NYTimes to "Out" Current Covert Operatives

[Dedicated Mind]

what is so treasoness? ever heard of freedom of the press? it is a constitutional right. what is the law concerning the outing of covert operatives? I think that applies to politicians and people working in the intelligence community.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

what is so treasoness? ever heard of freedom of the press? it is a constitutional right. what is the law concerning the outing of covert operatives? I think that applies to politicians and people working in the intelligence community.

The law applies to anyone. The NY Times probably wouldn't be criminally responsible in this - that charge would fall upon their source within Paneta's CIA and probably the Director himself as well since the deliberate release of such info would have required the sign off of someone pretty high up.

The NY Times would be morally culpable for any harm that would befall the American Force Protection team.

When the CIA's attempted coup to overthrow the Vice President failed and Valeria Plame, a low level political appointee, was "outed" you and the "liberals" all wanted heads. Now we see a genuine threat to actual Intelligence ops and you don't see a problem? Shame on you.

My son is in the military and is training for things that I can not and would not post. (It's not really that big a deal, but it is "Top Secret"). If someone were to endanger his life I would not sleep until they were standing in an orange jump suit cuffed in front of a judge.

[Dedicated Mind]

Originally Posted by pelathais

The law applies to anyone. The NY Times probably wouldn't be criminally responsible in this - that charge would fall upon their source within Paneta's CIA and probably the Director himself as well since the deliberate release of such info would have required the sign off of someone pretty high up.

The NY Times would be morally culpable for any harm that would befall the American Force Protection team.

When the CIA's attempted coup to overthrow the Vice President failed and Valeria Plame, a low level political appointee, was "outed" you and the "liberals" all wanted heads. Now we see a genuine threat to actual Intelligence ops and you don't see a problem? Shame on you.

My son is in the military and is training for things that I can not and would not post. (It's not really that big a deal, but it is "Top Secret"). If someone were to endanger his life I would not sleep until they were standing in an orange jump suit cuffed in front of a judge.

I'm not against prosecuting anyone responsible for outing, I just didn't think that a newspaper would be or could be held responsible.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

I'm not against prosecuting anyone responsible for outing, I just didn't think that a newspaper would be or could be held responsible.

They could be. The "would be" is in the hands of a judge and subject to appeal and endless debate.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

what is so treasoness? ever heard of freedom of the press? it is a constitutional right. what is the law concerning the outing of covert operatives? I think that applies to politicians and people working in the intelligence community.

You may have freedom of speech and freedom of the press... but that freedom can be used to commit treasonous acts. Freedom of expression doesn't allow me to impersonate a police officer. Freedom of speech doesn't allow me to scream fire in a crowded building. The Times has this great freedom of the press. However, they MUST be held responsible for what they do with that freedom. Publishing anything like this would endager lives. No "freedom" should endanger another's life, liberty, or property.

With freedom comes responsibility. With much freedom comes much responsiblity.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

what is so treasoness? ever heard of freedom of the press? it is a constitutional right. what is the law concerning the outing of covert operatives? I think that applies to politicians and people working in the intelligence community.

No, the law is the law. It applies to everyone, not just politicians and people in the intelligence community.

What's so disgusting about this is it's all about power and pride. The CIA's pride has been hurt by the Defense Dept not using them that they're retaliating ... and this by endangering our soldier's lives.

Never was a fan of a political hack in charge of the CIA. Leon Panetta has no intelligence, defense or military experience. He was chief of staff for Bill Clinton. It's ridiculous that he was even put in that position.