Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Maybe ‘Mum’s the Word’ is Better?

Information is a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, we want to know where the U.S. government is lagging in its efforts to protect us from terrorism.

But on the other hand, if terrorists know what our shortcomings are, aren’t they likely to concentrate in those areas?

Our government was given a failing grade in improving response time in case of a biological attack, by a national security commission, and it’s been all over the news this morning.

It’s always bothered me to hear things like this – not because I don’t want to hear bad news, but because I know the bad guys are just waiting to find out where they can focus their efforts.

Also, the news media, in a zealous attempt to report everything and be the first to do so, cite the “public’s right to know.” And that’s okay, if only they’d exercise some judicious restraint.

It’s bad enough that people have targeted us – we don’t have to give them the strategic information they need so they can do THEIR job better.

Remember the World War II slogan ... "Loose Lips Sink Ships"?

No comments: