Novak may become 'subject of a criminal investigation'

[Padraig18]

Just heard this on WLS-AM radio ( http://www.wlsam.com ) at 9:30 a.m., CST, on the mid-hour ABC News break. Details as they become available.

[radfringe]

1. question

according to the articles on this mess - Novak was told about this by someone in the white house

Now, if this takes off to the level of indictments, isn't Novak just as responsible for writing the story, and knowing that "outing" a CIA agent is treasonous?

Would love to see him do Crossfire from behind bars... :evilgrin:

[NNN0LHI]

3. Here is a link to the law. Novak is no cub reporter either. He knew better

http://foi.missouri.edu/bushinfopolicies/protection.html

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

23. Dollars to donuts he was told it was his "patriotic duty" and he would be

taken care of. RW lawbreakers associated with the president always are pampered by the RW... Ollie North, Liddy, Linda Tripp... the list goes on.

[screembloodymurder]

107. I'm not so sure he knew

but the administration officials knew.

[jamesinca]

115. In an interview with Mr. Wilson

It was reported that Novac went to the CIA and asked them about this. He is reported to have been told by the CIA that stating this was not a good idea. Novacs response was his report on this story, why? Because he did not feel the CIA was trying to pesuade him strongly enough and that they did not truly believe this was a bad idea.

Navac knew and he was told not to do it.

[rocktivity]

167. If this is how it went down, Novak's gotta take his lumps

but I'd hate to see him become the "target" of the investigation while the perps in the White House escape taking theirs.


rocknation

[PNAC_butter_jelly]

133. Novak thought his "powerful friends" would protect him

but this was a bit bigger than he thought it would be.. This gang of thieves has made a habit of trashing the people they don't like, and Novak probably thought this was just more of the same..

I hope he gets hung out to dry.. I cannot stand to watch that chiclet-toothed troll.

[EX-CONservative]

143. The shit is one inch from the fan!

Novak will either get a pardon or he will squeal the source of the leak *cough*Karl*cough* *cough*Rove*cough*.

It's 1973 all over again. Who'll play Deep Throat? Who'll play H.R. Haldeman?

BTW, rumor is that watergate was about stealing photos of E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy at Dallas, TX on 11/22/1963. It's the most valid argument, honestly. Nixon was headed towards a landslide but the democrats were gonna expose his admin for what it is.

Committee to Re-Elect the President (CREEP) also was behind the leaking of Thomas Eagleton's psychiatric problems, sinking McGovern's remaining hopes.

When Arthur Bremer shot George C. Wallace, Team Nixon were allegedly planning to plan McGovern material in his apartment to try to implicate McGovern.

McGovern was one of the weakest in the field. Nixon softened up the more electable and set up McGovern for a beating.

Team Nixon also sacrificed Spiro Agnew towards the end.

Ah, Shades of Watergate. The darkest time is just before dawn.

Things might look bad now but I am certain we'll see Dubya and Co. drummed out of office on a rail. (Well, at least Karl Rove. If he's outta politics, Bush is lost and gonna go down in flames!)

[Patriot_Spear]

7. Yes, Novak is responsible...

Despite the first Amendment guarentee's on the press, Novak clearly broke the law by naming Palme. What he did was in essence no different than a report revealing an American battle-plan or the key to encrypted communication.

In my view- He should do jail time for this.

[Classical_Liberal]

60. Not as responsible as the person who leaked it.

I want to get them more than Novak. they are more of a threat to National Security than he is.

[Patriot_Spear]

65. A bank robber versus a mugger- what's your point?

n/t

[Classical_Liberal]

67. I made my point

You don't know the history here. Novak opposed the administration on Iraq, so they hate him.

Now we are going after Novak instead of the neocon scum the leaked it. That makes absolutely no sense unless you are a neocon. They don't accept responsibility for anything. This is the bank robber vs the accomplice. The corner drug dealer vs the cartel kingpin. It is dumb.

[Patriot_Spear]

69. We're 'going after' both of them- why give 'Nofacts' a pass?

He knew it was wrong- so do you. Why are you sticking up for this partisan liar?

[Classical_Liberal]

71. I am not but if he is the only one that takes the axe

without the whitehouse leaker than he is just a patsy, and we still have a national security problem in this administration. This campaign against nofacts looks like a ruse to cover the asses of the adminstration who are much worse. It is just slight of hand.

[Patriot_Spear]

75. Obviously he won't be, since the CIA asked for a WH investigation...

..not a Novak investigation.

[Classical_Liberal]

86. Post the link on that one so we can read it too

preferably in a new thread.

[Patriot_Spear]

158. Here you go-

CIA Wants to Investigate White House


The CIA is concerned that a member of the Bush Administration may have broken laws when a CIA agent's identity was revealed to get revenge against a former ambassador. The ambassador had criticised the Admin for the claim Iraq got uranium from Niger.

The former ambassador is Joseph Wilson, who was sent by the Admin in 2002 to Niger to find out if the claim was true. Wilson said there was no evidence and he criticised Bush for using the claim in his 2003 State of the Union speech.

Afterwards, columnist Robert Novak wrote that Wilson's wife Valerie Plame worked for the CIA covertly as a WMD expert. The White House says it did not divulge this detail. The CIA wants to know how Novak got this information.

Source: www.msnbc.com

[drewb]

147. I think you are exactly right...

He opposed the Iraq adventure, and I think they are trying to set him up. I hope he names every name and drops dime on all those shitheads...

[calimary]

108. Hate to nag, but has anybody called their reps about this?

Here's what you do:

USE THE TOLL FREE CAPITOL HILL SWITCHBOARD NUMBERS:

1 (800) 648 - 3516

or

1 (800) 839 - 5276

Call in, first thing in the morning, and they'll switch you to anybody's office, just for the asking.

Or go to www.congress.org and find the local AND Washington numbers for anybody's office.

Really, folks, this is an absolute MUST! If this story's to have any legs, and get anyone's attention or action on it, the folks in Washington HAVE TO KNOW THAT WE, THEIR CONSTITUENTS, WANT THIS!!! And they won't know UNLESS YOU MAKE THEM KNOW. Calling in is the best way. Most of 'em don't see their emails.

