Letter: Military must maintain security

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2001 | 9:01 a.m.

I like Mike O'Callaghan because he is a rare combination of soldier and journalist. His recent "Where I Stand" column, "Press, military and war," left me uneasy because some people value freedom of the press over defense of our country, and all of the other rights given by the Constitution.

Off the top of my head I can name several essentials of war which are inimical with absolute, unfettered license by the press: surprise, deception, subterfuge, stealth, cover, strength of forces, effectiveness of weapons, state of morale and concealment. I do not trust anyone with battlefield information, except professional soldiers who have something like 10 times the qualifications and experience of most reporters. Besides, military persons take an oath to defend the United States (with their lives, if necessary).

I agree with Philip Meyer that there is a military-civilian divide, due to the shortage of persons in the press and in Congress with military experience. To me that means that we should not tell the media corps, as it is now staffed, everything, and then let newsrooms decide what to conceal and what to reveal.

In local terms, it would be like having reporters in the casinos watching black jack and poker games, and revealing the hole cards.

LORRIN PETERSON