Iraq, Iran - Sounding Ever-More Similar

by Margaret Michniewicz

In the 60 Minutes interview that aired on October 21, CBS' Katie Couric asked exposed CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson if she had discussed with her husband, Joe Wilson, the "pros and cons of going public" with his allegations that the Bush administration had twisted intelligence in order to go to war. "You never for a moment thought this could potentially jeopardize [your] career?" Couric asked.

"It's called living your cover. This had nothing to do with what I was doing," Plame Wilson replied.

Couric pressed her. "Admit it. It comes awfully close to what you were doing, even covertly. I mean, you were trying to ascertain if Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. He's writing an article saying it's really not valid, this one assertion. I mean, can't you see how those two things might collide in a very dangerous way?"

"Listen, he had information that was firsthand information that was in stark contrast to the lie, the 16 words that appeared in the president's State of the Union address. He wasn't supposed to say anything?" Plame Wilson replied, a tone of exasperation audible in her voice.

It's my guess that Plame Wilson's tone stems from her disbelief - even as devious as this administration has proven itself to be - that they would place political expediency over national security concerns. It was inconceivable to her, I'm sure, as it is to many Americans, that a covert intelligence officer would be sabotaged out of political retribution, by the White House. A covert intelligence officer working in the area of weapons of mass destruction, no less.

Which leads us to seriously question what this administration will do vis a vis Iran with 15 months to go still in power, and the volume of saber-rattling alarmingly on the rise lately. According to an October 21 report from Reuters, "Vice President Cheney on Sunday described Tehran as an obstacle to Middle East peace and warned of 'serious consequences' if it did not comply with the West's demands to halt sensitive nuclear work." Followed on Tuesday by President Bush strongly defending plans to build missile defenses in Europe, arguing that Iran posed an "urgent threat" to some NATO allies, according to The New York Times.

We have become perhaps complacent thinking they can't possibly have the audacity or be that foolhardy. But as they've shown time and time again - they can.

We cannot sit idly by and allow this to happen. Though many of us marched against the war prior to the attack on Iraq, we watched as Bush moved ahead nonetheless, defying the will of the people, as was his intention all along. He knew full well that the reasons he was citing were bogus, yet rushed our troops into combat without adequate protection and planning. That was an impeachable offense right there.

As we approach another Veterans Day, we need to take active steps to support our troops by reigning in this president and vice president and restore sanity to our approach to global relations. An attack on Iran is unacceptable.

A good first step is contacting our Congressional delegation.

Senator Patrick Leahy:
1-800-642-3193
senator_leahy@leahy.senate.gov

Senator Bernie Sanders:
1-800-339-9834
www.sanders.senate.gov/comments/

Congressman Peter Welch:
888-605-7270
www.welch.house.gov

In the meantime, Vermonters have the opportunity to hear Valerie Plame Wilson speak in person on Sunday, October 28, 2007 at the Sheraton Conference Center in So. Burlington. Doors open at 3:00 pm, program begins at 4:00. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased at the door. For more information visit www.vermontwoman.com.

Don't miss this historic event!