NationStates Jolt Archive

A question for those more knowledgable about such matters than I...

I just saw something about a CNN special with Bob Novak; this is the same Bob Novak who released information about one of our CIA operatives overseas on international TV.

Last I checked that was 'treason' under US law...why is he not in jail for the crime of endangering the life of a national security agent? I'm very confused about that, is there some kind of loophole he's escaped through? Am I wrong in thinking that publicly releasing the identity of undercover agents is against the law?

I'll be on again tonight to see any replies, sorry I can't hang around.

Because treason is rarely charged anymore.

We didn't even charge the American who fought for the Taliban with treason.

Well GW's dad would seem to agree with you:
"Even though I'm a tranquil guy now at this stage of my life, I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious of traitors."

but that was a time before black was white, up was down, war was peace....

Well GW's dad would seem to agree with you:
"Even though I'm a tranquil guy now at this stage of my life, I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious of traitors."

but that was a time before black was white, up was down, war was peace....

it was not bob novak who was the traitor, it was the person working in the whitehouse who gave novak her name who should be tried for treason

as to those fighting for the taliban....
up to the day we invaded, afghanistan wasnt our enemy. as big a waste of human flesh as the taliban leaders were/are they havent done anything to the US. Al qaida did.

i dont recall that we even declared war against afghanistan when we invaded them. how can it be treason if its not a war?

i had no problem with our invasion of afghanistan but its good to keep in mind that they are not our enemies there. they are a people who were ruled by a brutal fundamentalist government who allowed al qaida to have camps there. al qaida and osama bin laden are our enemies. too bad our president has forgotten this in his vendetta against saddam hussein.

it was not bob novak who was the traitor, it was the person working in the whitehouse who gave novak her name who should be tried for treason

as to those fighting for the taliban....
up to the day we invaded, afghanistan wasnt our enemy. as big a waste of human flesh as the taliban leaders were/are they havent done anything to the US. Al qaida did.

i dont recall that we even declared war against afghanistan when we invaded them. how can it be treason if its not a war?

i had no problem with our invasion of afghanistan but its good to keep in mind that they are not our enemies there. they are a people who were ruled by a brutal fundamentalist government who allowed al qaida to have camps there. al qaida and osama bin laden are our enemies. too bad our president has forgotten this in his vendetta against saddam hussein.karl rove did it

then he should be tried for treason
and whoever told him to do it should also

then he should be tried for treason
and whoever told him to do it should alsobecause rove did this someone died in pakistan related to Valerie Palme so rove should also be facing the death penalty

i dint know that
*swearing at the low point out govt has sunk to*

and do you think he will even be slapped on the wrist?

i dint know that
*swearing at the low point out govt has sunk to*

and do you think he will even be slapped on the wrist?the scum wont even be charged at all prolly

and to think clinton got impeached for lying about getting a bj

it was not bob novak who was the traitor, it was the person working in the whitehouse who gave novak her name

This would be correct. Bob Novak maybe slim for doing it.. but under American law, he's not actually guilty of any thing.. The person in the White house, (some suspect Karl Rove..there is another one , I forget) is who is guilty of treason.

The fact is, I have seen this debated on many different networks now.. it's actually only a very small group of people who could of got this info to begin with..... If the White House really wanted to nail the person who did this.. it actually wouldn't be that hard.

and to think clinton got impeached for lying about getting a bj

Specifically, a felony called perjury.

and to think clinton got impeached for lying about getting a bj

Specifically, a felony called perjury.

Yeah, he lied about a BJ, I think the poster understood perfectly.. :roll:

and to think clinton got impeached for lying about getting a bj

Specifically, a felony called perjury.Clinton committed legal perjury

Yeah, think about this. Which is a more dangerous lie?

1. I did not have sexual relations with that woman.

2. Iraq has weapons of mass destruction.

Yes, #2 is a lie. :roll:

i wouldnt leave bill clinton alone in a room with my 28 year old neice
but i dont trust george bush to run my country. he doesnt seem to understand what a lie IS

i wouldnt leave bill clinton alone in a room with my 28 year old neice
but i dont trust george bush to run my country. he doesnt seem to understand what a lie IS

That all depends on what your definition of 'is' is.

it was not bob novak who was the traitor, it was the person working in the whitehouse who gave novak her name

This would be correct. Bob Novak maybe slim for doing it.. but under American law, he's not actually guilty of any thing.. The person in the White house, (some suspect Karl Rove..there is another one , I forget) is who is guilty of treason.

