BILL KELLER ISN'T VERY BRIGHT, or else he thinks you aren't

Instapundit ^ | 06/26/2006 | Glenn Reynolds

[george76]

"I realize that the Times' circulation is falling at an alarming rate, but ...

[saveliberty]

That's a fact

[girlangler]

And the media lefties continue to wonder how it is the American public trusts them less than politicians.

It's going to be really hilarious watching them scramble like cockroaches when their little empires come crashing to the ground (well on its way now).

[rightazrain]

"I thought it was understood that we were tracking their financing."

Yes, it was in general. But we didn't want them to know HOW we were doing it!

Surely you see the difference?

[Straight8]

Why the h*** does the nyt think that leaking secret operations by the folks that want to protect us is O.K., but they will NEVER reveal their sources?
Misplaced priorities or do they just hate the president so much that no sacrifice of American lives is too great to achieve their heinous goals?
Damn!

[joylyn]

A good article.

Basically, Keller's letter says that the existence of vague "concerns" was enough to justify outing a successful intelligence operation, and the onus is on the government to persuade him that are compelling reasons for not printing the story. Of course, there will always be "concerns." Moreover, the nature of intelligence work is that making a compelling case for an operation's value requires revealing facts that operatives consider secret. Given Keller's attitude, no one could be sure that he would hold these arugments in confidence. Quite the reverse.

[saveliberty]

Tom Maguire starts it off nicely

Bill Keller Responds

Bill Keller, executive editor of the Times, addresses their controversial decision to declare war on the United Statespublish information about a formerly secret program monitoring international funds transfers.

Wizbang provides the condensed version:

Dear Reader:

1) We have no reason to believe the program was illegal in any way.

2) We have every reason to believe it was effective at catching terrorists.

3) We ran the story anyway, screw you.

Bill Keller

 

http://justoneminute.typepad.com/main/2006/06/bill_keller_res.html

 

 

[saveliberty]

Case in point to Keller's lack of brains-- the compelling reason is that if he prints it, he will be sent to jail. I hope he likes orange.

[John Lenin]

I still think the Attorney General should step down.

[saveliberty]

Why?

[John Lenin]

He is not doing his job. Second leak from the same source of classified documents.

[John Lenin]

Make that the Third leak. Even former AG Ed Meese suggests treason charges should be filed. Gonzales seems to be another crony pick by Bush.

[saveliberty]

How is it known who the source is of the leak?

[John Lenin]

I have no faith in the government policing itself.

[edpc]

From the Keller letter:

By the way, we heard similar arguments against publishing last year's reporting on the NSA eavesdropping program. We were told then that our article would mean the death of that program. We were told that telecommunications companies would — if the public knew what they were doing — withdraw their cooperation. To the best of my knowledge, that has not happened. While our coverage has led to much public debate and new congressional oversight, to the best of our knowledge the eavesdropping program continues to operate much as it did before.

Sure....the NSA and banking survelliance programs will not cease, but you've helped greatly in making them less effective. As you stated in your letter, Bill....this is elementary stuff.

[saveliberty]

Again ask who is the source of the leak?

[saveliberty]

Someone on Special Report had a great idea (most likely Fred, LOL) -- why not have Peter King haul Bill Keller in for hearings? Make him give a real accounting as to why he thought it was okay to disclose classified information without permission.

[John Lenin]

From what I understand probably a congressperson.

[edpc]

I saw that segement. Fred was right when he said Keller's response was condescending. Case in point: He stated in his response blogs like FR were giving the program more attention. I believe this controversy will grow and further marginalize MSM outlets like the NYT.

[aculeus]

Keller may be a bigger s**t then his predecessor Raines, no small achievement.

The ex-champ is not pleased.