THURSDAY'S LETTERS: Bob Woodward in the Crosshairs

By: E&P Staff Since news broke yesterday that Bob Woodward has kept quiet about his involvement in the leaking of Valerie Plame's identity, all the while commenting on the ensuing investigation on political talk shows, E&P's mailbox has overflowed with criticism of the prize-winning journalist. A robust sampling follows, including a couple of readers who believe the new revelations exculpate Scooter Libby. Also, one former home delivery subscriber underscores the importance of a good newspaper carrier, and a copy editor from Worcester, Mass., catches a spelling mistake.

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Re: Pincus: Woodward 'Asked Me to Keep Him Out' of Plame Reporting

As a young reporter, I am increasingly dismayed by the actions of respected veteran journalists in regards to the Plame leak. To read that Bob Woodward asked to be kept out of reporting and, even worse, that Walter Pincus agreed is beyond disappointing. I'm sure there are many people wishing that Woodward did not pursue them for articles over the years. Hopefully Woodward would have scoffed at such requests and realized his responsibility to readers outweighs a subject's discomfort.

As for Pincus, there should be no doubt that he is ethically obligated not to make such a promise, regardless of Woodward's position at the Post (or journalistic history). Perhaps Pincus' subsequent reporting would reveal Woodward's involvement in the Plame leak and grand jury case to be unimportant and not mention him in articles. That's fine. But a promise not to pursue such a lead is unethical at best and a violation to the public's trust. Shame on both men.

Lauren Burgoon

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This is a sad day. Poor Bob. Growing up, I, like many others, considered Woodward and Bernstein the Butch and Sundance of investigative journalism. So much for the vox populi. So it's the first time he's been called before a grand jury? Take the crown off, Bob.

There is really no way to defend this back-room network in journalism that allows summer housemates and water-cooler buddies to keep each other in or out of the news, to hold back or publish, even as they prowl the cocktail circuit with those they cover. Or cover for.

Woodward is now the story, every bit as much as Judy Miller. And, like Miller, he is not on the hook for protecting a whistleblower, but for protecting the gratuitous and corrupt administration, which has been systematically destroying the safety net for average Americans, our economy, and world peace.

I hope it was worth it to them all.

Martha Sterling-Golden
Bath, Maine

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What If?

What if Fitzgerald is wrong, inaccurate or whatever?

What kind of harm has been done by removing Libby from his post? Can this country afford lawyers in the Dept of Justice like Fitzgerald who are wrong?

A lot of thought must go into each and every case by lawyers from the Dept of Justice. There are too many mistakes made and too much harm done. The Dept of Justice should not be following the old saying from Robbie the Robot (from the Lost in Space TV series) that goes: "when in danger or in doubt, run around scream and shout". That is what Fitzgerald has done.

He should be removed from his position.

Bob Cowger
Poteet, Texas

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This sounds like Fitzgerald should UN-indict Libby. Too many maybe I did or maybe I didn't tell someone this or that. Fitzgerald waited too long and then jumped into the media frenzy to get press time. If the press were honest they'd be pounding on him to drop this corrupt Left Wing kangaroo court.

Walter Brown
Seattle, Wash.

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Time to Wake Up

Someone needs to relay a message to Ben Bradlee that we the readers expect reporters to at least make an attempt to tell us "the goddamn truth." For a long time now I and many people I know have actively distrusted the reporting of major newspapers on important issues. The cases of Judith Miller and Bob Woodward strengthen that distrust.

Selling your reportorial soul to gain access is not what journalism should be about.

What will it take for the newspaper business to wake up? How many more people are compromised?

Frank Flinn
St. Louis, Mo.

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When Judith Miller was in jail, Bob Woodward said he was eager to "do time" for her.

When Woodward was looking at doing his own time, "releases were sought from the sources for him to be able to testify..." according to Post Editor Leonard Downie.

The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

Like Miller, Woodward sacrificed integrity for access. When he catches his breath, he'll find he has neither.

David Marin
Santa Maria, Calif.

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Worcester Woes

In regards to Christine Dunshee Peterson's runner-up photo in the November issue: Call it Woosta, Wormtown, or what have you -- but please -- there's no "H" in Worcester, Mass.

Katie Kackenmeister
Copy Editor, Prevention magazine
Emmaus, Pa. (but I was born in Worcester!)

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The Benefits of a Good Carrier

Ed's Note: The following is in response to a post in our Tuesday's letters column.

I think Howard Marsh is on to something when he points out that poor delivery can have an effect on circulation.

I used to get home delivery of the New York Times. Well, almost: delivery was so haphazard that I grew tired of my near-daily chats with their customer service reps, and eventually gave up on it. I still try to pick it up daily, if I'm near one of the places that carry it around here.

I also used to get the Buffalo News, until a new carrier took over the route and stopped bothering to deliver it reliably. I cancelled delivery, and almost never pick it up anymore. It had never even occurred to me that the News wasn't downright indispensable until I had to do without it for a while. If I'd had a good carrier, I'd still be getting it today.

Kelly Bucheger
Buffalo, N.Y.