December 7, Pearl Harbor Day, a day when our enemies rained destruction on us at the beginning of World War II....

And now, the CIA in a series of leaks to the Washington Post and, most recently, ABC News, is raining destruction on us from the inside while we are engaged in another world war.  It is not a question that the CIA cannot keep secrets, but rather that it appears to have a strategy of destroying the secrets we have.  Further, with the 'black prisons,' the CIA developed a policy that it knew would be damaging to the Republic if it were revealed, and then revealed it.  Not the least of the questions raised by these recent leaks — really press releases — is what cooperation can we expect to get from other nations in the future?

Clearly some action toward the disloyalty at the CIA is required, but it is dangerous for the White House to go on a crusade against the bureaucracy because it is so easy for it to transgress the law.  So here is a modest proposal for a solution:

Scene: The Rose Garden

Bush: Over the past four weeks, there have been very serious leaks of confidential information, activities and operations from the CIA.  This has occurred during a time of war when we have troops making the ultimate sacrifice in the field on an ongoing basis.  As Commander in Chief, I have instructed the Director of the CIA to attend this morning to explain these leaks and what is being done about them, after which he will take your questions.  Mr. Director.......

....and at the end of the press conference,

Bush: Thank you Mr. Director.  In a couple of weeks, we will have you  back and you can report to us on the progress you are making in investigating these leaks of vital national information and what steps are being taken to prosecute those responsible.

Greg Richards   12 07 05