Friday, November 18, 2005

John Dean: An Open Letter To Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald From Former White House Counsel John W. Dean


CLICK TO READ: FindLaw's Writ -- Dean: An Open Letter To Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald From Former White House Counsel John W. Dean

Over the years, I have had a lot of respect for John Dean and what he thinks. With the publication of this letter, I have enormous respect for John Dean.

YOU MUST READ THIS ENTIRE OPEN LETTER.

All I can say, after reading it is, THANK YOU, JOHN DEAN. The irony of John Dean, an ex-Watergate defendent, writing this letter to prosecuter Fitzgerald cannot be lost. The world really does work in strange and sometimes wonderful ways.

An excerp:

"With all due respect, Mr. Fitzgerald, I believe you are being had. I believe that you were selected with the expectation that you would conduct the narrowest of investigations, and it seems you have done just that.

The leak of Valerie Wilson's status did not occur in a vacuum. Republicans in Congress do not want to know what truly happened. You are the last, best hope of the American people in this regard.

I can tell you, as someone who travels about the country, that Americans -- regardless of their political disposition -- are deeply troubled by this case. And, increasingly so, by the limits you have apparently placed on your investigation.

To right-minded Americans, the idea that Administration officials have betrayed their national security obligations, yet remain in their jobs, is nothing short of appalling. Beyond politics is patriotism: Patriotic Americans want to see you not only prosecute those who compromised and endangered Valerie Plame Wilson, but also force the Administration to clean house with respect to those who did this, which you can accomplish through appropriate civil action.

As one who does know something about the way Washington works, I hope you will actually use the plenary powers you have been granted to implement what I understood to be the announced policy of the Department of Justice for which you work -- a zero tolerance policy for leaks."

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