Heads Need to Roll

Here are the first two paragraphs of a story from the Wall Street Journal today:

An American military attack on Syria could begin as early as Thursday and will involve three days of missile strikes, according to "senior U.S. officials" talking to NBC News. The Washington Post has the bombing at "no more than two days," though long-range bombers could "possibly" join the missiles. "Factors weighing into the timing of any action include a desire to get it done before the president leaves for Russia next week," reports CNN, citing a "senior administration official."

The New York Times, quoting a Pentagon official, adds that "the initial target list has fewer than 50 sites, including air bases where Syria's Russian-made attack helicopters are deployed." The Times adds that "like several other military officials contacted for this report, the official agreed to discuss planning options only on condition of anonymity."

 

Can you hear the laughter in Teheran and Damascus?  The New York Times is giving Assad a heads-up about where the missiles will hit.  Disgusting.  Does anyone really think that the Russian-made attack helicopters described as targets by the Times will still be on their regular bases when the missiles arrive?  There is just no way.  The Obamacrats are so intent on leaking information to show that they are in the know that they are guaranteeing the mission will be a failure.

 

Now that is not to say that the media will call it a failure.  I am sure we will hear how Obama played cards outside the Situation Room while the missiles were in the air.  Maybe Joe Biden can tell America that Obama's decision to send unmanned drone missiles into Syria was perhaps the bravest move ever made by an American president.  The cheers in the media for Obama's actions will be loud and prolonged.  The truth, however, is something else.  These continuing leaks will reduce the attack from a symbolic and mostly meaningless gesture to "punish" Assad to a costly but silly move that will only embarrass America.

 

It is not hard to have "senior government officials"  keep their damn mouths shut.  All it would take is a direction from Obama that no one is to talk to the press about the nature or timing of any military action.  Remember, these leaks are not coming from a whistle blower or some low level functionary.  Most likely the leaks are coming from a cabinet secretary like John Kerry or a four star general.  They are talking with the blessing of Obama.