For the Relief of... Valerie Plame?

I tried the search for aliens getting special treatment from Congress, suggested by Michelle Malkin.

Are you aware that deportable aliens can circumvent immigration laws with the help of your member of Congress? Are you aware that more than 50 bills have been introduced in Congress this year that would grant special, private relief to individual immigrants fighting deportation? It's instant amnesty through special legislation. And it's been happening for years under the radar. Past and present beneficiaries have included smugglers, illegal aliens, and now a convicted murderer wanted in his home country for engaging in terrorist activity and participating in an assassination plot that left a prime minister and dozens of his family members dead. (More on him and his congressional sponsor in a moment.)

How does this happen and how can you find out if your member of Congress has sponsored such a bill?

Michelle continues, giving explicit directions for finding these bills.

When I ran the search (yeah, I'm the kind of person who tests the Wet Paint signs), sure enough, it turned up those bills, just as she said it would.

It also turned up this:

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 501

For the relief of Valerie Plame Wilson.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 16, 2007

Mr. INSLEE introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select)

A BILL

For the relief of Valerie Plame Wilson.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Valerie Plame Wilson Compensation Act'.

SEC. 2. VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT FROM THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY.

For purposes of any determination of rights under title III of the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act (50 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.), Valerie Plame Wilson of Washington, District of Columbia, shall be considered to have met the age and consent requirements that apply under section 302(b) of such Act (50 U.S.C. 2152(b)) by virtue of section 233(a) of such Act (50 U.S.C. 2053(a)).

Now, I'm no expert on law, but why does she need relief?

• Because she DIDN'T work that many years? That's what it seems to say - "shall be considered". Sorry, Toots, if you don't qualify, you don't qualify.
  
• Because she DID work that many years, but because she was this totally secret agent, the CIA just can't tell ANYONE - despite the fact that there's hardly anyone in the Western (and Eastern) world who doesn't know she worked for the CIA.
  
  Nah, that can't be it.

Myself, I favor option 1 - she, in fact, didn't work for the government that long. I'm guessing that this is what amounts to a Golden Handshake. She won't sue over her "outing" in exchange for the cash - and Libby in jail.

BTW, where can Isign up for the CIA - retirement after 20 years - in teaching, long considered the cushiest retirement deal, we have to work at least 25 years to retire before 65. She doesn't look at day over 45. She must have a FABULOUS surgeon.



I just checked - she was born April 19, 1963 - let me get this straight - she's only 44, and she's going to get retirement!

I'm definitely in the wrong business!