[lainde]

Thanks goodness someone else sees this. I just posted this response on another thread:

Here's something I don't understand. If Novak called the CIA for confirmation of her status, WHY WHY WHY would they tell HIM about the status of a secret agent? If it's a security matter, why wouldn't they just lie or evade. Is that how easy it is to find out about a covert agent?!!! I can call up and say I'm a reporter from The Podunk Post and ask about a secret agent and they'd CONFIRM it and ask me not to mention it pretty please?!!!! If this is the status of our national security, then we're in trouble

[Catspaw]

This is what Novak said on CNN on Monday:

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0309/29/cf.00.html

As a professional journalist with 46 years experience in Washington, I do not reveal confidential sources. When I called the CIA in July, they confirmed Mrs. Wilson's involvement in a mission for her husband on a secondary basis, who is -- he is a former Clinton administration official. They asked me not to use her name, but never indicated it would endanger her or anybody else.

According to a confidential source at the CIA, Mrs. Wilson was an analyst, not a spy, not a covert operative, and not in charge of undercover operatives. So what is the fuss about, pure Bush-bashing?

[varon]

I can call up and say I'm a reporter from The Podunk Post and ask about a secret agent and they'd CONFIRM it and ask me not to mention it pretty please?!!!! If this is the status of our national security, then we're in trouble.

Easier yet, ask them to put you on their mailing list to receive the spy roster each time it's updated ;-)