Yesterday the New York Times published a story about a once—confidential letter sent by Congressman Hoekstra, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee to the President. Tom Maguire reports that the NYT reads into the Hoekstra letter what isn't there——domestic spying  programs not disclosed to Congress——and leaves out Hoekstra's observation that there was a faction in the CIA out to discredit the Administration, a faction  he says was involved in Plame and protected by Steve Kappes, who was fired by Director Porter Goss and rehired by his successor. While the NYT article is not worth your time, the letter it refers to is. Here is the key portion:

I understand that Mr. Kappes is a capable, well—qualified, and well—liked former Directorate of Operations (DO) case officer.  I am heartened by the professional qualities he would bring to the job, but concerned by what could be the political problems that he could bring back to the agency.  There has been much public and private speculation about the politicization of the Agency.  I am convinced that this politicization was underway well before Porter Goss became the Director.  In fact, I have long been convinced that a strong and well—positioned group within the Agency intentionally undermined the Administration and its policies.  This argument is supported by the Ambassador Wilson/Valerie Plame events, as well as by the string of unauthorized disclosures from an organization that prides itself with being able to keep secrets.  I have come to the belief that, despite his service to the DO, Mr. Kappes may have been a part of this group.  I must take note when my Democratic colleagues — those who so vehemently denounced and now publicly attacked the strong choice of Porter Goss as Director — now publicly support Mr. Kappes's return.

Clarice Feldman   7 10 06