Before we high five over the Libby verdict... say a prayer for the victims of their treason.

[farmbo]

We do not know-- and may never know-- what the CIA damage assessment says about the damage caused by the roll up on Valerie Plame's Brewster Jennings CIA front company in the aftermath of her outing by the Bush administration.

But we do know that the Brewster Jennings operation had deceived some very disagreeable individuals and foreign governments: Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and possibly North Korea. For Brewster Jennings employees and paid informants in those countries, the Novak article was nothing less than a death sentence.

The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security, the Pakistani Intelligence Service, and international arms merchants in general, have always-- always-- struck back against outed spy networks with summary executions, or, more likely, with slow, torturous interrogations followed by more arrests and executions.

As Americans, we were lucky today. A jury listened to the evidence and send a strong message to the Bush Administration that our covert operations are no longer to be toyed with on a political whim.

But for the former employees and informants of Brewster Jennings... their luck has run out.

[melody]

1. Excellent post. K&R'd n/t

[niyad]

2. thank you for reminding us just how much is at stake in this.

[rkc3]

3. And for these people - the investigation needs to go further.

For an administration whose success is founded on protecting this country from terrorists and painting dissenters as soft on terror and traitors - committing treason to protect their lies is something all invovled need to be held accountable for.

[peace13]

4. Yes. Many brave souls give so that we may live this lifestyle.

Thanks go to those who serve in capacities known and unknown. Peace, Kim

[Frustratedlady]

5. Thank you for posting this message. I have thought so many times...

about them and of how much damage was done to the intelligence they were working on and how it affects us today. This wasn't just exposing Valerie, it was much, much more serious and I can't believe there isn't more anger and demands for the truth to be told and heads to roll.

[uppityperson]

6. And for all of us who may also suffer in the future.

The operation was stopped. What will happen now, since no one is following those WMDs? They were working for a reason, to keep us safe. To keep the world safer. Who else will suffer for this crime? Condolences to all those closely and loosely involved.

[glitch]

7. The damage is ongoing. K & R nt

[roguevalley]

8. that is so sad, isn't it, the toll of this treachery. may they find justice

somehow.

[mod mom]

9. Let's hope the Plame civil case will bring this aspect out to the public.

I am still amazed that the right continues to deny her NOC status.

[Marrak]

10. PNAC Signatories...

<>
Elliot Abrams got his pardon earlier on...and bets are Libby will get his too...then we've got a rather long list of future Presidential Medal of Freedom Award winners...(which is kinda like a get-out-of jail-free-card?)

[mmonk]

11. Still turns my stomach.

[Senator]

12. If Family Members Know, They May Have a Case...

...for wrongful death.

The depraved indifference with which they did this might even be criminally actionable, should victims start to surface.

But Andrea Mitchell said there was no damage. Then again, Mrs. Greenspan also said that all the cool people knew all about Valerie.

Somebody need to get her in the dock.

---

[freeplessinseattle]

13. many of us having been saying prayers for them all along

but is easy to lose sight of the big picture to some. To the rest of us though, the victims of their treason is what motivates us, and inspires us to acknowledge and savor each small justice we can.