The fact is, I have seen this debated on many different networks now.. it's actually only a very small group of people who could of got this info to begin with..... If the White House really wanted to nail the person who did this.. it actually wouldn't be that hard.

Wait...so he's not accountable for that? He isn't guilty of anything?

So in theory CBS could air a program tomorrow called "Inside US intelligence" and reveal the names of every FBI and CIA agent there is...and they can't be prosecuted for it?

I...I just can't wrap my mind around that. What a total failure of justice.

it was not bob novak who was the traitor, it was the person working in the whitehouse who gave novak her name

This would be correct. Bob Novak maybe slim for doing it.. but under American law, he's not actually guilty of any thing.. The person in the White house, (some suspect Karl Rove..there is another one , I forget) is who is guilty of treason.

The fact is, I have seen this debated on many different networks now.. it's actually only a very small group of people who could of got this info to begin with..... If the White House really wanted to nail the person who did this.. it actually wouldn't be that hard.

Wait...so he's not accountable for that? He isn't guilty of anything?

So in theory CBS could air a program tomorrow called "Inside US intelligence" and reveal the names of every FBI and CIA agent there is...and they can't be prosecuted for it?

I...I just can't wrap my mind around that. What a total failure of justice.

That's a good question... could they? Perhaps they would be stopped.. (one would think) I think it would depend on;

A) the source of infomation.. (How did they come to find out what they know)

And

B) A matter of national secrity and would be shut down on that alone..

So, in that context.. whoever leaked this info.. heads should roll.

it was not bob novak who was the traitor, it was the person working in the whitehouse who gave novak her name

This would be correct. Bob Novak maybe slim for doing it.. but under American law, he's not actually guilty of any thing.. The person in the White house, (some suspect Karl Rove..there is another one , I forget) is who is guilty of treason.

The fact is, I have seen this debated on many different networks now.. it's actually only a very small group of people who could of got this info to begin with..... If the White House really wanted to nail the person who did this.. it actually wouldn't be that hard.I'd have to argue that Novak is just as guilty as the person who leaked the name, considering that apparently 6 other journalists were given the same info and refused to run it and that Novak apparently called CIA looking for corroboration and they specifically asked him not to run the story.

Personally, I don't care if he goes to jail, but he ought to be off the air, and it's a blight against CNN that he's still on what, two or three shows? Disgusting.

it was not bob novak who was the traitor, it was the person working in the whitehouse who gave novak her name

This would be correct. Bob Novak maybe slim for doing it.. but under American law, he's not actually guilty of any thing.. The person in the White house, (some suspect Karl Rove..there is another one , I forget) is who is guilty of treason.

The fact is, I have seen this debated on many different networks now.. it's actually only a very small group of people who could of got this info to begin with..... If the White House really wanted to nail the person who did this.. it actually wouldn't be that hard.

Wait...so he's not accountable for that? He isn't guilty of anything?

So in theory CBS could air a program tomorrow called "Inside US intelligence" and reveal the names of every FBI and CIA agent there is...and they can't be prosecuted for it?

I...I just can't wrap my mind around that. What a total failure of justice.

Steph nailed it. It's covered under freedom of the press in the first ammendment. The press has the right (and the duty in an ethical, non-legal sense) to report on the government. But the person who released the information is culpable and could be charged. However it is up to the government to bring charges. In this case it would have to be Ashcroft under Bush's direction. Such a prosecution would be a political fiasco for Bush. Small wonder that they are in no hurry to jump on it

SHL

it was not bob novak who was the traitor, it was the person working in the whitehouse who gave novak her name

This would be correct. Bob Novak maybe slim for doing it.. but under American law, he's not actually guilty of any thing.. The person in the White house, (some suspect Karl Rove..there is another one , I forget) is who is guilty of treason.

The fact is, I have seen this debated on many different networks now.. it's actually only a very small group of people who could of got this info to begin with..... If the White House really wanted to nail the person who did this.. it actually wouldn't be that hard.

Wait...so he's not accountable for that? He isn't guilty of anything?

So in theory CBS could air a program tomorrow called "Inside US intelligence" and reveal the names of every FBI and CIA agent there is...and they can't be prosecuted for it?

I...I just can't wrap my mind around that. What a total failure of justice.If CBScould get that imformation it could report it and not be prosecuted. Whoever revealed that imformation could be.

Yes people like Johnny taliban who betray the country should be severely punished and so should for instance bob novak and the woman who gave him the info indeed they are traitors and have commited treason!