Politics; on "leaks"

Yet again, my day starts as I turn on the radio and find that yet another bureaucrat has violated his oath of confidentiality and provided classified information to the press. Now, I don't doubt that there are a lot of imbeciles in Washington, and that sometimes getting important truths out requires heroic measures.

That is why, of course, people can appeal to courts, ombudsmen, and other resources assigned to that purpose. When things get really bad, they can resign in protest.

But talking to the press? Have they forgotten that "loose lips sink ships"? Do they know what it's like to work in an environment without trust? (or do they simply not know what it's like to work in a trusting environment?)

My solution; someone leaks a secret, and they're immediately transferred to a combat infantry unit in Iraq or Afghanistan for a year. Let them learn up close and personal what happens when secrets are betrayed.