Ari Late September, two and a half months later. Did you learn information that caused you concern.

[seemslikeadream]

http://www.firedoglake.com/

Late September, two and a half months later. Did you learn information that caused you concern.

Fl I saw article in NYT that CIA asked DOJ into investigation of identity of covert CIA agent. Went online at WaPo, read very big story about CIA asking for criminal investigation. I read that article.

P Was the person identified?

Fl As I recall it was Amb Joseph Wilson's wife. I was absolutely horrified. I thought I may have played a role in outing, oh my god did I play a role in outing a CIA officer, even though I had no idea that she was classifed or covert,

P What did you do?

Fl I contacted counsel.

P is that how you subsequently obtained immunity

[helderheid]

1. Thank you - was this when he resigned?

[in_cog_ni_to]

2. I think he announced he was leaving just before Libby leaked the info to him. n/t

[Tin Man]

3. Or so Ari claims. The timing is pretty fishy.. It makes more sense if the sequence were reversed

Ari announces his intention to resign, shortly BEFORE he learns Plame's identity. Coincidence?

It makes more sense that Ari had knowlege earlier. Considering his frequent interface with members of the Washington press corps, Ari likely sensed the press had picked-up the scent of PlameGate.

So rather than participating in the unfolding coverup (at the risk of future criminal prosecution), Ari decided it would be smarter to simply resign, passing-off the move as a decision "to spend more time with his family"

[halobeam]

4. It does seem fishy, but

after getting immunity, do you think he'd lie now, risking further charges? I'm not so sure.

[Tin Man]

5. Consider this scenario: Yes, Ari is testifying truthfully about Libby fingering Plame, AND

...maybe Ari had previous, less specific knowlege of the the developing scandal (i.e. a sense of the plot, but without knowledge of the identities of its principal targets, Wilson and Plame).

This scenario might explain the timing of Ari's resignation, yet allow that it could have preceded the Libby luncheon at which Ari was told of Plame's identity.

And Ari is able to testify truthfully regarding his interactions with Libby.