When Freedom of Speech Attacks

There's been a lot of press about WikiLeaks lately.  Somehow they got their hands on some confidential documents from the U.S. government and decided everyone on the planet had a the right to know what they said.  Some of the dispatches were embarrassing, with diplomats painting other heads of state in a bad light, but some of the correspondence details important U.S. asset locations such as dams, communication pipelines, industrial plants, and other things that the U.S. see's as critical assets that could hurt the country if they were destroyed.  Thanks WikiLeaks for giving the enemy a target list, with directions.

So where does the line stop between freedom of speech and just plain irresponsibility?  I've read article after article on every major news web site about how WikiLeaks was putting soldiers overseas and citizens here in this country at risk, and I thought to myself "Are you kidding?  You people do this every day!"

It's true, every time the U.S. does something to capture or kill high ranking enemy combatants the press details exactly how they did it.  I remember several instances where coalition forces tracked down the enemy by triangulating cell phone signals, so the press tells everyone how they did it.  So now the enemy knows not to use cell phones. 

The enemy learns fast, and the press is their greatest asset for information on what we're doing to fight them.  They learn troop movements, tactics, and how our technology works simply by logging into any of the news outlets every day.

I think WikiLeaks is doing a disservice to this country, but the news media has no room to condemn them when they are just as guilty.  I'm all for freedom of speech, but I'm more concerned about the safety of our troops.  I think the press should be held accountable for being responsible with their mandate of reporting events.

The lives of our military members is more important than their ratings.

"God, it's unfortunate that we can't seem to get along here on this planet.  Please help us find love for one another.  And please keep our troops safe.  Thanks."