Novak Justifies Outing Plame & Sources

[sabra]

Source: MSNBC

At a breakfast meeting with reporters, Bob Novak defended his decision to print Valerie Plame Wilson’s name in his column -- which sparked the CIA leak investigation. And he justified his outing of several once-anonymous sources in his new book, The Prince of Darkness.Novak contends in his book that Plame Wilson was “not now and never would be again” a covert agent. But he admits that CIA spokesman Bill Harlow asked him “to keep Mrs. Wilson’s CIA connection out of my column” and that the “revelation of her name might cause unspecified ‘difficulties’ if she traveled abroad.” He inferred based on his “experience with CIA jargon” that Plame “at one time had been engaged in covert activities abroad but was not now and never would be again.” He says he “learned much later” she had already been outed by a Soviet spy, “which had ended her career as a covert agent long before I wrote about her.”

He also says in his book that if given the chance, he’d print her name again. “I broke no law and endangered no intelligence operation,” Novak writes. This morning, he added he felt “disappointed in the journalism profession” for its reaction to his printing Plame Wilson’s name. “I thought we stuck together in things like this. I guess that wasn’t the case.”

One reporter questioned Novak on the ethics of unveiling sources -- who say they never want to be revealed -- even after their death. After at least one of Novak's sources died -- the infamous “Senator X” -- Novak said he felt justified in revealing who he was.

Novak quoted the following from “Senator X” in his Evans & Novak column: “‘The people don’t know McGovern is for amnesty, abortion and legalization of pot,' he told us. When 'middle America -- Catholic middle America, in particular’ -- once they find out, ‘he’s dead.’”

“A lot of people said I made it up,” Novak said. “I said I’d reveal it when the person dies.”

Read more: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/07/19/278430.aspx

[SpiralHawk]

1. "i'm a republicon crony, and lying is what we do." - Novak

"So just get used to it. You were damn fools for expecting anything other than lies from us republicon propaganda catapulters. Now shut up while I count my money."

Novack, republicon propagandist

[Supersedeas]

17. no apologies and no remorse from utter filth

[Barrett808]

2. Plame was "outed by a Soviet spy"?

First I've heard of that.

[denverbill]

6. I guess Novak is admitting he's a Soviet spy then? n/t

[geomon666]

14. lol yeah n/t

[Igel]

32. No. He's relying on blogs and articles that

seldom cross the partisan divide.

For an example, going to both Novak's points:

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2003_10/002395.php


Ames would be the Soviet spy; and the grounds for saying she wasn't a practicing covert agent at the time is that she was retooling for HR (I think that's how Corn put it, but I can't find a link or quote)--the linked article merely says 'management'.

Nobody has to believe the claims; but it's good to at least understand what's being said.

[Miss Chybil]

3. I guess "Prince of Darness Novak" was part of the ioriginal piece?

Not that he isn't a prince of darkness, but it doesn't seem right to post something as a news story and then add words to the copy. IMO, personal points should be made after the original copy.

Anyway, that aside, Novak is a f'n jerk and if a Democrat had done what he did, he'd be the first one hollering about their un-Americanism.

[asthmaticeog]

4. The Prince of Darkness is the title of his book. nt

[Miss Chybil]

25. Ok. I'm an idiot. Sorry, OP! nt

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

5. How the hell does one justify treason?

??????????????????????????
??????????????????????????
??????????????????????????
??????????????????????????
??????????????????????????
??????????????????????????
??????????????????????????
??????????????????????????
??????????????????????????
??????????????????????????
??????????????????????????
??????????????????????????

:shrug:

[onehandle]

7. Back...Back into your tomb, Novakula. nt

[yardwork]

8. I wonder if the CIA agrees?

Novak is braver - or more foolhardy - than most. I wouldn't care to make the CIA angry with me.

[asthmaticeog]

9. Why not?

If the CIA were angry about it, they've had years to do something about it already. They could have sabotaged the 2004 Bush campaign, they could have disappeared Novak, but they didn't. They obviously either don't give a fuck, or they're not all they're made out to be.

[yardwork]

11. That's possible, yes. It's also possible that they've been waiting to see how this plays out.

[AndyTiedye]

18. They Have Put Bushbots In Charge of the CIA Now

[DS1]

10. Novak, What Secrecy is to the CIA as HMOs are to Medical Decisions

irresponsible douchebags manning phonelines

[LSparkle]

12. WHY DID TINY TIM GIVE HIM A BIG CHUNK OF "MTP"??????

I'm infuriated at NBC for allowing this POS on the show, even as part of a roundtable. The sight of him, Tiny Tim and their D.C. beltway insider cronies LAUGHING about *amusing* parts of Novakula's book said it all -- it doesn't matter WHAT you do, as long as you're part of the "DC Club."

The only thing that would have made that roundtable MORE SICKENING would have been the presence of David Broder, the biggest boot-licking toady of the bunch!

[xxqqqzme]

13. I hope a large boulder lands on his head.

The worst thing I can fantasize about that douche bag is still too good for him.

[bunkerbuster1]

31. That'd be relatively painless.

Just sayin'.

[tabasco]

15. Novak is a traitor to this Nation and belongs in jail.

If the rule of law ever prevails again in this country he will be punished.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

16. Obviously NOVAK does not care about this nation's security and should be punished

along with the rest of them

[sniffa]

19. what a fucking maggot he is

he has such fucking nerve.

[tanyev]

20. Didn't Novak also out Brewster Jennings & Assoc?

'Splain that one, Bob.

[AX10]

21. Novak should realize that there was a time when one would...

be hung in the public square for the crime that he has committed.

[Canuckistanian]

22. Outed by a Soviet spy? Now I've heard everything.

That still doesn't explain Brewster Jennings.

What exactly did he say to Fitz that kept him out of jail?

[susanna]

23. Well, he got ONE thing right.

Prince of Darkness is an appropriate title for his new book.

You know, there are certain things in life that are comforting because they are so consistent. One of them is that Novak is - and will always be - a consummate ass. (Pardon me outing you, Bob. Others have said it before me, so it should be perfectly alright by you.)

on edit: punctuation run amok

[Cass]

24. What an ass.

It is so unfair that no one will be held accountable for outing Valerie Plame and Brewster Jennings.

[opihimoimoi]

26. How UnPatriotic and despicable....If I was in power...This crude Novak would be neutered then stoned

into a coma...

[Virginia Dare]

27. Treasonous bastard...

hang his ass...

[formercia]

28. Not Catholic Middle America

"When 'middle America -- Catholic middle America, in particular’ -- once they find out, ‘he’s dead.’”

just the reich-wing reactionary Opus Dei, the Knights of Malta and other related secret lay societies.


Real Catholics are much more tolerant.

[Major Hogwash]

29. Novak is a liar, Plame was a covert CIA officer. Novak is not the one who decides this.

The CIA is and the fact that Novak wrote his article even after being told NOT to mention Plame's covert status, he did anyway.

Novak is a traitor.

[MasonJar]

30. Novak is a traitor.