I haven't followed the story about the New York Times "treasonous" revelations closely, but several factors are hard to miss and bring out the conspiracy theorist in me.
First of all, the idea that the story revealed anything especially secret or damaging seems to be falling apart very quickly. Apparently most of what the Times revealed was already public knowledge, much of it brought to the public's attention by Republicans. And many of the people accusing the Times of treason had to know this all along, and that it wouldn't take long to come out.
Secondly, the usual cacaphony of conservative crybabies seemed especially worked up over this particular subject. Their overreaction to a story that most people (including most terrorists) would have assumed anyway, seemed particularly over the top.
Lastly, all of the conservative ire seems to be directed solely at the New York Times, even though the Wall Street Journal and the LA Times also published stories about the program.
So . . . I started to wonder why, and here's what I came up with.
I'm wondering if the Republicans know (or believe) that the New York Times is working on a story that really will be a bombshell. Could it be the Republicans are accusing the Times of "treason" now so they can use it as a defense against the Times in the not too distant future?
Maybe this whole thing is their way of softening up their base so that when the Times publishes something really damaging the rubes will dismiss it as leftist propaganda from the "treasonous" Times.
Just my wacky theory based on zero evidence.