The firing of Mary McCarthy, a CIA official who gave classified information about secret prisons to media, has provoked a political stir in the US.

McCarthy acknowledged she gave classified information to a reporter without authorization, and violated the secrecy agreement signed upon working for the CIA. On the surface, this is an issue of discipline, occupation ethics and breach of working agreement. But the leak itself reflects her political concepts and motives. And the dismissal of McCarthy is obviously driven by political motive. The incident is essentially a political incident.

Secret prison is a component of US' Iraqi War and the war against terrorism. It unavoidablely bears strong political flavor for it involves arguments about US foreign policies, and political ethics. Right after the dismissal of McCarthy, the Democrats criticized the White House for exercising double standards over leaks: It sacked McCarthy, but kept silence over officials in White House who leaked information intentionally.

Coming alongside with the incident is a difficult political problem: Whether the public has the right to know about the truth about governmental decisions and acts. Vigilance against power abuse and black box operation always exist in the culture of American politics, which makes the public sympathize with those officials that reveal the truth. Public opinion poll has shown the Iraqi War policy has sparked great controversy in the American society. The policy has been questioned and criticized by the majority of people. Under such circumstances, the dismissed McCarthy will become a political symbol that knocks on the gate of the White House.

It is reported that the CIA launched a massive internal check after the exposure of secret prison. Even the Chief of CIA himself received polygraph exam. The supreme intelligence agency of the US spares no efforts clearing its organization. This smells too political and even constitutes impact on the constitutional system of the US.

On the other hand, journalist Priest of the Washington Post won the Pulitzer Prize for her coverage of secret prisons and gained increasing reputation.

The sharp contrast shows US society's increased divergence on the Iraqi War, and even on the political appraisal of governmental behaviors.

(People's Daily Online April 28, 2006)