Novak knew he blew Plame's Cover

[katty]

http://bustbob.com/view.asp?ID=2

Novak knew he blew Plame's cover

Novak ignored specific CIA request to protect Plame's identity. "Novak readily admits that that when he called the CIA to inquire about Plame, he was asked not to identify her because 'exposure of her name might cause "difficulties" if she travels abroad.' He then went out of his way to do it. Now he says 'the CIA never warned me that the disclosure of Wilson's wife working at the agency would endanger her or anybody else.' But the fact remains that he was asked not to name her - and he did." <"NOVAK TURNED A LEAK INTO A MUGGING," Philadelphia Daily News, October 9, 2003>

Novak claims of ignorance ring hollow. Novak's original column referred to Valerie Plame as an "Agency operative on weapons of mass destruction." Novak's use of the term "operative" – generally understood to imply she was a secret agent -- is important because Novak now claims he didn't know Plame was working undercover. Novak has stated (to Tim Russert during an October 5, 2003 appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press") that he "did not mean" to describe Plame as an "operative":

"The one thing I regret I wrote. I used the word 'operative,' and I think Broder will agree that I use the word too much. I use it about hack politicians. I use it about people on the Hill. And if somebody did a Nexis search of my columns, they'd find an overuse of 'operative.' I did not mean it."

continue at: http://bustbob.com/view.asp?ID=2

[fob]

1. And for those that don't/won't click on the link, YES, "somebody" did

do a Nexis search of nofacts and it PROVES he knows damn well what "operative" means. BTW, that "somebody" was Josh Marshall at talkingpointsmemo.com

[rurallib]

2. Stupidity as a defense for a right winger. Novel Idea!

[GoldenOldie]

3. Novak is not a Cub Reporter

He has been on the DC beat for years and extremely well informed on how our government functions. He also understands what the word "operative," means when using it in conjunction with the CIA.

The comments made that everyone in DC knew that Valerie Plame was an operative and then they change her function to analyst when they fear the trap closing in on them. Her family members and neighbors were surprised to hear that she was an operative working for the CIA so I find it somewhat confusing that all of the politico's in DC knew what she was about.

Novak did not report a "whistle blowers," information that could do damage to the US or the citizens. Novak reported classified information on a covert operative, one who was working with others throughout the world to seek out terrorists and instruments of death that could harm the US and our allies.......so much for homeland security. With Novak's blatant misuse of his pen, he not only identified Valarie Plame but also endangered all of those that she worked with throughout the world......No on knows how many of them have been killed due to Novak's arrogant abuse of his pen.

Novak was given this information and he fully knew that to use it was illegal and treasonous.

[warrens]

4. Novakula is full of shit

He knew exactly what he was doing. He even said that "everyone knew she was a CIA agent." In fact, "everyone" knew no such thing. She was undercover, and few people knew she was CIA, much less undercover CIA. Novak is trying to stay out of jail. I hope he fails.