Probe of Rove critical

If we want to make sure we have a free, independent and relevant press, our newspapers must continue to examine the issue of Karl Rove's admission that he identified "Wilson's wife" as an undercover agent.

Respect for national security issues cannot be viewed as partisan. That a person with Mr. Rove's role in national government would be so careless as to reveal the identity of a CIA agent does not bode well for any administration.

And if, as some believe, Rove mentioned "Wilson's wife" to a reporter because Rove was angered that Wilson did not believe Iraq was purchasing nuclear materials from Niger, this is an enormous piece of news. It is enormous because as recent reports have indicated, from the Downing Street Memo to all earlier released information, Iraq really did not have nuclear capacity for warfare with our children's lives, our tax dollars and the loss of good faith in the larger world community. In addition, we carry the burden of the equally tragic loss of thousands of innocent Iraqis.

We need a thorough analysis of why Rove leaked this information.

Lanny DeVuono

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review