Do You Want to Know a Secret?

There were several recent instances of military and government intelligence deliberately finding its way into the public domain.  It's a disturbing matter.  There are enemy forces in the world who will try to exploit whatever information they can acquire.  So what propels members of Seal Team Six to show a gaming company their specially fitted (and secret) weapons?  And what causes a CIA officer to reveal the identity of fellow officers to a reporter?  Reaching back a bit in time, but nonetheless also significant: What induces the White House to reveal far too much information in the raid to capture UBL?  On the face of it, state and military secrets have been leaked and traded for...well, a long long time.  Yet, these recent disclosures are not cases of espionage involving dead drops, axis vs. ally political fault lines, or even large sums of money changing hands -- matters that have to be vigilantly defeated.  These are instances of currying popularity points in an election year; of helping to make cool games more authentic; of payback.  Will the country survive these unfortunate and dangerous indescretions?  Of course.  Has damage been done?  Yes.  Guys like James Bond are going to have a tougher time in a climate where the white hats readily show their hand.