Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

With all the leaking going on in Washington these days, perhaps it is time to send every White House official and staffer and every Congressional delegate and their staffers some Depends.

Yes, I know, there have probably been leakers as long as we've been a nation and have had a government, but it sure seems there's a lot more leaking going on under the Trump Administration than at any time before.

Some leaks have news value and have a purpose. Other leaks seem to be more like 4-year-olds tattling on their siblings for the sole purpose of getting them into trouble. Such was the case, in my opinion of the Sadler-McCain leak.

Sadler, a White House communications official, was overheard, during a private communications office meeting, talking about the Arizona Republican's opposition to President Donald Trump's pick to lead the CIA, Gina Haspel.

Sadler allegedly said, "It doesn't matter, he's dying anyway." I use the word allegedly because I wasn't there. I don't know for certain what was said.

Sadler has apologized to the McCain family but has not issued a public apology, which some in the main stream media are demanding. Perhaps the leaker could leak an apology.

My question is how or why is this a news story? Do I condone what Sadler said? No. But it was said in a private meeting between colleagues.

I have said things at work that probably shouldn't be repeated, some in jest, some, like Sadler, unfortunately, could be considered in poor taste. You say them in front of people you assume are "friends" who will not betray you.

In an opinion piece by Brent Bozell and Tim Graham they note, "We have no idea of the context." Context is important, along with tone.

Gail Collins of The New York Times spoke frankly, according to Bozell and Graham, "The stunning thing to me about that Sadler-McCain thing was that it got leaked. The fact that in private conversation, presidential aides occasionally make deeply offensive wisecracks about the opposition (and McCain at that moment was the opposition) isn't exactly shocking. But that it immediately got out was sort of amazing."

In an article in New York magazine, Axios spoke to some of the leakers to find out why they leak.

"To be honest, it probably falls into a couple of categories. The first is personal vendettas. And two is to make sure there's an accurate record of what's really going on in the White House."

Did you hear that - personal vendetta.

Two things I learned in journalism that I'm not sure are taught anymore:

First, not every quote is going into a story. I cannot count the number of times I have covered a meeting and people have said something in jest, or sometimes not, but regardless, it was not relevant to the story. They may remark, "Please don't publish that" and the fact is I was not planning on it.

If it is not relevant to the story, is it relevant?

So was the Sadler leak relevant? What was the news value other than to attack the Trump administration. It's not news that Sen. McCain is dying from a brain tumor. It's not news that he wouldn't be voting on the confirmation because he hasn't been back to Washington since January.

Is it news that Sadler said something in bad taste? Do we care what Sadler thinks?

The second thing I learned is to be careful of the motivation of your sources. By understanding what is motivating them you can determine better if you can trust the news value of the story and their interpretation of the facts.

Are vendettas worth a news story? Sometimes, yes. In the Sadler case, in my opinion, no.

Those in the Trump administration need to be aware that anything they say can and likely will be leaked in this current world we live in. It doesn't matter if you say it to your best friend, the wall in the bathroom or just thinking out loud.

Why do they need to realize anything and everything they say will be leaked? Because today's media has already proven that they will report any leak, whether or not it is newsworthy or relevant.

There used to be an old media saying "if it bleeds it leads." I guess now the saying is if it's leaked it leads.

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I know you are thinking this should have been a time for me to impart some wisdom on our graduates instead of mouthing off about leakers. But, there is a lesson here for our graduates.

In today's world of vendettas, looking out for No. 1, and social media, be careful what you say, what you tweet or what you post.

Two of the University of Wyoming's most famous draft picks, Josh Allen in the NFL this year and Larry Nance Jr. by the NBA a few years back can attest to this with previous tweets coming back to haunt them on draft day.

Potential employers check out your social media profile. Do not think we do not do that ... because we do.

Your words, whether said in private or public, have consequences.

So my advice to all of our Class of 2018 graduates is always choose your words carefully. These are words to live by, and you can quote me.