[w4rma]

168. Wilson … said … would be a violation … by the officials, not the columnist

CIA seeks probe of White House

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 — The CIA has asked the Justice Department to investigate allegations that the White House broke federal laws by revealing the identity of one of its undercover employees in retaliation against the woman’s husband, a former ambassador who publicly criticized President Bush’s since-discredited claim that Iraq had sought weapons-grade uranium from Africa, NBC News has learned.
…
http://www.msnbc.com/news/937524.asp?0cv=CB10
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=135657

Rice 'Knew Nothing' About CIA Agent Leak

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. national security adviser Condoleezza Rice said on Sunday she knew "nothing of any" White House effort to leak the identity of an undercover CIA officer in July, a charge now under review at the Justice Department.

On the "Fox News Sunday" program, the top aide to President Bush said, "This has been referred to the Justice Department. I think that is the appropriate place for it."

Rice said the White House would cooperate should the Justice Department, headed by Attorney General John Ashcroft, decide to proceed with a criminal investigation of the matter, which centers on the alleged public disclosure of the wife of former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Wilson.

Wilson was sent by the CIA to Niger in 2002 to investigate a report that Iraq was trying to obtain uranium from Niger, but returned to say it was highly doubtful.
…
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20030928/ts_nm/iraq_intelligence_probe_dc&cid=564&ncid=1480
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=136932

A White House smear

Did senior Bush officials blow the cover of a US intelligence officer working covertly in a field of vital importance to national security—and break the law—in order to strike at a Bush administration critic and intimidate others?

It sure looks that way, if conservative journalist Bob Novak can be trusted.
…
The sources for Novak’s assertion about Wilson’s wife appear to be “two senior administration officials.” If so, a pair of top Bush officials told a reporter the name of a CIA operative who apparently has worked under what’s known as “nonofficial cover” and who has had the dicey and difficult mission of tracking parties trying to buy or sell weapons of mass destruction or WMD material. If Wilson’s wife is such a person—and the CIA is unlikely to have many employees like her—her career has been destroyed by the Bush administration. (Assuming she did not tell friends and family about her real job, these Bush officials have also damaged her personal life.) Without acknowledging whether she is a deep-cover CIA employee, Wilson says, “Naming her this way would have compromised every operation, every relationship, every network with which she had been associated in her entire career. This is the stuff of Kim Philby and Aldrich Ames.” If she is not a CIA employee and Novak is reporting accurately, then the White House has wrongly branded a woman known to friends as an energy analyst for a private firm as a CIA officer. That would not likely do her much good.

This is not only a possible breach of national security; it is a potential violation of law. Under the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982, it is a crime for anyone who has access to classified information to disclose intentionally information identifying a covert agent. The punishment for such an offense is a fine of up to $50,000 and/or up to ten years in prison. Journalists are protected from prosecution, unless they engage in a “pattern of activities” to name agents in order to impair US intelligence activities. So Novak need not worry.

Novak tells me that he was indeed tipped off by government officials about Wilson’s wife and had no reluctance about naming her. “I figured if they gave it to me,” he says. “They’d give it to others....I’m a reporter. Somebody gives me information and it’s accurate. I generally use it.” And Wilson says Novak told him that his sources were administration officials.
…
http://thenation.com/capitalgames/index.mhtml?bid=3&pid=823
http://www.arbiteronline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/07/23/3f1f5fa79c206
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=18072&mesg_id=18072&page=
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=5913&mesg_id=5913&page=

…
Novak, in an interview, said his sources had come to him with the information. “I didn't dig it out, it was given to me,” he said. “They thought it was significant, they gave me the name and I used it.”

Wilson and others said such a disclosure would be a violation of the law by the officials, not the columnist.

Novak reported that his “two senior administration officials” told him that it was Plame who suggested sending her husband, Wilson, to Niger.
…
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-uscia0722,0,2346857.story?coll=ny-top-headlines
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=2326&mesg_id=2326&page=

A War on Wilson?
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,465270,00.html
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=18113&mesg_id=18113&page=

White House striking back?
http://www.msnbc.com/news/942095.asp?0cv=CA01

Schumer Urges FBI Probe Into Iraq Leaks
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030724/ap_on_go_ot/schumer_agent_1

Probes Expected in ID of CIA Officer
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-uscia233384176jul23,0,5461415.story?coll=ny-nationalnews-print

The Bush Administration Adopts a Worse-than-Nixonian Tactic: The Deadly Serious Crime Of Naming CIA Operatives by John W. Dean
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20030815.html

[leetrisck]

2. It should be "White House subject

of Criminal Investigation." Be interesting to see how this plays out - was Novak the first person (believe he was) to print this story using the name but said it was White House sources. Wouldn't you think they would start the investigation there - Novak got that name from somewhere.

[eileen_d]

5. Well, maybe they'll squeeze Novak

hard enough to get the real answers. Wouldn't it be ironic if they all got prosecuted under the Patriot Act?

[Eloriel]

18. I don't exactly see Novak as the type of "journalist" who's

willing to do jail time instead of reveal his sources, should it come to that.

This is getting good!

And I sure do like that Joe Wilson. What a hero.

Eloriel

[The Magistrate]

20. Ambassador Wilson, Ma'am

Will be on the C-Span morning show Monday morning.

This thing is not going to go away.

It is extraordinarily foolish for political operatives to cross intelligence operatives: the latter are much, much better at the work.

[eileen_d]

33. Yeah, exactly

Somehow I don't see him valuing journalistic integrity over, well, let's say... his own ASS. :)

[Gin]

50. I like Ambassador Wilson too. When he speaks I listen. ...unlike...

when bonzo speaks...I cringe and hit the mute button.

[JNelson6563]

82. he's a good speaker

and has intelligent and interesting things to say. Wilson that is, I can barely stomach listening to Jr. If I do it's just to see what the current lies are....

Julie

[0007]

41. Maybe Bob Novak

will do a David Kelly.

Let the game begin.

[leesa]

58. And incarcerated in Gitmo...or, it would be the pinnacle of irony to have

Bush plead for his life after his treason trial the way that christian woman did in Texas before he fried her.

[AP]

4. This makes me so happy. The RW isn't going to stop unless someone goes to

jail.

[NashVegas]

6. You'd All Better Hope He Doesn't Play Ball

As much as we'd love him to name the source of the story, it will be a very, very bad day for the remaining few journalists of integrity if he does.

[leetrisck]

8. I agree

I would expect Novak to go to jail before revealing his sources - it's the White House people I want in jail.

