Crackdown on 'leaks' could hide important truths

[struggle4progress]

By MATTHEW DOWD
Aug 6, 2017, 1:27 PM ET

... 1. Before we start prosecuting leakers, I would like to know, what is the real significance and effect of the leaks on national security concerns? I don't accept the knee-jerk response that any leak is damaging to national security. Americans are not dumb. We can understand an explanation and evaluate its truthfulness. If leaks don't have clear national security concerns, then why is the release of information to the public a threat? Let's be transparent and let the American public decide.

2. The only leak of classified information in the first six months of this presidency which I see as having had a real impact on national security was by President Trump himself, when he revealed to Russians in the Oval Office secret intelligence about ISIS provided to us by our ally, Israel. I know of no other significant leak of classified intelligence. If Sessions wants to crack down on damaging leaks, then start at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

3. The Washington Post published transcripts of phone conversations President Trump had with the heads of Mexico and Australia, and administration officials screamed long and loud about how awful this was and how it would undermine our relationships with foreign leaders. Truly, if you read these transcripts, one is left with the conclusion that it wasn't the leak of these transcripts which damaged our relations, but rather the actual words and actions of this president. Foreign leaders, I am sure, are less worried about leaks than they are about what President Trump is doing and saying.

4. Leaks to The Washington Post, The New York Times and other media outlets and investigative reporting have -- more than any congressional oversight -- held this current administration accountable (such as with the Pentagon Papers and Watergate in past administrations). It is likely that Ret. Gen. Michael Flynn would have never been fired as national security adviser if not for the media publishing leaked information about his activities. Donald Trump Jr. would have never admitted to meeting with Russians but for the press detailing his contacts at Trump Tower ...

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/analysis-trumps-crackdown-leaks-hide-important-truths/story?id=49065233

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. ONE thing separating us from a dictatorship, the leaks.

No wonder that prick Sessions wants to go after them.

[Solly Mack]

2. Trump/Sessions & the rest aren't worried about so-called leaks damaging national

security.

They want to stop any and all scrutiny of Trump's actions, as well as their own.

The use of national security concerns is nothing more than an excuse to use draconian measures to stop people from digging around in the doings of Trump and the rest.