Not Common Knowledge

The New York Times defends its SWIFT story by saying it was well known anyway. As if the terrorists didn't know about it! No big deal. How dare you assume a frontpage story is actually, um, you know--news. Help! Help! I'm being oppressed!

Yet back in November 2005, the SWIFT program was not public knowledge--even among intelligence specialists and professionals.

At least according to the New York Times back in November 2005, when they complained we had little ability to track terrorist finances, as Powerline notes.

That would explain the above-the-fold treatment they gave their story. Things that aren't news--like pre-2003 Saddam links to al Qaeda--get buried if printed at all.

There's a saying at the Times: "Damned if you do. Damned if you're Bush."

What a bloody give away.