How Deep Is CIA Cover? or Why This is Such A BIG DEAL

[UpInArms]

http://slate.msn.com/id/2089062/

excerpt:

Nonofficial cover. NOCs (the word rhymes with "rocks") are the most covert CIA operatives. They typically work abroad without diplomatic protection (often they pretend to work for some commercial enterprise). If these spies are caught, there's no guarantee that the United States would admit their true identities. When using official cover could put a spy's life and work at risk, NOC is the only alternative.

Why is it such a big deal that someone outed Valerie Plame? For starters, it's a felony. And Plame was also reportedly a NOC with years of experience investigating weapons of mass destruction. If this is true, her discovery could compromise intelligence operations she was involved with around the world, which would explain why she maintained her nonofficial cover even when she was back in the United States. "Hard target" countries like China and North Korea often keep records of every known meeting between Americans and their scientists and officials. Almost certainly, those lists would have been frantically reviewed when Plame's identity was revealed, and any sources she recruited could have been exposed.

[priller]

1. So interesting to read the facts

as opposed to the nonstop rightwing spin put out on TV. On Crossfire, Novak and the other old Puke guest were so busy minimizing the impact of what Novakula and Rove did, it was disgusting. Novak said the Dems were just playing politics (which is what he always says any time the pukes are caught). But this really is a BIG DEAL, and very serious harm was done by Rove.

[UpInArms]

2. felt the same way when I read it -

just the facts and only the facts -

if Plame was a "NOC" then outing her compromised a lot of things (and that is an understatement) -

this is a HUGE DEAL and should not be minimized in any way, shape or fashion.

I just despise these spinning fatuous right-wingnuts for their absolute shallow characters and lack of moral fortitude.