[Patriot_Spear]

10. Spare me- Novak isn't protecting his reporter credentials here...

He was acting as a chracter assassin for Rove- Let the fucker burn.

[NashVegas]

13. You Miss the Point

"If it's good for the goose, it's good for the gander."

Hatred of BFEE is no good reason to ignore the larger picture - so-called freedom of the press.

[Patriot_Spear]

15. So be it.

n/t

[The Magistrate]

17. Indeed, Sir

This reptile must be cuffed and sweated.

He will doubtless role over onto the traitor who fed him the secret, and we may then see, as Amb. Wilson himself has expressed the hope for "Rove frogmarched in cuffs out of the White House." There is no doubt who the ultimate source of this crime is.

[Padraig18]

21. Since when...

... was committing multiple felonies that may result in the deaths of many people 'freedom of the press'? I hope the old asshole winds up in PRISON! :grr:

[KaraokeKarlton]

130. Agreed. The reporter KNEW he was putting lives in danger

and people have died because of what he reported. He is just as responsible as the one who gave him the information in the first place. Everyone involved in this should be charged with treason. ALL of them.

[screembloodymurder]

111. Your logic is off

A reporter can choose to protect his sources. Novak's choice in this case does not change the law.

[NashVegas]

131. I Don't Think So

Novak can be offered immunity in exchange for naming his source. The minute he accepts that - if it comes to that - sends a chill down the spine of every legitimate whistleblower/informant/what have you.

Those of you who are delighted to see Novak in the hot seat aren't thinking it through.

Rather, the responsibility should be put on the Bush administration to name the stooges.

[Robb]

149. Very, VERY good point.

Sharp as Novak might be, he was probably manipulated into thinking this was good for his career. That would imply "journalistic integrity" doesn't enter into it.

THAT would imply he's going to name names -- which indeed is a terrible precedent for the real journalists out there, breaking insider stories without an insider's agenda.

[ParanoidPat]

124. The press does not now, nor has it ever had, the 'freedom'.....

.....to expose American intelligence operatives names! :evilgrin:
What planet do you live on? :crazy:

[Bandit]

160. The press does not have freedom of Treason.

That is what we are talking. Treason. No less and who ever is responsible deserves life imprisonment. All parties, journalists and Administration officials. Every single person who helped to out a CIA Operative.

[Patriot_Spear]

9. We already know who the source is...

Remember Rove told six other reporters- but only Novak put it in print.

Think about that.

[fishnfla]

44. This is a VERY key point

there are 6 other witnesses that are also reporters,they did not choose to break the law. You dont have to give up a source to answer this question: "Were you also given this information ?"

[Occulus]

26. If he were such a great journalist

he would have realized that the story was in the fact that he had been given her name, apparently with instructions to 'out' her. Journalists' ethics would require that he only reveal that he has the information, as well as where it came from and any requests that went along with it. Ethics would demand that he protect her name, even though he knew it.

Not only that, but the law requires this, journalist or no. He could have very safely revealed that someone in this maladministration had given him instructions to 'out' her without revealing her name. He could have even gone to Mr. Wilson himself and inform him that someone in the WH wants his wife and her work placed in danger.

He didn't do any of that; he went ahead and reported her name. While I am very pleased that Mr. Novak chose to show how truly corrupt this maladministration is, I would think he could do so without endangering someone like Wilson's wife.

Novak screwed up; any journalist who really wanted this story to break could have done so and still protected the Mrs.

[RainDog]

103. They not only gave Novak her name...

they gave Novak her MAIDEN NAME. The name she used as an agent, you might assume.

Amb. Wilson made this point himself (not her possible agent name, but the fact that they chose to not call her "Mrs. Wilson" but the name she had worked under for many years.

They intentionally destroyed her work by doing this.

If this is not an act of treason, then what is?

[SaintLouisBlues]

123. Maiden name also given? Helps prove intent!

There is some discussion that they only drug her name into it because supposedly she got her husband the job to investigate the Nigerian yellowcake debacle, and that this revelation would somehow undermine Wilson.

But as Ambassador Wilson has said, the motives were to stifle dissent
and the maiden name disclosure proves that they wanted her identity exposed.

Treason!

[Skittles]

55. BULLSHIT

HE NAMED A CIA OPERATIVE - HE MUST HAVE KNOWN HOW DANGEROUS THAT WAS.

[SayitAintSo]

153. Interesting ... Does make it a bit of a 'Sophies Choice' doesn't it ....

What do you suppose is the best possible outcome here ?

[radfringe]

11. DOJ HAS OPENED THE PRELIMINARY PROBE 09-27-03

http://hnn.us/articles/900.html#09270301

DOJ HAS OPENED THE PRELIMINARY PROBE 09-27-03

The preliminary probe has begun into the Wilson-Plame affair over at Ashcroft's Department of Justice. This was triggered automatically by the CIA's findings that a crime appears to have been committed. Now it's up to Ashcroft and Company to decide if the FBI should be called in.

With the proper amount of skepticism, Atrios said earlier this evening:

We'll see if it's a real one or a fake one.

If it seemingly disappears from Ashcroft's radar screen or if Rove and Company are quickly exonerated, that will be very suspicious.
As I said earlier, several different folks (bloggers and journalists) I've been reading have reported that journalists told them the White House was shopping this story around. That certainly sounds like there's something to it folks.

Stay tuned.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[VolcanoJen]

14. Kick

This thread was mistakenly locked as a duplicate; however, since this post discusses Novak becoming the focus of the investigation, rather than the White House, it can remain open.

Hopefully, a link to this story will be posted soon.

:-)
Thanks!
VolcanoJen
DU Moderator

[Padraig18]

16. Thank you, VolcanoJen!

:)

[oneighty]

19. Novak

is what happens when "News People" start acting like they hold an elective office and are part of the inner circle of power.

180

[He loved Big Brother]

22. I am grateful for the fact that he blatantly alerted the public

to just how much this misadministration flaps their claptraps. Jail for all of them, but not Novak.

[Nancy Waterman]

27. Front page story on the WP today, very damaging

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11208-2003Sep27.html

I think this will be hard to put back in the bag.

Yesterday, a senior administration official said that before Novak's column ran, two top White House officials called at least six Washington journalists and disclosed the identity and occupation of Wilson's wife. Wilson had just revealed that the CIA had sent him to Niger last year to look into the uranium claim and that he had found no evidence to back up the charge. Wilson's account touched off a political fracas over Bush's use of intelligence as he made the case for attacking Iraq.

