Alexander Cockburn, not taking the view of his niece Laura Flanders (who clearly is not as cynical about the grassroots, surely given her radio programs and the one public appearance of hers that I went to -- I really need to go to more of those things), sneered at the "loonies" in the blog world for being concerned with the outing of Valerie Plame. "What was it all about in the first analysis? Outing a CIA employee. What's wrong with that?"
He then goes on to say Rove is basically "of middling competence" and (a bit remarkably) calls Dick Cheney -- who serious accounts are legion is clearly of some major importance in the Bush Administration, including in respect to the Iraq War -- "another bugaboo of the left." Bugaboo implies "groundless fear," doesn't it? After attacking the concern over Plame, Cheney, and the overall value of the blogosphere, he suggests concern about global warning (in the long run, yes, potentially more lethal than any one war ... surely for us) is stupid. Rove might have been incompetent in various respects, but his nasty personal attacks still poisoned our discourse pretty well, huh? On that measure, he was not TOO incompetent.
The piece -- thanks to the fourth free issue of the Nation per a trial offer -- is entitled "The Hot Air Factory." An on the money title, sure enough. I really dislike poor and sloppy reasoning and realize I do it from time to time. But, perhaps Cockburn can at least start on the right foot. William Hayden is a "CIA employee." Plame was an undercover one. Sort of a difference there -- as was the lesser reported "outing" of the shell company she was connected to, which also was a serious matter. Such an outing has potentially dangerous consequences. But, sometimes, perhaps secret things should come into public view. Oh, wait, the reason for the outing was the promotion of a lie to help a horrible war. Don't know why us "loonies" give so much a shit about that.
Furthermore, more than an outing was involved. There was also the whole business of Rove et. al. lying about it to the American public, including President Bush's preliminary promise to fire anyone involved. Likewise, of course, Libby -- and most likely Rove, even if proving it makes an indictment not worth the trouble (I would dispute this, but time will tell what happens from here) -- broke the law by interfering with the investigation/lying when obligated to tell the truth (as compared to their moral -- lol -- obligation to do so generally).
The issue does have a few worth reading pieces, such material generally available on its website -- thus, there really is no need to purchase the publication. For instance, discussion on the "pro-US Briton" deputy secretary of the UN who called the U.S. on its hypocrisy, and the crybaby/bully response by our unconfirmed UN secretary. Also, the right wing's assistance in keeping Juan Cole (Informed Comment) from Yale brings about a similar move to block Bertand Russell from a similar position. Keep those lefties in the backwaters of academia! Can't trust them in the "proper" institutions. Next you will be signing on Ward Churchill!
I took some time off Slate in part because on some level their columnists have too much of a tendency to formulate arguments in a sloppy matter. Respect the ability to write pieces and all, and some of their material is either worthy on its own or a useful opening for further musings. And, I took a break in part since the fray is a bit too addictive, so it is good to cleanse one's palate a bit. Still ... I find, especially with the blogosphere and people like this, that there are plenty of other chances to get my hackles up.
Hey, I am all for keeping perspective, and realizing that sometimes the "blogosphere" types get too excited over some issue or the other, but a bit of perspective is a good idea too.