Why Does Bill Keller Want Me To Become Dead

I just don't get it. Clay Waters at Timeswatch, sure. But I don't even blog about the New York Times most days, and yet Times Editor Bill Keller wants me dead, otherwise he wouldn't keep publishing national security secrets.

Not that the Washington Post wants us any less dead than Keller.

Back when I had reporters to supervise at my little aviation trade journal, I used to tell them not to be awed by major news organizations like the Associated Press, The Washington Post, or The New York Times. Because they screw up like anyone else, and can be as dense as a doorknob. There are reactions galore to Keller's letter explaining his latest compromise, and Malkin has a long roundup, but I can scarcely believe a serious man would write the following:

Some of the incoming mail quotes the angry words of conservative bloggers and TV or radio pundits who say that drawing attention to the government's anti-terror measures is unpatriotic and dangerous. (I could ask, if that's the case, why they are drawing so much attention to the story themselves by yelling about it on the airwaves and the Internet.)

No snarky comment can do this justice. Although perhaps Keller thought the story was behind the paywall.

UPDATE: In one of the quotes Tom Maguire cites in his own commentary, Keller says:

The power that has been given us is not something to be taken lightly. The responsibility of it weighs most heavily on us when an issue involves national security, and especially national security in times of war. I've only participated in a few such cases, but they are among the most agonizing decisions I've faced as an editor.

Agonizing. Sure.

Comments

[RTD]

From Keller's response

"It's worth mentioning that the reporters and editors responsible for this story live in two places — New York and the Washington area — that are tragically established targets for terrorist violence. The question of preventing terror is not abstract to us."

Do you live in New York or Washington? If not, don't f'in talk about people who actually have the balls to stand up for their principles instead of baaaaa-ing in line with the administration like you and the rest of the wingnut blogosphere.

Why don't you go fight the good fight yourself? They raised the recruitment age to 42. Oh that's right, you're too busy helping the war effort by BLOGGING. I'm sure the people actually in the line of fire really appreciate your sacrifice.

Bill Keller wants you dead? Impressive how you manage to capture paranoia and delusions of grandeur in just a few moronic words.

[Christopher Fotos]

Well what a nice fellow you are for visiting.

Until a couple years ago, I worked in downtown DC and spent a good part of my day in the Metro, where the security folks were nice enough to install some chem/bio detectors to tell us what was going to kill us. Not that it would prevent it, but hey, it's good to have records of these things later. I live about 30 miles outside DC and spend plenty enough time as a target near and in the city. (And while I'm not in the military--50 years old with a mild heart condition, but whatever--on the bright side I haven't helped the enemy commit mass murder. So I've got that going for me.)

So. What.

Are you under the impression that only people directly involved in particular activities are permitted to write about them? If so, please send a quick note to Keller. Because hey, whatever works.

But I'm glad that at least you found it impressive. Thanks!