contrapositive

NEXT STOP: FITZGERALD Billmon raises an interesting question, indirectly, in this post:

Awhile back I wrote that truth no longer stands much of a chance in the political arena--not when it's pitted against the best modern propaganda machine that money can buy. But the question now is whether the truth, armed with subpoena power and the federal rules of evidence, can still prevail in a court of law. By the time this particular legal battle is over, we may know the answer.

That question is: When will the Bushies swallow hard, roll up their sleeves, and begin to smear Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald? Surely, it's a matter of time.

Not that it'll be easy--far from it.

It'll be difficult, first, because Fitzgerald was, um, well, appointed by the President.

And second, because he has a golden boy reputation. From the Washington Post:

James B. Comey, deputy attorney general and unofficial president-for-life of the Pat Fitzgerald Booster Club, says no high-profile prosecutor ever provided less evidence that he was "doing something wacky."

"What's been interesting is seeing the media accounts and the columnists portray him as some sort of runaway prosecutor. That makes me smile," says Comey, who is largely responsible for Fitzgerald getting the Plame assignment. "Because there is no prosecutor who is less of a runaway than this guy."

(Just to be clear, Comey is the current deputy attorney general.)

So, as I said, smearing Fitzgerald will be difficult. But if anyone is up to the challenge, it's the people currently occupying the White House.

Stay tuned.