LEAKING AND THE NEW YORK TIMES

Earlier this week I posted an exact copy of the letter I wrote to the New York Times editor, Bill Keller, wherein I chastised him for the Times' publication of details of a secret government anti-terrorism program that was "following the money" of terrorists.

There have been countless suggestions in the blogsphere about what, if anything, should be done about this continuing seditious activity by many arrogant mainstream media outlets. And I have come to the conclusion - nothing directly.

The problem IS the NYT and LAT and others but they would have nothing to print if there weren't leakers to provide them with material. So, I think it is absolutely vital to go after the leakers. How you ask?

1. Subpoena the editors at the NYT, LAT and WSJ who were responsible for publishing these stories.

2. IMMUNIZE them from prosecution and THEN demand their sources. Since they will not have self-incrimination to fall back on, they'll refuse citing the so-called journalist privilege (which does not exist - look it up) and they will be told to either pony up the information or go to jail for contempt of court.

3. SLAP them into prison for as long as it takes for them to give up the leaker's identity. I believe they can be kept locked up for as much as 18 months. Judith Miller lasted 3 and gave up her source and subsequent reporters who were subpoenaed were more than happy to forego the pleasure of jail and testify fully and completely.

4. Leakers now labor under the belief that the treacherous bastards who publish their leaks will protect their identities. When that belief is taken away, the cowards who leak will be far less likely to run the risk.

I must say, the prospect of Bill Keller and "Pinch" (stupid name for a stupid man) Sulzberger frog-marched out of the NYT in handcuffs is one of my pleasant before-sleep fantasties these days!

Let's roll!