Treason

I didn't used to find much of Bill Maher's stand-up to be particularly funny. But, with practice, he's gotten better (although he could work on his delivery). What he had to say about Valerie, Plame, though, was spot-on:

The party that flatters itself that they protect America better is the party that has exhausted the military, left the ports wide open and purposefully outed a CIA agent, Valerie Plame. That's not treason anymore? Outing a spy? Did I mention it was one of our spies? And how despicable that Bush's lackeys attempted to diminish this crime by belittling her service, like she was just some chick who hung around the CIA. "An intern, really. Groupie, if you want to be mean about it."

Valerie Plame was the CIA's operational officer in charge of counter-proliferation. Which means she tracked loose nukes. So when Bush said---as he once did---that his absolute, number-one priority was preventing terrorists from getting loose nukes, okay, that's what she worked on. That's what she devoted her life to, staying undercover for 20 years, maintaining two identities every goddamn day. This is extraordinary service to your country.

Valerie Plame was the kind of real-life secret agent George Bush dreams of being when he's not too busy pretending to be a cowboy or a fighter pilot. ... George Bush likes to claim that he doesn't question his critics' patriotism, just their judgment. Well, let me be the first of your critics, Mr. President, to question your judgment and your patriotism. Because let's not forget why they did it to her. Because Valerie Plame was married to this guy---Joe Wilson---who the Bush people hated because he busted them on one of their bullshit reasons for invading Iraq....Valerie Plame's husband told the truth about their lie, so they were willing to jeopardize an entire network of spies to ruin her life....

Mark Twain said, "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." And I say Valerie Plame is a patriot because she spent her life serving her country. ... Valerie Plame kept her secrets. The Bush Administration leaked like the plumbing at Walter Reed.

The Bushies care only about one thing--Power. They care about using it and keeping it. They care about a permanent Republican majority because, with it, there is no oversight. They will sacrifice anyone or anything to stay in power. Goodbye Valerie. Goodbye Geneva conventions. Goodbye Bill of Rights. Goodbye Constitution.

They don't care about the security of our nation or the lives of their fellow Americans. Dubai can run our ports, and our servicemen and women can continue to die in Iraq, as long as they have their power, their money, and their oil.

You can watch Bill here: