Yesterday I wrote about the problems facing libraries. I should have mentioned two links if you're interested in more information - Tim Coates's Good Library Blog and Karen Christensen's Berkshire Blog which is about much else as well, including the fascinating Love US Hate US debate about what the world (and Americans) really feel about the USA. And if you're in the least bit interested in the challenges and opportunities in book publishing in the coming decade I recommend this special report in Forbes magazine.

You may have noticed that I went to two meetings last week where the 'Chatham House Rule' was applied. It seems that more and more activities are subject to some degree of restraint when it comes to expressing opinions. I sometimes think that leakiness and ill-considered statements are at an all-time high but I was pleased to be sent a copy of a recently declassified letter from Eisenhower to General George Patton sent on 29 April 1944.

Dear General Patton

My attention has been called to a statement of yours in which you expressed an opinion as to the future political position of the United States, Great Britain and Russia. I have examined all available reports in the case, including that brought to my attention by your Chief of Staff, and I thoroughly understand that you thought you were talking privately, and moreover that your statements were made on the spur of the moment. Nevertheless, I must tell you frankly that I regard this incident with the utmost seriousness and you should understand thoroughly that it is still filled with drastic potentialities regarding yourself....

I have warned you time and agan against your impulsiveness in action and speech and have flatly instructed you to say nothing that could possibly be misinterpreted by your own subordinates or by the public....

I am throughly weary of your failure to control your tongue and have begun to doubt your all-round judgment, so essential in high military position....

I want to tell you officially and definitely that if you are again guilty of any indiscretion in speech or action that leads to embarrassment for the War Department, any other part of the Government, or for this Headquarters, I will relieve you instantly from command.

Sincerely,

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Commanding General European Theater of Operations

Phew. That's telling him. I wonder whether there was a reply and, if so, what it said.