Thanks for a terrific interview. Val I look forward to you coming to New England. Do you have a schedule for anyplaces besides Hartford or Boston (too much traffic and parking nighmares in those cities)?

Went to the book signing in Manhattan the other night and heard the chat and got my book personalized. Told Ms. Plame-Wilson I was a frequent reader here. She said what a great friend you’ve been to her.

Off on a long plane ride today, will settle down with Fair Game and give it a read.

I deeply appreciate the testimony from Catherine Martin, VPs secretary who clearly demonstrated Cheney and Libby in a rush to deal with Wilson and thus Plame.

I don’t believe Novak first spoke to Armitage. His history with Rove and having had Rove fired from GHWBush’s campaign for leaks…I believe he had already spoken with someone before Armitage.

I don’t have text or audio of the accounts from Armitage like we do with Armitage/Woodward, but the idea that Armitage just “slipped” is absurd.

When Armitage’s name came up in 2001, I scratched my head and said…where do I know that name…I know that name…hmmm…..Oh yeah, Iran-Contra! Then dug into his shady background.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article2724745.ece?Submitted=true

Back to you on your good post also.

The NSA had heightened urgency following the 9-11 wake. To fumble something to this great an extent suggests complete complicity on their part.

Novak was not the first leak for people really looking, but he was the first official disclosure. He really did a favor in some ways, had he not, the back channel information still would have gotten out(and it was, as the Libby trial later determined).

Had Novak not gotten heavy headed, no DoJ recusal or Independent Counsel could have been established on any kind of expedient timeline, it was challenged enough to last beyond ‘04 at least.

Valerie is probably restricted from discussing the AQ Khan leak, but it’s a certainty she was watching that. Do we know if the FISA end run helped disclose this? The judge so empowered resigned himself, he should face Committee subpoena.

What orders went out in violation of FISA at the time regarding Brewster Jennings or Valerie Wilson when she was outed? Has the VP already shredded that, and is Cheney really that dumb? The spooks know, people came across a world of info on Iran/Contra when someone reminded folks that the shredders in use had scanner eyes that could reprint what got got chopped.

Porter Goss knew her from the CIA and he was in House INTEL Committee, ranking member? He was on CNN Crossfire for the week Novak made the disclosure, almost to the minute. He was at the meeting she introduced Joe, for his meeting before key Principals, was he not?

Chris, you mention Armitage speaking to Novak, but then note that her name didn’t come up out of thin blue air. Someone had to initiate the conversation, Novak never said Armitage brought her name up, only that he verified where she worked.

That’s an elegant distinction he tightropes.

If I’m not mistaken the VP’s person in charge of notes dealing with Addington probably comes to mind there. Perhaps another person, a female on the VPOTUS staff at the time… in company of the conversation or excerpts of it recounted by others in the form of inadvertent confirmation.

first mike,
Robert Novak is a principle in the outing of Val Plame. His comments should be held in relation to his need to change the story, and at the same time, we cannot simply discount his story because he has a history of leaks and yellowjournalism. What is clear is he outed a CIA agent and all facts since indicate Val was covert, and even now he says she was not. At what point will people who believe Toensing, Novak, and Boring Yorke, and listen to BushEggHead (what exactly do you mean by torture) Michael Hayden, Fitz, Plame, and others who should know better say she was.

That being said…his account of Armitage has changed several times if you keep track. I won’t take up the blog here doing so, but if you need footnotes over the last few years, they are available and easily confirmed. I record FoxNews daily and he has repeatedly visited the main shows or been on the air during the day when Libby was on trial to repeat his story. But depending on the political need to be close, or far from the story’s center….he moves.

To your points….
1. Yes Novak was asked about a meeting…but is that nearly as important as:
a. Armitage suddenly wanting to talk to him after never taking an interview with Novak? (confirmed by Novak)
b. How, if Armitage had sudden need to talk to Novak, did Val Plame simply fall across Armitage’s lips. How did that just happen to happen? Sounds pretty coincidental to have a sudden need mixed with such a dynamic event as….outing the chief of the counter-proliferation department in charge of overseeing the traffic of WMD to the region we are now bogged down in blood, and we now see….NO WMD.
(why did they blind us?)

