I agree with you that the charges are serious.  I was initially outraged like most people on this site.  But as I read more, listened to people that were aware of Plame belonging to the secret service, and then read the Senate Intelligence Report, it looked to me like Libby was getting framed.  And I was concerned with the lack of press coverage on Wilson's blatant, and documented, lies.  I've read and heard the Fitzgerald news conference--in fact I think you and I both commented on it when it first came out.  I remain puzzled, and therefore very open to changing my mind on this, due to Fitzgerald's great track record.  Puzzled because it looks like so quickly his "confidentiality" charge is going to fall apart.  And maybe in the trial they will nail him with perjury and obsruction.  But remember, all we've heard so far, also true of the grand jury, is the prosecution's side of the case.  But clearly if what Fitz laid out in the press conference holds to be true, Liddy will serve the time.  I'm about to read some of the referenced material in posts above.