For the Sake of National Security, Shut Up!

(Aired on June 23, 2010)

I guess you could blame the media.  But when you are a top official involved in maintaining your country's national security, you should probably know when to keep your mouth shut.  In an article slated to come out later this week, the man in charge of the American presence in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, criticizes and disrespects the Obama administration.  Not a good decision when that's your boss, no matter what your opinions are.  Is it really the media stirring things up when you knew that the Rolling Stone reporter was getting access to you and your staff for weeks on end?

Then today, the country was abuzz repeating comments made by CSIS head Richard Fadden.  He says there are multiple politicians and bureaucrats in Canada controlled by foreign powers.  This sounds a lot like something a person like him says when he's drunk, though that apparently wasn't the case.  Failing that option, Fadden's comments are totally out of line.  If this is really the case, and is not something out of a Robert Ludlum novel, Fadden should have kept it quiet until arrests are made.

Don't get me wrong - we in the media love it.  I'm already looking forward to asking Peter Milobar whether that Uji delegation coming to Kamloops next week is bringing him his instructions.  But for the sake of national security in both the U.S. and Canada, it's best that these chatty Cathies be removed from their jobs without any hesitation.