Oops!

Banking Data: A Mea Culpa

Tehran New York Times public editor Byron Calame finds it within himself to admit that maybe, just maybe, outing a completely legal and non-abused classified national security terrorist-fighting program might have been a mistake!

He does, however, manage to blame this mistake on Bush.

I fear I allowed the vicious criticism of The Times by the Bush administration to trigger my instinctive affinity for the underdog and enduring faith in a free press...

Heh. Now look what you made me do!

The Anchoress, Michelle Malkin and Captain Ed have more vituperative commentary on the matter. My own previous thoughts on the subject can be found here and here and here.

UPDATE: Glenn Reynolds puts it in a nutshell.

So the New York Times damaged national security by tipping terrorists off to the existence and nature of a legal program that was not being abused. Remember that the next time they declare their own fitness to be trusted with national security decisions.

Why? Because they could.

UPDATE2: Macsmind says that NYT may have good reason for being nervous. The grand jury investigation of the leaks is ongoing.