Will someone please explain to me the compelling need of the media in general, and the New York Times in particular, to reveal classified information? In wartime. Information that can only help our enemies. Why?
Here's the latest example:
Military Charts Movement of Conflict in Iraq Toward Chaos
A classified briefing prepared two weeks ago by the United States Central Command portrays Iraq as edging toward chaos, in a chart that the military is using as a barometer of civil conflict.
A one-page slide shown at the Oct. 18 briefing provides a rare glimpse into how the military command that oversees the war is trying to track its trajectory, particularly in terms of sectarian fighting.
The slide includes a color-coded bar chart that is used to illustrate an “Index of Civil Conflict.” It shows a sharp escalation in sectarian violence since the bombing of a Shiite shrine in Samarra in February, and tracks a further worsening this month despite a concerted American push to tamp down the violence in Baghdad.
(Emphasis added.)
This is secret intelligence information prepared for military and political leaders to inform their decision making. It is not meant for public consumption, nor does its exposure serve any public purpose. The public does not have a right to know all the operational and intelligence secrets of the United States. Why do we classify anything? Because its public dissemination might well harm the United States and help the enemy. You don't think their morale would get a boost from reading something like this?
And note the timing: just about a week before a crucial midterm election, in which the party the Times favors is expected to regain control of the House. Coincidence? I don't think so. There's only one purpose to this release, and that's to embarrass the Republicans just before the election
(Tell me: Would it have served any public purpose to reveal a report showing how bad things were when our troops were stuck in the bocage in Normandy in 1944? Or how rotten the situation in Korea was at the time of the Pusan Perimeter?)
I said it before and I'll say it again: the New York Times should be prosecuted for releasing classified information, and the person who leaked this report should face charges. To paraphrase Orwell, whatever their motives, their actions are objectively pro-fascist.
(hat tip: Michelle Malkin)
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