by
Larry C Johnson (bio/blog)
I have tried repeatedly in the last two weeks to get a letter to the editor and a letter to the Ombudsman (perhaps Ombudswoman?) published at the Washington Post in response to their clear policy of advocating on behalf of Scooter Libby.
Here's my most recent letter to Deborah Howell, the incompetent ombudsman:
Dear Ms. Howell:
Instead of turning to someone who actually knows the truth you prefer to bury your head in the sand of ingnorance. It is not just my word. You can ask a host of retired CIA officers who can verify that Valerie Plame was covert until her identity was compromised in the Robert Novak article. The willful ignorance of the Post is a disgrace to journalism. The number of people who can vouch for Valerie's identity is significant. Ask Tyler Drumheller, Chief of the European Division of the CIA Directorate of Operations. Ask Robert Grenier. Ask me. Ask Jim Marcinkowski.
Ask Mike Grimaldi. Ask Brent Cavan. Ask Gary Berntsen. Ask Mike Gorbel. instead of talking to CIA officers who know firsthand, you rely on Victoria Toensing, who has ZERO experience as a CIA officer. Hell, ask John McLaughlin. Ask Bill Harlow (oops, I forgot, he already told your reporters she was undercover and asked them not to report it.)
Your ignorance and cowardice on this is breathtaking.
Larry Johnson
What is so troubling about the Post is that it has been unflagging in printing puff pieces about Scooter. Last week, for example, the Post published the work of Byron York and Victoria Toensing. The only "rebuttal" allowed was a 150-word letter from Brent Budowsky. The refusal to fairly and accurately present the other side of this issue is a further sign that the Washington Post has lost its way as a journalistic institution. I am canceling my subscription to the Post. I encourage others to do likewise.