Congress considers prosecutions of reporters over leaked information

[jaxx]

Congress considers prosecutions of reporters over leaked information
Posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
By Annika McGinnis | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — In response to New York Times stories that relied on leaks of sensitive national-security information, a House of Representatives panel on Wednesday discussed legislation that could allow journalists to be prosecuted for disclosing such information.

Army Col. Ken Allard testified to a House Judiciary subcommittee that the extent of national security leaks is “unprecedented” in American history. Recent examples include the Times’ investigations of President Barack Obama’s terrorist “kill list” and American cyberattacks on Iran.

According to Allard, such investigations threaten national security and serve only to promote the news media’s self-interest. He charged that such investigations were carefully planned to help Obama’s re-election chances and to advance the media’s own agenda. An example, he said, was New York Times reporter David Sanger’s new book, “Confront and Conceal,” which details American cyberattacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/07/11/15..._term=news

Leave it to the GOPers to try to rewrite the Constitution....again. I looked up this Allard guy, he's a retired (missing from the article!) and belongs to the rightwing hawk group Family Security Matters (sponsored by Center for Security Policy).

Quote:<..> Family Security Matters and controversial writings

The Center sponsors "Family Security Matters." On August 3, 2007, Family Security Matters published an opinion piece by Philip Atkinson, which advocated for making George W. Bush president for life, because "the inadequacy of Democracy, rule by the majority, is undeniable." Furthermore, after giving Atkinson's interpretation of Julius Caesar's treatment of Gaul, the article called for emptying Iraq of its Arabs:

If President Bush copied Julius Caesar by ordering his army to empty Iraq of Arabs and repopulate the country with Americans, he would achieve immediate results: popularity with his military; enrichment of America by converting an Arabian Iraq into an American Iraq (therefore turning it from a liability to an asset); and boost American prestige while terrifying American enemies.[4]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_...l_writings

This looks like another winger committee using wingers only to make their case. The House needs to be fumigated to run the vermin out.

[Blue_Roses]

Bush--President for life? WTF? THIS IS NUTS!

[jaxx]

(07-11-2012 09:39 PM)Blue_Roses Wrote:  Bush--President for life? WTF? THIS IS NUTS!

You gotta remember, the wingers are fuckin crazy with the need for power.

[Willinois]

I hope the news publications who failed to condemn the Holder contempt vote think long and hard about this. Now they're coming after the press too. How long will they stay silent while this goes on?

[SeattleGirl]

(07-12-2012 01:51 AM)Willinois Wrote:  I hope the news publications who failed to condemn the Holder contempt vote think long and hard about this. Now they're coming after the press too. How long will they stay silent while this goes on?

One of my local rags, The Seattle Times, had an editorial the day before the Holder contempt vote, basically cheering it on. Pissed me of something fierce! I've met the owner of the Times, and while he has been a champion of the field I work in, apparently he's one of those schizo folks who has a very good side and a very bad side. And that editorial showed me the bad side.

They also endorsed Jim McKenna for Gov. McKenna was one of the AG's who brought suit against the ACA. With that action, he took himself out of any consideration I may have had about voting for him. (And yes, I do look at each candidate, and each issue, before voting....I've voted for a few Republican's in my life, because they have proved through their actions that they are for the betterment of we the people, not for their party).

[pappy]

Quote:He charged that such investigations were carefully planned to help Obama’s re-election chances

An active Army Colonel making a blatantly political critique aimed at the C.I.C.?

Shouldn't we see a reprimand or serious dressing down of Allard for this?

[jaxx]

(07-12-2012 07:39 AM)pappy Wrote:  

Quote:He charged that such investigations were carefully planned to help Obama’s re-election chances

An active Army Colonel making a blatantly political critique aimed at the C.I.C.?

Shouldn't we see a reprimand or serious dressing down of Allard for this?

Allard is retired. One of the wingers who show up on MSNBC as a paid contributor. What the hell does a retired anybody know of current military? The man is a liar.