Justice probes leak on intercepts (Bill Sammon)

The Washington Times ^ | 12-31-05 | Bill Sammon

[smoothsailing]

Justice probes leak on intercepts

By Bill Sammon

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Published December 31, 2005

The Justice Department has begun an investigation into an illegal leak that allowed the New York Times to disclose that the National Security Agency was intercepting al Qaeda conversations.    

 "The leaking of classified information is a serious issue," White House deputy press secretary Trent Duffy told reporters near the president's ranch in Crawford, Texas.     

"The fact is that al Qaeda's playbook is not printed on Page One. And when America's is, it has serious ramifications. You don't need to be Sun Tzu to understand that," Mr. Duffy said, referring to the legendary ancient Chinese military strategist.    

 A spokeswoman for the New York Times declined to comment on the probe, aimed at identifying who leaked the story about the NSA eavesdropping on Americans who are suspected of communicating with al Qaeda operatives overseas.    

 Mr. Duffy said the probe was not ordered by the White House, although President Bush speculated earlier that the Justice Department would initiate an investigation on its own. The president has made no secret of his displeasure over the leak.    

 "My personal opinion is it was a shameful act for someone to disclose this very important program in a time of war," Mr. Bush told reporters earlier this month. "The fact that we're discussing this program is helping the enemy.    

 "You've got to understand," the president added. "There is still an enemy that would like to strike the United States of America, and they're very dangerous. And the discussion about how we try to find them will enable them to adjust."    

 Such concerns initially persuaded the New York Times to withhold publication of the story for a year. But two weeks ago, the newspaper published it on the front page....

[smoothsailing]

I like the Washington Times.They report the story straight, no MSM lefty bias.

[Nomorjer Kinov]

The shameless dem senator should come clean soon - before he is identified.

[skr]

They're smart enough to employ reporters like Bill Sammon.

It's amazing, really, the big story for all the other newspapers is about treason running rampant at the NYT and in the Senate, and they're too busy trying to get a president for legally doing his job. The reporters of yesteryear are probably rolling in their graves.

[ncountylee]

The shameless dem senator should come clean soon - before he is identified.

The scum would deny everything even if caught on tape...right Jay?

[Ostlandr]

"The fact is that al Qaeda's playbook is not printed on Page One. And when America's is, it has serious ramifications. You don't need to be Sun Tzu to understand that," Mr. Duffy said, referring to the legendary ancient Chinese military strategist.

If Trent Duffey has actually read Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" then he needs to be moved up to Rumsfeld's job ASAP.

[p23185]

The shameless dem senator should come clean soon - before he is identified. The scum would deny everything even if caught on tape...right Jay?

Don't you still find this strange? Like why didn't he discuss this with Roberts rather than writing a CYI note and putting in the vault? And why was the Director of NSA involved? Rockefeller's handwritten note

[Herford Turley]

I think Bill Salmon is giving this White House too favorable coverage. Someone better investigate this guy's press pass. There's dirt there. I just know it.

:-) Sarcasm intended here.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

The reporters of yesteryear are probably rolling in their graves.

It is wrong to assign moral equivalence between true news reporters of the past and the current crop of arrogant Leftists who are out to destroy Bush and republican governance at any cost. The modern NY Times, LA Times, etc. are no more legitimate news agencies than was Pravda.

[paul51]

Find them. Hang them.

[smoothsailing]

It may be too late for that now. The CIC is thoroughly po'd, and rightfully so.

I'm with you nc, this has Rocky written all over it.But I don't think he's the only one involved.

[Congressman Billybob]

It's good that the White House understands the situation and is acting correctly to defeat all its enemies, including the editors of the NY Times. This is as I predicted in writing, earlier today. Click below.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column: "Football, Warfare, and Public Policy"

[p23185]

I love your tagline. I recently purchased "Mommy there is a liberal under my bed" book for my 11 year old grandson. He loved it, and understood it right off. We talk every week about liberals and conservatives when we go out for coffee on Sat morning after he spends Fri night with the grandparents. I read the paper and he asks me questions. I always ask him about his school and he has an Marine for a teacher this year. Last grade he had a Bush supporter. How lucky can one be in the public school system these days??

[Uncle Vlad]

It's bad enough Jay Rockerfeller goes over to Syria a year or so before the Iraq War and tells everyone in the Middle East that Bush has decided to attack Iraq. Now this!

[Ostlandr]

For the NYT reporters, I'd settle for the minimum- five years in prison and ten grand in fines.
Now, Bill Clinton, Hanoi Jane Fonda and JFKerry- their actions merit a more serious punishment.

[smoothsailing]

No way, Bill Clinton outlawed rightwing bias years ago.Sammon wouldn't dare!

"Stroke of the pen, law of the land! Kinda cool,huh?" - Paul Begala - circa 2000.

:)

[sissyjane]

You scared me for a second.

[bybybill]

Hey, it`s not fair. The Rats finally had Bush. Spying on Americans indeed! It`s not like we were at war.
Rush is right, if there is a pile of cow droppings anywhere on the farm, the Rats will find it and jump in with all four paws.

[smoothsailing]

Thanks,John. I've got it bookmarked and look forward to enjoying your latest tomorrow!

Happy New Year,FRiend!

[Uncle Vlad]

The Rats are lucky Bush in office now, not Lincoln. Lincoln would have found out the names of the leakers and had them imprisoned, or worse.

[Congressman Billybob]

My "latest" won't be posted tomorrow. It's already posted now on FreeRepublic, today. That's what "Special to FreeRepublic" means at the head of all my pieces published on FR. LOL.

John / Billybob