Novak unlikely to do time, and vows not to give up source

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/iraq/cst-nws-legal01.html

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Robert Novak is unlikely to spend time behind bars for printing the name of a CIA employee -- and whoever it was who leaked him the name is also unlikely to do jail time, legal experts predicted.

The only time a government employee was convicted and sent to prison for leaking information to the press was in 1985 when Samuel Morison, a naval intelligence officer, gave satellite photos of a Soviet ship to Jane's Defence Weekly. He served two years in prison.

It's also rare for journalists to be jailed for refusing to divulge sources who leak them classified information.

"I think it is most unlikely he would ever be compelled to reveal the source," said Washington attorney Bob Bennett. "Knowing Bob Novak as I do, I am confident he would never reveal his source. I think it would be most unwise for the Justice Department to push a confrontation with him. That is certainly a possibility if he is held in contempt if a court orders him to reveal information, but hopefully cooler heads will prevail."

more

[ret5hd]

1. yeah, hopefully for novak...

"...but hopefully cooler heads will prevail."

rove would have novak offed in a flat second if he even thought, even imagined, even dared to entertain the slightest notion of revealing his source.

i hope novak sweats just a little every time he starts his car, gets on a plane, etc.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. They should do to Novak, what they did to Susan McDougal.

Let's see how long he lasts.

[liberalnurse]

4. Yes, yes, yes!!!!

Or, he should stay out of small planes......

[NNN0LHI]

8. Actually Bush and his minions have suggested using torture on people

Wonder if that form of interrogation will be used on Novak?

Don

[bobthedrummer]

20. Truth serum and hypnosis

that's the ticket for Bob!

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2002/060402a.html

[Noordam]

9. Less than one day before he ?Suicides? nt

[bushisanidiot]

12. I Don't Think They'll Suicide One Of Their Own

it would be too obvious. Novak's getting old, Rove will probably just help him along in their own natural way.

[Drifter]

21. Oh come on ...

that is ridiculous.

Don't you know that McDougal supported the Commuinist/Nazi regime of the Clintons.

Novak is clearly on the side of our glorious and honorable (not to mention God appointed) leader George W. Bush

</sarcasm>

Jesus, I need to go wash.

Cheers
Drifter

[loudnclear]

30. The Susan McDougal comparison should be made all over the place!!

Her refusing to testify against Clinton pales in comparison to this outrageous act. Journalist or not, Novak is a traitor of the highest order and a political shill for Bush. All respect for him as a journallist is gone!

[The Magistrate]

3. Mr. Bennet Is Paid To Say Such Things

Cooler heads will not prevail.

The C.I.A. already knows who told Novak, and he can refuse all he likes: the fact will emerge, incontrovertibly.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[0007]

16. The fact will emerge, incontrovertibly."

If this is such a horrible crime. Then why can't Novak be held accountable if lives and national security is at stake?

[The Magistrate]

17. The Crime, Sir

Is not Novak's, strictly speaking, but was committed by the reptile that gave Novak the information, and passed it to many others as well. Novak merely conceals the criminal, but that reptile's identity is known already. The longer the shadow play is drawn out, the more entertaining, and the more damaging, the matter becomes. As the criminal is highly placed, and essential to the operations of the criminals of the '00 Coup, they will nonetheless attempt to draw it out as long as possible. Their hope will be to punt it past the election, as the criminal is needed for that operation. To attempt this is extraordinarily foolish, of course, but people used to victory, and under serious threat for their own well-being, grow blinders very quickly.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[0007]

23. Thank you kindly, Sir

for the fine explanation. But isn't Novak as blameworthy for being an accessory to the fact?

[TAH6988]

26. Doesn't matter, alas

Not one person will spend a single day in jail over this, is my humble belief.

[TacticalPeek]

27. True, of the intelligence crime, perhaps.

But it does not wash treason. I cannot picture Washington exempting Arnold if he were a scribe.

[bluedog]

5. gag order

he should have a gag order slapped on him and be fired from CNN.....he's spouting off about this matter to cover for GOP...and CNN is just letting him......

[sal]

31. I got a gag order for you.

Hey Bob, don't drop the soap. If you die your underware pink, they might not stomp you, bitch!

[Booberdawg]

6. There's no reason Novak should do time

the criminals are the ones in the White House that leaked the info to him. Novak is a weasel fuckwad asshole, but that's not a crime.

[MattNC]

7. he may not

want to give it up but they sure as hell can make him if it comes to that.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

10. How many more CIA agents do Novak and his editors intend to OUT?

We DO have national security issues to consider in light of 9-11. If the media's editors aren't going to do their jobs within the constraints of federal law, perhaps all future stories should be sent directly to the Dept. of Homeland Security, and Tom Ridge can color code the level of sensitivity for editors/journalists receiving classified information leaked from the WH.

[NoKingGeorge]

13. Things have changed since 911

These anti-Americans have compromised the war on terror. Out of the thousands employed by the CIA they outed someone who may be the hub for a ten year old network that tracks the movement of WMD.
Where is Assman ? Shouldn't he drag nofacts off without a warrent and question him without a lawyer?

[robbedvoter]

11. But, but...I thought W wants to know the truth! Is that a bad thing now?

Is our fearless leader a hothead? Is DOJ the enemy?
Interesting. It see,s another dare has been thrown and it's at odds with bushco's official stand!

[protect freedom impeach bush now]

14. do what Starr did to Susan MacDougal

send him to jail.

[Nottingham]

15. What Boggles the mind! Novak never said he was SOrry!

He has proven to be a Vicious Vicious Man and not an American Patriot!

:bounce:

[young_at_heart]

18. What was Novak's motive?

I can't understand his personal reason for doing this.....it wasn't news. I'd like to know the "real" story.

[damnraddem]

19. No, hopefully sensible heads will prevail.

If the law says that no one may divulge, then here is a case in which we know that Novak divulged. And the reporter's privilege is important -- but it is not absolute.

No such person has been jailed before? Well, guess what -- there's a first time for everything.

[Jinx]

22. Sources

Maybe we can drag Lord Hutton over here to conduct an inquiry into this. Well, ok, I know we can't. But interesting how Bush and Blair are facing simultaneous misfortunes lately regarding anonymous sources.

Thank god for whistleblowers.

[TacticalPeek]

24. He will be in Lord Hutton's jurisdiction come November,

if they go through with his first state visit there. Provided they can restrict the free speech zones to Scotland. Or Ireland.

[kayell]

25. But, but, but, I thought everything had changed after 9/11

[peacetalksforall]

28. Hypocrisy again

No big deal?

His name will live in the law and journalism books and courses for decades in what will be known as a classic partisan-traitorous act.

Way to go Novak - does retaliation feel good? No jail for you and maybe a right wing dominated Senate and House will name an airport after you. Way to go!

Let's just hope CNN and your newspapers say BYE!

[peacetalksforall]

29. Do you know what the right wing did to any journalist who

said that adulterous sex was not a 1big deal' politically?

[FuseONE]

32. Why do I get the feeling....

that I am watching the unfolding of the new Watergate scandal of my generation?