There is no excuse for this. If we don't have freedom of the press, we don't have freedom. The government has limited power when interacting with the press to ensure this freedom. Obama and the DOJ seem only to be concerned with physical security, not our civil security. What's worse, they also seem to be vindictive when it comes to chasing down journalists they don't appreciate. Please GOP, pick up the ball.
Regarding this particular case, on the surface it looks like a cut and dried assault on the press, but I don't think the public knows enough of the details enough to make a sound judgement. The DOJ will have to make its case in court, and I seriously doubt any Federal court will want to give even the appearance that they are willing to basically repeal freedom of the press. If only the press felt the responsibility to do its job better instead of sell airtime to advertisers and turn a profit for its stockholders...but that's another issue.
What will be interesting to see is whether the right gives the Obama DOJ a pass on this because they're not opposed to such tactics and welcome the opportunity to employ them. Let's face it, when it comes to civil liberties and the like, the Obama admin is cut straight from Bush's cloth. If there is one thing that history shows is true, once the executive has a power, it does not relinquish it. Obama has been no different.If only the press felt the responsibility to do its job better instead of sell airtime to advertisers and turn a profit for its stockholders...but that's another issue.
Not only is this another issue, but it has absolutely nothing to do with the topic.