MSM Undermining American Security

John Hinderaker @ Powerline quotes Ace of Spades, who makes an interesting point about the incessant publication of national security leaks by the New York Times, Washington Post, etc.:

The left continues to undermine national security in the most despicable, cynical way. I'm quite sure the reasonable liberals at the NYT and WaPo know full well that programs like this are absolutely vital, and their secrecy is likewise vital. However, they have made the most anti-American and evil sort of decision: While tools like this are vital for saving American lives, they will not permit any Republican President to use them. Only Democratic Presidents are permitted to employ the full panoply of powers for protecting American lives.

It's blackmail, pure and simple. Either let a Democrat into the White House, or we will continue to sabotage American security and, in effect, kill Americans. We will keep secrets when a Democrat is in office, but not a Republican. So we offer the American people a choice: Let the politicians we favor run the country, or we will help Al Qaeda murder you.

Hinderaker comments,

I think this is actually the subtext not only of the leaks, but of a lot of news coverage. If you don't want news coverage that constantly deprecates the economy, for example, and thereby undermines consumer confidence, the solution is simple: elect Democrats.

I couldn't agree more with Hinderaker's assessment. Left-wing bias in most of the MSM is well documented (and, yes, there are right-wing media, as well). The MSM's fawning over the Clinton Administration was nauseating (who was that one reporter that said she wanted to give Clinton a blow job?).

During Reagan's years, it was "he's too old" or "too stupid" (sound familiar?). During the current administration, Bush is said to be stupid, uninterested, not curious, secretive, etc. There's a constant drumbeat of dour news, spin, biased headlines that sometimes are utterly misleading, and above-the-fold negativity. I think that has an influence on the public, if even subconsciously. I also think it influences media coverage outside America because it gives the MSM's kindred spirits license to hate, which then infects their populace.

I'm not saying the MSM should like Bush or event treat him with kid gloves. In fact, good investigative journalism is crucial to a vibrant democracy. But they should quit waging a war against the Administration because they don't like his views. We have one president at a time and, like it or not, it's GWB. The MSM must realize that we, as a country, need him to succeed, particularly in wartime. The consequences of failure in the WOT are manifold. The irresponisble, and oftentimes disrespectful, "news" coverage oftentimes plays into the hands of our enemies.