What is fun about the liberal media is they tend to let things slip when they do all that spinning and propagandizing. Murray Waas at National Journal has lots of failed theories and predictions to his name. But his reporting does uncover facts which, when looked at objectively, tell the true story.

In today’s rant about CIA leaker McCarthy, Waas has a quote from NY Times Editor confirming the scope and pressure of the leak investigation Mac Ranger has been relating from his sources:

In a response to questions for this article, Times Editor Bill Keller said in an e-mail that he believed the Bush White House is on a campaign to intimidate the press. “I’m not sure journalists fully appreciate the threat confronting us,” Keller wrote. “The Times in the eavesdropping case, the Post for its CIA prison stories, and everyone else who has tried to look behind the war on terror.”

Emphasis mine. As I pointed out before, these ‘stories’ are plants by partisan hacks trying to sway national and Federal elections. The only truth that survives are the national security details woven into the tails of pretend scandals to give them a semblence of credibility and gravitas.

Wilson’s Niger forgeries being knowing used by Cheney to fake the reason to war was all BS in the end. Risen’s NSA story had all the facts wrong since it is clear the NSA data was being sent to FISA for warrants and FISA judges were uncomfortable with it – completely opposite of NSA bypassing FISA as claimed. But all the information about how we detect attacks by terrorist that was exposed was 100% accurate, damaging and illegal to expose.

What we see is confirmation of scope (NSA surviellance and the CIA Safe Houses in Europe Priest confused with torture chambers) by Keller. We also get an indication the reporters and news outlets are in trouble as well. We know the NY Times went to the administration and was told in no uncertain terms not to print the story. What Keller is crying about is he is being held responsible for going against that warning to not break the law.

The rest of Waas ‘article’ is the now classic display of ignorance from those who cannot understand who is authorized and not authorized to declassify intelligence. Waas cannot distinguish between a slip and a partisan attack. Powell’s exposure of intelligence data to the UN to make the case for dealing with Iraq is not the same as Wilson’s planted, fake stories while working for Kerry’s election campaign. If Waas has trouble seeing the difference that is his problem – not Bush’s!

But back to the woven facts Waas has trouble processing into his biased world view. Here is another gem which supports posts from Mac Ranger:

A senior federal law enforcement official said that by the time the FBI investigation is completed into who provided information to the Times for its articles it may well be the most extensive leak investigation ever undertaken by the bureau — in terms of agents assigned to the case, resources dedicated to it, and overall expense.

Now that is news. It also means this is not isolated to one or two people. This much investigative power implies a large scale crime that also may extend back over a long time. I am beginning to wonder if Mac’s number of 6 people in the hot seat may not be a bit low.

Update: The CIA is apparently reminding ex-CIA agents that their vows of silence live on well after their departure from the agency. Wonder who this is targetted towards? Could their initials be VIPS?

The Central Intelligence Agency has warned former employees not to have unapproved contacts with reporters, as part of a mounting campaign by the administration to crack down on officials who leak information on national security issues.

A former official said the CIA recently warned several retired employees who have consulting contracts with the agency that they could lose their pensions by talking to reporters without permission. He added that while the threats might be legally “hollow,” they were having a chilling effect on former employees.

Well, maybe that ‘chilling feeling’ is a reminder of their oath and the damage that could be done by people who sell secrets for political gain. Why would anyone feel bad about being reminded it is against the law to do something, like stealing? Only those with stealing would be concerned – right? Well, we know of one person who was warned to honor his word:

The attempt to silence former employees extends beyond those who still have consulting contracts. Larry Johnson, a former CIA official who blogs at www.TPMCafe.com, said he recently received a “threatening” letter reminding him about his confidentiality agreements.

Larry, don’t break the law and you won’t feel ‘threatened’. Of course, this whimpering illustrates Larry is all talk and no spine. Geez man, suck it up and deal with your problems. You signed a contract and are being held to it. Stop whining about it.