The New York Times discloses yet another classified government program to disrupt terrorist networks, this time an effective effort to track terrorist financing that has already led to the identification and capture of important terrorists. Since most terrorists know how to read newspapers, the publication of this story jeopardizes this important program:

The Bush administration has made no secret of its campaign to disrupt terrorist financing, and President Bush, Treasury officials and others have spoken publicly about those efforts. Administration officials, however, asked The New York Times not to publish this article, saying that disclosure of the Swift program could jeopardize its effectiveness. They also enlisted several current and former officials, both Democrat and Republican, to vouch for its value.

Bill Keller, the newspaper's executive editor, said: "We have listened closely to the administration's arguments for withholding this information, and given them the most serious and respectful consideration. We remain convinced that the administration's extraordinary access to this vast repository of international financial data, however carefully targeted use of it may be, is a matter of public interest."

So, according to the Times, the "public interest" - whatever that is - outweighs the public's right to have its government run classified programs to protect us from terroists. Funny how decisions the Times takes in the "public interest" always allow it to sell more newspapers.

If the people running the Times today were working during World War II, I can imagine some of the stories we'd have seen:

England, June 5, 1944 - The American Government is planning a massive invasion of the European mainland tomorrow, the New York Times has learned. The attack, which the Germans are expecting to focus on Pas de Calais, will actually occur further south at Normandy. The invasion will be preceded by glider landings throughout the area tonight and a huge naval bombardment tomorrow, after which US, Canadian, and British troops will invade at Normandy on 6,900 ships. The French Resistance will be activated through secret radio codes, the New York Times has learned.

General Eisenhower requested the New York Times not to publish this article, claiming it could give away classified military information to the Germans and endanger the invasion. In response, Bill Keller, the newspaper's executive editor, said "We have carefully and respectfully listened to General Eisenhower's arguments. However, plans for this unprecedented invasion provoke serious civil rights concerns on the part of the Germans manning the defenses at Normandy. Furthermore, many Americans have relatives who will participate in the attack, and thus the invasion plans are a matter of public interest, despite claims that our article could somehow tip the Germans off to the invasion."

Speaking anonymously, several high-ranking members of the Truman Administration who are uncomfortable with the invasions plans told the New York Times that the entire invasion is an attempt by President Truman to deflect attention from his sinking poll numbers