[twigs]

Interesting. In a nutshell, Ms. Plume did mention her husband as one possible person to investigate claims about Iraq's purchase of yellow cake. The administration was following up on these rumors and wanted a complete report. We had three people who went to Niger to investigate the claim; all were dubious about the claims. Yet British and Italian intelligence indicated otherwise; later an Italian journalist provided forged evidence that the transfer had taken place.

My personal opinion here is that there must be a pretty good reason for President Bush and VP Cheney to believe that Britain and Italy had better intelligence on this issue than the CIA. This article doesn't mention the French, but they figure into the equation here. I believe the British intelligence was based on the French who has had long ties to Niger. I have to wonder if Bush and Cheney do not fully trust the CIA because of Clintom hold-overs and who knows what else that we don't know?

[DustyMoment]

It is also noteworthy that Joe Wilson is NOT a weapons expert and probably wouldn't have recognized yellowcake uranium if he fell over it. His credentials to conduct such an investigation have already been raised and, like this dust-up, lead back to his covert wife.

Methinks that this family, like the Clintons, are guilty of self-aggrandizement.