[cgbg]

I think you also should point out that folks from all administrations leak for a variety of reasons, some noble, some less so. When they do so they take a calculated risk.

There has been an excellent "example" in the last year's West Wing episodes (which imho are often very realistic though of course laced with left-wing bias).

The Chief of Staff disagrees with the President's policy on an important matter and leaks very top secret info to force him to change it. She wants to save lives in immediate danger, he is looking at longer term issues.

While the President rants and raves "find the leaker" the viewer gets to ponder what they would have done in a similar situation.

(The President can't find the leaker, though after an internal investigation he is told that it came from within the White House.)

Leaks are as much a part of DC inside baseball as diplomatic parties and secret meetings with key players frozen out of the discussion.

[G.Mason]

An excellent synopsis.

"I think you also should point out ...

That is what I love about FR. When one omits, another picks him/ her up.

Thanks