"Clearly, it was meant purely and simply for revenge," the senior official said of the alleged leak.

Sources familiar with the conversations said the leakers were seeking to undercut Wilson's credibility. They alleged that Wilson, who was not a CIA employee, was selected for the Niger mission partly because his wife had recommended him. Wilson said in an interview yesterday that a reporter had told him that the leaker said, "The real issue is Wilson and his wife."

A source said reporters quoted a leaker as describing Wilson's wife as "fair game."

The official would not name the leakers for the record and would not name the journalists. The official said there was no indication that Bush knew about the calls.

[Nottingham]

24. He should be fired for one! and the Network who did this should

be severely punished! This is blatant abuse of the News Media and they got caught! Not helping America but being traitorous to America!

That says it all!

and here is again the Warning!.....Be a Butt Boy for Bush and let your reputation and career be destroyed

look at tony Blair...I rest my case!:bounce:

[R Hickey]

35. Novak is no better than Benedic Arnold

Robert Novak should not be allowed to appear on Crossfire again. Not until this thing is cleared up.

I like Robert Novak. I'll never forget the time his front tooth came out on Crossfire. It was just one episode, but it was really quite amusing. One of his two big front teeth is a fake, and everytime he tried to say something the tooth would come loose and point straight out.

If Novak is found guilty of treason, then I'm sure Bush will pardon him, and then he can make his comeback on Crossfire.

[He loved Big Brother]

39. Off topic, but that statement is hilarious

"I like Robert Novak. I'll never forget the time his front tooth came out on Crossfire."

LOL

[screembloodymurder]

112. I'm not so sure he'll be pardoned.

Remember, we are at war, and this was an act of treason. This is unpardonable.

[JPace]

25. Novak may not go to jail.....

but he is going to go through a lot of
controversy, humiliation and loss of
prestige. It couldn't happen to a more
deserving guy.

[Patriot_Spear]

31. Six reporters refused to reveal classified material- yet Novak said yes.

I'd be willing to bet Bob is going to get hit with this question in a court of law very soon.

[Nottingham]

43. I wondered if Novak took a Bribe from WH to do it!

If the Networks didn't know what Novak was going to say at the time then Novak was paid off by somebody! He better never say he is a Patriot of this country cause he is a Traitor!

Novak could have said NO! but he didn't he showed he was a vindictive cruel and out to help the WH destroy a courageous employee of the CIA and I hope all his teeth fall out in JAIL!

:bounce:

And Ya have to WONDER about NETWORKS who EMPLOYEE such DESPICABLE MEN!

[Classical_Liberal]

63. If he did, then the person who bribed him also needs to be in jail

.

[colorado_ufo]

138. I have a question:

Didn't Novak's superiors have some say over what was published? Newspaper/magazine editors review every word of their publications, and people who correspond to editors in the other media do, also.

Reporters can't just publish anything that comes out of their heads. Other people bear responsibility in this.

[Supply Side Jesus]

144. very good point

prehaps the editors need to do the perp walk for outing a CIA agent.

[Suspicious]

166. Apparently, the editor of the WP editorial page did not

think publishing an article which revealed the identity of a CIA operative would endanger anyone. :eyes:

Fred Hiatt, editorial page editor of The Washington Post, one of the papers that published the July 14 column, said that "in retrospect, I wish I had asked more questions. If I had, given that his column appears in a lot of places, I'm not sure I would have done anything differently. But I wish we had thought about it harder. Alarm bells didn't go off. . . . We have a policy of trying not to publish anything that would endanger anybody."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14399-2003Sep28.html

[Jack Rabbit]

28. Novak should not take the fall for this

I want to know who revealed the information. I want that person indicted, tried, convicted, locked up and the key thrown away.

Novak may have done something wrong and broken the law. However, he is only an accessory. I want the criminal mastermind in the White House to pay most dearly for this.

[truthisfreedom]

29. well, yeah, sure, they'll squeeze him, threaten him, and the names will

simply *pop!* right out of his mouth. he needs to be able to justify violating his journalistic integrity by revealing his sources...

[Flubadubya]

78. But will he even make it to court?

He may end up Baxterized, Kellyfied.

Then we'll have to come up with a new term for unsolicited suicide... like, Novakulized!? :crazy: :silly:

[Flubadubya]

127. Novakulated...

Got to thinking about that... I think I like that term better.

[Bandit]

164. Yes won't surprize me a bit if we hear in near future Novak had a heart

Attack and was pronounced DOA. Case closed for lack of evidence.

[NNN0LHI]

30. Link - Justice Dept. probes leak to columnist Novak: Chicago Sun-Times

http://www.suntimes.com/output/iraq/cst-nws-leak28.html

The Justice Department is looking into an allegation that an administration official leaked the name of an undercover CIA officer to Chicago Sun-Times columnist Robert Novak, the Washington Post reported in today's editions.

Novak revealed the CIA officer's name in a column in July about retired diplomat Joseph C. Wilson's mission to Africa in February 2002 to investigate possible Iraqi purchases of uranium yellowcake from Niger. Novak wrote that two senior administration officials told him that Wilson's wife, who Novak identified by name as an agency operative on weapons of mass destruction, suggested sending Wilson to Niger.

Novak's column was published a week after Wilson wrote a New York Times op-ed piece revealing his mission, saying it didn't take him long "to conclude that it was highly doubtful that any such transaction had ever taken place." He wrote that the claim should not have been included in President Bush's State of the Union address, though it was. The administration subsequently disavowed it.

more

[newyorican]

32. DOJ "looking into..."

a way to make this go the way of Eron and Anthrax investigations.

[JPace]

47. Rove must be sleep derprived....

trying to defuse all the scandal that is
surfacing around the WH. The country gets
no pause between them anymore before another
pops up. What is that old saying....?

"You can't fool all the people all the time"

[Sideways]

34. Will Another Eyebrow Pop Off?

Novakula and his amazing eyebrows. Such fuckwittage....really horrid fuckwittage..... this guy was meant for the circus.

Get lost you shit dust bag. And take your nasty eyebrows with you!

[trapper914]

36. From what I read on another thread...

...journalists are exempt from the law on this one. This could keep him from revealing his sources, but the other five journalists who got the information and didn't use it could step up and make life very miserable for the Bushistas.

