New Year's resolution: Stop saying "Oh well, it can't get any worse"

YOU ARE VISITING THE OLD MALKIN(S)WATCH. THAT'S FANTASTIC. PLEASE VISIT THE NEW MALKIN(S)WATCH WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE.

Malkin crows:

Look for the Plamegate apologists to argue that the NSA leaks were "good" leaks, justified in the name of safeguarding civil liberties and the national interest, and should therefore be exempt from criminal prosecution.

By contrast, they argue that disclosures about Valerie Plame were "bad" leaks worthy of pulling out all prosecutorial stops--though no one has been charged with leaking classified info, and even if they did, the adverse effects on national security are infinitesimal compared to the damage done by the NYT/NSA leaks.

Okay, I'll bite: The NSA leaks were "good" leaks, justified in the name of safeguarding civil liberties and the national interest, and should therefore be exempt from criminal prosecution.

Happy? The fact is, by Bush's own words, the warrantless wiretaps were illegal and unconstitutional. They are a contravention of the spirit and the letter of our system of government and are most assuredly an impeachable offense.

Secondly, there are such things as roving wiretaps. Now, by the way, any time you hear the United States government talking about wiretap, it requires -- a wiretap requires a court order. Nothing has changed, by the way. When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order before we do so. It's important for our fellow citizens to understand, when you think Patriot Act, constitutional guarantees are in place when it comes to doing what is necessary to protect our homeland, because we value the Constitution.

As for "the adverse effects on national security" being "infinitesimal", I'm a lot more worried about loose nukes (Valerie Plame's area of operation) than I am about Bush's ability to skip the FISA court.

We cannot forget that all of the wiretaps obtained illegally would have been relative child's play to obtain legally. Not to mention that anyone who claims that the NY Times story is the first time it would have occurred to terrorists that they were being listened to is a big, fat liar.

Jane Hamsher:

We picture a cave somewhere in Pakistan. Osama picks rat meat off a stick when countless number twos rush in screaming "Good God man, no warrants! Shut it all down!"

Update: That resolution is looking pretty good about now. Apparently, the CIA secret prisons leak is being investigated, as well, although there appear to be varying reports on whether it's a full investigation or simply the Justice Department "notifying the Post." This being New Year's weekend, I may not be able to follow up that development in a timely manner, but it's safe to say this whole thing is looking worse and worse.