Jeff Goldberg: An American Spy

Two Little Lovers Sitting In a Tree

An important observation from The Last English Prince:

Jonathan Pollard did it for money. We do not know the motivations of Jeff Goldberg.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Pollard

“Hello, can I join the conversation, or is it private?” This is what normal individuals do when mingling at a party or within a venue involving strangers within the same space. I have done it many times.

Jeff Goldberg was admitted into a highly private conversation by an individual who remains unknown. He was absolutely quiet – not a squeak – as he gleaned salient features of a conversation. And when aware that he had struck gold, he played the journalist card.

As a journalist, some of my best stories can never be told to the public. They involve state secrets revealed by powerful men with whom I developed strong friendships over years of cultivation. Secret-keeping is important in journalism too. And while assuring confidentiality; assuring that there was not a one party recording of the conversation by “moi”; there was also an innate understanding that if I felt something shared could effect American security or lives, all bets were off. All knew that my military rank outweighed any greed for making a name for myself. My name is really “America”. It is written on my heart.

“I am not recording this. But please be aware that if what you tell me involves a threat to my nation, it will be moved into chain of command.”

In several states, it is not illegal to record a conversation without the knowledge of others involved in the conversation:

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.16.htm#16.02

I do not know exactly in what U.S. state Goldberg was seated when he kept an archive of Signal chat messages between some of the most powerful men in America. But I do know he did not walk up to the group and say, “Hey! Can I join you?” The other parties were not aware that he was seated within “hearing distance” of their conversation. He was not at the policy table. But he was crouched under the table.

This is spying. It is not journalism.

Journalists cultivate sources. My best stories have been acquired when seated next to or across from an individual at an event. I am physically present for the news.

A most important story, was given to me during a meal at a Persian restaurant. My host laughed, when he told me how DHS had been compromised, but Israel (being wiser regarding certain issues) would not allow the individual to step foot on their soil. I still remember the laugh.

This is how real reports work… generally, they are not in real time because of the need to sit back and consider the applications and implications… and real reports must sometime keep the circle very, very tight. My signature statement, and one I would choose to share with novice journalists is, “The best stories can never be told.” This is the burden of accountability and ethics. These stories remind the journalist that the efforts have made the journey more enjoyable. But (the worst word in the English language) hidden treasure must remain hidden treasure if it involves national security.

Goldberg believes he struck gold. This journalist is a cold and looming glacial iceberg against his underhanded manner of harvesting information. I will call it what it is – it is spying.