Lone Pine Digest

LONE PINE, Calif., July 6 -- Being stuck in a small town motel room with no car and the hot summer sun beating down on the main strip, I have had quite a bit of time on my hands to think and watch cable television. And, since I got a remote control for the TV, things are looking OK.

Judith Miller is a hero: After refusing again to testify in the investigation to who leaked the name of Valerie Plame, a CIA operative, Judith Miller of The New York Times is headed to jail for civil contempt of court. She will stay there until she testifies or until the end of the grand jury four months from now. She has said she will not name the source. Meanwhile, Matthew Cooper, whose notes were turned over by his employer, Time magazine, to the special prosecutor and who spoke to the grand jury after receiving permission from his source, is not headed to jail. Neither he nor Miller actually wrote stories about Plame and the unveiling of her as an operative. However, Bob Novak, who initially disclosed the identity in his column two years ago, has an unknown role in this investigation. It seems to me that the person who actually disclosed the information should pay a higher price than people who just have information yet refuse to testify. Miller is a shining example of honor in the journalism profession.

The case also is an example of why the nation needs a federal shield law to protect journalists when they have sources needing protection. All but one state (Wyoming) have enacted state shield laws, so clearly the citizens value such rights. Congress is considering such legislation, and members should act immediately to enact the law.

Fred Thompson to be a “handler”: The White House announced that it has not yet decided on a nominee for the Supreme Court but that former Sen. Fred Thompson, a Tennessee Republican who has since returned to acting roles in television crime dramas, would shepherd the president’s nominee through the confirmation process. It’s a fairly common practice. Thompson seems a good fir for the job with his experience as a senator as well as counsel to the Watergate committee in the 1970s. He also served as a federal prosecutor and attorney in private practice. Most of all, he is well regarded in the halls of Congress and he is articulate and unflappable in television. Former RNC chair Ed Gillespie was designated to head the nomination process from the White House end.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has announced that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is qualified for SCOTUS but that he would not have an easy time getting through the Senate. Reid also criticized conservative groups for attacking W. on the right while he was abroad. Seems like Reid is trying to make the Dems look good while the conservatives rip each other apart. Gonzales would be acceptable, and it appears he is on the short-short list.

Wild card: Is it too far-fetched to think that the nominee could be Thompson himself? Think about how George W. Bush selected his running mate in 2000.

London 2012: There was jubilation in Trafalgar Square when it was announced that London would host the 2012 Summer Olympics, the Games of the 30th Olympiad. The French, Russians, Spaniards and Americans all go home disappointed. New York City had been doomed since the state refused to pony up funds for a new stadium. Let’s hope that the London Olympics will showcase the best of Great Britain and the world. In just three years, the summer Olympics will take place in Beijing, which will mark China’s entry to the world sporting stage. That experience will also likely bring intense scrutiny to China. Britain should expect less scrutinizing as we already know most of the kingdom’s warts and ugly side.

Adios, Admiral Stockdale: Admiral James Stockdale, who was vice presidential running mate with Ross Perot in 1992, has died. Who will forget the aged man who turned down his hearing aid during the vice presidential debate that year?

“Digital Roam”: I have generally not had a problem with cell phone service when I have traveled. Of course when I need to make a bunch of calls from Lone Pine, Calif., I am in a zone designated as “digital roam.” Who knows how much all these calls are costing me, and I am not too concerned, either. Still, it would be nice to know that in addition to the unanticipated bills for towing, car repair and motel I would not have a huge bill from Sprint. We’ll see in a few weeks.

Premium Chicken: Generally I like to sample local restaurants — or at least different restaurants — when I travel. However, the new premium chicken sandwiches at McDonald’s looked pretty good. I had the club version, and it was good. It starts with a sturdy honey wheat bun. In addition to the crispy breaded chicken breast patty, it comes with thick-cut bacon and a slice of real Swiss cheese, tomato and leaf lettuce. Overall, it’s a good eat.

-- Posted from Reno, July 8