Posted on 05/21/2006 8:13:48 AM PDT by frankjr
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Sunday he believes journalists can be prosecuted for publishing classified information, citing an obligation to national security.
The nation's top law enforcer also said the government will not hesitate to track telephone calls made by reporters as part of a criminal leak investigation, but officials would not do so routinely and randomly.
"There are some statutes on the book which, if you read the language carefully, would seem to indicate that that is a possibility," Gonzales said, referring to prosecutions. "We have an obligation to enforce those laws. We have an obligation to ensure that our national security is protected."
...
But he added that the First Amendment right of a free press should not be absolute when it comes to national security. If the government's probe into the NSA leak turns up criminal activity, prosecutors have an "obligation to enforce the law."
"It can't be the case that that right trumps over the right that Americans would like to see, the ability of the federal government to go after criminal activity," Gonzales told ABC's "This Week."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
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Hmmmmm...I just wrote that these national security leaks would continue until someone stepped up to the plate to make it painful to do so, and now we have this. Go get 'em, Alberto.
If they break the law they should be prosecuted to the full extent of it. These people believe they are gods.
Rather even tried to throw a presidential election.
It's time reality caught up with them.
So-called "journalists" have been undermining the security of this country since, at least, VietNam and getting a pass based on the "public's right to know". I suspect the real reason is their own pathetic careers and a hatred for anything NOT left-wing.
If the government wants to start going after some of these, you will hear no complaint from me. I trust US to know when they are going too far.
Contrary to popular belief, I don't think the First Amendment was written to give "reporters" and "journalists" a Get Out of Jail Free card when they break the law. When these morons release classified information, they should be locked up in prison like any other person who does it. Their 'RAT masters might be above the law but they are not.
There are some Lampposts in DC and NY that can use some adorning.
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
Their right to free speech stops with my right to stay alive.
I wonder if out and out lying is somewhere in there.
Good news ping!
-Their right to free speech stops with my right to stay alive.-
Well said!
As it should be -- no one is above the law, unless of course, you are in the White House or the Congress...
If he really believes it, Alberto needs to get off his fat butt and do it already. A life sentence for one of their collegues would make these a$$ clowns think twice before damaging National Security. Unfortunately, I don't think this Administration has the RESOLVE to enforce the law--on a whole range of issues.
Arrest Mary McCarthy and Dana Priest. TODAY.
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