Finally Telling My Story

I'm Valerie Plame Wilson and I'm excited to be here and blog about my book Fair Game: My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House, which goes on sale Monday, Oct 22. When my publisher sent me the finished copy earlier this week, it was thrilling. It felt like a new chapter (forgive the pun) has begun on the journey that has taken some incredible twists and turns since July 14, 2003, when my covert identity was exposed and ended a career that I loved. I've written honestly about my life: why I went to work for the CIA, my paramilitary training, the sort of operations we developed and ran to find intelligence on Iraq's alleged WMD programs in the run up to the war, as well as personal information, such as my battle with postpartum depression and the difficulties I had going from a private to a public persona literally overnight. My publisher, Simon and Schuster, decided to print the blacked out redactions demanded by the CIA and hopefully those passages (or lack thereof) speak for themselves and the extent to which the CIA thought the material in the book was classified.

Watching myself on 60 Minutes was surreal -- who can ever get used to seeing themselves on TV? I guess the book tour has really started and it will be a crazy week ahead. After four and a half years and everyone else in world talking about me, it feels good to finally be able to tell my story myself. It's a story about the consequences of speaking truth to power and the critical importance of holding our government to account for its words and deeds. I'm off to bed, because I have an early wakeup call tomorrow to do the Today Show. I look forward to sharing my reactions and stories with you from the road over the next few days. I will be posting throughout the week and appreciate your comments and support.

Comments

[socalsue]

I'm sorry I missed the "Today" interview, but I will keep an eye open for more appearances. I can't wait to read the book.
To echo another poster, "You go, girl."
Thanks for your service, Valerie

[impatient]

Dear Ms. Plame,

I just ordered your book on Amazon. I think you are a true American Hero, and I hope Dick Cheney and the rest of the evil cabal finally get their comeuppance.

As I was driving in to work today I heard about the fires in California and then, more money requested from Bush for Iraq, and I thought, "Maybe this is enough to generate murderous outrage." I hope so. Doubtful, but I hope so.

[kizzie]

Type in www.60minutes.com and it will take you to the video of the show. Enjoy.

[radicalmoderate]

Anyone with half a brain who actually followed the events leading up to the leaks and observed the evidence presented in the Libby trial can see that the Vice President's notes on his copy of the Joe Wilson editorial first mentioned outing his wife's position at the CIA.

This predates Novak and the trail of the leakers. If you follow the dates that each mentioned her job it shows that Armitage, Rove, Libby and Fleisher have not truthfully divulged where they first heard about Valerie. All trails lead back to the Cheney notes sent to Libby who lied about his own timeline and was caught as the obstructor and disseminator.

Yes. Armitage was allowed to break the news as a rumor. It was never a rumor. The truth speaks for itself. Bush, whether he knew it all or not, did not keep his word to publically remove anyone found to be involved. He did let Libby resign and be the fall guy for the press and then wait until the last minute to give him a Presidential pardon. It is all very sickening and a civil suit is not enough to reverse the effects of such a treasonous act.

Joe should have suspected that the same folks who would lie to go to war would also lie about their lies to go to war. They were not above damaging their own intelligence agency that they did not wish to agree with anyway. When you think you own the judges, the legislature and the press you can do anything you want as they continue to do.

Where are our elected truth seekers? Why haven't the rest of the parties involved not been brought to justice? Do we just say "Wow, they sure got away with this one?" I for one do not think it should stand as just another casualty of "gotcha politics" and free-for-all smear journalism to uphold the falsehoods that led to a unjust war.

Can you say "Curveball?"

[mngeorge]

well said

[Ihaveadream]

Re Cheney's notes about Valerie, I couldn't agree more because Cheney and Addington have been running the country. Watch "Cheney's Law" online, well done by Frontline about how they ran over and under Colin Powell, when he was Secy of State, Condi, as National Security Advisor and even Ashcroft.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/

[janmB]

Valerie did not have the actual AUTHORITY to send her husband anywhere and not to NIGER.

She was a CIA AGENT and everyone involved KNOWS you don't reveal a CIA agents name when they are working.

