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[Replaced_Texan]

The Washington Monthly founder thinks that having a sense of humor is a good reason to stay out of jail, even if what you did was illegal.

Matthew Cooper is threatened with jail for refusing to reveal a source. The special prosecutor does not have to recommend jail, and even if he does recommend it, the judge can ignore it. Although we believe Matt is right in refusing to identify his source, that is not the argument that we make here. Our concern is to keep him out of jail. Matt is not only a fine reporter, he is a caring husband and father, a kind and thoughtful friend, and an all-round good citizen. And he has a marvelous sense of humor. Wait a minute, what relevance does his sense of humor have, you ask. Unlike many who share his comic gift, Matt laughs at himself. He is incapable of the self-righteousness that seeks martyrdom. If the prosecutor and judge can approach this case in the same spirit without self-righteousness, they will see that even if they disagree with Matt, he has good reason for taking his stand. There is a total absence of criminal intent on his part. He should not be put in jail. Criminals belong in jail, not Matthew Cooper. How about house arrest for a month—or, even better, a week? That way, the authorities can be loyal to their principle while respecting Matt's loyalty to his.

Someone advised them to write this? I take it that Judith Miller deserves to rot in jail. Absence of criminal intent? You've got to be fucking kidding me.