Consumer/Producer

You probably think this will be about goods, but it’s about information.

As a consumer of information, I want it all the time in all forms.
As the producer of information, I’m with Jonah Goldberg….it seems that Obama should have waited.

The White House says the information in Bin Laden’s compound is the equivalent of a “small college library,” potentially containing incalculably valuable and unique data on Al Qaeda operations, personnel and methods.

“It’s going to be great even if only 10% of it is actionable,” a government official told Politico’s Mike Allen.

I’m no expert on such matters — though I’ve talked to several about this — but even a casual World War II buff can understand that the shelf life of actionable intelligence would be extended if we hadn’t told the whole world, and Al Qaeda in particular, that we had it.

It’s a bit like racing to the microphones to announce you’ve stolen the other team’s playbook even before you’ve had a chance to use the information in the big game.

And from Peter Brooks:

Yes, the terrorists no doubt took countermeasures to cover their tracks upon hearing about the events in Abbottabad — but they might not have done as clean a sweep if we hadn’t bragged of stumbling upon a “mother lode” of information.
And, yes, it’s fascinating to know how our spooks tracked the courier and the SEALs stormed the compound — but did we really have to coach the bad guys on this? That sort of grandstanding will likely prove counterproductive.
And what about the existence of a CIA safe house in Osama’s ‘hood? Sure, the operation and folks who pulled it off undetected deserve a hearty “well done” for outstanding tradecraft and lots of guts, but the attaboys should come inside the confines of Langley — not in the press.

All good points. All made earlier by Coastwatcher in the comments of that link.

I am wondering if it’s about control. This administration wants control of all the communication (even though they suck at it). They know the info will go out…Pakistan surely knew what happened…and they want their spin to be the first spin.

By forcing us to receive their communications they gain even more control. I realize that with 911 requirements on phones (they must all be trackable) that the government already has our number. What is this new bit of control? (HT the most admirable Matt Drudge)

What always cracks me up about Democrats is that they always think it will be just their side in charge. Let’s say that John Ashcroft suddenly becomes President next year. What say they then?

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