Many Excellent Answers From the Washington Post

Live Online - Transcript: The White House, Congress and the CIA

Some excerpts:

Burke, Va.: Dr Goodman, Mr Novak said on CNN that the CIA person was an analyst and not an operator, and thus not one that fits in to the rules of not disclosing identities. He says the controversy is a big to-do about nothing as she was an analyst.

Is this true?

Mel Goodman: It is not true....and, more importantly, even Novak knows that it is not true. He seems to be standing in a hole but refusing to stop shoveling on this one.


West Virginia: I think anyone who would print the name of any CIA,FBI, or etc. without that persons
permission should be held for treason the people of the world do not need this info

Mel Goodman: President George. H.W. Bush agrees with you completely.


Nashville, Tenn.: Last night on the Newshour with Jim Lehrer there was a former CIA agent on with Gen. Zinni. I was shocked at his anger at the administration for this even though he was a registered Republican and had voted for the president. Do you believe this reaction is common among those in the intelligence community?

Mel Goodman: People seem skeptical that intelligence professionals would act so passionately about the misuse of intelligence information and putting lives at risk.....the fact is that we care mightily about these things and terrible lines have been crossed. That is why a special counsel is essential.


Charlotte, NC: Some Bush apologists claim that the status of Wilson's wife as a CIA operative was well known in Washington. Do you have any specific information on this? Do you know of other instances where other operative's identities and work was well known?

Mel Goodman: I've worked in Washington for the past 38 years, including 24 years at the CIA...and I know Ambassador Wilson....and I did not know that his wife was an agency employee. Let's face it....this was targeted information as part of a political vendetta....a pure act of revenge...again, no more and no less.


Santa Fe, N.M.: What an enriching experience this format brings to
the issue.

Using the experience your background provides, can
you unravel for us some of the logic which might
have driven these event - is this one more sign those
in this administration believe will the American
people will sit idly by?

Mel Goodman: Yes, this is a classic example of hubris and the arrogance of power.

Another useful Q & A from the Post is here.