CIA Censors My Book: Personal Payback or Protecting National Security?

What a whirlwind! After a short and fitful night's sleep, I started the book tour with the Today show, quickly followed by radio interviews for NPR's Fresh Air and All Things Considered, and then The Times of London for openers. I really enjoyed the longer format allowed by the radio interviews rather than trying to cram everything I want and need to say into a 10 second sound bite for TV. My story is, in some ways, a complicated one with many different aspects and seems to lend itself best to longer, thoughtful answers. I have just finished blogging on FireDogLake, the web site that covered the Libby trial live. I learn something every day from the vast blogging community which has followed this case so closely. And I have to say, after the onslaught of attacks over the last 4 years, being among friends in the blogosphere feels good. It was pretty lonely out there sometimes. This evening, I'll be on Larry King Live, along with Joe (via a feed from Santa Fe. Hey, someone has to stay home and watch the kids). I enjoy doing events with my husband which thus far have been only private fundraisers because we have lived through the same story but have very different perspectives and reactions to all that has happened.

Most of the questions have been as I expected: Why did I join the CIA? What did it feel like when I saw my name in Novak's column the first time? Didn't I expect some terrible consequence to befall me when Joe published his 1,500 word op ed piece in The New York Times? What about the charges of nepotism that have been alleged against me? All of these I have tried to answer as fully and honestly as I could, keeping in mind, of course, my legal constraints. What hasn't been discussed in any depth yet is the full story of how the CIA fought to censor large portions of my book by maintaining that I can not acknowledge my Agency affiliation prior to January 2002, although so much about my career is already in the public domain. I believe that this decision by the Agency has nothing to do with protecting national security, and everything to do with further punitive action against me and a way to demean or diminish me and my responsibilities at the CIA. For those who wish to know more about the ongoing court battle with CIA over this issue of how long I may say I served my country and accompanying censorship issues, please visit a website set up by my lawyers for that purpose: www.fairgameplame.com. It is a very user-friendly site with all the information necessary to have a better understanding of the First Amendment fight behind this book. I'll hope you'll take the time to look at the site because this legal battle helps to illuminate a larger pattern of extra-Constitutional behavior by this administration.

I just learned the other day that my scheduled Tuesday appearance on the Charlie Rose show has been canceled. The show's producer said it was because Charlie Rose wanted to prepare for an appearance next week by CIA Director General Michael Hayden. How ironic is that? I could have told Mr. Rose a few things about General Hayden, but I'm sure he'll do a fine job with his interview questions without me.

Comments

[rain]

Mrs. Plame Wilson,
You have more courage in your little finger than all of the chickenhawks in the White House. Real men don't spread gossip around like teenage girls. Maybe you can bottle what you have and mail it to the Democrats, they have become spine challenged.

We need more brave Americans like you and Mr. Wilson. When I told my 9 year old who you are and what you've done, she said "Mom, she's awesome!"
I totally agree.

[BobONealSr]

Hi Valerie,
Congratulations on your book and your appearance on 60 min. Sun. night. The reichwing will be going
even more mad. They will be coming after you and Joe like never before. I know with your courage and determination, you and Joe will win out in the end. If this had happen to you in the Clinton Admin, Pres. Clinton would not only have been impeached, but the Rep, would have try to put him
in prison.
Bob O'Neal Sr

[Elliotfloyd]

C Rose just dropped a great deal in my estimation and I will let him know via blog. The thought that he cant prepare for both important interviews, or hasnt given Ms Wilson a quick followup date, as a former producer, I find mindboggling....

[onekoleso]

This was written some time ago. Unfortuntely it still applies:

WHO ELSE WILL HAVE THE COURAGE?



The news media can write articles and voice opinions about how President George W. Bush and his cronies have lied about this and that. (In fact, what took them so long to realize that.) But, this still means nothing. Such revelations of Truth have become the back and forth cackle of gossiping spin masters signifying nothing, as nothing has changed.

But no, the real deal is when one reporter, that first one, upon being chosen by President Bush to ask a question at one of his press opportunities, stands up and summons the Strength and Courage to ask, " Mr. President, when you lied about...!" Or, at the very least,... “Mr. President, were you lying when you said...?”

That's what it will take --- before the rest of them will do the same. It's time for someone to say that the Emperor has no clothes to his face.

That's also when the evidence for impeachment will be brought forth before the American Public, and that's when it will mean something. Now we only hear the Truth as it is, "...twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools." (Kipling)

Just as Republicans constantly accused Clinton of lying, together with Clinton's defense of his "private life" lie brought the Public into play, so can the Press bring out the Truth. And let's put Bush and Cheney under oath as well. Only then, will the Wisdom of Truth find its place in our great land.

Until then, lying continues to be our government's national pastime. We have come to expect it. We take it for granted. We kill and die for it. And the shadows of sadness remain our constant companions..

