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

[vippy]

Actually I am surprised that she lived to tell
us about it. It has been known that people
working for this outfit can "disappear."
Just look what happened to Chandra Levy.

[Lescoeurs]

Charlie Rose is a cowardly hack. His producer tells Valerie she won't be on the show because he must prepare for the CIA Director ? Don't tell me PBS isn't controlled by the Neocons. Disgusting.

[rras]

You need not worry about Charlie Rose, he's one of the very best and I'm betting that he'll give the best interview. Hell, who's better. Just name one.

[JSquercia]

Bill Moyer

[mikeodd]

Quite ironic, considering GOPcanoodler Judy Miller flew the free speech flag in defense of her prominent role in a NATIONAL SECURITY BREACH!
If this would've happened during the Clinton administration, Bubba, Gore and Hil would've been roasted on a spit on the White House lawn.
Scooter Libby was offered as a concession to placate the pundits. Dick and KKKarl still walk as free men -living proof of the Teflon Presidency.

[paixa3]

I think the correct term is EVIL RESIDENCY.

[The Impartial]

Talking about Judy Miller... How about Bob Novak?

[AurigaRa]

You don't need Charlie Rose to tell your story.
I sincerely hope his viewership drops significantly after his cancelation of your appearance. Why would we want to hear more lies from Hayden?

[The Impartial]

For this appearance, I thought that in the U.S. it's always "First come, first served". Where is the rule here?

[greenmonk]

Although I rarely watch it, I would love to see you go on The View. Just to wipe that sanctimonious smirk off of that physco-fascist Elizabeth's face. Nancy Pelosi looked like a scared rabbit when that Barbie wing-nut attacked, I am sure you would handle all that so much better.

[foghornleghorny]

My opinion of Elizabeth (not that I watch The View that often), is that she has been blessed in life. She's beautiful, smart, rich, with a family to take care of.
It follows that since she thinks that she has so much to lose that she is in a constant state of fear (like many righties). And in order to feel safe, she'll go along with and defend anything big daddy Bush and big government says will keep her safe.

Or she's just an idiot.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

There's little doubt, Lady V, that this outlaw administrstion and their lapdog main stream media are joined of hands expecting to 'control YOUR message', as powers-that-be have for decades now on ANY issue of REAL embarrassment for them.

And make NO mistake, the treasonous and criminal actions 'toward you' by a megalomeniacal adminstration for their 'geo'political expediency is highly embarrassing to them AND an msm that conspired to make it happen. It should not surprise they have THEIR outlets spewing THEIR version of spin, while trying to silence you.

So I say again, Welcome to Huffington Post, Lady V! Your message here may be seen by many, and talked about by many more. Independent internet sites are maybe just now a 'fourth corner' of the fourth estate, but the avarice driven usurpers and their 'compliant' media lapdogs KNOW others may hear another TRUTH, one they want to suppress. Plus, constantly exposing their hypocrisy is driving them to madness and desperation, because they no longer control ALL the message and are making tragic mistakes.

HuffPost may not be THE bully pulpit, but perhaps that's not what's called for in this situation anyway. The absolutist tends to think with a linear mind and maybe doesn't realize they ARE hearing another message altoghether just coming at them ...sideways. Their personal walls may allow them to deny it, for a time, but a message of TRUTH will still be heard and cannot be ignored forever.

Most HERE believe the administration and those still serving 'at his (the preznutz') pleasure' have ZERO credibility, about ANYTHING now, and are likely folks just trying to work out some TRUTH for themselves.


And,...MOST here believe your story will help.

[realitytrumpsbull]

After all of that, do you support impeachment, yes/no?

http://www.impeachbush.org

[BARRISTER]

Mrs. Wilson:
On behalf of ALL AMERICANS, PLEASE RUN FOR THE SENATE!! Choose a State. We will do the rest.

Valerie in 2008!!!!

[darwin1859]

Pete Domenici is retiring in New Mexico where the Wilson's are residing.

[TXfemmom]

I watched Heydon, from the CIA, on Charlie Rose, and they sent the bastard over to keep you from being seen, and to tell more lies.

My sincere hope is that he and some of these other criminals within the administration get their due punishment here or in the beyond, but I would prefer to see it here on earth.

[dobberdoss]

Hey Valerie,

I`m sure you are right about what the CIA have been doing to discredit you, BUT is this not the job of the CIA? to deceive, discredit & disrupt any threat to ``National Security`` or the ``American Way`` of life?

Have you forgotten what your job involved?

[kevenseven]

You have a very simplistic understanding of what the tens of thousands of people who work for CIA do...

[dobberdoss]

Tens of thousands of wasted souls who spread misinformation is what the CIA do, You clearly have no opinion on the subject lacky patriot.

