A few days ago I wrote that Bob Woodward should be criticized for making dismissive comments about the Plame case without letting viewers in on his own role.

But the whole time he knew he was a part of this story. Forget about all of the other issues of journalistic integrity and Woodward’s close proximity to power.

How could he have issued strong opinions on a matter without telling us he was connected to it in some way?

Today, in a hard-hitting piece, Wapo Ombudsmen Deborah Howell wrote much the same thing (without the kid gloves):

Last week we found out that he kept the kind of information from Downie that is a deeply serious sin not to disclose to a boss—the kind that can get even a very good reporter in the doghouse for a long time. He also committed another journalistic sin—commenting on National Public Radio and ‘Larry King Live’ about the Plame investigation without disclosing his early knowledge of Plame’s identity.

Howell went on to add: “He has to operate under the rules that govern the rest of the staff—even if he’s rich and famous.”

Watergate is a million miles away, folks. From Deep Throat to deep something else.