Why we need an official secrets act

More thoughts on AP

The Booman has his thoughts to which I link above.

And I have mine, here.

JOURNO (to President): 

Have there been any foiled terror plots lately?

PRESIDENT:

Not that I know of.

WHITE HOUSE LEAK whispers (to Journo):

Psst! Hey, the president is holding out on you. Here’s a juicy scoop with all the details.

JOURNO (to White House leak):

Hey! Thanks!

JOURNO (to Editor):

Hey! Look at this juicy scoop and these cool details! Wow! Do you suppose it’s newsworthy?

EDITOR:

You bet! Stop the presses! This goes to the front page!

JOURNO (to Editor):

Uh, wait a sec. Maybe this will spoil an on-going security operation? Maybe even blow the cover of a helpful agent? Maybe get him killed?

EDITOR (shrugs):

Damned if I know and it’s not our job to give a shit. Stop the presses!

I think a little national security censorship is in order, don’t you?

I really don’t care how important a bunch of media moguls think they are or think their businesses are, or how impressed they are with themselves, or how sure they are their judgment ought to prevail.

I realize every liberal in the world hates it, but Wilson’s Espionage Act is still with us, I believe, and probably ought to be aggressively enforced.

OK, as Hugo Black used to ask re the First Amendment, the press, speech, and the federal government, "What part of 'Congress shall make no law' do you not understand?"

THE FIRST AMENDMENT

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

But to hell with that.

Nobody has taken the First Amendment that much to heart since the administration of John Adams.

A little prior restraint is exactly what’s called for, and if need be Mr. Obama can pay about as much attention to the constitution and the Supremes as Abraham Lincoln did, during his war.

Libertarians and neo-Confederates are such jerks about these things.

As is the White House and as are the liberals in the senate.

White House asks Sen. Schumer to reintroduce bill better protecting reporters and their sources