All Eyes on the Times

Dan Abbett

The New York Times seems to be in an especially hot seat this time, for once again blabbing information on another secret program to fight terrorism. Like their “outing” of the National Security Agency’s program to monitor communications from terror suspects coming into this country and those originating in the U.S. to foreign terrorist suspects; the ever, national security minded Times, decided it was also necessary to expose a secret program designed to track and identify financial sources that support terrorist organizations.

The New York Times deserves all the criticism it receives for so callously revealing the very programs that have been instrumental in identifying the threat from terrorists and probably preventing another terrorist attack in the United States. Rumblings of prosecution of the Times are beginning to be heard, an action that clearly holds serious justification.

Most, with the exception of the highly partisan, view this latest revelation of our nation’s secrets for what it is: politics. The New York Times has an overwhelming reputation of late to bash any policy put forward by the Bush Administration. The Times has collaborated with career bureaucrats in the government whose sole agenda is to destroy the president and his administration. Blind allegiance to political ambition that undermines national security, is beyond ignorant, it is stupid in the extreme and extremely dangerous.

While the New York Times shares culpability, there is an even greater risk to national security and that is from those who actually give such information to the Times. Certainly, those who will investigate the agency or agencies that could have provided this information are not overlooking this fact but it needs to be so stated. At this point, all eyes are on the New York Times. Their accomplices in actions bordering on treason need to be feeling the heat as well.

There is one other requirement that must occur to bring an end to this perpetual leaking of highly sensitive information. George W Bush has to be as tough on those breaking the law as his critics are on him. As with Iran and North Korea, there appears to be no penalty for treachery. The president’s new diplomatic bent on all issues, foreign and domestic, is not only cause for concern it directly reflects his approval rating in the polls.

As an example: Senior CIA Officer Mary McCarthy is alleged to have recently been fired from the CIA as the source of the leak of “secret prisons” in Europe for detaining captured or suspected terrorists. To date, there has been no suggestion that anyone is pursuing even an investigation let alone an indictment into the allegations that Ms. McCarthy was the source of the leak.

Ms. McCarthy at one time was purported to have admitted but since recanted that she was the source of a “real leak” that destroyed a program to fight terrorism and yet faces no consequences. I. Lewis (Scooter) Libby is facing felony perjury charges resulting merely from conflicting testimony surrounding the “suggestion of a leak” from the White House regarding a CIA agent.

President Bush and all of his top cabinet officials are in a knockdown, drag-out fight by covert activists, seeking not just destructive politics but to have him and his administration removed from office in shame. It doesn’t say much for your pugilistic prowess however, when you continue to allow your opponent to walk into your corner, land a low blow and bloody you nose as you shake his hand while muttering something about the Marquis of Queensbury Rules.

The New York Times is more than just the messenger in the continuing debacle of “Leakgate.” They are as culpable as those leaking classified information, for publishing our secrets to the world and our enemies under the guise of the “right to know” and “protecting our civil liberties.” The greater question is who will protect us from those who would put us in harms way for their own selfish pursuits? All eyes on the Times.

Dan Abbett is a freelance writer living in Northern Nevada. Dan receives email at: danabbett1@charter.net