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

[Honza]

This old WW2 Vet knew from the begining that this President is a liar and had this war all planned out, I only wish Mrs. Plame that you don't hold back knowing your patriotism for this country and let fly your disgust for G.W. Bush and his cronies on your tour. We'll be backing you and your husband, stay safe.

[DrBlizzardo]

Please e-mail Charlie Rose at [e-mail] and ask him to reschedule Ms. Plame--if you heard any of her interviews today, you know what a boon to the American people having Mr. Rose turn his considerable interviewing talents on her will be.

America needs to hear her side of the story. Please e-mail Charlie Rose .

[bluesky49876]

Valerie! I am in way happy that you did not appear on Charlie Rose show. I have watched Rose for a long time. His questions are superficial and reflect his particular points of views which are pretty much supportive of the establishment. He was also one of the drum beater for the Iraq war. When CIA Director General Michael Hayden appears on his show, you can be assured it will be a love fest with soft-ball questions. He will not challenge virtually anything the Director would say.

[Collielady]

Agree. Charlie Rose has interesting guests, but as an interviewer he is often disappointing. He gives scoundrels a pass and incessantly interrupts the truth tellers.

[kevenseven]

The schedule of Plame's appearances can be found at:

http://www.simonsays.com/content/destination.cfm?pid=523181&tab=1&app=appearances

[Shanti]

DIOGENES WOULD BE PROUD!

[maxcat06]

Valerie,

I hope you and Joe keep the truth coming out...it's sorely needed.

Anyone who finds Ms. Plames story interesting should visit http://noquarterusa.net/blog/
It is a blog written by a former colleague of hers, Larry Johnson, and anything that she may be not allowed to say, providing that it isn't a matter of national security, he's posting there, making sure that the CIAs revenge job on Ms Plame isn't the last word on this story.

[Ginzaman]

I'm curious about something. Without revealing classified information of course, if being outed had resulted in you, your family or sources being killed, could the person(s) who outed you be prosecuted for murder? If an average person had done that, they'd be in jail by now. But because Armitedge, Cheney, Novak and the others have the money and power, it will take years and millions in court costs to get a result. I know that's the American system right now. But still, it seems bizarre that the power elite can get away with this.

[Pippen]

I admire you Valerie and your husband greatly!! You represent the strength of America in the greatest definition of our history and patriotism. And the voiceless hear you and thank God for you both. Take care and thank you for your sacrifices.

One day we'll be great again, I hope soon.

[unitron]

There's no telling how much damage was done by revealing that Plame was a CIA employee, but it wasn't the CIA itself (who would have known better) that revealed this to the public.

Let us hope that they now are even more careful to whom in the government they reveal such things (is there a "really, really, absolutely positively kneeds-to-know" classification that would have kept blabbermouth Armitage out of that particular loop?).

Perhaps they fear the possibility of further damage by further revelation. Perhaps they're caught in the Catch-22 of "Yeah, it's already out there, but it hasn't been officially de-classified so we still gotta keep our traps shut about it".

[edgemo]

And to think it was all planned: Not to discredit Joe Wilson so much, but in outing Plame, the Shrubbies closed down the actual intelligence work on Irainian nuclear progress. Far easier to build a war on speculation (lies?) rather than fact.

The Bush admin is far scarier than you know....

[laocoon]

Dont be distracted by the
Armitage red herring. Remember Novak has said he needs a second source before publishing and that second source was Rove. So Rove's confirmation was the last act allowing Novak to go forward. In addition Libby and Fleischer were taking shots and it is virtually meaningless as to which one first hit.

[seefried2359]

Dear Ms. Plame,

I so admired you as I watched you in the hearings, and I consider what was done to you a national disgrace. It says something terrible and chilling about our country that nobody has been made to pay, but I am grateful that you are telling your story. We need more people like you. Thanks for your grace under pressure, and for your courage.

[LIR]

You are an inspiration to people who believe in truth and justice. Two commodities in short supply in the most corrupt, criminal government America has ever had.

[StryderGld]

Thank you both.Keep on.
But please hold on tight.The shitstorm is nigh.
But you know their drill.
Can we have truth win now?This once might be enogh.

[TomR]

----
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?
----

Not so much irony as perhaps dismay by Hayden learning you were to appear on Mr. Rose's show.

If Rose asks you back to appear another time, then there may be nothing to this. If he never asks you back, then someone got to him.

Freedom of the press, not a quaint idea.

- Tom

[repubesnivel]

I want to tell you, you have many, many thousands who are championing your cause, Valerie Plame. From the very first day of this horrendous betrayal, the right wing smear machine was blasting away at your credibility, no holds barred. After that, I put nothing past them, nothing.

Thanks for sticking to your guns, and for showing what courage and real class is.

[Libsrule]

Wow. This is becoming more interesting everytime you blog here. PLEASE don't stop. Keep us informed every step of the way.

We watched you on Larry King tonight as well. Personally I think you are being far too kind in your responses about the president and his number one lackey George Bush. Feel free to call them what they really are.

Traitors.

And once again; Are you going to be doing any book signings or appearances in Santa Barbara? Or L.A.

I would LOVE to get your book signed by you.

[kevenseven]

She is IN Santa Barbara on Nov 3rd:

http://www.simonsays.com/content/destination.cfm?pid=523181&tab=1&app=appearances

[lex]

hi Valerie,
i admire you and your husbands dedication and service to our great country. the treacherous and corrupt Bush White House has destroyed many in it's neo-con Fascist agenda. along with your tireless inspiration we can combat this evil and help put our country back together. thank you for telling your story!