[Patriot_Spear]

37. Link please...

I want to see where a reporter is exept from this law.

[Patriot_Spear]

38. Please show where it says reporters are exempt from this law...

I do not see any such caveat...

From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access


January 6, 1997 and November 30, 1998]


TITLE 50--WAR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE

CHAPTER 15--NATIONAL SECURITY

SUBCHAPTER IV--PROTECTION OF CERTAIN NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Sec. 421. Protection of identities of certain United States undercover intelligence officers, agents, informants, and sources



(b) Disclosure of information by persons who learn identity of covertagents as result of having access to classified information
Whoever, as a result of having authorized access to classified information, learns the identify of a covert agent and intentionally
discloses any information identifying such covert agent to any
individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing
that the information disclosed so identifies such covert agent and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such covert agent's intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.b


http://foi.missouri.edu/bushinfopolicies/protection.html

[Zhade]

104. Watch for this claim...!

Whoever, as a result of having authorized access to classified information, learns the identify of a covert agent and intentionally discloses any information identifying such covert agent to any individual not authorized to receive classified information...

I will not be surprised if the WH attempts to deflect all blame onto Novak by claiming he didn't have explicitly authorized access to the information - that the leaker(s) 'mistakenly' let Plame's name slip. I doubt it will work, though. (EDIT: especially with the "shopping around" aspect to the leak!)

An aside: personally, I think the punishment for intentionally committing treason that places another person in grave mortal danger is a little light.

[Gore1FL]

145. Perhaps -- but

They are probably loyal or would not have gotten the info in the first place.

[0007]

40. Novak is just like a 'hush hush

wash wash, know it all lady' that has every dime she ever made.

Bob is not a man because real men with a brain doesn't act the way this so-called journalist does.

Jail time, I'm betting on it.

[remfan]

42. Well he shouldn't be

That information was given to him, and once he had it in hand he had every right to print it or not.

It's the person(s) that gave Novak the story that will be subject of a criminal investigation because they committed the crime, NOT Novak. They made the disclosure of classified information, and once it's in the media's hands it's fair game.

[Patriot_Spear]

45. Read the law again- it doesn't say what you suggest...

It makes it clear that ANYONE who receives this information and publishes it without authorization is subject to it.

His only defense, as far as I can see, is to claim it was authorized- in which case he'll have to reveal 'who' authorized it.

[Zhade]

105. Ooooh, what a nice little box Novak's trapped in...!

If he decided to name the authorizing entity, does anyone here doubt that Novak's plane would go down in perfect weather...?

[TahitiNut]

165. I disagree. I think Novak is protected by 50USC422 ...

... against conviction for violations of 50USC421. Novak is neither a person with authorized access to classified information nor is he one who has demonstrated a pattern of attempting to discover such agent's identities for the purpose of harming the United States (i.e. a "spy"). Only those are subject to conviction under 50USC421, IMHO (IANAL).

In my view, 50USC422 is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it deprives people such as Novak who receive such information of the protections of the Fifth Amendment protections against self-implication. On the other hand, it can't then be used as leverage in a plea bargain (relying on the dishonor among thieves) to coerce him to divulge the identity of the leaker.

[Nottingham]

48. Wait a Minute here! Novak is RESPONSIBLE!

What he did was give out information which was clearly vindictive and had NO RELEVANCE to the story! And heres the question was NOVAK
paid by the WH! Did the Networks Knowingly publish this information!

They may have some points for Freedom of Speech but a Network which does such Despicable reporting and a Reporter like Novak who is vindictive and cruel are not Patriotic but Traitorous! and if the Network allows Novak to continue his job just shows that they CONDONE this kinda traitorous actions and shows they are DUPES for the White House Vindictiveness! :bounce:

NO NOVAK is going DOWN!!

[Classical_Liberal]

59. He is a small fish in comparison to the person who leeked

That is the point. Why Should I give a shit about Novak when I could have Rove and probably alot of neocons? I think the point of scapegoating Novak is to save their own hides. They never accept responsibility for their own actions and frankly Novak has been on their case which would be another motive for scapegoating him.

[Zhade]

113. I'd rather have them all in prison

Novak knew better. I don't care if someone like Krugman or Fisk had leaked the name (not that they would), I would have wanted them to face justice for putting Plame in danger. It's the principle that the rule of law applies to everyone. Novak should have realized that disagreeing with the WH on anything would intantly paint him as an enemy - and he also should have realized that anyone willing to leak her name has no qualms about using him as a pawn, to sacrifice as needed. He may feel he is special in some way to them, but the reality is that he is just another tool.

Having said that, can you show me some links on Novak hitting BushCo? I've heard a couple of vague rumblings before from him, but don't follow his work at all, and would love to see anything that might support your thinking on his being targeted.

[fishnfla]

49. Dude, theres no exemption in the law for journalists

they are not above the law.he disclosed the information too.he broke the law, he has to pay and rightly so.

[Classical_Liberal]

62. Ok so why is the journalist more important than the leaker?

Why is the actual leaker exampted, when he is more a threat to the future security of the US?

[Patriot_Spear]

64. He's not- he's more important- but that doesn't let Bob off the hook.

You need a Gun AND Bullet to make the thing work- which is more guilty?

[Classical_Liberal]

70. The shooter

who is in the adminstration. This sounds like scapegoating an unimportant link and protecting the real perp.

[Patriot_Spear]

74. Why should anyone be 'let off'?

Let them all have their day in court.

[Classical_Liberal]

87. The priorties of going after the minor players first

are quite disturbing.

[Zhade]

114. It's how the system works, though, imperfect as it may be.

You go after the little fish to get the shark on the hook.

[Classical_Liberal]

154. Howard Kurt's says WH leakers unlikely to be exposed!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14399-2003Sep28.html

[Patriot_Spear]

156. Look the leaker has two choices...

Face a public trial or face a private payback from the CIA...

[salin]

46. What kills me about the coverage on this story is what they DON'T say

what was compromised.

An information network tracking the industry flow related to WMD.

In the first place it appeared there was a brief discussion of how long it takes to put compromised intelligence gathering operations back on track.

Get it?

What is the real threat the US faces right now? It was not Saddam. It was Al queada and international terrorism.

