Lose Lips Sink Ships

The other day, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid dropped a bombshell on on a local Nevada television show. He basically said that he had been informed that Osama bin Laden was killed in the giant Pakistan earthquake last month. "I heard that Osama bin Laden died in the earthquake, and if that's the case, I certainly wouldn't wish anyone harm, but if that's the case, that's good for the world."

I can only assume that this report came from intelligence analysts, and if so, there are important reasons not to make it public. When a U.S. senator repeats such claims, which often prove untrue, it only serves to embolden the enemy.

Of course, this isn't the first time Reid has had problems maintaining the confidentiality of important documents.