Comments on: CIA VS. THE WHITE HOUSE: GUESS WHICH SIDE THE PRESS IS ON?

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 16:09:21 +0000

But what the hell is the difference between leaking classified information to a newspaper and handing the same information to a foreign government? Either way, our enemies see it.

There is a huge difference between the two. The difference is that in a leak, we know there is a compromise. If it’s sold or given to a foreign government, we don’t know it’s compromised and therefore don’t take measures to reduce or eliminate the damage caused by the compromise. Just compare what Johnny Walker “Red” did to our communications. If he had simply leaked the info, we would have changed our codes and eliminated the compromise.

The damage from espionage is always much greater than from a press leak.

By: MayBee

MayBee — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 03:27:13 +0000

But what the hell is the difference between leaking classified information to a newspaper and handing the same information to a foreign government? Either way, our enemies see it.

Rick, I agree. I would at the very least like to see the WaPo editorial board address this point.

Another problem is the WaPo is treating this issue as if it is a disinterested party and it isn’t. While I believe them when they say they don’t know what the news department knows about the leaks, they have an undeniable institutional interest in supporting their Pulitzer Prize winner and her take on the story.

A fascinating editorial would be for them to support the news department’s demand for secrecy and non-disclosure, while taking them to task for pretending they can write about this without prejudice.

By: Non Partisan Pundit

Non Partisan Pundit — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 16:52:54 +0000

McCarthy - Too Many Unknowns

The bottom line about the Mary McCarthy leak storm is that we don’t know enough to make definitive judgments about what she actually did or didn’t do, her motivations if she did leak classified information, if the prison program was illegal or not, e…

By: Sensible Mom

Sensible Mom — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 16:50:57 +0000

Did Ray McGovern Write The WAPO’s Editorial?

Is the WAPO delegating its editorial writing to member of VIPS, a group of former CIA employees who advocate the leaking of classified information for use against President Bush. This editorial reads just like Ray McGovern’s interview on the News

By: Fred Fry

Fred Fry — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 15:51:17 +0000

I bet a subscription to the Washington Post / NY Times provides some of the best value for foreign spies for the expense.

I wonder if any of these foreign spy services secretly award journalists medals for their service to their countries….

By: B.Poster

B.Poster — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 15:21:35 +0000

In most places in the world, if one leaks classified information that damages national security one would get sent to prison or executed. In the US if you leak classified information that damages national security you get a pulitzer prize for publishing and the leaker gets heaps of praise poured on them by the media. Has there ever been a country such as this? I think not.

By: SShiell

SShiell — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 14:47:47 +0000

“GUESS WHICH SIDE THE PRESS IS ON?”

Rick, that’s not a fair question. An obvious one, but not a fair one because MSM has to come out on the side of the “leaker”. If they don’t, where are they going to get their headlines for tomorrow? They might have to - work for a living?

Does it matter that they are being played? No. Does it matter that they are being manipulated? No. Does it matter that they are negatively affecting our nation’s prestige? No. Does it matter that they are providing aid and comfort to the enemies of this nation? No. Does it matter that those who print the “leakers” stories get Pulitzer Prizes? Yes!

By: Car Tree Duck.com

Car Tree Duck.com — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 14:47:12 +0000

[...] The right, which is liberal in terms of giving out taxpayer money to corporations and torture, is being awfully morally relative when it comes to the issue of torture. Where one group of people would see injuring people clandestinely and being lied to about it as sick, horrendous, and quite frankly stupid, the other sees it as necessary. Right Wing Nuthouse takes the latter view: I am personally convinced that the prisons, in fact, existed. But as far as what went on there, no one has been able to prove a damn thing. [...]