The "Fourth Estate" as "Fifth Column"

Once again the NY & LA Times have decided that the interests of the enemies of the United States are more compelling that the interests of the people of the United States and the elected government which exists to "provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare."

By once again releasing classified information concerning anti-terrorism measures our American "Fourth Estate" has proven beyond a doubt that its delusions of grandeur and self-importance are greater than its respect for the U.S. Constitution.

By publicly exposing and releasing details of the cooperative efforts of the international community to trace financial transactions between potential terrorist organizations the NY/LA Times have officially laid claim to being legitimate heirs of the infamous legacy of the "Fifth Column."

I suppose that the promotion from "Fourth" to "Fifth" might be viewed by some as a step up.

I, on the other hand, see it as having more in common to a descent into hell

As Samuel Johnson once put it, "Hell is paved with good intentions."

Or, as T.S. Eliot put it,

The last temptation is the greatest treason:
To do the right deed for the wrong reason.

Regardless of their intentions, the publishing of this and other classified information by these papers in defiance of adamant requests from the U.S. Government not to do so has undeniably compromised our national security and placed every one of us at greater risk to terrorism.

These publications have not only hurt the United States but, particularly in today's expose, many other nations as well; every nation that has cooperated in implementing the access to international financing data has been exposed as well.

Few in the United States will view this latest "revelation" as helpful and useful to any but those enemies of this country who are the targets of such surveillance.

Never before in my life have I been tempted to seek government suppression of the press. Yet never before in my life have I experienced the American press abusing its freedom of speech in such a blatant disregard for national security and the constitutionally established authority of the U.S. Government to "provide for the common defense."

It is incumbent upon the U.S. Attorney General to begin formal investigation of these matters immediately and in full view of the American and world public.

Not to do so will only encourage the "Fourth Estate" to morph even more completely into an even more bold and shameless "Fifth Column."

Related links to Hugh Hewitt (here, here, here here & here), the Weekly Standard (here & here), Powerline & Captain Ed (here & here).