The night Osama Bin Laden was captured and killed, the White House warned that intricate details of the mission should and would be kept confidential. But less than 24 hours later — TMI!
For those who aren’t in the know, TMI stands for “Too Much Information.” And that’s exactly what happened in the halls of government regarding the Bin Laden saga. Every Tom, Dick and Harry within half a mile of a television camera couldn’t wait to spill their guts over the airwaves about what they knew (or pretended to know) that the general public did not. Senators tripped over each other for their chance to brag to the world how they were privy to the gruesome Bin Laden death photos that only “certain people” could see — even though the photos turned out to be fake. It was a classic case of “I’m in the ‘IN’ crowd and you’re not.” And it was pathetic!
Slowly but surely, from the National Security Director’s office to the Senate Armed Services committee, government bigwigs took turns in the media wanting to show everyone how important they were to have been told the REAL story. And with a news media willingly turning the story into a near 24-hour 2 week mini-series, the general public was all too eager to lap up every tidbit of information they could get their public officials to divulge. Except now, it has gone too far.
The Navy Seals who actually carried out the dangerous mission, are fearing for the safety of their family members and themselves. Although their true identity has not been revealed (yet), so many small details have been leaked that a vengeful Al-Qaida could probably put the pieces of the puzzle together if they put their mind to it. And that would not be a good thing. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has already beefed up 24 hour security around the naval heroes, but this can’t go on forever. And although it protects them, it does not protect the well being of their family members.