Mr & Mrs Wilson are heros in standing up to the FRAUD in the White House and the others like them.

I HOPE they NEVER let this story die.

[2warvet]

Then why weren't any charges filed other than perjury?

Why isn't Richard Armitage, who admitted he leaked her name, facing charges?

And where is the outrage for outing of programs like the one that followed the terrorist money? You know the one that the White House had to ask the NY Time to wait before publishing so they could get their people out of harms way.

[CatfishAndGrits]

The S.W.I.F.T program was already public knowledge. They even mentioned that they work with governments to help fight terrorism ON THEIR WEBSITE. Typical repeating of the republican echo chamber nonsense. Valerie was covert, NOC, CIA operative. She worked on Iraq, AND Iran, nuclear counter-pr­oliferatio­n. It's ironic that the 2 nations we were wanting to invade have had there information gathering networks destroy. Nobody to counter the propaganda on Iraq, and now Iran. I guess we have to trust Bush.....h­e's never lied.....r­ight!!!!

[SpencerCat]

"And where is the outrage for outing of programs like the one that followed the terrorist money? You know the one that the White House had to ask the NY Time to wait before publishing so they could get their people out of harms way."

That program was public knowledge, 2warvet. I read about it weeks before, and Bush even mentioned it himself in a speech or press conference, so it was highly amusing when the White House insisted the program was being "outed" by the NY Times. You don't have your facts straight.

[brantl]

The requirement on that piece of legislation is that you out someone knowing that they are secret. Armitage didn't know that. As always ignorance is the Bush administrations sole and best defense.
There is no "outrage" about the "terrorist money program" "outing" because it's methods and existence were known (indeed, touted by Bush in speeches) months before. Learn to read a newspaper, and you'd have known that.

[levibatgirl]

Because they were lying and obstructing justice.

At least he got scooter for that.

[ajax2]

Just a tiny bit of research will answer all your talking points. Reading it's fundamental.

[sugarmoes]

"fraud" is incorrect.

"criminal" is correct.

[wangmo]

She was a CIA AGENT and everyone involved KNOWS you don't reveal a CIA agents name when they are working.

Yeah, that's RIGHT janmB, It’s TRAITOROUS to do so. So, Mr. Interloper Bush and KKKarl, the Tar and Feathers are coming for ya, boys!

[TekBoss]

Valerie, you are a true American hero and Patriot. Don't ever let them tell you different. You and the Ambassador have served America well, and we thank you.

Oh, and I will be buying your book. Can't wait to read it.

[Shandy]

Yours is a fascinating story and I will look forward to hearing your side. The behavior of this administration is absolutely terrifying!

[Publius99]

Brava, Valerie . . . thank you for coming out with the truth about what happened to you at the hands of the Bush mis-administration. Truth is what sets us all free, indeed!

good health to you and yours,
richard at healing imagination productions,
Chatsworth, CA

[TJTelecaster]

You go girl...!

[martinspringfield]

Great job last night.

You displayed more courage than all the Democratic leadership combined, sounded smarter than Hillary, and looked better than Katie.

[jumpingjupiter]

Oh, dear lord, I hopy you (valerie) have been vetted and every detail has been double checked by your publisher. Because if anything is even slightly off The hideous swift boaters will go after you. I can't watch it again. I loathe them. Good luck!

[Vendeen]

Even if every detail is right as rain, it won't stop them from "swiftboating" her. It'll be ugly, but Valerie Plame has shown her intelligence, class and true ability to handle these idiots.

Here's what I want to know (I'm buying the book on my way home, and maybe its in there): What about all the others whose cover was blown because hers was? Surely there were associates of hers, and the fictional company she "worked" for as part of her cover who were also deeply affected?

[Binx101]

Sinclair Lewis' words about how fascism might come to America wrapped in a flag, notwithstanding, this entire act of treason seems like spite gone bad. This administration has a terrible reputation for reacting viciously to criticism and they ramp up the bullhorns with talking pionts immediately.

