Hairs, how to split

Serving with Distinction

By Rick Horowitz

"The President believes the leaking of classified information is a very serious matter. And I think that's why it's important to draw a distinction here. Declassifying information and providing it to the public, when it is in the public interest, is one thing. But leaking classified information that could compromise our national security is something that is very serious. And there is a distinction."

Presidential spokesman Scott McClellan

So I think I've got it figured out. I've been listening to Scott McClellan explaining what the president did and why he did it. I've been listening to the president himself, of course. And I think I see what they're driving at: When it comes to "the public interest," it's all in how you draw distinctions. So I've been drawing a few of my own.

Getting rid of a brutal dictator is in the public interest.

Going to war to get rid of a brutal dictator is in the public interest.

Explaining the reasons we need to go to war to get rid of a brutal dictator is in the public interest.

Raising questions about the reasons we need to go to war to get rid of a brutal dictator is not in the public interest.

Suggesting that we need more troops to go to war to get rid of a brutal dictator is not in the public interest.

Planning for what happens after we get rid of a brutal dictator is not in the public interest.

Supporting our brave soldiers during their dangerous mission is in the public interest.

Cheering our brave soldiers when the banner says "Mission Accomplished" is in the public interest.

Showing our brave soldiers cheering for their commander in chief is in the public interest.

Doubting that the mission was really accomplished is not in the public interest.

Wondering whether our brave soldiers have all the tools they need to do their jobs is not in the public interest.

Showing the coffins of brave soldiers returning home is not in the public interest.

Having a president who won't hesitate to defend America against the terrorists who attacked us is in the public interest.

Making sure that the people the president is defending us against are actually the terrorists who attacked us is not in the public interest.

Examining all the available intelligence about an adversary's capabilities and intentions is in the public interest.

Emphasizing certain portions of the available intelligence about an adversary's capabilities and intentions is in the public interest.

Emphasizing certain portions of the available intelligence that downplay an adversary's capabilities and intentions is not in the public interest.

Allowing anyone else to emphasize certain portions of the available intelligence that downplay an adversary's capabilities and intentions is not in the public interest.

Doing whatever it takes to re-elect a president who won't hesitate to defend America against our enemies is in the public interest.

Risking the re-election of a president who won't hesitate to defend America against our enemies is not in the public interest.

Leaking classified information that shows the president and his advisors in a bad light is not in the public interest.

Leaking classified information that shows the president and his advisors in a good light is in the public interest.

Leaking classified information that undercuts the president is not in the public interest.

Leaking classified information that undercuts the president's critics is in the public interest.

Leaking that helps the president stay in office is in the public interest.

Leaking that distracts the voters is in the public interest.

Leaking that keeps the public from getting too interested is in the public interest.

Posted 4/11/06. It's all perfectly logical -- "Rick's" is your place for the best in commentary!

Rick Horowitz is a syndicated columnist, TV commentator, writing coach and public speaker.

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