The Daily Background

Some words of wisdom on leaks, quoting from the Associated Press:

[House Representative] Jane Harman of California, agreed that leaked information can undermine intelligence and military work.

“Leaks can get people killed,” she said. “Leaks can compromise the way we fight terrorists.”

She cautioned, however, that critics should not present a false choice between a free press and strong national security and go too far trying to stamp out leaks of classified information.

“No new law is required, and in fact could lead us down a dangerous path,” she said.

[…]
The administration classifies too much information, both lawmakers said.

“They too often just take the stamp out of the drawer and put ‘classified’ on it,” [House Rep Peter] Hoekstra said.

[…]
“If we fail to conduct serious oversight, then we are inviting, I think, or at least contribute to an environment where people feel compelled to leak,” Harman said.

Agreed. Certainly a reasonable stance. If Congress conducted a reasonable amount of oversight on this Administration, and if this Administration didn’t run around classifying everything, there would surely be less people compelled to leak in many cases. Leaking is often the product of when the government doesn’t self-regulate. Of course there are leaks for political purposes too (cough cough you know the one I’m talking about, cough cough, Plame). Full article.

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