My letter to editor

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http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/opinions/letters/j03letters.htm


Letters to the Editor
Let's get something straight about Karl Rove and the Wilson/Plume affair:

Executive Order 12958 states: "Officers and employees of the United States Government ... shall be subject to appropriate sanctions if they knowingly, willfully, or negligently ... disclose to unauthorized persons information properly classified."

Under the executive order, the available sanctions include "reprimand, suspension without pay, removal, termination of classification authority, loss or denial of access to classified information, or other sanctions."

Under the executive order, you may not wait until criminal intent and liability are proved by a prosecutor. Instead, you have an affirmative obligation to take "appropriate and prompt corrective action."

There is no argument about whether Rove confirmed classified information to at least one reporter concerning the identity of a CIA operative, Valerie Wilson (Plume). He admitted to doing so. The only argument seems to be whether Rove did it intentionally, not whether or not it was legal, because clearly, it was illegal.

As defined by the executive order, the president is obligated to take prompt corrective actions against Rove. So far, the only prompt action Bush has taken has been to build a stone wall of denials, misdirection and false promises of how he wants to get to the bottom of this treasonous breach of security.

The investigation into this event may prove Rove was an innocent buffoon, who was merely negligent with national secrets. Conversely, the investigation may conclude Rove leaked information intentionally, in a petty and costly attempt to discredit Plume's husband and his claims that Bush lied about Iraq.

Either way it's clear that Rove can not be trusted with classified information. At the very least Rove's security clearance should be pulled immediately and, if the investigation finds Rove's intentions were more sinister, he should be locked up in Guant¾namo for his treachery.
Paul Winkelman
Romeoville

[MadisonProgressive]

1. It's Plame, not Plume

Otherwise, good letter!

[ray of light]

3. often newspapers will correct typos.

Though this time they didn't.

[Wink]

4. Spellchecker mishap.....sorry n/t

[ray of light]

2. Excellent letter!