[shalom aleichem]

Well, it is actually Novak the bastard. I knew the second I saw his labeling of Wilson's wife as a CIA operative that he'd screwed up. That factoid was not needed for his story. The news items was How did a nut like Wilson get the gig to Niger? Well, his wife set it up for him. There was never any administration conspiracy to out the woman. The administration wanted to make clear that (a) Cheney did not send him and (b) Wilson was a fool who was then and there blasting the administration (and who was later found by the Senate to be lying through his teeth). Fair to fight back. But dumass Novak made himself the story, and caused a lot of needless trouble for many people.

[OldFriend]

Didn't Novak claim that White House officials gave him Plame's name and occupation? Wasn't he asked by the CIA not to print his name. His excuse, well they weren't that insistent that I not print her name.

Seems to me that Novak and the NYSlimes of two of the same ilk.

[YOUGOTIT]

"The news items was How did a nut like Wilson get the gig to Niger? Well, his wife set it up for him."

Which, if I read the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations) correctly and all the training I have had on the regulations would mean that she violated a federal law in getting a sole source contract for her husband. She and he should be in court for violation of a federal law, which several people have been tried, convicted and sent away for a long time for violating.

But then she and Joe are Democrats and Democrats can steal TOP Secret Documents and lie to federal Judges and commit Treason and no one seems to care.

[elli1]

Well, it is actually Novak the bastard. I knew the second I saw his labeling of Wilson's wife as a CIA operative that he'd screwed up. That factoid was not needed for his story. The news items was How did a nut like Wilson get the gig to Niger?

So Novak was sposed to just say that 'Mrs. Wilson recommended Mr. Wilson for the mission to Niger' and leave it at that?

And wouldn't that be overlooking one of the rules of journalism...the WHO? As in, WHO is Mrs. Wilson (to have the stroke to be recommending folks for CIA missions)?

[LS]

I tend to agree, and if the "source" was a "publication," then that has nothing whatsoever to do with "protecting" confidentiality.

BTW, tune in to Rush Limbaugh today: I'll be on, 2nd hour.

[RBMN]

> I knew the second I saw his labeling of Wilson's wife
> as a CIA operative that he'd screwed up. That factoid
> was not needed for his story.

Novak has said, the term "operative" is his own long-standing political-reporter lingo (which I've heard him use on CNN's Capitol Gang as well) and wasn't used in the spy-operative sense. Admits that using the word was misleading. But Novak tends to call everyone in Washington an "operative" because everyone he comes across seems to be working an angle, pushing an agenda--pols, bureaucrats, campaign workers, lobbyists, almost everyone. It’s the way of life in Washington. Wilson and Plame no different as it turns out.