Unwarranted Outrage (The Times blew our cover)

National Review Online ^ | 12/19/05 | James S. Robbins

[frankjr]

NYT motto: Circulation before country.

[msnimje]

Congress (especially but not exclusively democrats) is claiming, on a daily basis, that it is incompetent. How can the "he told us a dozen times but we don't know what he is talking about" mantra be considered a good political tactic?

[finnman69]

James Risen should be locked up.

[johnny7]

Clinton used satellites over OK to do surveillance on 'perceived' right-wing groups.

[princess leah]

I would like to see John Ashcroft respond to this as he was AG at the time this all started...bet he would be able to give a concise and direct rebuttal to all the lies swirling out there! I'm really sorry Bush replaced him with Alberto Gonzales - definitely a switch that didn't strengthen our conservative values!

[Marine_Uncle]

Thanks for this post. What a well thought out concise and to the point article. To those I pinged. I don't often ping on posts, but felt this one deserves some attention in detail. I am not soliciting responses. Most of us have similiar brain waves on these things.

[Howlin]

I appreciate your pings; I would have missed this!

[Obadiah]

The NYTimes IS the enemy!

[Howlin]

Most of us have similiar brain waves on these things.

Mine are like this when I read this stuff:

[TET1968]

"Is Time Warner good for America ?"

[armymarinemom]

TIMES IS ON MY SIDE
Times is on my side, yes it is
Times is on my side, yes it is

Now you always say
That you want to be free
But you'll come running back (said you would baby)
You'll come running back (I said so many times before)
You'll come running back to me

Oh, Times is on my side, yes it is
Times is on my side, yes it is

You're searching for Freedom
But just wait and see
You'll come running back (I won't have to worry no more)
You'll come running back (spend the rest of my life with you, baby)
You'll come running back to me

Go ahead, go ahead and light up the town
And baby, do everything your heart desires
Remember, I'll always be around
And I know, I know
Like I told you so many times before
You're gonna come back, baby
'Cause I know
You're gonna come back knocking
Yeah, knocking right on my door
Yes, yes!

Well, Times is on my side, yes it is
Times is on my side, yes it is

'Cause I got the media
The kind that you need
You'll come running back (said you would, baby)
You'll come running back (I always said you would)
You'll come running back, to me

Yes Times, Times, Times is on my side, yes it is
Times, Times, Times is on my side, yes it is
Oh, Times, Times, Times is on my side, yes it is
I said, Times, Times, Times is on my side, yes it is
Oh, Times, Times, Times is on my side

[Grut]

...will be immensely valuable to our enemies.

Not unless they're the only people in the world who've never heard the advice "never say anything classified over unsecure lines."

I agree, the Times would have published even if the result was harmful. I just don't think that in this case it's as harmful as it's being painted.

[johnny7]

I liked Ashcroft also.

[r9etb]

James Risen should be locked up.

James Risen has committed a crime. Perhaps he will be locked up.

[KevinDavis]

Another question.. If they don't know what hell is going on, then heck are we paying those morons for??

[Marine_Uncle]

As an adendum to this post, perhaps some may find the following 2003 Senate hearing on redefining some parts of the FISA, interesting reading.
http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2003_cr/s050803.html

[Maceman]

Not unless they're the only people in the world who've never heard the advice "never say anything classified over unsecure lines." I agree, the Times would have published even if the result was harmful. I just don't think that in this case it's as harmful as it's being painted.

You really have no basis for speculating about what may or may not be valuable intelligence from any given wiretap.

You have to know what intelligence already exists or what seemingly innocuous clues terrorist operatives may give, since they are generally not known to be geniuses. You don't know what, if any codes or lexicons had already been cracked by our guys prior to the call.

Sometimes, the mere fact that a confirmed phone call took place is enough to have value.

[Marine_Uncle]

"I appreciate your pings; I would have missed this!"
Roger that. I wish I had a more efficient brain. So much should be studied and analyzed, but goes by the wayside.

[Seadog Bytes]

re: "So New York Times writer James Risen will sell his book, the Times will increase circulation, politicians will beat their breasts and send out fundraising letters, and who will pay in the end? ...You can answer that one."

...BUMP!

[Marine_Uncle]

"Mine are like this when I read this stuff:"
Well at least the x axis is not in megahertz or your brain would be jumping out of your skull at this point.
Hang in there.