Two things seem evident in the case of the knee-jerk reaction to Joe Wilson. First, it wasn't under Karl Rove's operating manual - it would seem hard to equate the type of unbridled anger displayed in recklessly endangering CIA assets with the shrewd refined clandestine patience that Rove imbued most of his plans. Secondly, it was apparently the product of utter spite that was intended to abuse power and harm the Wilsons personally without even considering the ultimate outcome, violation of laws and the high level of criminality associated with this type of action.

My opinion from day one - is that Scooter Libby dove on the grenade to prevent the potential of the VP of the US being charged with treason because at that time - the Dems were ramping big time as this was becoming an imbroglio as it evolved. Perjury - Treason - Perjury - Treason .... I don't think they needed to flip a coin. Dick Cheney immediately following spoke nothing about the incident but began hammering out the talking points about how things were going swimmingly in Iraq. Scooter deflected the heat and did his job as a loyal royal.

Most sadly though, they overestimated the Democrats who consider folding like a cheap camera - some kind of political origami art form.

Fact is, Valerie Plame Wilson was collateral damage in a war - how ever sad - the war was an act of Treason by Dick Cheney and no American should casually dismiss this as politics. Nor should they ignore the fact that Valerie Wilson has been treated any differently than our troops. She was ... hung out to dry as a result of the WH criminal activity.

I'm looking forward to buying and reading the book.

[jona]

"It wasn't under Karl Rove's operating manual - it would seem hard to equate the type of unbridled anger displayed in recklessly endangering CIA assets with the shrewd refined clandestine patience that Rove imbued most of his plans."

Not in Rove's manual, huh? See if any of this sounds familiar (from Wikipedia):

Rove was fired from the 1992 Bush presidential campaign after he planted a negative story with columnist Robert Novak about dissatisfaction with campaign fundraising chief Robert Mosbacher Jr. (Esquire Magazine, January 2003). Novak provided some evidence of motive in his column describing the firing of Mosbacher by former Senator Phil Gramm: "Also attending the session was political consultant Karl Rove, who had been shoved aside by Mosbacher.­" Novak and Rove deny that Rove was the leaker, but Mosbacher maintains, "Rove is the only one with a motive to leak this. We let him go. I still believe he did it."[26] During testimony before the CIA leak grand jury, Rove apparently confirmed his prior involvement with Novak in the 1992 campaign leak, according to National Journal reporter Murray Waas.

[Collielady]

I would put nothing beyond Karl Rove. I believe he is capable of anything. He is the definition of evil, a ruthless person who thinks nothing of harming others, who even rejoices in it.

We have a president whose "friend" is a psychopath. That makes two of them.

[Collielady]

I'm sure a huge helping of spite was involved, but more so, I believe the thugs in the White House didn't want anything or anyone to get in the way of their going to war.

Ms. Plame is very brave to speak, even now. I certainly wouldn't want to get in the way of the Bush junta. We don't just have a president who went bad. What has happened is an organized crime family found a way to infiltrate our government and take on the most powerful position in the land.

I would be very afraid if I were Valerie Plame or Joe Wilson.

[tandrmcdonald]

Congratulations and good wishes to a courageous and honorable woman. Thank you for your years of service to our country and a career you are justifiably proud of; America needs more women like you.

[sugarmoes]

a traitor still sits in the white house.

he is getting real heroes killed daily.

he is squandering our national treasure.

he.

and they.

[dictatortot]

Not much room for the right to wiggle out of this one. Can you imagine if a liberal had outed a spy? "Traitor! America hater! Hang 'em high!"

http://www.newsprism.com

[jimpryor99]

Actually, a liberal DID "out" her. His name is Richard Armitage.

[Moshe]

Ms. Plame Wilson:

Speaking truth to power requires great courage (which you have proven you have in abundance), but speaking truth is essential, as history clearly demonstrates that lies kill both people and nations when the lies are big enough.

America works, and is worthy of a position of leadership in our World, when our people and our government accept nothing but the truth, nothing but justice, and commit ourselves to the common rule of law.

