Tenet's Tell-All Is a Slam Dunk to Provoke Invasion's Architects

The White House political office contacted Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) and "requested that he ask helpful questions to make clear that Tim Griffin is qualified to serve," Goodling wrote. "They requested that someone in our OLA [Office of Legislative Affairs] call the Senator's staff and make sure that we take advantage of the offer. Here are the talkers on Griffin, as well as a narrative that can be used by staff, and his resume. I think it would actually be helpful for all of the Rs to have. In any case, can you please touch base with the Sessions' folks. Thanks."

Meanwhile, Justice spokeswoman Tasia Scolinos was working on making sure William Moschella, the principal deputy assistant attorney general, was prepped for his House Judiciary subcommittee appearance on March 6. Scolinos e-mailed White House communications aide Catherine Martin and deputy press secretary Dana Perino that she had "just placed a call to the DAG [deputy attorney general Paul McNulty] to reiterate the point that Will needs to hit a homerun with this. He needs to be clear, strong and articulate with the details. I am concerned that the format of this dribbling out in questions may muddy things. The DAG said they are actively working with the members to tee the right questions up but I am a bit concerned on this same point and am pushing Will to be aware of this when he is up there."

The Ambassador of Rap

Rapper 50 Cent, in Angola for a show last month, agreed to the request of the U.S. Embassy in Rwanda that he stop by to help boost an AIDS awareness event.

We're told this notice went out to embassy staff:

"All embassy staff are invited to bring their children to the Embassy this Friday morning (tomorrow, March 23) at 9:30 a.m. for an event on HIV and AIDS awareness which American musician Fifty Cent will attend. Local Angolan artists will perform raps about AIDS awareness. The event is appropriate for children who are at least 11 years of age. Please arrive at the event promptly -- all Embassy staff should plan to attend."

There was an "enthusiastic young crowd," one source said. 50 Cent didn't rap but urged the kids to have sex "but to have safe sex." And he left, as his bouncers threw $100 bills to the crowd.

They are calling it "bling diplomacy."

Whose Side Are These Choppers On?

Wait till the Iraqi insurgents find out that the trouble-plagued V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor plane is heading over to take care of those dead-enders. The Marine Corps announcement says the airplane/chopper -- price tag $80 million each -- has "thousands of safe flight hours of testing and training" and is twice as fast as and much quieter than the helicopters it will replace.

In early testing, more than two dozen Marines were killed in crashes. But just to show how safe they are, the Marines took reporters on a test flight last week -- on Friday the 13th. Everyone got back.