Treason Here, Treason There
Submitted by Hogfan on July 6, 2006 - 3:54pm.
Classified Intelligence | Jon Stewart | Lewis Black | Rick Santorum | The Daily Show | National Security
Over the past six months, we've witnessed several strange phenomena that appear to be part of a larger pattern. I'm not certain, but I think these events are evidence that our news media are coming back to life.
Funny thing is, just when the big stories break, we see some some guy with a red hand caught in a cookie jar. To divert attention, he points at the reporter and cries "Treason!"
Just a few instances off the top of my head...
In response to the disclosure of the illegal, warrantless wiretapping program, the President categorized the news as harmful to national security, putting innoncent Americans at risk.
In response to the disclosure of secret CIA-run prisons around the world at which detainees are presumably tortured, Bill Bennett cried that Washington Post reporter Dana Priest's reporting was not worthy of the Pulitzer but of jail time.
In response to the New York Times' disclosure of the bank spying program, Congressman Peter King cried that the responsible leakers, editors and reporters be charged with treason.
In the days since that last story broke, conservative bloggers have encouraged their readers to hunt down the Times' reporters at their homes and track down their children at school. In vague undertones and veiled threats, they suggest to their readers that they should take action against those who exercise their Constitutionally granted freedom of the press and democratic obligation to disseminate truth.
In light of all these accusations, it's only fair for us to take a closer look, to see who's really been treasonous here. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think showing a classified document on national television qualifies as "a leak."
Excuse me, Mr. Santorum, you have something to say...
Okay, it's been 35 years (not counting my stint at Boeing, where I was cleared more or less for rumors) since I had a security clearance. But from what I remember, in order to be convicted for disclosing classified information, you have to have been briefed and subject to the security laws. Reporters don't fall into that category.
It's the leakers who broke the law, not the reporter who wrote the story.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court."
Firing on Fort Sumter certainly qualifies, as does blowing up the Federal Building in Oklahoma City (IMHO). Even if someone (say a Faux News reporter?) publicized military secrets that would only qualify as espionage.
Treason might involve creating a diversionary war (say in Iraq?) to let an old family friend whose followers attacked the United States get away, when all Americans are screaming for the head of your old family friend.
We all know how the Bushes feel about their old family friends.
Does anyone really think Bush will catch bin Ladin?
"classified" documents on TV. He really must think we PA voters are totally stupid. We've got his number now, though...and some people even know where he lives. [Or at least where he says he lives when he isn't inhabiting his mansion in Virginia...]