I couldn’t quite understand the Plame civil suit against her alleged tormentors, because it just seemed so farcical there was no way it could make progress. I attributed it to the usual desperate, clawing self-promotion we have come to expect from that family, that was as far as my thinking went. Now comes news that it is coincident with negotiating a new book contract. Ah, dawn breaks on Marble Head! Of course. Reminds me of a John Roche anecdote — in 1992 Eugene McCarthy announced he was running for the Democratic presidential nomination. I said it didn’t make a lot of sense to me, kind of like McGovern’s bid in 1984. Did McCarthy actually think he could win? John looked at me slightly exasperated. “He’s raising his speaking fees,” he stated, flatly. “I thought I taught you.” Yes indeed, always remember to begin one’s analysis with first principles. Cui bono? Somewhere in the great beyond John and Ambrose Bierce are having a grand old time.