Continuing the NYT Trials and Tribulations,

Hey Folks,

Interesting article in the Washington Journal on Friday about the New York Times article declassifying the top secret money tracking program. I found it interesting to find out that MANY people on both sides of the isle pleaded with the NYT to NOT print the story on the bases that it would hurt our efforts in the War.

There is an extensive list of people who pleaded with the times, Treasury Secretary John Snow, Negroponte, the national intelligence czar, Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton, chairmen of the 9/11 commission, and Democratic Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania. Yes you heard correctly. Murtha was just one of the many that told the NYT this would be a bad thing to do. It would compromise national security, assist the terrorist, and destroy a very productive tool in the War on terror.

They, as you know, ran it anyway. Times Executive Editor Bill Keller is having some serious problems. He said in an almost joking manner back on Tuesday, that critics "are still angry at us" for disclosing the government's domestic eavesdropping program in December, "and I guess in their view, this adds insult to injury. The Bush administration's reaction roused their base, but also roused the anti-Bush base as well," he said, noting an approximately even split in his e-mail.

Well Mr. Keller, you may not be joking for long. This is not going away as you may have hoped for. It is only getting more intense. More and more people, regardless of party status are fed up with the Mass Media Drones. Even the USATODAY is backing off their story about the phone records. Got to love that story folks. But it is the NYT seems to be taking up the poster child position of the LWL controlled media. This is getting serious.

When you have people like New York Rep. Peter King continuing to call for the Times to be prosecuted for violating the 1917 Espionage Act., and calling them "arrogant, elitist," with a "left-wing agenda" Sound familiar? {Smile}Hey his name IS Peter.

Now Keller said, which has been echoed as of late by the normal LWL, and MMD that,

"I always start with the premise that the question is, why should we not publish? Publishing information is our job. What you really need is a reason to withhold information."

How about national security? How about hurting global relationships? How about TREASON? Even YOU, in your article admit that this is not illegal. So what was the point?

The thing I find amazing it that many are arguing "The First Amendment". The freedom of the Press. Freedom of speech. Etc. There is only one problem with this. There are limitations. You cannot yell fire in a crowded theater. You cannot threaten someone with death. You cannot help the enemy in a time of War. I believe very much in the Freedom of the Press. I am a very strong proponent for free speech. But the NYT was so far over the line here, they SHOULD be held accountable.

As much as they would like, this is not going away anytime soon. It is only going to get worse. Maybe they have finally hung themselves with a noose they will not be able to loosen in time. We’ll have to see.
Peter