ABC News: Will CIA Firing Cloud Public Window on Government? — As you all know by now the CIA analyst who leaked the information about the secret CIA prisons was fired. Now all sorts of problems are hammering the White House. I’d be interested in knowing what readers think of this brouhaha.
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In theory, it makes great sense to say it should be against the law to reveal classified information and anyone who does it should be prosecuted,” said Tom Rosensteil, director of the Project for Excellence in Journalism. “But in practice that would mean locking up half of the Cabinet of every administration.”
related links:
European Apologists Scrambling to Cover their Asses
UN Now Suddenly Interested
I wonder why people are so worryed about this but have no interest in our jails and prisons here. A lot of stuff goes on there and the leftys do not worry about that. Makes me wonder about agendas.
If you’re a government employee but also a patriot, what’s your patriotic duty when you learn that your government is breaking the law or massively betraying core American values?
The patriot, of course, tells the truth.
(But publicly, not through leaks.)
What do scoundrels do? They punish the truth teller.
Perhaps the jury is still out as to the reality of the “secret prisons”.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2006/04/21/eu_official_no_evidence_of_illegal_cia_action/
Great cartoon, although seeing Cheney depicted in S&M attire will no doubt give us all nightmares for years to come. Unfortunately, I think many of the things we’re doing overseas are simply sowing the seeds of America’s next 9/11. I hope people are beginning to realize that every single terrorist attack is seen by its perpetrator as a retaliation.
Terrorists don’t hate us for our freedom, as Bush has said countless times, and they don’t even hate us because we proclaim ourselves a Christian nation. They hate us for what we do in their neighborhood, and they hate us when we support their enemies even when those enemies act wrongly. When our CIA began using these prisons in deepest secrecy, I don’t believe the secrecy was as much a national security issue as it was a national image issue. Americans want to believe that we always have the moral high ground, and any mention of torture tarnishes that self-image. So concerning the leaking analyst, her termination is justified by the terms of her employment, but I don’t think she actually jeopardized national security as much as she jeopardized our national image.
And speaking of images, I’m just glad the cartoon doesn’t show Cheney from the waist down.
FUD
How the country really feels about the true qualities of our leader as a human being:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eDJ3cuXKV4
There is a deep sadness starting to fall over this country… a sadnesss due to the realization that our hopes and dreams have been betrayed, that we have been completely lied to by those that are pledged to dedicate themselves to the benefit of the country, to the concepts of higher truths, honesty, integrity, and above all… trust. Not once but twice did this country bring this travesty of governance upon itself.. and we have nobody to blame but ourselves.
But don’t worry… either the nation and it’s values will completely perish under the darkness of the Bush presidency, endng in a period of darkeness unknown in American history, or more likely we will prevail, and look upon these years with the same shame that other people look upon the years of disgrace that their chosen leaders imposed upon them in the past, and hopefully grow stronger and wiser from this dark experience.
The only question remaining… should we start shaving the heads of the remaining 33%?
Watching retired General Zinni on Real Time the other night it was clear that he was an informed and sober critic of the diplomatic and military policies for Iraq. This CIA analyst seems to be taking an informed and moral stand against a questionable policy decision. Both of these people have taken actions which in the long run will send a positive message to the rest of the world that Americans are more than just sheep that would sell their principles for a small tax refund.
If we are going to try to further Democracy around the world, it will be a good deal easier, and a lot less hypocritical, if we aren’t regularly exposed as being involved with shadowy operations that, at least historically, would have been considered illegal in our own country. Silencing whistle-blowers with valid concerns and engaging in smear campaigns like the one directed against Ambassador Joe Wilson and his family, not only do not serve that purpose, but have the opposite effect.
I consider this Analyst a patriot who deserves the benefit of the doubt and a fair and open hearing of his concerns. No doubt there are times that call for the use of covert operations , when the consequence and lack of alternatives demand unusual measures. However, when the laws and moral intentions of America are being circumvented systematically and without an effort being made to reach the same result honorably and legally then we need to be especially supportive of the first people willing to step forward and say “this isn’t right”.
Weren’t you all upset and wanting people to go to jail over some leaks awhile back? So why not now when there is real damage to national security?
AB CD
Try another dosage or find a Doctor that might treat your problem. Talk about trolling, sheesh !!!
The Plame “leak” was meant to punish someone for speaking the truth. It was vengeful and had no redeeming value.
The CIA Analyst that leaked about the CIA rendition and foreign torture jails did a public service. Regardless if the President approves of it or not, an illegal activity is still illegal and someone should not be punished because they obeyed their duty to uphold the Constitution. The President and no one in his administration is above the law. Classifying an illegal activity as a secret to prohibit discussing it or assisting in bringing charges against those who engaged in that activity is evidence of a conspiracy.
Maybe those who fired her might be unaware that there is no statute of limitations for conspiracy.
So leaks that hurt Republicans are good, leaks that help Republicans are bad. Got it.
So leaks that help Republicans are good, leaks that hurt Republicans are bad. Got it.
The real joke here is that ANYONE from the CIA thinks any of this stuff is wrong. This is the group that has participated in more underhanded and probably illegal activities than anyone outside the old KGB.