On this I cant agree more. I heard some excepts of John Ashcroft doing his "Patriot Act Road Tour." Instead of defending the act, he described its opponents as "hysterical." As if comments like that (and there were several) were not enough, he went on to say that people were concerned that "he would be checking what page they were on in the latest Tom Clancy novel." As if that fairly represented the opposing viewpoint. That kind of demonizing, patronizing approach to the free exchange of ideas is an insult to the embracing principles on which this country was founded.
On another topic, and I apologize for not having the name. We hear the plight of the Blair government under the pressure of the exposure, and its unpleasant consequences, of David Kelley as the source for the BBC "sexed up" report. I'm disturbed by the parallel that seems to be emerging with the former Ambassador who publicly criticized some of the US intelligence claims, primarily the Niger-Uranium-Connection, at the apparent cost of his formerly safely covert CIA-operative wife's cover. I heard the NPR interview with the ambassador and he made it pretty clear that only a very small (dozens at most) number of people were privy to this information in the CIA and the Administration staff. Washington seemed to be making it clear that if any investigation were to ensue it would be an Ashcroft led investigation, leaving every opportunity for an apparent conflict of interest. Whereas Clinton's penile wanderings warranted a special independent prosecutor, this would apparently not.
I am less certain but thought I heard that the news report indictated the source as being from the Administration anyway, but I am not sure of this.
Now if this doesn't strike you right away, let me put this in perspective. If I am not mistaken it is a felony to reveal the identity of a covert agent. This woman served some extended number of years risking her life and safety, facing torture and denials from her own government only to be sold out for purpose of political intimidation. At minimum this woman's covert career is over. At worst her life is at risk as the people she's compromised may well wish to repay debts. If for political gain, one has, and I hope it's not so, risked the life of a patriot, it would be an act of betrayal on a dispicable order. Yet her identity had to come from somewhere.
Let's just hope for her safety and that she does not end up dead in the woods or the political order may be facing a dangerous shakeup.