Trust

 Random Thoughts and Memories : "Nun Ya "

  If you click on the above it will hopefully take you to a blog I wrote some time back, fourteen years ago. My thoughts on that subject haven't changed. I was just reminded of that when I heard about the reporters leaving the pentagon. They turned in their passes, packed up their stuff and left. The issue being they didn't want to agree to a confidentiality agreement with the pentagon regarding what information they would have access to. They believe that access should be unrestricted in any way, why it's the first amendment, freedom of the press and apple pie! So on their way out, carrying their boxes, a copy machine and some old pictures they said, we will continue to report on everything we can. In my view they just basically acted like small children throwing a fit in the toy store. 

 The last time I talked about this it was in regard to Bin Lade. You do remember that don't you? Remember when our special forces eliminated him? The press and the general public began demanding photographs and other proof. There was a big uproar over all of that. Thing was, he was eliminated from the playing field and that is all I needed to know and all the general public needed to know about that. That's why the title, "Nun Ya" because it really is none of your business. I feel the same way about those reporters and the pentagon. There is some information that is none of your business! Yes, it is that simple and direct. 

  I was in the Navy for twenty years, I held a secret clearance at one time but I couldn't see top secret documents. You know why? It wasn't any of my business. That secret clearance allowed me to look at the building plans for nuclear and conventionally powered submarines because, I worked on submarine systems, repairing them. I needed to know that stuff. When I no longer had the need to know, that clearance was withdrawn. I certainly didn't storm out of the building grumbling about that, it was just common sense. So why these reporters feel they should just have carte blanche access to military secrets I can't understand. They don't need to know everything. And the thing is this, if those same journalists weren't constantly leaking sensitive information, broadcasting every move our military plans, they wouldn't have to be restricted. They brought that upon themselves. They can not be trusted with a secret! And that's the bottom line.

  This is the main sticking point:  "The policy stipulates that when journalists receive and publish unsolicited classified or sensitive information from government sources, they are “generally” protected in doing so by the First Amendment.  But “if you solicit the disclosure of such information or otherwise encourage [Defense Department] personnel to violate laws and policies concerning the disclosure of such information, such conduct may weigh in the consideration of whether you pose a security or safety risk.” Credit The Hill publication for that statement/explanation. 

  Isn't that exactly what I'm saying? If you can't be trusted, you can't be trusted and access is restricted or denied altogether. The press feels like they should have unrestricted access to roam the halls of the pentagon like sharks circling a sinking ship, waiting, looking, listening for that big news, the news that will make headlines. National security, confidentiality, and safety be damned, just get the story! It's quite evident and has been for some time now the press doesn't act in the best interest of the public or the nation, it's simply business to them. Get the ratings and make a profit. Journalistic integrity?

 It's nonexistent. I have no doubt that the press would report in great detail any "secretive" information they became privy to. Remember when Dan Rather presented four fake documents concerning George Bush's military service? Do a Google search and you will get a list of 12 disgraced reporters. Can the press be trusted? No, not at all ad that is why the pentagon asked for that promise. A simple agreement to report responsibly, honestly, and not revel things of a sensitive, safety or security nature. But like a pack of children they just cried; I'm telling! 

The Top 12 Journalism Scandals Since 2000   They don't care if it is the truth or not, whether that information could cause harm just will it benefit my career as a journalist. So what if others have to die because of that reporting, I got the story. 

                                                                                 

                              This is why you don't allow reporters to just wander the pentagon halls.

                               They can't be trusted.