Rationalising Treason

There's been a lot of electrons spilled over the New York Times revealing the secrets of what it acknowledges is a perfectly legal and effective surveillance programme of terrorist finances. The Captains Quarters, Power Line, Little Green Footballs, Instapundit, Hugh Hewitt, et al have all weighed in over the story and the NYT editor Bill Keller's defence of leaking classified information in a time of war that boils down to "because we can," but I haven't added anything simply because my take can be summed up in one word:

Prosecute.

Update: Wizbang summarises the New York Times' position.

Dear Reader:

1. We have no reason to believe the program was illegal in any way.
2. We have every reason to believe it was effective at catching terrorists.
3. We ran the story anyway, screw you.