A group of self-interested thugs, epitomized by the likes of Dick Cheney, have succeeded in stealing much of this from our government, and from us. The result has been shameful practices of torture, "preemptive" invasions and occupations, lies built on lies, the purging of moderates and honest persons from our government, etc.

These shameful practices have resulted in an international shaming of the U.S., disturbing and growing anti-americanism, and a frightening turn towards the use of brutal force rather than law and reason both internationally and domestically, in short, a growing tide of fascism as the rule of law is increasingly disregarded by those currently in charge of our government.

The remedy is for millions of Americans to become knowledgeable about what has really happened, and where this is leading, to then gather the courage to stand up and demand truth, openness, justice, and a return to the rule of law, and to stand in unstoppable persistence and solidarity in achieving this.

You and your husband Joe were among the first to stand against the growing tide of fascism in this Nation, and it is my great hope that your book, and your continuing to have the courage to speak out, will expose these thugs for what they truly are, and help to galvanize public opinion in demanding a return to the rule of law in this Nation.

I look forward to reading your book.

Shalom.

[Collielady]

The remedy you speak of, for millions of Americans to become knowledgeable, would require an evening, or two, of withdrawal from the TV addiction.

Furthermore, many, if not most, of Americans today don't even have the a sufficient education to understand our government, let alone the critical thinking skills to interpret events and "connect the dots".

It is part of the Bush agenda to dumb down Americans even further. Jeb put an end to civics classes in Florida. Sheep are easy to control.

This country is ripe for fascism. Americans don't see it coming and won't recognize it when it gets here. Nor will they care as long as they get to keep their Bibles, guns, and their flags. And their cable TV.

[EvereaderinSC]

Valerie & Joe,

I was very impressed with your interview. As usual and from some of your expressions & some of Couric's questions, there seemed to be something of a disconnect between points you were making and ideas going on in the brain of Couric, or whoever may have made up those questions she asked.
It was mind-boggling when she made her quip of "well, what did you expect when your husband came out with his column? Didn't you think he was going over the line...did­n't you expect there might be a connection with you?" or some such nonsense.
Your answer and the forcefulness of it pretty much ended discussion. Why on earth would you expect to have your identity revealed by your own supposed countrymen under any circumstances?
Joe Wilson expressed his constitutional right to free speech, speech which as it turned out & if had been acted upon would have saved us much bloodshed in Iraq. I found it refreshing that he would NOT back down when Couric screwed up her face in disbelief at his comparison on having the families of Cheney, Libby & Rove attacked personally in such a manner. I guess that's why his talk was so short. I'm sure there was much edited out of it.
Tell me I'm crazy, but after seeing this last night & the softball questions / free pass Erik Prince got last week, I would say something rather partisan is going on at CBS! I used to watch 60 Minutes & be amazed, now it feels like everything else out there...pr­etty dang bland and predictable.
Keep us posted, Valerie & keep up your great work! If you and Joe are the only oversight on this worthless administration, so be it - give them the hell they deserve...

[Ipanema]

The intimidation mechanism that is at work here is shocking, as it is totally anti-democratic. American journalist, for the most part, are constantly trying to please the powers to be. No wonder they pride themselves in attending the annual dinner at the National Press Club for the President, when they can rub elbows with the President and other politicians (talking about conflict of interests). Witness how Colbert was treated by all the MSM a couple of year ago, after he had the courage to speak the truth to corrupt politicians and journalists. It is all about access and not the truth!

[SantaFe]

And the totally one sided piece they did on Clarence Thomas, without even giving Anita Hill a chance to defend herself!

[mikelongomd]

Kudos,kudos,kudos to your 60 Minutes interview--you and your husband, when all is said and done, will be viewed by History as sad victims of a reckless, selfish, dangerous, and all-out-illegal Administration, that, at the end of the day, looked out only for "itself", and nothing else--not National Security, not the Constitution, and certainly not the welfare of it Citizens, particularly one who dedicated her entire life to covert operations in order to protect us ALL. One can only hope that Cheney, et al, will be taken to task someday by the God in which they so fervently believe. Best of luck to you both in your future lives--so changed forever by forces over which you had no control.