Or perhaps, martyrs in their own minds.
One of the most overblown, sensationalized controversies in history was the Joe Wilson-Valerie Plame "outing" scandal that dragged on (thanks in large part to a brain-dead, sycophantic news media) for years during the George W. Bush administration's first and second terms.
Joe Wilson, a diplomat, and his CIA agent wife, Valerie Plame, have been publicity-seeking narcissists for a long time. Remember the big lie repeated ad nauseam by the press that Karl Rove and/or Scotter Libby "outed" Mrs. Plame's CIA identity? Well, for the record, Richard Armitage of the U.S. Department of State is the one who divulged her identity.
But the whole notion that these two celebrity wanna-be's were in danger by the revelation of her employment with the CIA was always overblown anyway. If they're so concerned about maintaining a low profile and really care about the well being of the United States, what, pray tell, were they doing posing on the cover of the left-wing rag Vanity Fair?
Well, anyway, there's a propaganda flick ("Fair Game") out about the dashing jet setters that would do Michael Moore proud. That is, it's full of inaccuracies; its writers wouldn't know the truth if it hit 'em on the head.
The Washington Post, normally a reliable liberal organ, skewered the flick the other day, calling it "Hollywood myth-making." The Post says "Fair Game" is "full of distortions - not to mention outright inventions."
In the final paragraph of the Post editorial hauls out the sledgehammer:
Mr. Wilson claimed that he had proved that Mr. Bush deliberately twisted the truth about Iraq, and he was eagerly embraced by those who insist the former president lied the country into a war. Though it was long ago established that Mr. Wilson himself was not telling the truth - not about his mission to Niger and not about his wife - the myth endures. We'll join the former president in hoping that future historians get it right.
Amen. Thanks to the Post and other liberals who are honest and have some integrity, including Christopher Hitchens. These people, along with many conservatives, have for years seen right through this shallow couple's ego-stroking, self-serving lies.
WOEFUL LEOS LOSE AGAIN; SPARTANS STAR — The Detroit Lions lost ANOTHER game today; one they had chances to win but simply lacked sufficient talent to make the key plays at the crucial times. Following a 24-20 loss to the first-place Chicago Bears, the Lions are now 2-10 and headed for another high draft choice in April. On the positive side, two former Michigan State Spartans played well and helped account for all of Detroit's points.
Quarterback Drew Stanton, who hasn't been given much playing time in the Motor City, started because the first- and second-string QBs both are injured. Stanton completed 16 of 24 passes for 178 yards, with no interceptions. He ran one in for a touchdown, and threw a TD pass to Calvin Johnson. Former Spartan placekicker Dave Rayner kicked two field goals, 50 and 25 yards. But on the down side, former Spartan linebacker Julian Peterson played an awful game, along with his equally inept teammate, linebacker Landon Johnson. They, and the Lions secondary, played a feckless soft coverage that allowed Chicago QB Jay Cutler to carve up the Detroit defense with a series of short, quick passes.
A few months ago I got carried away with optimism when I saw in the exhibition season how potent Detroit's defensive line is, led by super rookie tackle Ndamukong Suh. These guys still put major heat on opposing quarterbacks. It's just that, to put it bluntly, the Lions' linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties suck the big one. Their offensive line isn't too impressive, either. In short, it's encouraging that the Lions have at least been competitive in most of their losses and have played well against tough teams. But the bottom line is that the ineptitude of the former general manager, Matt Millen, has left massive damage that will take years to clean up. There is still a huge talent deficit, and that cannot be corrected overnight.
HARRY WEED — Oops, did I say "weed," I meant "Reid." Well, they're about equal in value. The clueless Mr. Personality thought he was going to come back for a lame duck session and get a lot done in December. It turns out that the Democrats' obsession with playing class warfare (i.e., trying to foist a tax increase on upper income earners while extending the Bush tax cuts for those of more modest incomes) could chew up so much time and energy, that the morose Mormon might not have time to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy for members of the military, or shove the amnesty bill known as the DREAM Act down our throats. And as far as card check or cap-n-trade? Fuhgettabouttit!
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