Posted on 06/23/2006 11:04:09 PM PDT by bnelson44
CAN JOURNALISTS REALLY BE PROSECUTED for publishing national security secrets? In the wake of a series of New York Times stories revealing highly sensitive counterterrorism programs, that question is increasingly the talk of newsrooms across the country, and especially one newsroom located on West 43rd Street in Manhattan.
Last December, in the face of a presidential warning that they would compromise ongoing investigations of al Qaeda, the Times revealed the existence of an ultrasecret terrorist surveillance program of the National Security Agency and provided details of how it operated. Now, once again in the face of a presidential warning, the Times has published a front-page article disclosing a highly classified U.S. intelligence program that successfully penetrated the international bank transactions of al Qaeda terrorists.
Although the editors of the Times act as if prosecution is not a possibility, not everyone concurs. One person who is still mulling the matter over is Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Asked in late May about the prospect of prosecuting the Times and others who publish classified information, he by no means ruled it out. "There are some statutes on the books," he said, "which, if you read the language carefully, would seem to indicate that that is a possibility."
(Excerpt) Read more at weeklystandard.com ...
Too many people just like to read FR threads, nod their heads in silent agreement and then just move on to the next interesting article.
With a link staring everyone right in the face, it's very easy to do an email freep and is therefore, a very effective tool. Thanks, EBH.
C'mon freepers! EBH did the spade work. Now get out your pitchforks and hit the link on # 37 and do your job.
Remember, our beloved country is in a perilous war.......and we're ALL on active duty.....or should be.
Leni
Give Karl Rove's hurricane machine the coordinates
40o45'26.01" North, 73o59'14.21" West
This is the first I’ve heard of Section 798 of Title 18. Until now I was only familiar with the 1917 Espionage Act. It’s something to keep in mind.
Hey – New York Times! Take heed!
Now, if this administration has the cajones to use the law …
How about a $1 fine and give them a coupon for Starbucks?
Am I the only one that thinks this was a trap that the NYT walked into?
Think about it. In this case there is no question of legality, every i is dotted, every t is crossed, the NYT was warned repeatedly and often of the consequences. If you were going to take on the press in court wouldn't you want such evidence on your side.
Its a kkklinton plant....been in this position since kkklinton left office.....
"Wouldn't it be wonderful if the Attorney General started proceedings and indicted as many pukes at the NYTs as possible. These leaks could literally kill people, perhaps thousands."
Yes, they could and are a huge risk to our national security. IMO, the Attorney General/Bush Administration's failure to act effectively after the NSA leak emboldened not just the NYSlimes, but now other publishers as well.
I think the question we demand an answer to, should be WHY? Why hasn't action been taken? But then again, I'm still asking why almost 5 years after 9/11 our border is not secured. When do we start to assume that national security just isn't a priority?
Thanks for the info!! Just sent mine in. For the Justice Dept to do nothing of consequence is just as bad as the traitors involved. To do nothing, America loses and these traitors win!!
There MUST be consequences and I am sick of this government appearing so weak. Nice is one thing but allowing this harmful action is another.
I am sick of it!!!
Done
"The one person we have heard zip from lately is Rockefeller. (I think). He was so verbal about the NSA spying, it makes me wonder if he is under investigation."
The 'official' word on Rockefeller is that he is recovering from back surgery. I think he is one of the leakers of our National Security secrets and pray that he is prosecuted like the treasonous snake that he is!
I certainly hope you are right - and the Times is prosecuted.
What I can't understand is why the advertisers and shareholders aren't screaming bloody murder. Do they really want to be party to this?!
Good point.
What we need to do is scream bloody murder at the companies that advertise with the NY Times.
I just went over to the NY Times web site and found that my insurance company, Liberty Mutual, had an advertisement on the home page. I intend to call them on Monday to express my outrage and demand that they cease advertising with the NY Times(I will also write a follow-up letter). I will also start looking at other options for insurance.
In addition to the Times being prosecuted, I'd love to see them destroyed financially.
Dear Mr. Gonzalez: Please arrest that worthless scoundrel Pinch Sulzberger, and frogmarch him out of the Slimes building. That photo alone would make an eternity of good memories.
I don't disagree with you, but this isn't a "war", officially. Bush went with the approval of Congress, but actually, Bush can't do that and neither can Congress. But officially, it's a "military action," not an actual "war."
I support declaring war. It would make it far easier to fight.
Well, look to the "Shadow Government" and its corrupt, treasonous minions for the real culprit. Former Carter and Clinton appointees, in sensitive positions in the CIA and State Department, and perhaps the Treasury Department also, should be the focus of investigation and indictment. The reality of people deliberately undermining the president and the foreign policy of the United States, as if it were just a passing political reality, is going to come to a head soon. This is treason, and it is really damaging to our national security. The way things have been going, we may see some stark and clearly attributable examples of this in the very near future. This cannot continue if we are going to survive as a nation.
Does it really take Gonzales more than a month to make up his mind about this? His delay has allowed yet ANOTHER national security matter to be leaked.
Where does Bush find these losers?
Thanks.
I've read through several of these threads now and most agree getting to the advertisers etc. doesn't or isn't working.
I know some of us have written our congress critters and still nothing happens.
It is as if no one up there on the Hill is listening or cares! Well, if they won't go the to AG, then every citizen who does care need to communicate their concerns to the AG office. They're the only one that can do anything, so it is time we the people demand something be done.
Thanks for demanding they enforce the law.
Not a bad idea. Start a "eye on the media" news blog first though, so you can't be arrested for stalking. I think how the media spends its day is in the realm of public interest, don't you? ;)
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