Robert Parry: WPost Prints New Wilson/Plame Attack

[babylonsister]

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/032207.html

WPost Prints New Wilson/Plame Attack

By Robert Parry
March 22, 2007

Rather than fire Washington Post editorial-page editor Fred Hiatt or at least apologize for all the newspaper’s past misstatements about former Ambassador Joseph Wilson and his wife, ex-CIA officer Valerie Plame, the Post instead has published a rehash of the lies and distortions about the couple.

This new attack is contained in a column by right-wing pundit Robert D. Novak, who originally blew Plame’s CIA cover in July 2003 and has sought to add insult to the injury ever since. Some of Novak’s past falsehoods about Wilson/Plame also have found their way into Post editorials, apparently without benefit of fact-checking.

In the new March 22 column, Novak can’t seem to let go of a favorite right-wing myth – that Plame wasn’t a "covert" CIA officer overseeing a sensitive network of spies informing the United States about weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East.

That right-wing myth – insisting that she wasn’t “covert” – was exploded at a March 16 hearing of the House Oversight Committee when Chairman Henry Waxman read a statement approved by CIA Director Michael Hayden referring to Plame’s former status as “covert,” “undercover” and “classified.”

Hayden didn’t want to divulge details about Plame’s sensitive work but did confirm that she had served overseas. “Ms. Wilson worked on the most sensitive and highly secretive matters handled by the CIA,” Waxman’s statement said, adding that her work dealt with “prevention of development and use of WMD against the United States.”

more...

[H2O Man]

1. They can't give up

on their lies. If they did, they would have to answer some tough questions. So they cling to the lies.

[SteveM]

4. They won't give up because their posture usually works. (nt)

[loudsue]

9. You know, congress could start reining this mess in if they'd reinstate

the Fairness Doctrine. I PROMISE you, the media moguls don't want that to happen, but possibly even the threat of doing it would get some of the editors to quit trying to sell white house talking points.

We have the majority in congress, at least for another 2 years. We need to use it to straighten out the media problems while we have a chance. The newspaper, radio and tv problem has jeopardized our Democracy, second only to privatized vote counting machines.

:kick::kick::kick:

[blm]

14. BushInc wouldn't be able to get away with the voting machines, either, if the media was honest.

Newsmedia has great control over EVERY OTHER ISSUE and story that exists.

[loudsue]

15. You're right, blm!

And that's something that we can do RIGHT NOW with a majority in both houses!

:kick::kick::kick::kick:

[Clark2008]

17. I was just getting ready to post the same thing.

The media first - then the voting machines, the scandals, the Constitution-shredding - it all will follow.

[H2O Man]

16. I am aware of

some related issues that Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) is working on. I'll try to provide a working link:

http://www.house.gov/hinchey/issues/mora.shtml

[blm]

23. Hinchey is very good on anti-corruption, open government matters.

I don't trust many in govt. - even many Democrats - but Hinchey is definitely from the anti-corruption, open government wing of the Democratic Party. They are my heroes.

[TacticalPeek]

10. A two year old strategy.

By which I mean a strategy for people two years old.

[blm]

2. THANKYOU for keeping the truth out there, Robert Parry. Corpmedia doesn't WANT

the simple facts about this case to stick in the public mind.

They know Plame was covert the same way they knew Kerry's Vietnam record - but, they don't CARE. Their job is too keep the issue muddied to protect their corporate masters.

[SteveM]

3. GOPer patriotism: thin as a catwalk model.

I'm old enough to have heard the gassing and posturing of GOPer right wingers whenever "classified material" about Vietnam was "leaked" to reporters. But when it serves their interests, they don't mind wrecking the agencies (for all their faults) charged with protecting this country's security. They are classic (and sublimely effective) bullies who truly hate their enemies and judge them (with considerable justification) as not having the gut to fight back. And the media will not challenge their "moral relativism;" instead, characterizing GOPer actions as he said/they said or "Washington politics." They have been bullied, too.

[robertpaulsen]

5. Yes. And there really was a Saddam/Osama link.

And there really were reconstituted nukes. Nothing to see here, move along. :sarcasm:

[johnnydrama]

6. I kind of understand it.

It's pretty hard to admit to yourself that you've been supporting a criminal enterprise the last 6 years.

Denial is not just a river in Egypt.

[blm]

7. Well, there IS a link between Saddam and Bin Laden - Bush Family Evil Empire bizness partners.

Both of them.

[Gabi Hayes]

8. and what exactly happened to that bin Laden?

wonder if James Bath has some details

[blm]

11. If only the public knew what has really gone down over the years.

.

[LSK]

12. will the details of her work be revealed in her book?

How much of it will not be allowed to be known?

[blm]

13. I am sure the redactions will be plentiful. Michael Scheurer's book was held back

for a VERY long time.

There was another CIA agent who wrote about Tora Bora and his book was held for a long time, too. BushInc didn't want the book out BEFORE the 2004 election because Kerry had been the chief critic about Tora Bora for over two years and Bush campaign had been saying that Kerry was either wrong or lying.

[autorank]

18. k&R: Pity the poor DC metro resident ==>WashPost or WashTimes

What a choice!

[blm]

19. Right leaning and FAR right leaning - that's their choice - and what influences congress most

over the last two decades, unfortunately. Just as it was set up to do.

[BuyingThyme]

20. kcik

[mnmoderatedem]

21. memo to Novak

Plame testified under oath, something the administration obviously won't do, as to her covert status in front of Congress; TV cameras rolling and everything. Chimpy removes federal prosecutors if they don't tow the white house line. So there's no reason not to prosecute Plame for perjury if you indeed think she lied to Congress.

Either prosecute Plame for perjury, or shut the hell up....

[blm]

22. Yep - where are all those RW prosecutors ready to file charges against Plame?

If they thought they had even a snowball's chance in hell they would take it.

THAT is how far wrong they know they are on this claim against Plame.