Libby Resigns

Top aide to Vice President Cheney, Scooter Libby, was indicted yesterday on charges of perjury, false statements, and obstruction of justice.

The charges are no joke. And, though the charges don't mention the outing of Victoria Plame as an employee of the CIA, that is no joke either.

Consider those who may have cooperated with Plame in a foreign country, knowingly or not. In truth, their lives are at risk over beltway political gamesmanship.

And for someone reputed to be highly intelligent, Libby finds himself in scalding water over some relatively simple misstatements. Did Libby hear about Plame from White House officials... or from other reporters? These key issues are at the heart of the matter.

Libby should indeed be prosecuted with vigor. Political advantage pales in comparison to the importance of human lives at risk.