Ray McGovern had Courage when he questioned Donald Rumsfield

--- WHO ELSE WILL HAVE THE COURAGE TO ASK FOR THE TRUTH?

the end

[Earl]

Has the CIA taken over HuffPo? I asked a simple question on this blog earlier today and it never showed up. Did the book get published with the redactions indicated? Simple, nonthreatening, serious question. In South Africa during apartheid, it was customary to leave blank space where the government had censored the authors. I just wondered if this book had been published that way.

[lotusflowersusan]

yes, it was published with the redactions indicated by greyed out lines

[abbiehoffmansghost]

Val, you think you have problems where you are; hang around here for a while.

[abbiehoffmansghost]

Ms. Plame that was a great commentary on censorship. You may see examples of it first hand right here. Good job.

[TLV]

Just finished listening to Terri Gross' interview of Valerie Plame Wilson. Great stuff. The book should be excellent.

What did I glean from it? Bush and Cheney are lying bastards who got us into a war of convenience. Period.

[TJTelecaster]

Valerie; Charlie Rose lost his edge some time bakc he as become way to much of a servant of the most wealthy and powerful he even failed to follow up on a question about the Tri-Lateral Commission when David Rockefeller himself brought it up and that he Rockefeller was it's Founder.. Charlie looked shocked and befuddled at it's mere mention..

Rather than say and the Bilderbergers to right Mr. Rockefeller..

So Charlie will give Hayden who lied to our entire nation all of America as to the content of the 4th Amendment while simultaneously claiming to be an expert of that said 4th Amendment..

Why would Charlie want that bald headed liar Gen. Hayden on his show, when he could have and intelligent courageous heroic babe like you..?

Beats me..?

[olivia]

Thanks to you and your husband - not only for serving our country, but for handling this ordeal with grace and class. You are the perfect reminder of what our country once was, and what it could be again.

[keyman12]

Valerie

I know you feel like you are an unlikely hero, but most true heros started out that way. They never wanted to be famous or get rich, they just stood up and did the right thing.

You could have easily retired to Sante Fe, and went back to a normal life with your family and no one would have said a thing. You and Joe have already gone beyond the call of duty to serve your county.

But now you are a true hero and inspiration to millions of Americans because you stood up in the face of withering fire and did not back down so the truth could come out.

So now it is time for the world to give you your due. Bask in it Valerie, enjoy the accolades you deserve it.

You are an inspiration and example of everything that was once good about this country.

So if you want to be a reluctant hero that is fine, but I believe your country needs you now more then ever.

So enjoy your tour, then take a rest, take a breather, but as they say "all things happen for a reason" and I for one believe your path in life has led you to this moment.

Seize the moment, answer the call.

You probably aren't even aware of the number of people who believe already that you should run for any public office in New Mexico or anywhere for that matter. (We would welcome you in Arizona!)

Why?

Because you have shown by your honesty, integrity, graciousness, and patriotism, that you have the qualities that are so desperately needed for leadership in our country and political system today.

Only you can and have the right to decide what you and your family's future shall be. But just remember JFK"s immortal words...

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country".

Good luck and Godspeed.

[surfcitysteven]

The "mitotes", (gossip) around Santa Fe is that Valerie is going to run for some office here. You may have seen that the political landscape here is in big upheaval with "saint" Pete retiring and all the House incumbents scrambling for his vacant Senate seat. It looks good for dems here and I hope she does run. She has my vote.

[Marrob]

Valeire,

You and Joe have shown nothing but class throughout this whole incident. If this had happened to me knowing that my family was placed in danger by these scumbags...I would be in prison now is all an going to say. God bless you for your work and may be always protect you and your love ones.

[RecklessAbandonArteest]

I have followed your plight from day one.

Good job hanging in there and handing those jerks their heads.

But hey, what's with the super long paragraphs in your article. Finger wag.

[kellygrrrl]

"Personal payback or protecting national security"

need you really ask?

[JOSEYWALES]

Ms Plame,
As you know, all CIA employees sign a confidentiality contract when they are hired. Ms. Plame, being the super secret covert spy that you were, you must have known that most of your work and internal doings at the Agency would be confidential and redacted from your manuscript.
Crying censorship is just your way of getting more ink and face time in the press.

[lotusflowersusan]

um, if you pay attention, you would realize that she willingly complied with the CIA review of the manuscript. The censorship issues come from the CIA deciding that information in the public domain is classified, and she can not mention it even though anyone else can.

[owiseone]

Valerie, both you and your husband are real patriots. It is a horrible thing that the WHIG pushed ahead with this war in the face of all evidence it could have been/should have been avoided, and that our administration lied to take us to war.
The low down attempt to shut you and your husband up by "outing" you was treasonous.
The truth is already out here, and eventually the whole world will see it. Give it time. More and more CIA, former Bush/Cheney administration officials, military, will find the guts to tell their stories. Something that stinks so badly as all this can not be contained.