NYT and other mainlining media outlets, make a note. It’s possible to complain about something you believe is wrong without destroying the programs.

Applying the adage, “If everything is the top priority, then nothing is a top priority.” and substituting the word Secret for Top Priority doesn’t work, honora. If everything is secret, then everything really is secret, and it’s not up to the people who have access to the information to make the decision when the information can be released. That responsibility belongs to the classifying authority alone. There are guidelines for declassification of information. Joe Workerbee doesn’t get to determine on his own that something shouldn’t be classified and send it to the New York Times.

It seems that when Congress is not really engaged in policy, they revert to form and it’s exclusively about politics. So tiresome.

One more point: I agree that this leakmania is getting ridiculous. But I think there is some validity to the notion that the WH has overplayed the secrecy bit with the net result being (indiscrimate?) pushback via leaking. Sort of the boy crying wolf idea–if everything is a secret, then is anything really a secret? Also, the WH is not above leaking itself which puts it in the awkward position of parsing levels of leaking. Random thoughts for a Monday AM.

The problem, as we see with Bush in many others areas such as immigration, is that Bush is weak at executing law. And hey – constitutionally, that’s his job. He is the Executive branch. He should execute and enforce existing laws.

This is law. He should respect the law and brief Congress. And then if someone leaks it, no matter who, he should prosecute the shit out of that person to deter future leaks and publicly tar and feather each person who does it. But Bush would never do that; he’s too buddy-buddy. He’s playing the game and he has used the media just like everyone else in Washington does.

I think it’s become obvious that we need someone who goes to Washington with the idea that the media will receive no leaks. Period. And that leakers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. These arrogant jerks are playing with my country for their private agendas and I’m quite tired of it.

Hoekstra sounds like a bitter, angry man. As the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, he may have believed he should have gotten the top job at the CIA that General Michael Hayden was appointed to by President Bush. Therefore, the leaks?

Many of my neighbors, and I wanted to get rid of Hoekstra, but the guy reputedly has an inroad with Whirlpool which is a good sized employer in the area. This year he is running only against a liberal named Kimon Kotos. This is the same candidate he beat in ‘04, so maybe Hoekstra is trying to prove he isn’t a Bush cheerleader.

Did he threaten any kids? …I so want to use “frisched” in a post.

Sounds like a case of need to know to me… or at least that case can be made. Once they start asking questions, they need to be briefed so they don’t raise a stink, like is happening now… IF that other commitee was briefed in, and they oversee those funds, this guy is just grandstanding, with the NYTs help.

I’m too tired to follow it all right now but do click here and here. *** Hot Air video: Hoekstra slams Bush for keeping secrets from House intel…