Anonymous Sources, cont.

As the drama of who outed Valerie Plame continues to slowly unfold, New York Times reporter Judith Merrill is spending her second night in jail for refusing to reveal her anonymous source.  In the discussion of her case, something came up that I find a new and chilling twist.  I first heard it explained in an NPR interview, but I've since heard it confirmed, with less explanation, in other reports.

( Why Judith Merrill is in jail tonight )

You don't have to be a terrorism suspect to be detained indefinitely without trial or charge.  All it takes is to be an ethical journalist with the guts to stand by your promises.  Doesn't that make you feel safe, secure, and full of civic pride?

Quote of the day

Stolen from a longtime acquaintance, who posted it on his site as well as on NovaNET where I first saw it:

A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious.

-- Aristotle