Is Harry Potter's Secret More Important Than National Security?

The New York Times is now embroiled in yet another controversy. Apparently, newspaper staff purchased a copy of the latest edition in the Harry Potter saga and published a review in the July 19, 2007 edition of the paper. J.K. Rowling and the publishing company are disappointed to say the least that the last in the series is being spoiled by newspapers who are publishing reviews prematurely. Writer Michiko Kakutani reviews the last book in the Harry Potter saga without giving away specific details and more importantly, the super secret ending.

But my question to the New York Times is this: What makes keeping the Harry Potter secret more important than matters of national security? Why preserve the integrity of the ending of a simple book over the plans of our government when it comes to preventing terrorism in this country? It seems to me that the New York Times keeps its journalistic priority elsewhere or the newspaper is extremely out of touch with most of America.

In a world where terrorism is a real and constant threat, the New York Times does not have a journalistic responsibility to reveal wire taps or troop positions under the guise that the American people have a right to know. The only thing I have the right to know as an American is that my government is doing all they are capable of to keep me and my family safe. I respect the actions of our government and our military who work to keep terrorism confined to the Middle East. It is reassuring to exist in America in a post 9/11 world without worrying about car bombs or being kidnapped and beheaded. I would expect any decent journalistic establishment to report on areas where the government is failing at protecting the American people, as was the case in preventing 9/11.

What do we gain by knowing that our government is actively trying to intercept phone calls between terrorism suspects? What do we gain in knowing that our government officials are freezing the financial accounts of terrorists? It is ironic that the New York Times will publish a story about how many troops are killed in Iraq and another story that compromises the lives of those very troops.