Reply #4: Intelligence & law enforcement agencies...

[tomfodw]

...hear this kind of chatter all the time. Separating the droplets of real information from the flood of noise is the job of analysts.

There's absolutely no point in releasing every little tidbit that comes their way, since it could be made up by some source with an axe to grind, a rumor started by a malicious prankster, old outdated trash being peddled by someone trying to scam a few bucks, or, indeed, a genuine threat. We the general public can't possibly have any idea which is which, and the more garbage that gets circulated, the less likely it is we'll be paying attention when real threats are in motion and we need to be genuinely aroused to heightened awareness and vigilance.

These leaks serve no purpose whatsoever except to scare the easily scared and bore the rest of us. They give the illusion of protection while delivering no such real thing.