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Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars

By Jeralyn, Section Valerie Plame Leak Case
Posted on Mon Jul 18, 2005 at 04:27:17 PM EST
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It's no picnic for Judith Miller in the Alexandria Detention Center, reports Bill Keller of the New York Times in an interview.

She's not eating due to stomach problems from the food. For more on the conditions, check out this former prisoner's diary.

It doesn't sound like Miller is about to change her mind, though.

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    Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars | 12 comments (12 topical)
    Re: Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars (none / 0) (#1)
    by Sailor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:22 PM EST
    I'm sure that just like the detainees at gitmo, she never had it so good.

    Re: Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars (none / 0) (#2)
    by Al on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:22 PM EST
    FTA:
    Her time is also occupied with reading from the prison library and watching CNN and Fox News
    That's great that Miller is staying well informed about the real world outside.

    Re: Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars (none / 0) (#3)
    by DonS on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:22 PM EST
    Jail conditions here in Virginia are crowded, and that is just the start for lack of accommodation. I feel for my clients who endure them. No doubt the food is not up to NY cafe standard, ha. If Judith has been wrongly accused and is indeed the Jean d'Arc of the media, well, she will have earned a few more rungs toward sainthood. But, as I suspect, her soul is fairly rotten to the core, and her wordly machinations would make us all irate, then her jail experience is just a due punishment for wrongs for which she will escape and, perhaps, even profit from handsomely.

    Re: Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:22 PM EST
    I find it interestign that the Justice Dept and the White House have made no move to get her out.... Meanwhile her newsppaer is reluctant to write on her ordeal... Maybe I am looking into it too much, but does hse know more then we are lead to believe and this is how they intend to silence her??

    Re: Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:22 PM EST
    Miller's case is, to me at least, becoming the most fascinating part of the whole affair. Why is she there? Journalistic principles? Seeming increasingly unlikely. Fear of personal criminal exposure and having to expose others to criminal prosecution? Seeming more and more likely. Also, I think the fact that Miller enjoyed great access when many reporters couldn't get their phone calls returned is worth thinking about. Not just because of what she might know, but because she almost certainly doesn't want to lose that access. She may think that her journalistic career isn't finished yet--she's probably hoping against hope--but I'm sure she knows that if she does 'fess up and expose Rove, Libbey, etc. she will never ever get another scoop on anything from a republican. To roll over probably would seal her fate as a reporter, whether or not she goes to jail.

    Re: Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:22 PM EST
    That diary you reference is 17 years old. I suspect that it's out of date.

    Re: Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:22 PM EST
    It was written a year or so after the jail opened. If that's what conditions were like when it was brand new, I doubt they're better now. Judith has reported she has had to sleep on the floor, share a one person cell with another inmate, and the food is close to inedible. She's not at a club fed, or anything close.

    Re: Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:23 PM EST
    The MRE's eaten by the soldiers she forced to leave their families and go to a misbegotten war based on her LIES aren't so tasty either. At least they don't blow her out of her pants if she heedlessly goes around a corner. She's in jail to protect the COUP. I hope she ROTS.

    Re: Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars (none / 0) (#9)
    by theologicus on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:23 PM EST
    When her long, slow nightmare is over, maybe she find a new career by teaming up with Martha Stewart. They could write a book together offering helpful advice to disadvantaged prisoners. With a movie tie-in even. Or maybe a reality TV show. Keep a stiff upper lip.

    Re: Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:24 PM EST
    Martha Stewart at best stole some money. There is no comparison to Miller's crimes. Her only excuse may be that she was ordered to do it.

    Re: Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:24 PM EST
    Judith Miller had "scoops" on WMDs based on bad information. For this, she is widely reviled among the many who think the U.S. should never have gone to Iraq. However, reporters sometimes get bad information from their sources. Heck, even blogs have been known to make mistakes (remember the Drudge report and the rumor of John Kerry's supposed affair?). But it's a big leap from saying someone is a bad reporter - and/or was duped by a source or sources - to saying she's a criminal. In fact, exactly what crime has she been accused of in connection with the CIA leak case? Last time I checked, the answer was none. She's in jail on a civil contempt charge for not revealing her source. Has it occurred to anyone reading this blog that her motives might be honest? Whether or not you agree with her right to protect her sources? Sure, she made mistakes as a journalist. But assuming based on mistakes - even egregious ones - that she's a tool of the administration seems irrational. The New York Times, hotbed of closet conservatives? I don't think so.

    Re: Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars (none / 0) (#12)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:01:24 PM EST
    I think you need to look more closely at her involvement with a dishonest administration. This will lead you to consider the possibility that her motives are entirely honest and then dismiss it.

    Judith Miller's Life Behind Bars | 12 comments (12 topical)