Shooting the Messenger

I guess the citizens of the United States are finding out more information than they are supposed to be privy too. And in typical ass-backwards fashion for the Bush administration, they'll go after the journalists themselves instead of those engaging in the illegal activity.

WASHINGTON - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Sunday he believes journalists can be prosecuted for publishing classified information, citing an obligation to national security.

The nation's top law enforcer also said the government will not hesitate to track telephone calls made by reporters as part of a criminal leak investigation, but officials would not do so routinely and randomly.

"There are some statutes on the book which, if you read the language carefully, would seem to indicate that that is a possibility," 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."

.....{snip}...But he added that the First Amendment right of a free press should not be absolute when it comes to national security. If the government's probe into the NSA leak turns up criminal activity, prosecutors have an "obligation to enforce the law."

Nothing like a little good ol' fashioned intimidation to put the kibosh on freedom of the press. I wonder how many other Constitutional amendments will be violated before this administration runs its course? Any takers?

Attorney Gen.: Reporters Can Be Prosecuted