Sue Judy Miller: Criminals Shouldn't Profit

This letter was published in the Elkhart Truth (Indiana):

Jailed reporter shouldn't profit

Judy Miller, the New York Times reporter who spent 85 days in jail for criminal contempt for failing to provide the name of a source who divulged the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame, has reportedly inked a $1.2 million book deal.

Many incidents revolving this case cause an eyebrow to raise.

First, the "leak" is attributed to Mr. Bush's senior political strategist, Karl Rove. Now the focus has shifted to I. Lewis Libby, Mr. Cheney's chief of staff. Hmmm, is Mr. Libby simply an administrative scapegoat (and hence, sacrificial) to protect Mr. Rove?

Additionally, Ms. Miller used unreliable and gullible reporting practices when she announced that Iraq was developing WMDs. She was then reckless (some would say criminal) in reporting the name of an active CIA operative. And now she is reportedly going to profit from her story.

I believe the state of New York needs to sue Ms. Miller under the Son of Sam laws, which prohibit criminals from profiting from their criminal actions.

Or maybe she can come up with yet another scapegoat to take the fall.

KEVIN EGELSKY

Elkhart

I second that emotion.