Full Version: Judith Miller's Account of her Testimony
Without much real knowledge of what the grand jury has heard in the Valerie Plame leak investigation, ADers have debated the likely guilt or innocence of several administration officials without resolution. See here and here. Now that Judith Miller (the wife of influential editor, Jason Epstein) has given her account of her testimony, it seems appropriate to discuss the testimony and its credibility. Judith Millers account. The NYT also published a separate article on the testimony and the background events that led to it. Others have responded with their take on the testimony. See Editor and Publisher article and Juan Cole article.
One of the things Miller was questioned about was the letter from Lewis "Scotter" Libby releasing her from any remaining constraints from a pledge of confidentiality. Libby letter. In addition to making the declaration that "the public accounts of every other reporters' testimony makes clear that they did not discuss Ms Plame's name or identity with me" . the letter contained the following:
Do you think it credible that Miller could not recall who told her Palme's name, even though she had references to the name it two separate sets of notes and one of these pertained to an interview with Libby within days of Novak releasing the name and its relationship to Wilson?
Do you find Libby's letter to be an attempt to subtlety influence Miller's testimony?
Do you think Libby's reference to being "connected at the roots" implies that Miller played a principal role in the administration's attempt to contain Wilson's criticism of uses of intelligence?
One of the things Miller was questioned about was the letter from Lewis "Scotter" Libby releasing her from any remaining constraints from a pledge of confidentiality. Libby letter. In addition to making the declaration that "the public accounts of every other reporters' testimony makes clear that they did not discuss Ms Plame's name or identity with me" . the letter contained the following:
QUOTE
You went into jail in the summer. It is fall now. You will have stories to cover – Iraqi elections and suicide bombers, biological threats and the Iranian nuclear program. Out West, where you vacation, the aspens will already be turning. They turn in clusters, because their roots connect them. Come back to work – and life. Until then, you will remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Do you think it credible that Miller could not recall who told her Palme's name, even though she had references to the name it two separate sets of notes and one of these pertained to an interview with Libby within days of Novak releasing the name and its relationship to Wilson?
Do you find Libby's letter to be an attempt to subtlety influence Miller's testimony?
Do you think Libby's reference to being "connected at the roots" implies that Miller played a principal role in the administration's attempt to contain Wilson's criticism of uses of intelligence?
Before I jump into the discussion, can someone please explain something for me? 
Why would disclosing the fact that Plame recommended Wilson for the Nigeria mission discredit Wilson's testimony?
That is the one point through out this whole thing that I cannot figure out.
Well, it is possible that she hit her head on her way into her cell... There are quite a few clinical cases of short- and long-term cases of memory loss due to head trauma, ya know.
Do you find Libby's letter to be an attempt to subtlety influence Miller's testimony?
No, come on. It is so clear that this is a subtle love note. I have deciphered it here.
Different people will read this differently, as is the case with any such cryptic message. As for me, I still think it's a love note.
Why would disclosing the fact that Plame recommended Wilson for the Nigeria mission discredit Wilson's testimony?
That is the one point through out this whole thing that I cannot figure out.
QUOTE(TedN5 @ Oct 19 2005, 01:48 AM)
Do you think it credible that Miller could not recall who told her Palme's name, even though she had references to the name it two separate sets of notes and one of these pertained to an interview with Libby within days of Novak releasing the name and its relationship to Wilson?
Well, it is possible that she hit her head on her way into her cell... There are quite a few clinical cases of short- and long-term cases of memory loss due to head trauma, ya know.
QUOTE
Do you find Libby's letter to be an attempt to subtlety influence Miller's testimony?
No, come on. It is so clear that this is a subtle love note. I have deciphered it here.
QUOTE
Do you think Libby's reference to being "connected at the roots" implies that Miller played a principal role in the administration's attempt to contain Wilson's criticism of uses of intelligence?
Different people will read this differently, as is the case with any such cryptic message. As for me, I still think it's a love note.
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