[a fool in paradise]

It was a deep and ongoing frustration with me that so many leaks occurred under Bush. They all hurt him and/or the military.

The shadow government is unelected and serves to counteract the elected administration when they see fit. It isn't out of "dedication to truth justice and the American way". Communists have served, Islamists have served. Infitrate and do what it takes.

Made me wonder if the Abu Ghraib scandal was instigated by such a saboteur. Certainly the photos were leaked to the media when one of the participants unsuccessfully tried to blackmail the government (he tried to negotiate a plea bargain and when that failed, out when the images).

[Fantasywriter]

Yes, but the shadow government would have been watching their backs if Bush had appointed a Special Prosecutor, or the equivalent, every damn time a leak spilled. All you’d have to do is catch one and make a big deal out of hitting him/her with the maximum penalty, and the shadow government is put on notice.

[dbehsman]

Made me wonder if the Abu Ghraib scandal was instigated by such a saboteur.

I have wondered the same thing for years. I doubt we'll ever find out the full story, but that whole thing just had the "feel" of a setup. There was something about it that just seemed "off". Of course, I could be wrong too.