A Question Worth Asking

"[Ed] Snowden and many others have now said that these leaks are important and justified because the public needs to decide whether this is done in their name. Basically I disagree with that (the justification for the leak). But it does raise a basic point that it is inherently difficult for the public to make fully informed decisions about intelligence work done in its name. Yet, who gets to do this? Snowden says it’s up to the public. But it’s really more like Snowden and Greenwald have made that decision on the public’s behalf." -- Josh Marshall in Talking Points Memo, reflecting on the NSA leak controversy.

With the identity of the NSA leaker and his statements justifying his actions made public, we have to reflect on the question that Marshall raises.  A free press is essential to keeping Government honest, and yet there are secrets that must be kept out of the public domain.  Actions at the intersection of the public's right to know and national security have consequences, often beyond the vision of the actors involved -- unelected and unappointed actors at that.  It's a worrisome issue, but having the debate is necessary.

BONUS:  Ed Kilgore at Washington Monthly weighs in.