archived: 10 - 23 Jul, 2005 Back Next
MAL DUMOND*
“Plame”
Dear Mr.
Calame,
This comment is in relation to the entire subject and sets of articles raised by
the possibility that Cooper of Time and Miller of The NYTimes may
be jailed for failing to disclose the identity of (White House) sources. These
are the sources who used the reportedly illegal 'outing' of an undercover CIA
agent to punish, as it were, Ambassador Joseph Wilson, when he wrote facts in
The Times about lies issued by the Administration. The agent 'outed', of
course, was Valerie Plame, Wilson's wife.
Apart from the ethical/moral appropriateness of having Judith Miller serve time
for her role as Chalabi's mouthpiece, which is another issue, the Plame Blame
Game appears to have the journalistic craft in a lather because disclosure
demands would allegedly break the 1st Amendment and run counter to rules and
practices about 'confidential' sources.
In fact, mightn't the whole issue be misframed, misinterpreted, misstated?
Are we dealing with a situation of freedom of the media and non disclosure of
sources, as many contend, or in fact with something quite different?
What was really going on? Outing Plame was a retributive step, having
nothing to do with the real story her husband disclosed. He determined that
the Niger uranium yellowcake supposedly sold to Saddam was a completely phoney
story, fabricated by Bush and Blair.
Outing Plame had nothing to do with news nor, now, has it to do with
protecting legitimate journalistic news sources, but with White House and
associated folks trying to use several journalists to abuse Amb. Wilson by way
of his wife, a non-disclosed CIA agent.
Given the circumstances, then, how could 'journalistic immunity' and source
protection apply under normally applicable practice?
The Time reporter, Chalabi's Miller, and the hell-bent-on-war folks in
the Administratoin who used her reporting of his phoney stories about WMDs to
fabricate reasons for attacking Saddam, should, in my view, not be able to hide
on this one -- this wasn't an event involving 'news sources' and news, but
the White House leaking illegally the name of an otherwise undisclosable CIA
operative's name to punish her and her husband, he who determined the
Administration was dissembling about the yellowcake, who first reported it
through channels, and when the yellowcake lie was nonetheless used as part of
the justification for the dubiously legal intervention in Iraq, who severely
criticized the administration on the NYTimes Op Ed page, to the Times
credit.
Where in the annals of 1st Amendment and confidential source protection does
this type of source non-disclosure receive immunity for this kind of action by
officials?
(Parenthetically, why that drooler Novak was not hauled in (since he received
the 'leaks' and rushed to publish them) remains a mystery.)__________
Junkie: *Mal Dumond is the nom de plume for a journalist of impeccable national credentials with a Renaissance mind and a passion for the Democratic Party. The letter above was submitted to NYTimes Calamety (oddbudsman) and a few others. From TPJ’s perspective, Dumond states the issue and the just result correctly.
GEORGE H. BROOKS
“Christian?”
As a Christian, I am appalled that the Bush administration gets a billing as great Christian Americans, when in fact its behavior and actions trumpet an alarming deficiency in moral values cherished by Christians, relating to war, hypocrisy, lies, deception, compassion, truthfulness, respect.
An unjust war, based on lies and deception (an impeachable offense), has killed more than 1,745 U.S. soldiers and more than 50,000 Iraqis, many innocent. Bush has betrayed the honor and dedication of our armed forces, deploying them under the guise of defending America, when it appears the real objective was control of Iraq’s huge oil reserves. Don’t expect the troops home any time soon.
Do good Christians engage in vicious character assassinations against anyone who dares challenge them, as does the Bush gang, or exploit people’s grief (Schaivo , 9-11) for political gain?
This administration’s lies (bearing false witness) have not stopped since Bush campaigned in 2000 as “a uniter, not a divider,” and a “compassionate conservative”. As the most divisive president in memory, Bush (and his extremist supporters) have damaged our nation’s unity beyond bin Laden’s wildest dreams.
This administration’s lies and deception encompass all issues and are documented for any who will exit denial long enough to read them. What’s more, Republican extremist’s legislation, tax cuts, appointments, and dealings continue to pander to the rich, powerful, corporate elite and special interests. Aren’t these the types Christ threw out of the temple?
It all seems to echo a warning from Matthew 7.15, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
__________
Junkie: Brooks’ thoughtful comments raise a profound question for Democrats. Why are Democrats not engaging in a public discussion of the disappearance of the Christianity of personal, social and economic justice as exemplified by Dr. King?
Last Update: 03/23/2006