflict for the Justice Department

News execs and reporters have concerns about subpoenas:

News executives expressed concern that the investigation could lead to subpoenas of reporters' notes and phone records — and the journalists themselves. "The question really comes down to whether there are other ways to do this that do less damage to the idea of the First Amendment, said Bill Felber, editor of The Manhattan (Kan.) Mercury, who handles freedom of information issues for the Associated Press Managing Editors. "This ought to be last resort, not a first resort."

One of the reasons we love The Poor Man is he is just about the funniest person in the blogosphere--go read An Internal Dialogue --pertaining to right- wing punidtry reaction to the Valerie Plame Affair.

Neal Pollack is his usual funny self describing the President's interview on Fox News the other night. [link via Atrios.] He begins:

President Bush is too busy to talk to his dad more than once every two weeks. He's also too busy to read newspapers or watch TV, and gets all his information from trusted advisors. The White House has a putting green that he likes. The French need to understand that "our goals and ambitions are noble. We believe in peace. We strongly believe in freedom. Where we see suffering we will help."

And buy Neal's new book:

Never Mind the Pollacks : A Rock and Roll Novel
by Neal Pollack

More bad news for the leadership of the Air Force: a new report says they knew of the sexual assault problems at the Academy and failed to respond:

An investigative panel's report, released this afternoon, says that Air Force leaders at the Pentagon and the Air Force Academy knew about sexual assault problems at the school for years, but failed to respond. The independent commission, led by former U.S. Rep. Tillie Fowler, documented numerous failures by senior Air Force leaders. “The failure of the academy and Air Force Headquarters to respond aggressively and in a timely and committed way to eliminate causes of serious problems was a failure of leadership,’’ the commission’s report said. “Those responsible should be held accountable.’’

The full report is available here. Journalist Dave Cullen at Conclusive Evidence has been on this story since the beginning. Head over and see what he has to say about the new report.

Charles Kuffner of Off the Kuff and others have banded together to bring you the Blogburst index:

Today a group of progressive Texas bloggers are all posting on the subject "What Texas Democrats Should Do Next". [The link above] is a link to everyone's post for today's blogburst, which will be updated through the day as they come in. Please take the time to visit these links and see what a diverse group of people think needs to be done to make the Democrats more effective in Texas.

Good people, good thoughts. Go give them a read.

Say hello to the Rocky Mountain Progressive Network, a non-profit formed by local business executives to counter the radical right. It launched Tuesday to some major press in the Rocky Mountain News, Denver Post and Denver Business journal.

The "Rocky Mountain Progressive Network" was formed to combat the state's "radical right," according to Michael Huttner, director of the group and a local lawyer. He said policies of Gov. Bill Owens and other Republicans have "bankrupted the state," which has a "devastating impact on children, seniors, and those least able to help themselves," Huttner said in a statement.

"....Political fundraiser Donna Good is heading the efforts of the 501c3 nonprofit organization. "The RMPN will be both proactive and reactive and has a Web site, www.rmpn.org, as a clearinghouse for information to hold our elected officials accountable," Huttner said in a statement."

The site's webblog is excellent, From its first post, by J.B. Holston:

We've launched the Network because the radical right-wing running our state.... is ruining our future. While Colorado "went from among the nation's best economies in the 1990s to ranking last for job creation and personal income growth in 2002", our ambitious Governor and his radical cronies in the Legislature sought to change the subject, by making Colorado ground zero for radical Beltway interests test-driving their social engineering agendas.

We're tired of it, and we're not going to take it any more. And we need your help....You've come to the right place. Please join the Network now. Get regular e-mail updates as illustrious folks from all over the region offer solid, middle-of-the-road solutions. Sign on as a voice for the network. Drop us a 'hot tip', and we'll get on it right away.

The blog has been very flattering to TalkLeft. In linking to our post today on Ashcroft and the death of TIA, they call TalkLeft "Colorado's Very Own Premiere Internationally Branded Blogger." On the home page today they refer to us as "Colorado's inestimable blogger."

If you're in Colorado, join today. Even if you're not, we hope you will give them a donation. We are very excited about this group-- and proud they launched in Colorado.

Don't miss Calpundit Kevin Drumm's Interview With Paul Krugman

AN INTERVIEW WITH PAUL KRUGMAN....You probably think you know Paul Krugman, the liberal New York Times columnist with never a kind word for George Bush. Think again.

Is Krugman merely someone who dislikes Bush and thinks his policies are horribly misguided? Oh no. In fact, in his most recent book, The Great Unraveling, he makes it clear that he thinks it's much, much worse than that.

Great job, Kevin, as always.

Greg Palast: Bush Resignation Hailed by World Leaders:

The surprise resignation of the forty-third President of the United States, George W. Bush, on the second anniversary of the terrorist attack on America, was hailed by chiefs of state throughout the world. Mr. Bush announced that after, "two years of bloodshed, economic devastation, and spreading fear in America and abroad," he saw no choice but to accept that, "I have held a title which I did not win, and for which I have proven unqualified."

Read the text of the former President's September 11 address to the nation.

Oliver Willis asks whether Vice-President Dick Cheney committed a crime in withholding requested documents from Congress during its investigation of the his energy task force.

While we think Cheney was wrong not to turn over the records, according to the news article, he litigated the issue in court and the court ruled in his favor, dismissing the lawsuit filed by the General Accounting Office. We don't see a criminal charge here, given the court's stamp of approval, unless he misled the court.