During the U.S. civil war, Gen. William Sherman declared all newspaper reporters to be little more than 'spies'. He deplored their rutting around for camp rumors & innuendo and then publishing those bits of information to the aid of friend and foe alike. Gen. Sherman was convinced that if all reporters were killed today, there would be news from hell by breakfast tomorrow.
Attorney Gen.: Reporters Might Be Prosecuted
'"There are some statutes on the book which, if you read the language carefully, would seem to indicate that that is a possibility," U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said, referring to prosecutions. "We have an obligation to enforce those laws. We have an obligation to ensure that our national security is protected."
In recent months, journalists have been called into court to testify as part of investigations into leaks, including the unauthorized disclosure of a CIA operative's name as well as the National Security Agency's warrantless eavesdropping program.
Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said she presumed that Gonzales was referring to the 1917 Espionage Act, which she said has never been interpreted to prosecute journalists who were providing information to the public.
"I can't imagine a bigger chill on free speech and the public's right to know what it's government is up to -- both hallmarks of a democracy -- than prosecuting reporters," Dalglish said.'
I would prefer the feds quit wasting time & money on this Hoffa nonsense.
The new Iraqi government has much to say and a tough task to accomplish.
New Iraq leader vows security, reconciliation.
A day after he unveiled the lineup of most members of his coalition government, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said he has drawn up a plan to bring the violence plaguing the country under control, starting with Baghdad. He also said his focus on security would be coupled with something Iraqis have seen little of in recent months: reconciliation.
"We have a new plan of reconciliation for Iraq to restore trust," he said, without giving details.
This is the first place I'd start, Prime Minister.
Violence Invades Baghdad's Emergency Rooms.
Located in west Baghdad, the bloodiest half of the Iraqi capital, Yarmouk has coped for three years with an unrelenting daily stream of wounded, dying and dead. The U.S. emergency room depicted in the HBO documentary "Baghdad ER," airing for the first time Sunday night, does similar work for wounded U.S. military personnel and Iraqi civilians, but compared to this one it's secure and well equipped.
"All the hot spots are around this hospital," Hussein said. By the end of his 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. shift, he had treated about 100 patients, he said -- a normal work day, but "an indescribable burden."
Judge Throws Out Lawyer in Saddam Trial.
The squabble began when chief judge informed defense lawyer Bushra Khalil that she would be allowed to return to the court after being removed from a session in April for arguing with the judge. But when she tried to make a statement, he quickly cut her off, saying, "Sit down."
"I just want to say one word," she said, but Abdel-Rahman yelled at guards to take her away. Khalil pulled off her judicial robe and threw it on the floor in anger, then tried to push the guards who were grabbing her hands, shouting, "Get away from me."
As she was pulled out of the court, Saddam objected from the defendants' pen, and Abdel-Rahman told him to be silent.
"I'm Saddam Hussein, president of Iraq. I am above all," Saddam shouted back.
"You are a defendant now, not a president," the judge barked.
And last, but not least,
Thank God for small favors.
