Those who get away with it

When I was a child I was always forewarned about doing anything against the rules with some manner of the warning: "You'll never get away with it." It's true that I did try and "get away with it" on several occasions, including the theft of some kisses from a few of the prettier girls in school (which I actually did get away with), but overall it was true--I couldn't get away with much of any importance. I got caught stealing a (friggin') candy bar, I got caught telling lies, I got caught sneaking off when I was grounded, so I finally came to the conclusion that it was simply better that I not do those things that would get me into trouble, and for the most part I've been a responsible citizen for the past umpteen years.

Now, here comes the story yesterday that the former 2nd in command of the FBI was the informant known as "Deep Throat" for the past 30+ years. The 2nd in command of the FBI knowingly and purposefully took information from private Presidential meetings and gave that information to a couple of reporters. Hmmm.... Sounds kind of like treason to me, but what do I know?

Far be it from me to justify or rationalize Mr. Nixon's staff for breaking into Democratic headquarters, frankly I think the whole thing was beyond stupid and anyone involved should have gone to jail (of which a few did). It just seems to me that if I were 2nd in command of the FBI, and I came across information of this nature, that rather than break confidence (and Federal Law) I would have forwarded the said information to the Attorney General--possibly? Maybe to the head of the FBI? Maybe to someone in power who might be able to do something about it? I don't know, it could very well be that all of the above persons were involved in some way, but I doubt it. Instead, this guy blabs to a couple of reporters, and he's a hero--instead of a convict.

I have a real problem with people who tell things that they shouldn't, to people who don't deserve to know. Spies fall into that category for me, as well as anyone who would betray their country, or put an agent or soldier in harms way because they can't keep a secret. I don't think that this falls into quite that same category, but it appears to me that the mainstream media has made this man a hero for telling secrets to reporters rather than going to those in power. It may have been that the outcome would have been the same, or it might not. Regardless, it just seems to me that one who would go to reporters instead of the proper authority--regardless of the legality--is a coward and doesn't deserve the kind of attention this man has received. He's a scoundrel, not a hero, and I've already spoken about him enough.