The Story Is Bush's Spying, Not The Story's Messenger

As a followup to my post about the NY Post editorial, I present this excellent Village Voice article (from Sydney Schanberg's Press Clips series) of a similar note-

Checks and No Balance-

The story is Bush's spying, not the story's messenger

The domestic spying controversy is a story of immense importance... Some Bush supporters have attacked the Times for running the piece. On the other hand, some journalists have attacked theTimes for holding it for a year. From where I stand (I'm a Times alumnus), the paper should get credit for digging it out and publishing it. But whatever one's journalistic point of view, the Times' decision-making is not the central story here. The president's secret directive is.

[Note: Bingo.]
Continued...

...As for his drumbeat claims that he is honoring the Constitution and the nation's laws, then why did a FISA judge resign, and why are his colleagues now demanding intelligence briefings on the president's secret sidestepping of their jurisdiction? Why are moderate Republicans leaving Bush's side over these issues—all of which have their origin in the president's self-expansion of power as he devised the invasion and ongoing war in Iraq?...

All good points, all blissfully ignored by the Post in their efforts to shield the President while simultaneously accusing their competition of treason. And if the clueless rantings of the Post amuse you as much as they do me, then enjoy today's NY Post letters page- a totally fair and balanced (*WINK*) collection of takes on yesterday's editorial:

Letters- THE ISSUE: The New York Times' potentially dangerous publication of secret security information.