|
The Fitzgerald Legacy: Shutting Down Leaks
EFL. Jack Kelly. Heh. Being liberal requires flexibility of principle, but it's been fascinating to watch the contortions of journalists who argue that revealing Ms. Plame's identity was a serious breach of national security which must be prosecuted, but the other leaks are boons to the republic which should be applauded. The Bush administration disagrees. Investigations into the NSA and "secret prisons" leaks are nearing completion. A senior CIA official has been fired for leaking, and, reportedly, is singing like a canary to avoid prosecution. The FBI knows who's been talking to journalists, ABC's Brian Ross said a source told him. Journalists can be prosecuted for publishing classified information, Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez said on ABC's "This Week" program Sunday. I doubt journalists will be charged under the Espionage Act, but I do expect vigorous application of the precedent Mr. Fitzgerald set when he jailed Ms. Miller. Reporters who have published or broadcast classified information can expect subpoenas, and can expect to cool their heels in the pokey until they disclose who leaked to them. That precedent may be Mr. Fitzgerald's lasting legacy. The case against Mr. Libby is weak, and he is disappointingly small potatoes for liberals who have their hearts set on bigger game. At a conference at Princeton University last week, Retired Admiral Bobby Ray Inman told several Web loggers the actual target of Mr. Fitzgerald's apparently endless investigation is Richard Armitage. Mr. Armitage, who was deputy secretary of state, is thought to be Mr. Novak's source, and the source also for Washington Post editor Bob Woodward. He is a logical target, but a most unsatisfying one for Bush haters. After all the cheerleading journalists have done for Mr. Fitzgerald, it would be ironic if he were remembered most for handing prosecutors the weapon they used against journalists to shut down the leaks on which journalists depend. Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-05-23 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=153511 |