AP Puts Vital Base At Risk

In Ernie Pyle's day, reporters who covered war were part of the team. Sure, if there was something wrong going on, they'd report it, but they knew they had a role in national security, and in winning the war.

Those days are long gone; witness today's AP story on one of our U2's that crashed, costing the pilot his life:

"The specific location is not releasable due to host nation sensitivities," U.S. Air Force Capt. David W. Small, a Central Command spokesman, said in an e-mail when asked for more information.

American U-2s operate out of a base in the United Arab Emirates, although U.S. military officials refuse to discuss this fact at the UAE's request.

To the reporter, Patrick Quinn, and your editors: Shame on you! "Sensitivities" means something, and the base in UAE means something in our war against people who want to kill you and your family. You have jeopardized both for no reason, other than stroking your ego, thinking it's so cool you know something the Pentagon won't talk about.