The idea pushed by the administration - that there is a danger of WMDs falling into terrorist hands - was real. Just that they misapplied the threat and projected it upon a desired target.

Think back to a year ago.

There was a big push to the war vote.

Two weeks or so after the war vote the information about North Korea and their weapons development progress came out. There was a brief outrage because the information had been known for a short while (one month? two months?) by the administration but was held back during the discussions on the war resolution.

Why? Because a 'maybe they have them' threat was the center of the war resolution, while a real threat (a rogue country led by a tyrant who is characterized as capricious in nature and thus very dangerous; a country in economic disarray - thus with an economic incentive to deal with terrorist organizations; and the possibility that they could be producing and selling a small number of nuke weapons in a very short time) was known - and was not discussed.

The (brief) outrage was, in part, due to the fact that the threat of WMDs falling into terrorist hands... WAS (IS) REAL. And that political maneuvering obfuscated that fact, ignored the real threat for the 'maybe' threat, and left the US at risk.

Flash back to the current story.

We learn there is an active CIA operation that tracks WMD technology flow through industry. After 911 and the recognition of the potential threat of WMDs this operation becomes even more important. Vital to National Security.

We learn that political operatives - high up in the White House - willingly compromised that entire National Security intelligence operation - for political gain for the president.

THAT is the story. Not that a highup broke the law (that is a side story - and an investigation and arrest should be a by-product). The REAL investigation - if we were serious about national security - would be an assessment of the damage done by the leak. Should be the assessment of the danger to the US increased by interuption of intel on WMDs. Should be an assessment of what is required to replace that intel asap.

The White House - compromised the War on Terrorism.

And that is the aspect of this story that I have only seen refered to a single time in the press.

[Gin]

52. Another interesting aspect of the story is the 6 reporters who were told..

and...chose not to reveal it. Surley they can be interrogated.

Novak knew what he was doing for whatever reason. The patriot act would be justice for him.

[Zhade]

119. EXCELLENT point. I'd noticed it initially, but it dropped from view.

It always seemed very odd that the person they outed just happened to work in WMD tracking.

Did I say odd? I meant to say "suspicious".

[screembloodymurder]

121. You're right

this is not just treason, it's high treason.

[colorado_ufo]

139. And it's during "war time," as defined by the White House.

Doesn't this invoke the death penalty?

[annagull]

51. Wonder if the other 5 journos will spill the beans?

After all, they never reported the story so they don't have to protect any sources. I think that's why whomever talked to the Wash Post is talking--too many other people know who may tell.

[fishnfla]

54. who would the others be?

they would have to be admin-friendly reporters. wall steet journal editorial page?

[mainer]

53. According to The Nation, Novak not subject to prosecution

It mentions that journalists are exempt from prosecution, so long as they do not willfully intend to undermine national security.

http://www.thenation.com/capitalgames/index.mhtml?bid=3&pid=823

"This is not only a possible breach of national security; it is a potential violation of law. Under the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982, it is a crime for anyone who has access to classified information to disclose intentionally information identifying a covert agent. The punishment for such an offense is a fine of up to $50,000 and/or up to ten years in prison. Journalists are protected from prosecution, unless they engage in a "pattern of activities" to name agents in order to impair US intelligence activities. So Novak need not worry."

[Patriot_Spear]

57. No No No! Read Section B of the law!

You cannot apply this law piecemeal- he is clearly in violation under section b!

(b) Disclosure of information by persons who learn identity of covertagents as result of having access to classified information
Whoever, as a result of having authorized access to classified information, learns the identify of a covert agent and intentionally
discloses any information identifying such covert agent to any
individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing
that the information disclosed so identifies such covert agent and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such covert agent's intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

[Classical_Liberal]

66. So is the leaker

Why go on Jihad against an accomplice when we could have a Bush administration official?

[Patriot_Spear]

72. Why are you sticking up for Bob 'Nofacts'? He knew what he was doing.

n/t

[Classical_Liberal]

88. I care about the Leaker more

He is incidental by comparison.

[Occulus]

73. I read it differently

this part: "Whoever, as a result of having authorized access to classified information, learns the identify of a covert agent and intentionally"

That could be read as a mechanism to, say, protect a journalist reporting on an under cover agent acting against US interests. Such a mechanism would be necessary to a journalist's ability to report wrongdoing. If it were directed at everyone, it wouldn't include the modifier 'authorized'.

Novak still shouldn't have done this.

[Patriot_Spear]

77. Bob will have to provide or prove 'authorization'...

That's the sticking point.

[Classical_Liberal]

91. I'll say

since the person who gave this info to Nofacts without authorization would be in deep shit in a fair system.

[remfan]

80. "Authorized access"

Whoever, as a result of having authorized access, learns the identity...

Novak did not have authorized access to this information, AND the senior administration officials may not even have had authorized access...which potentially opens up an even LARGER can of worms.

[Patriot_Spear]

81. Does Rove have the power to grant Security clearance? NO.

In the WH principally Condeelza and Shrub have that power. Unless one of those two approved this- it was UNauthorized.

[Patriot_Spear]

61. There are THREE distinct areas in the law- don't quote just ONE!

n/t

[mainer]

68. I didn't quote any law

I quoted THE NATION. They claim that there IS an exemption for journalists. I would assume, as journalists, they must know something about publishing law.

[Patriot_Spear]

79. "I would assume, as journalists, they must know something..."

They know enough to try and cover their ass as journalists too. I'll let the courts decide whether Bob did something illegal or not.

[Nottingham]

76. Yes the Guy who made the Phone calls to 6 reporters should be

prosecuted DEFINITELY! The Motive was there!

But Novak SHOULD BE PUNISHED! Lose his JOB and the Networks need to Pay the Wilsons a BUNCH OF MONEY! :bounce: Cause the damages were immense!

Anybody saying Novak gets off Scot Free is Not for Justice here!

6 reporters were told and it was NOVAK who did it!

HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING and he has YET to apologize!

and if he doesn't name his source he can go to jail like everybody else does! :bounce:

[NoKingGeorge]

159. Novak KNOWINGLY risked lives .

This repub knew lives would be endangered. HE knows why such a law exists. His editors should know why such a law exists. Their can be no exemption for ANYONE putting Americans in danger.
He never respected journalist integrity. He will reap what he sowed.
btw: Other repukes in the Administartion also had to know they were risking lives AND as SALIN points out they were commiting treason in a war with terrorism.

