When the FBI Raids the New York Times

[DeepModem Mom]

TomPaine.com: When The FBI Raids The Times
Dennis Persica
June 28, 2006

Dennis Persica is a staff writer and editor at The Times-Picayune newspaper in New Orleans. He has worked at the daily newspaper for the last 20 years.

....The New York Times has spurred the anger of the Bush administration by reporting on a program to monitor international banking transactions as part of the government’s counterterrorism program. Critics argue this is the equivalent of reporting on troop movements or disclosing the existence of secret weaponry. You don’t have to look too hard online to find posters of the World War II "loose lips sink ships" variety that pretty much blame the Times for the deaths of American soldiers.

The National Review urged the administration to revoke the Times’ White House credentials. U.S. Rep Peter King, R-N.Y., said the Times should be brought up on charges of treason.

The current climate leads me to ponder a what-if scenario. One that I hope is as far-fetched as I believe it to be. But imagine the possibility suggested by the recent rhetorical attacks and threats of prosecution.

What if the U.S. Attorney’s office in New York -— bolstered by a cadre of federal marshals or FBI agents —- entered the offices of The New York Times, looking to rummage through the paper’s files and computers either to find the source of the leaks for the banking story or to make sure the Times isn’t about to publish another story allegedly damaging to national security?...

***

Sure, other journalists would be outraged. But what could they do besides write a few editorials and columns? Perhaps a small majority of the American public would think the government had overstepped its bounds as well. But what can they do outside of expressing their opinions? Remember, we are talking about the power of the federal government arrayed against that of the press and the people. While the latter may win in the end, their victory will be a long time coming—if it comes at all. And there’s reason to be skeptical about the likelihood of ultimate victory. After all, the federal government has an arsenal of weapons—both figuratively and literally. And to be honest, I’ve never quite bought into the notion that the pen is mightier than the sword. Or the M16....

http://www.tompaine.com/print/when_the_fbi_raids_the_times.php

[villager]

1. It can happen here. K&R

n/t

[Cha]

2. THey weren't calling "TREASON!"

when rove, libby, cheney, bush, and novak leaked the undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame.

bush told the terrorists to "bring it on" and they did. Was not that a LOOSE LIPS.. that got Soldiers killed?!!!