Freedom of the press isn't free

I really admire N.Y. Times journalist Judith Miller for going to jail to protect the privacy of her source. That is beyond brave.

It's a very convoluted case, but it seems to me that the reporter who outed Plame should take the blame. It is one thing to reveal important whistleblower information, but quite another to serve up secrets that put the safety of undercover operatives at risk in the name of (alleged) administration revenge on a husband who disagreed with Dubya's policy on Iraq.

It's alarming what's going on in Washington back rooms. Sure, there have always been dirty dealings and malevolent manipulations in every administration, but this one seems so transparently shameless about it. Ever proud, ever resolute, never apologetic.

I hope Miller will not have to serve the full four-month sentence and that she does not suffer too much for her altruism. We'd better not get reports that her jailers have resorted to sticking the Chicago Manual of Style in a toilet to make her talk.