Read this carefully. Tice is NOT the leaker of the current information related to NSA spying on Americans. He is not THAT LEAKER! He is just some fool fired from the NSA who NOW wants to talk about the NSA program, with the added benefit of making people (like you) assume that because he wants to talk about it, that HE is the leaker. HE AINT THE LEAKER!
The leakers of this information to the NY Times are in CONGRESS. They leaked the information under the assumption that they are immune from prosecution, for which they might be correct. However, the NY Times is NOT immune, and since Bush has called their bluff with his investigation, both Congress and the Times need someone to assume the role of lightning rod for the media's continued focus on the story.
The only thing this Tice person knows about the particular NSA program in question, is what he is being told by those who DID leak the same information to the media.
Why, you ask?
Well, YOU try getting a job after the NSA has reported you to be paranoid, and fired you. He is just another victim of the Bush administration's housecleaning at both the NSA and CIA. There are many looking for an opportunity to enact revenge on this White House. Tice is nothing but a stooge, doing what he is told to do, while someone unnamed makes sure he can still put food on his table.
Since the NSA barely acknowledges its existance, I doubt they give any job references - good or bad.
Looks like his real problem with the NSA is that they wouldn't spy on someone he thought was a Chinese agent.
That is my guess as well. Hopefully they will be caught and nailed for it.
I'm not sure at all that the leaker is from Congress. I'm thinking there's someone in the intelligence apparatus who doesn't agree with the President's claims of unlimited powers.
I'm also not sure I don't agree with someone who's uncomfortable with the idea that the "War on Terror" constitutes a "declaration of war" that's required for "wartime powers". We know that the War on Terror isn't going to be won in a few years, or maybe even a few decades. Are you willing to suspend the constitution for that long?
I support the War on Terror. I'm also comfortable with a system that requires warrants for searches, especially when those warrants easy to get, are practically always approved, and can be obtained up to 15 days after the fact. I know it puts me in the minority here, but I'm a little protective when it comes to my civil liberties, and I think it's OK for the NSA to have to ask for a warrant from FISA before listening in. I'll have to see more evidence that getting a warrant would hamper the President's ability to protect the nation. Thing about freedom is, once it's gone it's hard to get back.