I can't even tell you how down I am about this. So long as the government is going to slink away every time the NYT invokes the words 'public interest', we're screwed.
Every disgruntled or morally flexible worker in every classified program out there has a chance to take revenge against the system by selling out in a way that would be a death penalty case if he did it to a foreign government. What's worse is that the effect is the same, but instead of having to fear for his neck, he's lauded as a brave whistleblower and protected by the media establishment.
And the government sits by and watches helplessly.
If there's no penalty, and lots of gain, expect people to do it. If the government doesn't have the stones to stand up and take action against these people, I'd just as soon they stop crying about the leaks altogether.
Best post of the thread. And you're right - either do something about it or shut up...
I think the Times article quotes 20 anonymous sources in the Gov for this info.......that's 20 traitors in the Gov alone and not counting the traitors at the Times...