: SPIES, LIES & THE ART of DISINFORMATION --
: The Last Circle mentioned in Toronto Star ---9/4/00

Dear Readers,

I just had an email from a reader who wanted to know who the good guys were.

It reminded me of a telephone call I received many years ago from the son of Oswald LeWinter. He asked me if his father lied to me too. I told him yes, but I told LeWinter's son that at the time Oswald lied to me, he was being paid to lie and he was the best liar the CIA had. Lying was his job and according to those who knew him, he was the best.

Oswald will tell you the same thing if you ask him.

In the world of spies, a disinformation agent is a valuable asset and you are lucky to have a good one on your team.

So when I am asked the question -- "Who are the good guys?" I have to ask "What is your definition of good?"

If you are trying to keep the lid on a scandal or a national security secret, then the disinformation agents are the good guys. During WWII, disinformation agents were the heros of D-Day.

What are you called...

If you have uncovered crimes committed by people who are employed by our government?

If you have seen friends and colleagues murdered because they knew too much and wouldn't back down?

If you have had attempts on your life because you are causing certain people too many problems?

If you have been threatened with lawsuits and jail if you don't cease and desist?

If all of this has happened to you simply because you want the truth to be known -- Are you one of the good guys or are you one of the bad guys?

It is all a matter of perspective. If you want the secrets to remain secret, then someone who exposes them is the bad guy and the disinformation agents are the good guys.

About ten years ago, there was only one other woman who was fighting to expose the same secret crimes I was fighting to expose. She and I have faced similar threats along the way. This woman is Cheri Seymour, the author of "The Last Circle."

To answer the question that I was asked -- "Who are the good guys?" It depends on your perspective.

If you value truth, then you will think that Cherie and I are the good guys.

If you want these secrets to remain secret because you think they will harm national security, then the disinformation agents are the good guys.

It is all a matter of perspective.