[lebkuchen]

56. There's been no accountability for the 9-11 fiasco

Why should there be for outing CIA agents?

It's my understanding that US govt. functions have turned into a free-for-all. It's "anything goes," including the outing CIA agents if a member of the Bush WH propaganda team happens to have an axe to grind.

[msmcghee]

83. Bob Novak is a RW jerkoff.

I remember watching him on a particular McLaughlin or one of those shows a few years ago - when it was brought out that he drives a hot Corvette and gets more than a few speeding tickets. He joked about that as if putting others' lives in danger was his right - as long as he was paying his tickets.

Ever since then I have clearly seen his arrogance and disrespect for others in his statements and body language and tone on Crossfire.

Many freepers, like him, were unpopular in school - probably because when they were four years old their freeper parents ignored them and never taught them how to cooperate with their playmates. These guys made up for that in HS by becoming bullies and made life miserable for anyone who was weaker or smaller then them.

These are your mainline freepers of today. Just because he's starting to look like someone's kindly grandfather don't think for minute he would not gladly destroy any other liberal given the ammunition by Rove.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

84. Who were the two WH leakers? Rove and who else?

Wilson names Rove. Did he name the other, or have an indication?

[annagull]

126. Bets are on Rove and Andy Card

They will do everything they can to protect turd blossom--look for Card to be thrown over first at least.

[NoKingGeorge]

162. To get the security information Condi or someone in NSC.

Someone had to give rOve that security information. Card would not have it. So did Condi (or even the deserter) provide the information?

[Dookus]

85. well...

be careful what you wish for.

If Novak can be held criminally responsible for the article (and from all I've read and heard, he CANNOT!), then what's going to happen if a legitimate journalist gets a hold of missing sections of the 9/11 report? Or of other classified information that's damaging to the Bush administration? If they print that, we'll be praising them as heros. But according to most of the posters here, that journalist could go to jail.

Remember, Daniel Ellsberg is considered a hero for releasing the Pentagon Papers.

Journalists, whether left-wing, right-wing, or right down the middle, should NEVER be prosecuted for reporting what they know. That is the very essence of a free press.

[msmcghee]

89. Yes, but he should earn the scorn . .

. . of all other reputable journalists in the field for,

1) naming Wislon's wife when it was not necessary to do so.

2) Willingly becoming part of the RW vendetta by doing that.

I'd like to see extensive damage done to him professionally. Every liberal pundit who has a chance should point out this treacherous act - and why it was so despicable.

[Dookus]

94. I'm OK with scorn...

but I think people here are short-sighted. If novak goes to jail, then that's an even MORE chilling right-wing crackdown on our freedoms.

Scorn him if you want. But don't jail him.

[msmcghee]

95. Yes, that was my point . . n/t

[ParanoidPat]

129. Exposing a covert agent working for the national interest......

.....is not the same as a 'whistle blower' exposing an agent working against the national interest.

[NoKingGeorge]

163. Novak COMMITED a Crime -Treason !

Other journalists would not have to be afraid for reporting a crime. Committing a crime is Never protected. Ask Tricky's ghost.

[Nottingham]

92. Wait a Minute! Free Press can Give out Military Secrets!

I don't think so! and if they do like Geraldo Riveria they get Reprimanded and punished! If you publish Military Secrets your in big trouble! Freedom of speech or not! I think its pretty obvious this was done not in Free Speech but in Vindictiveness and its against the law!

:bounce:

[Dookus]

96. yes, they can.

The press can report any information they have.

Thank you Madison, Jefferson, et. al.

[Nottingham]

98. Ok so if the Press has the right! Then where is the crime?

It is ilegal to give Classified information to the Newspapers?

thats the crime!

I thought the crime was exposing a CIA agent!

So the Leaker is the one who gave military information kinda like a traitor selling information to another country?

[Dookus]

117. Yes...

whoever leaked the information to Novak committed a crime. Novak did not.

[Classical_Liberal]

93. exactly

this looks like going after a wistleblower.

[oldcoot]

100. Didn't the Injustice Department hold a Texas reporter?

Didn't the Injustice Department hold a Texas reporter because she refused to name her sources? What was the outcome of that case? If the courts decided in the Injustice Department's favor, Ashcroft could use that as a precedent to arrest Novak.

I really do not want to see Novak go to prison but I would not mind seeing him inconvenienced. Since many reporters have served as cheerleaders for an administration determined to rewrite the U.S. Constitution, I would like for them to see the consequences of their support. They may not care about the Injustice Department detaining "some Muslim dude" on flimsy evidence but they may care if it is a prominent journalist who is trouble.

[Dookus]

120. Journalists are generally held

for contempt of court, as I believe was the case in Texas. She did NOT break a law by publishing what she knew.

[mainer]

102. A free press?

I'm amazed by what seems to be a double standard operating here. If a liberal journalist reveals shocking classified information, then he's one of our heroes. But if a conservative journalist does it ... he's suddenly a bad guy?

Novak was not assigned the responsibility of guarding secrets. That was the responsibility of those unnamed sources in the White House. Novak is a bloodhound and a sapper, as are all good journalists. He digs, confirms, and reports. That's what he gets paid for. He's not paid to keep secrets. He gets paid to REVEAL secrets. The fact he got his hands on this secret at all clearly told him the info was already out there, available to other journalists, and if he's got any sense of competition at all, he's going to run with it before the other guy scoops him.

I'm no fan of Novak, but I am a fan of the free press, and journalists should be allowed to report what they learn. Especially if the information is being freely handed out like candy.

[Donna Zen]

128. Law not on the books during Ellsberg

This law was pushed and made code by Bush the elder as result of some outings published in a book (sorry, no name) I do remember that operatives were found dead all over the world. I would think that the Nation would position themselves in opposition to Novak's falling under the law; however, the intent of the law was to treat the names/lives and thereby the National Security as a breach security. Which it is. Lives hang in the balance, not only of the operatives, but of their contacts, both innocent and knowledgable of spooksville. Up thread someone pointed out that there is little difference between this and the publishing of classified information.

Ellsberg did face the jail time over the Pentagon Papers, although this law was not on the books. It seems like I remember that his release was due more to a technicality than First Amendment reasons.

[colorado_ufo]

140. So - if a journalist gets hold of enemy battle plans

and publishes them, even though they are not OUR battle plans, and thereby foils our troops chances at winning the battle, that's OK?