2. you don’t have to say…quote unquote…when you are “quoting”. but more important:
IT IS COMPLETELY ILLOGICAL to conclude that if Novak didn’t know she was a NOC, “no one else did either”
Are you suggesting Novak has supreme knowledge of the intelligence community? Wouldn’t that freak you out to know this scumbag knows more than Libby, Armitage, Cheney, etc?

so then I think…
maybe you got confused and meant…Armitage didn’t know she was a NOC, then no one else did?…is that possible?
Even if that is possible, it is still not logical to conclude other people did not understand that she was NOC or even simply covert, or…what about…

don’t they have a responsibility to know more when they find she works with the CIA? It doesn’t take me long to think…does this have consequence..who is she and so forth. Well…they did know who she was, and the CIA knew who she was, and they had a responsibility and duty to protect that information.

Yes, I understand that “all” you “ever heard” was that “everyone knew”. This was done on purpose friend to confuse the issue and yet evidence presented by the ordained authority in the case, says otherwise.

I can write this down.
Mikefromtexas shags sheep with tasers like all MikesinTexas.

Now…there..we can read it…is it true?

Yes, they did not say, “i knew” and Reagan couldn’t recall, and Libby didn’t leak. Don’t wait long.

To Mr. M.

If I’m correct, Libby was the first leak to Miller, their regular megaphone for their Iraq lead-up. She simply hadn’t printed her scoop. He met with her 3 times, and it was after this that Armitage spoke to Novak.
This is according to both the public record at usdoj.gov and the timeline compliled and locally confirmed by emptywheel at thenexthurrah in “Anatomy of Deceipt” (an inexpensive and great compilation of footnotes and focused timeline).

Whispers…thats the game.

The art of war is fought with deception. When perceived as big and it is a disadvantage, appear small. when perceived as in the know, and it is a disadvantage, play dumb. these guys are boring at their game, too bad the stakes are so tragic.

Armitage was the first confirmation of record, taking heat off a Cheney staffer who was present at the time, he was not the first disclosure.

Someone else made the disclosure, Armitage mistakenly confirmed.

Karl Rove said to others “I heard that also…” and he had no authority to hear or confirm it.

I agree with “HOOPS”..nice letter…good thoughts..I think History will agree that VAL..JOE..LARRY and others are Heros..in this matter..and have given us..The American People..someone we can rally around..and inspire us..and give us HOPE ..by thier Leadership..Courage and Sacrifice.. because they were willing to confront Abuse and Evidences of another manifestation of Tyrrany in Government..that put POWER First and PEOPLE..Last.

..The same Determined Spirit that inspired Americans in 1776..is alive and Inspiring others now..and TRUTH is Marching on..

Funny that you mentioned Jack Kennedys Words..i have been thinking about them and him alot lately..

Interesting that He said..”Ask Not what your COUNRTY can do for You..But what you can do for your Country..”

He said “COUNTRY”..and NOT Government..

Thats what its really all about..Thats what so many Americans really serve..Thier COUNTRY..Thier
Nation..Thier Communitys..thier Nieghbors..In All kinds of Service..Government and Civilian..

It should never just be about “What your Government can do for You..or what you can do for Your Government..”..especially since the government is Now.. OF THE POLITICIAN..BY THE POLITICIAN AND FOR THE POLITICIAN.. and thier Corporate and Special inerest SPONSORS..who Brought America full Circle from the Events of 1776..to another Continental and Constitutional Crisis..today..

I agree Bill..That Val and Joe would be capable of more great Service to the Nation..and RIGHT alot of Wrongs ..and damage being done by the Current Administration..

These are dangerous time..we will need the Best and Wisest Leaders we can find..to Help lead Our nation and our Government..so that we can face What ever comes next..as a UNITED PEOPLE..

I Pray that America will be Given the TIME and OPPORTUNITY to makes those changes..and solve those Problems together..

United..and Determined..

Always Hoping for Peace..but always prepared for WAR..

And willing to confront ALL Enemys..

FOREIGN….and DOMESTIC..

Also, good timing: My copy of Valerie’s book just arrived.

Google Hits GWB……………..7,700,000
Dick Cheney…. 1,540,000
Valerie…………….594,000
George Tenant….544,000

Not bad for our hero!!!!