Has anyone read the coverage of America’s impending war against Iraq in the daily newspapers and wondered, as we have, what in heaven’s name are these reporters and editors thinking? It seems to us that they have gone over the top, publishing information that is beyond the scope of what is essential for Americans to know at this time, and, more important, undercutting this country’s ability to put together a secure military action against the arming of a terrorist dictator with nuclear weapons.

Our enemies must be laughing at us.

Case in point: the aerial photographs that appeared in the New York Post last week showing our military bases in Saudi Arabia before and after the recent build up.

Case in point: the story that appeared on the front pages of several dailies outlining America’s delicate negotiations with Saudi Arabia as we move closer to securing peace, not only for Americans but for people throughout the world, to take down Saadam Hussein.

We recognize that as publishers of weekly, community newspapers we are not in the same circles as the large daily newspapers, facing the challenges and competition they face on the national and international scene. But recklessly publishing information that is likely to undercut America’s security, and its ability to successfully carry out a military mission is horrific.

And, don’t, please, tell us about how they are simply ensuring the public’s right to know. We doubt that the public has any grave need to hear, at this time, how negotiations are going with Prince H or to see the build up at our military airstrips overseas, nor do we think they’d want to know if it means compromising the lives of Americans and our success on the war on terrorism. It’s motivated instead, we believe, by fear of being scooped, the bottom line and ego. And, it might just cause us to lose American lives and make our war on terrorism that much harder to win.

That’s our view. What do you think? We’d like to know.