Novak revealed a source in 1998 -- Robert Hanssen!!

[grasswire]

WASHINGTON -- Three and half-years ago, I reported that a veteran FBI agent resigned and retired after refusing a demand by Attorney General Janet Reno to give the Justice Department the names of top secret sources in China. My primary source was FBI agent Robert Hanssen.

Disclosing confidential sources is unthinkable for a reporter seeking to probe behind the scenes in official Washington, but the circumstances here are obviously extraordinary. The same traitor who delivered American spies into the Kremlin's hands was expressing concern about the fate of intelligence assets in China.

When my source was revealed as a spy, my first fear was that I had been the victim of disinformation by a truly evil man. I wrote my column of Nov. 24, 1997 only after other officials confirmed Hanssen's account. Nevertheless, I now wanted to make doubly sure and rechecked my report's validity. I did so, and several sources -- including one FBI agent who would not speak to me in 1997 -- totally confirmed what I had written. I am absolutely convinced that Hanssen told me the truth.

Then, why break a reporter's responsibility to keep his sources secret? I wrestled with this question for months and finally decided that my experience with Hanssen contributes to the portrait of this most contradictory of all spies. Furthermore, to be honest to my readers, I must reveal it.

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/printrn20010712.shtml

[MetaTrope]

1. So his sole purpose was sensationalism, eh?

Who's endangering national security now, Mr. Novak?

[Paschall]

2. Nice catch, grasswire!

:thumbsup:

[Scairp]

3. No surprise here

He's a hypocrite. He picks and chooses when he has those alleged ethics and standards of journalism. I never gave Novak much thought before this but I really starting to hate this slime. He needs to become unemployed very soon.

[cliss]

4. Should be asleep in bed, but here I am

(can't resist one of Grasswire's posts).

I thought journalists were supposed to report just the facts, in an objective, impartial manner. And yet, I read yesterday that No-Class is denying that he ever spoke to any government 'blabbers'. Even though people are posting links to previous articles where he states that he 'didn't go looking for the information, it came to him'.

So much for impartial. This man is a nuisance. Besides, he looks very crusty.

[grasswire]

7. crusty...

...hahahahahahaha! He'll be looking like Mr. Crusty Potato Head if his eyebrows keep falling off.

[scottxyz]

5. This was a great find!

Keep digging!

[stickdog]

6. grasswire, I'm proud of you.

Hook Nofacts up to the gonad electrodes in Gitmo.

He aided and abetted terrorists and rogue states by outing a secret WMDs agent in a manner that served NO CONCEIVABLE public interest.

[liberalnurse]

8. Oh shit....

this is fabulous!!! Did you share it with anyone? MediaWhores or someone who will take this to the plate?

[grasswire]

9. no

But I think it's common knowledge in Washington.

[stickdog]

10. Kick (NT)

[HFishbine]

11. Way to go Grasswire

Spread it far and wide.

[grasswire]

12. kick for day crew

[nixonwasbetterthanW]

13. Classic Catch-22

Apparently, Novak's standard for outing his sources is that they must be guilty of treason. Of course, in the Wilson affair, his source, in revealing the name to Novak, committed treason, but the source can't be found guilty of treason unless a couple of witnesses come forward.

Your serve, Prince of Darkness.

[sangh0]

14. WOW!

It's incredible. No matter how bad you think they are, there's always more to dislike about them.

[ShaneGR]

15. Amazing, absolutely unbelievable.

How many traitors are leaking Novak information? Hundreds?

[sangh0]

16. Novak's a real "go to guy"

He must be proud