"The buck stops there" administration - reason 8227

Remember this?

That was when leaking classified national security-damaging information anonymously to the press was not only A-OK, but encouraged by top Administration officials.

How about this?

That was also when it was A-OK for top Administration officials to leak factually incorrect and misleading information anonymously the the press.

So then guess what the Adminstration's verdict is on this type of leak?

Yup, you guess it, suddenly not A-OK.

To break it down to the most basic premise:

Leaking lies and national security damaging information by top Admistration officials anonymously to the press: good

Whistleblowing on unconstitutional, using the Bill of Rights as toilet paper, illegal acts by top Administration officials: leaks must be stopped at all costs.

Just the latest in the 5+ year long passing of the buck, do as we say not as we do, blame others ass-backwards theocracy we are living under. Claiming that the leak of Dear Leader's illegal and unconstitutional wiretapping program is "damaging to national security" and the ever-reliable "helps the enemy", the WaPo is reporting that:

The Bush administration, seeking to limit leaks of classified information, has launched initiatives targeting journalists and their possible government sources. The efforts include several FBI probes, a polygraph investigation inside the CIA and a warning from the Justice Department that reporters could be prosecuted under espionage laws.

In recent weeks, dozens of employees at the CIA, the National Security Agency and other intelligence agencies have been interviewed by agents from the FBI's Washington field office, who are investigating possible leaks that led to reports about secret CIA prisons and the NSA's warrantless domestic surveillance program, according to law enforcement and intelligence officials familiar with the two cases.

Numerous employees at the CIA, FBI, Justice Department and other agencies also have received letters from Justice prohibiting them from discussing even unclassified issues related to the NSA program, according to sources familiar with the notices. Some GOP lawmakers are also considering whether to approve tougher penalties for leaking.

Well, isn't that just rich. Espionage law prosecution for those who call bullshit on a secret program that was declared illegal before it was even implemented. But on the other hand, obstruction of justice by the Administration when they are the leakers. The thing that gets me the most is that, regardless of how vile to the core these people are, or how many times they get caught being incompetent or brazenly breaking the law is that they ALWAYS have that self-righteous tone that makes you want to kick them in the fucking teeth. And now is no different:

"We need to protect the right to free speech and the First Amendment, and the president is doing that," said White House spokesman Trent Duffy. "But, at the same time, we do need to protect classified information which helps fight the war on terror."

Bush administration officials -- who complain that reports about detainee abuse, clandestine surveillance and other topics have endangered the nation during a time of war -- have arguably taken a more aggressive approach than other recent administrations, including a clear willingness to take on journalists more directly if necessary.

Ding ding ding....we have the money quote. Protecting the right to free speech by telling you to "shut the fuck up and let us continue to shit on the Constitution or we'll throw your terrorist-loving ass in prison". And how dare anyone complain about illegal detainee abuse and torture or violations of the Geneva Conventions or lying to Congress or the public or illegally spying on Americans or illegally data-mining.

And to answer the question posed in the Salt Lake Tribune - you can bet it won't ever be this Administration. But not taking responsibility for torture was only reason 1,526 why this is the "buck stops there" administration.