My personal musings about anything that gets on my radar screen--heavily dominated by politics.
2006-01-05
New York Times
Dateline: June 3rd, 1944
U.S. Military, Administration Using German Spies for Disinformation Campaign
The New York Times has learned that the U.S. Military, under orders from and with explicit approval of the Bush Administration, has been engaged in a months-long effort to make contact with German spies in England and America. The purpose of these contacts is unclear, though it is thought that the spies could be used to pass deliberately misleading intelligence to the Nazi Government.
Well-placed sources, under condition of anonymity, have revealed to the Times that this effort has been ongoing for several months now without approval of Congress and without Judicial oversight.
Among the bits of misinformation being passed to German spies includes the intention to make a landing at Calais. Said one administration official "I just think this President has no respect for the sacrifice of the men in uniform who will be asked to undertake this harrowing invasion. But to do so while deliberately lying to the press, to our allies, even to our men compounds the danger with dishonor."
Asked to comment, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said "A declaration of war does not give the President the right to fight this at any cost. What good is our best effort if we betray the ideals of our country in the process?"
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said "We cannot hope to win the real war if we cannot be trusted. The word of the American President has to mean something to the world, and if we engage in this sort of tawdry disinformation, then we really will have surrendered."
Many prominent Democrats expressed outrage at the revelation, and many called for Congressional hearings.
"If we can be so free to mislead the world about our intentions and our reasons for acting, what limits can there be on the government power? It is just the sort of horrific tactic used by the Japanese when they attacked Pearl Harbor" said Dick Durbin, Senator of Illinois and number two Democrat in the Senate.
Asked for comment, the White House said it does not comment on tactics, but emphasized that, in their view, the President has explicit powers under the Constitution to conduct war as he sees fit. Asked if that includes the power to manipulate intelligence, the White House spokesman said that is part of war, and falls under the President's power.
Lawrence Tribe, well-respected law professor, said "this is in a bit of a murky Constitutional area. The President does have some inherent powers, but whether or not those extend to interfering with the Bill of Rights is not clear--it has never come before the Supreme Court."
Prominent conservative law professor and supporter of President Bush Ted Olsen said "this clearly is within the President's purview. "
Nonetheless, Ted Kennedy (D-MA) said "We should sheeriously conshider the conshequenshes of not telling the people of Normandy that we're attacking Calais. How many inoshents will die becaushe of thish Preshident's 'devil-may-care' attitude about the war?"
In case you don't get it, this is my weak attempt at farce. Just ask yourself what would happen if you transported this political/journalistic climate to the spring and summer of 1944. | |
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