Didn't Geraldo just get his ass in a wringer for doing something similar?

[Southsideirish]

90. Bush setting up Rove and someone else....

Rove has gotten too big - too much of a liability i.e. "Bush's brain" etc. - Junior has gotten the idea (he's much more insideous than people give him credit for...)that he can dump alot of stuff on old Karl, claim personal ignorance of the dastardly deeds and jettison K.R.
Who is the other person, though???

[msmcghee]

97. Sometimes we give them too much credit.

They are in dissarray right now. Their neo-con world is falling apart. Whatever happens at this point will be in desparation - it's getting really interesting now.

[BloodyWilliam]

99. Legally I don't know enough about this

But ethically Novak is toast either way. The four keys to journalism is seeking and reporting the truth, being accountable, act independently, and MINIMIZE HARM. These tenets can conflict with each other, but there's no way releasing the identity of Wilson's wife is newsworthy enough to put her and countless other operatives in danger.

And I'm sure you all know about the big no-no in releasing sources.

It's damn nice to see the uber-pigs (CIA) fighting on our side for once. Even if it's in their own interest.

[Nottingham]

101. Well Said Will! I don't want Novak walking away from this without

being severely punished career wise! And defintely the person WHO GAVE him the Information should go down too!

and if the Justice Department DOESN"T take care of it!

I bet the CIA WILL! :bounce:

[Unknown Known]

106. Asscroft wants to criminalize ANY leaks

I don't think this will ever be prosecuted, unless some of Congress can get an independent investigation. Otherwise, forget it.

Read this from John Dean - "Bush's Unofficial Official Secrets Act:
How the Justice Department Has Pushed to Criminalize The Disclosure of Non-Security Related Government Information"

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20030926.html

[Nottingham]

110. I want to know who the other 6 reporters were called!

:bounce:

I want to see those names!

[Snazzy]

116. Time mag is one

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,465270,00.html

A War on Wilson?
Inside the Bush Administration's feud with the diplomat who poured cold water on the Iraq-uranium connection
By MATTHEW COOPER, MASSIMO CALABRESI AND JOHN F. DICKERSON

Thursday, Jul. 17, 2003

<...>

"And some government officials have noted to TIME in interviews, (as well as to syndicated columnist Robert Novak) that Wilson's wife, Valerie Plame, is a CIA official who monitors the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction."

<...>

[msmcghee]

118. Welcome to DU, Snazzy. n/t

[RainDog]

122. I think I remember Newsday as another n/t

.

[Jacobin]

109. I hope they nail his ass

and get him to squeal on Rove.
:mad:

[BadGimp]

125. I managed to post this on FreeRepublic

heheheehe

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/browse?ao=1

[Padraig18]

132. OMG!

Some of the freepers are actually in FAVOR of someone being prosecuted and convicted! Whod've ever thunk it? :P

[Nottingham]

134. I thought freepers made the excellent observation on Cheney!

That Wilson specifically named Cheney as Part of this fiasco!

and May I say a excellent point freepers! :bounce:

I was impressed!

[GoldenOldie]

135. Novak should be investigated

No matter if outing an undercover federal agent is legal or not, is it ethical?

When Novak chose to expose Wilson's wife as a CIA Agent, he not only endangered her career but also her life and all those contacts she may have had around the world. Will anyone ever know if any of her contacts were killed because of this exposure????

I wonder if Novak knew what type of cases Wilson's wife was working on????? Could he be considered a traitor if Wilson's wife was searching for BinLaden of Sadddam????

[Classical_Liberal]

155. If the WH itself isn't considered a traitor for

it I don't see how.

Read

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14399-2003Sep28.html

[Gore1FL]

146. Do you have a link tot he thread

It has scrolled off the index that you linked.

[janx]

150. What's the headline? I followed you link but only got a list of

posts.

[Chomskyite]

136. The point is moot

Novak will never do jail time. The leakers will not be identified. MAYbe the reporters will come out and identify them if the reporters are sufficiently angered, but you can bet they were the likes of Charles Krauthammer, Kate O'Beirne, Peggy Noonan, etc. They are unprincipled liars themselves and will certainly keep it quiet.

And Ashcroft's Justice Dept WILL NOT investigate shit. Bill Frist's Senate will not hear shit. Tom Delay's House . . . need I even mention that?

The only way this could keep going and someone could end up answering questions under oath is if some US Attorney somewhere gets indignant, determines this is under her jurisdiction and starts an investigation.

How likely is that?

[UTUSN]

137. Kick for NOVAKula in LegChains n/t

[Stephanie]

141. If Novak hadn't printed it, would we ever have known the info was offered?

I want to thank Novak for printing it. Otherwise the sleazeballs in the WH would have gotten away with this crime. Novak exposed them, no matter how inadvertently. Novak has done us a great service. He may have provided the thread by which we will unravel the entire maladministration.

[EX-CONservative]

142. Bad Boys ...

Bad Boys... Bad Boys... Whatcha gonna do? ... Whatcha gonna do?... When they come for yooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooouuu????

[Padraig18]

148. LOL!

We must have a psychic connection, because that very song was playing in my head when I initiated this post yesterday morning! :P

[gauguin57]

151. Rove/Novak "blast from the past"

Joshua Micah Marshall points out this possible "Blast from the Past," re: Karl Rove/Robert Novak:

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/sept0304.html#0929031229am

referencing Suskind's January Esquire piece:

http://www.ronsuskind.com/writing/esquire/esq_rove_0103.html

"... Sources close to the former president say Rove was fired from the 1992 Bush presidential campaign after he planted a negative story with columnist Robert Novak about dissatisfaction with campaign fundraising chief and Bush loyalist Robert Mosbacher Jr. It was smoked out, and he was summarily ousted. ..."

Aren't Novak and Rove a pretty pair of phone buddies?

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

152. novak may be leaving

one gated community for another gated community. this one is operated by the federal government.

[swinney]

157. NOVAK SHOULD BE CHARGED

HE VIOLATED A CRIMINAL ACT.

IT WILL BE AN INJUSTICE IF HE IS NOT INDICTED AND CONVICTED.

[davidinalameda]

161. couldn't happen to a nicer guy

maybe he'll stop being a shrill for the Bushies

I wonder how he'll look in orange.