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+--- Thread: "Deep Throat" dead at 95. Mark Felt dies. (/thread-560.html)
"Deep Throat" dead at 95. Mark Felt dies. - Magda Hassan - 20-12-2008
Was it him or was he used? What was his real role in Watergate?
Mark Felt, the former FBI second-in-command who revealed himself as "Deep Throat" 30 years after he tipped off reporters to the Watergate scandal that toppled a president, has died aged 95.
- 'Deep Throat' dies
- Dean ordered break-in - Watergate book
- Deep Throat began as mentor
- Deep Throat exposed
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The "most famous anonymous source in American history" died in his sleep on Thursday at a California hospice, reported Bob Woodward, one of the two Post journalists who exposed the Watergate affair.
Felt was associate director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) when he began helping the reporters in the early 1970s.
The scandal led to the downfall of then US President Richard Nixon.
After finally revealing his identity, Felt said he never considered himself a hero, but was just "trying to help".
"I'm the guy they used to call Deep Throat," Felt told family friend John O'Connor, who wrote the 2005 Vanity Fair article confirming his role in the affair.
Secret kept for 30 years
The informant daughter Joan Felt said he had had a big breakfast on Thursday morning, before saying he was tired, and going back to sleep.
"He slipped away," she said.
Felt was in poor health when he announced he had been the shadowy informant of late-night meetings in dark garages made famous in the book and movie "All the President's Men".
He kept his role secret for 33 years, not even telling his family.
It was Felt's crucial input that enabled Woodward and Carl Bernstein to write a series of scoops about the Nixon administration's involvement in the June 1972 burglary of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in the US capital.
The scandal - and the White House's attempts at a cover-up - ultimately led to Nixon becoming the first US president to resign in disgrace in August 1974.
Whistleblower or traitor?
Critics, including those who went to prison for the Watergate scandal, called him a traitor for betraying the commander in chief.
Supporters hailed him as a hero for blowing the whistle on a corrupt administration trying to cover up attempts to sabotage opponents.
Felt grappled with his place in history, arguing with his children over whether to reveal his identity or to take his secret to the grave, O'Connor said.
He agonised about what revealing his identity would do to his reputation. Would he be seen as a turncoat or a man of honour?
Ultimately, his daughter Joan persuaded him to go public; after all, Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward was sure to profit by revealing the secret after Felt died.
"We could make at least enough money to pay some bills, like the debt I've run up for the kids' education," she told her father, according to the Vanity Fair article. "Let's do it for the family."
The revelation capped a Washington whodunit that spanned more than three decades and seven presidents.
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1002970/Watergate-source-Deep-Throat-dead-at-95
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"Deep Throat" dead at 95. Mark Felt dies. - Peter Lemkin - 20-12-2008
It has always been my belief that 'Deep Throat' was a composit of several persons. Woodward, himself, is more interesting than most know - background in intelligence and definitely a asset for Mockingbird within the media. On the EF, Doug Caddy, who should know hinted that Felt was not [at least not fully] Deep Throat and would be in detail in his forthcoming book. I think more productive is a look at who Woodward is. In the book, the signalling method used for a meeting turns out to be nearly impossible and must be a fictional device to both hide the identities of his sources, as well as add a bit of 'zip' to the narrative.
"Deep Throat" dead at 95. Mark Felt dies. - Magda Hassan - 20-12-2008
More Julie Andrews than Linda Lovelace? Mmmm...
Woodward does seem an interesting character to know more about. Do you think Woodward was a willing but unknowing tool used by invisible others or doing a favor for his old mates in intell in the dethroning of Nixon? It seems he wasn't just a diligent and lucky journalist. Was he being used by others and unknowing of this or acting on requests?
Any suggestions as to whom the other composite pieces may have been?
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"Deep Throat" dead at 95. Mark Felt dies. - Charles Drago - 20-12-2008
What a valuable lesson herein offered in propaganda/perception control.
"Reveal" Felt's secret identity, virtually bury conflicting views, then restate it as "fact" within all major media and literary references to the man.
Make "Deep Throat" synonymous with "Mark Felt," never cite one without the other, and the deed is done.
You will read "alleged" before "JFK assassin" in references to LHO far more often than you will see the word used in the Felt/DT mentions.
"Deep Throat" dead at 95. Mark Felt dies. - Magda Hassan - 20-12-2008
Nicely put Charles.
"Deep Throat" dead at 95. Mark Felt dies. - Peter Lemkin - 20-12-2008
Magda Hassan Wrote:More Julie Andrews than Linda Lovelace? Mmmm...
Woodward does seem an interesting character to know more about. Do you think Woodward was a willing but unknowing tool used by invisible others or doing a favor for his old mates in intell in the dethroning of Nixon? It seems he wasn't just a diligent and lucky journalist. Was he being used by others and unknowing of this or acting on requests?
Any suggestions as to whom the other composite pieces may have been?
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After graduating from Yale University in 1965 Woodward joined the U.S. Navy where he served as a communications officer for naval intelligence. Later, Woodward was assigned to Admiral Thomas Moorer, chief of naval operations. Woodward left the service in 1970 and began his career in journalism on the Montgomery County Sentinel. The following year he joined the Washington Post.
Personally, I think 'Watergate' was a very complex affair of various entities in spookdom trying to oust and out others. My guess is that Woodward had 'insider' knowledge and connections and one faction used him with their 'Deep Throats' to finish off Nixon......
If we're going to get into Lovelace, I think we need a new catagory for posts :p