Rep. Pete Hoekstra: Journalism vs. Security (USA Today Put Americans at Risk)

Los Angeles Times ^ | May 13, 2006 | Representative Pete Hoekstra

[RWR8189]

WE ARE IN the first war of the Information Age, and we have a critical advantage over our enemy: We are far better at gathering intelligence. It's an advantage we must utilize, and it's keeping us safe.

But every time classified national security information is leaked, our ability to gather information on those who would do us harm is eroded.

We suffered a setback Thursday when USA Today ran a front-page story alleging that the National Security Agency was collecting domestic phone records. This article hurt our efforts to protect Americans by giving the enemy valuable insights into the Terrorist Surveillance Program, which has been focused like a laser beam on Al Qaeda and its known associates.

President Bush's job is to defend our nation and prevent another terrorist attack. He has taken many vital steps to combat Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups. The Terrorist Surveillance Program does not target ordinary U.S. citizens. This is a valuable program that I strongly support because it is protecting American lives. Let me say a few things about this program.

First, to protect the American people, our government needs to know whether individuals already in the U.S. are communicating with known Al Qaeda terrorists or associates. The program disrupts terrorist planning and the organizing of terrorist attacks.

Second, the program fully complies with the law and the Constitution. It has been reviewed by executive branch attorneys, and congressional leaders from both parties — including my friend and colleague Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice) — have been regularly briefed. Democratic leaders in the House and Senate have been aware of this program for several years yet never expressed any concerns until it was illegally leaked.

[Graymatter]

I guess "prosecute" is right next to "veto" in the dictionary.

[Friend of the Friendless]

Here! Here!

[Eagles6]

This needs to be on the front page, not our classified information. Why aren't the leakers being prosecuted? We are 5 years into this phase of the war and ain't nobody swingin' yet. What's up with that?

[CFC__VRWC]

Hoekstra was the guy who was trashing General Hayden last week as the "wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time" to lead the CIA. Hayden was in charge of this phone record database collection project as the head of NSA, and the only reason USA Today ran this story was to torpedo Hayden before his confirmation hearings.

So what game is Hoekstra playing here? My guess is he's trying to be on both sides of the issue at once in the manner of all of our oh-so-courageous GOP Congressmen these days. In that case, anything he has to say is useless blathering.

[caspera]

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