CIA Leaks Hearing, Round 2

On Friday, March 16, 2007, the U.S. House Oversight Committee began hearings on the leaking of the identity of a covert, classified CIA agent (Valerie Plame Wilson).

After Valerie Plame Wilson's appearance before the committee, the second panel of witnesses, (James Knodell, White House Security Officer, and Bill Leonard, National Archives Information Security Oversight Office Director), showed up to testify. These two are eerily reminiscent of another past 'testifying team':



Check it out:

Part 1 - James Knodell and Bill Leonard deliver their opening statements

Part 2 - James Knodell and Bill Leonard are questioned by Representative Henry Waxman [D-CA]

Highlights: "Rove, Libby and Fleischer are obligated by law to report any breaches, security violations, intentional or inadvertant, of classified information."

Part 3 - James Knodell and Bill Leonard are questioned by Representative Tom Davis [R-VA]

Highlights: "Wouldn't you agree it's all the CIA's fault?"

Part 4 - James Knodell and Bill Leonard are questioned by Representatives Elijah Cummings [D-MD], Henry Waxman [D-CA], Tom Davis [R-VA]

Highlights: "A report, an investigation, and sanctions, all REQUIRED BY LAW after this leak, never happened."

Part 5 - James Knodell and Bill Leonard are questioned by Representative Diane Watson [D-CA]

Highlights: "How did Karl Rove learn Valerie Plame's status at CIA?"

That's still a mystery.

Part 6 - James Knodell and Bill Leonard are questioned by Representatives Chris Van Hollen [D-MD], Tom Davis [R-VA], Henry Waxman [D-CA]

Highlights: "Why aren't you conducting an investigation into the breach of classified information?"

It's a fair question. The answer is like trying to find an honest person in the Bush administration: Elusive.

Part 7 - James Knodell and Bill Leonard are questioned by Representative Paul Hodes [D-NH]

Highlights: "If two or more persons agree to leak classified information, and one of them then leaks the information, that's a criminal conspiracy, isn't it?"

I don't think that was really a question, do you?

Part 8 - James Knodell and Bill Leonard are questioned by Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton [D-District of Columbia]

Highlights: "Can you explain why Karl Rove still has a security clearance today?"

After that, perhaps he can explain how he got the job as head of White House Security.

Part 9 - James Knodell and Bill Leonard are questioned by Representatives Diane Watson [D-CA], Henry Waxman [D-CA], Tom Davis [R-VA]

Highlights: "This leak of classified information by the White House is not unique."

Part 10 - James Knodell and Bill Leonard are questioned by Representative Elijah Cummings [D-MD]

Highlights: "Knowing, willful and NEGLIGENT disclosures of classified information are all prohibited by law."