Dear New York Times
Dear New York Times Editor,As the Justice Department launches its investigation into your tardy but laudable release of information about the NSA's domestic spying activities, I hope that you will, as an institution, protect your sources in the tradition of responsibile journalism. Since this particular investigation carries the very real prospects of eroding the protections afforded to whistle blowers, those involved in making us aware of these potentially unlawful actions will need your assistance now that the information has been made public and has provoked this angry, recriminatory response from the White House.The Bush administration is clearly attempting to fog their activities with the Justice Department action and all the blustering about aiding and abetting the enemy. We know from their patterns that they will take this opportunity to create more bullying capacity for the White House. Please help prevent that from happening.
Robert E. Rich
December 31, 2005
Robert E. Rich
December 31, 2005
posted by Robert E. Rich at 8:28 AM
1 Comments:
It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.
Suppose, for example, that the NSA calls you up or comes to visit, and asks about something you wrote to me in an e-mail. You call me up and I tell you that an official contacted me, also. I also tell you that I inquired of the official by what authority 1) he got the information and 2) he can interrupt my day with his investigation. The officer tells me he is an NSA representative, shows me his "badge" and "ID" and refers to the authorizing Presidential dictates. You say you got the same sort of information. We have both been warned that we cannot disclose the contact. We determine to make this public and share our experience with the NYT, asking for anonymity so the NSA officials don't come looking for us.
See, the NYT cannot disclose its source, even tho the information it has is ostensibly "public". The NSA and the administration are upset that their "secret" investigations have been made public.
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