[racom]

So just exactly when did Mrs Wilson change from CIA covert operative to a 'national security' threat? Was she a threat before she was outed by novak? Has she always been this threat? What a nation of morons!

[Rootwad]

As we said in the 60's right on, but on a more serious note, I fear for you and your husbands lives. Those in power would think nothing of having you both killed. I hope you have the best security possible. Keep up the good work and I hope I am being pessimetic(sp), but if anything happens, you can be sure we the people will get justice for you and yours.

[plainsman]

That's a little extreme, don't you think? Arrested, sure. I wouldn't put that past them. Why do you think there is so much care with the redactions, so that the Wilsons don't give the Bush administration any excuse to prosecute them. But kill? Gimme a break. You've been watching too many Bourne Identity movies.

[John]

Given this country's history, it is not in the realm of fiction to assume the Bush administration would have the Plame's assassinated. Of course they wouldn't put their signatures on the order. The Bush cabal can simply wait for some Rush Limbo-inspired wingnut to do what comes naturally to those raging loons.

I hope the Plames do have very good security.

[fact finder]

plainsman; Their lives are very much in danger. Not only from foreign powers but also from their own government. The CIA would not hesitate to arrange an accident for either of them if they thought that they had "plausible deniability".

[StillAmused]

A lesson I learned long ago, fighting my own battles as a whistleblower within a government agency:

If you nibble around the edges and try to maintain safe cover, they have you by the short hairs. Go public, stick it in their faces, and they run away like roaches in bright light.

When they tried to slime the Wilsons, they picked the wrong targets. The cat's out of the bag, and the neocriminals have lost their principal advantage -- doing their dirty work in the dark.

Mrs. Wilson, thanks for writing one of the important documents on the abuses and excesses of the worst (and most dangerous) administration in American history.

It'll prove a useful reference for future historians.

[scottyurb]

Ms. Plame
If Charlie Rose gives you that second chance--snub him!! I used to be somewhat of a fan of his because of his guests and the forum he gives them, but his show too, has censorship issues. A couple months ago he had Michael Moore on. I watched the first couple guests and patiently waited for the interview. So as Mr. Moore begins to describe the way the Bin Laden family was ferried around the country after the attacks--POOF!! Off they go to another pre-recorded interview. I immediately contacted their show to no avail. Don't waste your time!!

[Collielady]

How ironic that the CIA fought to censor large portions of your book by maintaining that you cannot acknowledge your Agency affiliation prior to January 2002. In other words your book is a threat to our national security but the traitorous Bush administration can leak anything they want and it's just fine.

The CIA is the fox and the White House is the hen house.

[BARRISTER]

To think that they Impeached Clinton for declining to admit a blowjob..They were on evry TV station speaking about the gravity of the blowjob being administered by their plant IN THE OVAL OFFICE!!!CRIME OF THE CENTURY!!!

Yet, this lady who put her life at REAL RISK for the security ( hopefully, because as things are today, we never know what her superiors intentions were) is being Swift boated by draft dodgers.
America and Americans... move over Monica.....!!!!

[JSquercia]

The TRULY ironic thing is that all these Neo Con talking heads keep saying she was nothing but a low level pencil pusher . If that were the case what harm could she do in her book

[DocTwain]

I think it's a crime that America has gotten to the point where the Plame affair, instead of acting as a catalyst to inaugurate the impeachment of the President, instead has turned Ms. Plame into a pseudo-celebrity who sells books.

Impeach the Vice President!
Impeach the President!
& Try them for their Treason!

[Spookcatcher]

The Bush Administration Fascist organization's hand picked puppet General Hayden (on Rose's PBS broadcast as I write this) is the poster boy for propaganda. He actually said on air: the secret government is more important than any other part of Our Governement. What Ms. Plame and her husband did to serve in the Country's interest are what real heroes do. The fact that the CIA did not "out" Cheney shows the completeness and the complexity of the corruption of power that is so deeply imbedded into our Government and stretches all through the fabric of our society. The CIA is not accountable to any cabinet position and should be completely dismantled. George Tenet began the sabotage and set up the apparatus of deceit for 9/11 during the Clinton Administration, utilized General Colon Powell, and was Awarded by Our Traitor President George Bush. General Hayden should be arrested by the Joint Chiefs and stripped of his rank for wearing our uniform while obeying orders taken to dismantle and usurp the U.S. Constitution while under Oath, both under his position to Negroponte, and especially as the lap dog he is now as CIA Director.

[LIR]

I find that very curious, Valerie, that Charlie Rose canceled your show...if I were you, I wouldn't go on his show.

I thought you weathered Katie Couric's awful interview with you marvelously. I am glad you are out there fighting for your name and not allowing yourself to be dragged through the mire of right wing lies...I hope your battle with the CIA over redacted portions of the book are settled in your favor.