Rightwing websites, talk radio personalities, and the Fox News channel today expressed outrage over yet another revelation by the New York Times of what they characterized as "...sensitive, confidential information essential to the conduct of the Global War on Terror."
The latest focal point of Rightwing outrage was Sunday's article in the Times' sports section by Sports Department summer intern Calvin Biffney which, according to Rightwing critics, revealed closely guarded state secrets concerning the whereabouts of Vice President Dick Cheney.
Biffney's article, "Glavine To Face Nats In Series Finale", ran inside the back page in the Sunday Times under a photograph of Mets starting pitcher Tom Glavine.
The passage that enraged Rightwing media pundits came at the end of the 120 word article: "...Sunday's matchup at RFK Stadium will feature a 1:15 starting time. The first 10,000 kids 14 or under will receive an Alphonso Soriano bobblehead doll, and VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY IS SCHEDULED TO THROW OUT THE CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH" (emphasis supplied). It was Biffney's disclosure of the Vice President's whereabouts which, critics contend, "...constituted a virtual death warrant for America's beloved Vice President."(The Vice President tossed out the ball on Sunday without incident).
Columnist and Rightwing Blogger Michelle Malkin, in an article posted on her website Sunday evening called Mr. Biffney's actions, "...cowardly, un-American, and treasonous." She called for an immediate Department of Justice investigation of Mr. Biffney, the New York Times editorial board, its publisher Arthur Sultsberger, Jr, his wife Trudy and their dog Jake, a chocolate Labrador retriever. Malkin ended her weblog diary with the following sinister admonition: "...Cal Biffney currently resides at 14 W. Webster Ave., Apt. 6A, Bayonne, New Jersey 10039. It would really be peachy if someone went over there and TOOK DOWN down this modern day Benedict Arnold."
Radio and TV personality Sean Hannity amplified Ms Malkin's remarks during his Monday radio show. "I don't know who this New York elitist Cal Biffney thinks he is but he and his terrorist-coddling buddies at the New York Times might as well have given our missile codes to Osama bin Laden. Thank God he didn't include the address of RFK stadium where the Nationals play or the Vice President would never have survived his close brush with death on Sunday."
The New York Times, which has recently come under withering criticism for running articles both on its FrontPage and its Style & Leisure sections, reacted quickly to the allegations of sports page sedition. Times Editor Bill Keller issued a press advisory on Sunday afternoon which pointed out that other news outlets had also carried the news. "Vice President Cheney's plan to throw out the ceremonial first pitch in Sunday's game between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals was announced in press releases from both The Whitehouse and Vice President Cheney's own press office. In addition it was published in the Washington Post, the Washington Times, USA Today and eighty- five other major daily newspapers, and all thirty Major League Baseball websites. The news ran all weekend in half hour rotation on NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox affiliates in both Washington DC and New York, and on the Times Square news crawl. Weighing these factors, we went ahead with the difficult decision to publish."
Rightwing author and lecturer David Horowitz brushed off Keller's comments in a Monday morning web posting. "Sure several other media outlets also ran the story, but the New York Times actually ENJOYED running it. Everyone at the New York Times who was in any way related to this story must be summarily executed! Now! Hurry!"
Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman issued a press release condemning the Times on Monday morning stating: "The New York Times, Michael Moore and the cut-and-run Democrats should be investigated and punished for revealing this sensitive information essential to the Global War on Terror. Their actions have emboldened the terrorists and put all Americans at risk."
Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh also weighed in on the controversy on his Monday radio show: "The New York Times, Michael Moore and the cut-and-run Democrats should be investigated and punished for revealing this sensitive information essential to the Global War on Terror. Their actions have emboldened the terrorists and put all Americans at risk."
Vice President Dick Cheney who left Washington this morning to attend a $1000 a plate GOP fundraiser at the sprawling suburban Houston mansion of oil executive Wayne "Porky" Stubbs, could not be reached for comment.