Outing an NOC Operative: It Doesn't Get Much Worse!

[Beetwasher]

We now find out that Valerie Plame was in fact a Non Official Cover operative. This has been confirmed beyond doubt. Additionally, the CIA front firm that provided her NOC has also been identified and compromised. See these articles for more detail:

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/05/politics/05TENE.html?hp

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40012-2003Oct3.html


Valerie Plame was the real deal. WAS being the operative word. She was a James Bond, cloak and dagger under cover operative hunting WMD's. Arguably she had one of the most important jobs of anyone in the whole gov't in making sure this country is safe from terror. It's INCREDIBLY dangerous that they blew her cover. I can't even stress or communicate how dangerous.

Anyone in any way associated with the company that provided her cover is now also compromised. Hundreds (if not more) of people's lives are now in serious danger. It would not surprise me in the least if people end up dead as a result of this leak; people may in fact already be dead because of it. Additionally, none of these people can continue doing their important and crucial work in protecting this country from terrorists with WMD's. Any ongoing operations have been irretreivably compromised. WMD's may now find their way into terrorists hands as a direct result of this and ultimately into and used in the US. I'm not being hyperbolic in the least. The consequences are that dire. This is truly one of the most horrendous acts of treason ever perpetrated in this country and it was done by at least two high level administration officials. It seems that Bush doesn't care.

[KC21304]

1. That Novak is a real sweetheart, isn't he ?

I hope he and Rove get adjoining cells.

[Beetwasher]

2. As much as I detest Novak

I'm still torn about whether I would want to see him persecuted for this for a couple of reasons.

1. I don't want the story to become about him as a diversion

2. The cracking of Novak by the admin. and his prosecution would set a precedent for the use of a very dangerous weapon by this admin. A weapon they would be happy to have to plug GOOD leaks...

[KC21304]

3. I guess I would have to agree with you on that,

but there has to be a way to stop this from happening again. Maybe the public will make his life miserable enough to satisfy me, but I doubt it.

[Beetwasher]

6. Well, if his employers had a shred of decency they would fire him

He should be a pariah in the news business from here on out...

[Spazito]

4. If Novak can't be charged with anything...

and I am still not sure that he can't, I hope that at the very least the Wilson's sue him for every penny he has and for every one he may earn in the future!

[loudnclear]

5. Charged? He should be sent to jail to serve time.

He has done more harm than the Rosenbergs.

[Beetwasher]

7. I would certainly support a civil suit against Novak, however

please see my post #2 regarding the criminal charges.

[Beetwasher]

8. Kick

n/t

[Snellius]

9. It's like trying to kill a soldier in the war on terrorism

And why? For political payback. Directed at her husband. For warning the public about lies that the government admitted were false.

[Beetwasher]

10. It IS just that

Now, they may eventually try to defend whoever (if anyone) is found to be responsible with the whine "I didn't know she was deep cover and didn't intend to put her in danger". However, the effect is the same, intended or not.

[Catherine Vincent]

11. I don't know if you guys watched Nightline last night but

that was a damn good show. There were four ex-CIA agents there telling it like it is. They are pissed at the Bush administration in a big way AND, get this...they are all admitted REPUGLICANS. There was also an undercover agent there that was blacked out and voiced over. Some think it may have been Ms. Plame herself.

But if you get a chance, check the transcripts. Excellent show.

[Resistance Is Futile]

14. Not Plame

They said there were all members of the Texas Fascist Party.

Plame donated $2,000 to Gore during the 2000 farce.

Members of the Texas Fascist Party do not donate to the opposition.

Therefore, "Jane Doe" was not Plame.

[Spazito]

12. Kick

:kick:

[msmcghee]

13. What about motive?

I understand the danger in prosecuting journalists for providing information to the public - I mean that's their job.

But judges and juries are continually asked to consider motive in both the question of guilt and sentencing.

Since it is our interests at stake, i.e. since we are paying with our taxes for this system of justice - and since our constitution already sets out fair and reasonable 1st amendment guidelines - is it too much to ask to consider whether Novaks' publication of Valerie Plame's name was in the public interest? Like, what public good was realized from the release of that information?

OTOH, did the benefit accrue only to the political opponents of Valerie's husband - was revenge and the "kiss of death" message to those who may publish information at odds with the *Bush junta the actual motive for his actions?

I think these are perfectly reasonable facts to take into account - when considering if these acts of treason by Novaks and his "high administration officials" deserve the death penalty (which I oppose but is unfortunately still championed so loudly by those on the right) or perhaps just long prison sentences.

[Beetwasher]

15. Absolutely

Yes, the motive is telling indeed. Without a doubt it can only be sinister. But I'll tell you what; the motive behind the crime should only come into play in regard to sentencing. It can't obsolve them of the obvious and transparent guilt. The crime is in print for all to see. There's no doubt whatsoever that an incredibly serious, treasnous crime has been committed. As The Magistrate is fond of saying "Let's get those Bush Bastards!"

After their gotten, I'll worry about sentencing and the ethics of the death penalty.

[Booberdawg]

16. It doesn't get any more serious than this

A snip from the NYTimes article:

Nocs are the holiest of holies," said Kenneth M. Pollack, a former agency officer who is now director of research at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution. "This is real James Bond stuff. You're going overseas posing as a businessman, and if the other government finds out about you, they're probably going to shoot you. The United States has basically no way to protect you."