The head of the Department of "Justice", our Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, has invoked a World War I era law under which reporters can be prosecuted on grounds of violation of national security. In other words, if the press tries to expose Bush's rampant screw-ups in foreign policy or Bush's violations of the law, their representatives can be busted for it, presumably on whatever grounds Bush, Cheney, Rove, and Gonzales see fit. Key section:
In recent months, journalists have been called into court to testify as part of investigations into leaks, including the unauthorized disclosure of a CIA operative's name as well as the National Security Agency's warrantless eavesdropping program.
Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said she presumed that Gonzales was referring to the 1917 Espionage Act, which she said has never been interpreted to prosecute journalists who were providing information to the public.
"I can't imagine a bigger chill on free speech and the public's right to know what it's government is up to — both hallmarks of a democracy — than prosecuting reporters," Dalglish said.
Gonzales said he would not comment specifically on whether The New York Times should be prosecuted for disclosing the NSA program last year based on classified information.
An outrage. An absolute outrage. A traitor in the White House wrecks a CIA operation and Bush's people want to attack the people who exposed the treason. The NSA violates U.S. law and Bush is going after those who revealed that violation. How much more of these cover-your-ass and lie-through-your-teeth bastards can our nation take?
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