Robert Novak, columnist and Washington powerhouse, has died of the brain tumor that appeared last year. His first warning was a car accident that resulted from a loss of consciousness.
His obituary might include this statement:
“Always love your country — but never trust your government!
“That should not be misunderstood. I certainly am not advocating civil disobedience, must less insurrection or rebellion. What I am advocating is to not expect too much from government and be wary of it power, even the power of a democratic government in a free country.
“Ours is one of the mildest, most benevolent governments in the world. But it too has the power to take your wealth and forfeit your life. … A government that can give you everything can take everything away.”
Now, I’ll have to get his book. I should have read it long ago.
Another obit from one of his political enemies. For example:
In recent years, Mr. Novak was best known for publicly identifying CIA operative Valerie Plame. His July 14, 2003, column was printed days after Plame’s husband, former U.S. ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV, publicly claimed that the Bush White House had knowingly distorted intelligence that Iraq tried to obtain uranium from Africa.
The column triggered a lengthy federal investigation into the Plame leak and resulted in the 2007 conviction of a top vice presidential aide, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, for perjury and obstruction of justice. President George W. Bush later commuted Libby’s prison term.
Mr. Novak was accused by prominent journalists of being a pawn in a government retribution campaign against Wilson. Mr. Novak, who had called the U.S. invasion of Iraq “unjustified,” denied the allegation.
He wrote that his initial column was meant to ask why Wilson had been sent on a CIA fact-finding mission involving the uranium. Then-Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage mentioned Plame’s CIA position to Mr. Novak, and Bush aide Karl Rove confirmed it.
In a 2006 column, Mr. Novak wrote that Armitage “did not slip me this information as idle chitchat. . . . He made clear he considered it especially suited for my column.” Armitage told The Washington Post that his disclosure to Mr. Novak was made in an offhand manner and that he did not know why Plame’s husband was sent to Africa.
This of course is bullshit and the fact that Armitage sits free as a bird while Libby was ruined is an example of injustice, no matter what the WaPo says or thinks.
“Little in Washington is on the level” is another potential Novak epitaph.
Prince of Darkness is great, a real fun read for anyone who like history, politics and old-school journalism.